[TVARC] Kenwood to Elecraft interface - also Icom and Yaesu

[George Briggs]

Very good to know, Rich.  Thanks!
73,
George K2DM


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Rich Erlichman
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 3:49 PM
To: tvarc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [TVARC] Kenwood to Elecraft interface - also Icom and Yaesu

All,

Heads-up for Kenwood owners with a Elecraft KPA500 (and/or probably the
KPA1500).

In watching the ARRL product review video (mentioned, and a link provided in
my last Email to the group) for the KPA500, the reviewer mentioned in
passing about one of the com ports marked (xcvr), and that it is special for
Kenwood. Well, I started looking closer at the menu options for the KPA500
and found that by connecting the KPA500 "RS232 (XCVR)" com port to the
(RS232) "com" port on the Kenwood, you now have one way communications
between the two units. Of course you have to have the same port speed set on
the Kenwood.
Very similar to the Elecraft aux interface (K3-KPA500), such that, when I
change the band on my TS-590S, the KPA500 follows immediately. Prior to
today, when I was doing a band switch, I had to take the KPA500 manually to
"STBY", and after changing bands on the Kenwood, I then put the Kenwood into
Tune mode on the new band, and then once the auto-tuner is tuned (only 1
second or so), I then can press the "OPER" button on the KPA500 and was
ready to go. NOTE: the KPA500 already changed bands during the tune mode
automatically by sensing the new frequency band. But, if I forgot to put the
amp into "STBY" (standby) it would go into a "Fault" mode. Only a few days
ago, I found a setting in the KPA500 that automatically puts itself into
"STBY" when it detects a band change from the exciter.
That said, I was now able to avoid the oops and the Fault mode at least.
Now, however, I don't even have to worry about that because the amp stays in
sync by following the exciter. The recent setting I found (going to "STBY")
on a band change is still important because I don't want the amp online
while tuning. Among other things, the remote tuner requires 10 watts or less
for the tuning process.

FYI - For you Icom and Yaesu owners, there is a cable available for you to
connect from your rig to the Aux connector on the KPA500 with the menu
settings set accordingly, to obtain a similar behavior as I described for
the Kenwood.
Also, I just looked at the KPA1500 manual, and confirmed there are different
cables required, but Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu are all supported for the same
type one way interface.

73, Rich, ND4G

-----Original Message-----
From: Rich Erlichman [mailto:rich.erlichman at gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 1:42 AM
To: 'k2te at juno.com'; 'psk2ps at gmail.com'
Cc: 'tvarc at mailman.qth.net'
Subject: RE: [TVARC] Batavia FT8 Contest - 2020 - SOAB-HP

Pete and Ed,

I too, see the overshoot on the LEDs when the amp initially keys up. I have
a feeling it is a peak reading, and then quickly settles down to the average
wattage output.
I found the ARRL review video and it shows the exact same response when
keyed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-PTEKc3fnI
And what do you mean now that I settled down???

73, Rich, ND4G

-----Original Message-----
From: k2te at juno.com [mailto:k2te at juno.com] 
Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2020 9:05 PM
To: psk2ps at gmail.com
Cc: rich.erlichman at gmail.com; tvarc at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [TVARC] Batavia FT8 Contest - 2020 - SOAB-HP

Pete,

I've observed the same behavior on occasion.  My thought is it's from a
momentary overshoot by the exciter causing an overdrive situation.  The
K3 remembers the drive setting for each band and mode.  I've had it show
500-530W on 40 CW without any ill effects.  On modes like FT8 and RTTY
where the DC is higher, the amp backs off 10-20W from peak when it gets
hot while running.  

Solid state is nice for efficiency and weight but give me an Eimac tube
and a BIG power supply for plenty of head room.

73 de Ed

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