A bit more information about how things work in the KPA500. The boot loader runs on back-panel power-on or when the amplifier is powered off from the front panel (or by command). It runs in power-down state, sleeping the processor as much as possible. It looks for inputs from the front panel power button (which is in parallel with a pin on the AUX/IO port) and the serial port. The serial port has an abbreviated command set (described in the KPA500 Programmer’s Reference) - the memory segment for bootstrap loader is full, and there was not enough space to implement a full command set style protocol. The portion the boot loader is fixed at 38400 bps. Reception of a ‘P’ character causes the loader to check firmware memory, and if that check is positive it moves execution to the main firmware, where the amplifier is initialized and brought on-line. If the user has set a different data rate, it will be changed at this point.
Because the boot command structure is different from the main commands it is possible for the KPA Utility (or any control program) to get out of sync with the KPA if the user powers down (or up) the KPA from the front panel power button. The KPA Utility usually does a very good job of catching the situation and moving to the proper mode. There is a slight difference between the three versions - W4SMT has done a very good job of catching this in the Mac and Linux versions, to the point where missing the change is very rare (as far as I have seen). I will also say the the Window’s version is also rare at missing this, but apparently there are times when it may miss things as Dick has stated. In any case, as I noted, we test this scenario extensively. It does usually work, as I noted previously. We just need to determine why Lyn is seeing it fail. 73! Jack, W6FB > On Jun 23, 2020, at 7:12 PM, Jack Brindle via Elecraft > <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote: > > Let's see if we can determine why you are seeing this behavior. What platform > are you using (Window, Mac, Linux), and exactly what is the scenario and > conditions you are seeing? In other words, please provide more info. I > believe K6KR has provided a bit of additional info. He wrote the KPA Utility > for Windows, and knows the computer side of things. > > I wrote the code for both the bootstrap loader and the main program in the > KPA500. I tested all parts of the code operation for both bootstrap (which > runs with front power off) and main firmware (runs with power ON) with both > the Mac and Windows Utilities for each KPA500 firmware release as well as > when the Utilities are released. In fact I tested it earlier today with both > the original KPA500 and a newer one I bought a year ago. In all cases the KPA > Utility was able to turn on and off the KPAs properly. > > With adequate information, we should be able to get things working properly > for you. > > 73, > Jack, W6FB > Elecraft Engineering > > >> On Jun 23, 2020, at 4:50 PM, Lyn Norstad <l...@lnainc.com> wrote: >> >> Nope. "Should be" is not how it works. I have discussed this with Support, >> and it would require constant polling ... which they cannot do. >> >> Once you turn it OFF with the front panel switch, it needs to be turned on >> the same way. After that, yes the utility is fully functional. >> >> 73 >> Lyn, W0LEN >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Jack Brindle [mailto:jackbrin...@me.com] >> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 5:16 PM >> To: l...@lnainc.com >> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Remote software and KPA500 remote software >> >> Take another look. You should be able to power on/off the KPA500 using the >> front power button as well as through the KPA Utility. The Utility does a >> great job of detecting the KPA500’s current data rate whether it is on or >> off (the two rates may be different) and will communicate at the proper rate >> to power the amplifier on or off using the ON/OFF button in the Operate >> panel. >> >> Turning the back panel switch to the OFF position will, of course, disable >> the ability to power on the amplifier using wither the KPA Utility or the >> front panel pushbutton. >> >> 73! >> Jack, W6FB >> >> >>> On Jun 23, 2020, at 2:18 PM, Lyn Norstad <l...@lnainc.com> wrote: >>> >>> I meant to follow up on this sooner, but … so here’s what I found with the >>> KPA500 and KPA Utility Rev 1.13.7.16. First, the KPA500 rear power switch >>> must, of course, remain in the ON position at all times. >>> >>> >>> >>> Once the KPA500 has been powered on with the Front panel switch (and >>> communications is set up properly between the computer and the KPA500), in >>> order to have ON/OFF control from the utility app, the KPA500 must never be >>> turned OFF from the front panel switch. >>> >>> >>> >>> It’s OK to use the other front panel controls (including STANDBY/OPERATE), >>> just not the ON/OFF power button. >>> >>> >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> Lyn, W0LEN >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Lyn Norstad [mailto:l...@lnainc.com] >>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2020 3:42 PM >>> To: 'Gordon LaPoint'; 'elecraft@mailman.qth.net' >>> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KAT500 Remote software and KPA500 remote software >>> >>> >>> >>> If you're running Windows, yes I know how to do that. But keep in mind >>> that the KPA Utility will not connect to the KPA500 unless the amp is first >>> powered on. >>> >>> >>> >>> To have the programs start on boot, just drag them into the Windows >>> "Startup" folder (I am on Windows 7). >>> >>> >>> >>> In Windows 10, search "Startup Apps." >>> >>> >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> Lyn, W0LEN >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> >>> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net >>> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gordon LaPoint >>> >>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2020 1:45 PM >>> >>> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 Remote software and KPA500 remote software >>> >>> >>> >>> Can these remote software's be in host mode on startup? I run a remote >>> >>> and would like to have them connect to the hardware and be in host mode >>> >>> on boot of the computer. Right now I just log on remotely and start >>> >>> each one as needed. >>> >>> >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> >>> >>> Gordon - N1MGO >>> >>> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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 jackbrin...@me.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 jackbrin...@me.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
