Elecraft

[K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

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John Shadle

[K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

Hi all,
I've been enjoying using an AL-811 to help bust the pile-ups with my long
wire antenna and Dentron Super Tuner Plus (manual tuner), but would really
like to add a QRO autotuner to the mix.

Currently, my K3 and AL-811 sit on my desk. The Dentron sits about 15' away
on top of a bookshelf next to the basement window where my antenna enters
the shack (one wire for the radiator and one wire to the radial field). The
Dentron has a "random wire" and "ground" post on the rear, which makes
tuning this antenna a breeze (but I have to get out of my chair and re-tune
whenever I switch bands).

I'm considering the KAT500, but wonder how it would work for this
situation. Here are my two (please suggest more) solutions:

1. Put the KAT500 right next to the K3 and AL-811 on my desk, run a 15'
long 50 ohm line to a balun which would attach to the antenna outside my
basement window. Computer control is easy because the KAT500 and K3 are
right next to each other.
2. Put the KAT500 right next to the antenna and run a short (2-3') 50 ohm
line to a balun which would attach to the antenna outside my basement
window. A 15' line from the amp to the tuner would be required and no
computer control would be possible.

If I go with Option 1, then I am trying to match the 50 ohm line for 15'
before I get to the balun/antenna outside the window.
If I do with Option 2, then I won't be able to use the K3/KAT500 AUXBUS
features (I had emailed Elecraft support about this in the past and they
suggested not using a 15' long AUXBUS connector).

Anyone else tuning random wires with the KAT500? How do you do it?

Should I be considering another tuner altogether? I don't want to break the
bank, but I do want a workable solution.

73
-john W4PAH
Madison, WI
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

John,

Use the 15' coax, but make sure it is low loss RG-8 size coax and all
should be well.
At HF, there will be little loss in that 15' run.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/6/2014 11:47 AM, John Shadle wrote:

> Hi all,
> I've been enjoying using an AL-811 to help bust the pile-ups with my long
> wire antenna and Dentron Super Tuner Plus (manual tuner), but would really
> like to add a QRO autotuner to the mix.
>
> Currently, my K3 and AL-811 sit on my desk. The Dentron sits about 15' away
> on top of a bookshelf next to the basement window where my antenna enters
> the shack (one wire for the radiator and one wire to the radial field). The
> Dentron has a "random wire" and "ground" post on the rear, which makes
> tuning this antenna a breeze (but I have to get out of my chair and re-tune
> whenever I switch bands).
>
> I'm considering the KAT500, but wonder how it would work for this
> situation. Here are my two (please suggest more) solutions:
>
> 1. Put the KAT500 right next to the K3 and AL-811 on my desk, run a 15'
> long 50 ohm line to a balun which would attach to the antenna outside my
> basement window. Computer control is easy because the KAT500 and K3 are
> right next to each other.
> 2. Put the KAT500 right next to the antenna and run a short (2-3') 50 ohm
> line to a balun which would attach to the antenna outside my basement
> window. A 15' line from the amp to the tuner would be required and no
> computer control would be possible.
>
> If I go with Option 1, then I am trying to match the 50 ohm line for 15'
> before I get to the balun/antenna outside the window.
> If I do with Option 2, then I won't be able to use the K3/KAT500 AUXBUS
> features (I had emailed Elecraft support about this in the past and they
> suggested not using a 15' long AUXBUS connector).
>
> Anyone else tuning random wires with the KAT500? How do you do it?
>
>

wa9fvp

Re: [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

In reply to this post by John Shadle

I just built my kpa500 and installed it today. I use a hamemade "true balanced" tuner and feed it with 450 ohm latter line all the way to the shack. So far on 40 meters I had no problems. The kpa500 is next to my K3.

Jack WA9FVP

Sent from my home-brew I5 Core PC

James Bennett

Re: [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

John,

Don's suggestion is for sure the way to go. My K3, KPA500, and KAT500 sit next to each other on my desk. I run about ten feet of RG-8 to the outside where I have my 4:1 balun, and then 110 feet of 450-ohm ladder line to my doublet at the other end of my property.

Jim / W6JHB

Jim Bennett / W6JHB
Folsom, CA

> On Nov 6, 2014, at 11:32 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> John,
>
> Use the 15' coax, but make sure it is low loss RG-8 size coax and all should be well.
> At HF, there will be little loss in that 15' run.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
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Rick WA6NHC

Re: [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

Same thing here except my doublet is a stealthy Extended Double Zepp cut for 80 meters (340' long). Works on all bands (6 countries on 160; 200+ countries on the other bands)... 100' of 450 ohm line, 4:1 common mode choke, some coax and the K line is happy. I just wish the oaks were taller, 30' above dirt just isn't enough height.

Rick, WA6NHC

iPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)

> On Nov 6, 2014, at 7:29 PM, James Bennett <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> John,
>
> Don's suggestion is for sure the way to go. My K3, KPA500, and KAT500 sit next to each other on my desk. I run about ten feet of RG-8 to the outside where I have my 4:1 balun, and then 110 feet of 450-ohm ladder line to my doublet at the other end of my property.
>
> Jim / W6JHB
>
> Jim Bennett / W6JHB
> Folsom, CA
>
>> On Nov 6, 2014, at 11:32 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> John,
>>
>> Use the 15' coax, but make sure it is low loss RG-8 size coax and all should be well.
>> At HF, there will be little loss in that 15' run.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Jerry

Re: [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

Just wait - Oaks grow...

Best regards (I couldn't resist!)

Jerry, W1ie

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick
Bates, WA6NHC
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 10:35 PM
To: James Bennett
Cc: Elecraft Reflector Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or
other) / random wire antenna

Same thing here except my doublet is a stealthy Extended Double Zepp cut for
80 meters (340' long). Works on all bands (6 countries on 160; 200+
countries on the other bands)... 100' of 450 ohm line, 4:1 common mode
choke, some coax and the K line is happy. I just wish the oaks were taller,
30' above dirt just isn't enough height.

Rick, WA6NHC

iPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)

> On Nov 6, 2014, at 7:29 PM, James Bennett <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> John,
>
> Don's suggestion is for sure the way to go. My K3, KPA500, and KAT500 sit
next to each other on my desk. I run about ten feet of RG-8 to the outside
where I have my 4:1 balun, and then 110 feet of 450-ohm ladder line to my
doublet at the other end of my property.

>
> Jim / W6JHB
>
> Jim Bennett / W6JHB
> Folsom, CA
>
>> On Nov 6, 2014, at 11:32 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> John,
>>
>> Use the 15' coax, but make sure it is low loss RG-8 size coax and all

should be well.

>> At HF, there will be little loss in that 15' run.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]

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Rick WA6NHC

Re: [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or other) / random wire antenna

Nah these are mostly valley oaks. They spread, just like me. ;-)

73,
Rick wa6nhc

Tiny iPhone 5 keypad, typos are inevitable

> On Nov 10, 2014, at 12:40 PM, Jerry Knowlton <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Just wait - Oaks grow...
>
> Best regards (I couldn't resist!)
>
> Jerry, W1ie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick
> Bates, WA6NHC
> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 10:35 PM
> To: James Bennett
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] autotuner for K3 with AL-811 amp (KAT500 or
> other) / random wire antenna
>
> Same thing here except my doublet is a stealthy Extended Double Zepp cut for
> 80 meters (340' long). Works on all bands (6 countries on 160; 200+
> countries on the other bands)... 100' of 450 ohm line, 4:1 common mode
> choke, some coax and the K line is happy. I just wish the oaks were taller,
> 30' above dirt just isn't enough height.
>
> Rick, WA6NHC
>
> iPad = small keypad = typos = sorry ;-)
>
>> On Nov 6, 2014, at 7:29 PM, James Bennett <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> John,
>>
>> Don's suggestion is for sure the way to go. My K3, KPA500, and KAT500 sit
> next to each other on my desk. I run about ten feet of RG-8 to the outside
> where I have my 4:1 balun, and then 110 feet of 450-ohm ladder line to my
> doublet at the other end of my property.
>>
>> Jim / W6JHB
>>
>> Jim Bennett / W6JHB
>> Folsom, CA
>>
>>> On Nov 6, 2014, at 11:32 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> John,
>>>
>>> Use the 15' coax, but make sure it is low loss RG-8 size coax and all
> should be well.
>>> At HF, there will be little loss in that 15' run.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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 Message delivered to
>> [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
> delivered to [hidden email]
>