Elecraft KAT500 User Manual
ELECRAFT
KAT500 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
TUNER
OWNER’S MANUAL
Revision A, November 1, 2012
Copyright © 2012, Elecraft, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Quick Start ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Customer Service and Support ................................................................................................................. 3
Technical Assistance ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Repair / Alignment Service ............................................................................................................................. 3
Specifications ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Setup ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Cabling ................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Elecraft K3 Transceiver and KPA500 Amplifier using DB15 Interface Cables. ............................................ 5
Elecraft K3 Transceiver and KPA500 Amplifier with Separate Key Line ..................................................... 7
General Cabling Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 9
Interface Cable Wiring ...................................................................................................................................... 10
DB15 Interface Cable .................................................................................................................................... 10
Icom AH-4 Interface ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Operation ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Tuning ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Fine Tuning ................................................................................................................................................... 12
Cancel Tuning ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Alternate Tuning Commands ........................................................................................................................ 12
Bandswitching ................................................................................................................................................... 13
Turning the KAT500 Off .................................................................................................................................. 13
Fault Conditions ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Utility Program ....................................................................................................................................... 14
KAT500 Configuration ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Antennas ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
Thresholds ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Memories....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Saving Configuration .................................................................................................................................... 14
Parameter Initialization (EEINIT) ..................................................................................................................... 15
Updating Firmware ........................................................................................................................................... 15
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www.elecraft.com
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.
Introduction
The KAT500 Automatic Antenna Tuner is designed to be closely integrated with the Elecraft K3
transceiver and the Elecraft KPA500 amplifier although it may be easily used with other transceivers and
amplifiers. Features include:
Automatic band switching, covering the spectrum from 1.8 through 54 MHz.
Automatic antenna switching to connect one of three antennas according to the band selected.
L and C settings for lowest SWR are stored in memory for extremely rapid frequency and band
changes.
Robust self-protection circuits that guard against damage from switching high-power RF or trying
to match loads outside of its tuning range.
Static bleed resistor built in to avoid damage from normal static buildup on antennas.
Low profile enclosure that matches the footprint of the KPA500 and K3, allowing the KAT500 to
be placed on top or under either unit (the KAT500 is designed to support the weight of the
KPA500).
Quick Start
To quickly set up and get started with your KAT500 Automatic Antenna Tuner, turn to page 5 to hook up
the unit and page 10 for operating instructions.
Customer Service and Support
Technical Assistance
You can send e-mail to k3support@elecraft.com
Monday through Friday. Telephone assistance is available from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Pacific time (weekdays
only) at
831-763-4211. Please use e-mail rather than calling when possible since this gives us a written record of
the details of your problem and allows us to handle a larger number of requests each day.
Repair / Alignment Service (We want to make sure everyone succeeds!)
If necessary, you may return your Elecraft product to us for repair or alignment. (Note: We offer
unlimited email and phone support to get your kit running, so please try that route first as we can usually
help you find the problem quickly.)
IMPORTANT: You must contact Elecraft before mailing your product to obtain authorization for the
return, what address to ship it to and current information on repair fees and turnaround times. (Frequently
we can determine the cause of your problem and save you the trouble of shipping it back to us.) Our
repair location is different from our factory location in Aptos. We will give you the address to ship your
kit to at the time of repair authorization. Packages shipped to Aptos without authorization will incur an
additional shipping charge for reshipment from Aptos to our repair depot
and we will respond quickly - typically the same day
.
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Elecraft's 1-Year Limited Warranty
This warranty is effective as of the date of first consumer purchase (or if shipped from factory, date product is
shipped to customer). It covers both our kits and fully assembled products. For kits, before requesting warranty
service, you should fully complete the assembly, carefully following all instructions in the manual.
Who is covered: This warranty covers the original owner of the Elecraft product as disclosed to Elecraft at the
time of order. Elecraft products transferred by the purchaser to a third party, either by sale, gift or other method,
who is not disclosed to Elecraft at the time of original order, are not covered by this warranty. If the Elecraft
product is being bought indirectly for a third party, the third party's name and address must be provided to
Elecraft at time of order to insure warranty coverage.
What is covered: During the first year after date of purchase, Elecraft will replace defective or missing parts
free of charge (post-paid). We will also correct any malfunction to kits or assembled units caused by defective
parts and materials. Purchaser pays inbound shipping to Elecraft for warranty repair, Elecraft will pay shipping
to return the repaired equipment to you by UPS ground service or equivalent to the continental USA and Canada.
Alaska, Hawaii and outside U.S. and Canada actual return shipping cost paid by owner.
What is not covered: This warranty does not cover correction of kit assembly errors. It also does not cover
misalignment; repair of damage caused by misuse, negligence, or builder modifications; or any performance
malfunctions involving non-Elecraft accessory equipment. The use of acid-core solder, water-soluble flux solder,
or any corrosive or conductive flux or solvent will void this warranty in its entirety. Also not covered is
reimbursement for loss of use, inconvenience, customer assembly or alignment time, or cost of unauthorized
service.
Limitation of incidental or consequential damages: This warranty does not extend to non-Elecraft equipment
or components used in conjunction with our products. Any such repair or replacement is the responsibility of the
customer. Elecraft will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including but
not limited to any loss of business or profits.
Specifications
Frequency Range
Supply Voltage and
Current
Weight
Size
Typical Matching
Range and Power
Limits
Autotune Power Range
1.8 to 54 MHz, continuous.
11 to 15 VDC, 1.5A max (200 mA typical).
4.6 lbs (2.1 kg).
Enclosure only, 1.5 x 10.8 x 10.0 in., HWD (3.8 x 27.4 x 25.4 cm). With projections, 1.75
x 10.8 x 11.8 in. (4.4 x 28.4 x 30.0 cm). The projections are the bottom feet and the cable
connectors on the rear.
3 — 30 MHz 600W into 5 Ω to 500 Ω (10:1 SWR).
1000W into 16 Ω to 150 Ω (3:1 SWR).
1.8 — 2 MHz 600W into 10 Ω to 500 Ω (5:1 Low Impedance, 10:1 High Impedance
SWR).
30 — 60 MHz 1000W into 16 Ω to 150 Ω (3:1 SWR).
500W into 5:1 SWR (10 Ω to 250 Ω).
Matching specified to a 1.0:1 to 1.6:1 output SWR. Power rating is ICAS (Intermittent
Commercial and Amateur Service).
10W —100W.
For better matching accuracy, tune with >20W.
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Setup
NOTE: Although the KAT500 works equally well with either a transceiver or a
stand-alone transmitter, transceiver is used throughout this manual for simplicity.
The KAT500 can be used with any 1.8 through 54 MHz transceiver in the 20 to 1000 watt output range,
although the KAT500 integrates most closely with the Elecraft K3 transceiver and the KPA500 amplifier.
The KAT500 may be placed under or above either the Elecraft K3 transceiver or the KPA500 solid state
amplifier. The KAT500 can easily handle the weight of the KPA500 amplifier. The KPA500’s footprint
matches both units and the feet provide adequate spacing for proper cooling of the K3 or KPA500.
Cabling
When using the KAT500 with non-Elecraft equipment, refer to General Cabling
Requirements on page 9.
Diagrams are provided below for stations using the Elecraft K3 and KPA500.
Elecraft K3 Transceiver and KPA500 Amplifier using DB15 interface cables.
Elecraft K3 Transceiver and KPA500 Amplifier with a separate Key line that can be used to
control external equipment (e.g. a Stepper-IR antenna controller).
Elecraft K3 Transceiver and KPA500 Amplifier using DB15 Interface Cables.
Refer to Figure 1(page 6) and the following notes:
50-ohm coaxial RF cables with PL-259 connectors. When using a transceiver with multiple
antenna outputs such as the K3, be sure the correct antenna connection is selected. The KAT500
allows up to three antenna connections, selected from the front panel (See Operation, pg 10).
Two wire power cable with a female 2.1 mm coaxial connector (supplied). Connect to the station
11 to 15 VDC power supply with the white striped lead to the positive terminal. Do not take this
power from the K3’s 12 VDC output connector, even if it has been upgraded for 1 Ampere.
DB15 interface cables with male and female connectors (one cable supplied). Do not use
common VGA cables; they are not wired correctly for this use (See Interface Cable Wiring on page
10). One cable is supplied with the KAT500. If you need a second cable, you can order E850463 from
Elecraft or you can make your own. These cables provide the best integration of the KAT500 with the
K3 and KPA500 by:
Including the essential Key line that inhibits the KPA500 amplifier. The Key line circuit
passes through the KAT500 where it is automatically opened whenever a KAT500 tune
operation occurs. This inhibits the KPA500 to avoid applying excessive RF power while the
KAT500 is tuning. If you need access to the key line to control external equipment, see
Elecraft K3 Transceiver and KPA500 Amplifier with Separate Key Line on page 7.
Providing band data from the K3 to the KAT500 that allows it to switch to the current band at
the same time as the K3 instead of waiting until RF is applied and allows the KPA500
amplifier to send the K3 status information (see the KPA500 Owner’s Manual for complete
details).
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