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Help with 6500 amplifier tune setup?

Arnie
Arnie Member ✭✭
edited April 2020 in SmartSDR for Windows
Can someone tell me how to get my 6500 set up and connected so that when I use TUNE on the 6500 it does not key my KPA500 but does activate my KAT500? Obviously, once the KAT500 is tuned, I would like MOX on my 6500 to then key the amplifier.
Tnx es 73 de Arnie W8DU

Answers

  • K6OZY
    K6OZY Member ✭✭✭
    edited February 2017
    Use DDUTIL to control the amp and tuner.  It will track the bands as you tune around on the Flex.  If you have the key line from the Flex going through the KAT500 and then to the KPA500, it won't key the KPA unless a match is found.   I have this exact setup.
  • Arnie
    Arnie Member ✭✭
    edited March 2019
    Wow! That was fast. I was hoping it could be done without having to bring in other software. But apparently not? The KAT500 and KPA500 both will read the frequency from the RF, so why is DDUTIL necessary? I'm just asking. Seems like SmartSDR should 'know' that it is not supposed to key an amplifier when TUNE is asserted. No?
    Tnx de Arnie W8DU
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] ✭✭
    edited April 2020
    I believe you can take the key line out of the Flex and run it to the KAT 500 Tuner. There is an output on the KAT 500 that then goes to the amp. The amp line won't be active till the tuner is tuned. Look at the diagrams in the KAT 500 manual.
  • K6OZY
    K6OZY Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2019
    It's not 100% needed, but it helps because it will recall a tuned memory on RX which could increase sensitivity a bit.  It will also prevent any first low-power delay.  Without it, you would send a dit, and it would go out at barefoot drive (~35W).  The tuner would quickly recall and then pass key line and then be at full drive.  I'd hate for you to lose that first element!
  • mdjdmi
    mdjdmi Member
    edited June 2016
    Steve:
    Are you referring to the Tx1/Tx2/Tx3 RCA jacks on the back apron of the 6500?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] ✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Yes
  • mdjdmi
    mdjdmi Member
    edited June 2016
    Thanks Chris. I will get DDUTIL. But first, if I wanted to make this work without it, what output would you recommend that I use from the 6500 to the KAT500 to the KPA500(I am not referring to the RF path, just the keying arrangement)?
    Tnx de Arnie W8DU
    p.s. Can I contact you off-list for help with VPN setup on W7?
  • K6OZY
    K6OZY Member ✭✭✭
    edited June 2016
    I use TX1 for my HF Amp and TX2 for my 2M amp on my 6700.  My KPA500 needs ~ 35W of drive but can vary per band.   You will want to use DDUTIL's AutoDrive feature.

    For VPN, hopefully you've setup your RaspberryPi server already and just need help with W7 L2TP/IPSEC Client configuration?  Sure ping me offline.

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