Elecraft

K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

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Phil Salas

K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners (both
a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner for
my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.

So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when you
push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting low
power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
amplifier off first.

Phil - AD5X

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Richard Thorne

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Your reading my mind Phil.

Good idea.

Rich - N5ZC

Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:

> I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners (both
> a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner for
> my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.
>
> So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when you
> push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting low
> power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
> amplifier off first.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Paul Fletcher

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

It would also be a good idea to disable amp keying when in test mode?

73 Paul

Bill Johnson-9

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

In reply to this post by Richard Thorne

Would not using the menu to set tune power do this? That is what I use. I
set mine for 3 watts and tune the tuner. This is a level I can adjust
depending on my station needs. 3 watts gives me enough to drive my QRO 600
W amp to tune the remote tuner.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Thorne

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Your reading my mind Phil.

Good idea.

Rich - N5ZC

Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners
(both
> a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner
for
> my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.
>
> So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when
you
> push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting
low
> power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
> amplifier off first.
>
> Phil - AD5X

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Don Nesbitt

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Setting the Tune power via the menu does just that - sets the Tune power -
the problem is that the key line from the K3 is activated - nice for tuning
up the amp - BUT - NOT so nice for activating an "auto-tune" matching device
(like an LDG or MFJ) so it can do it's thing without the amp on line.

Of course, the work around is to put the amp in Standby, hit the K3 tune
button, let the matching unit do its thing, take the K3 out of "Tune," then
put the amp back online - and - voila - you're ready to go! Well, you're
ready to go if the amp is already tuned, otherwise, you put it on line and
hit "Tune" again to tune it up into the now matched antenna - whew!

Putting an item in the K3 menu to either implement or defeat this action
might be just as "button push" intensive depending on the operator's intent
- either tune the auto-tuner or tune the amp. Catch 22? 73 es gud dxing --
Don N4HH K3/100 #83

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 3:16 PM
To: 'Richard Thorne'; 'Phil & Debbie Salas'
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Would not using the menu to set tune power do this? That is what I use. I
set mine for 3 watts and tune the tuner. This is a level I can adjust
depending on my station needs. 3 watts gives me enough to drive my QRO 600
W amp to tune the remote tuner.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Thorne

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Your reading my mind Phil.

Good idea.

Rich - N5ZC

Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners
(both
> a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner
for
> my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.
>
> So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when
you
> push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting
low
> power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
> amplifier off first.
>
> Phil - AD5X

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1939 - Release Date: 02/07/09
13:39:00

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Phil Salas

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

In my case I use a solid-state amp (ALS-600). So once the auto-tuner is
tuned, the amp is ready to go.

Phil - AD5X

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Nesbitt" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Bill Johnson'" <[hidden email]>; "'Richard Thorne'"
<[hidden email]>; "'Phil & Debbie Salas'" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 2:52 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

> Setting the Tune power via the menu does just that - sets the Tune power -
> the problem is that the key line from the K3 is activated - nice for
> tuning
> up the amp - BUT - NOT so nice for activating an "auto-tune" matching
> device
> (like an LDG or MFJ) so it can do it's thing without the amp on line.
>
> Of course, the work around is to put the amp in Standby, hit the K3 tune
> button, let the matching unit do its thing, take the K3 out of "Tune,"
> then
> put the amp back online - and - voila - you're ready to go! Well, you're
> ready to go if the amp is already tuned, otherwise, you put it on line and
> hit "Tune" again to tune it up into the now matched antenna - whew!
>
> Putting an item in the K3 menu to either implement or defeat this action
> might be just as "button push" intensive depending on the operator's
> intent
> - either tune the auto-tuner or tune the amp. Catch 22? 73 es gud
> dxing --
> Don N4HH K3/100 #83
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill Johnson
> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 3:16 PM
> To: 'Richard Thorne'; 'Phil & Debbie Salas'
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request
>
> Would not using the menu to set tune power do this? That is what I use.
> I
> set mine for 3 watts and tune the tuner. This is a level I can adjust
> depending on my station needs. 3 watts gives me enough to drive my QRO
> 600
> W amp to tune the remote tuner.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Bill
> K9YEQ
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Thorne
>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request
>
> Your reading my mind Phil.
>
> Good idea.
>
> Rich - N5ZC
>
> Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
>> I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners
> (both
>> a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner
> for
>> my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.
>>
>> So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when
> you
>> push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting
> low
>> power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
>> amplifier off first.
>>
>> Phil - AD5X
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.233 / Virus Database: 270.10.19/1939 - Release Date: 02/07/09
> 13:39:00
>

Bill Johnson-9

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

In reply to this post by Don Nesbitt

This is exactly what I do and started doing after bringing this up in a
thread over a month ago. I use the tune button and not the ATU tune and
have the tuning power set at 3 w. This is sufficient to low power tune the
remote tuner while using the outboard tuner. If I wasn't clear I apologize.
Using the outboard amp to tune my remote tuner is perfect. No standby
switching of the ALS 600 is required and the tune level is low enough to the
amp not to create a safety issue.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request
........

Of course, the work around is to put the amp in Standby, hit the K3 tune
button, let the matching unit do its thing, take the K3 out of "Tune," then
put the amp back online - and - voila - you're ready to go! Well, you're
ready to go if the amp is already tuned, otherwise, you put it on line and
hit "Tune" again to tune it up into the now matched antenna - whew!

Putting an item in the K3 menu to either implement or defeat this action
might be just as "button push" intensive depending on the operator's intent
- either tune the auto-tuner or tune the amp. Catch 22? 73 es gud dxing --
Don N4HH K3/100 #83

-----Original Message-----

Would not using the menu to set tune power do this? That is what I use. I
set mine for 3 watts and tune the tuner. This is a level I can adjust
depending on my station needs. 3 watts gives me enough to drive my QRO 600
W amp to tune the remote tuner.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Thorne

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Your reading my mind Phil.

Good idea.

Rich - N5ZC

Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners
(both
> a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner
for
> my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.
>
> So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when
you
> push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting
low
> power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
> amplifier off first.
>
> Phil - AD5X

______________________________________________________________
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Bill Johnson-9

Re: K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

In reply to this post by Bill Johnson-9

Phil,
We have the same amp. I hold the XMIT button to get into tune. The tuning
level I set is at 3 watts. I tune an MFJ994 remoted at the antenna base.
This does the job for me perfectly. The 3 watts gets the job done every
time. I tried 2 watts and stepped it up until I was satisfied the tuner was
sensing enough power to activate it. I don't use the standby any more on
the amp as it is inconvenient.

73,

Bill
K9YEQ
K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil & Debbie Salas [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 3:47 PM
To: Bill Johnson
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

Hi Bill - I have a solid-state amp (ALS-600) and I like to leave it in the
OPERATE position. But when I change bands and hit TUNE on the K3 to let mey

autotuner do its thing, I MUST remember to turn the amp to STANDBY first.
But if the key-line out of the K3 would not key the amp when I push TUNE on
the K3, then I wouldn't have to worry about what condition the amp was in.

Phil - AD5X

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Johnson" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Phil & Debbie Salas'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 3:39 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request

> Phil,
>
> I think the max you can do without the amp is 10-12 watts, but adjust the
> knob to the point where the amp won't kick in. The difference between 10
> and 15 watts is ~1.5 db. I don't use my internal amp to tune the remote
> tuner by reducing the tune power so I don't understand the question, I
> guess.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Bill
> K9YEQ
> K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phil & Debbie Salas [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 2:31 PM
> To: Bill Johnson
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request
>
> But then you always have to use your amplifier to tune your remote tuner,
> unless you reset your tune power if your amp is off. I'd like to juswt
> keep
>
> the tune power constant at 15 watts but not enable the amp.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Johnson" <[hidden email]>
> To: "'Richard Thorne'" <[hidden email]>; "'Phil & Debbie Salas'"
> <[hidden email]>
> Cc: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 2:16 PM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request
>
>
>> Would not using the menu to set tune power do this? That is what I use.
>> I
>> set mine for 3 watts and tune the tuner. This is a level I can adjust
>> depending on my station needs. 3 watts gives me enough to drive my QRO
>> 600
>> W amp to tune the remote tuner.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Bill
>> K9YEQ
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [hidden email]
>> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Richard Thorne
>>
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amp disable on TUNE request
>>
>> Your reading my mind Phil.
>>
>> Good idea.
>>
>> Rich - N5ZC
>>
>> Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
>>> I use the TUNE feature on my K3 all the time for tuning my auto-tuners
>> (both
>>> a MFJ-998 in the shack for some of my antennas and a CG-500 remote tuner
>> for
>>> my 43-foot vertical). I also use an amplifier on occasion.
>>>
>>> So - Could we have a set-up option that does NOT key the amplifier when
>> you
>>> push TUNE on the K3? This would always ensure you are only transmitting
>> low
>>> power when you tune your tuners without having to remember to turn your
>>> amplifier off first.
>>>
>>> Phil - AD5X
>>
>