[Elecraft] KAT500 tuning procedure ?

[Michael Blake]

Thanks Fred.  Your document mirrors what I have heard, in various versions, from several local K3/KPA/KAT owners.  Your logic for leaving the tuner in the “Manual” mode makes some sense but I wonder why the software command structure does not automatically place the K3/K3s in the “Tune”mode when the “Tune” button on the KAT500 is pressed.  Having to press two “Tune” buttons in sequence seems a bit crude for an otherwise elegantly integrated system.

But!  Thank you for your input Fred.  It is clear.  Some input from Wayne as to his views on the implementation of the K3/KPA/KAT tuning system would also be welcomed.

The reason I just ordered the KAT500 was because of a recent catastrophic failure of both VRF2933s in my KPA500,  While the failure was covered quickly and completely by Elecraft’s near perfect warranty I want to do whatever I can to insure it doesn’t happen again.  My goal is to achieve as much automated protection as possible.

Very 73 - Mike - K9JRI




> On Jun 16, 2018, at 8:24 PM, Cady, Fred <fcady at montana.edu> wrote:
> 
> Hi Michael,
> There are a couple of pdf files here 
> http://www.ke7x.com/home/k-line-introduction-and-set-up-guide <http://www.ke7x.com/home/k-line-introduction-and-set-up-guide>
> that can help you understand a bit more of the KAT/KPA operation.
> Note, that, once you have trained the KAT you should run in Man mode, not Auto mode.
> Cheers and 73,
> Fred
> 
> For all KE7X Elecraft books, see www.ke7x.com <http://www.ke7x.com/>
> 
> 
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> on behalf of Michael Blake <k9jri at mac.com <mailto:k9jri at mac.com>>
> Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2018 5:41 PM
> To: Elecraft Mailing List
> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 tuning procedure ?
>  
> 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 mac.com> <mailto:k9jri at icloud.com <mailto:k9jri at icloud.com>>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/>
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
> Message delivered to fcady at ke7x.com <mailto:fcady at ke7x.com>