[Elecraft] KAT500 help

[iain macdonnell - N6ML]

On Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 12:24 PM, Bob Woodward <bobwoodward at mac.com> wrote:
>> I just installed a KAT500 and a KPA500 (Merry Christmas to me). I installed the auxiliary cables between K3 and tuner and amp. Coax and power to tuner amp and rig. Now I'm in trouble. The manual and my brain don't connect.
>>
>> Here's the problem. When I push "tune" on the KAT500 the auto light continues to flash. No indication of SWR. When I push tune on the K3 it tunes - no indication on KAT500. I've put the tuner on the K3 into bypass. No change on KAT500 when I push tune on it.

On the K3, set CONFIG:TUN PWR to 20.. then use the TUNE function (hold
the XMIT button - *not* the ATU TUNE button) to have the K3 make a 20W
key-down tone. If the KAT500 is in AUTO mode, and detects SWR above
the configured threshold, it should automatically start a full tune.
If you want to force a full-tune, tap the KAT500's TUNE button (while
the K3 is making the 20W tone). When the KAT500 finishes tuning, tap
XMIT on the K3 to stop the 20W tone.


>> I haven't even started to play with the KPA500. At the moment I'm confused as to setting the drive levels for the amp and how to set the power on the K3 so it will work independently when the amp is off.  I guess I need a 16 year old in the house.  (There is no plate and load knobs!)

You may want to set CONFIG:PWR SET to "Per Band" on the K3.

If you have the cabling in place, and the KPA500 configured for K3
integration, you should see messages on the K3 display when you change
the KPA500 from standby to operate. If this is working, run through
each band, and set the PWR level on the K3 once with the KPA500 in
standby (perhaps to 100W), and a second time with the KPA500 in
operate (start around 28W, and adjust for desired output). The K3 will
remember each setting (operate/bypass for each band).

73,

    ~iain / N6ML