[Elecraft] KAT500 Auto or Manual

[James Wilson]

Just a couple of suggestions. When you transmit with the KPA500 in

operate mode, do you see the "key" indicator in the LCD display? That's

the asterisk on the far left of the display. It will not provide output

without the "keying" line activated on transmit.  Also, you should never

send too much power into the KPA500 - manual says never more than 40 W.

(not in standby mode but in operate mode.)

Mine puts out 500 W with 23 to 25 watts in.

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The radio sees infinite SWR when the amp is in operate mode. The radio sees
good SWR when the amp is in standby mode.


[FLEX] --> [AMP] --> [DUMMY LOAD]

When the amp is in standby the Flex shows good SWR. When I switch the amp
to operate the Flex shows infinite SWR. It's as if I just disconnected the
coax when I switch to operate. The amp shows no indication power is
reaching it yet it must be if it goes through the amp in standby mode. So I
think it has to be how it is switched within the amp. Same symptoms if I
replace the dummy load with:

[FLEX] --> [AMP] --> [TUNER] --> [ANTENNA]

As long as the amp is in standby the radio is happy and I can make QSOs
(Guinea-Bissau a few minutes ago). But when I switch the amp to operate,
the radio shows maximum deflection on the SWR meter and there's no
indication from the amp or tuner that RF is making it that far.