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New user - two antenna questions

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Peter W2IRT

New user - two antenna questions

Hello all,
Waiting on my K3s, which will be my first-ever Elecraft product. I’m going through as much documentation as I can but I have a couple of questions at the moment that I’m not seeing any reference to online. I have ordered the ATU module and a the second receiver.

First off, I’m transitioning from a Yaesu Mark V, and I have a K9AY receive loop that’s connected to the radio’s auxiliary antenna port. The Mark-V requires a relay cutoff to protect the front end from the aux-in line when transmitting, which obviously I have installed. Will I need to use this on the K3S, and if so, how does it interface? Or is there built-in protection within the K3S, so that when I’m transmitting at 1500W I won’t risk damage to the front end from the receive antenna?

Second, I have one coax coming in for my HF antennas (and ancillary station equipment), and a second direct coax for my 6m Yagi on a different tower. Is it possible to place the 6m Yagi on ANT-2 and HF system coax on ANT-1, and have the radio switch automatically when I invoke 6m?

---------------------------------------------
73 and Good DX
Peter, W2IRT

Vice President, North Jersey DX Association

DXCC Card Checker
Letter O Manager, ARRL Incoming 2nd District QSL bureau

Lovin' my K3S (S/N 10023)
73, Peter W2IRT

Mike K2MK

Re: New user - two antenna questions

Hi Peter,

You probably will need the protection on the K3 AUX RF input. There is some minimal built in protection in the form of carrier operated relays (COR). You'll see them in the block diagrams at the end of the K3 user manual. But if you hear the relays clicking while transmitting it's suggested that the internal protection might not be sufficient. If you are already using the key out connection on the back of the K3 for an amplifier you can use the auxiliary key out connection in the 15 pin accessory socket. It is a low current output so you might require an additional driver transistor if your current protection device draws high current. Specs are contained in the user manual.

The K3 remembers settings such as ANT1 and ANT2 on a per band basis. So yes, you can have an HF antenna on ANT1 and a 6 meter antenna on ANT2 and not have to worry about pressing any additional buttons when you change bands.

73,
Mike K2MK

Peter W2IRT wrote

Hello all,
Waiting on my K3s, which will be my first-ever Elecraft product. I'm going
through as much documentation as I can but I have a couple of questions at
the moment that I'm not seeing any reference to online. I have ordered the
ATU module and a the second receiver.

First off, I'm transitioning from a Yaesu Mark V, and I have a K9AY receive
loop that's connected to the radio's auxiliary antenna port. The Mark-V
requires a relay cutoff to protect the front end from the aux-in line when
transmitting, which obviously I have installed. Will I need to use this on
the K3S, and if so, how does it interface? Or is there built-in protection
within the K3S, so that when I'm transmitting at 1500W I won't risk damage
to the front end from the receive antenna?

Second, I have one coax coming in for my HF antennas (and ancillary station
equipment), and a second direct coax for my 6m Yagi on a different tower. Is
it possible to place the 6m Yagi on ANT-2 and HF system coax on ANT-1, and
have the radio switch automatically when I invoke 6m?

---------------------------------------------
73 and Good DX
Peter, W2IRT

James Bennett

Re: New user - two antenna questions

Peter,

Another option might be for you to try the Array Solutions product: AS-FEP. This is a small device that is placed between the receive antenna and the rig. It protects the radio’s front end by electronically switching (and very fast) the receive antenna out if it senses too much RF coming in on it. I got one a few weeks ago and it works quite well. I have a ground-mounted multi-band vertical that I use as my receive antenna. My transmit antenna is an all-band wire doublet that is no more than 30 feet from the tip of that vertical. When running my KPA500 at 525+ watts on CW, at 25 WPM, it works perfectly. I no longer hear the K3’s COR’s clicking when I transmit. And it is so fast that I can’t tell it is in the line - the other signals in the receiver’s pass band are still audible between characters. The only thing you need to be cautious of is to never, never transmit through it, as that will release the smoke in it’s internal components!

I believe there are other devices similar to this on the market, but the AS-FEP is highly rated and is only $55USD. I gave it a try and have been very, very happy with it.

73, Jim / W6JHB

> On Sunday, May 24, 2015, at Sunday, 6:22 AM, Mike K2MK <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Peter,
>
> You probably will need the protection on the K3 AUX RF input. There is some
> minimal built in protection in the form of carrier operated relays (COR).
> You'll see them in the block diagrams at the end of the K3 user manual. But
> if you hear the relays clicking while transmitting it's suggested that the
> internal protection might not be sufficient. If you are already using the
> key out connection on the back of the K3 for an amplifier you can use the
> auxiliary key out connection in the 15 pin accessory socket. It is a low
> current output so you might require an additional driver transistor if your
> current protection device draws high current. Specs are contained in the
> user manual.
>
> The K3 remembers settings such as ANT1 and ANT2 on a per band basis. So yes,
> you can have an HF antenna on ANT1 and a 6 meter antenna on ANT2 and not
> have to worry about pressing any additional buttons when you change bands.
>
> 73,
> Mike K2MK
>
>
>
> Peter W2IRT wrote
>> Hello all,
>> Waiting on my K3s, which will be my first-ever Elecraft product. I'm going
>> through as much documentation as I can but I have a couple of questions at
>> the moment that I'm not seeing any reference to online. I have ordered the
>> ATU module and a the second receiver.
>>
>> First off, I'm transitioning from a Yaesu Mark V, and I have a K9AY
>> receive
>> loop that's connected to the radio's auxiliary antenna port. The Mark-V
>> requires a relay cutoff to protect the front end from the aux-in line when
>> transmitting, which obviously I have installed. Will I need to use this on
>> the K3S, and if so, how does it interface? Or is there built-in protection
>> within the K3S, so that when I'm transmitting at 1500W I won't risk damage
>> to the front end from the receive antenna?
>>
>> Second, I have one coax coming in for my HF antennas (and ancillary
>> station
>> equipment), and a second direct coax for my 6m Yagi on a different tower.
>> Is
>> it possible to place the 6m Yagi on ANT-2 and HF system coax on ANT-1, and
>> have the radio switch automatically when I invoke 6m?
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------
>> 73 and Good DX
>> Peter, W2IRT
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS

Re: New user - two antenna questions

In reply to this post by Peter W2IRT

Peter

always protect your ext. antenna input! I can recommend most known unit for LB DXers - the Front End Saver designed and developed by KD9SV years ago.

You do not need going anything to buy. Just put few fast and reliable relays and transistors together into the small box and you are done. It will cost you few bucks only.

Check it here on my blog:
http://ok1rp.blogspot.cz/2015/03/front-end-saver-for-lb-antennas.html?m=1

If you want then I can send You the PCB or you can make your own.

I am using it for several years for all radios incl. K3 and it works like champ.

Good luck,
73 - Petr, OK1RP

73 - Petr, OK1RP
"Apple & Elecraft freak"
B:http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
MeWe: https://bit.ly/2HGPoDx
MeWe: https://bit.ly/2FmwvDt

Peter W2IRT

RE: New user - two antenna questions

Hello Petr,
Thank you for your reply. I actually do have one of these now. My FT-1000MP Mark V requires it, but I wasn’t sure if the K3/K3S had it built in or not. I will just leave it in place.

Thanks again!

----------------------------------------------------

Regards,
Peter Dougherty, W2IRT

DXCC Card Checker/CQ-WAZ Checkpoint

www.facebook.com/W2IRT

From: ok1rp [via Elecraft] [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 8:26 PM
To: Peter W2IRT
Subject: Re: New user - two antenna questions

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Lovin' my K3S (S/N 10023)
73, Peter W2IRT

Amanda25650

Re: New user - two antenna questions

In reply to this post by Peter W2IRT