KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

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KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

wayne burdick
Administrator
Those using a K4 transceiver with our KPA1500 amp will have the advantage of +/- 1 kHz resolution in VFO tracking. In many stations, this finer resolution will result in lower SWR and improved amplifier performance, especially on the lower bands. (The original resolution was +/- 8 kHz.)

This is part an overall upgrade of our Auxbus control interface, taking advantage of the additional processing resources available in the K4. The revised protocol allows for more robust RFI rejection, as well as future enhancements to amp/tuner control.

At present only the KPA1500 supports radio type K4, but we hope to add this capability to the KPA500 and KAT500 in the near future.

All amps and tuners will continue to support the original Auxbus protocol, remaining 100% compatible with our existing transceivers.

73,
Wayne
N6KR







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KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

ANDY DURBIN
"Those using a K4 transceiver with our KPA1500 amp will have the advantage of +/- 1 kHz resolution in VFO tracking. "

How does that help anything if the tuner bin width is 8 kHz?  I could provide any frequency update resolution I wanted with my controller but I chose to limit it to 8 kHz to match the KAT500.   Doesn't the KPA1500 also have 8 kHz wide bins?

Will the frequency priority logic of the KPA1500 change?  Doesn't RF detected frequency with 8 kHz resolution, and some uncertainty in detected frequency, override any frequency provided by Aux bus or CAT?

If these limitations have been overcome for KPA1500 will the changes be rolled back into the KAT500?

Andy, k3wyc
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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

AL7CR
In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Can you please confirm this means, at present, that the K4 does NOT interface with the KPA 500 and KTA 500 via the Auxbus.  If so, that is a major disappointment.  I presume operation is still possible in the frequency sensing mode as it is with non Elecraft amps.  Just writing that last sentence makes me sad.  

I would have thought the K4 would have shipped with a K3 compatibility mode.  Surely I am not the only one considering replacing my K3 with a K4 and expecting not to lose capability.  It is also a bit sad that, if I understand correctly, you only HOPE to add compatibility in the near future.  There must be more KPA/KTA 500 out there than KPA 1500 by a huge margin.

AL7CR



On Sun, Jul 19, 2020, at 1:52 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Those using a K4 transceiver with our KPA1500 amp will have the
> advantage of +/- 1 kHz resolution in VFO tracking. In many stations,
> this finer resolution will result in lower SWR and improved amplifier
> performance, especially on the lower bands. (The original resolution
> was +/- 8 kHz.)
>
> This is part an overall upgrade of our Auxbus control interface, taking
> advantage of the additional processing resources available in the K4.
> The revised protocol allows for more robust RFI rejection, as well as
> future enhancements to amp/tuner control.
>
> At present only the KPA1500 supports radio type K4, but we hope to add
> this capability to the KPA500 and KAT500 in the near future.
>
> All amps and tuners will continue to support the original Auxbus
> protocol, remaining 100% compatible with our existing transceivers.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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>
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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Dick Dievendorff-4
That’s not at all what it means.  K4 interfaces via AUXBUS with KPA500 and KAT500 as a K3.

73 de Dick, K6KR

> On Jul 19, 2020, at 19:35, AL7CR <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Can you please confirm this means, at present, that the K4 does NOT interface with the KPA 500 and KTA 500 via the Auxbus.  If so, that is a major disappointment.  I presume operation is still possible in the frequency sensing mode as it is with non Elecraft amps.  Just writing that last sentence makes me sad.  
>
> I would have thought the K4 would have shipped with a K3 compatibility mode.  Surely I am not the only one considering replacing my K3 with a K4 and expecting not to lose capability.  It is also a bit sad that, if I understand correctly, you only HOPE to add compatibility in the near future.  There must be more KPA/KTA 500 out there than KPA 1500 by a huge margin.
>
> AL7CR
>
>
>
>> On Sun, Jul 19, 2020, at 1:52 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Those using a K4 transceiver with our KPA1500 amp will have the
>> advantage of +/- 1 kHz resolution in VFO tracking. In many stations,
>> this finer resolution will result in lower SWR and improved amplifier
>> performance, especially on the lower bands. (The original resolution
>> was +/- 8 kHz.)
>>
>> This is part an overall upgrade of our Auxbus control interface, taking
>> advantage of the additional processing resources available in the K4.
>> The revised protocol allows for more robust RFI rejection, as well as
>> future enhancements to amp/tuner control.
>>
>> At present only the KPA1500 supports radio type K4, but we hope to add
>> this capability to the KPA500 and KAT500 in the near future.
>>
>> All amps and tuners will continue to support the original Auxbus
>> protocol, remaining 100% compatible with our existing transceivers.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

ANDY DURBIN
In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN
"How does that help anything if the tuner bin width is 8 kHz? "

I had confused the rf frequency detect counter resolution with the bin width.

For KAT 500:

Below 3 MHz the segments are 10 kHz wide.
From 3 MHz through 26 MHz the segments are 20 kHz wide.
From 26 MHz to 38 MHz the segments are 100 kHz wide.
From 38 MHz to 60 MHz the segments are 200 kHz wide.

For KPA1500:

160 Meters, 10 kHz Steps
80 Meters, 10 kHz Steps
60 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
40 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
30 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
20 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
17 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
15 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
12 Meters, 20 kHz Steps
10 Meters, 100 kHz Steps
6 Meters, 200 kHz Steps

Both data sets extracted from the user guides.  They seem to be similar but I have not checked every frequency range.

I still don't see the advantage of AUX bus giving the KPA1500 the TX frequency to 1 kHz resolution.   What am I missing?

Andy, k3wyc


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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Jim Brown-10
On 7/19/2020 8:13 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:
> I still don't see the advantage of AUX bus giving the KPA1500 the TX frequency to 1 kHz resolution.   What am I missing?

At this point in time, it may not matter. But who knows how we will be
using our radios 10-15 years from now? The early K3s on my operating
desk were built in 2007, and probably designed a year or two earlier.
There are a few things about those radios I wish were a bit better.
Great designers (and leaders) have the intellect and imagination to
think WAY ahead of today, and plan for tomorrow.

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

wayne burdick
Administrator
In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN
Andy (K3WYC) wrote:

> I still don't see the advantage of AUX bus giving the KPA1500 the TX frequency to 1 kHz resolution.   What am I missing?


Hi Andy,

The improved resolution ensures that the correct bin is detected when you get within +/- 1 kHz of the target ATU LC data bin rather than +/- 8 kHz. This improves repeatability of selected LC values vs. VFO frequency, especially on 160 and 80 meters where it's most likely to matter.

This also means that, in the future, we could use smaller bin width on some bands if desired. This could be helpful if you were using the ATU to fine-tune a very narrowband antenna such as a loop or electrically short vertical.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

wayne burdick
Administrator
In reply to this post by AL7CR
The K4 defaults to K3/K3S auxbus protocol, ensuring compatibility with a KPA500, KAT500, or KPA1500.

It will only use the new protocol if the amp or tuner has been configured to use K4 mode.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Jul 19, 2020, at 7:33 PM, AL7CR <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Can you please confirm this means, at present, that the K4 does NOT interface with the KPA 500 and KTA 500 via the Auxbus.  If so, that is a major disappointment.  I presume operation is still possible in the frequency sensing mode as it is with non Elecraft amps.  Just writing that last sentence makes me sad.  
>
> I would have thought the K4 would have shipped with a K3 compatibility mode.  Surely I am not the only one considering replacing my K3 with a K4 and expecting not to lose capability.  It is also a bit sad that, if I understand correctly, you only HOPE to add compatibility in the near future.  There must be more KPA/KTA 500 out there than KPA 1500 by a huge margin.
>
> AL7CR
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jul 19, 2020, at 1:52 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Those using a K4 transceiver with our KPA1500 amp will have the
>> advantage of +/- 1 kHz resolution in VFO tracking. In many stations,
>> this finer resolution will result in lower SWR and improved amplifier
>> performance, especially on the lower bands. (The original resolution
>> was +/- 8 kHz.)
>>
>> This is part an overall upgrade of our Auxbus control interface, taking
>> advantage of the additional processing resources available in the K4.
>> The revised protocol allows for more robust RFI rejection, as well as
>> future enhancements to amp/tuner control.
>>
>> At present only the KPA1500 supports radio type K4, but we hope to add
>> this capability to the KPA500 and KAT500 in the near future.
>>
>> All amps and tuners will continue to support the original Auxbus
>> protocol, remaining 100% compatible with our existing transceivers.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Eric Norris-2
In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Very, very desired!

73 Eric WD6DBM

On Sun, Jul 19, 2020, 9:26 PM Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> This also means that, in the future, we could use smaller bin width on
> some bands if desired. This could be helpful if you were using the ATU to
> fine-tune a very narrowband antenna such as a loop or electrically short
>
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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Dave wo2x
In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Hi Wayne,

Can future KPA1500 firmware allow the smaller bins to be utilized via
standard CAT protocol over TCP/IP? I can feed the amp exact frequency info
via a Node Red Raspberry Pi. Right now using CAT over the KXUSB cable.
Also it would be desirable to have CAT take priority over internal frequency
counter on the amp. I've had the internal counter fail and the amp was in
never never land when trying to transmit.

I do have to say that after all the mods were done (current to when I sent
in the RF deck) the amp has worked flawlessly. Many thousands of QSOs.  
Any way to track if there are additional mods to the amp that have been
incorporated since last serviced? I would think if there were something
major that existing owners would be notified.


73
Dave wo2x



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 12:26 AM
To: Andy Durbin <[hidden email]>
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Andy (K3WYC) wrote:

> I still don't see the advantage of AUX bus giving the KPA1500 the TX
frequency to 1 kHz resolution.   What am I missing?


Hi Andy,

The improved resolution ensures that the correct bin is detected when you
get within +/- 1 kHz of the target ATU LC data bin rather than +/- 8 kHz.
This improves repeatability of selected LC values vs. VFO frequency,
especially on 160 and 80 meters where it's most likely to matter.

This also means that, in the future, we could use smaller bin width on some
bands if desired. This could be helpful if you were using the ATU to
fine-tune a very narrowband antenna such as a loop or electrically short
vertical.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

ANDY DURBIN
In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Hi Wayne,

"The improved resolution ensures that the correct bin is detected when you get within +/- 1 kHz of the target ATU LC data bin rather than +/- 8 kHz."

It has always been possible to provide the KAT500 and KPA1500 with TX frequency to 1 kHz resolution using the serial interface.

KAT500:
F (Frequency, GET and SET)
GET format: F;
SET/RESPONSE format: F nnnnn; where nnnnn is the approximate frequency of the last transmitted signal, in kHz.

KPA1500:
^FR Frequency
GET format: ^FR;
RESPONSE/SET format: ^FRfffff; where fffff is the most recent frequency in kHz.

However, both the KPA1500 and KAT500 tuners are designed to replace AUX or Serial provided frequency with RF detected frequency.  This means that, even if the bin is selected accurately with serial or AUX frequency, the tuning solution is likely to change as soon as TX starts.   This will only be prevented if RF detected frequency does not replace CAT or AUX provided frequency.  This is a change I have been asking for almost as long as I have owned my KAT500.  (Dick has my KAT500 defect/enhancement reports)

Hopefully this change to K4 design will accelerate some of the fixes/improvements in both KAT500 and KPA1500 tuner firmware.

73,
Andy, k3wyc

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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Lyn WØLEN
In reply to this post by wayne burdick
Interesting ... I am seeing issues with my KAT500 not holding a setting, but
jumping to (and displaying) a frequency 200 - 300 KHz lower unpredictably
during a Winlink Vara session.  It always comes back to the correct
frequency when the rig is transmitting, but has to go thru a short
relay-clatter routine to get there.

This is on 80, 40 and 30 meters (all I have tested so far).

For example, if the dial frequency is at 7101 the tuner can't seem to decide
whether to sit on 7104 or 7096.  That doesn't seem to cause a problem as
much as when it suddenly drops to 6874, 6864 or 6856.  I am seeing similar
behavior on 80m and 30m.

I recently did a total reset and reloaded the firmware (v01.75).

Any thoughts?  Bin width?

Thx.
73
Lyn, W0LEN


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2020 11:26 PM
To: Andy Durbin
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Andy (K3WYC) wrote:

> I still don't see the advantage of AUX bus giving the KPA1500 the TX
frequency to 1 kHz resolution.   What am I missing?


Hi Andy,

The improved resolution ensures that the correct bin is detected when you
get within +/- 1 kHz of the target ATU LC data bin rather than +/- 8 kHz.
This improves repeatability of selected LC values vs. VFO frequency,
especially on 160 and 80 meters where it's most likely to matter.

This also means that, in the future, we could use smaller bin width on some
bands if desired. This could be helpful if you were using the ATU to
fine-tune a very narrowband antenna such as a loop or electrically short
vertical.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Dave wo2x
I have seen this behavior using a non-Elecraft exciter (Kenwood) and KPA1500
amp on digital modes. In my case it was right after connecting the new radio
and TX audio levels were too high, causing splattering. The freq counter in
the amp wasn't happy. Lowered audio level to where there is no ALC
deflection on the exciter and problem never happened again.

Just a thought but check your ALC when on WinLink. You should not see any
ALC indication.

Dave wo2x

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of Lyn Norstad
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 5:40 PM
To: 'Wayne Burdick' <[hidden email]>; 'Andy Durbin' <[hidden email]>
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Interesting ... I am seeing issues with my KAT500 not holding a setting, but
jumping to (and displaying) a frequency 200 - 300 KHz lower unpredictably
during a Winlink Vara session.  It always comes back to the correct
frequency when the rig is transmitting, but has to go thru a short
relay-clatter routine to get there.

This is on 80, 40 and 30 meters (all I have tested so far).

For example, if the dial frequency is at 7101 the tuner can't seem to decide
whether to sit on 7104 or 7096.  That doesn't seem to cause a problem as
much as when it suddenly drops to 6874, 6864 or 6856.  I am seeing similar
behavior on 80m and 30m.

I recently did a total reset and reloaded the firmware (v01.75).

Any thoughts?  Bin width?

Thx.
73
Lyn, W0LEN
Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Re: KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Lyn WØLEN
Thanks for that suggestion, Dave.  

I am, in fact, using an IC-7300 as exciter but ALC does not appear to be the
problem.  The 7300 > KPA500 > KAT500 chain has always been flawless for me
until this new version of Vara was introduced, and I suspect it is indeed
the new modulation scheme in Vara v4.

I had a suggestion from Dick Dievendorff to try different FCCS values, and
it seems that changing it from the default setting of 12 to a higher level,
in this case 300, solves the problem without introducing other issues.

I will continue to check this and report if I need to refine that setting.
Vara 4 has already gone thru an update, so I suspect there may have been
some issues found.

73
Lyn, W0LEN


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 6:46 PM
To: [hidden email]; 'Wayne Burdick'; 'Andy Durbin'
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

I have seen this behavior using a non-Elecraft exciter (Kenwood) and KPA1500
amp on digital modes. In my case it was right after connecting the new radio
and TX audio levels were too high, causing splattering. The freq counter in
the amp wasn't happy. Lowered audio level to where there is no ALC
deflection on the exciter and problem never happened again.

Just a thought but check your ALC when on WinLink. You should not see any
ALC indication.

Dave wo2x

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of Lyn Norstad
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 5:40 PM
To: 'Wayne Burdick' <[hidden email]>; 'Andy Durbin' <[hidden email]>
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 with K4 tracks VFOs with 1 kHz resolution

Interesting ... I am seeing issues with my KAT500 not holding a setting, but
jumping to (and displaying) a frequency 200 - 300 KHz lower unpredictably
during a Winlink Vara session.  It always comes back to the correct
frequency when the rig is transmitting, but has to go thru a short
relay-clatter routine to get there.

This is on 80, 40 and 30 meters (all I have tested so far).

For example, if the dial frequency is at 7101 the tuner can't seem to decide
whether to sit on 7104 or 7096.  That doesn't seem to cause a problem as
much as when it suddenly drops to 6874, 6864 or 6856.  I am seeing similar
behavior on 80m and 30m.

I recently did a total reset and reloaded the firmware (v01.75).

Any thoughts?  Bin width?

Thx.
73
Lyn, W0LEN
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