Re: KAT500 Auto or Manual

[Jim Wilson]

Just a couple of suggestions. When you transmit with the KPA500 in

operate mode, do you see the "key" indicator in the LCD display? That's

the asterisk on the far left of the display. It will not provide output

without the "keying" line activated on transmit.  Also, you should never

send too much power into the KPA500 - manual says never more than 40 W.

(not in standby mode but in operate mode.)

Mine puts out 500 W with 23 to 25 watts in.

--------------------------------------------

The radio sees infinite SWR when the amp is in operate mode. The radio sees
good SWR when the amp is in standby mode.


[FLEX] --> [AMP] --> [DUMMY LOAD]

When the amp is in standby the Flex shows good SWR. When I switch the amp
to operate the Flex shows infinite SWR. It's as if I just disconnected the
coax when I switch to operate. The amp shows no indication power is
reaching it yet it must be if it goes through the amp in standby mode. So I
think it has to be how it is switched within the amp. Same symptoms if I
replace the dummy load with:

[FLEX] --> [AMP] --> [TUNER] --> [ANTENNA]

As long as the amp is in standby the radio is happy and I can make QSOs
(Guinea-Bissau a few minutes ago). But when I switch the amp to operate,
the radio shows maximum deflection on the SWR meter and there's no
indication from the amp or tuner that RF is making it that far.
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[k4vd]

James... I think you might have nailed nailed it. No asterisk

I'm using a Flex 6500. I have the Flex's TX1 line connected to the PA Key
of the KPA. For some reason, the Flex's TX1 was set to disabled. Dang
software control! DDUtil is supposed to automatically set that for me I
think. Still with the test setup - rig -> amp -> dummy load after I
manually enabled TX1 I got good power out of the amp.

I need to put the stack back together and try again.

You know... sometimes I  miss the simpler days. After I put everything back
together and test things out I'll post a report.

ARGH!
Kev




On Sat, Nov 18, 2017 at 4:16 PM, James Wilson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just a couple of suggestions. When you transmit with the KPA500 in
>
> operate mode, do you see the "key" indicator in the LCD display? That's
>
> the asterisk on the far left of the display. It will not provide output
>
> without the "keying" line activated on transmit.  Also, you should never
>
> send too much power into the KPA500 - manual says never more than 40 W.
>
> (not in standby mode but in operate mode.)
>
> Mine puts out 500 W with 23 to 25 watts in.
>
> --------------------------------------------
>
> The radio sees infinite SWR when the amp is in operate mode. The radio sees
> good SWR when the amp is in standby mode.
>
>
> [FLEX] --> [AMP] --> [DUMMY LOAD]
>
> When the amp is in standby the Flex shows good SWR. When I switch the amp
> to operate the Flex shows infinite SWR. It's as if I just disconnected the
> coax when I switch to operate. The amp shows no indication power is
> reaching it yet it must be if it goes through the amp in standby mode. So I
> think it has to be how it is switched within the amp. Same symptoms if I
> replace the dummy load with:
>
> [FLEX] --> [AMP] --> [TUNER] --> [ANTENNA]
>
> As long as the amp is in standby the radio is happy and I can make QSOs
> (Guinea-Bissau a few minutes ago). But when I switch the amp to operate,
> the radio shows maximum deflection on the SWR meter and there's no
> indication from the amp or tuner that RF is making it that far.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

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