Elecraft

KPA500

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Steve Lett

KPA500

I just purchased the entire K line. I have the K3, P3 and KAT500 working
just fine. I cannot get any power through the KPA500. It switches bands and
it appears to be okay. But when I push the foot switch on my K3, the K3
transmits but the KPA500 is not producing any power or SWR. I must be
missing something. Do I need to change any of the default settings on the
KPA500 menu? On the back of the amplifier, I have the antenna in and out
connected as well as the 9 pin cable from the AUX on the amp to the AVP on
the KAT500. Thank for your help.

Steve, KB3TAW

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: KPA500

> But when I push the foot switch on my K3, the K3
> transmits but the KPA500 is not producing any power or SWR.

What do you mean by the above statement? What mode is the K3 set to?
What happens when you do a key-down in CW mode?

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Nov 1, 2014, at 9:03 AM, Steve Lett <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I just purchased the entire K line. I have the K3, P3 and KAT500 working
> just fine. I cannot get any power through the KPA500. It switches bands and
> it appears to be okay. But when I push the foot switch on my K3, the K3
> transmits but the KPA500 is not producing any power or SWR. I must be
> missing something. Do I need to change any of the default settings on the
> KPA500 menu? On the back of the amplifier, I have the antenna in and out
> connected as well as the 9 pin cable from the AUX on the amp to the AVP on
> the KAT500. Thank for your help.
>
>
>
> Steve, KB3TAW
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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Wes (N7WS)

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Steve Lett

Curiously, I just yesterday fired up my new KPA500 (kit) and had a similar
issue. I reached out to Elecraft but was away when the return call came
through. I was sent a procedure for tuning the KAT500, which is hard to do when
the K3 refuses to transmit. As it turns out, for reasons that escape me, TX INH
was set Hi in my K3, despite me never (knowingly) have set it, since I have no
transceivers. Go into the Config menu and dial up TX INH and make sure it's "OFF".

Wes N7WS

On 11/1/2014 9:03 AM, Steve Lett wrote:

> I just purchased the entire K line. I have the K3, P3 and KAT500 working
> just fine. I cannot get any power through the KPA500. It switches bands and
> it appears to be okay. But when I push the foot switch on my K3, the K3
> transmits but the KPA500 is not producing any power or SWR. I must be
> missing something. Do I need to change any of the default settings on the
> KPA500 menu? On the back of the amplifier, I have the antenna in and out
> connected as well as the 9 pin cable from the AUX on the amp to the AVP on
> the KAT500. Thank for your help.
>
>
>
> Steve, KB3TAW
>
> ______________________________________________________________
>

Vic Rosenthal

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Steve Lett

You could possibly have reversed the RF in and out cables. I did this
the first time I tested my homebrew 4CX1000A amplifier. Worth checking.

On 1 Nov 2014 18:03, Steve Lett wrote:

--
73,
Vic, 4X6GP/K2VCO
Rehovot, Israel
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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Jack Brindle-2

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Wes (N7WS)

There should be a blocking adapter in the cable kit that should be attached on the K3 side of the AUX cable. This is used to block the INHIBIT# and other signals that should not actually go to the KPA from the K3. Some signals are already cut in the cable, but there are some that actually might be of use. INHIBIT# is one of them, but is very rarely used.
Also, make sure that the INHIB IN entry in the KPA’s menu is set to DISABLE.

While you are at it, make sure all the cables go where they are supposed to go. When in STBY, the KPA will show power out and SWR when power is above 25 watts. If you are not seeing this then make sure that you have the K3 output going into the KPA’s input. AND, make sure that you have that antenna output selected on the K3.

- Jack B, W6FB

> On Nov 1, 2014, at 11:33 AM, Wes (N7WS) <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Curiously, I just yesterday fired up my new KPA500 (kit) and had a similar issue. I reached out to Elecraft but was away when the return call came through. I was sent a procedure for tuning the KAT500, which is hard to do when the K3 refuses to transmit. As it turns out, for reasons that escape me, TX INH was set Hi in my K3, despite me never (knowingly) have set it, since I have no transceivers. Go into the Config menu and dial up TX INH and make sure it's "OFF".
>
> Wes N7WS
>
> On 11/1/2014 9:03 AM, Steve Lett wrote:
>> I just purchased the entire K line. I have the K3, P3 and KAT500 working
>> just fine. I cannot get any power through the KPA500. It switches bands and
>> it appears to be okay. But when I push the foot switch on my K3, the K3
>> transmits but the KPA500 is not producing any power or SWR. I must be
>> missing something. Do I need to change any of the default settings on the
>> KPA500 menu? On the back of the amplifier, I have the antenna in and out
>> connected as well as the 9 pin cable from the AUX on the amp to the AVP on
>> the KAT500. Thank for your help.
>>
>>
>> Steve, KB3TAW
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Dale Parfitt-3

Odd Noise Located

In reply to this post by Wes (N7WS)

Over the past few days I started to hear a random popcorn popping type
noise on 160, MW and lower. I had never heard a noise like this one.
I couldn't think of anything new around the house- and having no close in
neighbors I was stumped.
Interestingly, the only NB that 100% eliminated it was my bedside TenTec
RX-325. But I digress.
I took my KX-3 with a 24" whip on the BNC connector. AM mode on 160M and
headphones. After eliminating any sources on the upper foors, I narrowed
the search to my shop/lab. . More checking and I found a brand new LiPO
charger that came with my new LED flashlight. I had forgotten I had even
plugged it in. When the whip got close, the sound was deafening.
The moral is- don't forget what's new in the house and the KX-3 makes a
wonderful noise source detection tool.

Dale W4OP

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Jim Brown-10

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Steve Lett

On 11/1/2014 9:03 AM, Steve Lett wrote:
> I have the K3, P3 and KAT500 working
> just fine. I cannot get any power through the KPA500.

You need a cable to put the KPA500 in TX mode. Two ways to do that,
either one works fine. 1) an Aux Cable between the K3 and KPA500. 2) An
RCA to RCA cable running the K3 to the KPA500. The AUX cable provides
the additional function of bandswitching signals. But the KPA500 can
bandswitch by detecting the frequency of RF input -- all it takes is a
dit or a tap on the mic. So I use the RCA cable.

73, Jim K9YC
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Gerry leary

Re: Odd Noise Located

In reply to this post by Dale Parfitt-3

Where do you get antennas like the one you use for finding noise?

Sent from my iPhone this time

> On Nov 1, 2014, at 7:16 PM, Dale Parfitt <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Over the past few days I started to hear a random popcorn popping type noise on 160, MW and lower. I had never heard a noise like this one.
> I couldn't think of anything new around the house- and having no close in neighbors I was stumped.
> Interestingly, the only NB that 100% eliminated it was my bedside TenTec RX-325. But I digress.
> I took my KX-3 with a 24" whip on the BNC connector. AM mode on 160M and headphones. After eliminating any sources on the upper foors, I narrowed the search to my shop/lab. . More checking and I found a brand new LiPO charger that came with my new LED flashlight. I had forgotten I had even plugged it in. When the whip got close, the sound was deafening.
> The moral is- don't forget what's new in the house and the KX-3 makes a wonderful noise source detection tool.
>
> Dale W4OP
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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Tony Scandurra K4QE

Re: Odd Noise Located

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-856

73, Tony K4QE

On Sun, Nov 9, 2014 at 8:16 AM, Gerry leary <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Where do you get antennas like the one you use for finding noise?
>
> Sent from my iPhone this time
>
> > On Nov 1, 2014, at 7:16 PM, Dale Parfitt <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Over the past few days I started to hear a random popcorn popping type
> noise on 160, MW and lower. I had never heard a noise like this one.
> > I couldn't think of anything new around the house- and having no close
> in neighbors I was stumped.
> > Interestingly, the only NB that 100% eliminated it was my bedside TenTec
> RX-325. But I digress.
> > I took my KX-3 with a 24" whip on the BNC connector. AM mode on 160M
> and headphones. After eliminating any sources on the upper foors, I
> narrowed the search to my shop/lab. . More checking and I found a brand new
> LiPO charger that came with my new LED flashlight. I had forgotten I had
> even plugged it in. When the whip got close, the sound was deafening.
> > The moral is- don't forget what's new in the house and the KX-3 makes a
> wonderful noise source detection tool.
> >
> > Dale W4OP
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

wa9fvp

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Steve Lett

If your not using the KPAK3AUX cable kit, are you sure the key line is connected?

Jack WA9FVP

Jack WA9FVP

Sent from my home-brew I5 Core PC

NK7Z

Re: Odd Noise Located

In reply to this post by Tony Scandurra K4QE

For those interested, I have a review of that antenna at:
http://nk7z.net/mfj/

--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Sun, 2014-11-09 at 08:33 -0500, Anthony Scandurra wrote:

> http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-856
>
> 73, Tony K4QE
>
> On Sun, Nov 9, 2014 at 8:16 AM, Gerry leary <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Where do you get antennas like the one you use for finding noise?
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone this time
> >
> > > On Nov 1, 2014, at 7:16 PM, Dale Parfitt <[hidden email]> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Over the past few days I started to hear a random popcorn popping type
> > noise on 160, MW and lower. I had never heard a noise like this one.
> > > I couldn't think of anything new around the house- and having no close
> > in neighbors I was stumped.
> > > Interestingly, the only NB that 100% eliminated it was my bedside TenTec
> > RX-325. But I digress.
> > > I took my KX-3 with a 24" whip on the BNC connector. AM mode on 160M
> > and headphones. After eliminating any sources on the upper foors, I
> > narrowed the search to my shop/lab. . More checking and I found a brand new
> > LiPO charger that came with my new LED flashlight. I had forgotten I had
> > even plugged it in. When the whip got close, the sound was deafening.
> > > The moral is- don't forget what's new in the house and the KX-3 makes a
> > wonderful noise source detection tool.
> > >
> > > Dale W4OP
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > 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
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> > 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]
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
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