[Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] New K3/KPA500/KAT500 beta firmware: KAT500 tracking of K3 VFO & other improvements

Fri Feb 14 12:13:58 EST 2014

My experience too.  It all works extremely well.

Thanks!

73 Stephen G4SJP

On 14 February 2014 16:23, Rick Bates <happymoosephoto at gmail.com> wrote:

> I've used it for a few days now, no issues.  Everything simply works and
> better than before.
>
> Well done!
>
> 73,
> Rick wa6nhc
>
> Tiny iPhone 5 keypad, typos are inevitable
>
> > On Feb 13, 2014, at 1:43 PM, Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com> wrote:
> >
> > The K3, KPA500, and KAT500 all have new beta firmware releases
> available. All three must be updated to take advantage of these major
> improvements to the KAT500 and KPA500. All known problems with unwanted
> re-tuning and faults have been fixed.
> >
> > We've also added a new feature that allows the KAT500's network settings
> to automatically track the K3's VFO frequency. The K3 will send frequency
> information over the K3's AUXBUS line, and the KAT500 will select
> previously memorized tuner settings as you move across the band, or when
> you "point and shoot" to work a packet spot.
> >
> > If you have any difficulty with the instructions below, please post a
> question to the Elecraft list, or contact customer support.
> >
> > 73,
> > Wayne
> > N6KR
> >
> >
> > * * *
> >
> > Instructions
> >
> > 1. Download the new beta firmware for each device from the applicable
> software pages on our web site.
> >
> > NOTE: Follow the instructions for beta firmware releases when installing
> software in subsequent steps.
> >
> > 2. Using K3 Utility, save your K3's configuration. Then install K3 rev.
> 4.83.
> >
> > 3. Using KPA Utility, save your KPA500's configuration. Then install
> KPA500 rev. 1.37.
> >
> > 4. Using KAT500 Utility, save the KAT500's configuration. Then install
> KAT500 rev. 1.58.
> >
> > --------
> >
> > 5. (OPTIONAL) Set up the K3 to send VFO information to the KAT500:
> >
> > (a) Make sure the K3 and KAT500 (and KPA500, if applicable) are
> connected via the accessory cable. The AUXBUS line must be connected, as
> well as the four BAND lines, which we use to "qualify" the AUXBUS frequency
> data. If you've built your own cable and omitted the AUXBUS or BAND lines,
> you may need more wires for this to work.
> >
> > (b) At the K3, locate the CONFIG:KAT3 menu entry. Tap the numeric keypad
> '1' button (also labeled "A/B"). You should see "KAT500Y" or "KAT500N" with
> successive taps. Leave it on "KAT500Y" (the Y means "Yes, send VFO info to
> the KAT500"). Exit the menu.
> >
> > (c) Verify that as you tune the K3's VFO, the KAT500 selects the
> appropriate LC settings. This occurs after you *stop* moving the K3's VFO
> for about 1/2 second. You should hear one or more relays clicking at the
> KAT500 when entering segments that have different LC settings.
> >
> > --------
> >
> > 6. (OPTIONAL) In conjunction with the new VFO tracking feature, you may
> find it a good idea to "retrain" your ATU on 8 or 10 kHz boundaries on 160
> meters, and every 20 kHz on 80 meters, particularly if the antennas have
> sharp SWR curves.
> >
> > (a) Use the KAT500 Utility, Configuration tab, Edit Configuration, Erase
> Memories to erase memories on bands that have sharp SWR curves (e.g. 160
> and 80 m).
> >
> > (b) While you're in the Edit Configuration dialog, make sure the
> Amplifier Key Interrupt power setting is 1500 for a KPA500. If not, click
> "Optimize for KPA500", then "Apply".
> >
> > (c) Change the tuner's mode to MAN. In mode AUTO, the KAT500 will start
> a "full search tune" whenever the SWR reaches a threshold. If you're
> pretuned, that should be unnecessary and is probably undesirable. Mode AUTO
> is useful for remote tuners where it is inconvenient to press the ATU TUNE
> button when you need to.
> >
> > (d) Using exciter power only, perform a full search tune at 10 kHz
> increments on 160 and 20 kHz increments on 80 meters. Do this for
> frequencies where you don't want the ATU to enter "full search tune" when
> you next QSY there. This is best done by setting the K3's TUN POWER to
> about 20 watts, HOLD the K3 TUNE button to generate carrier, then tap the
> KAT500 TUNE button. It may take a while for a few settings, but often it
> will start "close" and won't take long at all. It depends on the SWR curve
> of the antenna on that band.
> >
> > (e) IMPORTANT: When you first visit a new frequency, the ATU will first
> "snap in" a setting from a nearby memory. It may be a memory you've used
> before with a different antenna.  If the setting is inappropriate for the
> current antenna, the SWR will be high, and in mode AUTO, the tuner will
> need to retune, which requires more or less constant carrier, not SSB
> speech, not high speed CW.
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
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