[Elecraft] KX3 and KAT500

[Phil Hystad]

I have been experimenting with my KAT500 and the KX3.  Although I do have a K3 and KPA500 configured with the KAT500 using the switched arrangement described by the KE7X KX3 book, the K3 is powered off and the KPA500 is in standby mode during these experiments.

Although the KAT500 user manual says that to start a tune cycle, at least 10 watts needs to be provided.  So, my KX3 is right on the border line and from my experience in this setup, it DOES NOT initiate a tune cycle in the KAT500.

Has anyone else been successful in initiating tune cycles for the KAT500 at 10 watts from the KX3.  My method is to VFO to the desired frequency, make sure that the KAT500 is switched to the right antenna, and then key down for tuning.  Note: I do not make use of the KX3 built in tuner (I am assuming that I should not given I have a low SWR to the KAT500).


Also, given that my KAT500 is totally programmed across the bands for my two antennas, will the KX3 provide enough power (at 10 watts or under) to initiate the memory lookup for a tuned segment (I have programmed each 20 KHz segment on 80 and higher frequency bands using my K3).  Is 5 watts supposed to be sufficient for locating the proper memory stored tuned LC parameters?  I have not found this to be so (but, here I am not positive of the starting conditions and may need to do this test over, it was getting late last night).

Thanks for any help you can be.

73, phil, K7PEH