[Elecraft] KPA500 not responding to K3

[Ben Collins-Sussman]

On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 11:32 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:

> Go download the latest beta versions of the firmware and the associated
> utility programs.
>

The K3 is new and has the latest official 4.38 firmware.  The KPA500 is
about a year old and running firmware 1.23.
I don't have a usb-serial cable yet, though I can grab one tomorrow at the
store;  is there a specific bug fixed in some beta firmware release?


>
> Have you set the baud rate in the K3 to that of the amp?
>

I see nothing in either manual about the K3 or amp having configurable baud
rates to communicate with each other.  Do you have details?


>
> When the amp is moved from standby to Operate you should see a message in
> the K3 that says KPA500.
>

I see nothing at all.  This is a 3rd example, I suppose, of the total lack
of communication between K3 and KPA500.
Again, keep in mind that the K3 isn't *directly* connected to the KPA500.
 They're actually both connected to the KAT500 tuner, as the diagrams
specify.



>
> I would check the firmware.  I know there is a special button you push on
> the KAT500 that optimizes operation with the KPA500.
>

I see nothing about this in the KAT500 manual, but will look again.
The connection between tuner and amp has always worked; I haven't touched
that special DB15 cable at all.  However, perhaps the new DB15 cable that
arrived with the K3 is physically defective?  I'm digging for hypotheses.
 :-)