I'll chime in too, echoing what Ken says. All you need is the "tune" cable to connect the KAT500 to the rig for control of the Tune function. I also use the LDG cable (just because it's easy ...) but you can easily make your own. (I am not familiar with the Ten-a-Tuner mentioned by Buck ... perhaps it is the same?)
I prefer to use the Elecraft Utilities for both KPA and KAT500 for all tuning and setup settings, but the Tune button on the rig (or tuner) works fine as well (it automatically supplies the proper power for tuning). Generally, for digital operation I set the rig to about 18% power. For SSB, up to 25%. All the rig settings are automatically stored with each saved config file. The only downside to using Icom gear with the KPA/KAT500 is that Elecraft does not "read" the frequency "voltage" indicator and therefore does not preset the tuner to the correct values without transmitting. That ultimately is not a big deal, but does produce a 2 or 3 second delay for tuning when first transmitting after a band or significant frequency change. I generally hit the utility's Tune button as soon as I change so the receiver sees a good match. 73 Lyn, W0LEN -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ken Winterling Sent: Friday, July 30, 2021 12:41 PM To: Buck Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500/KPA500 with IC-7610? Chuck, I, too, have been using an IC-7610 with the KAT500/KPA500 combination for several years. My IC-7610 TUNER jack is connected to the TUNE jack on the rear of the KAT500 via a LDG Electronics IC-PAC-6 cable. While the TUNE button on the IC-7610 or the TUNE button on the KAT500 activates the IC-7610 10W tune function and causes the KAT500 to tune, the Elecraft KAT500 manual stated "If a tune cycle is performed, 20 watts or more will produce more accurate tuning". My procedure is to switch to RTTY mode on the IC-7610 and key the rig. The KAT500 matches the load and I return the rig to the previous mode. This literally takes only a few seconds. Yes, the TUNE button works but I have found that sometimes my method produces a better match. Be sure to follow the KAT500 "training" procedure to store your various bands and frequencies in the tuner so they can be quickly recalled. As has been mentioned, you have to manually adjust your output as you switch between the amp and full power. I have a Brother P-Touch label on the amp to remind me about max power input. As for obtaining a tuner cable, you can get one from LDG, and other vendors. The IC-PAC-6 cable is 6' long while the IC-PAC cable is 14" long. https://ldgelectronics.com/index.php/products/accessories/cables/ GL & 73! Ken WA2LBI On Fri, Jul 30, 2021 at 12:55 PM Buck <radiok...@gmail.com> wrote: > I am running that combo now. Plug a Ten-a-Tuner ($10) from W2ENY.com > into the antenna tuner jack on the back of the 7610 or 7300. When you > push the rig's tune button it will send a 10w signal for about 8 > seconds. The KAT500 reads the frequency and makes the switch also > sending the info to the KPA500. > > You have to manually reduce the drive power from the 7610 or the amp > will fault when you transmit. > > It is not as elegant as the Elecraft system but it works reasonably > well. I was told there was a cable that would connect the 7610 but I > could not get my home-brew one to work. If someone can point to a > source, I would appreciate it. > > Buck, K4IA > Honor Roll > 8BDXCC > Author EasyWayHamBooks.com > License and Operating Manuals > > On 7/30/2021 9:12 AM, Chuck Chandler wrote: > > I'm currently running the K3S with the KAT500/KPA500 combo. It works > > great. > > > > I'm starting to look at what my next rig might be, and have tentatively > > narrowed it down to the K4 and IC-7610. I know the K4 will integrate > with > > the KAT/KPA just as well as the K3 does. > > > > How about the IC-7610? Are there significant drawbacks in the > > integration? How well does the iCom handle things like training the KAT > > for a new antenna via the rig TUNE button, or changing power levels > > between barefoot and QRO, for example? Are power settings per band > > supported? > > > > Any advice appreciated! > > > > 73 de Chuck, WS1L > > > > chandler...@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 l...@lnainc.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
