K2 feature request

[Geert Jan de Groot-3]

I have a request for a K2 feature. I have a K2 with KPA100 and KAT100
in separate EC2. Currently, if the KAT100 is installed, the KAT2
just switches to through mode (CALP), fixed to ant1.

I recently bought an amp and find that neither the amp, nor a
typical antenna, is cleanly 50 ohms and hence there's work for
the tuner. If I enable the amp, I need to autotune to the
input impedance of the amp, if I leave it offline, I need to
tune to the impedance of the antenna. This requires two
different tuner settings.

I note that the KPA100 has a separate pin to drive the PA key line
which means that, through software, the K2 can 'know' whether
or not it puts the amp in-line: if the software doesn't key
the key line, you're running barefoot.

Instead of the current two antenna settings, I believe more
choices are possible:
A. KPA100/KAT100, ANT1, key PA line
   This is the normal case and puts the PA in-line.
B. KPA100/KAT100, ANT1, don't key PA line
   This leaves the PA in through mode and makes the thing run
   barefoot. Note that the K2 needs separate KAT100 settings for
   A and B as one is obviously driving different things
C. KPA100/KAT100, ANT2
   I've found that using two antennas sometimes helps,
   I've ran with a quad and a W3DZZ
D. KAT2 ANT2, no KPA100/KAT100
   For transverters and the like

I note that the various SWR bridges have outputs that can be three-stated,
just like currently happens. I really, really want more flexability
in my antenna settings. Also note that all four settings would
need separate, to-be-memorized tuner settings.

Oh, and when you'd hack on the antenna selector code, perhaps
the code can be improved: sometimes the KAT2 is stuck in CALP mode
after attaching a KPA100 at a previous session. It would be nice
if it would switch back to regular AUTO mode if the KPA100 isn't there.

What do others think?

Geert Jan PE1HZG


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[Vic K2VCO]

Geert Jan de Groot wrote:

> I recently bought an amp and find that neither the amp, nor a
> typical antenna, is cleanly 50 ohms and hence there's work for
> the tuner. If I enable the amp, I need to autotune to the
> input impedance of the amp, if I leave it offline, I need to
> tune to the impedance of the antenna. This requires two
> different tuner settings.

You might try this:  connect the two antenna outputs of the KAT100 to a 'tee'
connector and take the output from the common to the amp.  Then tune up the
KAT100 with the amp offline using the ANT1 setting.  Switch the amp online and
tune the KAT100 using ANT2.  Then you will have two pre-tuned settings per band,
one for the amp and one direct to the antenna.

It's not automatic, but at least you won't have to wait for the KAT100 to tune
when turning the amp on or off.

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco

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