[Elecraft] KAT500 for remote operation

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Greg, there is really no requirement to ever push the KAT500 TUNE switch.
That is a "convenience". 

Once the KAT500 has been "tuned" to a particular frequency, it will store
the settings and jump its tuning settings back to them when it senses RF at
that frequency from any transmitter. No button pushing or other involvement
is necessary as long as nothing changes in the antenna system.

The "TUNE" switch is used ONLY when first commanding the KAT500 to tune the
antenna system for a particular frequency with a particular antenna. 

Note that many antennas do not provide a low SWR across the entire Ham band,
especially on the lower frequency bands. The KAT500 divides the spectrum up
into segments and can memorize the tuning settings for *every* segment to
ensure optimum SWR across the spectrum. 

If you are setting your KAT500 up for remote operation, you might want to
make sure it has a memorized tuning setting for every frequency segment in
each band.  

 > Below 3 MHz the segments are 10 kHz wide.
 > From 3 MHz through 26 MHz the segments are 20 kHz wide.
 > From 26 MHz to 38 MHz the segments are 100 kHz wide.
 > From 38 MHz to 60 MHz the segments are 200 kHz wide.

That involves transmitting briefly inside Ham bands every 10 kHz below 3
MHz, every 20 kHz between 3 and 26 MHz, etc. 

The KAT500 also stores the antenna you chose (ANT 1, 2 or 3) so it will
automatically return there when it senses RF.

Some Elecraft customer support people like to call this "training" the
KAT500. But you don't even need to do that. 

Instead, you can leave the KAT500 in AUTO mode. In this mode, it will
automatically initiate a TUNE cycle if it senses an SWR above a pre-defined
level. IIRC the default threshold above which the KAT500 in AUTO mode will
launch a tune operation is 1.8:1. That is adjustable in the KAT500 Utility
Program. 

After that, it will have stored those values in memory so it will instantly
switch back to them when you return to that frequency. 

Some operators take the time to "train" the KAT500 so it will switch back to
the settings for a frequency instantly rather than have it possibly go
through a TUNE  cycle that might take several seconds. 

Bottom line: if you don't mind a few second wait while the KAT500 determines
the optimum settings for a frequency when you visit it the first time, all
you need do is make sure you have it in AUTO mode and, if you are using more
than one antenna, that you have done a test transmission somewhere in each
band so the KAT500 has memorized which antenna to select for each band. 

Of course if you are using an amplifier, the KAT500 protects it by opening
the key line while it's tuning so the amp isn't stressed and the KAT500 sees
only the exciter power. 


73, Ron AC7AC



 

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Greg Felter
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 6:20 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 for remote operation

Hello group

I have a question about the KAT500.  Initially I will not be using the
KAT500 with an Elecraft transceiver.  Occasionally I will be using my rig
via iPhone remote and want to clarify tuner operation.

Once the KAT500 has been set up with my system and antenna and then placed
on "AUTO" a brief RF transmission will automatically alert the KAT500 to
tune, correct?  I would not have to be sitting in front of the KAT500 to
manually push the "TUNE" button if I read the manual correctly.

This is my only concern about KAT500 operation as I will be using my rig
remotely at times.  Thanks in advance for your assistance and 73.


Greg
KA2COP
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