[Elecraft] KPA500 and K3 SWR meters disagree

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Loose or poor quality PL-259.  There are many which "look good" but are not. Always snug PL-259 connectors on the SO-239 such they are a bit more than finger tight. I use/have a pair of 4" Channel lock pliers on the desk. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 3, 2018, at 9:58 AM, jeff griffin <kb2m at arrl.net> wrote:
> 
> FIXED ! This morning I went through the RF jumper cables. I didn't find any
> issues after taking each one out and inspecting. So I went through all the
> other Elecraft supplied cables and also found no issues. So just to be sure
> I make a new set of RF jumper cables out of LMR-240. Hooked everything up
> and the problem is now fixed. I then tried the jumper cables I replaced one
> at a time and the problem didn't return. Go figure. So I put the new LMR-240
> jumpers back on and life is once again good in kb2mland...
> 
> 73 Jeff kb2m
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of jeff griffin
> Sent: Saturday, June 2, 2018 11:49 AM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 and K3 SWR meters disagree
> 
> I recently brought my KPA/KAT500 north for the summer and hooked up to my
> trapped multiband fan dipole that I use here in NJ. I leave my K3 here for
> remote use and use the amp at my winter home in Florida to use with my Flex
> 6500 with a Steppir Vertical antenna without the KAT500 tuner. When I got up
> here I installed the KIO3B option. The install went well with no issues, all
> looked good so I connected the K3, P3, KAT500, and KPA500 with the Elecraft
> provided cable set like I do every year. 
> 
> The issue I'm having is an SWR difference between the KAT500 and the K3.
> For example if I use the K3's internal tuner I can on a chosen frequency
> achieve an SWR of 1/1. I the put the internal K3 tuner in bypass mode and
> take the KAT500 out of bypass and set to auto. I then use the xmit button on
> the K3 to create a tune signal to be sent to the KAT500. The K3 then shows a
> 1/1, the KAT500 about the same but the KPA500 which is in STBY mode shows
> around 3/1. What this causes to happen is the Amp will fault out if I try to
> use any power output. If I check the antenna with a trusted SWR meter I see
> 1.3/1 at the frequency of use. I upgraded the firmware in all the devices in
> use, I also did a reset of the KAT's stored frequencies memory, and checked
> both the amp and tuner with the utility programs. I'm going to call Elecraft
> on Monday, anyone have any ideas in the meantime I can try?
> 
> 73 Jeff kb2m   
> 
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