[Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

[Rick Bates]

The workaround is easy.  Every time you change bands or significantly change
frequency (more so 15M and below for most antennas), either send a dit or a
quick TUNe burst for a moment so the KAT500 can adjust (quickly if from
memory).  Since it cuts the amp out during the tuning process, everything is
safe.  Worst case, a moment of mismatch on the amp.

Now having said that, being able to read the band PORTION from the K3 would
be much nicer so you'd have 5 seconds faster QSY & attack time or one less
thing to pay attention to.  

All in all its working great, it just another habit that must be developed;
it's not quite perfect (what is?).

Any future upgrade to determine band portion depends on what data is
available via the ACC (DB-15) cabling.  If it's not there, its not there.
If that is the case, I can't point the finger at the design team, it's hard
to forecast the needs a few years down the road.

73,
Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: Igor Sokolov

It is a pity that Elecraft did not adopt the same approach in case of KAT500

which I also have. Lack of this feature makes it impossible for me to use 
KAT500 in combination with HLA300 amp and KX3 as  an exciter. I would 
definitely implement any hardware mod in KAT500 that would make KAT500 
change setting based on the VFO data from the exciter if Elecraft ever will 
design such a modification.

73, Igor UA9CDC

> Hopefully someday the
> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that the
> relays can be propositioned.
>
> 73, Bob, WB4SON