KPA500 Software Page

See the bottom of this page to get the latest KPA500 f/w downloader - KPA Utility,  and KUSB Drivers. 

 

Current KPA500 Firmware Revisions

MCU 1.11;  Aug 31, 2011

Production Release (shipped with new KPA500s)

This release will automatically be recognized by KPA500 Utility.

 

Please use latest KPA500 Utility to load.

Note: For KPAK3AUX cable use between the KPA500 and K3, K3 Version 4.36 must be loaded.

 

 

New Features and Changes:

  • Auxbus messages sent to the K3 indicating a mode change to STBY after a K3 initiated band change are now delayed to allow the K3 to complete its internal housekeeping.

  • Auxbus menu item has been removed; selecting the K3 for Radio automatically enables the Auxbus whenever the K3 is powered on.

  • When K3 is selected for RADIO, at power-on the KPA will wait for K3 band inputs to become active, then will delay a few seconds more before sending the KPA ON message to the K3. This assures the K3 receives both the ON and the OPERATE messages and can react to them.  The K3 power control is not reduced to the KPA drive level until this message is received. Be sure to wait until this time to avoid possible excess power faults.

  • Fixed 6m SWR calculation problem with low reflected power. SWR no longer jumps on key up.

  • The Fault speaker is now disabled at shutdown, eliminating a potential problem where the speaker could remain sounding if the KPA is shut off during a fault.

  • ALC threshold control now has much better resolution, using its entire range. This enhancement will require rework of the ALC control settings.

  • Added INHIB IN menu item and control to allow INHIBIT# input to be disabled. INHIB IN is set to disabled by default. If you use the KPAK3AUX cable and use the K3 DIGOUT1 signal for controlling something other than the KPA500, you will want to set INHIB IN to DISABLE. Of course if you have the INHIBIT# input connected to something else, you will want INHIB IN set to ENABLE.

  • The maximum value allowed for HV is now 90 volts, up from 85V in previous versions. It is checked during both STBY and OPER modes.

  • The parameter being displayed when the KPA is powered off is saved and redisplayed on next power-on.

  • When viewing parameters other than band, a band change will cause the new band to be displayed momentarily.

  •  ^OS command now properly reports state to K3 as documented in the KPA500 Programmers Reference.

 

 

 

KPA500 Utilities and Drivers

Use this software to load the latest firmware into your K3.

 

KPA Utility:

Elecraft KUSB Serial to USB Cable

Elecraft offers the KUSB serial-to-USB cable for USB only computers etc.   Our cable was originally provided using a Prolific chip set but since approximately July of 2010 we have been shipping KUSB cables which use the FTDI chip set.

Before plugging in either of these cables to any of your computer's USB ports, you will need to have installed the correct drivers for your computer's operating system.   Drivers are available for most Windows, Mac, and Linux OS's.  Note that latest Windows 7 operating system already has the proper drivers included for the FTDI chip set and will automatically install them if you just plug the FTDI cable into a USB port.


 Although both of these cables shipped with a mini CD, the drivers on this mini CD are not up to date.  Please follow the links below for the latest versions of the drivers.  Be sure to select the correct Operating System version.

 

Connecting the KPA500 to a Computer

The KPA500 uses a standard RS232 port implemented via a female DB9 for interfacing to external devices and programs.

If your computer has a standard serial port, all you will need is a straight through serial cable with a male DB9 on one end and the proper connector (usually a female DB9 or DB25) on the other end to plug into your computer's serial port and you are all set.

Many modern computers no longer have serial ports but instead use USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for connecting to external devices. Elecraft provides the KUSB - USB to Serial adapter to connect the K3 to these computers. See above for the KUSB Drivers

 

 

[Elecraft Home Page]

 

Sept 30 2011

Elecraft ® is a registered trademark of Elecraft, Inc.

 Specifications and Pricing subject to change.