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K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

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W0ZR

K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired Palstar
Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the P3
and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable to
use.

Tom, W0ZR
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Chester Alderman

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

Tom -

Unfortunately the Palstar AT-AUTO tuner was designed for Icom's CI-V
interface, so you cannot get it to work correctly with the K3. While there
is no CI-V interface with the K3, the tuner will sense the frequency when
you change bands and then move the C and L to the saved positions of your
antenna system. The cable diagrams in the AT-AUTO's manual are basically not
useable, in my opinion, as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the K3 and the
tuner to work together. You can try the diagram where you use a null-modem
cable from your P3 to the tuner, but again I could not get that to work
correct. (However, I was trying to get this connection to work while doing
PC control of the K3.)

The AT-AUTO tuner works flawless in my IC-7700/PC system.

Good luck!

Tom - W4BQF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thomas Lutz
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 11:40 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired Palstar
Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the P3
and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable to
use.

Tom, W0ZR
______________________________________________________________
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KENT TRIMBLE

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

I have used an AT-AUTO with a K3 and Quadra amp for the last two years.

73,

Kent K9ZTV

On 3/7/2011 12:36 PM, Tommy Alderman wrote:

> Tom -
>
> Unfortunately the Palstar AT-AUTO tuner was designed for Icom's CI-V
> interface, so you cannot get it to work correctly with the K3. While there
> is no CI-V interface with the K3, the tuner will sense the frequency when
> you change bands and then move the C and L to the saved positions of your
> antenna system. The cable diagrams in the AT-AUTO's manual are basically not
> useable, in my opinion, as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the K3 and the
> tuner to work together. You can try the diagram where you use a null-modem
> cable from your P3 to the tuner, but again I could not get that to work
> correct. (However, I was trying to get this connection to work while doing
> PC control of the K3.)
>
> The AT-AUTO tuner works flawless in my IC-7700/PC system.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Tom - W4BQF
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thomas Lutz
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 11:40 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner
>
> I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired Palstar
> Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the P3
> and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable to
> use.
>
> Tom, W0ZR
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3480 - Release Date: 03/03/11
>
>

Greg - AB7R

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

It worked fine for me with the K3 as well. Had to build a serial Y cable
that, if I remember correctly, crossed over the TXD and RXD lines. But it
worked fine. Just remember to set the baud correctly.

73
Greg
AB7R

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 10:49 AM, K9ZTV <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have used an AT-AUTO with a K3 and Quadra amp for the last two years.
>
> 73,
>
> Kent K9ZTV
>
>
>
> On 3/7/2011 12:36 PM, Tommy Alderman wrote:
> > Tom -
> >
> > Unfortunately the Palstar AT-AUTO tuner was designed for Icom's CI-V
> > interface, so you cannot get it to work correctly with the K3. While
> there
> > is no CI-V interface with the K3, the tuner will sense the frequency when
> > you change bands and then move the C and L to the saved positions of your
> > antenna system. The cable diagrams in the AT-AUTO's manual are basically
> not
> > useable, in my opinion, as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the K3 and the
> > tuner to work together. You can try the diagram where you use a
> null-modem
> > cable from your P3 to the tuner, but again I could not get that to work
> > correct. (However, I was trying to get this connection to work while
> doing
> > PC control of the K3.)
> >
> > The AT-AUTO tuner works flawless in my IC-7700/PC system.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Tom - W4BQF
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thomas Lutz
> > Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 11:40 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner
> >
> > I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired Palstar
> > Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the
> P3
> > and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable to
> > use.
> >
> > Tom, W0ZR
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3480 - Release Date: 03/03/11
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Chester Alderman

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

In reply to this post by KENT TRIMBLE

Fine. But I did not say you cannot use it, I said that you cannot use it's
fully automatic features! There is also a problem if you use any type of PC
control for your radio. RS-232 is designed to operate ONE device at a time.

73,
Tom - W4BQF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of K9ZTV
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 1:50 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

I have used an AT-AUTO with a K3 and Quadra amp for the last two years.

73,

Kent K9ZTV

On 3/7/2011 12:36 PM, Tommy Alderman wrote:
> Tom -
>
> Unfortunately the Palstar AT-AUTO tuner was designed for Icom's CI-V
> interface, so you cannot get it to work correctly with the K3. While there
> is no CI-V interface with the K3, the tuner will sense the frequency when
> you change bands and then move the C and L to the saved positions of your
> antenna system. The cable diagrams in the AT-AUTO's manual are basically
not

> useable, in my opinion, as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the K3 and the
> tuner to work together. You can try the diagram where you use a null-modem
> cable from your P3 to the tuner, but again I could not get that to work
> correct. (However, I was trying to get this connection to work while doing
> PC control of the K3.)
>
> The AT-AUTO tuner works flawless in my IC-7700/PC system.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Tom - W4BQF
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thomas Lutz
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 11:40 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner
>
> I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired Palstar
> Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the P3
> and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable to
> use.
>
> Tom, W0ZR
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3480 - Release Date: 03/03/11
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Chester Alderman

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

In reply to this post by Greg - AB7R

And what PC program were you using with it?

73,
Tom - W4BQF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Greg
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 1:56 PM
To: K9ZTV
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

It worked fine for me with the K3 as well. Had to build a serial Y cable
that, if I remember correctly, crossed over the TXD and RXD lines. But it
worked fine. Just remember to set the baud correctly.

73
Greg
AB7R

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 10:49 AM, K9ZTV <[hidden email]> wrote:

when
> > you change bands and then move the C and L to the saved positions of
your
> > antenna system. The cable diagrams in the AT-AUTO's manual are basically
> not
> > useable, in my opinion, as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the K3 and
the

> > tuner to work together. You can try the diagram where you use a
> null-modem
> > cable from your P3 to the tuner, but again I could not get that to work
> > correct. (However, I was trying to get this connection to work while
> doing
> > PC control of the K3.)
> >
> > The AT-AUTO tuner works flawless in my IC-7700/PC system.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Tom - W4BQF
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thomas Lutz
> > Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 11:40 AM
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner
> >
> > I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired Palstar
> > Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the
> P3
> > and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable

> > use.
> >
> > Tom, W0ZR
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3480 - Release Date: 03/03/11
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Greg - AB7R

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

I used it while using N1MM logger and I believe either COMCAT or DXLabs.
The tuner is passive and only listens to the traffic from the radio RS232
port. Any time I changed bands the tuner would follow and go to the
settings stored for the frequency range.

73
Greg

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 2:18 PM, Tommy Alderman <[hidden email]>wrote:

> And what PC program were you using with it?
>
> 73,
> Tom - W4BQF
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Greg
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 1:56 PM
> To: K9ZTV
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner
>
> It worked fine for me with the K3 as well. Had to build a serial Y cable
> that, if I remember correctly, crossed over the TXD and RXD lines. But it
> worked fine. Just remember to set the baud correctly.
>
> 73
> Greg
> AB7R
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 10:49 AM, K9ZTV <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > I have used an AT-AUTO with a K3 and Quadra amp for the last two years.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Kent K9ZTV
> >
> >
> >
> > On 3/7/2011 12:36 PM, Tommy Alderman wrote:
> > > Tom -
> > >
> > > Unfortunately the Palstar AT-AUTO tuner was designed for Icom's CI-V
> > > interface, so you cannot get it to work correctly with the K3. While
> > there
> > > is no CI-V interface with the K3, the tuner will sense the frequency
> when
> > > you change bands and then move the C and L to the saved positions of
> your
> > > antenna system. The cable diagrams in the AT-AUTO's manual are
> basically
> > not
> > > useable, in my opinion, as I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the K3 and
> the
> > > tuner to work together. You can try the diagram where you use a
> > null-modem
> > > cable from your P3 to the tuner, but again I could not get that to work
> > > correct. (However, I was trying to get this connection to work while
> > doing
> > > PC control of the K3.)
> > >
> > > The AT-AUTO tuner works flawless in my IC-7700/PC system.
> > >
> > > Good luck!
> > >
> > > Tom - W4BQF
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: [hidden email]
> > > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Thomas Lutz
> > > Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 11:40 AM
> > > To: [hidden email]
> > > Subject: [Elecraft] K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner
> > >
> > > I have a K3/P3 radio and pan adapter along with a newly acquired
> Palstar
> > > Auto-tuner. To mate the two do I merely use an RS232 cable between the
> > P3
> > > and the tuner? The manual is a little unclear as to the correct cable
> to
> > > use.
> > >
> > > Tom, W0ZR
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > 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
> > >
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > 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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----
> > > No virus found in this message.
> > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > > Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3480 - Release Date: 03/03/11
> > >
> > >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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>

K8AC

Re: K3/P3 and Palstar Auto-tuner

In reply to this post by Chester Alderman

Tommy Alderman wrote

There is also a problem if you use any type of PC
control for your radio. RS-232 is designed to operate ONE device at a time.

73,
Tom - W4BQF

There's another way to get around this problem. I use DXLab for logging and its Commander application (the app that communicates with your rig(s) ) offers the ability to define a secondary CAT device on a serial port. Your primary CAT port might have your K3 attached and the secondary might have a Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, etc. (anything that uses one of the supported interfaces in Commander). You can specify that frequency changes in either (or both) devices will cause the other to track the changes. With things set up that way, I can tune my K3 and have my Icom Pro III track the changes, or vice versa. The delay in responding to frequency changes is extremely small on my system. Your PalStar could be the secondary CAT device and thus track the K3 just fine.

73, Floyd - K8AC