John, The radio, an IC-7610, and the fact that I use a HB band data cable to the KPA500, was included in my original post. The band data cable switches the bands on the amp, except for WARC, but there is no communication to the KAT500 so it remains on the last band/frequency and antenna selected at the last application of RF. The problem is that if I am just listening and select another band the KAT500 will not move to the correct band and antenna. This is not a problem if I intend to operate on the new band but it is particularly inconvenient when simply switching between radio memories to check for activity on stored frequencies which could be on any band/antenna. It also affects memory scanning for the same reason. After a band change the KAT500 is not on the correct band and antenna so the received signal is greatly attenuated.
Elecraft transceivers "talk" to both the KPA500 and the KAT500 and keep them updated with frequency changes so the KAT500 selects the proper tuning and antenna for the frequency selected on the rig without transmitting. I'm looking for a solution that mimics Elececraft's operation. An Arduino project has been suggested to me and I might need to learn to program one to read Icom CI-V data and communicate with both the KPA500 and KAT500 if I can't find any other solution. Apparently I'm in a very small minority that would find this feature useful. As for using a Top Ten band decoder, or any other decoder, to switch the antenna system external to the KAT500 would not help with the KAT500 issues of remaining on the last RF-selected band and antenna. Simply changing the antenna external to the KAT500 does not help with the KAT500 still being tuned to the wrong band and antenna and attenuating the received signal. *Ken * *WA2LBI * *LG G6 * ------ Original message------ *From: *j...@kk9a.com *Date: *Fri, Jun 19, 2020 09:55 *To: *elecraft@mailman.qth.net; *Cc: * *Subject:*Re: [Elecraft] Future of KPA500 & KAT500 The KAT500 only has three outputs which for me is insufficient and I do not even operate WARC bands. For the last couple of decades I have used a Top Ten band decoder to switch antenna relay boxes. This worked perfectly with my Yaesu line and now with my Elecraft K3S's. You did not mention your radio type in this post but if it has a band output you could do the same and always be on the correct antenna. John KK9A Ken wa2lbi wrote: I've had the amp and tuner for more than two years so I know about their RF sensing. It works well when I'm changing bands with the intent of transmitting. However, as I said, that does not work when I am changing bands on the rig to listen to different bands or scanning different bands. If I am on 75M and want to check the conditions on 20M I can't simply select 20M or a 20M memory and listen. I have to transmit so the KT500 will select the correct antenna. If I'm not on a memorized frequency in a KAT500 "bin" it will start tuning, taking up even more time. I'm looking for a solution that presets the KPA500 band, the KAT500 band, and the KAT500 antenna without transmitting. I believe an Elecraft transceiver connected to the KPA500 and KAT500 can do that. Ken WA2LBI ______________________________________________________________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 wa2...@gmail.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
