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kpa500 doesnt follow k3

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NE9U - Jasper

kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.

when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.

the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.

tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.

am i missing some setting i need to change?

scott ne9u

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
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Jack Brindle-2

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
the KPA power event on the display. If not:
* what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
* Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.

Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?

- Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

>
> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.
>
> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.
>
> the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
>
> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
>
> am i missing some setting i need to change?
>
> scott ne9u
>
>
> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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NE9U - Jasper

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

yes, the k3 recognizes when the kpa500 is turned on.

the cables are e850463. ( i also have a new kat500....i get same result whether i have it or out of line)

radio setting in kpa500 is set to k3

i also updated all firmware yesterday thinking that might help....no change.

scott

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1

> On Oct 31, 2015, at 12:28 AM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
> the KPA power event on the display. If not:
> * what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
> * Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.
>
> Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?
>
> - Jack Brindle, W6FB
> Elecraft Engineering
>
>>
>> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.
>>
>> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.
>>
>> the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
>>
>> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
>>
>> am i missing some setting i need to change?
>>
>> scott ne9u
>>
>>
>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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 doesnt follow k3

Did you build this from a kit or purchase it built?
Is there anything else that seems off?
Does the KAT500 change bands when the K3 changes bands?

When RADIO=K3, the KPA observes the band lines from the K3 to determine the band it should be on. When it sees the band lines change, it will change bands.
When it senses RF it does a double-check, and will switch bands again if the mefrequency-counted RF does not agree with what the band lines indicate.

So at this point we need to determine that the K3 BAND signals are indeed switching, and if the cables inside the KP500 are properly seated. This would be the cable on the far left when viewing the KPA from the front. If it is off, either at the front panel or at the IO board, you might see this sort of problem. But I would expect you to see other problems as well.

The answers to these questions should provide some light.

- Jack, W6FB

> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:44 PM, NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> yes, the k3 recognizes when the kpa500 is turned on.
>
> the cables are e850463. ( i also have a new kat500....i get same result whether i have it or out of line)
>
> radio setting in kpa500 is set to k3
>
> i also updated all firmware yesterday thinking that might help....no change.
>
> scott
>
>
>
>
> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>
>> On Oct 31, 2015, at 12:28 AM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
>> the KPA power event on the display. If not:
>> * what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
>> * Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.
>>
>> Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?
>>
>> - Jack Brindle, W6FB
>> Elecraft Engineering
>>
>>>
>>> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.
>>>
>>> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.
>>>
>>> the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
>>>
>>> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
>>>
>>> am i missing some setting i need to change?
>>>
>>> scott ne9u
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

In reply to this post by NE9U - Jasper

Hi Scott,
I have the same problem and have not been able to solve it....
It worked perfectly for a few days and then it developed the symptoms you described - plus the auto power select stopped working on the K3 (rig no longer goes from high power to low power when the KPA500 is enabled). I will see what suggestions you get.
I may need to send both back to Elecraft to have them look over the equipment.
73,
Bob/AA6VB
From: NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2015 10:23 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.

when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.

the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.

tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.

am i missing some setting i need to change?

scott ne9u

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Hi Scott,
Sorry.
As it turns out, after double checking, I have the opposite problem! The KPA500 follows the K3 just fine but the K3 will not follow the KPA500. A press of the band buttons on the KPA500 has no effect on either the KPA500 or the K3. Strange, no?
73,
Bob/AA6VB
From: Chortek Bob via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
To: NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2015 6:50 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Hi Scott,
I have the same problem and have not been able to solve it....
It worked perfectly for a few days and then it developed the symptoms you described - plus the auto power select stopped working on the K3 (rig no longer goes from high power to low power when the KPA500 is enabled). I will see what suggestions you get.
I may need to send both back to Elecraft to have them look over the equipment.
73,
Bob/AA6VB
From: NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2015 10:23 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.

when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.

the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.

tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.

am i missing some setting i need to change?

scott ne9u

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
______________________________________________________________
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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KE8G

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

In reply to this post by NE9U - Jasper

Hi Bob,
It really sounds like a menu setting has been changed. Take a look at this:

When driving the KPA500 with an Elecraft K3, use the K3’s per-band power control to set the
amplifier output just below the desired peak output on each band. Do not rely on ALC to control
the power output (see Using ALC, pg 17).

At the K3, set CONFIG:POWER SET to Per Band. See
Per-Band Power Control in your K3 Owner’s manual for further details.
If you use the AUX cable interface between the K3 and KPA500 (pg 26), the KPA500
will send the OPER/STBY status to the K3. You can then set two per-band power levels at
the K3: one to drive the KPA500 when it is in OPER mode and another for pass-through
transmitting when the KPA500 is in STBY. The K3 will automatically furnish your preset
power levels as you switch the KPA500 between OPER and STBY.

73 de Jim - KE8G

---- Chortek Bob via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hi Scott,
I have the same problem and have not been able to solve it....
It worked perfectly for a few days and then it developed the symptoms you described - plus the auto power select stopped working on the K3 (rig no longer goes from high power to low power when the KPA500 is enabled). I will see what suggestions you get.
I may need to send both back to Elecraft to have them look over the equipment.
73,
Bob/AA6VB
From: NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2015 10:23 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.

when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.

the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.

tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.

am i missing some setting i need to change?

scott ne9u

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
______________________________________________________________
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Hi Jim,
Thanks. That is exactly how I had - and have - it set up, and it worked fine for a while and then stopped.
Now, the K3 will no longer go to full power when the amp is in standby and reduce power when the KPA500 is enabled. Also, the band buttons on the KPA500 will no longer work when the K3 is turned on, but will when the K3 is off. The KPA500 will follow band changes on the K3.
As I said, all was well for a while, but no amount of fidding has corrected the problem and none of the suggestions from Elecraft have helped. It may be some hardware has been damaged. The two units may need to go to the mother ship.
Thanks for your help. Any other suggestions are most welcome.
73,
Bob/AA6VB
From: Jim - KE8G <[hidden email]>
To: NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]>; Chortek Bob <[hidden email]>
Cc: Chortek Bob via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2015 8:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Hi Bob,
It really sounds like a menu setting has been changed. Take a look at this:

When driving the KPA500 with an Elecraft K3, use the K3’s per-band power control to set the
amplifier output just below the desired peak output on each band. Do not rely on ALC to control
the power output (see Using ALC, pg 17).

At the K3, set CONFIG:POWER SET to Per Band. See
Per-Band Power Control in your K3 Owner’s manual for further details.
If you use the AUX cable interface between the K3 and KPA500 (pg 26), the KPA500
will send the OPER/STBY status to the K3. You can then set two per-band power levels at
the K3: one to drive the KPA500 when it is in OPER mode and another for pass-through
transmitting when the KPA500 is in STBY. The K3 will automatically furnish your preset
power levels as you switch the KPA500 between OPER and STBY.

73 de Jim - KE8G

---- Chortek Bob via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hi Scott,
I have the same problem and have not been able to solve it....
It worked perfectly for a few days and then it developed the symptoms you described - plus the auto power select stopped working on the K3 (rig no longer goes from high power to low power when the KPA500 is enabled). I will see what suggestions you get.
I may need to send both back to Elecraft to have them look over the equipment.
73,
Bob/AA6VB
From: NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2015 10:23 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.

when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.

the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.

tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.

am i missing some setting i need to change?

scott ne9u

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
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NE9U - Jasper

Re: kpa500 doesnt follow k3

In reply to this post by Jack Brindle-2

Thanks Jack....the change in KIO3 menu item fixed the problem of my kpa500 and kat500 not following the k3. It was set to trn instead of nor.

ive had two or three guys email me off reflector with same problem....maybe this is also why their band switching isnt working.

Thanks and 73

Scott NE9U

Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1

> On Oct 31, 2015, at 2:45 AM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The KAT500 should also band switch automatically when the K3 changes band. The KAT500 has additional support in the K3, though. It can follow the K3’s frequency and switch to the LC nomination needed for the antenna at that frequency. Go into the K3’s menu, KAT3 setting, and tap the 1 button on the K3 keypad. KAT500Y should flash on the VFOB display to tell you this is enabled. The procedure is described on page 60 of the current K3S manual. Note that the current K3/K3S firmware supports this setting, but it is not described in the K3 manual on the web site, but is described in the K3S manual there. Yes, the K3S and K3 firmware are the same, so we K3 owners get the new features, assuming our radios support them.
>
> K3 serial 1732 should have proper support for changing the band lines. Very early K3s did not have pull-ups on their BAND lines (actually not needed by the KPA500). Your should have them. The next check is again in the Config menu, turn the VFOA nob to get to the KIO3 setting, then make sure it is set to NOR and not TRN or HF-TRN.
>
> If that didn’t solve it, and you are comfortable with use a voltmeter to check the BAND lines, then do so. The pinout is described on page 18 of the manual.
>
> I’ll be around all weekend if you need more help, so don’t hesitate to email me.
>
> Jack, W6FB
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>>
>>> On Oct 31, 2015, at 1:41 AM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Did you build this from a kit or purchase it built?
>>> Is there anything else that seems off?
>>> Does the KAT500 change bands when the K3 changes bands?
>>>
>>> When RADIO=K3, the KPA observes the band lines from the K3 to determine the band it should be on. When it sees the band lines change, it will change bands.
>>> When it senses RF it does a double-check, and will switch bands again if the mefrequency-counted RF does not agree with what the band lines indicate.
>>>
>>> So at this point we need to determine that the K3 BAND signals are indeed switching, and if the cables inside the KP500 are properly seated. This would be the cable on the far left when viewing the KPA from the front. If it is off, either at the front panel or at the IO board, you might see this sort of problem. But I would expect you to see other problems as well.
>>>
>>> The answers to these questions should provide some light.
>>>
>>> - Jack, W6FB
>>>
>>>> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:44 PM, NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> yes, the k3 recognizes when the kpa500 is turned on.
>>>>
>>>> the cables are e850463. ( i also have a new kat500....i get same result whether i have it or out of line)
>>>>
>>>> radio setting in kpa500 is set to k3
>>>>
>>>> i also updated all firmware yesterday thinking that might help....no change.
>>>>
>>>> scott
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 31, 2015, at 12:28 AM, Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
>>>>> the KPA power event on the display. If not:
>>>>> * what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
>>>>> * Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.
>>>>>
>>>>> Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?
>>>>>
>>>>> - Jack Brindle, W6FB
>>>>> Elecraft Engineering
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Just hooked a new kpa500 to a k3.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow. it does follow when i apply power.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> the reverse does work....if i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> am i missing some setting i need to change?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> scott ne9u
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>>>> 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]
>