[Elecraft] KAT-500 Utility / Unable to Edit Config

[Jeff Wandling]

Goal:
Adjust the KAT-500 Configuration so that the SWR Thresholds are set as follows:

The amplifier (KPA-500 in this case) is inhibited unless the SWR is better than 1.4.
Force the Auto-tune if the SWR is worse than 1.8
Bypass if the SWR is better than 1.2

Attempts (repo-cases)

Below are two repo-case scenarios.
The first case is an attempt to Edit the Config for the KAT-500 with the Utility.
The second case is a nominal test of entering and exiting the Edit Config feature.

Both seem to yield strange results where the Edit Config feature does not commit the changes and further the UI appears to not present a mode that lets me re-enter the Edit Config phase unless I re-assert the Port connection.

First Repo-case:
Rig is K3/100 S/N 4xxx, patched fully to latest Firmware.
Host system: Windows 10, latest patches, etc..

Install KAT-500 Utility version 1.23.9.8
Reboot PC
Launch KAT-500 Utility (Firmware is 02.05 installed on KAT-500 from Factory)
Select tab Port
Test Communications
See dialog window confirming connection to COM port and baud-rate OK.
Select tab Configuration
Select Edit Configuration
Select tab "SWR Thresholds"
Select radio button "ALL" for band.
Enter 1.8 for Autotune (per manual page 30)
Enter 1.2 for Bypass (per manual page 30)
Press OK
Witness Dialog window for Edit Configuration disposed.
Main window of application --
All buttons (Edit, Save, Restore, Display Fault, Erase Memories, Reset) all greyed out. Cannot be chosen.
Then --
Select tab "Port"
Dialog window confirming connection to COM port and baud-rate OK
Select tab "Configuration"
All buttons (Edit, Save, Restore, Display Fault, Erase Memories, Reset) now functional.
Select "Edit Configuration"
Select tab SWR Thresholds
Witness radio button selected ALL for Band
Witness ALL SWR Thresholds empty - no values present.

Result: The settings are not preserved nor is the Edit Configuration session committed after using "OK" in that panel to set the SWR Thresholds.

Second repo-case:

Same setup - same version of KAT-500 Utility.
Reboot PC
Run KAT-500
Select Port tab
Witness confirmation of Communication OK
Select tab Configuration
Select Edit Configuration
Select Cancel (do not edit any configuration)
Witness all buttons greyed out (Edit Configuration, Save, Restore, Display, etc..) non-functional.
Result: The panel rendered under the Configuration tab holds buttons (Edit, Save, Restore, Display, etc..0 that are greyed out UNLESS and UNTIL I re-assert the Port connection.

Attempted fixes:

- Reboot PC. Attempt to Edit Config, Same result.
- Power cycle KAT, KPA, K3. Attempt to Edit Config, Same result.
- Save Configuration and Restore Configuration Succeed. Then attempt to edit - same Result.

Windows enumerates the KAT and KPA serial interfaces normally. I am not required to run as Adminstrator to exercise the KAT-500 Utility. All of the other features of KAT-500 Utility seem to work -- Firmware tab, Operate tab, Port tab. Command Tester tab works (sent the SN; command for serial number, succeeded).

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73, Jeff W7BRS
https://blog.w7brs.com