http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/KPA500-and-KAT500-Ports-tp6574422p6581352.html
Why not just use two KRC2s? They are complete and shipping. :-)
> I think that 2 Antenna ports on the KAT500 is a good fit, after all 2
> ports is what the K3 (+ATU) has so many of us have configured our
> stations to work with this configuration
>
> I would suggest however that there be an (optional?) module (s) for the
> KAT500 that provides for sink or source outputs, one per band (plus a
> few more?) that can be further configured via software to to clever
> things (like selecting 2 different antennas for 80/75m, or multiple
> bands on one antenna )
> It would be even nicer if this was duplicated for the second antenna
> output either in the same module or as a second user installable module.
>
> These would be driven by the auxbus data that will presumably be fed to
> the KANT500 and decoded by it's CPU anyway.
> An input (per antenna port) that can be used to indicate to the KAT500
> that the requested antenna is not available might also be a good idea so
> that the KRC500 can then select the second choice on the other port
> (complete with recalling the last used tunings for the secondary ) would
> also be nice.
>
> Think of this as the functionality of (2x ?) KRC2's built in and it
> would make for superb versatility since the KRC500 could then be
> configured to automate pretty much any external automatic antenna
> switching arrangement.
>
> I don't know if this is practical to fit into the box but it sure would
> be nice.
> The KRC2 may already form the basis for much of the required
> circuitry/firmware.
> The Sink/source outputs could be selected sink/source by internal jumper
> and the output could be on DB15 or DIN connectors to minimise rear panel
> real estate. (perhaps with pre-made breakout cable supplied )
> Another option might be to have the 'Glue' internal to the KPA500 and
> the Sink/source drivers in a 'dongle' to conserve internal space and
> provide for easier breakout.
>
> 73
> Brendan EI6IZ
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2011-07-12 at 15:34 -0700, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
>> Hi Gary,
>>
>> Having 4-5 RG8 antenna cables, plus the input cable, hanging out the
>> back of the desktop ATU is both likely to pull the ATU off the desk, and
>> will easily not fit in the box size we are planning. It also adds a lot
>> of complexity and cost to the basic ATU in order to accommodate more
>> connections with the needed isolation etc. We certainly do not want to
>> price the ATU out of the range of most hams, or make it too large.
>>
>> Many of us use manual or automatic switches external to the amp / tuner
>> to provide these functions.
>>
>> A much better solution for those needing more than two auto-selected
>> antennas is to use an external relay switch box, controlled by the
>> radio. This has the advantage of getting the cables, clutter, and
>> switching network off the desktop and either under the table or outside.
>> There are certainly a number of external antenna switches out there that
>> can do this, but if we offered something that was tightly integrated
>> with the K3 (and KPA500/KAT500) as a product, what features would be
>> desirable? (Number of antennas, rigs inputs, switching options etc.)
>>
>> 73, Eric WA6HHQ
>>
>> ---
>> www.elecraft.com
>>
>>
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