[Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

[Igor Sokolov]

Rick,
You do not need ACC data. All you need is to eavesdrop on CAT line so that 
KAT500 always knows the operating frequency and thus the segment of the 
band.

73, Igor UA9CDC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Bates" <happymoosephoto at gmail.com>
To: "'Igor Sokolov'" <ua9cdc at gmail.com>; "'Bob'" <WB4SON at gmail.com>; 
"'Elecraft Reflector'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 2:10 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX


> 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
>