[Elecraft] KAT500?

[Rick Bates, nk7i]

Eugene,

The KAT500 will work with almost any radio made in the last 40 years (or 
somewhat older), presuming the rig has I/O data available. If it doesn't 
read the band data from the radio ( on it's ACC port), there are still 
plenty of ways to allow it to do what it needs to do.  The utility is 
one feature that allows finer control or management.  But the KAT500 is 
serial port only for control purposes.  It doesn't have an ethernet or 
wifi system.

The following presumes that you have a serial (or other) port on the 
radio for it's control and this answer may be longer than you expect.

In the longer run (larger picture as your station develops), you'll want 
more than control of your KAT500.  You'll want to be able to log, manage 
mode changes, band/freq changes (rig control), turn your rotor, switch 
antenna ports on the rig or KAT500 and myriad assorted other necessary 
items.  Not all of the pieces are IP control but require USB or serial 
ports, like the KAT500.

You'll find that it's all much simpler to dedicate a computer (from 
Raspberry Pi, Arduino up to a full fledged top line gaming system) to 
manage the station tasks, hardware and software; even if you're sitting 
there able to mash buttons.  Simple just ROCKS and lowers the ... 
moments when things get busy or distracted and the brain makes mistakes 
(it protects you, a little).

I did that (ALL station elements managed) and it runs quite easily.  
Then I ran the station equally as well, by operating the computer that 
runs the station, remotely.  Two factors present a challenge, an 
adequate audio path for phone/cw, and latency (the time it takes to get 
from the radio to your ears, ad vice versa, no matter the path).  
(Remote can be across the room or anywhere with internet.)

I chose and use TeamViewer for computer control and Skype for audio.  
(Like most hams, I'm cheap and those apps are free and available on many 
platforms which gives a LOT of options from phone, tablet or another 
computer.)  Plus your contact log entries are (correctly) from the 
station, not where you happen to be. I've run my stations while 
traveling much of NA and HI while on road trips and it's still fun and a 
great way to keep in touch with the local gang.

Depending on the OS of your choice, there are many options to choose 
from.  Windows has FAR more options for the moment, the rig control app 
of your choice, a good logging program (integrated suites do much of 
these), KAT500 utility (check/verify readings and override choices if 
more than one antenna), amp control if you have one (KPA500 or KPA1500 
utility apps), rotor and antenna management (PSTrotator with the SteppIR 
functions) and if you want, an IP power switch for shutting it all down 
and/or rebooting. (A remote power on for the K3 or K4, when off, they 
are OFF.)

If you are a knob turner ham or a mouse clicker (or both), running the 
station is much easier when you integrate all of the aspects on one 
screen.  It allows quicker band changes (QSY and everything follows 
along) and a wealth of information on the screen, as well as the 
hardware displays.  You watch ONE place (the display), less movement 
required (except your eyes).

Wanna make a couple quick contacts from work during your lunch break or 
while visiting family for the holidays?  Now you know how.

Only have a tiny closet for the actual station hardware but no where to 
put the operating chair?  Now you can operate it remotely (be careful 
about heat removal in this case).

For now, you're working on the KAT500 with the utility; expand beyond 
that over time and integrate everything.  That means look at what you 
want the station to accomplish for you.  Wise choices now makes it 
simpler later as you integrate more.

And the answer to your question is yes, you'll want something to manage 
the KAT500 app, all the time.  But it must be via it's serial port.

Think bigger, go beyond.

73,
Rick nk7i



On 11/20/2023 5:24 PM, W2HX wrote:
> Ok, I've done some homework and have a good understanding of the KAT500 and the KAT Utility which seems to have all the functions I am looking for.
>
> Next question. If I want to control the KAT500 over ethernet, my understanding is I need to use the Remote server and client applications. However, it seems the remote client application seems to not have the full functionality of the KAT Utility program. Does anyone know if the full functionality of the Utility program can be available in a remote situation? Or is there where I veer into the note-red territory?
>
>
> 73 Eugene W2HX
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