Elecraft

KPA500 not responding to K3

Classic

List

Threaded

18 messages Options

sussman

KPA500 not responding to K3

Hello friends,

I've been using my tiny KX3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 for many months now.
The KX3 only puts out 12 watts, but the KPA500 translates it successfully
into about 200W. The KPA500 and KAT500 have been connected via the
official DB15 cable sold by Elecraft, and the KX3 triggers the amp via RCA
cable into the amp's PA-key connector.

Fast-forward to today: I just received a K3, and I'm really excited to see
the K3, KPA500, and KAT500 all just "work together" magically. Except
they're not.

I've connected everything exactly as shown in the KAT500 manual:

- K3's ACC port is connected to the tuner's XCVR port, via the official
KPAK3AUX cable.
- The tuner's AMP port is connected to the amp's AUX port, via the
official E850463 cable.

I'm definitely able to use the K3 and tuner together when the amp is off.
But when I turn on the amp, there appears to be no communication between
amp and K3.

- The amp doesn't notice when I change bands on the K3.
- The amp won't let me change bands at all, even when I push its band
buttons!
- When I put the amp into OPER and transmit 15 or 20W from the K3, the
amp doesn't appear to "key" and amplify. It just shows the exact 20W as
passing through (on it's 'power' display.)

I've verified that the amp's RADIO option is set to 'K3'.

Does anyone have any ideas?

73 de Ben NN9S
______________________________________________________________
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]

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

This will be on the reflector, Ben. I often hit
Reply vs. Reply list!

Your description sounds like what is spec'ed in
the KAT500 and how I have mine set up.

But the KPA/KAT500 are pretty new to me. Others
will be more helpful.

I wonder if there are any menu settings in the K3
which need changed?

73, Phil w7ox

On 5/1/14, 9:24 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:

> Yes indeed, the KX3 and all associated cables
> are far away.
>
> I also doubled-checked that the new K3 has the
> absolute latest firmware (4.38). The KPA500 is
> running 1.23.
>
>
> On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 11:19 PM, Phil Wheeler
> <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>>
> wrote:
>
> Is the KX3 totally disconnected from the Amp?
>
> Phil w7ox
>
> On 5/1/14, 9:11 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:
>> Hello friends,
>>
>> I've been using my tiny KX3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 for many months now.
>> The KX3 only puts out 12 watts, but the KPA500 translates it successfully
>> into about 200W. The KPA500 and KAT500 have been connected via the
>> official DB15 cable sold by Elecraft, and the KX3 triggers the amp via RCA
>> cable into the amp's PA-key connector.
>>
>> Fast-forward to today: I just received a K3, and I'm really excited to see
>> the K3, KPA500, and KAT500 all just "work together" magically. Except
>> they're not.
>>
>> I've connected everything exactly as shown in the KAT500 manual:
>>
>> - K3's ACC port is connected to the tuner's XCVR port, via the official
>> KPAK3AUX cable.
>> - The tuner's AMP port is connected to the amp's AUX port, via the
>> official E850463 cable.
>>
>> I'm definitely able to use the K3 and tuner together when the amp is off.
>> But when I turn on the amp, there appears to be no communication between
>> amp and K3.
>>
>> - The amp doesn't notice when I change bands on the K3.
>> - The amp won't let me change bands at all, even when I push its band
>> buttons!
>> - When I put the amp into OPER and transmit 15 or 20W from the K3, the
>> amp doesn't appear to "key" and amplify. It just shows the exact 20W as
>> passing through (on it's 'power' display.)
>>
>> I've verified that the amp's RADIO option is set to 'K3'.
>>
>> Does anyone have any ideas?
>>
>> 73 de Ben NN9S
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

w0mu

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by sussman

Go download the latest beta versions of the firmware and the associated
utility programs.

Have you set the baud rate in the K3 to that of the amp?

When the amp is moved from standby to Operate you should see a message
in the K3 that says KPA500.

You can set the K3 output with the amp and without.

I would check the firmware. I know there is a special button you push
on the KAT500 that optimizes operation with the KPA500.

Mike W0MU

On 5/1/2014 10:11 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:

> Hello friends,
>
> I've been using my tiny KX3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 for many months now.
> The KX3 only puts out 12 watts, but the KPA500 translates it successfully
> into about 200W. The KPA500 and KAT500 have been connected via the
> official DB15 cable sold by Elecraft, and the KX3 triggers the amp via RCA
> cable into the amp's PA-key connector.
>
> Fast-forward to today: I just received a K3, and I'm really excited to see
> the K3, KPA500, and KAT500 all just "work together" magically. Except
> they're not.
>
> I've connected everything exactly as shown in the KAT500 manual:
>
> - K3's ACC port is connected to the tuner's XCVR port, via the official
> KPAK3AUX cable.
> - The tuner's AMP port is connected to the amp's AUX port, via the
> official E850463 cable.
>
> I'm definitely able to use the K3 and tuner together when the amp is off.
> But when I turn on the amp, there appears to be no communication between
> amp and K3.
>
> - The amp doesn't notice when I change bands on the K3.
> - The amp won't let me change bands at all, even when I push its band
> buttons!
> - When I put the amp into OPER and transmit 15 or 20W from the K3, the
> amp doesn't appear to "key" and amplify. It just shows the exact 20W as
> passing through (on it's 'power' display.)
>
> I've verified that the amp's RADIO option is set to 'K3'.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?
>
> 73 de Ben NN9S
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

sussman

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 11:32 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Go download the latest beta versions of the firmware and the associated
> utility programs.
>

The K3 is new and has the latest official 4.38 firmware. The KPA500 is
about a year old and running firmware 1.23.
I don't have a usb-serial cable yet, though I can grab one tomorrow at the
store; is there a specific bug fixed in some beta firmware release?

>
> Have you set the baud rate in the K3 to that of the amp?
>

I see nothing in either manual about the K3 or amp having configurable baud
rates to communicate with each other. Do you have details?

>
> When the amp is moved from standby to Operate you should see a message in
> the K3 that says KPA500.
>

I see nothing at all. This is a 3rd example, I suppose, of the total lack
of communication between K3 and KPA500.
Again, keep in mind that the K3 isn't *directly* connected to the KPA500.
They're actually both connected to the KAT500 tuner, as the diagrams
specify.

>
> I would check the firmware. I know there is a special button you push on
> the KAT500 that optimizes operation with the KPA500.
>

I see nothing about this in the KAT500 manual, but will look again.
The connection between tuner and amp has always worked; I haven't touched
that special DB15 cable at all. However, perhaps the new DB15 cable that
arrived with the K3 is physically defective? I'm digging for hypotheses.
:-)
______________________________________________________________
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]

Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by sussman

On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 9:11 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman
<[hidden email]> wrote:

What happens if you connect the K3 directly to the KPA500 (i.e. remove
the KAT500 from the picture, temporarily) ? If they still don't
cooperate, try the other cable....

73,

~iain / N6ML
______________________________________________________________
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]

w0mu

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by sussman

I just got a KAT500 a couple of weeks ago and was talking with Eric.
The Beta's which might have been released to live by now had many
changes that would make the the three device all get along much better.

I am pretty sure you need to set the baud rate on the KPA500 and the K3
to the same rate. Ie 38400.

You will need to get the usb-serial cable to do the updates.

The KAT 500 acts as a type of Y or WYE for the 15 pin cable.

You should have got a the pc interface cable with the KAT500.
Download the current utility and then download version 1.67

Under configuration you should see a big button that says Optimize for
KPA-500.

Push it!

I was told to put 1500 in the maximum watts box.

save it and see what happens.

The KPA 500 should switch to the right band on rf. It is strange that
it will not amplify.

On 5/1/2014 10:43 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:

> On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 11:32 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> Go download the latest beta versions of the firmware and the
> associated utility programs.
>
>
> The K3 is new and has the latest official 4.38 firmware. The KPA500
> is about a year old and running firmware 1.23.
> I don't have a usb-serial cable yet, though I can grab one tomorrow at
> the store; is there a specific bug fixed in some beta firmware release?
>
>
> Have you set the baud rate in the K3 to that of the amp?
>
>
> I see nothing in either manual about the K3 or amp having configurable
> baud rates to communicate with each other. Do you have details?
>
>
> When the amp is moved from standby to Operate you should see a
> message in the K3 that says KPA500.
>
>
> I see nothing at all. This is a 3rd example, I suppose, of the total
> lack of communication between K3 and KPA500.
> Again, keep in mind that the K3 isn't /directly/ connected to the
> KPA500. They're actually both connected to the KAT500 tuner, as the
> diagrams specify.
>
>
> I would check the firmware. I know there is a special button you
> push on the KAT500 that optimizes operation with the KPA500.
>
>
> I see nothing about this in the KAT500 manual, but will look again.
> The connection between tuner and amp has always worked; I haven't
> touched that special DB15 cable at all. However, perhaps the new DB15
> cable that arrived with the K3 is physically defective? I'm digging
> for hypotheses. :-)
>

sussman

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

Folks, the K3 has two serial ports: a standard RS232 for talking to a
computer, and an 'ACC' port for talking to the amp. Same situation with
the KPA500: an RS232, and an AUX port.

On both devices, the speed of the RS232 port is changeable. But those
ports aren't being used at all! The ACC on the radio is connecting to the
AUX on the amp. And those are not configurable ports.

Just upgraded the KAT500 from firmware 1.41 to the latest 1.67, as
recommended by W0MU. Saw the "optimize for kpa500" button and did the
deed. (All it seemed to do was automatically put 1500 in the max-watts
box.) Regardless, it didn't seem to fix anything. Still no communication
at all between radio and amp, with tuner as the middleman.

I'll try N6ML's test next, which is a great idea -- just connect the K3
directly to the amp, leaving the tuner out...

On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 12:03 AM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I just got a KAT500 a couple of weeks ago and was talking with Eric.
> The Beta's which might have been released to live by now had many changes
> that would make the the three device all get along much better.
>
> I am pretty sure you need to set the baud rate on the KPA500 and the K3 to
> the same rate. Ie 38400.
>
> You will need to get the usb-serial cable to do the updates.
>
> The KAT 500 acts as a type of Y or WYE for the 15 pin cable.
>
> You should have got a the pc interface cable with the KAT500.
> Download the current utility and then download version 1.67
>
> Under configuration you should see a big button that says Optimize for
> KPA-500.
>
> Push it!
>
> I was told to put 1500 in the maximum watts box.
>
> save it and see what happens.
>
> The KPA 500 should switch to the right band on rf. It is strange that it
> will not amplify.
>
>
> On 5/1/2014 10:43 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:
>
> On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 11:32 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]>wrote:
>
>> Go download the latest beta versions of the firmware and the associated
>> utility programs.
>>
>
> The K3 is new and has the latest official 4.38 firmware. The KPA500 is
> about a year old and running firmware 1.23.
> I don't have a usb-serial cable yet, though I can grab one tomorrow at the
> store; is there a specific bug fixed in some beta firmware release?
>
>
>>
>> Have you set the baud rate in the K3 to that of the amp?
>>
>
> I see nothing in either manual about the K3 or amp having configurable
> baud rates to communicate with each other. Do you have details?
>
>
>>
>> When the amp is moved from standby to Operate you should see a message in
>> the K3 that says KPA500.
>>
>
> I see nothing at all. This is a 3rd example, I suppose, of the total
> lack of communication between K3 and KPA500.
> Again, keep in mind that the K3 isn't *directly* connected to the KPA500.
> They're actually both connected to the KAT500 tuner, as the diagrams
> specify.
>
>
>
>>
>> I would check the firmware. I know there is a special button you push on
>> the KAT500 that optimizes operation with the KPA500.
>>
>
> I see nothing about this in the KAT500 manual, but will look again.
> The connection between tuner and amp has always worked; I haven't touched
> that special DB15 cable at all. However, perhaps the new DB15 cable that
> arrived with the K3 is physically defective? I'm digging for hypotheses.
> :-)
>
>
>

Dick Dievendorff-4

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

This sounds like a 15-pin ACC cable problem. Iain's suggestion to isolate a
defective cable sounds right to me.

RS-232 speeds aren't relevant here. This is the 15-pin ACC connector. Your
K3, KAT500 and KPA500 do not communicate with one another via RS-232.

If you can connect your PC to the KAT500 and start the KAT500 Utility, it
can tell you if it's seeing the K3's band lines; perform band changes on the
K3 and see if the KAT500 Utility operate page shows the right band. Or
connect the K3 to the KPA500 directly and see if the K3 follows the KPA500
band changes.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of iain
macdonnell - N6ML
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2014 22:00 PM
To: Ben Collins-Sussman
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 not responding to K3

On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 9:11 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Hello friends,
>
> I've been using my tiny KX3 with a KPA500 and KAT500 for many months now.
> The KX3 only puts out 12 watts, but the KPA500 translates it
> successfully into about 200W. The KPA500 and KAT500 have been
> connected via the official DB15 cable sold by Elecraft, and the KX3
> triggers the amp via RCA cable into the amp's PA-key connector.
>
> Fast-forward to today: I just received a K3, and I'm really excited
> to see the K3, KPA500, and KAT500 all just "work together" magically.
> Except they're not.
>
> I've connected everything exactly as shown in the KAT500 manual:
>
> - K3's ACC port is connected to the tuner's XCVR port, via the official
> KPAK3AUX cable.
> - The tuner's AMP port is connected to the amp's AUX port, via the
> official E850463 cable.
>
> I'm definitely able to use the K3 and tuner together when the amp is off.
> But when I turn on the amp, there appears to be no communication
> between amp and K3.
>
> - The amp doesn't notice when I change bands on the K3.
> - The amp won't let me change bands at all, even when I push its band
> buttons!
> - When I put the amp into OPER and transmit 15 or 20W from the K3, the
> amp doesn't appear to "key" and amplify. It just shows the exact 20W

as
> passing through (on it's 'power' display.)
>
> I've verified that the amp's RADIO option is set to 'K3'.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?

What happens if you connect the K3 directly to the KPA500 (i.e. remove the
KAT500 from the picture, temporarily) ? If they still don't cooperate, try
the other cable....

73,

~iain / N6ML
______________________________________________________________
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]

sussman

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

Many thanks for all the replies so far! I'm grateful for this reflector.

And a good test result. If I connect the K3 and KPA500 directly together,
they works perfectly: the amp follow's the radio's band switches, and the
radio notices when I set the amp from STBY to OPER. So this tells me that
the radio, amp, and 15-pin ACC cable are all good hardware.

Somehow when the tuner gets between the radio and amp, the radio and amp
stop seeing each other.

I've placed the tuner back between the radio and amp again, and connected
the KAT500 Utility as Dick suggested. When I make band changes on the K3,
the KAT500 definitely notices. It makes a 'clunk' sound and the KAT500
Utility's "Operate" tab shows the band changes just fine. But the KPA500
just sits there, blissfully unaware of the K3.

Is it possible that the cable between tuner and amp is defective (#E850463)?

As I said in my original post, I've been using the tuner and amp together
for 9 months, but with an explicit PA-key line from my KX3. The external
PA-keying -- along with the amp's automatic bandswitching -- may have
allowed me *not* to notice a total lack of communication between tuner and
amp. Is there a way to test that cable? From the documentation, it
appears to have identical wiring to the other 15-pin KPA500-K3 cable which
I know is working. Maybe I can swap them around and experiment?
______________________________________________________________
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]

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

Yes, the two cables are the same. Swap them and repeat the test.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/2/2014 8:23 AM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:

> Is it possible that the cable between tuner and amp is defective (#E850463)?
>
> As I said in my original post, I've been using the tuner and amp together
> for 9 months, but with an explicit PA-key line from my KX3. The external
> PA-keying -- along with the amp's automatic bandswitching -- may have
> allowed me *not* to notice a total lack of communication between tuner and
> amp. Is there a way to test that cable? From the documentation, it
> appears to have identical wiring to the other 15-pin KPA500-K3 cable which
> I know is working. Maybe I can swap them around and experiment?
>

sussman

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

OK, new test results, followed by an inexplicable resolution to the problem!

I'm comparing the two elecraft-specific DB15 cables here, with the
suspicion that one of them is broken or defective.

1. *Physical observation*

The K3/KPA cable has all pins present.
The KPA/KAT cable has pins 1, 6, 7 missing. But it looks deliberate, and
those pins are not used anyway (according to documentation.)
I do not see any bent pins on either cable.

2. *Communication directly between radio and amp*

When I connect the radio and amp directly together using the K3/KPA cable,
three things work:

- the amp follows the radio's band-switching.
- placing the amp in OPER causes the radio to print 'KPA500' on the
screen.
- keying and amplification works properly.

When I connect the radio and amp directly together using the (slightly
suspect) KPA/KAT cable:

- the amp follows the radio's band-switching.
- keying and amplification works properly.

The only unusual thing here is that switching to OPER causes no message on
the K3 screen.

3. *Communication with tuner as 'middleman'*

When I connect the K3/KPA cable from radio to tuner, and connect the
KPA/KAT cable from tuner to amp, things don't work. The radio and amp do
not communicate at all.

When I *reverse* the two cables above, *everything works perfectly.*

4. *Conclusions*

- The cables are supposed to be wired identically, and yet they behave
differently.
- My problem is now solved, and I don't know why. :-)
______________________________________________________________
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: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by sussman

Ben;

First thing - connect a serial port from the computer to the KPA500, download the latest _released_ KPA500 firmware and install it into the amplifier. It contains several things that make the system work together much better, especially the KPA and KAT500. The current firmware is V1.38. This is not the source of the problem you see, but it will resolve other problems you will encounter after you get the cable situation resolved and should be considered mandatory for KPA-KAT operations.

You are correct in that serial ports are not relevant to the KPA-K3 communications. The K3 communicates to the KPA using just the BAND signals and PTT line that are in the AUX cable. The KPA communicates to the K3 using the AuxBus signal (this is one-way). You will want the K3 to be set to control power on a per-band basis. That way it will use an alternate power setting whenever the KPA is in OPER mode. In other words, you can set the K3 for 100 watts out when the KPA is in STBY, or something like 30 watts when the KPA is in OPER. This makes operation _much_ nicer.

The problem does sound like the AUX signals aren't getting through the KAT, or there may be signals getting through that should not be. Make sure the cable agrees with what is described in the KPA manual. The two cables should be identical. The KAT is designed to simply pass through the proper signals on the bus, make sure that is happening.

Remember, tech support is here if you just can't get it working. Give them a shout if need be. As you already know, thee are a lot of cool features to the K-system, we want you to enjoy them. Just have to get things going first...

Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

Sent from my iPad

> On May 1, 2014, at 9:43 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 11:32 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Go download the latest beta versions of the firmware and the associated
>> utility programs.
>
> The K3 is new and has the latest official 4.38 firmware. The KPA500 is
> about a year old and running firmware 1.23.
> I don't have a usb-serial cable yet, though I can grab one tomorrow at the
> store; is there a specific bug fixed in some beta firmware release?
>
>
>>
>> Have you set the baud rate in the K3 to that of the amp?
>
> I see nothing in either manual about the K3 or amp having configurable baud
> rates to communicate with each other. Do you have details?
>
>
>>
>> When the amp is moved from standby to Operate you should see a message in
>> the K3 that says KPA500.
>
> I see nothing at all. This is a 3rd example, I suppose, of the total lack
> of communication between K3 and KPA500.
> Again, keep in mind that the K3 isn't *directly* connected to the KPA500.
> They're actually both connected to the KAT500 tuner, as the diagrams
> specify.
>
>
>
>>
>> I would check the firmware. I know there is a special button you push on
>> the KAT500 that optimizes operation with the KPA500.
>
> I see nothing about this in the KAT500 manual, but will look again.
> The connection between tuner and amp has always worked; I haven't touched
> that special DB15 cable at all. However, perhaps the new DB15 cable that
> arrived with the K3 is physically defective? I'm digging for hypotheses.
> :-)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by sussman

I would suspect that there is some pin/wire in that KPA/KAT cable which
is broken. When used for your purposes between the K3 and the KAT500,
it is not used, but is used for the KAT500 to KPA500 connection. It may
be wise to replace that cable at some point. I would at least put a tag
on it as a reminder that it is "flakey".

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/2/2014 9:49 AM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:

> OK, new test results, followed by an inexplicable resolution to the problem!
>
> I'm comparing the two elecraft-specific DB15 cables here, with the
> suspicion that one of them is broken or defective.
>
> 1. *Physical observation*
>
> The K3/KPA cable has all pins present.
> The KPA/KAT cable has pins 1, 6, 7 missing. But it looks deliberate, and
> those pins are not used anyway (according to documentation.)
> I do not see any bent pins on either cable.
>
>
>

Jack Brindle-2

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

Interesting.

I have a slightly different take. The two cables should be identical, with the same pins missing. If the cable is broken, as Don suggests, you would see very strange operation, but unless all the pins were broken, you would see something. the fact that you are seeing nothing tells me that there is an incompatible signal connected, probably the power-on signal.

So, my suggestion. Use the cable with all pins intact between the KPA and K3. Use the other cable from the K3 to the KPA. That should work just fine.

Jack Brindle, W6FB

Sent from my iPad

> On May 2, 2014, at 8:08 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I would suspect that there is some pin/wire in that KPA/KAT cable which is broken. When used for your purposes between the K3 and the KAT500, it is not used, but is used for the KAT500 to KPA500 connection. It may be wise to replace that cable at some point. I would at least put a tag on it as a reminder that it is "flakey".
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 5/2/2014 9:49 AM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:
>> OK, new test results, followed by an inexplicable resolution to the problem!
>>
>> I'm comparing the two elecraft-specific DB15 cables here, with the
>> suspicion that one of them is broken or defective.
>>
>> 1. *Physical observation*
>>
>> The K3/KPA cable has all pins present.
>> The KPA/KAT cable has pins 1, 6, 7 missing. But it looks deliberate, and
>> those pins are not used anyway (according to documentation.)
>> I do not see any bent pins on either cable.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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: KPA500 not responding to K3

Oh buy the fingers got ahead of the brain. The intact cable goes from the KPA to the KAT, while the other cable goes from the K3 to the KAT.

I seem to recall that we sent out a few bad cables a while back. This sounds like one of them. Contact tech support to get a replacement cable.

Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

Sent from my iPad

> On May 2, 2014, at 9:28 AM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Interesting.
>
> I have a slightly different take. The two cables should be identical, with the same pins missing. If the cable is broken, as Don suggests, you would see very strange operation, but unless all the pins were broken, you would see something. the fact that you are seeing nothing tells me that there is an incompatible signal connected, probably the power-on signal.
>
> So, my suggestion. Use the cable with all pins intact between the KPA and K3. Use the other cable from the K3 to the KPA. That should work just fine.
>
> Jack Brindle, W6FB
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On May 2, 2014, at 8:08 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I would suspect that there is some pin/wire in that KPA/KAT cable which is broken. When used for your purposes between the K3 and the KAT500, it is not used, but is used for the KAT500 to KPA500 connection. It may be wise to replace that cable at some point. I would at least put a tag on it as a reminder that it is "flakey".
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>> On 5/2/2014 9:49 AM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:
>>> OK, new test results, followed by an inexplicable resolution to the problem!
>>>
>>> I'm comparing the two elecraft-specific DB15 cables here, with the
>>> suspicion that one of them is broken or defective.
>>>
>>> 1. *Physical observation*
>>>
>>> The K3/KPA cable has all pins present.
>>> The KPA/KAT cable has pins 1, 6, 7 missing. But it looks deliberate, and
>>> those pins are not used anyway (according to documentation.)
>>> I do not see any bent pins on either cable.
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]

JHRichards

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

In reply to this post by Jack Brindle-2

I am a funny sort of guy. If you cannot be sure which cable is perfect
- replace both! You have a $3000 Plus radio plus and a $2000 Plus amp
and also an expensive tuner... Sheesh... I would get two new cables
under warranty or bite the bullet and just pay up, and sleep well at
night.

In the mean time, you might do a continuity check on each one, checking
it against its schematic drawing, to determine of them is perfect and
proper and which is different from what Elecraft specifies as correct.
Use the perfect one, and return the broken one under warranty, or if a
generic cable, spring for another perfect one locally and get on the air
with confidence. How much are they? Probably less than a pizza and a
beer, I bet.

Just MY take, anyway...

------------------ K8JHR ---------------------

On 5/2/2014 12:28 PM, Jack Brindle wrote:

> So, my suggestion. Use the cable with all pins intact between the KPA
and K3. Use the other cable from the K3 to the KPA.

______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
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]

sussman

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

FYI, Elecraft is sending me a replacement cable. :-)
______________________________________________________________
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]

JHRichards

Re: KPA500 not responding to K3

Gotta love it!

---------------------- K8JHR ----------------

On 5/2/2014 3:45 PM, Ben Collins-Sussman wrote:
> FYI, Elecraft is sending me a replacement cable. :-)
______________________________________________________________
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]