Can't connect to my KAT500 tuner via computer. I tried other ports, 2 separate computers, reinstalled all the FTDI drivers & Elecraft KAT500 utility program. I ordered another KXUSB cable from Elecraft, same issue. All the ports are showing properly in my device manager. I can see the light on the KXUSB cable flicker when it tries to communicate. I've been using the tuner manually via the front panel for past few weeks. The biggest bummer is I have port #3 shut off in the tuners configuration. No way to open it manually that I'm aware of.

I haven't changed anything in the shack, just one day it would not connect. I don't see a way to reset the tuner to its factory defaults without the utility program. May have to pack it up & send it back to Elecraft.

Any ideas?

I fired off an email to Elecraft support, see if they answer.

Lightning damage to the comm port? Have you had any electrical storms recently?

No major lightning just terribly hot. I unplug the USB cables from tuner & the TS590 after each session. I also unplug all power & ground from the outside world each time. Only thing I leave plugged in is the PC. I will leave things plugged in during fair weather or if I plan to play radio later that day, but always unplug before going to bed. Learned my lesson when I got hit several years ago & fried the TS590's USB port because I left it plugged into the PC. I use the 2 front USB ports on my tower for easy access. We had a few power outages while shack was powered up, maybe that caused an issue.  Starting to look like the PC data port in the KAT500 is hosed up somehow.

Elecraft tech was quick to reply to my email.

Good luck getting that sorted. I don't have that unit. As an aside, Elecraft should take care of you they have always been helpful when I call. Kind of terse, but helpful, lol.

have you tried a different USB port on the computer?

have you tried a different computer?

have your tried control via ethernet instead of USB?

I would try all that before shipping the amp back

maybe it isnt the amp

I haven't tried ethernet yet, that easy to do?

Follow up: I figured out my issue. Finally had some time to check the cable I got from Elecraft. The 3.5mm connector was bad.
I wired a new staright connector up & voila, computer talking to tuner once again.
The 1st cable went bad on USB end  after several years, I think the FTDI chip failed.

The original plug from Elecraft fits a tad more loose. This new one is snug, that was most likely the problem. The port on the tuner may be wallowed out a little also.

glad you got it figured out

is is always the cable

I had a problem with my amp tripping on 10 meters. Thought I had it fixed several times, but didnt.


finally figured it out after 2 years

it was the coax cable from the radio to the amp somehow causes increasing swr on the tuner between the amp and the antenna with increasing power. maybe a poor / bad shield in the cable allowing RFI in the input of the amp, i dont know


i still do not understand that one, but it was that cable.