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K3/KAT500/XV integration

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Kidder, George

K3/KAT500/XV integration

GM,

I am trying to get my K3 - KAT500 combination (which works well alone)
to accept the addition of a XV144 (which works well with the K3 alone).
Having to plug and unplug control cables to switch from HF to VHF is a
non-starter. I had hoped to pick of the control for the XV144 from the
"AMP" socket on the KAT500, but when this is done, I get the message
"turn on KAT500" on the K3 display, and nothing works until the plug is
removed from the XV144.

I have contacted Support about this, but thought I would also see if the
collective wisdom of this group can give any guidance.

Thanks for your consideration,

George, W3HBM (hunkered down at home in ) Bar Harbor, ME

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Re: K3/KAT500/XV integration

George;

That message occurs because something is loading the Auxbus when the K3 is powered on. Make sure that the KAT500 and the XV144 are both powered up when you turn on the K3. They can be powered on at the same time, but the task needs to be done before the K3 enumerates the Auxbus, which is done in the latter part of its power-up sequence.

There may be a further issue with this setup, however. Whenever the KAT500 decides it needs to do a tune, it will disconnect the Key line from its AUXIO output port. This is needed to cause the KPA500 to drop out of transmit. You don’t have a KPA500, but you do have an XV144 connected to that port, which will also drop out of transmit at that time. While you probably won’t see this issue, it is best to use a real AUXIO Y cable (15 pins straight through between all three connectors) to connect both peripherals to your K3.

73!
Jack, W6FB

> On Apr 16, 2020, at 5:51 AM, George Kidder <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> GM,
>
> I am trying to get my K3 - KAT500 combination (which works well alone) to accept the addition of a XV144 (which works well with the K3 alone). Having to plug and unplug control cables to switch from HF to VHF is a non-starter. I had hoped to pick of the control for the XV144 from the "AMP" socket on the KAT500, but when this is done, I get the message "turn on KAT500" on the K3 display, and nothing works until the plug is removed from the XV144.
>
> I have contacted Support about this, but thought I would also see if the collective wisdom of this group can give any guidance.
>
> Thanks for your consideration,
>
> George, W3HBM (hunkered down at home in ) Bar Harbor, ME
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Kidder, George

Re: K3/KAT500/XV integration

Jack;

In my setup, the XV is connected to 12V, but is not "on" until it is
selected by changing the K3 to 2 meters (which, of course, is just what
it won't do.) The KAT500 is normally left on 24/7. I do not use the
"Auto" selection on the KAT500, so it can't surprise me with an unwanted
tune.

You think a straight-through (Y) cable will work? I'll have to make one
and try, if I can find some DB15's.

Thanks for the info,

George

On 4/16/2020 12:58 PM, Jack Brindle wrote:

> [This message came from an external source. If suspicious, report to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>]
>
> George;
>
> That message occurs because something is loading the Auxbus when the K3 is powered on. Make sure that the KAT500 and the XV144 are both powered up when you turn on the K3. They can be powered on at the same time, but the task needs to be done before the K3 enumerates the Auxbus, which is done in the latter part of its power-up sequence.
>
> There may be a further issue with this setup, however. Whenever the KAT500 decides it needs to do a tune, it will disconnect the Key line from its AUXIO output port. This is needed to cause the KPA500 to drop out of transmit. You don’t have a KPA500, but you do have an XV144 connected to that port, which will also drop out of transmit at that time. While you probably won’t see this issue, it is best to use a real AUXIO Y cable (15 pins straight through between all three connectors) to connect both peripherals to your K3.
>
> 73!
> Jack, W6FB
>
>
>> On Apr 16, 2020, at 5:51 AM, George Kidder <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> GM,
>>
>> I am trying to get my K3 - KAT500 combination (which works well alone) to accept the addition of a XV144 (which works well with the K3 alone). Having to plug and unplug control cables to switch from HF to VHF is a non-starter. I had hoped to pick of the control for the XV144 from the "AMP" socket on the KAT500, but when this is done, I get the message "turn on KAT500" on the K3 display, and nothing works until the plug is removed from the XV144.
>>
>> I have contacted Support about this, but thought I would also see if the collective wisdom of this group can give any guidance.
>>
>> Thanks for your consideration,
>>
>> George, W3HBM (hunkered down at home in ) Bar Harbor, ME
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>

Elecraft mailing list

Re: K3/KAT500/XV integration

You can try it, but I think the real solution may be to leave the XV powered while the K3 is on.

The reason is that the XV has weak pull-up to +5V on its Auxbus line. When the XV is off, that 5V line is actually at 0 volts,
which means it is pulling the signal to the common reference. This, along with the microcontroller input also being at that level
will unduly load the Auxbus. The answer is either to find a way to disconnect the Auxbus from the XV when it is off, or have the XV powered up whenever the K3 is on.

I hope this helps.

73,
Jack, W6FB

> On Apr 16, 2020, at 10:11 AM, GWK <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Jack;
>
> In my setup, the XV is connected to 12V, but is not "on" until it is selected by changing the K3 to 2 meters (which, of course, is just what it won't do.) The KAT500 is normally left on 24/7. I do not use the "Auto" selection on the KAT500, so it can't surprise me with an unwanted tune.
>
> You think a straight-through (Y) cable will work? I'll have to make one and try, if I can find some DB15's.
>
> Thanks for the info,
>
> George
>
> On 4/16/2020 12:58 PM, Jack Brindle wrote:
>> [This message came from an external source. If suspicious, report to [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>]
>> George;
>> That message occurs because something is loading the Auxbus when the K3 is powered on. Make sure that the KAT500 and the XV144 are both powered up when you turn on the K3. They can be powered on at the same time, but the task needs to be done before the K3 enumerates the Auxbus, which is done in the latter part of its power-up sequence.
>> There may be a further issue with this setup, however. Whenever the KAT500 decides it needs to do a tune, it will disconnect the Key line from its AUXIO output port. This is needed to cause the KPA500 to drop out of transmit. You don’t have a KPA500, but you do have an XV144 connected to that port, which will also drop out of transmit at that time. While you probably won’t see this issue, it is best to use a real AUXIO Y cable (15 pins straight through between all three connectors) to connect both peripherals to your K3.
>> 73!
>> Jack, W6FB
>>> On Apr 16, 2020, at 5:51 AM, George Kidder <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> GM,
>>>
>>> I am trying to get my K3 - KAT500 combination (which works well alone) to accept the addition of a XV144 (which works well with the K3 alone). Having to plug and unplug control cables to switch from HF to VHF is a non-starter. I had hoped to pick of the control for the XV144 from the "AMP" socket on the KAT500, but when this is done, I get the message "turn on KAT500" on the K3 display, and nothing works until the plug is removed from the XV144.
>>>
>>> I have contacted Support about this, but thought I would also see if the collective wisdom of this group can give any guidance.
>>>
>>> Thanks for your consideration,
>>>
>>> George, W3HBM (hunkered down at home in ) Bar Harbor, ME
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]