Elecraft

KAT500 power question

Classic

List

Threaded

9 messages Options

Wes (N7WS)

KAT500 power question

I have a new, yet to assemble KAT500 and KPA500. In reading the manual for the
KAT500 I see a (new to me) caveat about *not* using the switched 12V from the
K3. What's up with this? I thought there was supposed to be seamless
integration of this stuff.

Wes N7WS
______________________________________________________________
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]

Harlan Sherriff

Re: KAT500 power question

Wes
I'm assuming you are referring to connecting the KAT power supply up to the K3 12v auxiliary output. You are correct, the KAT should not be connected to that. The KAT draws up to 1.5A but the K3 12v aux is only good for 1A. ..if it has the mod.

I really don't see this as being a non-seamless integration issue. The OPERATION of the KAT with the K3 IS seamless, along with the KPA. Just wait till you have them all connected together. ... what a great 500w transceiver you will have.

Harlan
NC3C

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: "Wes (N7WS)" <[hidden email]> </div><div>Date:10/04/2014 3:43 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]> </div><div>Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 power question </div><div>
</div>I have a new, yet to assemble KAT500 and KPA500. In reading the manual for the
KAT500 I see a (new to me) caveat about *not* using the switched 12V from the
K3. What's up with this? I thought there was supposed to be seamless
integration of this stuff.

Wes N7WS
______________________________________________________________
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]

Michael Eberle

Re: KAT500 power question

Yes, this is only referring to the power connection. The KAT500 and
KPA500 communicate with the K3 through the ACC cables. Just connect the
supplied power cable for the KAT500 to the power supply that is powering
the radio (check polarity) and not to the 12v aux output on the K3 itself.

Mike
KI0HA

On 10/4/2014 4:36 PM, hsherriff wrote:

> Wes
> I'm assuming you are referring to connecting the KAT power supply up to the K3 12v auxiliary output. You are correct, the KAT should not be connected to that. The KAT draws up to 1.5A but the K3 12v aux is only good for 1A. ..if it has the mod.
>
> I really don't see this as being a non-seamless integration issue. The OPERATION of the KAT with the K3 IS seamless, along with the KPA. Just wait till you have them all connected together. ... what a great 500w transceiver you will have.
>
> Harlan
> NC3C
>
>
>
> <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: "Wes (N7WS)" <[hidden email]> </div><div>Date:10/04/2014 3:43 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]> </div><div>Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 power question </div><div>
> </div>I have a new, yet to assemble KAT500 and KPA500. In reading the manual for the
> KAT500 I see a (new to me) caveat about *not* using the switched 12V from the
> K3. What's up with this? I thought there was supposed to be seamless
> integration of this stuff.
>
> Wes N7WS
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Wes (N7WS)

Re: KAT500 power question

In reply to this post by Harlan Sherriff

Actually, the KAT500 manual states that the power required is 11 to 15 VDC, 1.0
A max (200 mA typical). So a K3 with the mod should handle it fine. So what
this suggests to me is that there is a timing issue, which if the case, is poor
integration. IMHO, of course.

Wes N7WS

On 10/4/2014 2:36 PM, hsherriff wrote:
> Wes
> I'm assuming you are referring to connecting the KAT power supply up to the K3 12v auxiliary output. You are correct, the KAT should not be connected to that. The KAT draws up to 1.5A but the K3 12v aux is only good for 1A. ..if it has the mod.
>
> I really don't see this as being a non-seamless integration issue. The OPERATION of the KAT with the K3 IS seamless, along with the KPA. Just wait till you have them all connected together. ... what a great 500w transceiver you will have.
>
> Harlan
> NC3C
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Harlan Sherriff

Re: KAT500 power question

In reply to this post by Wes (N7WS)

Wes
My copy of the KAT manual (Rev B4, 2012) says 11 to 15 DVD 1.5A max.
I don't understand the comment about a timing issue???

Harlan
NC3C

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: "Wes (N7WS)" <[hidden email]> </div><div>Date:10/04/2014 7:04 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: [hidden email] </div><div>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 power question </div><div>
</div>Actually, the KAT500 manual states that the power required is 11 to 15 VDC, 1.0
A max (200 mA typical). So a K3 with the mod should handle it fine. So what
this suggests to me is that there is a timing issue, which if the case, is poor
integration. IMHO, of course.

Wes N7WS

On 10/4/2014 2:36 PM, hsherriff wrote:
> Wes
> I'm assuming you are referring to connecting the KAT power supply up to the K3 12v auxiliary output. You are correct, the KAT should not be connected to that. The KAT draws up to 1.5A but the K3 12v aux is only good for 1A. ..if it has the mod.
>
> I really don't see this as being a non-seamless integration issue. The OPERATION of the KAT with the K3 IS seamless, along with the KPA. Just wait till you have them all connected together. ... what a great 500w transceiver you will have.
>
> Harlan
> NC3C
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

Wes (N7WS)

Re: KAT500 power question

In reply to this post by Wes (N7WS)

Let me clarify some issues before leaving this subject.

1) There are apparently multiple versions of the manual that show different
KAT500 power requirements. The current one, Rev C, states on page 2 that the
voltage should be 11 to 15 VDC at a current of 1.0 A max (200 mA typical).

2) A modified K3 will output 1.0 A. See *K312MDKT.

3) *After further digging I see the warning that if the K3 and KAT500 are
interconnected via the AUX bus, the KAT500 must be power before the K3 is or
*the K3* won't initialize properly. (p 14) So there is my integration/timing
issue. Imagine having to have your printer powered up before booting your
computer to avoid latch-up. Does this mean that other peripherals (KRC-2)
hanging on the AUX Bus will have the same effect?

4) On a positive note, it went together nicely (not too pleased with the paint
on the top cover) and seems to work fine using just the K3 without
interconnects, just r-f sensing. The clattering relays are a little frightening
though when my only prior experience with autotuners was the quiet whirring of
the motors in my TS-870SAT.

Wes, N7WS

______________________________________________________________
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]

Jack Brindle-2

Re: KAT500 power question

Godo questions. The power sequencing key is that the KAT500 must be powered before the K3 initializes the Auxbus. You actually have a little bit of time after the K3 powers on before this happens, and the KAT500 powers up quickly to wait for this activity, so if you were able to power the KAT500 from the K3’s power jack, it will work just fine. I do this in my own station by powering a relay from the K3. The relay then switches power to the remaining peripherals, including my KAT500, K3 and KRC2. I can’t answer the question as to whether the upgraded K3 can directly power a KAT500 - my own has not been upgraded and with the power setup I have I don’t need it.

As for the KRC2, we have not seen any problem of this sort so far (and it has been a long time…). The KRC2’s Auxbus circuitry is slightly different from the KAT500, which seems to allow it. Before anyone asks, the KPA500 does not have this problem at all. It only transmits on the Auxbus, and the isolation driver transistor it uses very effectively prevents any problem.

As for the interconnect, I highly recommend using the Auxbus connection, especially if a KPA500 is in use. When properly configured, the three devices work very well together to provide an excellent user experience. To borrow a phrase, they just work.

73!

Jack B, W6FB

> On Oct 4, 2014, at 6:59 PM, Wes (N7WS) <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Let me clarify some issues before leaving this subject.
>
> 1) There are apparently multiple versions of the manual that show different KAT500 power requirements. The current one, Rev C, states on page 2 that the voltage should be 11 to 15 VDC at a current of 1.0 A max (200 mA typical).
>
> 2) A modified K3 will output 1.0 A. See *K312MDKT.
>
> 3) *After further digging I see the warning that if the K3 and KAT500 are interconnected via the AUX bus, the KAT500 must be power before the K3 is or *the K3* won't initialize properly. (p 14) So there is my integration/timing issue. Imagine having to have your printer powered up before booting your computer to avoid latch-up. Does this mean that other peripherals (KRC-2) hanging on the AUX Bus will have the same effect?
>
> 4) On a positive note, it went together nicely (not too pleased with the paint on the top cover) and seems to work fine using just the K3 without interconnects, just r-f sensing. The clattering relays are a little frightening though when my only prior experience with autotuners was the quiet whirring of the motors in my TS-870SAT.
>
> Wes, N7WS
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Wes (N7WS)

Re: KAT500 power question

Jack,

Thanks for your remarks.

I will be using AUX Bus interconnects, however, the KPA500 has yet to be
assembled and frankly the Elecraft cables are too spendy so they are coming from
elsewhere.

I don't use a P3 (an SDR-IQ is my preference) so the 12V spigot is available.
However, using that port to power a relay is going in the wrong direction for
me. I'd like to reduce the mess of cables and needing one more from the desktop
to the supply underneath was what I wanted to avoid. I've just had to add a
Rigrunner to power more devices in my "wireless" station.

'Tis a pity that the KAT500 can't treat the bus like the KRC-2 and KPA500.

Wes N7WS

On 10/4/2014 7:20 PM, Jack Brindle wrote:

> Godo questions. The power sequencing key is that the KAT500 must be powered before the K3 initializes the Auxbus. You actually have a little bit of time after the K3 powers on before this happens, and the KAT500 powers up quickly to wait for this activity, so if you were able to power the KAT500 from the K3’s power jack, it will work just fine. I do this in my own station by powering a relay from the K3. The relay then switches power to the remaining peripherals, including my KAT500, K3 and KRC2. I can’t answer the question as to whether the upgraded K3 can directly power a KAT500 - my own has not been upgraded and with the power setup I have I don’t need it.
>
> As for the KRC2, we have not seen any problem of this sort so far (and it has been a long time…). The KRC2’s Auxbus circuitry is slightly different from the KAT500, which seems to allow it. Before anyone asks, the KPA500 does not have this problem at all. It only transmits on the Auxbus, and the isolation driver transistor it uses very effectively prevents any problem.
>
> As for the interconnect, I highly recommend using the Auxbus connection, especially if a KPA500 is in use. When properly configured, the three devices work very well together to provide an excellent user experience. To borrow a phrase, they just work.
>
> 73!
>
> Jack B, W6FB
>
>

Jack Brindle-2

Re: KAT500 power question

Wes;

We do realize the situation as far as Auxbus is concerned with an unpowered KAT500. I believe that Wayne has stated that he has an active task to allow the K3 to detect the situation and recover from it.
I don’t know the time frame of this fix. I’ll let him comment further when he gets a chance.

Jack B, W6FB

>
> On Oct 4, 2014, at 10:27 PM, Wes (N7WS) <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Jack,
>
> Thanks for your remarks.
>
> I will be using AUX Bus interconnects, however, the KPA500 has yet to be assembled and frankly the Elecraft cables are too spendy so they are coming from elsewhere.
>
> I don't use a P3 (an SDR-IQ is my preference) so the 12V spigot is available. However, using that port to power a relay is going in the wrong direction for me. I'd like to reduce the mess of cables and needing one more from the desktop to the supply underneath was what I wanted to avoid. I've just had to add a Rigrunner to power more devices in my "wireless" station.
>
> 'Tis a pity that the KAT500 can't treat the bus like the KRC-2 and KPA500.
>
> Wes N7WS
>
>
> On 10/4/2014 7:20 PM, Jack Brindle wrote:
>> Godo questions. The power sequencing key is that the KAT500 must be powered before the K3 initializes the Auxbus. You actually have a little bit of time after the K3 powers on before this happens, and the KAT500 powers up quickly to wait for this activity, so if you were able to power the KAT500 from the K3’s power jack, it will work just fine. I do this in my own station by powering a relay from the K3. The relay then switches power to the remaining peripherals, including my KAT500, K3 and KRC2. I can’t answer the question as to whether the upgraded K3 can directly power a KAT500 - my own has not been upgraded and with the power setup I have I don’t need it.
>>
>> As for the KRC2, we have not seen any problem of this sort so far (and it has been a long time…). The KRC2’s Auxbus circuitry is slightly different from the KAT500, which seems to allow it. Before anyone asks, the KPA500 does not have this problem at all. It only transmits on the Auxbus, and the isolation driver transistor it uses very effectively prevents any problem.
>>
>> As for the interconnect, I highly recommend using the Auxbus connection, especially if a KPA500 is in use. When properly configured, the three devices work very well together to provide an excellent user experience. To borrow a phrase, they just work.
>>
>> 73!
>>
>> Jack B, W6FB
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]