Elecraft

KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

Classic

List

Threaded

9 messages Options

Michael Walker

KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it is
possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC power
and not getting it to come back on.

This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.

Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.

73 all

Mike va3mw
______________________________________________________________
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]

Rick WA6NHC

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

How are you controlling the amp? I used the utility program (via TeamViewer when remote) and that works fine. Occasionally they get out of sync, you have to exit the program, then restart it to be able to turn the power back on, but that isn't common.

Rick, WA6NHC

iPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)

> On May 25, 2014, at 1:37 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it is
> possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC power
> and not getting it to come back on.
>
> This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.
>
> Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.
>
> 73 all
>
> Mike va3mw
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

tomb18

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

Hi
You can turn off the amp into a low power state and turn it on programmatically.
The turn on is a bit tricky, and requires some delay and retries but it does work.
However you cannot do the equivalent of turning off the power switch but that is really not needed.
73s Tom
va2fsq.com

-------- Original message --------
From: Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
Date: 25/05/2014 16:37 (GMT-05:00)
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it is
possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC power
and not getting it to come back on.

This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.

Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.

73 all

Mike va3mw
______________________________________________________________
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]

Michael Walker

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

Tom got it for me.

Sorry, I wasn't clear that I was using the utility already and it is clear he has had the same issues.

The remote power on with the utility on a locally attached computer does work, but it is finicky.

You'd think with the current age of everything be handle over rs232, that this would be bullet proof.

Mike va3mw

> On May 25, 2014, at 7:57 PM, KE8G <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Michael,
> I, too, use the KPA500 remotely, and have no problem turning the power on & off.
>
> I take it you have the KPA500 connected to a computer? Did you download the KPA500 software from the Elecraft web site? This allows complete monitoring and on/off operation.
>
> 73 de Jim - KE8G
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On May 25, 2014, at 4:37 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it is
>> possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC power
>> and not getting it to come back on.
>>
>> This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.
>>
>> Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.
>>
>> 73 all
>>
>> Mike va3mw
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]

tomb18

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

Nothing is bulletproof except Kevlar. Yes there are a lot of quirks but compared to the rest of the IT world, there's little to commit about. Yes it's 2014 but everything works one way or another. Just have to massagw it a bit.
Try programming all of the menu items then comment lol.
73s Tom

-------- Original message --------
From: Mike va3mw <[hidden email]>
Date: 25/05/2014 20:20 (GMT-05:00)
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

Tom got it for me.

Sorry, I wasn't clear that I was using the utility already and it is clear he has had the same issues.

The remote power on with the utility on a locally attached computer does work, but it is finicky.

You'd think with the current age of everything be handle over rs232, that this would be bullet proof.

Mike va3mw

______________________________________________________________
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]

Michael Walker

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

I wish I could say it works for me. It isn't a com port issue as those are
solid (I know what I am doing with RS232 and windows).

If I power off the AC power of the amp and then turn it on remotely it
doesn't work. It 'will' work after about 10-15 tries to wake it up.

So, to summarize:

KPA500 with the KPA500 utility
Hardware RS232 port
The ability to turn all AC power off to the amp remotel

You power off the amp without turning off the AC and you can't just turn it
back on again without actually power cycling the AC a few times.

This shouldn't be that hard. I'll have to talk to Elecraft tomorrow when
they get in. I'd hate to post a poor review on eHam.

mike va3mw

On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 7:57 PM, KE8G <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Michael,
> I, too, use the KPA500 remotely, and have no problem turning the power on
> & off.
>
> I take it you have the KPA500 connected to a computer? Did you download
> the KPA500 software from the Elecraft web site? This allows complete
> monitoring and on/off operation.
>
> 73 de Jim - KE8G
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On May 25, 2014, at 4:37 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it
> is
> > possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC
> power
> > and not getting it to come back on.
> >
> > This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.
> >
> > Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.
> >
> > 73 all
> >
> > Mike va3mw
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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 question 2 - remote power control

Mike;

I guess you didn’t get the email I sent yesterday asking for more information from you about this topic. You might want to recheck for that email, there was a lot of good information in it.
Please send me detailed info about your setup, with specifics on the ACC connections and the data you are sending the KPA to try to turn in on.

Using the rear-panel switch on the KPA is the same as simply pulling the AC plug. When it is turned on, the low voltage power supply is enabled, placing the microcontroller into bootstrap mode. In this situation, sending a ‘P’ character to the KPA will cause it to come to life. This information is described in the KPA500 Programming Reference.

Now, if you would like to respond to my email, we will work with you to see if you can get your setup closer to the way you really want it.

Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

On May 26, 2014, at 1:26 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I wish I could say it works for me. It isn't a com port issue as those are
> solid (I know what I am doing with RS232 and windows).
>
> If I power off the AC power of the amp and then turn it on remotely it
> doesn't work. It 'will' work after about 10-15 tries to wake it up.
>
> So, to summarize:
>
> KPA500 with the KPA500 utility
> Hardware RS232 port
> The ability to turn all AC power off to the amp remotel
>
> You power off the amp without turning off the AC and you can't just turn it
> back on again without actually power cycling the AC a few times.
>
> This shouldn't be that hard. I'll have to talk to Elecraft tomorrow when
> they get in. I'd hate to post a poor review on eHam.
>
> mike va3mw
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 7:57 PM, KE8G <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi Michael,
>> I, too, use the KPA500 remotely, and have no problem turning the power on
>> & off.
>>
>> I take it you have the KPA500 connected to a computer? Did you download
>> the KPA500 software from the Elecraft web site? This allows complete
>> monitoring and on/off operation.
>>
>> 73 de Jim - KE8G
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>>> On May 25, 2014, at 4:37 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it
>> is
>>> possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC
>> power
>>> and not getting it to come back on.
>>>
>>> This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.
>>>
>>> Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.
>>>
>>> 73 all
>>>
>>> Mike va3mw
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]

KE8G

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

Hi Michael,
From the way you are describing things, I would suspect you have a problem somewhere other than the KPA500.

With my remote setup:
RS232, straight serial, no USB-to-serial
KPA500,
KPA500 software (not the utility), are you using this software? Here's a link, scroll down about midway to the Remote Software. http://www.elecraft.com/k2_remote.htm

I control the software via Chrome Remote desktop and it will power on & off all day long without missing a beat.

Question, why are you concerned with turning off all the AC to the amp?

73 de Jim - KE8G

---- Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I wish I could say it works for me. It isn't a com port issue as those are
> solid (I know what I am doing with RS232 and windows).
>
> If I power off the AC power of the amp and then turn it on remotely it
> doesn't work. It 'will' work after about 10-15 tries to wake it up.
>
> So, to summarize:
>
> KPA500 with the KPA500 utility
> Hardware RS232 port
> The ability to turn all AC power off to the amp remotel
>
> You power off the amp without turning off the AC and you can't just turn it
> back on again without actually power cycling the AC a few times.
>
> This shouldn't be that hard. I'll have to talk to Elecraft tomorrow when
> they get in. I'd hate to post a poor review on eHam.
>
> mike va3mw
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 7:57 PM, KE8G <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Hi Michael,
> > I, too, use the KPA500 remotely, and have no problem turning the power on
> > & off.
> >
> > I take it you have the KPA500 connected to a computer? Did you download
> > the KPA500 software from the Elecraft web site? This allows complete
> > monitoring and on/off operation.
> >
> > 73 de Jim - KE8G
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > > On May 25, 2014, at 4:37 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that it
> > is
> > > possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC
> > power
> > > and not getting it to come back on.
> > >
> > > This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.
> > >
> > > Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.
> > >
> > > 73 all
> > >
> > > Mike va3mw
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > 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]

Michael Walker

Re: KPA500 question 2 - remote power control

Well,

I figured it out. It seems very fussy when you run it at PC baud rate of
19200. Once I changed it back to 38400 by connecting to the amp with
PUTTY, it seems much better behaved. On the initial first tests, on and
off work as advertised.

Mike va3mw

On Mon, May 26, 2014 at 4:49 PM, Jim - KE8G <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Michael,
> From the way you are describing things, I would suspect you have a problem
> somewhere other than the KPA500.
>
> With my remote setup:
> RS232, straight serial, no USB-to-serial
> KPA500,
> KPA500 software (not the utility), are you using this software? Here's a
> link, scroll down about midway to the Remote Software.
> http://www.elecraft.com/k2_remote.htm
>
> I control the software via Chrome Remote desktop and it will power on &
> off all day long without missing a beat.
>
> Question, why are you concerned with turning off all the AC to the amp?
>
> 73 de Jim - KE8G
>
> ---- Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
> > I wish I could say it works for me. It isn't a com port issue as those
> are
> > solid (I know what I am doing with RS232 and windows).
> >
> > If I power off the AC power of the amp and then turn it on remotely it
> > doesn't work. It 'will' work after about 10-15 tries to wake it up.
> >
> > So, to summarize:
> >
> > KPA500 with the KPA500 utility
> > Hardware RS232 port
> > The ability to turn all AC power off to the amp remotel
> >
> > You power off the amp without turning off the AC and you can't just turn
> it
> > back on again without actually power cycling the AC a few times.
> >
> > This shouldn't be that hard. I'll have to talk to Elecraft tomorrow when
> > they get in. I'd hate to post a poor review on eHam.
> >
> > mike va3mw
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Sun, May 25, 2014 at 7:57 PM, KE8G <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Michael,
> > > I, too, use the KPA500 remotely, and have no problem turning the power
> on
> > > & off.
> > >
> > > I take it you have the KPA500 connected to a computer? Did you
> download
> > > the KPA500 software from the Elecraft web site? This allows complete
> > > monitoring and on/off operation.
> > >
> > > 73 de Jim - KE8G
> > >
> > > Sent from my iPad
> > >
> > > > On May 25, 2014, at 4:37 PM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I have just installed my KPA500 on my remote base and I noticed that
> it
> > > is
> > > > possible to turn it off via the computer or via just dropping the AC
> > > power
> > > > and not getting it to come back on.
> > > >
> > > > This makes is sort of a challenge for remote operating.
> > > >
> > > > Is this normal operation or did I miss something obvious.
> > > >
> > > > 73 all
> > > >
> > > > Mike va3mw
> > > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > > 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]
>