Port

Connect your KPA500 via a 9-pin straight-through serial (RS-232) cable to your personal computer. Use the upper 9-pin D connector on the KPA500 back panel.

If your computer does not have an available serial port, you may use a USB to Serial Adapter such as the Elecraft KUSB.

Serial Port

Chose the Personal Computer serial port that is connected to your KPA500. Click the down arrow to show the list of available ports and then select the port you have connected to your KPA500. See Finding the appropriate port for a USB to Serial Adapter if you're using a USB to Serial Adapter and are not sure which port to choose.

Refresh Port List

Click to update the list of available ports, which may be helpful if you plug in a USB to Serial Adapter after the program has started.

Test Communications

Reopens the serial port and verifies that the KPA Utility can communicate with your KPA500 and determine its RS-232 speed.

If you change the RS-232 speed using the KPA500 front panel "RS-232 P" menu selection, use this button to allow the KPA Utility to discover the new speed.

If the KPA500 is turned on and has an illumnated front-panel LCD screen, it should respond to Test Communications with an "Information" dialog indicating that the KPA500 is running the "Main" program.

If the KPA500 is in a "Boot Loader" state, with the back panel power switch on but a dark front panel LCD, the KPA500 should respond to Test Communications with a "Warning" dialog indicating that the KPA500 is in its boot loader.

A KPA500 in its boot loader, modems, null modem cables, and defective serial cables can echo whatever is sent to them. The KPA Utility cannot tell what device is attached without sending a block of firmware. If firmware load fails on the first block (address x800), it is very likely that the communications cable is not correctly attached to your KPA500, the cable is defective, or the wrong port has been chosen.