[Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread tom armour
If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any additional cable 
I need (other than coax) to connect the two together? or does KAT500 come with 
all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?  I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 
but not to the K3.
Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner other 
than portability?  I hope to be able to make an order soon.
Thanks
73 - Tom - wa4ta
  
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[Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread Rick Bates
The internal tuner is MUCH quieter if that is a factor (mouse vs elephant).
It also provides a slightly better match (not quite the same component
values) and seems faster than the KAT500 for tuning (I haven't measured it).


The internal tuner has no issues with my EDZ dipole (two opposing 5/8 at
75M) on any band; the KAT500 has troubles on 75 and 160 (antenna is too
reactive).

If you EVER plan on taking the K3 anywhere, having an internal tuner means
you can operate without having to take the KAT500 et al as well.

73,
Rick wa6nhc


> -Original Message-
> From: Jim Brown
> 
> On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> > Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner
> other than portability?
> 
> QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't
> autotune very well below about 10W.


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[Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread Johnny Siu
Apart from Jim's advice below, I would supplement as follows:

1.  If you have no intention to take K3 as portable use or your K3 is a station 
rig, I would go for KAT500.  This will give you the future liberty of buying a 
KPA500 or other linear amplifier.
2.  Once you have a linear, the internal KAT3 tuner will become redundant.  In 
fact, I sold the KAT3 to subsidize the purchase of KAT500.  I am using KX3 for 
portable use.

73

Johnny VR2XMC
 


 寄件人︰ Jim Brown 
收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
傳送日期︰ 2014年01月25日 (週六) 8:04 AM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
  

On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any additional 
> cable I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?

Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band 
it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency counter 
that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.

> or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?

Yes.
>   I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.

Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to 
interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an RCA 
input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you need an 
RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and power amp 
PTT.

> Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner other 
> than portability?

QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't 
autotune very well below about 10W.

73, Jim K9YC


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[Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread Johnny Siu
Tom,

KAT500 has built-in internal frequency counter for auto band switching.  The 
supplied cable with KAT500 will be good enough.  The aux cable will be more 
useful if you eventually have the KPA500.  

I suggest you download the operation manual of KAT500.  There are connection 
diagram inside the manual which will give you very good ideas.

73

Johnny Vr2XMC
 


 寄件人︰ tom armour 
收件人︰ "elecraft@mailman.qth.net"  
傳送日期︰ 2014年01月25日 (週六) 10:27 AM
主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
  

ThanksGreat input so far!It is really helping me finalize my decision. 

A few more notes/questions:I have an old tube amp (fl-2100) that does about 
600w max I intend to use until I get the money together for a KPA500.
I currently use a manual tuner that I could potentially put in line if I want 
to run QRP.I do not intend to move the K3 a lot.  I have another radio I can 
use portable.

With the old amp should I have an AUX cable?  or is the RCA cables 
Rig->KAT500->Amp enough?
73 - Tom - wa4ta
> Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 09:27:07 +0800
> From: vr2...@yahoo.com.hk
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft]  K3 to KAT500
> 
> Apart from Jim's advice below, I would supplement as follows:
> 
> 1.  If you have no intention to take K3 as portable use or your K3 is a 
> station rig, I would go for KAT500.  This will give you the future liberty of 
> buying a KPA500 or other linear amplifier.
> 2.  Once you have a linear, the internal KAT3 tuner will become redundant.  
> In fact, I sold the KAT3 to subsidize the purchase of KAT500.  I am using KX3 
> for portable use.
> 
> 73
> 
> Johnny VR2XMC
>  
> 
> 
>  寄件人︰ Jim Brown 
> 收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
> 傳送日期︰ 2014年01月25日 (週六) 8:04 AM
> 主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
>  
> 
> On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> > If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any additional 
> > cable I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?
> 
> Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band 
> it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency counter 
> that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.
> 
> > or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?
> 
> Yes.
> >   I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.
> 
> Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to 
> interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an RCA 
> input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you need an 
> RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and power amp 
> PTT.
> 
> > Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner 
> > other than portability?
> 
> QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't 
> autotune very well below about 10W.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread Jim Brown

On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:

If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any additional cable 
I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?


Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band 
it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency counter 
that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.



or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?


Yes.

  I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.


Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to 
interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an RCA 
input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you need an 
RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and power amp 
PTT.



Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner other 
than portability?


QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't 
autotune very well below about 10W.


73, Jim K9YC


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread tom armour
ThanksGreat input so far!It is really helping me finalize my decision. 

A few more notes/questions:I have an old tube amp (fl-2100) that does about 
600w max I intend to use until I get the money together for a KPA500.
I currently use a manual tuner that I could potentially put in line if I want 
to run QRP.I do not intend to move the K3 a lot.  I have another radio I can 
use portable.

With the old amp should I have an AUX cable?  or is the RCA cables 
Rig->KAT500->Amp enough?
73 - Tom - wa4ta
> Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 09:27:07 +0800
> From: vr2...@yahoo.com.hk
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft]  K3 to KAT500
> 
> Apart from Jim's advice below, I would supplement as follows:
> 
> 1.  If you have no intention to take K3 as portable use or your K3 is a 
> station rig, I would go for KAT500.  This will give you the future liberty of 
> buying a KPA500 or other linear amplifier.
> 2.  Once you have a linear, the internal KAT3 tuner will become redundant.  
> In fact, I sold the KAT3 to subsidize the purchase of KAT500.  I am using KX3 
> for portable use.
> 
> 73
> 
> Johnny VR2XMC
>  
> 
> 
>  寄件人︰ Jim Brown 
> 收件人︰ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
> 傳送日期︰ 2014年01月25日 (週六) 8:04 AM
> 主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
>   
> 
> On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> > If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any additional 
> > cable I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?
> 
> Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band 
> it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency counter 
> that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.
> 
> > or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?
> 
> Yes.
> >   I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.
> 
> Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to 
> interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an RCA 
> input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you need an 
> RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and power amp 
> PTT.
> 
> > Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner 
> > other than portability?
> 
> QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't 
> autotune very well below about 10W.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-24 Thread Jim Brown
On 1/24/2014 6:27 PM, tom armour wrote:
> With the old amp should I have an AUX cable?  or is the RCA cables 
> Rig->KAT500->Amp enough?

That's what you MUST use. I don't know anything about PTT for that
particular amplifier, so you should investigate voltage and current to
make sure it's OK with the K3. Most modern amps are.

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-25 Thread Bill W2BLC
The internal 100 Watt ATU is really a fine piece of work. It is quiet 
and fast - displaying no bad habits.


I cannot say that about the KAT500! The latter has a habit of retuning 
in the middle of a QSO. It is disconcerting, making noises and flashing 
various lights and sometimes kicking the KPA500 into standby.  Even 
placing the tuner in MAN does not keep it quiet. I would recommend 
waiting on that purchase until the bugs have been worked out.


Elecraft is currently working on the problem - in the interim I have 
some very exensive paper weights.


Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-25 Thread Ken G Kopp
Bill,

Something's surely wrong.  My same setup works flawlessly.always has.

Have you contacted Elecraft?

73

Ken - K0PP
On Jan 25, 2014 7:21 AM, "Bill W2BLC"  wrote:

> The internal 100 Watt ATU is really a fine piece of work. It is quiet and
> fast - displaying no bad habits.
>
> I cannot say that about the KAT500! The latter has a habit of retuning in
> the middle of a QSO. It is disconcerting, making noises and flashing
> various lights and sometimes kicking the KPA500 into standby.  Even placing
> the tuner in MAN does not keep it quiet. I would recommend waiting on that
> purchase until the bugs have been worked out.
>
> Elecraft is currently working on the problem - in the interim I have some
> very exensive paper weights.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-26 Thread ke9uw
I've had that retuning happen, but I think it's when I get into the mic and
flat top or whatever. Maybe too much mic gain...not sure. But it is
annoying.



-
Chuck, KE9UW
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-27 Thread XE3/K5ENS
Bill is correct.  In it's current state the KAT500 has a major flaw.  I wants
to retune at inopportune
times.  Elecraft has responded to this problem but has not released new
firmware to correct the problem.
I'm not saying you shouldn't order one now but be aware the problem is real.

Keith



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-27 Thread Bill W2BLC
It is enough of a problem that I have been running 100 Watts using the 
K3's internal tuner for several weeks - waiting for the fix to be delivered.


My best description of the KAT500's behavior? It is possessed!

Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-27 Thread David Bunte
Like many, I am curious to learn if/how this issue will be solved for those
who experience it.  I think it is interesting that there are a number of us
who have not seen that problem AT ALL.

I am one of the lucky ones, and my antenna does present a challenge to the
tuner, since it is "close" to resonance only on 30 meters.

Good luck to all.

73 de Dave - K9FN


On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 1:30 PM, Bill W2BLC  wrote:

> It is enough of a problem that I have been running 100 Watts using the
> K3's internal tuner for several weeks - waiting for the fix to be delivered.
>
> My best description of the KAT500's behavior? It is possessed!
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-27 Thread Phil Hystad
I wonder why I have never seen this problem.  Maybe it is sporadic with 
different KAT500 instances or possibly it is because I am about 99 percent CW.  
Maybe this problem is more evident with SSB?

73, phil, K7PEH, K-Line !!


On Jan 27, 2014, at 10:30 AM, Bill W2BLC  wrote:

> It is enough of a problem that I have been running 100 Watts using the K3's 
> internal tuner for several weeks - waiting for the fix to be delivered.
> 
> My best description of the KAT500's behavior? It is possessed!
> 
> Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-27 Thread David Bunte
Phil -

You may be onto something... I have never tried SSB with the KAT500.

Dave - K9FN


On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 2:02 PM, Phil Hystad  wrote:

> I wonder why I have never seen this problem.  Maybe it is sporadic with
> different KAT500 instances or possibly it is because I am about 99 percent
> CW.  Maybe this problem is more evident with SSB?
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH, K-Line !!
>
>
> On Jan 27, 2014, at 10:30 AM, Bill W2BLC  wrote:
>
> > It is enough of a problem that I have been running 100 Watts using the
> K3's internal tuner for several weeks - waiting for the fix to be delivered.
> >
> > My best description of the KAT500's behavior? It is possessed!
> >
> > Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)
> >
> >
> > __
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-27 Thread Bill W2BLC
Yes - you may be onto something indeed!  Have you ever watched a 
frequency counter while speaking on SSB?


As the KAT500 measures the frequency you are transmitting on to 
determine what tuning memory to go use - this may well be the problem. 
Mid QSO, the frequency counter determines you are now transmitting on a 
new frequency and the tuner goes nuts. This may be experienced more by 
some operators than others - due, in part, to their particular voice 
characteristics. CW would enter no variables for the frequency counter 
to misinterpret.


For whatever reason it fails, the tuner and amp are of no use to me - 
hence, I am happily running 100 Watts using the infallible KAT3 internal 
antenna tuner. It is quiet, fast, and has never failed me. I am heard 
where I want to be, some saying there is little to no difference without 
the 500 Watt amp. These are the folks I QSO with every day - so those 
reports count.


The expensive tuner and amp may well be headed down the road - factory 
built and six months old - I am not pleased. Will I purchase a 
replacement amp and tuner? I really do not know. The jury is out and no 
decisions have been made about any changes yet.


Bill W2BLC K-Line(???)

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread XE3/K5ENS
The "solution" is for the K3 to just tell the KAT500 what frequency it is on. 
We have all this Elecraft equipment connected together but a lack of
"communication" between them is the problem.

Keith



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread David Bunte
Keith -

I do not believe that is the problem.  My K3 "tells" the KAT500 what
frequency it is on as soon as I change frequency on the K3 (or the
KPA500).  If not cabled appropriately, then, of course the KAT500 needs a
bit of RF to know what frequency it is on.

The problem is that for some users, even after the KAT500 knows what
frequency the K3 is on, and has a match, it sometimes thinks the frequency
has changed, and tries to find a new solution.  At lease that is the way I
understand the problem as reported by those who actually have it.  I do
consider myself fortunate to not see that issue here, but as someone else
has speculated, that may be due to the fact that I don't operate SSB.

When I first started using the KAT500 I did not have all the cabling
optimized for my setup... I got one more cable, connected it and all now
seems to be perfect.

73 de Dave - K9FN


On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 9:37 AM, XE3/K5ENS  wrote:

> The "solution" is for the K3 to just tell the KAT500 what frequency it is
> on.
> We have all this Elecraft equipment connected together but a lack of
> "communication" between them is the problem.
>
> Keith
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-to-KAT500-tp7583270p7583398.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread Bill W2BLC
I agree - once you have done the drudgery of setting the tune memories 
up  for the bands you use, the KPA500 should merely track the K3's VFO. 
Seems to me that would be fool proof - maybe???


Change the operation of the AUTO MAN and BYP switches to:

AUTO - will tune anytime if needed
MAN - only tracks the VFO to locate the proper memory
BYP - tuner is out of the circuit and only the antenna selector operates

Have to see what Elecraft does with this problem - hope it is soon. I'd 
like to use my KPA500.


Bill W2BLC K-Line (???)



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread XE3/K5ENS
Dave,

The K3 does not tell the KAT500 what frequency it is on.  It only tells what
band it is on and the KAT500 returns to the last frequency on the band.

Keith



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread David Bunte
Keith -

Thanks for that correction.  Since I do not move around a lot on any given
band, that distinction did not even register with me.

Dave - K9FN


On Tue, Jan 28, 2014 at 10:03 AM, XE3/K5ENS  wrote:

> Dave,
>
> The K3 does not tell the KAT500 what frequency it is on.  It only tells
> what
> band it is on and the KAT500 returns to the last frequency on the band.
>
> Keith
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-to-KAT500-tp7583270p7583401.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread XE3/K5ENS
I know very little about how all this works but my guess is that the problem
maybe in the timing of the KAT500 as to when it decides the K3 has QSY'd. 
On SSB the frequency will vary quickly as you speak.  If the KAT500 sees a
new frequency for too long of a time it may think the K3 has changed
frequency and invoke a tune.  The longer the KAT500 waits to see if the K3
has actually changed the slower the response the KAT500 will be on a normal
frequency change.


Keith



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-28 Thread Wayne Burdick
Hi all,

Improvements are being tested. In addition to better verification of the 
frequency count, we're going to provide a way for the K3 to send the VFO 
frequency to the KAT500 so it can pre-load the LC network as you tune. This 
will all be done in firmware.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


On Jan 28, 2014, at 7:23 AM, XE3/K5ENS  wrote:

> I know very little about how all this works but my guess is that the problem
> maybe in the timing of the KAT500 as to when it decides the K3 has QSY'd. 
> On SSB the frequency will vary quickly as you speak.  If the KAT500 sees a
> new frequency for too long of a time it may think the K3 has changed
> frequency and invoke a tune.  The longer the KAT500 waits to see if the K3
> has actually changed the slower the response the KAT500 will be on a normal
> frequency change.
> 
> 
> Keith
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-01-29 Thread ke9uw
I did some testing and on "auto" the KAT500 will tune (tune wrong) if I hit
it with the a possibly flat topped 500 watts. When I put the KAT500 on "man"
it goes into "bypass". Then I have go to "auto" and hit "tune" on the K3,
the KAT500 goes back to the saved tune setup for that frequency.



-
Chuck, KE9UW
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-02-16 Thread tom armour
So I ordered my K3 after this discussion and decided not to get the AUX cable.  
Now subsequently there is new firmware that makes me want the AUX cable (I 
would have got it from Elecraft if I had know of the new firmware).  
If I order it from Elecraft it now costs ~$46 including shipping and waiting a 
week to get it.  
I can get this cable locally: http://www.qvs.com/specs/CC320M1-xx_S.jpg
Will that work for the AUX cable?  
K3 #7999KAT500 #1099
Thanks
73 - Tom - wa4ta

> Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:04:41 -0800
> From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
> 
> On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> > If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any additional 
> > cable I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?
> 
> Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band 
> it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency counter 
> that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.
> 
> > or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?
> 
> Yes.
> >   I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.
> 
> Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to 
> interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an RCA 
> input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you need an 
> RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and power amp 
> PTT.
> 
> > Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner 
> > other than portability?
> 
> QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't 
> autotune very well below about 10W.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-02-16 Thread Don Wilhelm

Tom,

The fact that pins 6, 7, and 8 are designated as 'ground' indicates to 
me that this is a VGA cable and those pins will be connected together.
You need a cable that is wired with all 15 pins independent of each 
other - in other words, a 'stragiht-thru' cable.


If you want it fast, ask Elecraft to send it via Priority Mail, it will 
arrive in 3 days.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/16/2014 11:54 PM, tom armour wrote:

So I ordered my K3 after this discussion and decided not to get the AUX cable.
Now subsequently there is new firmware that makes me want the AUX cable (I 
would have got it from Elecraft if I had know of the new firmware).
If I order it from Elecraft it now costs ~$46 including shipping and waiting a 
week to get it.
I can get this cable locally: http://www.qvs.com/specs/CC320M1-xx_S.jpg
Will that work for the AUX cable?
K3 #7999KAT500 #1099
Thanks
73 - Tom - wa4ta



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-02-17 Thread Ian Kahn - Ham
Tom,

Make sure you check the pin-outs and make sure they are the same on both
cables.  Elecraft does some different things with their cables than you
might find if you bought the same cable from other sources.

Hope this helps.

-- Ian
Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
km4ik@gmail.com
K3 #281, P3 #688, KPA500 #1468
HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of tom armour
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 11:54 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

So I ordered my K3 after this discussion and decided not to get the AUX
cable.  
Now subsequently there is new firmware that makes me want the AUX cable (I
would have got it from Elecraft if I had know of the new firmware).  
If I order it from Elecraft it now costs ~$46 including shipping and waiting
a week to get it.  
I can get this cable locally: http://www.qvs.com/specs/CC320M1-xx_S.jpg
Will that work for the AUX cable?  
K3 #7999KAT500 #1099
Thanks
73 - Tom - wa4ta

> Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:04:41 -0800
> From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
> 
> On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> > If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any
additional cable I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?
> 
> Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band 
> it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency 
> counter that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.
> 
> > or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?
> 
> Yes.
> >   I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.
> 
> Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to 
> interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an 
> RCA input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you 
> need an RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and 
> power amp PTT.
> 
> > Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner
other than portability?
> 
> QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't 
> autotune very well below about 10W.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
> 
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-02-17 Thread George Danner
Ian,
Just make sure the cable conforms to the Elecraft manual pin outs. Some 
(many) VGA cables will connect the coax shields together at one end or even 
both ends and some tie those to the ground pin and/or shell.
I made my first cable since I had 15 conductor ribbon cable & the connectors 
w/shells.
For the second cable, I found a VGA cable in my junk box that had continuity 
on all the pins with none of them connected together or to either shell.  I 
then removed the pins on one connector (broke them off) to confirm to the 
manual but I don't remember which ones.
My K-Line works fine; especially since I upgraded to VFO "follow"!
73  George  AI4VZ

-Original Message- 
From: Ian Kahn - Ham
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 11:04 AM
To: 'tom armour' ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

Tom,

Make sure you check the pin-outs and make sure they are the same on both
cables.  Elecraft does some different things with their cables than you
might find if you bought the same cable from other sources.

Hope this helps.

-- Ian
Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA  EM74ua
km4ik@gmail.com
K3 #281, P3 #688, KPA500 #1468
HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of tom armour
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 11:54 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

So I ordered my K3 after this discussion and decided not to get the AUX
cable.
Now subsequently there is new firmware that makes me want the AUX cable (I
would have got it from Elecraft if I had know of the new firmware).
If I order it from Elecraft it now costs ~$46 including shipping and waiting
a week to get it.
I can get this cable locally: http://www.qvs.com/specs/CC320M1-xx_S.jpg
Will that work for the AUX cable?
K3 #7999KAT500 #1099
Thanks
73 - Tom - wa4ta

> Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:04:41 -0800
> From: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500
>
> On 1/24/2014 3:52 PM, tom armour wrote:
> > If I buy a K3/100 without auto tuner and a KAT500 is there any
additional cable I need (other than coax) to connect the two together?
>
> Some folks feel the need for an AUX cable to tell the KAT500 what band
> it is on. I don't, because the KAT500 has a very fast frequency
> counter that can figure that out with a short burst of RF.
>
> > or does KAT500 come with all cable beeded to connect it to the K3?
>
> Yes.
> >   I see a cable for KAT500 to KPA500 but not to the K3.
>
> Yes. To prevent damage to its relays, the KAT500 must be able to
> interrupt the keying line to any power amp that is used.  It has an
> RCA input, and an RCA output. So ONLY if you're running an amp, you
> need an RCA-RCA between rig and KAT500, and another between KAT500 and
> power amp PTT.
>
> > Is there anything I'll be missing with the KAT500 vs the internal tuner
other than portability?
>
> QRP autotune  -- the KAT500 is optimized for high power, and doesn't
> autotune very well below about 10W.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 to KAT500

2014-02-17 Thread Fred Jensen
Not positive with no schematic, but I think that's a VGA cable and does 
not have all 15 pins wired straight through from one connector to the 
other.  If true, no, it won't work.


73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

On 2/16/2014 8:54 PM, tom armour wrote:

So I ordered my K3 after this discussion and decided not to get the AUX cable.
Now subsequently there is new firmware that makes me want the AUX cable (I 
would have got it from Elecraft if I had know of the new firmware).
If I order it from Elecraft it now costs ~$46 including shipping and waiting a 
week to get it.
I can get this cable locally: http://www.qvs.com/specs/CC320M1-xx_S.jpg
Will that work for the AUX cable?
K3 #7999KAT500 #1099



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