Elecraft KAT500 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 20)

17
Frequency Tracking with an Elecraft K3Transciever
When the KAT500 is used with an Elecraft K3 transceiver, the K3 can be configured to cause the
KAT500 to follow changes in the K3’s VFO frequency during receive. The KAT500 will change to the
tuning solution for each frequency segment as the K3’s VFO frequency is tuned across the band. To use
frequency tracking:
 Connect the KAT500 and K3 using the Aux interface cable as shown in Figure 1 (page 5) or
Figure 2 (page 6).
 Ensure that your K3 is equipped with firmware revision 4.82 or later. See Firmware Upgrades in
your K3 Owner’s Manual for instructions about how to upgrade your firmware, if needed.
 Enable the frequency tracking function at the K3: select
CONFIG:KAT3
and then tap the
1 switch
to toggle between
KAT500N
(no KAT500) and
KAT500Y
(KAT500 connected and frequency
tracking enabled).
Bandswitching
Elecraft K3 and KPA500 Amplifier Combination
When using the KAT500 with an Elecraft K3 transceiver and KPA500 amplifier connected with the
E850463 Aux interface cable (Setup Figure 1or Figure 2), the KAT500 changes bands when you change
bands at the K3. The mode selected (
AUTO, MAN
or
BYP
) applies to all bands. Only the
ANT
selection
and the L/C settings are stored in memory and recalled for each band.
Non-Elecraft Amplifiers
Change bands as follows to avoid damage to your amplifier:
 Switch the transceiver to the new band.
 Switch the amplifier to the new band.
 Apply RF power between 7 and 30 watts (see note 1 below). This will cause the KAT500 to
change bands, switch to the last used antenna on that band (see note 2 below), switch to the
tuning values for that frequency stored in memory or perform a tune cycle, if in
AUTO
mode. If a
tune cycle is performed, 20 watts or more will produce more accurate tuning.
 If your amplifier requires manual tuning, connect it to a suitable dummy load. (You can attach the
dummy load to one of the KAT500 antenna connectors, switch the KAT500 to
BYP
and select
that connector with the
ANT
switch.)
 Tune up your amplifier into the dummy load per the manufacturer’s instructions.
 When finished return the KAT500 mode to
AUTO or
MAN
and, if needed, change back to the
original antenna selection.
Notes:
1. At 30 watts and above the KAT500 will refuse to open the key line to protect amplifiers that
cannot be “hot switched”. That is the default value. If your amplifier is capable of handling
higher powers you can change this value using the Utility Program (page 20). The KAT500
will not respond to less than 7 watts of RF power.
2. If you are not using a K3 with an E850463 Aux cable connected between your K3 and the
KAT500, you must make the KAT500 change bands by applying RF power. Only a very