[Elecraft] KAT500 Tune Memory and Power Failure Restart

[Fred Jensen]

On 12/10/2014 6:46 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> 1.  Is it normal behavior to lose saved memory values of tuned
> positions.  I checked other spots and nothing is saved on the entire
> 80-meter band — I mean, I had high-SWR on all of my 20 KHz sections.

It doesn't sound like normal behavior, I imagine they're in EEPROM or 
something like that.
>
> 2.  Or, is there something else happening.  I have heard that the
> K3/KAT500 combo gets messed up if the K3 comes alive before the
> KAT500.  Is that possibly what happened here?  I was not in the room
> when this happened so I am assuming that power on startup was a race
> and I am thinking that the KAT500 might be first but I don’t know.

I once fired up the K3 ahead of the KAT500, and while it didn't lose its 
mind, things didn't work right.  Removing power [really pulling the 
plugs] and restoring it with KAT500 ahead of K3 solved the problem.  I'm 
pretty sure that the K-Line is like everything else in this house that 
runs on electricity, "off" isn't really all the way to "OFF."
>
> 3.  I am assuming I have to reprogram all my memory locations for all
> three of my antennas (80/40/30 meter dipoles).

It is human nature to assume the worst when often it's a lot simpler. 
I'd try the "real OFF" thing first and re-power in the right order.  Our 
low impedance/hi-current 21st century gear uses very large capacitors so 
give everything a chance to discharge.  The KAT500 Utility will let you 
look at the current L-C values in the L-network for wherever the tuner 
thinks it is tuned, you might try moving through a band and see if they 
change as you QSY ... or are perhaps all zero?

The Pineapple Express is moving into NorCal tonite, we're on a 69 KV tie 
line that runs through our pasture between two hydroelectric plants and 
we don't lose power very often, but just in case I think I'll pull the 
plug on everything before I head for bed.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
- www.cqp.org