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Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

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Roy Morris-6

Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

Is it possible for the Yaesu FT-991 to talk to the KPA500 (band selection
data) through the Tun/Lin jack on the back of the FT-991 to the AUX jack on
the KPA500? I want to know if it can be done through the cable as well as
RF sensing. Thanks. Roy Morris W4WFB

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David Shoaf

Re: Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

Hi Roy,

Found a copy of the Owner's Manual for the Ft-991. The short answer to your question is, yes, there appears to be BCD Band Data Lines on the Ft-991's 8-pin Mini DIN connector labeled for Linear. Actually, the connector and pin out definitions appear to be exactly like the FT857/897 series of radios, too. I believe you'll need to make a MENU change in order for it to work, too.

See Page 12 in the Owner's Manual for wiring for Basic mode operation with the KPA500. Yaesu seems to hint that there's a cable available for that connection method - most likely through their parts department. See page 21 for a definition of the Linear port. I suspect there's a pin-out diagram in the back of the manual that will match the Yaesu pin out table in the KPA500 Owner's Manual for the Band Data signals.

Cheers,

David/KG6IRW

barthold

Re: Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

Hi,

I know this is an old post, but sharing my recent experiences.

I did build a Yaesu FT991 to KPA500/KAT500 aux cable. The actual pin connections needed to go from the 8 pin mini din on the 991 to the 15 pin connector for the KPA500/KAT500 is described in the KPA500 manual. The section appropriately named "Yaesu cable".

What this will do is two things:

1) Eliminate the need for a key line (unless you have a need for a separate keyer)
2) Control the KPA500 to switch bands when you select a new band on the 991

Note you need to set the FT991 menu option 143 (tuner) to "LAMP", to make this work.

What does not work, unfortunately, is to get the FT991 to provide a RF signal when you push the tune button on the KAT500. Which would have been awesome. Does anyone know how to achieve this by any chance?

The best way I have found to tune with this combo is to switch to CW mode and simply key the microphone on the 991. This will provide the necessary RF power for the tuner to do its work. Then of course switch back to the mode you need. Not ideal.

73,
Barthold / AD0RM

Don Wilhelm

Re: Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

Barthold,

The KAT500 is designed to operate seamlessly with the Elecraft K-Line,
but it is also usable with other non-Elecraft gear, but not as seamlessly.

The fact that it needs RF from your transceiver to tune is a fact of life.
The KAT500 does need RF from the K-line to tune, but that happens
automatically with the K-Line. That automation is not available with
non-Elecraft gear.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/8/2016 6:59 PM, barthold via Elecraft wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I know this is an old post, but sharing my recent experiences.
>
> I did build a Yaesu FT991 to KPA500/KAT500 aux cable. The actual pin
> connections needed to go from the 8 pin mini din on the 991 to the 15 pin
> connector for the KPA500/KAT500 is described in the KPA500 manual. The
> section appropriately named "Yaesu cable".
>
> What this will do is two things:
>
> 1) Eliminate the need for a key line (unless you have a need for a separate
> keyer)
> 2) Control the KPA500 to switch bands when you select a new band on the 991
>
> Note you need to set the FT991 menu option 143 (tuner) to "LAMP", to make
> this work.
>
> What does not work, unfortunately, is to get the FT991 to provide a RF
> signal when you push the tune button on the KAT500. Which would have been
> awesome. Does anyone know how to achieve this by any chance?
>
> The best way I have found to tune with this combo is to switch to CW mode
> and simply key the microphone on the 991. This will provide the necessary RF
> power for the tuner to do its work. Then of course switch back to the mode
> you need. Not ideal.
>
> 73,
> Barthold / AD0RM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Using-Yaesu-FT-991-with-KPA500-tp7596172p7622304.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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: Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

Hi Don,

Thanks for the reply!

The FT991 has an input TX-REQ (on the REM/ALC port) that, if shorted to
ground, will send the necessary RF for an external tuner to function. So if
the KAT500 has some way to signal that I am done. Any idea if that
functionality exists?

Thanks!
Barthold

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2016 6:01 PM
To: barthold; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Using Yaesu FT-991 with KPA500

Barthold,

The KAT500 is designed to operate seamlessly with the Elecraft K-Line, but
it is also usable with other non-Elecraft gear, but not as seamlessly.

The fact that it needs RF from your transceiver to tune is a fact of life.
The KAT500 does need RF from the K-line to tune, but that happens
automatically with the K-Line. That automation is not available with
non-Elecraft gear.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/8/2016 6:59 PM, barthold via Elecraft wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I know this is an old post, but sharing my recent experiences.
>
> I did build a Yaesu FT991 to KPA500/KAT500 aux cable. The actual pin
> connections needed to go from the 8 pin mini din on the 991 to the 15
> pin connector for the KPA500/KAT500 is described in the KPA500 manual.
> The section appropriately named "Yaesu cable".
>
> What this will do is two things:
>
> 1) Eliminate the need for a key line (unless you have a need for a
> separate
> keyer)
> 2) Control the KPA500 to switch bands when you select a new band on
> the 991
>
> Note you need to set the FT991 menu option 143 (tuner) to "LAMP", to
> make this work.
>
> What does not work, unfortunately, is to get the FT991 to provide a RF
> signal when you push the tune button on the KAT500. Which would have
> been awesome. Does anyone know how to achieve this by any chance?
>
> The best way I have found to tune with this combo is to switch to CW
> mode and simply key the microphone on the 991. This will provide the
> necessary RF power for the tuner to do its work. Then of course switch
> back to the mode you need. Not ideal.
>
> 73,
> Barthold / AD0RM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Using-Yaesu-FT-991-with-KPA500-tp
> 7596172p7622304.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at
> Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>