[Elecraft] KAT-500 + KPA-500 / SWR Thresholds

[G4GNX]

Jeff,

One thing I forgot. The KAT500 should only be in AUTO mode when you’re actually training it. i.e. You tune the radio to a frequency, then TX (in TUNE mode) and wait for the KAT500 to stop clicking. ISTR that when a solution is found, the KAT500 TUNE light goes off and the solution is stored automatically. Then you move to the next segment in the band. There’s a chart in the manual which gives recommended segments for each tuning solution per band. If you’re not happy with the 1st solution, you can force a finer tune by pressing the TUNE button immediately after it stops tuning the 1st time.

For normal operation the KAT500 should always be in MANUAL mode. If the antenna system changes (rain etc.,) you can force a retune at any time and it will be stored.

If you can get hold of a copy of Fred Cady’s book on the KAT500/KPA500, you’ll find it useful reading and IMO it explains things slightly better than the standard manuals.

73,
Alan - G4GNX
South Coast UK
Elecraft K4D / KPA500 / KAT500 / IC-9700




> On 2 Jan 2024, at 00:46, Jeff Wandling <jdw at w7brs.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks.  That's good detail.  I'll recheck the manual once more.  I made a common mistake of assuming too much and not reading enough.   I have tremendous respect and faith in the engineering put into the system of the Elecraft line..  That's a  long way of saying, It works brilliantly.
> 
> I just want to avoid a mistake in where the ATU-500 and KPA-500 are trying to resolve a tune whilst the CW spews forth.
> 
> This comment and the prior comment about the Kenwood aspect (and related command-set mentioned) are interesting.   Thanks.
> 
> Aside from all that -- when folks here use the "SWR Thresholds" and use the K3+KAT+KPA chain via Aux Serial data sharing -- what do you use for the three metrics in SWR Thresholds?
> 
> There's a KPA Inhibit SWR,   Re-tune SWR and Bypass SWR value.  The recommended values in the manuals seem frightfully high for my nerves to handle.
> 
> Any advice on *that* would be welcomed.
> 
> HNY, Thanks.
> 
> ---
> 73, Jeff  W7BRS
> https://blog.w7brs.com
> 
> 
> 
> On Monday, January 1st, 2024 at 4:37 PM, G4GNX <g4gnx at g4gnx.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>> AFAICR the manual says that if an AUX cable is connected between the KAT500 and the radio, the KAT500 will follow any frequency/band change and if a tuning solution has already been stored for that frequency/band it will be employed before the radio goes into TX. In other words, whilst the radio is still in RX mode.
>> 
>> However, elsewhere in the manual it says that when the KAT500 receives RF, it will also pickup the nearest tuning solution, which is a fail-safe action in case the KAT500 does not receive data from the radio, for any reason.
>> 
>> This is only if the radio is a K3, K3S or K4 and if a KPA500 is in use, RF from it is sent to the KAT500 but the AUX cable must be connected AFTER the KAT500. i.e. K3———KAT500———KPA500.
>> 
>> I make no comment about using the KAT500 with a Kenwood (or other) rig.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Alan - G4GNX
>> South Coast UK
>> Elecraft K4D / KPA500 / KAT500 / IC-9700