K2 / Buddistick Tuning

[Bryan Savill]

I have a K2/KAT2 and a homebrew Buddistick.
I'm trying to tune the antenna for best resonance on 30m (10.125mhz)
without the KAT2 in the circuit to ensure optimal power out.
The antenna is build according to plan with the correct whip, coil and
counterpoise (radial)
Here's my problem.
Following the KAT2 manual "bypassing the matching network...", and using
the suggested alternative procedure, ie. go to menu and set ATU AUTO and
using dummy load DL1, tune the frequency.
I then go to menu and set ATU 1.0-1, back out of menu, switch to
antenna, hold TUNE and read the SWR.
The SWR is 9.9:1, no matter how I shorten or lengthen the radial or the
whip.
Obviously, I must be doing something wrong.
Ok, back to the manual...I'll try CALS.
Again I load up the dummy using AUTO to cancel stray inductance and
capacitance, go to menu, set ATU CALS, backout of menu, switch to
antenna, hold TUNE.
Initial SWR is now 4.3:1...I seem to be on to something. I adjust the
radial length back and forth and achieve 1.2:1 with power set at 2W, I
read 2.3F 0.0R.
This looks too good to be true....
Is the ATU providing the match or am I?
I don't have access to an antenna tuner.
Can anyone clarify the correct procedure, given that the first
recommended method didn't work but the second seems to have?

73, Bryan VE6HBS
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Bryan,

I think you are making it overly complicated,
If the KAT2 wattmeter has been calibrated for SWR (and even if it has
not, it will be good for an SWR of 1.0), just leave it in CALS mode and
you can read the SWR on a TUNE.  No need to compensate for residual
reactance, the L/C portion has been bypassed.
Any residual reactance will have been compensated for when you did the
wattmeter null procedure.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/11/2013 7:38 PM, Bryan wrote:

> I have a K2/KAT2 and a homebrew Buddistick.
> I'm trying to tune the antenna for best resonance on 30m (10.125mhz)
> without the KAT2 in the circuit to ensure optimal power out.
> The antenna is build according to plan with the correct whip, coil and
> counterpoise (radial)
> Here's my problem.
> Following the KAT2 manual "bypassing the matching network...", and
> using the suggested alternative procedure, ie. go to menu and set ATU
> AUTO and using dummy load DL1, tune the frequency.
> I then go to menu and set ATU 1.0-1, back out of menu, switch to
> antenna, hold TUNE and read the SWR.
> The SWR is 9.9:1, no matter how I shorten or lengthen the radial or
> the whip.
> Obviously, I must be doing something wrong.
> Ok, back to the manual...I'll try CALS.
> Again I load up the dummy using AUTO to cancel stray inductance and
> capacitance, go to menu, set ATU CALS, backout of menu, switch to
> antenna, hold TUNE.
> Initial SWR is now 4.3:1...I seem to be on to something. I adjust the
> radial length back and forth and achieve 1.2:1 with power set at 2W, I
> read 2.3F 0.0R.
> This looks too good to be true....
> Is the ATU providing the match or am I?
> I don't have access to an antenna tuner.
> Can anyone clarify the correct procedure, given that the first
> recommended method didn't work but the second seems to have?
>

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