[K3] Antenna confusion

[Jim AB3CV]

The good news is that I'm close to having a second TX/RX antenna (hexbeam)
to add to my dipole and a K9AY RX antenna mainly for 80/160 but also for
whatever diversity uses I can get when using the main antennas. I have KAT3
and KXV3a. The bad news is I'm a bit confused and could use some
help/review.

My "dipole" is switchable between dipole (20m-40m) and a hatted vertical
configuration (80, 160). The hexbeam is for 20-6m.

My plan is to have the "dipole" connected to ANT1 and the HB connected to
ANT2. The dipole has a remote tuner so the coax from the tuner to the shack
is always ~1:1 SWR.

>From repeated readings of the K3 manual, ANT1/2 for main selects the TX ANT
always. It also selects the receiving ant for the main *unless* RX is
selected in which case the main receiver would listen to my K9AY connected
to that jack. So selecting ANT1 for dipole and RX would be the setup for
80/160.

Now if I want diversity I want the K9AY to feed the subrx while the main
gets either dipole or HB. For this it looks like I need to move the antenna
connection on the rear panel to the AUX RF input. I'd only be using
diversity on 40-10 since both my 80/160 and K9AY are both vertically
polarized.

I didn't see a way to have a RX ant and diversity without moving the BNC
antenna among the back panel AUX and RX connectors.

Do I have this right?

Thanks

Jim ab3cv
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[Jim AB3CV]

As a followup it looks like I could add a relay driven by DIGOUT1 to do the
AUX/RX coax switching. Is that correct? I'd probably also use DIGOUT1 to
signal my remote dipole configuration from horizontal to vertical mode at
the same time.

Jim ab3cv
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[Jim AB3CV]

Since there's no per band menu for DIGOUT1 I'm guessing you just select the
band the go to the config:digout1 menu item and turn it on per band?

Thanks

Jim ab3cv
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[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

> As a followup it looks like I could add a relay driven by DIGOUT1 to
> do the AUX/RX coax switching. Is that correct?

Why bother?  The K9AY is designed as a low noise (directive, noise
reducing) antenna for 160-40 meters.  It us not likely to provide any
advantage - even as a diversity antenna - on the high bands (20-10).

Rather than dealing with a relay and external programming, simply build
a splitter (http://cliftonlaboratories.com/z10050a_3_db_hybrid.htm) and
connect outputs to both the RX Ant and Aux jacks.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 12/20/2011 10:03 AM, Jim Miller wrote:

> As a followup it looks like I could add a relay driven by DIGOUT1 to do the
> AUX/RX coax switching. Is that correct? I'd probably also use DIGOUT1 to
> signal my remote dipole configuration from horizontal to vertical mode at
> the same time.
>
> Jim ab3cv
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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[Jim AB3CV]

Joe

Simple is always better. Thanks!

The only possible downside I can see is that the signal from the K9AY would
be reduced by 3db but I think that will still be plenty.

73

jim ab3cv
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