[Elecraft] KPA500 Remote

[iain macdonnell - N6ML]

I'm operating my KPA500 remotely using the KPA Utility, and a direct
COM port connection. I'm actually "manually" switching bands, changing
from standby to operate, etc, through the KPA Utility too, for the
moment.

A note of caution; the RS232 port on my KPA500 has locked up 3 times
now (requiring power cycle on 110V input to reset). The first time, I
had to make an emergency drive in a freak spring storm to fix it.
Whilst there, I moved the 110V supply to a remote-controllable power
switch, so I can power-cycle remotely. That has saved me on subsequent
occurrences. I need to get around to reporting this to Elecraft
support. At least two of the cases were attributable to unintended
high-SWR events.

The KPA Utility's metering is of limited value, IMO, at the moment -
the numbers jump around a lot between poll events when transmitting CW
(at least). I'm using an LP-100A meter and its "Virtual Control Panel"
for power/SWR metering (peak mode), which works well.

73,

    ~iain / N6ML




On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 12:15 PM, Dana Roode <dana.roode at gmail.com> wrote:
> Folks - who out there has set up their KPA500 as a part of a remote
> station?  I'm planning to do so here, and wondering whether others
> have used the pins in the AUX cable or plan to use software commands
> to turn the Amp on and off, etc.  It appears both may be options.
> There also appears to be a pin in the Aux cable that indicates a fault
> condition, which would be handy to monitor remotely (I have a
> LP-Remote board from N8LP).
>
> I need to make a custom cable between the K3 and the KPA500 to connect
> some lines (band indication, auxbus?) and bring out others - the ON
> pin for the K3 that I currently use, the toggle ON/OFF pin for the
> KPA500, etc.
>
> So, what are others doing?  I see there are options to connect the KPA
> to the K3 via RS232 not sure what that would buy me.
>
>  Dana, K6NR
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