Elecraft KAT500 Owners Manual User Manual
Page 14
11
Other Transceiver and Amplifier or Stand-Alone Transceiver
The KAT500 works well with any H.F. transceiver covering 1.8 through 54 MHz and amplifier delivering
up to 1,000 watts output (see Specifications, page 2). If you have an Elecraft K3 transceiver and KPA500
amplifier you can connect them to the KAT500 as shown here. However, for best integration of the K3
equipment, we recommend that you use the E850463 Aux interface cable as shown on page 3 and
Figure 1.
The basic cabling requirements for a transceiver and amplifier combination are shown in Figure 4.
Figure 5 shows the basic cabling for a stand-alone transceiver. Refer to the following notes for details of
the connections.
50-ohm coaxial RF cables with PL-259 connectors.
The KAT500 allows up to three antenna connections, selected from the front panel (See
Operation, page 14).
Two wire power cable with a female 2.1 mm coaxial connector.
Connect to the station 11 to 15 VDC power supply with the white striped lead to the positive
terminal.
Computer interface cable.
Not required, but used for controlling the KAT500 from a personal computer, customizing
the KAT500’s operation or for updating firmware (see Utility Program on page 20).
Key Line Cables
The Key Line (sometimes called a PTT line) controls the amplifier, enabling it for normal
transmission and inhibiting it when necessary to protect other equipment. The key line
consists of a two conductor (center wire and shield) cable and connects to the KPA500 using
RCA-type male connectors. You’ll need to equip your cables with whatever connector types
are used on the transceiver and amplifier.
If you have an external device that must control the key line, you may insert it series with the
key line an either place indicated with the
using the appropriate connectors to match the
external device.