[Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500

[John E. Reiser]

Bill, W2BLC,

What is the VSWR of your antenna at 3.965?  Is the KAT500 stable with 100 
watts?  That would be a big clue to what is going on.  Any tuner's 
power-handling capability decreases as VSWR rises.

73,

John, W2GW


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill W2BLC" <w2blc at nycap.rr.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 10:11 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500


> The reason I asked the original question is my experience with the KPA500 
> and KAT500:
>
> KPA500 in the OPER mode.
> KAT500 in AUTO (solid on).
> K3 set to 25 Watts when running with the amp.
> Everything has been well checked over for errors in installation and 
> setup.
>
> When I QSY between 3970 from 3755 and start talking on LSB - the KPA500 
> and the KAT500 both go wild. The tuner does not appear to remember that 
> both frequencies have been "memorized" or is very slow (several seconds) 
> to make the determination. The tuner will click (relay noise) and the amp 
> will show RED FAULT (REFL HI) and go to STBY.
>
> Using the above frequencies, when I press the XMIT/TUNE button I get an 
> immediate RED FAULT (REFL HI) however, the unit does not go into STDY. If 
> the XMIT is kept on, the RED FAULT will switch off after about 3 or 4 
> seconds and normal amp output power is noted. I can then talk and all is 
> fine.
>
> If this is how the combo is supposed to act, so be it - however, it isn't 
> what I expected. When I purchased the KAT500 and KPA 500, I was under the 
> impression it would follow me around the bands seamlessly, with only the 
> VFO touched for QSY
>
> The amp and tuner were factory built - so no chance of errors there. What 
> am I missing? Or, is this how it is designed and is actually working 
> "properly?"
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill W2BLC
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