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KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

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Clay Autery-2

KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.

1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode
light starts blinking.

All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.

Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?

--
______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G

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Dick Dievendorff-4

Re: KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

The ATU blinks the MODE LED when a tune has been started, but not enough RF
is arriving from the exciter to proceed. It's waiting for about 20 watts
from your exciter. If you want to cancel the tune, tap TUNE again.

Don't use both the K3 internal ATU and the KAT500 ATU together. One or the
other should be bypassed.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 09:02
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.

1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode light
starts blinking.

All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.

Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?

--
______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G

______________________________________________________________
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ab2tc

Re: KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

In reply to this post by Clay Autery-2

Hi Clay,

I could easily reproduce your problem. Note: I do not have the AUX cable connected. Apparently you just pressed TUNE on the tuner. That will not start the K3 sending a tuning tone. Thus the blinking LED (MAN led if in manual mode, AUTO LED if in in AUTO mode). You must press and hold the TUNE button on the K3 to send the tuning power you have selected. The KAT500 will then instantly tune and the mode LED goes back to steady on.

I don't know if this behavior is also present if the AUX cable is connected.

AB2TC - Knut

Clay Autery-2 wrote

Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.

1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode
light starts blinking.

All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.

Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?

--
______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G

<snip>

Clay Autery-2

Re: KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff-4

Thanks for the response, but that's not the issue here. K3s tuner in
bypass.

With tuner in bypass, and "TUNE" held down, SWR on K3s is 3.6.

Repeat with KAT500 in Manual mode, the SWR reading on K3s is 12.6:1 or
higher.

Repeat in AUTO Mode, and SWR goes to 99.9:1 because the KAT500 breaks
the signal path because it "sees" >10:1 and ostensibly is faulting
though the Fault light does not come on.

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/8/2017 11:29 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:

> The ATU blinks the MODE LED when a tune has been started, but not enough RF
> is arriving from the exciter to proceed. It's waiting for about 20 watts
> from your exciter. If you want to cancel the tune, tap TUNE again.
>
> Don't use both the K3 internal ATU and the KAT500 ATU together. One or the
> other should be bypassed.
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
> Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 09:02
> To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light
>
> Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.
>
> 1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
> 2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
> 3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode light
> starts blinking.
>
> All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.
>
> Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?
>
> --
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Clay Autery-2

Re: KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

In reply to this post by ab2tc

Did not include that in original post, but I AM holding the XMIT/TUNE
button in to send the RF sig to KAT500.

See just prior response.

Also, K3s power set at ABOVE 7 watts,,,, both 10 Watts and above 12-13
to engage K3 PA...

Trying to tune using the KAT500 causes the blinking mode light and an
obvious break in the rf signal path to the antenna...
What is key is that KAT500 in Bypass, K3s in Bypass, TUNE gives 3.6:1...
Put KAT500 in Manual and TUNE on K3s gives 12.6:1 or higher.

Do it in AUTO and the KAT500 kicks out, blinking mode, 99.9:1 SWR...
obvious signal path disco.

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/8/2017 11:37 AM, ab2tc wrote:

> Hi Clay,
>
> I could easily reproduce your problem. Note: I do not have the AUX cable
> connected. Apparently you just pressed TUNE on the tuner. That will not
> start the K3 sending a tuning tone. Thus the blinking LED (MAN led if in
> manual mode, AUTO LED if in in AUTO mode). You must press and hold the TUNE
> button on the K3 to send the tuning power you have selected. The KAT500 will
> then instantly tune and the mode LED goes back to steady on.
>
> I don't know if this behavior is also present if the AUX cable is connected.
>
> AB2TC - Knut
>
>
> Clay Autery-2 wrote
>> Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.
>>
>> 1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
>> 2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
>> 3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode
>> light starts blinking.
>>
>> All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.
>>
>> Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?
>>
>> --
>> ______________________
>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>> <snip>
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT500-Blinking-Mode-Light-tp7633192p7633194.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Bill K9YEQ

Re: KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

Put a dummy load on output of KAT500 and if that doesn't give 1:1 then you have a cable issue.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 12:17 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

Did not include that in original post, but I AM holding the XMIT/TUNE button in to send the RF sig to KAT500.

See just prior response.

Also, K3s power set at ABOVE 7 watts,,,, both 10 Watts and above 12-13 to engage K3 PA...

Trying to tune using the KAT500 causes the blinking mode light and an obvious break in the rf signal path to the antenna...
What is key is that KAT500 in Bypass, K3s in Bypass, TUNE gives 3.6:1...
Put KAT500 in Manual and TUNE on K3s gives 12.6:1 or higher.

Do it in AUTO and the KAT500 kicks out, blinking mode, 99.9:1 SWR...
obvious signal path disco.

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/8/2017 11:37 AM, ab2tc wrote:

> Hi Clay,
>
> I could easily reproduce your problem. Note: I do not have the AUX
> cable connected. Apparently you just pressed TUNE on the tuner. That
> will not start the K3 sending a tuning tone. Thus the blinking LED
> (MAN led if in manual mode, AUTO LED if in in AUTO mode). You must
> press and hold the TUNE button on the K3 to send the tuning power you
> have selected. The KAT500 will then instantly tune and the mode LED goes back to steady on.
>
> I don't know if this behavior is also present if the AUX cable is connected.
>
> AB2TC - Knut
>
>
> Clay Autery-2 wrote
>> Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.
>>
>> 1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
>> 2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
>> 3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode
>> light starts blinking.
>>
>> All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.
>>
>> Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?
>>
>> --
>> ______________________
>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>> <snip>
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT500-Blinking-Mode-Light-tp7633
> 192p7633194.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at
> Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Clay Autery-2

Re: KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light

We did that, and it was an instant 1:1....

Finally figured it out... this particular KAT500 spent its life hooked
to a basic K3... It was behind on firmware updates by ELEVEN versions...

Updated to current and it immediately started working... The version it
had was PRE-K3s by several years. :)

Problem solved! Thanks to all who took the time to try and help!

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 8/8/2017 8:26 PM, Bill Johnson wrote:

> Put a dummy load on output of KAT500 and if that doesn't give 1:1 then you have a cable issue.
>
> 73,
> Bill
> K9YEQ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Clay Autery
> Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 12:17 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 - Blinking Mode Light
>
> Did not include that in original post, but I AM holding the XMIT/TUNE button in to send the RF sig to KAT500.
>
> See just prior response.
>
> Also, K3s power set at ABOVE 7 watts,,,, both 10 Watts and above 12-13 to engage K3 PA...
>
> Trying to tune using the KAT500 causes the blinking mode light and an obvious break in the rf signal path to the antenna...
> What is key is that KAT500 in Bypass, K3s in Bypass, TUNE gives 3.6:1...
> Put KAT500 in Manual and TUNE on K3s gives 12.6:1 or higher.
>
> Do it in AUTO and the KAT500 kicks out, blinking mode, 99.9:1 SWR...
> obvious signal path disco.
>
> 73,
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> MONTAC Enterprises
> (318) 518-1389
>
> On 8/8/2017 11:37 AM, ab2tc wrote:
>> Hi Clay,
>>
>> I could easily reproduce your problem. Note: I do not have the AUX
>> cable connected. Apparently you just pressed TUNE on the tuner. That
>> will not start the K3 sending a tuning tone. Thus the blinking LED
>> (MAN led if in manual mode, AUTO LED if in in AUTO mode). You must
>> press and hold the TUNE button on the K3 to send the tuning power you
>> have selected. The KAT500 will then instantly tune and the mode LED goes back to steady on.
>>
>> I don't know if this behavior is also present if the AUX cable is connected.
>>
>> AB2TC - Knut
>>
>>
>> Clay Autery-2 wrote
>>> Situation: Tuner inline between K3s and known good dummy load.
>>>
>>> 1) Tuner off - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
>>> 2) Tuner on in bypass - K3s tunes 1:1 instantly
>>> 3) Tuner on, and in Manual OR Auto Mode, tuner clicks and then Mode
>>> light starts blinking.
>>>
>>> All components in signal path obviously AND tested known good.
>>>
>>> Any ideas where to start troubleshooting the malfunction?
>>>
>>> --
>>> ______________________
>>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>>> <snip>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context:
>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT500-Blinking-Mode-Light-tp7633
>> 192p7633194.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at
>> Nabble.com.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
> 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]