On Tue, Jun 8, 2021 at 4:01 PM Richard <flat...@comcast.net> wrote: > Assuming you're a casual rawchewer and DXer, if you had an IC-7300 and an > FTDX10 side by side, where would they be pretty much equal, and where would > each outshine the other? > > Think in terms of using them with a KPA500 and a KAT500.
Neither the KPA500 nor the KAT500 can auto-track the frequency any Icom rig by itself. Instead, go for the KPA1500 with its built-in tuner, which auto-tracks *all* Icom rigs via it's 2-wire REMOTE (CI-V) connector quite perfectly. The KPA500 XCVR serial port and KAT500 PC DATA port are completely compatible with Kenwood's serial ports for auto-track, but the KPA500 XCVR interface is NOT compatible with Yaesu rigs, because Yaesu's frequency commands don't match the Kenwood standard properly (not enough leading zeroes, something Elecraft may be able to handle some day with a firmware update to both the KAT500 and KPA500). The KPA1500, on the other hand, WILL auto-track any modern Yaesu rig via serial port just fine. My Serial Box <https://bit.ly/S-BOX> can help with the interconnections to both using stock molded cables, so no homebrew or expensive custom cables are needed. Though you can wire the LINEAR connector of a Yaesu rig to a KPA500 AUX connector, and it will auto-track band changes perfectly, the KAT500 will not track the VFO frequency, so it's only half of what you requested. So in sum, if you're looking at any Icom or Yaesu rig, consider the KPA1500 instead of the KPA500/KAT500 combo, or wait for new firmware to support Yaesu's frequency format. Icom support in the KAT500/KPA500 is not possible, only the KPA1500 has the hardware. Another option to consider is N4PY's Pegasus Plus <http://www.n4py.com/pegasus-plus.html> software, which will translate Icom and Yaesu frequency data to Kenwood format for the KPA500 and KAT500. The S-BOX-USB can be configured as a null-modem cable interface to connect N4PY's software to both the KPA500 and KAT500 using a single USB port on the PC. 73, Bob, N6TV https://bit.ly/S-BOX ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
