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Share a port for KPA500

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Share a port for KPA500

I have a TS-890S that has a KPA500 connected to the radio's serial
port. The amp follows the radio, no problem. Very slick.

I also have a TS-590SG that I can use as a second receiver for the
TS-890. For this to work right, the sub RX needs to connect to the 890
via the serial port with a null modem cable and set to a 115,200 baud rate.

Is there a simple way to get the band data to the amp while the 2 radios
are connected to each other as described above?

I guess I can use the amp's RF sensing, but have always loved having
the amp follow the radio.

73, Steve KW3A
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ANDY DURBIN

Share a port for KPA500

"I have a TS-890S that has a KPA500 connected to the radio's serial
port. The amp follows the radio, no problem. Very slick.

I also have a TS-590SG that I can use as a second receiver for the
TS-890. For this to work right, the sub RX needs to connect to the 890
via the serial port with a null modem cable and set to a 115,200 baud rate.

Is there a simple way to get the band data to the amp while the 2 radios
are connected to each other as described above?"

Does the TS-590SG/TS-890S absolutely have to be 115,200? The KPA500 maximum data rate is 38,400.

If the TS-590SG/TS-890S link will work at 38,400 then it may be possible to pick off IF, FA and FB with a Y cable. I don't know what subset of CAT commands is used when a TS-590SG is used as a second receiver so it may not be possible even if the interface does work at 38,400.

Of course other options are available if an intermediate PC or smart controller can be used.

73,
Andy, k3wyc
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Bob Wilson, N6TV

Re: Share a port for KPA500

I designed the S-BOX for just this type of serial port sharing. It passes
all serial lines straight through from PC (normally) to Radio RS232, and
taps the RXD line (Pin 2) for the KPA500, KAT500, SteppIR, etc. This
works with POLL OFF as long as a logging program is polling the radio
properly. It also works in series with the K3S + CBL3PY + P3.

The S-BOX can just as easily be inserted as a null modem cable + tap
between TS-890S and TS-590S (and as a Y-cable to the KPA500, with TS-890S
Pin 2 connected to KPA500 XCVR SERIAL Pin 2).

So, it should work to connect the serial connector of the TS-890S to the
TS-590S with a tap, but as you say, if Kenwood only supports that
master/slave connection at 115200 baud, as stated in the Kenwood manuals,
then neither the KPA500 or KAT500 will be able to track, since they both
max out at 38400. FYI, the KPA1500 XCVR SERIAL connector supports all
common baud rates from 4800 to 230,400 baud, but the KPA500 does not.

73,
Bob, N6TV
https://bit.ly/S-BOX

On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 12:24 PM Andy Durbin <[hidden email]> wrote:

> "I have a TS-890S that has a KPA500 connected to the radio's serial
> port. The amp follows the radio, no problem. Very slick.
>
> I also have a TS-590SG that I can use as a second receiver for the
> TS-890. For this to work right, the sub RX needs to connect to the 890
> via the serial port with a null modem cable and set to a 115,200 baud rate.
>
> Is there a simple way to get the band data to the amp while the 2 radios
> are connected to each other as described above?"
>
> Does the TS-590SG/TS-890S absolutely have to be 115,200? The KPA500
> maximum data rate is 38,400.
>
> If the TS-590SG/TS-890S link will work at 38,400 then it may be possible
> to pick off IF, FA and FB with a Y cable. I don't know what subset of CAT
> commands is used when a TS-590SG is used as a second receiver so it may not
> be possible even if the interface does work at 38,400.
>
> Of course other options are available if an intermediate PC or smart
> controller can be used.
>
> 73,
> Andy, k3wyc
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Share a port for KPA500

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Tnx to Andy and Bob for the feedback on this. Yes the manual says that
the Main / Sub radios must be connected at 115,200 bps, and while it was
some time ago, my testing here seemed to prove it true.

The 890 does install 2 virtual com ports for the USB connection:
standard and enhanced. The standard port is used for radio control
and audio in and out. The enhanced port seems to have limited
functionality. It's a little beyond my skills and abilities to figure
out if the band data is available here and if so, how to get it to
the KPA500.

I've gotten away with a single receiver for decades, so no big deal, or
I can just go with the RF sensing on the amp.

Tnx again, Steve KW3A

On 5/10/2021 1:43 PM, Steve Forst wrote:

> I have a TS-890S that has a KPA500 connected to the radio's serial
> port. The amp follows the radio, no problem. Very slick.
>
> I also have a TS-590SG that I can use as a second receiver for the
> TS-890. For this to work right, the sub RX needs to connect to the 890
> via the serial port with a null modem cable and set to a 115,200 baud rate.
>
>
> Is there a simple way to get the band data to the amp while the 2 radios
> are connected to each other as described above?
>
> I guess I can use the amp's RF sensing, but have always loved having
> the amp follow the radio.
>
> 73, Steve KW3A