[Elecraft] Controlling KAT500/KPA500 with Icom 7610

Ken Winterling wa2lbi at gmail.com
Mon Apr 19 15:24:42 EDT 2021


The cable between the IC-7610 and the KAT500 does two things. First, it
supplies power to the KAT500 so it turns on when the IC-7610 is powered up.
Second, it allows the TUNER button on the IC-7610 to cause the '7610 to
switch to CW mode and transmit an approximate 10W signal. That, in turn,
causes the KAT500 to attempt to find a matching solution to the selected
antenna. You shouldn't need one of those "tuner plugs" as that function is
built into the KAT500 when connected by the AH-4 Molex cable wiring. The
above assumes that you have the KAT500 connected to the IC-7610 ANT1
antenna port.

If your KAT500 is not working that way with the IC-7610 TUNER button then I
would recheck the cable wiring and verify that the KAT500 is connected to
ANT1 on the IC-7610. If those are good it is possible there is a problem
with the KAT500.

Good luck!

Ken
WA2LBI






On Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 3:06 PM Buck <radiok4ia at gmail.com> wrote:

> Auto-sense works.  I just don't understand why Icom/Elecraft would even
> suggest hooking up the molex connector to the KAT500 if it doesn't do
> anything.  It is a waste of time.
>
> I got the W2GNY plug to fool the 7610 into transmitting as 10 signal and
> it works.  I guess I will stick with that.
>
> Buck, k4ia
> Honor Roll
> 8BDXCC
> EasyWayHamBooks.com
>
> On 4/19/2021 2:31 PM, Ken Winterling wrote:
> > Buck,
> >
> > I have had the IC-7610 and KAT500/KPA500 for almost three years and they
> > are a very nice pair (or trio..). The IC-7610 doesn't "control" the
> > KAT500 per se. Changing bands/frequencies on the IC-7610 doesn't cause
> > any response from the KAT500. Only when the IC-7610 transmits does the
> > tuner detect (sense) the RF and then adjust the capacitors and inductors
> > to match to the current antenna. An Elecraft transceiver, OTOH, does
> > communicate with the KAT500 (and KPA500) and changes
> > bands/frequencies/antenna ports as the bands and frequencies are changed.
> >
> > The KPA500 responds the same way and changes bands by sensing transmit
> > RF. You can build a "band data" cable to interface the IC-7620 to the
> > KP500 and it will, with restrictions, follow the band selected by the
> > IC-7610. The restriction is that Icom's band data voltages do not
> > support the WARC bands. As a result, both 24 mHz and 28 mHz select
> > 28mHz; both 18 mHz and 21 mHz select 21mHz. So, for all bands except
> > WARC, the KPA500 will follow band selections made on the IC-7610 (or
> > almost any other Icom such as the IC-7300, etc.).
> >
> > I can send you a diagram of the band data cable if you would like. It is
> > only marginally useful and most ops of non Elecraft gear seem to just
> > let the KPA500 (and KAT500) RF sense the transmitted RF to make
> > necessary selections. Be sure to read the KAT500 manual section
> > regarding "training" your tuner.
> >
> > GL!
> >
> > Ken
> > WA2LBI
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 2:05 PM Buck <radiok4ia at gmail.com
> > <mailto:radiok4ia at gmail.com>> wrote:
> >
> >     I made up the cable from the Molex to the TUNE on the KAT500 as
> >     described and have checked continuity from end to end.  All OK.
> >
> >     I have the SEND from the 7610 connected to the PTT RLY on the KAT500.
> >
> >     When I change bands, nothing happens.  Is there another setting I
> need
> >     to change in the 7610?
> >
> >     Buck, k4ia
> >     Honor Roll
> >     8BDXCC
> >     EasyWayHamBooks.com
> >
> >     On 4/19/2021 10:35 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote:
> >      > Buck -
> >      >
> >      > The KAT500 Rev D1 Manual, pages 13, 14 and 15 cover the Icom
> >     connections.
> >      >
> >      > The "AH4" cable (the one you're describing) powers the KAT500 and
> >     controls
> >      > the "Tune" function.  If yours isn't doing anything, the cable is
> >     probably
> >      > defective.
> >      >
> >      > What else do you have connected?
> >      >
> >      > 73
> >      > Lyn, W0LEN
> >      >
> >      >
> >      > -----Original Message-----
> >      > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
> >      > [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> >     <mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net>] On Behalf Of Buck
> >      > Sent: Monday, April 19, 2021 7:42 AM
> >      > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> >      > Subject: [Elecraft] Controlling KAT500/KPA500 with Icom 7610
> >      >
> >      > Anyone who has succeeded, I could use some help.  The connection
> from
> >      > the 7610 molex antenna tuner jack to the "Icom in" jack on the
> >     KSAT500
> >      > doesn't do anything.
> >      >
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