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KPA500 & RemoteRig

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David F. Reed-2

KPA500 & RemoteRig

Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as the
OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
RemoteRig?

Perhaps I missed something?

Thanks & 73 de Dave, W5SV
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Brandon Hansen [KG6YPI]

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

Hello Dave,

You'll have to wire some pins up manually and create a macro to
control the KPA500. I have attached a document by Bob Wolbert explaining
this setup in more detail. Let me know how it goes for you.

73 for now
Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
K3-Remote Support
Elecraft

On 3/14/2012 10:04 AM, David F. Reed wrote:

> Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as the
> OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
> RemoteRig?
>
> Perhaps I missed something?
>
> Thanks& 73 de Dave, W5SV
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

--
73,

Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
K3-Remote Support
Elecraft (831-763-4211 ext: 168)

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Macro to control KPA500.txt (3K) Download Attachment

Jack Brindle-2

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

In reply to this post by David F. Reed-2

No. The K3 cannot control the KPA, so this is not feasible. If you
want to use the KPA with remoterig, you will need to set up a separate
serial communications channel between the remote computer and the KPA.

Note that while the KPA sends the K3 information, the K3 does not talk
back to the KPA. The KPA does listen to the K3's band pins, but this
does not provide reliable information to allow communications.

Jack B, W6FB

On Mar 14, 2012, at 10:04 AM, David F. Reed wrote:

> Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as
> the
> OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
> RemoteRig?
>
> Perhaps I missed something?
>
> Thanks & 73 de Dave, W5SV
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

Administrator

Jack is not quite correct here, as we are currently able to set the
KPA500 into operate and standby via a K3 macro that togges a pin on the
K3 aux connector. The K3 then displays the Operate / standby status on
the VFO B when this changes. Bob, K6XX, our KPA500 program manager,
figured out how to do this.

Brandon attached the doc describing this to his email, but of course the
reflector strips off attachments.

Below is a copy of the doc on how to do this:

73,

Eric
---
www.elecraft.com

KPA500 Remote Control via K3 Macro

Here is how I toggle KPA500 power from the K3 front panel. I have used it for a couple of months on my remote station that is controlled by a prototype K3/0 terminal. It consists of a K3 macro and an additional wire in the AUX cable between the K3 and the KPA500. This simple control is all that is really necessary for remotely operating the amp, as it works along with the AuxBus communications to both enable/disable the amp and also report what the amp is doing. Amplifier status (power ON, OPER mode, power OFF), as well as any faults that occur are reported via AuxBus and show up on the K3's VFO B screen. Even **remotely** on the K3/0!

When you use the KPA500's PWR ON = OPER command to immediately enable OPERate mode when power is turned ON, switching power has basically the same effect as toggling between OPER or STBY mode. The main difference is that instead of being powered ON in standby mode, the amp turns off. Since the MOSFETs have no filaments to wear during power cycling, this does not present a problem.

If the amp faults, a message appears on the controlling K3's VFO B display. Press the macro key once to turn OFF the amp, then again to turn it back on. (Then turn down the drive power a watt or two so it doesn't happen again!)

Implementation requires two steps.

1) Add a wire to the aux cable connecting DIGOUT1 on the K3 ACC jack (Pin 11) to POWER ON/OFF (Pin 8) on the KPA500 AUX connector.

2) With K3 Utility, program this macro into a K3 function key. (I used PF2, but any should work).

MN019;MP001;MN255;MN019;MP000;MN255

This macro turns ON DIGOUT1, waits, then turns OFF DIGOUT1. This is functionally identical to momentarily pressing the KPA500's front panel power button.

Since this is the first K3 macro I have written, and since it worked the first time, I did not bother to optimize it to use the minimum reliable wait times. It is fast enough for my purposes, but you may want to reduce (eliminate?) the waits.

Known Problem:
DIGOUT1 is used by the PR6 6-meter preamplifier to turn it on and off. I have the PR6 and formerly used this function. With the AUX cable modified the way I describe, each time you QSY to 6m, the amp toggles power. Since this is annoying, I chose to disconnect the white power control wire on the PR6 and let it run all the time, instead of only when I am on 6m. Then, I turned OFF DIGOUT1 on 6m (in the K3 menu). Problem addressed, and as far as I'm concerned, solved...

The K3+K3/0 twin remote station works great and the KPA500 was added without requiring yet another serial port to manage and access remotely.

73 de Bob, K6XX

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Doug Joyce

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

In reply to this post by Brandon Hansen [KG6YPI]

Hi Brandon: Since the KPA500-K3 Aux Cable that is currently supplied with
the KPA-500 has molded connectors, its difficult (or impossible) to modify
to add the wire as described by Bob. Will Elecraft, in the future, make
available an alternate Aux cable with this additional wire?

73, Doug Joyce VE3MV

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brandon Hansen" <[hidden email]>
To: "David F. Reed" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 3:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 & RemoteRig

> Hello Dave,
>
> You'll have to wire some pins up manually and create a macro to
> control the KPA500. I have attached a document by Bob Wolbert explaining
> this setup in more detail. Let me know how it goes for you.
>
> 73 for now
> Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
> K3-Remote Support
> Elecraft
>
> On 3/14/2012 10:04 AM, David F. Reed wrote:
>> Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as the
>> OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
>> RemoteRig?
>>
>> Perhaps I missed something?
>>
>> Thanks& 73 de Dave, W5SV
>> ______________________________________________________________

Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

Molded connectors- no problem, make the connection in the cable behind
the connector. That is, strip a short section of cable, find the right
wires, use them.

73, doug

On 14-Mar-12 21:29, D Joyce wrote:

> Hi Brandon: Since the KPA500-K3 Aux Cable that is currently supplied with
> the KPA-500 has molded connectors, its difficult (or impossible) to modify
> to add the wire as described by Bob. Will Elecraft, in the future, make
> available an alternate Aux cable with this additional wire?
>
> 73, Doug Joyce VE3MV
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brandon Hansen"<[hidden email]>
> To: "David F. Reed"<[hidden email]>
> Cc:<[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 3:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500& RemoteRig
>
>
>> Hello Dave,
>>
>> You'll have to wire some pins up manually and create a macro to
>> control the KPA500. I have attached a document by Bob Wolbert explaining
>> this setup in more detail. Let me know how it goes for you.
>>
>> 73 for now
>> Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
>> K3-Remote Support
>> Elecraft
>>
>> On 3/14/2012 10:04 AM, David F. Reed wrote:
>>> Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as the
>>> OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
>>> RemoteRig?
>>>
>>> Perhaps I missed something?
>>>
>>> Thanks& 73 de Dave, W5SV
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Brandon Hansen [KG6YPI]

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

In reply to this post by Doug Joyce

Hello,

The RRMTCBL set comes with a DE-15 to RJ45 cable. The DE-15 side is
not molded, it snaps together. If you are going to purchase the
RemoteRig set, its required to have the RRMTCBL set also (unless your
making your own). The K3 ACC to RemoteRig IO cable could be modified as
needed by the user and is found in the RRMTCBL set.

--
73,

Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
K3-Remote Support
Elecraft (831-763-4211 ext: 168)

On 3/14/2012 2:29 PM, D Joyce wrote:

> Hi Brandon: Since the KPA500-K3 Aux Cable that is currently supplied
> with the KPA-500 has molded connectors, its difficult (or impossible)
> to modify to add the wire as described by Bob. Will Elecraft, in the
> future, make available an alternate Aux cable with this additional wire?
>
> 73, Doug Joyce VE3MV
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brandon Hansen"
> <[hidden email]>
> To: "David F. Reed" <[hidden email]>
> Cc: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 3:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 & RemoteRig
>
>
>> Hello Dave,
>>
>> You'll have to wire some pins up manually and create a macro to
>> control the KPA500. I have attached a document by Bob Wolbert explaining
>> this setup in more detail. Let me know how it goes for you.
>>
>> 73 for now
>> Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
>> K3-Remote Support
>> Elecraft
>>
>> On 3/14/2012 10:04 AM, David F. Reed wrote:
>>> Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as
>>> the
>>> OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
>>> RemoteRig?
>>>
>>> Perhaps I missed something?
>>>
>>> Thanks& 73 de Dave, W5SV
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>
>
>

David F. Reed-2

Re: KPA500 & RemoteRig

In reply to this post by Brandon Hansen [KG6YPI]

Brandon (and the rest who chimed in),

thanks for the ideas; I can see how that would work, and I'll give it a
try shortly.

73 de Dave, W5SV

On 3/14/12 2:15 PM, Brandon Hansen wrote:

> Hello Dave,
>
> You'll have to wire some pins up manually and create a macro to
> control the KPA500. I have attached a document by Bob Wolbert
> explaining this setup in more detail. Let me know how it goes for you.
>
> 73 for now
> Brandon Hansen, KG6YPI
> K3-Remote Support
> Elecraft
>
> On 3/14/2012 10:04 AM, David F. Reed wrote:
>> Is there a command (or maybe will be made available) that can act as the
>> OPER/STBY switch on the KPA500 via the K3, to make that work using
>> RemoteRig?
>>
>> Perhaps I missed something?
>>
>> Thanks& 73 de Dave, W5SV