Kg3v Ham Radio Blog

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ICOM IC-7600 Wiring for use with Elecraft KPA/KAT-500 Power Combo

Posted: 19 Dec 2020 07:58 PM PST
https://kg3v.com/2020/12/19/icom-ic-...0-power-combo/



I have had the IC-7600 for about 4 years now and have now added the
Elecraft KAT-500 Antenna Tuner and the KPA-500 Amplifier. These have been
the subject of several Blog posts here and the topic of discussion with
many other Hams. After a couple years of trial and error (some fairly
significant!), I have now settled on a wiring arrangement that seems to
work very well and also makes me comfortable.




The necessary wiring can be debated. Some say you only need to connect the
RF and off you go. The Elecraft KAT/KPA-500 can recognize the RF frequency
and adjust everything for a match, if your antenna is within the range of
match for the KAT-500 Tuner. At the very least, you want to add an INHIBIT
line from the Tuner to the Amp, which allows the Tuner to quickly Stop
transmission if anything goes awry.




The following diagram shows my final wiring arrangement that includes a
couple options that I would not operate this setup without. Number one is
the addition of the AH-4 TUNE data from the IC-7600 too the Tuner. While I
have heard some debate about the use of this connection, it works great for
me. The downside is that the KAT-500 claims that ~ 25 Watts are required
for proper Tuning. However I read a Lab Report on the Tuner that said it
seemed to work equally well with ~ 10 Watts, which is what the IC-7600
provides while Tuning.




The other option is the addition of a BAND Data connection from the AUX2
port on the IC-7600 to the AUX1 connector on the KPA-500/ This cable is
documented in the KP-500 manual. It allows the Amp to follow Band changes
on the Radio. This makes me more comfortable, and I believe it has saved me
many times from a Fault when quickly changing Bands.








This setup has worked quite well for me over the past year or so. I would
be interested in any feedback or comments or improvements you may suggest.