K1: KAT1 Auto-Tune Feature That I Just Noticed

[Mike Morrow-3]

This topic will be old stuff for most K1 users, but it was
new to me.  I've had a K1 with KAT1 for 7 years.  After all
that time, it was only last week that I found that the firmware
controlling the KAT1 (version 1.3) is more versatile than I
realized.

The KAT1 manual describes the use of the Auto-Tune function
(KAT1 ATU mode set to "tun") as follows:

Quote
• Enter TUNE mode. Power will be reduced to about 1.5 watts and
  displayed briefly, then SWR will be displayed while the ATU
  matches the transmitter to the load (usually 1-5 seconds)...
• When you no longer hear any relays switching, tune-up has
  completed, and the final SWR is displayed. At this point you
  can optionally tap WPM+ or WPM- to change the selected power
  level...
Unquote

But what actually happens if WPM+ or WPM- is tapped after ATU
relay operation stops (and SWR is still displayed) is better:

1.  Output power changes from the low level used for auto tune-up
    to the power level that the K1 has been set to put out.
2.  The LCD displays the actual power output, and NOT the power
    selected, as implied by the manual.  (Actual power output may
    be lower than the power that was selected if, for example, the
    K1 supply voltage is low, or filter board alignment is
    slightly off.)
3.  As WPM+ or WPM- is pressed, the display of actual power output
    changes as the selected power level changes.

The way that this works (as opposed to the way it is described) is
very useful and well-designed.  I should have discovered this years
ago.

Mike / KK5F
(K1 SN 175 ... Still my favorite QRP rig)
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[Ralph Tyrrell]

Mike:
Thanks for your e-mail. Something new learned that was
old. I built my K1 in 2003, my only HF rig at present,
I never knew this.
This is what makes this reflector  so useful.

73, Ty, W1TF, K1 #1423

 
--- Mike Morrow <[hidden email]> wrote:

> This topic will be old stuff for most K1 users, but
> it was
> new to me.  I've had a K1 with KAT1 for 7 years.
> After all
> that time, it was only last week that I found that
> the firmware
> controlling the KAT1 (version 1.3) is more versatile
> than I
> realized.
>
> The KAT1 manual describes the use of the Auto-Tune
> function
> (KAT1 ATU mode set to "tun") as follows:
>
> Quote
> • Enter TUNE mode. Power will be reduced to about
> 1.5 watts and
>   displayed briefly, then SWR will be displayed
> while the ATU
>   matches the transmitter to the load (usually 1-5
> seconds)...
> • When you no longer hear any relays switching,
> tune-up has
>   completed, and the final SWR is displayed. At this
> point you
>   can optionally tap WPM+ or WPM- to change the
> selected power
>   level...
> Unquote
>
> But what actually happens if WPM+ or WPM- is tapped
> after ATU
> relay operation stops (and SWR is still displayed)
> is better:
>
> 1.  Output power changes from the low level used for
> auto tune-up
>     to the power level that the K1 has been set to
> put out.
> 2.  The LCD displays the actual power output, and
> NOT the power
>     selected, as implied by the manual.  (Actual
> power output may
>     be lower than the power that was selected if,
> for example, the
>     K1 supply voltage is low, or filter board
> alignment is
>     slightly off.)
> 3.  As WPM+ or WPM- is pressed, the display of
> actual power output
>     changes as the selected power level changes.
>
> The way that this works (as opposed to the way it is
> described) is
> very useful and well-designed.  I should have
> discovered this years
> ago.
>
> Mike / KK5F
> (K1 SN 175 ... Still my favorite QRP rig)
> _______________________________________________
>

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