Elecraft KPA500
firmware v1.11
Elecraft · Released Aug 11, 2011 · First seen Sep 14, 2026
Source:
elecraft.com
v1.11 is not the latest firmware for the Elecraft KPA500: the current version is v1.54 (December 17, 2017). Go to v1.54
In short — summary by updatemystuff.com
Improved ALC threshold resolution, fixed 6m SWR jumping, and raised HV maximum to 90V
- ALC threshold control improved; requires reconfiguring settings
- Fixed 6m SWR calculation that jumped on key-up
- Maximum HV increased to 90V
Written from Elecraft's release notes, which are printed in full below.
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What's in this update
- 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.
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