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Fault Anomalie with Flex 6700, KPA500, KAT500

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george allen

Fault Anomalie with Flex 6700, KPA500, KAT500

I am using a Flex 6700 into a KPA500 into a KAT500. I have "trained" the
tuner and placed the tuner into manual mode as per a document from Elecraft.

All works well when I stay on a specific band. When I initiate a "tune",
the tuner quickly goes to the preset tuning without a problem.

When I go to another band, for example if I am operating on 40 then go to
20, it takes a second for the tuner to read the frequency during which both
the tuner and KPA500 see a high SWR. The amp then locks out.

I am using the cabling as described on page 10 of the KAT500 manual; but,
instead of Icom transceiver, I am using a Flex transceiver.

While this is not an issue when operating from my shack, when I operate
from a remote location, I am unable to use the amplifier.

Any thoughts on how to correct this issue?

George
K2CM
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Jack Brindle-2

Re: Fault Anomalie with Flex 6700, KPA500, KAT500

What firmware versions are in the KPA500 and KAT500? This is most important for the KPA500, which required an update (V1.34 if my memory is working correctly) to make it work properly with the KAT500 in this situation. Note that the KPA will detect the high SWR condition first, then wait for the KAT to tell it that it is handling things. If that information doesn’t come through in the form of negating the PTT line, then the KPA will go ahead and assert a fault condition. It sounds like this is happening. The solution is to make sure you have the latest KPA500 firmware and that the PTT signal goes from the transceiver to the KAT500, then from the KAT500 to the KPA500.

- Jack Brindle, W6FB

> On Apr 4, 2016, at 2:25 PM, george allen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I am using a Flex 6700 into a KPA500 into a KAT500. I have "trained" the
> tuner and placed the tuner into manual mode as per a document from Elecraft.
>
> All works well when I stay on a specific band. When I initiate a "tune",
> the tuner quickly goes to the preset tuning without a problem.
>
> When I go to another band, for example if I am operating on 40 then go to
> 20, it takes a second for the tuner to read the frequency during which both
> the tuner and KPA500 see a high SWR. The amp then locks out.
>
> I am using the cabling as described on page 10 of the KAT500 manual; but,
> instead of Icom transceiver, I am using a Flex transceiver.
>
> While this is not an issue when operating from my shack, when I operate
> from a remote location, I am unable to use the amplifier.
>
> Any thoughts on how to correct this issue?
>
> George
> K2CM
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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KEN-3

Re: Fault Anomalie with Flex 6700, KPA500, KAT500

In reply to this post by george allen

If I understand your situation, you are depending on the rf signal
triggering the change in frequency and tuning. That usually works but
is slower than having the tuning set before you push the transmit button.

Using something like DxLab Commander lets a signal be sent to the tuner
(or amplifier) as soon as you change the VFO and therefore the amp and
tuner can be ready as soon as the transmit switch is thrown.

Likewise the Flex friendly utility DDUTIL will communicate with the
KPA500 as well as DXCommander.

Ken WA8JXM

On 4/4/16 5:25 PM, george allen wrote:

> I am using a Flex 6700 into a KPA500 into a KAT500. I have "trained" the
> tuner and placed the tuner into manual mode as per a document from Elecraft.
>
> All works well when I stay on a specific band. When I initiate a "tune",
> the tuner quickly goes to the preset tuning without a problem.
>
> When I go to another band, for example if I am operating on 40 then go to
> 20, it takes a second for the tuner to read the frequency during which both
> the tuner and KPA500 see a high SWR. The amp then locks out.
>
> I am using the cabling as described on page 10 of the KAT500 manual; but,
> instead of Icom transceiver, I am using a Flex transceiver.
>
> While this is not an issue when operating from my shack, when I operate
> from a remote location, I am unable to use the amplifier.
>
> Any thoughts on how to correct this issue?
>
> George
> K2CM