[Elecraft] KPA500/KAT500 paired with AL-1500?

[Vic Rosenthal]

I used to switch two amps. I used a pair of surplus coaxial relays to switch the inputs and outputs. I have my amps set up with a 12v 'enable' input which operates a relay to put the amp in standby or operate mode, and the switch that operated the relays also switched this line. I simply isolated the amp key lines with diodes, because when the amp was in standby, the key line was disabled.
Just some ideas.

Vic 4X6GP

> On 23 Oct 2016, at 03:11, Jim McDonald <jim at n7us.net> wrote:
> 
> I have a KPA500/KAT500 and an 87A/ATR-30 tuner connected to my K3.  Not
> important, but I have an Array Solutions Power Master II wattmeter with two
> couplers connected to the amplifiers' outputs.
> 
> My approach is pretty low tech.  I have the 87A connected to the K3's ANT2
> port and the KPA500 connected to ANT1.  I use an Alpha Delta manual coax
> switch to switch my only antenna coax between the two amplifiers.  (I
> considered using a spare Daiwa switch but it's not rated at 1500W.)  I
> looked up the inter-port isolation for the antenna switch when I connected
> it, and it seemed adequate, but I don't remember the specs.  
> 
> The only thing that's a bit fancy is a macro I did recently to use in my
> K-Pod.  I don't switch amplifiers often so I used two press-and-hold buttons
> on the K-Pod.
> 
> KPA500    MN058;MP123;MN081;UP;MN255;AN1; 
> 
> 87A       MN058;MP000;MN081;UP;MN255;AN2;
> 
> You can either look through the K3 Programmer's Reference Manual if you want
> the mental exercise or read my notes below:
> 
> MN058 - menu
> 
> MP123 - sets K3's tune power to 15W (just my preference).
> 
> MP000 - sets K3 tune power to NOR (not per band)
> 
> MN081 - toggles between per band power for the KPA500 or NOR for the 87A. 
> 
> MN255 - exits the menu
> 
> AN1/AN2 - selects antenna 1 or 2.
> 
> 73, Jim N7US
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> I'm considering adding a bigger amp to the shack. I'd like to continue to
> use the KPA/KAT combo for quick hits and the bigger amp if/when needed. So
> I'd like to make it convenient to switch between them.
> 
> The people I've talked to so far actually move coax to make the switch. I'd
> like to avoid that.
> 
> I'd need to switch the K3s output from the KPA to the AL1500 and obviously
> switch the outputs as well.
> 
> Obviously I'd also need to set the non-KPA power out of the K3 to the per
> band power needed by the AL1500. I seldom run 100w so that wouldn't be a big
> deal.
> 
> I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this without screwing/unscrewing
> UHF connectors.
> 
> Extra credit for idiot proofing. ;-)
> 
> 73
> 
> jim ab3cv
> 
> 
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