[Elecraft] KAT500 tuning procedure ?

[Michael Blake]

My current station is a K3s, KPA500 and a remote MFJ 944BRT auto tuner.  The remote auto tuner is being replaced with a local KAT500 and I am a bit confused on the workflow described in the manual.

The K3s does not contain the built in auto tuner and the three boxes will be connected per Figure 1. Cabling Diagram: Elecraft K3, KPA500 and KAT500 Using E850463 Aux Interface Cables on page 5 of the KAT500 manual.
The question(s) are:

1.  With the KAT500 in the “Auto” mode and the K3s “Tune” power level set for 10 watts and the KPA500 on and in the Operate mode will the KAT500 automatically drop (not key) the KPA500 offline and perform an autotune, when the K3s “Tune” button is pressed and the SWR exceeds the preset level?

2.   With the KAT500 in the “Auto” mode and the K3s “Tune” power level set for 10 watts and the KPA500 “ON" and in the “OPERATE" mode will the KAT500 leave the KPA500 online and drive the KPA500 to whatever output 10 watts drive delivers when the K3s ‘Tune” button is pressed if the SWR DOES NOT exceed the preset level?  I assume that this will be the condition when returning to a previously tuned band/frequency.

3.  If either 1 or 2 or both are not true is the procedure to always manually place the KPA500 in the “Standby” mode until all KAT500 tuning operations have been completed.

Michael Blake
k9jri at mac.com <mailto:k9jri at icloud.com>