Using Flexicraft Utility ?

W2ECK

I have an 8600 and use with an Elecraft KPA/KAT500. This trio works fine except the use of the amp is not sensed by 8600, so I have to always remember to turn down the 8600 pwr when I have the KPA on. the Flexicraft utility as I understand it will fix this issue.

So I am back to trying to get the Flexicraft Utility to work with my 8600 and Win11 pc.

Main hurdle for me is getting the KPA & KAT to connect in the Flexicraft Setup page. I have the KAT "PC Data" cable connected to an 8600 usb port and the KPA "rs232 (xcvr)" cable also connected to an 8600 usb port. Neither show up in the Win 11 device manger comport list. So I was not able to select a comport. I then tried creating CAT ports and use those to connect to Flexicraft. That didn't work either. If both the KAT & KPA are connected to the 8600 usb ports - how are comports created in the PC?

So my question is anyone with an 8xxx successfully using Flexicraft utility and can give a few pointers to get my install to work.

73 Paul w2eck

KD0RC

Hi Paul, there are two RS-232 connections to the KPA500. The one marked RS-232 (XCVR) connects to the USB port on the back of the radio. This connection provides band info to the amp from the radio using the Kenwood CAT command set (but does not use the CAT panel).

This cable needs to be defined in USB Cables:

The amp connection marked RS-232(PC) connects to the USB port on your PC and should show up in Windows. This cable takes status info from the amp and sends control info to the amp from the FlexiCraft Utility running on your PC.

The KAT500 cable does not connect to the radio when using the Flexicraft Utility. It needs to connect to a USB port on the PC. This cable takes status info from the tuner and sends control info to the tuner from the FlexiCraft Utility running on your PC.

You do not use the SmartSDR CAT panel to do anything with the tuner or amp. The FlexiCraft Utility talks directly to the tuner and amp without using CAT.