[Elecraft] KPA-1500 w/ Kenwood TS-890S

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

(This post may not format well due to limitations of this Reflector [no
HTML support].)

The menu settings for connecting a TS-590SG, TS-890S, or TS-990S to a
KPA1500 (or KPA500) are all very similar.  An S-BOX <https://bit.ly/S-BOX> +
stock cables can provide the required silent keying interface (plus PC CW /
FSK keying), or you can solder your own interface cables, as follows:

   1. Connect a standard USB-A to USB-B cable between to the Kenwood USB
   connector and the PC.  Assuming correct drivers are installed, this creates
   a virtual serial port you can use with your logging program to control the
   rig at 115200 baud (Kenwood default).  The KPA1500 can use the 9-pin COM
   port on the back of the radio to track the rig's frequency automatically at
   9600 baud (typically), with no transmission required to change bands.

   2. Construct a serial cable with a female DE-9 connector on one end, and
   a 3.5mm TRS (stereo) plug on the other, for the KPA1500 XCVR SERIAL jack.
   An Elecraft KXSER cable WILL NOT WORK (unless you extend it with a DE-9 M/F
   null-modem cable or adapter).  Assuming no KXSER / NULL Modem Cable is
   available:

   Wire DE-9F Pin 2 to TIP
   Wire DE-9F Pin 3 to RING
   Wire DE-9F Pin 5 to Shield (or shield to shield)

   3. Construct an amplifier keying cable for the Kenwood REMOTE jack using
   a 7-pin DIN plug:
   Pin 2: To shield of RCA plug
   Pin 7:  To center pin of RCA plug (for silent keying)

   4. In the KPA1500 menu, set:
   RADIO TYPE:  SERIAL
   SERIAL SPEED XCVR:  9600
   RADIO POLL:  ON (should also work with POLL OFF if a logging program is
   running or AUTO INFO mode is enabled in the Kenwood )

   5. In the TS-590SG Menu, set:
   59 HF LINEAR AMPLIFIER CONTROL RELAY to 4 (for silent high-speed keying
   on REMOTE pin 7)
   60 50 MHZ LINEAR AMPLIFIER CONTROL RELAY to 4
   67 COM PORT BAUDRATE:  9600 (default)

   In the TS-890 Menu, set:
   7-00 Baud Rate (COM Port): 9600 (default)
   In the Linear Amplifier Menu, set:
   Keying Logic: Active Low
   TX DELAY: ON
   TX DELAY TIME (CW/FSK/PSK): 5 ms
   TX DELAY TIME (SSB/AM/FM):  5 ms
   Internal Relay Control:  OFF

   In the TS-990 Advanced Menu, set:
   7-00 Baud Rate (COM Port):  9600 (default)
   11 Linear Amplifier Control (HF MHz Band): Active Low
   12 Linear Amplifier Control (50 MHz Band):  Active Low

   6. Once the menus are set, with both amp. and radio powered off, connect
   the 3.5mm TRS to DE-9F cable between the KPA1500 XCVR SERIAL jack (not to
   be confused with the TUNE jack just below it), and connect the RCA to DIN-7
   cable between the KPA1500 KEY IN jack and the Kenwood REMOTE jack.

   7. Power up the radio first, then the amplifier, and it should track the
   band of the radio automatically

   8. (Optional) connect a 3.5mm TRS to 1/4" TRS stereo cable between the
   KPA1500 TUNE connector and the Kenwood KEY jack (or splitter) and set
   KPA1500 menu ATU XCVR KEY to ON to let the amp. key the Kenwood whenever
   you tap the KPA1500 TUNE button.

These settings assume you want to use Pin 7 on the REMOTE connector for
silent high-speed keying, instead of keying on pin 4 with a noisy relay
inside the Kenwood transceiver.  I've also skipped any ALC connection and
adjustment, which is available if needed.

73,
Bob, N6TV
https://bit.ly/S-BOX
https://bit.ly/Y-BOX

On Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 3:12 PM Ron Genovesi <n3eta at coastside.net> wrote:

>     Has anyone used a KPA-1500 with a Kenwood TS-890S or TS-990S?
>  If so do you have any advise on settings for both the KPA-1500 and the
> Kenwood TS-890/990
>
>     Ron Genovesi
>      n3eta at coastside.net
>
>