Using Flexicraft Utility ?

W2ECK · March 25

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 · March 25

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.

W2ECK · March 26

Len

OK - I have a cable from KPA500 rs232(pc) to win 11 pc and it is showing in Device mgr as com23. And Flexi

Craft seems to connect (see pic), in center box of the Utility it says off and none of other indications appear to be working.

So what am I missing?

73 Pal w2eck

Screenshot 2026-03-26 113843.png

KD0RC · March 26

Hi Paul. can you send a screen shot of the Main tab and the Setup tab? Also, what baud rate is the amp set for? On the amp long press MENU, then use the up or down arrows to get to RS232 P. Long press EDIT. This is the value that you will select in the Setup tab of the utility.

W2ECK · March 26

Len

The KPA 500 is set for 38400.

Screen shots attached

Tnx for help

73 Paul w2eck

KD0RC · March 26

Hi Paul, the screen shots did not come through for some reason. From your previous post, I think you were trying to connect at 4800 baud. Go to the Setup screen and select 38400 and see if that makes a difference.

W2ECK · March 26

try again on screenshots

Screenshot 2026-03-26 123411.png

Screenshot 2026-03-26 123439.png

KD0RC · March 26

Hi Paul, it looks like you do not have SmartSDR, a Maestro or a front panel running. Start SmartSDR or a Maestro.

It also looks like your amp is off. Power the amp on using the switch on the back, then the front panel power button.

The tuner looks like it is using a virtual CAT port specified in SmartSDR CAT. It needs to be a real port on the PC, not one created by SmartSDR CAT. Perhaps 13 is the correct one, I can't really tell, but that is a likely candidate.

I think that you are very close to having this operational.

W2ECK · March 26

len

Ok trying again

SSDR is running, Amp is on and in operate

Question - the amp has the rs232 cable connected to PC, thus comport 23. The Tuner - KAT 500 - is not connected to the PC ( it's PC data cable is connected to the Flex 8600) so how does it get a windows assigned comport??

Com 13 is my Rotor Box

New screenshots attached

73 Paul w2eck

Screenshot 2026-03-26 140223.png

Screenshot 2026-03-26 140450.png

KD0RC · March 26

Hi Paul, the tuner needs to be connected to the PC, not the radio. The Com port that Windows creates for that is the one to use. When you plug the tuner into the PC you will see a new Com Port (possibly COM24).

W2ECK · March 26

Len -

Well that makes a difference - i was using diagram in first attached

So Tuner is connected and buttons in your Utility are working to control Tuner

Not so with the Amp — It says mains off and doesn't show temps - even though says Status Ok but that's

Paul

Screenshot 2026-03-26 143159.png

Screenshot 2026-03-26 143938.png

it

KD0RC · March 26

Hi Paul, are you sure that the correct RS232 cable from the amp is plugged into the computer? It needs to be the one labeled RS232 (PC) on the amp.

The port on the amp labeled RS232(XCVR) should be plugged into one of the USB ports on the radio. Use USB Cables in SmartSDR to set this up

KPA500 menu settings:

RADIO - SERIAL
RS232P - 38400
RS232X - whatever you have in USB Cables in SmartSDR
SER POLL - ON

W2ECK · March 26

Len

I believe we how have it working - see screenshot.

The controls in the Utility are now controlling the appropriate functions in the amp and the power levels on SSDR are conforming to the Power settings in the Utility. So a really useful Utility and thanks for creating.

Think issue was the cable had come loose from the rs232 port on the amp. Which leads me to a problem I have been having with cables since I sold my K4 and came back to Flex and the 8600.

For the rs232 (xcrv) cable I am using a gender bender and this combo cannot be NOT **** into the port on the KPA. The rs232 (pc) cable i have has no screws at all is just pushed into the KPA port ( the one thay was loose). So obviously this is a poor arrangement and I need to correct ASAP.

Where do your cables? And when purchasing - do I need any particular specs in the cable ?

Any recommendations? Does Elecraft sell?

thanks for the help and patience

73 Paul w2eck

Screenshot 2026-03-26 164537.png

KD0RC · March 26

Hi Paul, I'm glad you got it working!

I got my cables from Amazon. They need to specify an FTDI chip. Pay attention to whether the RS232 end is male or female. I am pretty sure that these are not null modem cables, so watch out for that when you purchase them.

W2ECK · March 26

Len Thanks

So I want rs232 to usb cables with FTDI chip and they should be Null Modem cables?

Paul

KD0RC · March 27

Hi Paul, no, I think they are not null modem cables.

Using Flexicraft Utility ?

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