Elecraft

K3/KAT500

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Alan. G4GNX

K3/KAT500

Probably a few dumb questions but...............

I’ve been trying to setup our club’s K3/KAT500 combination and it’s not performing as expected. At present, it’s just the K3 and KAT500, no linear involved.

I’ve connected the AUX data cable to the K3 and KAT500 and I have a patch cable between K3 ANT1 and KAT500 XCVR connectors. This is the Aux cable supplied by Elecraft.

The K3 CONFIG:KAT3 is set to KAT500Y and the KAT500 switches chosen antenna when the K3 band is changed as expected, so I presume that data is being passed correctly between them.

However, when the KAT500 is set to AUTO, I can only initiate a tune cycle by holding the TUNE button on the K3. If I tap the ATU TUNE button on the K3, if the KAT3 is shown in BYPASS then nothing happens. If the KAT3 is shown in AUTO then the KAT3 does the tuning, not the KAT500.
Also, pressing the TUNE button on the KAT500 only seems to make the AUTO LED blink, although I’m guessing that it’s to indicate that I need to set the K3 to transmit (hold TUNE)?

One of our members who has dealt with a lot of Elecraft equipment says that with the KAT500 correctly connected and CONFIG:KAT3 set to KAT500Y, tapping ATU TUNE should put the KAT500 into a tuning cycle, not the KAT3, which he says is a normal function.

Am I totally misunderstanding how the system is supposed to work, being misled, or have I missed a CONFIG or setup step?

73,

Alan. G4GNX
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Don Wilhelm

Re: K3/KAT500

Alan,

I am going to guess - the difference may be the result on the KAT3
present in the K3 or not present.

My perusal of the K3 manual indicates that the ATU TUNE button refers to
the KAT3 - I see no exceptions for the KAT500. I really don't know what
happens if the KAT3 is not present.

So for that K3, you would use TUNE for tuning the KAT500. In order for
the KAT500 to find a match, set the K3 TUNE PWR menu to 10 watts or more
(20 watts is better).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/11/2016 10:27 AM, G4GNX wrote:

> Probably a few dumb questions but...............
>
> I’ve been trying to setup our club’s K3/KAT500 combination and it’s not performing as expected. At present, it’s just the K3 and KAT500, no linear involved.
>
> I’ve connected the AUX data cable to the K3 and KAT500 and I have a patch cable between K3 ANT1 and KAT500 XCVR connectors. This is the Aux cable supplied by Elecraft.
>
> The K3 CONFIG:KAT3 is set to KAT500Y and the KAT500 switches chosen antenna when the K3 band is changed as expected, so I presume that data is being passed correctly between them.
>
> However, when the KAT500 is set to AUTO, I can only initiate a tune cycle by holding the TUNE button on the K3. If I tap the ATU TUNE button on the K3, if the KAT3 is shown in BYPASS then nothing happens. If the KAT3 is shown in AUTO then the KAT3 does the tuning, not the KAT500.
> Also, pressing the TUNE button on the KAT500 only seems to make the AUTO LED blink, although I’m guessing that it’s to indicate that I need to set the K3 to transmit (hold TUNE)?
>
> One of our members who has dealt with a lot of Elecraft equipment says that with the KAT500 correctly connected and CONFIG:KAT3 set to KAT500Y, tapping ATU TUNE should put the KAT500 into a tuning cycle, not the KAT3, which he says is a normal function.
>
> Am I totally misunderstanding how the system is supposed to work, being misled, or have I missed a CONFIG or setup step?
>

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ab2tc

Re: K3/KAT500

Hi Don & Alan,

Without the KAT3 present the ATU TUNE button has no effect other than displaying the "NO ATU" message briefly. This goes for both tap and hold. As you say, use the TUNE button to generate a medium power (set by "TUN PWR" in config) carrier. This will cause the KAT500 to recall a stored setting or tune if necessary if in AUTO mode. It's a little murky to me under what circumstances it will tune if in MANUAL mode, but it will usually at least do a recall of stored setting if it has one.

AB2TC - Knut

Don Wilhelm wrote

Alan,

I am going to guess - the difference may be the result on the KAT3
present in the K3 or not present.

My perusal of the K3 manual indicates that the ATU TUNE button refers to
the KAT3 - I see no exceptions for the KAT500. I really don't know what
happens if the KAT3 is not present.

So for that K3, you would use TUNE for tuning the KAT500. In order for
the KAT500 to find a match, set the K3 TUNE PWR menu to 10 watts or more
(20 watts is better).

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/11/2016 10:27 AM, G4GNX wrote:
> Probably a few dumb questions but...............
>
> I’ve been trying to setup our club’s K3/KAT500 combination and it’s not performing as expected. At present, it’s just the K3 and KAT500, no linear involved.
>
> I’ve connected the AUX data cable to the K3 and KAT500 and I have a patch cable between K3 ANT1 and KAT500 XCVR connectors. This is the Aux cable supplied by Elecraft.
>
> The K3 CONFIG:KAT3 is set to KAT500Y and the KAT500 switches chosen antenna when the K3 band is changed as expected, so I presume that data is being passed correctly between them.
>
> However, when the KAT500 is set to AUTO, I can only initiate a tune cycle by holding the TUNE button on the K3. If I tap the ATU TUNE button on the K3, if the KAT3 is shown in BYPASS then nothing happens. If the KAT3 is shown in AUTO then the KAT3 does the tuning, not the KAT500.
> Also, pressing the TUNE button on the KAT500 only seems to make the AUTO LED blink, although I’m guessing that it’s to indicate that I need to set the K3 to transmit (hold TUNE)?
>
> One of our members who has dealt with a lot of Elecraft equipment says that with the KAT500 correctly connected and CONFIG:KAT3 set to KAT500Y, tapping ATU TUNE should put the KAT500 into a tuning cycle, not the KAT3, which he says is a normal function.
>
> Am I totally misunderstanding how the system is supposed to work, being misled, or have I missed a CONFIG or setup step?
>
<snip>

Alan. G4GNX

Re: K3/KAT500

Hi Don and Knut.

Thank you both for your replies, most helpful.

In this particular case the KAT3 is present, which is exactly the same as my
own K3. The club bought one from a SK club member estate and I bought from
another. Sad, but life's like that! Anyway, both K3s came with a KAT3
installed and I purchased the KAT500 as a kit. I believe the club's one came
with the K3. I will be using a KPA500 soon, but the club uses a Tokyo linear
which they bought elsewhere. Anyway, what I'm trying to do is to put it all
together so that it's a single setup, whether the Tokyo's present or not.
That would mean the the KAT500 would always be used and the linear connected
as needed.

I think we're probably all in agreement that to initiate a KAT500 tune cycle
(Auto or Manual) it's necessary to hold the TUNE button and tap it again
when done. It does not switch the TX off when the tuner gets a good match.
I'm sure we're all correct and the ATU TUNE only refers to the KAT3. I've
also been through the owners manual and the Fred Cady book and not found
anything to the contrary.

I've set TUNE PWR to 20 Watts as suggested and it's interesting to watch the
power display during tuning, where the SWR comes down and the power goes up
until it reaches 20W.

It would be a nice facility to have the KAT500 be recognised by the K3 and
allow a tuning sequence initiated by ATU TUNE and when a match is found and
stored, the K3 would return automatically to RX.

I wonder if the Elecraft development guys will see this or is there a better
place to make suggestions?

73,

Alan. G4GNX

-----Original Message-----
From: ab2tc
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 5:47 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/KAT500

Hi Don & Alan,

Without the KAT3 present the ATU TUNE button has no effect other than
displaying the "NO ATU" message briefly. This goes for both tap and hold. As
you say, use the TUNE button to generate a medium power (set by "TUN PWR" in
config) carrier. This will cause the KAT500 to recall a stored setting or
tune if necessary if in AUTO mode. It's a little murky to me under what
circumstances it will tune if in MANUAL mode, but it will usually at least
do a recall of stored setting if it has one.

AB2TC - Knut

Don Wilhelm wrote

> Alan,
>
> I am going to guess - the difference may be the result on the KAT3
> present in the K3 or not present.
>
> My perusal of the K3 manual indicates that the ATU TUNE button refers to
> the KAT3 - I see no exceptions for the KAT500. I really don't know what
> happens if the KAT3 is not present.
>
> So for that K3, you would use TUNE for tuning the KAT500. In order for
> the KAT500 to find a match, set the K3 TUNE PWR menu to 10 watts or more
> (20 watts is better).
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR

Don Wilhelm

Re: K3/KAT500

In reply to this post by ab2tc

Knut,

The KAT500 in manual mode will recall the tuner settings that were last
used for a particular band segment and antenna.

Hence the strong suggestion that you "train" the KAT500 - set it to AUTO
and do a TUNE on each band segment and each antenna that you intend to
use for that band segment. You do not have to repeat that unless you
change antennas.
Once that is accomplished, put the KAT500 into MANUAL - it will not auto
tune, but it will recall the settings for that band and antenna
automatically.

If you leave it in AUTO mode, there is a chance that it will detect a
false high SWR and attempt to tune when you transmit.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/11/2016 12:47 PM, ab2tc wrote:

> Hi Don & Alan,
>
> Without the KAT3 present the ATU TUNE button has no effect other than
> displaying the "NO ATU" message briefly. This goes for both tap and hold. As
> you say, use the TUNE button to generate a medium power (set by "TUN PWR" in
> config) carrier. This will cause the KAT500 to recall a stored setting or
> tune if necessary if in AUTO mode. It's a little murky to me under what
> circumstances it will tune if in MANUAL mode, but it will usually at least
> do a recall of stored setting if it has one.
>
>

Alan. G4GNX

60 metre issue

In reply to this post by ab2tc

Further to my messing about with tuners, I've just discovered that the K3
will not allow me to tune an antenna below about 5.350MHz which appears to
be the band edge in the USA.
In the UK, we're allowed to use 60M down to 5.258MHz, so it would be helpful
to be able to tune the TX down to that. I've not tried to transmit voice or
CW, but I assume the K3 won't allow that either?
Does anyone know of a way to persuade the K3 where the UK band edges are?
I've perused the manuals and can only find a reference to eliminating the
entire band from the band list.

73,

Alan. G4GNX

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Don Wilhelm

Re: 60 metre issue

Alan,

Contact [hidden email] and they should be able to help you with
it. There is firmware to change the band edges. Run it once and it is
done.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/11/2016 2:07 PM, G4GNX wrote:

> Further to my messing about with tuners, I've just discovered that the
> K3 will not allow me to tune an antenna below about 5.350MHz which
> appears to be the band edge in the USA.
> In the UK, we're allowed to use 60M down to 5.258MHz, so it would be
> helpful to be able to tune the TX down to that. I've not tried to
> transmit voice or CW, but I assume the K3 won't allow that either?
> Does anyone know of a way to persuade the K3 where the UK band edges
> are? I've perused the manuals and can only find a reference to
> eliminating the entire band from the band list.
>
> 73,
>
> Alan. G4GNX
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Alan. G4GNX

Re: 60 metre issue

Thanks Don and Tom, I'll do just that right away.

73,

Alan. G4GNX

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 7:18 PM
To: G4GNX ; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 60 metre issue

Alan,

Contact [hidden email] and they should be able to help you with
it. There is firmware to change the band edges. Run it once and it is
done.

73,
Don W3FPR
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