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KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

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Ken Wagner K3IU

KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

Just thought I'd pass this along in case others may have
experienced something similar...

Over the weekend in the WPX contest I noticed that I was
occasionally being replied to as EA3IU rather than K3IU.
After the first couple of times, I noticed that each time
that it happened, I had just made a large frequency change
on a band and the KAT500 had briefly reacted with a small
change. Thinking about it, if the first element of the K (
_._ ) is being shortened by action of the KAT500, then what
was being sent would certainly be interpreted as EA( . . _ )
rather than K. I'll do some testing with a separate receiver
(my K2) and see if I can duplicate it. I'll also re-read the
manual on the KAT500 to see if I can make it less sensitive
to in-band freq changes. I know that there are changes in
settings that can be made.

73, Ken K3IU
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John Bastin

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

On 27 May 2013, at 7:53 AM, Ken K3IU <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Just thought I'd pass this along in case others may have experienced something similar...
>
> Over the weekend in the WPX contest I noticed that I was occasionally being replied to as EA3IU rather than K3IU. After the first couple of times, I noticed that each time that it happened, I had just made a large frequency change on a band and the KAT500 had briefly reacted with a small change. Thinking about it, if the first element of the K ( _._ ) is being shortened by action of the KAT500, then what was being sent would certainly be interpreted as EA( . . _ ) rather than K. I'll do some testing with a separate receiver (my K2) and see if I can duplicate it. I'll also re-read the manual on the KAT500 to see if I can make it less sensitive to in-band freq changes. I know that there are changes in settings that can be made.
>
> 73, Ken K3IU

What contest software were you using and how were you generating the CW?

I noticed the effect you're talking about, running WriteLog software and using "PC Generates" for CW. The CW was very short and choppy, and you're right about the first part of the first character element being chopped off. The effect was constant and didn't seem to be related to any frequency changes.

I worked around it for the contest by using my Idiom Press K3 electronic keyer to generate the CW instead of the computer. It slowed things down a lot, but the CW was good and I didn't have recognition problems.

My solution to the problem is going to be to use an external keyer to generate the computer CW instead of the computer itself. In my case, I have a W5XD Multi-Keyer that I used with my Yaesu rigs before I changed to the K3 rig; I had taken it out of service, thinking I didn't need it since I'm no longer going to be running SO2R, but I guess I need it for the CW.

And another thought, after your frequency change, is the KAT500 not changing until it sees some RF? It seems that when you make a large frequency change, the KAT500 should be following you and updating when you tune the radio, based on settings it has already determined, not waiting until you start to transmit to make the change.

Hope this helps.

73,

John K8AJS
[hidden email]

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WB4SON

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

In reply to this post by Ken Wagner K3IU

Same thing here (shortened first element).

I've gotten into the habit of hitting the paddle and sending a dot or two
after I QSY just to get the KAT500 Tuner on board. Hopefully someday the
K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that the
relays can be propositioned.

73, Bob, WB4SON
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73, Bob, WB4SON

Dick Dievendorff

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

This can be avoided in the short term by sending a dit or by turning off memory tune on QSY. I'm going to try to address this in another way so the dit won't be needed. But we don't get freq info from the Radio other than band info and Tx freq count.

Dick, K6KR

On May 30, 2013, at 11:46, Bob <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Same thing here (shortened first element).
>
> I've gotten into the habit of hitting the paddle and sending a dot or two
> after I QSY just to get the KAT500 Tuner on board. Hopefully someday the
> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that the
> relays can be propositioned.
>
> 73, Bob, WB4SON
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Igor Sokolov-2

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

In reply to this post by WB4SON

This approach is IMHO the best and it works very well in SPE Expert amps in
combination basically with all the makes of transceivers including Elecraft.
I use Expert 1K-FA with K3 and KX3 and tuner of the Expert is always in a
correct position by the time I switch to TX.
It is a pity that Elecraft did not adopt the same approach in case of KAT500
which I also have. Lack of this feature makes it impossible for me to use
KAT500 in combination with HLA300 amp and KX3 as an exciter. I would
definitely implement any hardware mod in KAT500 that would make KAT500
change setting based on the VFO data from the exciter if Elecraft ever will
design such a modification.

73, Igor UA9CDC

> Hopefully someday the
> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that the
> relays can be propositioned.
>
> 73, Bob, WB4SON
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Rick WA6NHC

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

The workaround is easy. Every time you change bands or significantly change
frequency (more so 15M and below for most antennas), either send a dit or a
quick TUNe burst for a moment so the KAT500 can adjust (quickly if from
memory). Since it cuts the amp out during the tuning process, everything is
safe. Worst case, a moment of mismatch on the amp.

Now having said that, being able to read the band PORTION from the K3 would
be much nicer so you'd have 5 seconds faster QSY & attack time or one less
thing to pay attention to.

All in all its working great, it just another habit that must be developed;
it's not quite perfect (what is?).

Any future upgrade to determine band portion depends on what data is
available via the ACC (DB-15) cabling. If it's not there, its not there.
If that is the case, I can't point the finger at the design team, it's hard
to forecast the needs a few years down the road.

73,
Rick wa6nhc

-----Original Message-----
From: Igor Sokolov

It is a pity that Elecraft did not adopt the same approach in case of KAT500

which I also have. Lack of this feature makes it impossible for me to use
KAT500 in combination with HLA300 amp and KX3 as an exciter. I would
definitely implement any hardware mod in KAT500 that would make KAT500
change setting based on the VFO data from the exciter if Elecraft ever will
design such a modification.

73, Igor UA9CDC

> Hopefully someday the
> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that the
> relays can be propositioned.
>
> 73, Bob, WB4SON

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Igor Sokolov-2

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

Rick,
You do not need ACC data. All you need is to eavesdrop on CAT line so that
KAT500 always knows the operating frequency and thus the segment of the
band.

73, Igor UA9CDC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Bates" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Igor Sokolov'" <[hidden email]>; "'Bob'" <[hidden email]>;
"'Elecraft Reflector'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 2:10 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

> The workaround is easy. Every time you change bands or significantly
> change
> frequency (more so 15M and below for most antennas), either send a dit or
> a
> quick TUNe burst for a moment so the KAT500 can adjust (quickly if from
> memory). Since it cuts the amp out during the tuning process, everything
> is
> safe. Worst case, a moment of mismatch on the amp.
>
> Now having said that, being able to read the band PORTION from the K3
> would
> be much nicer so you'd have 5 seconds faster QSY & attack time or one less
> thing to pay attention to.
>
> All in all its working great, it just another habit that must be
> developed;
> it's not quite perfect (what is?).
>
> Any future upgrade to determine band portion depends on what data is
> available via the ACC (DB-15) cabling. If it's not there, its not there.
> If that is the case, I can't point the finger at the design team, it's
> hard
> to forecast the needs a few years down the road.
>
> 73,
> Rick wa6nhc
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Igor Sokolov
>
> It is a pity that Elecraft did not adopt the same approach in case of
> KAT500
>
> which I also have. Lack of this feature makes it impossible for me to use
> KAT500 in combination with HLA300 amp and KX3 as an exciter. I would
> definitely implement any hardware mod in KAT500 that would make KAT500
> change setting based on the VFO data from the exciter if Elecraft ever
> will
> design such a modification.
>
> 73, Igor UA9CDC
>
>> Hopefully someday the
>> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that the
>> relays can be propositioned.
>>
>> 73, Bob, WB4SON
>

John Shaw

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

In reply to this post by Igor Sokolov-2

I agree a modification allowing the KAT500 to eavesdrop on CAT line and
still retain it's own frequency counter system to fall back on if CAT
information is not available in a particular setup would be a very worthy
modification. Already done in the SPE amps so it can be done.

73 John ZL1BYZ.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Igor Sokolov
Sent: Friday, 31 May 2013 07:56
To: Bob; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

This approach is IMHO the best and it works very well in SPE Expert amps in
combination basically with all the makes of transceivers including Elecraft.

I use Expert 1K-FA with K3 and KX3 and tuner of the Expert is always in a
correct position by the time I switch to TX.
It is a pity that Elecraft did not adopt the same approach in case of KAT500
which I also have. Lack of this feature makes it impossible for me to use
KAT500 in combination with HLA300 amp and KX3 as an exciter. I would
definitely implement any hardware mod in KAT500 that would make KAT500
change setting based on the VFO data from the exciter if Elecraft ever will
design such a modification.

73, Igor UA9CDC

> Hopefully someday the
> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to transmit so that
> the relays can be propositioned.
>
> 73, Bob, WB4SON
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Lu Romero - W4LT

Re: KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

In reply to this post by Ken Wagner K3IU

Eric/Wayne, et al:

Let me "third" this suggestion.

As it is, I already have have LDG 1000 and MFJ998
autotuners, both of whom predate my Elecraft gear, but work
just fine. Since both of these function very similarly to
the KAT500, I see no advantage, other than automatic antenna
selection, to switch to the KAT500, and my LDG DTS4 antenna
switch has automatic antenna switching capability (but I
have not inmplemented it).

The addition of this feature would make it posible for me to
rationalize purchasing of a KAT500 due to the ability to
"pre-tune"; something the other two autotuners that I own
can not do.

In addition, it sure would be nice to be able to select
automatic tune on a per antenna port basis: My wire for
80/40 is not resonant, but my tribander is... I would set
the wire port to autotune but I dont want or need autotune
on my tribander on most bands.

That feature would literally seal the deal for me.

73

Lu Romero - W4LT
K3/KRX3/P3/KPA500/K1

--------------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Fri, 31 May 2013 13:29:34 +1200
From: "John Shaw" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX
Message-ID: <0984B4B78D7D43EA9F04FBBC222216E6@john8c10>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I agree a modification allowing the KAT500 to eavesdrop on
CAT line and
still retain it's own frequency counter system to fall back
on if CAT
information is not available in a particular setup would be
a very worthy
modification. Already done in the SPE amps so it can be
done.

73 John ZL1BYZ.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Igor Sokolov
Sent: Friday, 31 May 2013 07:56
To: Bob; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 & KAT500 in WPX

This approach is IMHO the best and it works very well in SPE
Expert amps in
combination basically with all the makes of transceivers
including Elecraft.

I use Expert 1K-FA with K3 and KX3 and tuner of the Expert
is always in a
correct position by the time I switch to TX.
It is a pity that Elecraft did not adopt the same approach
in case of KAT500
which I also have. Lack of this feature makes it impossible
for me to use
KAT500 in combination with HLA300 amp and KX3 as an
exciter. I would
definitely implement any hardware mod in KAT500 that would
make KAT500
change setting based on the VFO data from the exciter if
Elecraft ever will
design such a modification.

73, Igor UA9CDC

> Hopefully someday the
> K3 frequency could be shared with the KAT prior to
transmit so that
> the relays can be propositioned.
>
> 73, Bob, WB4SON
>
______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: [hidden email]
>
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support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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