I feel like a kid with his first BB gun. Real nervous every time I pull the trigger. But so far things seem to be working as they should.
I hooked the Flex 6500 through the KPA500 to the KAT500 after doing all the setup stuff. My supply voltage is 120.7 VAC and HV reads 73.7 until I key down. I used the yellow tap. It drops to 54 V which seems kind of low. The book says less than 60 volts with reduced output power and as low as 40. Not sure if I should move the tap from yellow to red. I'll leave it on yellow for now. A quick test of input vs. output shows around 14 A max: in out 10 190 15 290 20 380 25 460 30 520 That was on 40 meters. On 20 meters the output is a bit lower with 500 being reached at 35 in. I'm setting the rig's max out to 35 watts. I'm not using DDUtils or the new USB band data stuff from Flex quite yet. I just have the basic setup of keying and letting the auto-band detect do its job. So far so good I think. Still some testing and getting over the nerves left to do. The antenna is a dipole except hex on 20. Did anyone else almost jump out of their chair the first time the KAT500 tuned up? I'm having a good day! :) 73, Kev K4VD On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 1:33 PM, Kevin - K4VD <ke...@k4vd.net> wrote: > Thanks for your advice everyone. I just ordered the combo KPA/KAT package. > Now comes the long wait. > > Is it here yet? > > 73, > Kev K4VD > > On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 12:06 PM, Al K0VM <al.k...@yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Kev, >> >> I use Elecrafts KXUSBa USB to 3.5 serial for the KAT500 to PC/Flex. >> And USB to RS232 serial for the KPA500 to PC/Flex ( the KUSB included now >> included with the KPA500 should work). >> >> AL, K0VM >> >> On 2/10/2017 10:37 AM, Kevin - K4VD wrote: >> >> Hi Al... >> >> This is exactly what I was hoping to hear. The "500 watt radio" is >> perfect. I think I'm about to place the order for the combo KPA/KAT-500. Do >> you know of any accessories/additional cables I will need? Also, as I set >> things up, would you mind if I hit you up with additional questions? >> >> Kev >> >> >> On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 11:14 AM, Al K0VM <al.k...@yahoo.com> wrote: >> >>> I find the KPA500/KAT500 a perfect match for my 6500.. The simple set up >>> is just a key line from the 6500 thru the KAT to the KPA. With a couple of >>> USB cables to the back of the 6500, both will track frequency/band changes. >>> DDUtil will give you a bit more automation with the USB cables attached to >>> the PC instead. >>> >>> Its almost a plug and play, and almost acts like as a 500 watt radio >>> rather separate boxes >>> >>> AL, K0VM >>> >>> On 2/9/2017 8:49 PM, Kevin - K4VD wrote: >>> >>> Hi... with all the hoopla over the new $7K Flex amplifier I was feeling a >>> little power envy so went on a search for options. I own an Elecraft KX3 >>> and absolutely love the rig quality so I'm thinking about the KPA500/KAT500 >>> combination assuming I'll get the same quality equipment. >>> >>> Is anyone running this combination with the Flex 6500 who might share their >>> thoughts, configurations, hints & kinks? >>> >>> I'm thinking the combination makes sense for me because (my decision >>> points): >>> >>> 1) Being a low power operator, 500 watts seems a lot more manageable than a >>> nuclear powered 1.5 KW setup. It seems like a good, safe step. >>> >>> 2) No electrician required. I think I can run it off 110 VAC already in my >>> shack. >>> >>> 3) If I understand correctly, there is little or no integration effort >>> required. I'm looking at putting it inline with the RF path and adding a >>> PTT connection. Voila. >>> >>> 4) The KX3 is able to easily tune my 600 ohm ladder line fed (via 4:1 >>> BALUN) 80 meter dipole on any band so I would guess the KAT500 wouldn't >>> have an issue. >>> >>> Is there a reason I shouldn't consider this setup with the Flex? The only >>> other thing that caught my eye was the ACOM 1010 which would also require >>> an external tuner. >>> >>> 73, >>> Kev K4VD >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <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 al.k...@yahoo.com >>> >>> > ______________________________________________________________ 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
