K3+KPA500+Steppir or K3+Expert KFA+ Steppir ?

[Elecraft mailing list]

GM/GA/GE,
The K3 question in connection with Steppir yagi(s).
Will Steppir yagi follow K3 in the same manner as it follows Icom rigs, that is, one tunes the Icom rig and the Stepper exactly follows it or does one need to transmit on K3 so the Steppir knows where to tune ? Or even manually tune the Steppir controller ?
I am thinking of swapping my Icom for K3, but I had bitter experience with a FT-2000D and Steppir and Expert amp combination when Steppir would not automatically follow the tuning dial on the FT2000D - but only when RF power was applied....
I understand that K3 can change, depending on the bands, drive power to equally drive the KPA500 so the same output power will be on all bands ?
Thanks, 
Anton Koval

MW0EDX & MW5R

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[Mike Reublin NF4L]

Yes the SteppIR will follow the radio. I don't have a KPA500 so cannot answer that one.

73, Mike NF4L

> On Nov 22, 2014, at 5:58 AM, Anton Koval, MW0EDX via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> GM/GA/GE,
> The K3 question in connection with Steppir yagi(s).
> Will Steppir yagi follow K3 in the same manner as it follows Icom rigs, that is, one tunes the Icom rig and the Stepper exactly follows it or does one need to transmit on K3 so the Steppir knows where to tune ? Or even manually tune the Steppir controller ?
> I am thinking of swapping my Icom for K3, but I had bitter experience with a FT-2000D and Steppir and Expert amp combination when Steppir would not automatically follow the tuning dial on the FT2000D - but only when RF power was applied....
> I understand that K3 can change, depending on the bands, drive power to equally drive the KPA500 so the same output power will be on all bands ?
> Thanks,
> Anton Koval
>
> MW0EDX & MW5R
>
> [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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[Mike K2MK]

Hi Anton,

I have a K3, KPA500 and two SteppIRs (two controllers). The SteppIRs follow the K3 precisely. It's totally transparent. Just remember to use protection so that you don't accidentally transmit high power when the antenna is tuning. Damage to the SteppIR EHU can result. Use the KPA500 aux cable keying interrupt from Elecraft and either get the tuning relay option for the SteppIR SDA 100 controller or purchase the N8LP tuning relay.

Before the other posts start to fly, yes you can go without protection but the operative word here is "accidentally". Sh1t happens especially when you add a computer into the mix. Do you want to risk damaging the expensive SteppIR EHU or do you want to spend some money for protection.

73,
Mike K2MK

Elecraft mailing list wrote

GM/GA/GE,
The K3 question in connection with Steppir yagi(s).
Will Steppir yagi follow K3 in the same manner as it follows Icom rigs, that is, one tunes the Icom rig and the Stepper exactly follows it or does one need to transmit on K3 so the Steppir knows where to tune ? Or even manually tune the Steppir controller ?
I am thinking of swapping my Icom for K3, but I had bitter experience with a FT-2000D and Steppir and Expert amp combination when Steppir would not automatically follow the tuning dial on the FT2000D - but only when RF power was applied....
I understand that K3 can change, depending on the bands, drive power to equally drive the KPA500 so the same output power will be on all bands ?
Thanks, 
Anton Koval
MW0EDX & MW5R
[hidden email]

[Jim Brown-10]

On Sat,11/22/2014 2:58 AM, Anton Koval, MW0EDX via Elecraft wrote:
> I understand that K3 can change, depending on the bands, drive power to equally drive the KPA500 so the same output power will be on all bands ?

Yes, the K3 can be set to remember drive power by band and mode. The
KPA500 does not need a control line from the rig to change bands -- it
detects the TX frequency with a dit or a tap on the mic. There is a
control line, but I've never used it. The only control that is needed is
PTT from the rig to the KPA500.

There is a serial port. The only thing I use it for is to load firmware
updates.

73, Jim K9YC
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