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KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

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Steef PA2A

KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

Hi,

if I switch the KPA500 with the band buttons to another band I would expect the KAT500 to follow the last tune settings on the new band. However this is not the case, the tuner switches to the new band settings only when HF goes through. The 15-p cable is connected and there is no K3 connected.
Is there a menu setting to let the KAT500 follow the KPA500?

73s Steef PA2A
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Alan - G4GNX

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

AFAICR The KAT500 follows the K3, not the KPA500, as long as the Aux-bus
cable is connected. I can certainly hear the relays click on the KAT500
when I tune the K3 across a frequency threshold point.

73,

Alan. G4GNX

------ Original Message ------
From: [hidden email]
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 08/05/2021 12:59:03
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

>Hi,
>
>if I switch the KPA500 with the band buttons to another band I would expect the KAT500 to follow the last tune settings on the new band. However this is not the case, the tuner switches to the new band settings only when HF goes through. The 15-p cable is connected and there is no K3 connected.
>Is there a menu setting to let the KAT500 follow the KPA500?
>
>73s Steef PA2A
>______________________________________________________________
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Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Steef PA2A

Steef,

See this recent post for explanation:
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/elecraft/2021-April/284736.html.

The KAT500 can auto-track any Kenwood or Kenwood-compatible rig that
outputs frequency data in the format: "FA00014025000;". Connect the RS232
RXD line (Pin 2) of the Kenwood rig to the TXD line (tip) of KAT500 PC DATA
connector, with no connection on ring. You have to use the BR; command to
set the baud rate of the KAT500 PC DATA jack to match the rig's RS232 baud
rate.

You can also uise a program like N4PY Pegasus Plus
<http://www.n4py.com/pegasus-plus.html> to keep the KAT500 / KPA500 in
sync. with the rig.

The S-BOX-USB provides either capability using standard commercial stereo
and serial cables, with parallel wiring to all logging programs and the
KPA500 XCVR SERIAL connector, so no splitters or custom cables are
required. If you're using a TS-590S with a working USB port, you can
connect the computer to the USB port and connect both the KPA500 / KAT500
to the TS-590S COM port with such wiring (only wired RXD in parallel, never
TXD).

Modern Yaesu rigs do not output enough digits of information in the FA
command output (they drop most of the leading zeroes). The KPA1500
firmware can handle the Yaesu format of FA frequency data to auto-track,
but the KPA500 and KAT500 cannot, though they could potentially be updated
to do that.

73,
Bob, N6TV
https://bit.ly/S-BOX

On Sat, May 8, 2021 at 4:59 AM <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> if I switch the KPA500 with the band buttons to another band I would
> expect the KAT500 to follow the last tune settings on the new band. However
> this is not the case, the tuner switches to the new band settings only when
> HF goes through. The 15-p cable is connected and there is no K3 connected.
> Is there a menu setting to let the KAT500 follow the KPA500?
>
> 73s Steef PA2A
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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ANDY DURBIN

KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Steef PA2A

"if I switch the KPA500 with the band buttons to another band I would expect the KAT500 to follow the last tune settings on the new band. However this is not the case, the tuner switches to the new band settings only when HF goes through. The 15-p cable is connected and there is no K3 connected. Is there a menu setting to let the KAT500 follow the KPA500?"

I think you question has been answered but just for clarification - The KAT500 needs to know frequency not band. Even if the KPA500 was sending band info to the KAT500 it wouldn't be much use because KAT500 antenna and tuning solution selection is based on frequency not band.

Having the KPA500 and KAT500 tune before transmit requires something to send TX band data to KPA500 and TX frequency data to KAT500. Following Kenwood FA is a weak (in my opinion hopelessly unsatisfactory) solution since split operation usually has VFO B as the TX VFO.

Elecraft has been asked to revise the KAT500 firmware so it properly extracts TX frequency from IF, FA, and FB just like KPA500 and KPA1500 do. I don't know when/if that update will be available.

73,
Andy, k3wyc

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Wes Stewart-2

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In answer to the last question I would expect, never. They've moved on to K4s.

Wes N7WS

K3, K3S, KPA500, KAT500 and TS890.

On 5/8/2021 2:22 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:

> "if I switch the KPA500 with the band buttons to another band I would expect the KAT500 to follow the last tune settings on the new band. However this is not the case, the tuner switches to the new band settings only when HF goes through. The 15-p cable is connected and there is no K3 connected. Is there a menu setting to let the KAT500 follow the KPA500?"
>
> I think you question has been answered but just for clarification - The KAT500 needs to know frequency not band. Even if the KPA500 was sending band info to the KAT500 it wouldn't be much use because KAT500 antenna and tuning solution selection is based on frequency not band.
>
> Having the KPA500 and KAT500 tune before transmit requires something to send TX band data to KPA500 and TX frequency data to KAT500. Following Kenwood FA is a weak (in my opinion hopelessly unsatisfactory) solution since split operation usually has VFO B as the TX VFO.
>
> Elecraft has been asked to revise the KAT500 firmware so it properly extracts TX frequency from IF, FA, and FB just like KPA500 and KPA1500 do. I don't know when/if that update will be available.
>
> 73,
> Andy, k3wyc
>
>

Lyn WØLEN

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

Wes, are you thinking that Elecraft will abandon the KPA/KAT500? No further development?

If so, why would they do that?

73
Lyn, W0LEN

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Wes
Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2021 4:42 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In answer to the last question I would expect, never. They've moved on to K4s.

Wes N7WS

K3, K3S, KPA500, KAT500 and TS890.

On 5/8/2021 2:22 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:

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Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN

On Sat, May 8, 2021 at 2:22 PM Andy Durbin <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Having the KPA500 and KAT500 tune before transmit requires something to
> send TX band data to KPA500 and TX frequency data to KAT500. Following
> Kenwood FA is a weak (in my opinion hopelessly unsatisfactory) solution
> since split operation usually has VFO B as the TX VFO.
>

In practice, wide split frequency operation is quite rare these days, so
tracking VFO A is usually OK.

Nevertheless, see page 16 - 18 of the KAT500 Owner's Manual
<https://ftp.elecraft.com/KAT500/Manuals%20Downloads/E740183%20Rev%20D1%20KAT500%20Owner's%20Manual.pdf>
for interfacing to KPA500 and KAT500 via CBL-KENSER500 to a Kenwood rig.
Note the Kenwood TS-590SG menu settings on Page 18.

64 TRANSFER SPLIT FREQUENCY DATA TO ANOTHER TRANSCEIVER
65 COPY SPLIT FREQUENCY DATA TO VFO

These options may help the KAT500 track split frequencies better, but I
have not traced them to see how they change the output streams.

Elecraft has been asked to revise the KAT500 firmware so it properly
> extracts TX frequency from IF, FA, and FB just like KPA500 and KPA1500 do.
> I don't know when/if that update will be available.
>

I don't know when, but I think it is their goal.

73,
Bob, N6TV
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Wes Stewart-2

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Lyn WØLEN

Abandon is probably too harsh a term. I think they will continue to produce them
but I don't see them putting programming resources into making them work better
with other manufacturers' products.

This despite the claim: "The KAT500 Automatic Antenna Tuner is designed to be
closely integrated with the Elecraft K3 transceiver and the Elecraft KPA500
amplifier although it may be easily used with other transceivers and amplifiers."

The last part is simply not true, IMHO, of course.

Wes N7WS
*
*
*
*

On 5/8/2021 5:33 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote:

> Wes, are you thinking that Elecraft will abandon the KPA/KAT500? No further development?
>
> If so, why would they do that?
>
> 73
> Lyn, W0LEN
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Wes
> Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2021 4:42 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings
>
> In answer to the last question I would expect, never. They've moved on to K4s.
>
> Wes N7WS
>
> K3, K3S, KPA500, KAT500 and TS890.
>
> On 5/8/2021 2:22 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:
>> "if I switch the KPA500 with the band buttons to another band I would expect the KAT500 to follow the last tune settings on the new band. However this is not the case, the tuner switches to the new band settings only when HF goes through. The 15-p cable is connected and there is no K3 connected. Is there a menu setting to let the KAT500 follow the KPA500?"
>>
>> I think you question has been answered but just for clarification - The KAT500 needs to know frequency not band. Even if the KPA500 was sending band info to the KAT500 it wouldn't be much use because KAT500 antenna and tuning solution selection is based on frequency not band.
>>
>> Having the KPA500 and KAT500 tune before transmit requires something to send TX band data to KPA500 and TX frequency data to KAT500. Following Kenwood FA is a weak (in my opinion hopelessly unsatisfactory) solution since split operation usually has VFO B as the TX VFO.
>>
>> Elecraft has been asked to revise the KAT500 firmware so it properly extracts TX frequency from IF, FA, and FB just like KPA500 and KPA1500 do. I don't know when/if that update will be available.
>>
>> 73,
>> Andy, k3wyc
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

On Sun, May 9, 2021 at 9:33 AM Wes <[hidden email]> wrote:

> This despite the claim: "The KAT500 Automatic Antenna Tuner is designed to
> be
> closely integrated with the Elecraft K3 transceiver and the Elecraft
> KPA500
> amplifier although it may be easily used with other transceivers and
> amplifiers."
>
> The last part is simply not true, IMHO, of course.
>

I guess that depends on how you define "easily". Plug and play cables and
plus some menu configuration seems pretty easy to me, if you have a Kenwood
rig.

IMHO, the KAT500 and KPA500 *is* very easy to use with Kenwood radios, with
VFO A auto-track, once connected property. It's all well documented
in the KAT500
Owner's Manual
<https://ftp.elecraft.com/KAT500/Manuals%20Downloads/E740183%20Rev%20D1%20KAT500%20Owner's%20Manual.pdf>
(pages 16 - 18), and Elecraft can supply KPA500/KAT500 interface cables for
a long list of non-Elecraft transceivers, listed here:

https://elecraft.com/products/75-discount-on-a-kpa500-kat500-power-combo

The S-BOX <https://bit.ly/S-BOX> can provide plug and play interfaces in
more complex environments, when you need even more devices connected to the
Kenwood serial port, such as SteppIR controllers and Bandmaster band
decoders.

Some combinations (Icom, Yaesu) do not provide frequency auto-track with
just cables, though Yaesu support should be easy to add to the KAT500 /
KPA500 firmware since they've already done the code for the KPA1500. In
the meantime, N4PY Pegasus Plus software
<http://www.n4py.com/pegasus-plus.html> can transform any supported
transceiver's frequency into Kenwood format for the KAT500 as well, plus
there are Icom/Yaesu/Kenwood translating hardware solutions available in
some microHAM devices such as the MK2R+.

73,
Bob, N6TV
https://bit.ly/S-BOX
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Wes Stewart-2

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

Well, to me it wasn't easy. If the KPA500 and KAT500 are used together and the
KPA500 is turned on, then the tuner tracks (VFO A only) but I found it necessary
to fuss with some timing to keep the KAT500 from changing tuning states during a
transmission. If the KPA500 isn't tuned on, then the tuner is dumb. IIRC (it's
been awhile), turning on "AI" auto information on the TS-890 fixes this but
introduces the problem that trying to use the "CW-T" (CW auto tune) feature on
the '890 sends the KAT500 into never-never land. Some will argue that r-f
sensing works, which is true if you want to transmit. If you just want to
listen, you are out of luck.

Wes N7WS

,On 5/9/2021 10:23 AM, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote:

> On Sun, May 9, 2021 at 9:33 AM Wes <[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> This despite the claim: "The KAT500 Automatic Antenna Tuner is designed to be
> closely integrated with the Elecraft K3 transceiver and the Elecraft KPA500
> amplifier although it may be easily used with other transceivers and
> amplifiers."
>
> The last part is simply not true, IMHO, of course.
>
>
> I guess that depends on how you define "easily". Plug and play cables and
> plus some menu configuration seems pretty easy to me, if you have a Kenwood rig.
>
> IMHO, the KAT500 and KPA500 /is/ very easy to use with Kenwood radios, with
> VFO A auto-track, once connected property. It's all well documented in the
> KAT500 Owner's Manual
> <https://ftp.elecraft.com/KAT500/Manuals%20Downloads/E740183%20Rev%20D1%20KAT500%20Owner's%20Manual.pdf>
> (pages 16 - 18), and Elecraft can supply KPA500/KAT500 interface cables for a
> long list of non-Elecraft transceivers, listed here:
>
> https://elecraft.com/products/75-discount-on-a-kpa500-kat500-power-combo
> <https://elecraft.com/products/75-discount-on-a-kpa500-kat500-power-combo>
>
> The S-BOX <https://bit.ly/S-BOX> can provide plug and play interfaces in more
> complex environments, when you need even more devices connected to the Kenwood
> serial port, such as SteppIR controllers and Bandmaster band decoders.
>
> Some combinations (Icom, Yaesu) do not provide frequency auto-track with just
> cables, though Yaesu support should be easy to add to the KAT500 / KPA500
> firmware since they've already done the code for the KPA1500. In the
> meantime, N4PY Pegasus Plus software <http://www.n4py.com/pegasus-plus.html>
> can transform any supported transceiver's frequency into Kenwood format for
> the KAT500 as well, plus there are Icom/Yaesu/Kenwood translating hardware
> solutions available in some microHAM devices such as the MK2R+.
>
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV
> https://bit.ly/S-BOX <https://bit.ly/S-BOX>

Jim Brown-10

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

On 5/9/2021 11:53 AM, Wes wrote:
> Some will argue that r-f sensing works, which is true if you want to
> transmit. If you just want to listen, you are out of luck.

The KAT500, KPA500, and KPA1500 will sense on a dit, a tap on a mic, or
a quick pulse of Tune from WSJT-X. I've never used an AUX cable with
these units, only the Amp Key line.

73, Jim K9YC

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Bob Wilson, N6TV

On 2021-05-09 1:23 PM, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote:
> In the meantime, N4PY Pegasus Plus software
> <http://www.n4py.com/pegasus-plus.html> can transform any supported
> transceiver's frequency into Kenwood format for the KAT500 as well,
> plus there are Icom/Yaesu/Kenwood translating hardware solutions
> available in some microHAM devices such as the MK2R+.

microHAM MK2R+, microKeyer II, microKEYER III, DigiKeyer II, Station
Master and Station Master Deluxe can provide *ICOM* CI-V output.

In addition, CIV Commander (part of the DXLab Suite) can also provide
either Icom or Kenwood format output for any of its supported
transceivers.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2021-05-09 1:23 PM, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote:

> On Sun, May 9, 2021 at 9:33 AM Wes <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> This despite the claim: "The KAT500 Automatic Antenna Tuner is designed to
>> be
>> closely integrated with the Elecraft K3 transceiver and the Elecraft
>> KPA500
>> amplifier although it may be easily used with other transceivers and
>> amplifiers."
>>
>> The last part is simply not true, IMHO, of course.
>>
>
> I guess that depends on how you define "easily". Plug and play cables and
> plus some menu configuration seems pretty easy to me, if you have a Kenwood
> rig.
>
> IMHO, the KAT500 and KPA500 *is* very easy to use with Kenwood radios, with
> VFO A auto-track, once connected property. It's all well documented
> in the KAT500
> Owner's Manual
> <https://ftp.elecraft.com/KAT500/Manuals%20Downloads/E740183%20Rev%20D1%20KAT500%20Owner's%20Manual.pdf>
> (pages 16 - 18), and Elecraft can supply KPA500/KAT500 interface cables for
> a long list of non-Elecraft transceivers, listed here:
>
> https://elecraft.com/products/75-discount-on-a-kpa500-kat500-power-combo
>
> The S-BOX <https://bit.ly/S-BOX> can provide plug and play interfaces in
> more complex environments, when you need even more devices connected to the
> Kenwood serial port, such as SteppIR controllers and Bandmaster band
> decoders.
>
> Some combinations (Icom, Yaesu) do not provide frequency auto-track with
> just cables, though Yaesu support should be easy to add to the KAT500 /
> KPA500 firmware since they've already done the code for the KPA1500. In
> the meantime, N4PY Pegasus Plus software
> <http://www.n4py.com/pegasus-plus.html> can transform any supported
> transceiver's frequency into Kenwood format for the KAT500 as well, plus
> there are Icom/Yaesu/Kenwood translating hardware solutions available in
> some microHAM devices such as the MK2R+.
>
> 73,
> Bob, N6TV
> https://bit.ly/S-BOX

Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Though it works, best practice when using a K3 is to use AUX cables. The
AUXBUS line (pin 2) in the AUX cable provides notification to the K3 as the
amp switches from standby to operate, so drive power can be adjusted
automatically AUXBUS also lets you use the band buttons on the KPA500 to
change bands on the K3, which most folks find much more convenient than
cycling through the band up/down buttons on the radio.

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Sun, May 9, 2021, 12:04 PM Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On 5/9/2021 11:53 AM, Wes wrote:
> > Some will argue that r-f sensing works, which is true if you want to
> > transmit. If you just want to listen, you are out of luck.
>
> The KAT500, KPA500, and KPA1500 will sense on a dit, a tap on a mic, or
> a quick pulse of Tune from WSJT-X. I've never used an AUX cable with
> these units, only the Amp Key line.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>

Wes Stewart-2

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

What part of: "If you just want to listen, you are out of luck.", did you miss?

Wes N7WS

On 5/9/2021 12:03 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On 5/9/2021 11:53 AM, Wes wrote:
>> Some will argue that r-f sensing works, which is true if you want to
>> transmit. If you just want to listen, you are out of luck.
>
> The KAT500, KPA500, and KPA1500 will sense on a dit, a tap on a mic, or a
> quick pulse of Tune from WSJT-X. I've never used an AUX cable with these
> units, only the Amp Key line.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC

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Jim Brown-10

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

On 5/9/2021 1:06 PM, Wes wrote:
> What part of: "If you just want to listen, you are out of luck.", did
> you miss?

I didn't miss a thing -- all the listening I do is through a
transceiver, so I can do any of those things for a fraction of a second
and then do all the listening I want.

I'm very much into KISS -- I use no hardware PTT -- VOX works fine for
SSB and all digital modes.

73, Jim K9YC

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Wes Stewart-2

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

Until I got a TS-890 where I use virtual COM port keying on RTTY, or back when I
was on EME, I also have never used anything but VOX, or the CW equivalent.

But back to the issue at hand. If I'm tuned up and working on 20-meters but
want to quickly listen to 10-meters for instance, why should I have to transmit
on 10 just to switch antennas?

Wes N7WS

On 5/9/2021 5:06 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 5/9/2021 1:06 PM, Wes wrote:
>> What part of: "If you just want to listen, you are out of luck.", did you miss?
>
> I didn't miss a thing -- all the listening I do is through a transceiver, so I
> can do any of those things for a fraction of a second and then do all the
> listening I want.
>
> I'm very much into KISS -- I use no hardware PTT -- VOX works fine for SSB and
> all digital modes.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC

Jim Brown-10

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

On 5/9/2021 9:09 PM, Wes wrote:
> But back to the issue at hand. If I'm tuned up and working on 20-meters
> but want to quickly listen to 10-meters for instance, why should I have
> to transmit on 10 just to switch antennas?

It's an auto antenna tuner, with memories that, hopefully, have been
trained. So it's no trick to tune the rig to 10M, hit a dit to recall
that memory, tune around (or study the waterfall if you have one), and
either stay there or tune the rig back to where you were, hit another
dit to recall that memory, and you're rolling.

I have an SO2R station, with multiple antennas and auto-switching of
many of them based on band-data. So it's no trick to listen on the other
radio. And I also have other RX antennas I can use. Each of us builds as
much of a station as we want and can afford and/or have the energy and
space for. Even on a Chicago city lot, I had two tri-band dipoles for
20-15-10 (one with traps, the other a fan), and another loaded dipole
that I could use on 40, 80, 160, and most of the WARC bands. None were
higher than 40 ft.

73, Jim K9YC
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john@kk9a.com

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by Steef PA2A

So you obviously have a different antenna on 10m than you do on 20m.
Do you have different antennas on every band? You can only connect a
maximum of three antennas to a KAT500.

I use a Top Ten band decoder to automatically switch an external coax
relay box, no TX is necessary.

John KK9A

Wes wes_n7ws wrote:

But back to the issue at hand. If I'm tuned up and working on 20-meters but
want to quickly listen to 10-meters for instance, why should I have to
transmit
on 10 just to switch antennas?

Wes N7WS

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ANDY DURBIN

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN

"You can only connect a maximum of three antennas to a KAT500."

Any time you use a KAT500 with multiple antennas connected, and you also use a KPA500, you run the risk that the band change RF blip will fault the tuner, or the amplifier, or both. This happens because the RF pulse gets to the amplifier before the antenna is changed. This problem is not seen if the antenna is switched by an automatic antenna switch separate from the KAT500.

The problem can be easily avoided by having KAT500 and KPA500 follow the TX VFO when the transceiver is in receive mode.

Kenwood (at least the TS-590) does not restrict which VFO is used for TX or RX. In simplex operation either VFO can be in use. For split operation either VFO can be the RX VFO and the other is the TX VFO. Kenwood also allows memory channels to define TX and RX frequency. Memory channel frequencies do not influence FA or FB. They only change IF. Following Kenwood VFO A is, as I said before, a weak solution. Elecraft has known for years how to use Kenwood IF, FA, and FB to extract the TX frequency regardless of which VFO is in use. It's done in KPA500 and KPA1500.

I still hold onto some fading hope that, when K4 demands less development attention, Elecraft will release a firmware update for the KAT500.

73,
Andy, k3wyc

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Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: KPA500-KAT500 tuning settings

Andy,

Kenwood rigs have master/slave menu options designed to enable one Kenwood
rig to follow the frequency of another. The KAT500 manual recommends
enabling these options, but I cannot confirm if they affect the frequency
reported by the FA; command. If you have a null modem cable, can you
please connect it to the TS-590 COM port when these options are enabled,
and report what gets output when SPLIT is ON?

TS-590S:

Set *Menu 58* TRANSFER SPLIT FREQUENCY DATA TO ANOTHER TRANSCEIVER to *ON*
Set *Menu 59* COPY SPLIT FREQUENCY DATA TO VFO to *ON*

TS-590SG:

Set *Menu 64* TRANSFER SPLIT FREQUENCY DATA TO ANOTHER TRANSCEIVER to *ON*
Set *Menu 65* COPY SPLIT FREQUENCY DATA TO VFO to *ON*

TS-890S:

Set *Menu 7-04* Quick Data Transfer to *A (TX/RX)*

Set *Menu 7-05 *Overwrite Location (Quick Data Transfer) to *VFO*

TS-990S:

Set *Menu 7-02* Quick Data Transfer to *ON*

Set *Menu 7-03 *Overwrite Location (Quick Data Transfer) to *VFO*

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 9:48 AM Andy Durbin <[hidden email]> wrote:

> "You can only connect a maximum of three antennas to a KAT500."
>
> Any time you use a KAT500 with multiple antennas connected, and you also
> use a KPA500, you run the risk that the band change RF blip will fault the
> tuner, or the amplifier, or both. This happens because the RF pulse gets
> to the amplifier before the antenna is changed. This problem is not seen
> if the antenna is switched by an automatic antenna switch separate from the
> KAT500.
>
> The problem can be easily avoided by having KAT500 and KPA500 follow the
> TX VFO when the transceiver is in receive mode.
>
> Kenwood (at least the TS-590) does not restrict which VFO is used for TX
> or RX. In simplex operation either VFO can be in use. For split operation
> either VFO can be the RX VFO and the other is the TX VFO. Kenwood also
> allows memory channels to define TX and RX frequency. Memory channel
> frequencies do not influence FA or FB. They only change IF. Following
> Kenwood VFO A is, as I said before, a weak solution. Elecraft has known
> for years how to use Kenwood IF, FA, and FB to extract the TX frequency
> regardless of which VFO is in use. It's done in KPA500 and KPA1500.
>
> I still hold onto some fading hope that, when K4 demands less development
> attention, Elecraft will release a firmware update for the KAT500.
>
> 73,
> Andy, k3wyc
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
> 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]
>