KAT500 QRP Operation?

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KAT500 QRP Operation?

nz8j
Just looked over the KAT500 manual and it appears from first glance that
it will not operate using a qrp power levels. Given the track record of
the current Elecraft tuners, I was very hopeful that it would so I could
utilize the antenna switching and superior tuning capabilities of the
Elecraft design in an automatic tuner.  Maybe someone in the know can
chime in and give a definitive answer as to if it will operate reliably
using low power in the range of 3 to 4 watts. Keeping my fingers
crossed..  Hi hi  :)
Thanks
Tim
Nz8J
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Re: KAT500 QRP Operation?

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Administrator
Hi Tim,

The frequency counter in the KAT500 should work down below 5W for auto recall of antenna and last tune memory for a frequency. If you teach your KAT500 your antenna set up by tuning it on various frequencies above 10W (>20W is more accurate for best autotuning) it will recall these settings when you run QRP.

73,
Eric
www.elecraft.com
_..._

On Nov 3, 2012, at 8:25 AM, "NZ8J" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just looked over the KAT500 manual and it appears from first glance that
> it will not operate using a qrp power levels. Given the track record of
> the current Elecraft tuners, I was very hopeful that it would so I could
> utilize the antenna switching and superior tuning capabilities of the
> Elecraft design in an automatic tuner.  Maybe someone in the know can
> chime in and give a definitive answer as to if it will operate reliably
> using low power in the range of 3 to 4 watts. Keeping my fingers
> crossed..  Hi hi  :)
> Thanks
> Tim
> Nz8J
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Re: KAT500 QRP Operation?

Rick WA6NHC
In reply to this post by nz8j
The manual states that the KAT500 wants ~20 watts for reliable tuning.   It is designed for QRO power levels.

The Elecraft internal tuner handles the same range of tuning and are more compact stations so they would be wiser choices for QRP only stations.

Rick wa6nhc

Tiny iPhone keypad, sorry for typos

On Nov 3, 2012, at 8:25 AM, "NZ8J" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just looked over the KAT500 manual and it appears from first glance that
> it will not operate using a qrp power levels. Given the track record of
> the current Elecraft tuners, I was very hopeful that it would so I could
> utilize the antenna switching and superior tuning capabilities of the
> Elecraft design in an automatic tuner.  Maybe someone in the know can
> chime in and give a definitive answer as to if it will operate reliably
> using low power in the range of 3 to 4 watts. Keeping my fingers
> crossed..  Hi hi  :)
> Thanks
> Tim
> Nz8J
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Re: KAT500 QRP Operation?

nz8j
In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Thanks Eric, appreciate the additional info, that does give me at least
an option to be able to use it. At the present I do have higher power
available for initial tuning,  but am contemplating going strictly qrp
so that option may not be available if I did depending on the rig of
choice.

I have always been impressed by the K2, K3 and KX3 internal tuners
ability to reliably tune my all band ladder line fed antenna on 160-10
meters and would like the same matching capability in an external tuner
auto tuner. Haven't had much luck in finding an external auto tuner that
would do what the Elecraft internal tuners will do.

In any event Dick suggested the T1 which is not ideal for my particular
operating situation but I may try one to see how well it would work for
a main station tuner which I suspect is outside its intended purpose.

73
Tim
NZ8J

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf
Of Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2012 11:46 AM
To: NZ8J
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 QRP Operation?


Hi Tim,

The frequency counter in the KAT500 should work down below 5W for auto
recall of antenna and last tune memory for a frequency. If you teach
your KAT500 your antenna set up by tuning it on various frequencies
above 10W (>20W is more accurate for best autotuning) it will recall
these settings when you run QRP.

73,
Eric
www.elecraft.com
_..._

On Nov 3, 2012, at 8:25 AM, "NZ8J" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just looked over the KAT500 manual and it appears from first glance
> that it will not operate using a qrp power levels. Given the track
> record of the current Elecraft tuners, I was very hopeful that it
> would so I could utilize the antenna switching and superior tuning
> capabilities of the Elecraft design in an automatic tuner.  Maybe
> someone in the know can chime in and give a definitive answer as to if

> it will operate reliably using low power in the range of 3 to 4 watts.

> Keeping my fingers crossed..  Hi hi  :) Thanks
> Tim
> Nz8J

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Re: KAT500 QRP Operation?

nz8j
In reply to this post by Rick WA6NHC
I agree except if your main station is qrp only and you would still like
to have the functionality of a good external auto tuner,  for example
more antenna switching capabilities and ability to use a  external meter
like a W2 or LP-100, etc.

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Bates [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2012 12:39 PM
To: NZ8J
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 QRP Operation?


The manual states that the KAT500 wants ~20 watts for reliable tuning.
It is designed for QRO power levels.

The Elecraft internal tuner handles the same range of tuning and are
more compact stations so they would be wiser choices for QRP only
stations.

Rick wa6nhc

Tiny iPhone keypad, sorry for typos

On Nov 3, 2012, at 8:25 AM, "NZ8J" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Just looked over the KAT500 manual and it appears from first glance
> that it will not operate using a qrp power levels. Given the track
> record of the current Elecraft tuners, I was very hopeful that it
> would so I could utilize the antenna switching and superior tuning
> capabilities of the Elecraft design in an automatic tuner.  Maybe
> someone in the know can chime in and give a definitive answer as to if

> it will operate reliably using low power in the range of 3 to 4 watts.

> Keeping my fingers crossed..  Hi hi  :) Thanks
> Tim
> Nz8J

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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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