[Elecraft] KAT500 apparent loss of control

[Robert G Strickland]

My KAT500 is running the latest firmware, 1.32, which I loaded a few 
weeks ago. For the past year or so of operation it has worked 
flawlessly. Now, not sure why, I am encountering various anomalies. 
Using the tuner utility (v 1.13.5.12):

- I cannot manually adjust the tuning (for better or worse); the utility 
keeps reverting to "BYPASSED," and the VSWR and Bypass VSWR are the 
same; there are no checked boxes for L/C.

- In Auto mode, much the same. Key the K3 and initiate tune; KAT500 
tunes to a not-so-low VSWR; the utility operate window reverts to 
"BYPASSED," no L/C boxes checked, and bypassed and tuned VSWR are the 
same (high).

- Loaded factory defaults and tried as above with no change.

- I notice with K3 off and watching the config utility, the "bypass" box 
always reverts to BYPASSED; I can un-check it, and in about 2sec it 
reverts to BYPASSED.

Note, I have adjusted the VSWR thresholds to Autotune at 1.5 and Bypass 
at 1.2. However, the autotune function always reverts to BYPASS with the 
high VSWR (on a resonant antenna as indicated on a MFJ259B). Also, the 
TUNE STATE indicates 0 6 199 (?). Thus, I have limited to no control 
over operation, the unit keeps reverting to bypassed, and the resultant 
VSWR is higher than without the tuner. Any help on how to work with this 
or what may be happening is appreciated. Thanks
...robert
-- 
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA