K3 Tune button, does not key a linear

[Andrew UK]

Hi,

 

I have noticed that when I hit tune the K3 goes to TX, however, it does not
key the linear, key line, so the linear stays in standby how do I get around
this

 

Help Don!!

 

73

 

G8 UUG

 

Andrew Lenton

Tel [phone]

 

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Andrew,

The manual does not say anything about activating KEYOUT for a TUNE.  It
does say that the K3 will transmit RF.  I presume the intent is to allow
you to tune a manual antenna tuner.
If you need to tune a linear amp, I guess that behavior would be
cumbersome, but you can always reduce the power and do a keydown to tune
the amp.
I don't use TUNE myself.

73,
Don W3FPR
On 8/27/2014 3:42 PM, Andrew Lenton (Home) wrote:
> I have noticed that when I hit tune the K3 goes to TX, however, it does not
> key the linear, key line, so the linear stays in standby how do I get around
> this
>

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[Mike K2MK]

Hi Andrew,

Are you able to key your amplifier when operating normally? There's really no difference with the Tune button. It should key the amplifier the same way. Remember that tune is achieved by holding the XMIT button.

73,
Mike K2MK

Andrew UK wrote

Hi,

I have noticed that when I hit tune the K3 goes to TX, however, it does not
key the linear, key line, so the linear stays in standby how do I get around
this

73
G8UUG
Andrew Lenton

[Phil Salas]

The TUNE button does key the linear.  I wish it didn’t.
Phil – AD5X
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[Andy Faber]

It does, and I find it very helpful for tuning a linear.  I keep Tune power
set at 20 watts, and use it to get in the ballpark with the amp, then retune
at higher power.  Different strokes.....
  73, andy ae6y

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil & Debbie Salas
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 2:57 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Tune button, does not key a linear

The TUNE button does key the linear.  I wish it didn’t.
Phil – AD5X
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[Jim Brown-10]

On Wed,8/27/2014 2:57 PM, Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> The TUNE button does key the linear.  I wish it didn’t.

If you don't want the linear to key, it's easy enough to put the linear
in standby.

73, Jim K9YC
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[Michael Eberle]

It should key the keyout line, but the amp has to be in operate mode.  The K3 will not take it out if standby.  


Sent from my U.S. Cellular® Smartphone

<div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> </div><div>Date:08/27/2014  15:54  (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: [hidden email] </div><div>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Tune button, does not key a linear </div><div>
</div>Andrew,

The manual does not say anything about activating KEYOUT for a TUNE.  It
does say that the K3 will transmit RF.  I presume the intent is to allow
you to tune a manual antenna tuner.
If you need to tune a linear amp, I guess that behavior would be
cumbersome, but you can always reduce the power and do a keydown to tune
the amp.
I don't use TUNE myself.

73,
Don W3FPR
On 8/27/2014 3:42 PM, Andrew Lenton (Home) wrote:
> I have noticed that when I hit tune the K3 goes to TX, however, it does not
> key the linear, key line, so the linear stays in standby how do I get around
> this
>

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[Mike Reublin]

CONFIG:TUN PWR to set the level.

73, Mike NF4L

> The manual does not say anything about activating KEYOUT for a TUNE.  It
> does say that the K3 will transmit RF.  I presume the intent is to allow
> you to tune a manual antenna tuner.
> If you need to tune a linear amp, I guess that behavior would be
> cumbersome, but you can always reduce the power and do a keydown to tune
> the amp.
> I don't use TUNE myself.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR

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[Phil Salas]

“If you don't want the linear to key, it's easy enough to put the linear in standby.73, Jim K9YC”

Yes, you can do this if your amp is close by – and you remember to do it when necessary.  I use a couple of different amps and autotuners:  The KPA500/KAT500 and an ALS-600/MFJ-998.  I leave all autotuners in MANUAL mode and memorize settings.  When I change bands, I like to press TUNE to check SWR before operating even though the memories have been set – just in case something has changed – and it would be nice if I just put out a 20W carrier (I leave my K3 TUNE set to 20 watts as suggested for best KAT500 tuning).  So when I press TUNE, I get almost full power out of the KPA500, and 200-300 watts out of the ALS-600.  The KAT500 follows band changes via the accessory cable so if  nothing has changed in the antenna system, there is no amp fault.  With the ALS-600/MFJ998, the MFJ-998 requires some RF before it can determine the band.  Often you have a momentary high SWR that trips out the amp when changing bands.

Not that big a deal.  But for my set-ups, I wish the K3 amp-enable output was programmable so it could be set OFF on TUNE.  But I understand this is hard-wired and so can’t be done.

Phil – AD5X
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[Mike K4PI]

If you just punch the XMIT button it just puts the K3 into xmit with no RF out but if you hold the XMIT/TUNE button for 2 seconds or so I will put out RF so you can tune an amp or whatever.  I find this an extremely useful function and use both often.  73 Mike K4PI
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