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K3 integration with KPA500 and KAT500

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ANDY DURBIN

K3 integration with KPA500 and KAT500

I'd like to understand all the operational advantages of integrating a K3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 that are not available to those who chose to use a TS-590 instead of a K3.

I know about:

1. KPA500 and KAT500 know TX frequency and configure band, antenna, and tuning solution before transmitting
2. Adjustment of power output is based on band and KPA500 OP/STBY mode
3. Selection of band on KPA500 is passed to K3 and KAT500.

I have developed an Arduino based interface that implements 1. 2 seems to be doable and useful. 3 seems doable but not very useful. What else is there?

Thanks and 73,

Andy k3wyc
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k6dgw

Re: K3 integration with KPA500 and KAT500

Reason for 3: Band selection on the K3 is via a BAND+/BAND- switch or
via the numeric pad memory channel recall if programmed. The KPA500
provides band buttons, and if it is located in front of you, simplified
band changing ... just push the button. If a non-Elecraft radio has
one-touch band selection, you are correct, #3 isn't a big advantage.

73,

Fred {"Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 7/15/2018 7:05 PM, ANDY DURBIN wrote:

> I'd like to understand all the operational advantages of integrating a K3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 that are not available to those who chose to use a TS-590 instead of a K3.
>
>
> I know about:
>
>
> 1. KPA500 and KAT500 know TX frequency and configure band, antenna, and tuning solution before transmitting
> 2. Adjustment of power output is based on band and KPA500 OP/STBY mode
> 3. Selection of band on KPA500 is passed to K3 and KAT500.
>
>
> I have developed an Arduino based interface that implements 1. 2 seems to be doable and useful. 3 seems doable but not very useful. What else is there?
>
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Andy k3wyc
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
>
> --
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>
>
>

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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 integration with KPA500 and KAT500

Hi Andy,

I've owned a KPA500 since soon after it's introduction, and am currently
using a KP1500 borrowed from a neighbor who is in Germany for WRTC.
I've never used the ACC cable between K3 and either amp -- the operation
of frequency-sensing circuitry requires no more than a tap on the mic or
a dit to switch bands. The auto-tuner built into the KPA1500 is
spectacularly good, remembering multiple tunings per band per antenna
output. The KAT500 tuner is also quite good at detecting frequency.

73, Jim K9YC

The reason to buy a K3 or K3S is because they are superior radios, but I
wouldn't factor integration with

> On 7/15/2018 7:05 PM, ANDY DURBIN wrote:
>> I'd like to understand all the operational advantages of integrating
>> a K3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 that are not available to those who
>> chose to use a TS-590 instead of a K3.
>>
>>
>> I know about:
>>
>>
>>    1.   KPA500 and KAT500 know TX frequency and configure band,
>> antenna, and tuning solution before transmitting
>>    2. Adjustment of power output is based on band and KPA500
>> OP/STBY mode
>>    3. Selection of band on KPA500 is passed to K3 and KAT500.
>>
>>
>> I have developed an Arduino based interface that implements 1. 2
>> seems to be doable and useful. 3 seems doable but not very useful.
>> What else is there?
>>
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>>
>> Andy k3wyc
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>>
>>
>> --
>> This message has been scanned by E.F.A. Project and is believed to be
>> clean.
>>
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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ANDY DURBIN

Re: K3 integration with KPA500 and KAT500

In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN

The problem with relying on RF detection is that the station is configured after TX starts rather than before TX starts. Perhaps for some owners this is not an issue. For me it is a significant issue. If the band change requires a change of antenna then my LP-100A may alarm on SWR before the KAT500 switches to the correct antenna and all the tuner relays clunk over to the proper selections. I much prefer to have my equipment configured before I transmit.

My first approach was to drive the KAT500 band discretes with band band data derived from the KPA500 BN; response. This worked well. I then took on the challenge of deriving the exact TX frequency (to nearest 1 Hz) from FA, FB, and IF. When this information is fed to the KAT500 then the band discretes are no longer needed. Now the KAT500 not only selects the proper antenna before TX but it should also select the proper memorized tuning solution for that exact frequency.

I have some more works to do and that includes optimizing the integration of my KPA500 and LP100 data logging with control of KPA500, KAT500 and SteppIR SDA-100. I wanted to know what I had missed in K3 integration advantages so I can decide how best to implement the final solution.

I had no Arduino experience before I started this project. It has turned out to be fun and rewarding (and sometimes quite frustrating).

73,

Andy k3wyc

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