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Re: [K3] New order, do I need a KAT3

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WE5ST

Re: [K3] New order, do I need a KAT3

The KAT3 is a really good tuner but you won't be running two tuners will you?

On May 13, 2012, at 10:46 PM, Tony BenBrahim <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I am ordering a K3 and was wondering if I need a KAT3, given that I will be
> running an auto tuner at the anternna feed point? Will I bypass it most of
> the time or is there some utility to having it?
>
> Thanks
> Tony (AF5EB, K5DEV after Tuesday)
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Jack - WE5ST

Thomas Horsten

Re: [K3] New order, do I need a KAT3

Hi Tony,

I don't have the ATU in my K3 and I am quite happy without it. I have
mostly resonant antennas (<2.0:1 on the bands I use without ATU) and do
have a manual external tuner that I can put in for the other bands.

If you are using a remote ATU at the antenna feed point there's no need to
have the KAT3 as long as the SWR seen at the rig stays below 2.0:1 (ideally
1.5:1), beyond that the K3 protection circuitry scales back the power.

If you're planning to use the K3 for portable operations then getting the
ATU is probably a good idea. Then you can just hook up any wire antenna,
possibly fed with balanced feeder and a balun, and you'll probably be able
to get a good match on all bands. For that reason, I'm getting the ATU in
my KX3, but I don't think I'll add it to my K3.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 14 May 2012 04:46, Tony BenBrahim <[hidden email]> wrote:

Mike Furrey

Re: [K3] New order, do I need a KAT3

In reply to this post by WE5ST

After I built and used my K3 I wished I had included the tuner. Three
primary reasons: 1) I don't have enough resonant antennas for 160 - 6 (stuff
power into the 160/80 inverted "L" antenna for 30 meters; 2) match the input
of the amp on 12/17 meters; 3) jam power into the 80 meter antenna (cut for
cw) to use it on phone. The extra antenna output is very handy as well as
using the rig portable with wires. I connect the output to a 4:1 balun and
connect that to my 20 meter DEZ. At home I use a LDG tuner that does fine
(not very good on 6) but there sure is a lot of convince to having things in
one box ... less wires ... Kinda like 36" mudders on my jeep, may use 'em
rarely but it sure is nice to you you have it.

73, Mike WA5POK

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Tony BenBrahim" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2012 10:46 PM
To: <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] New order, do I need a KAT3

> Hello,
>
> I am ordering a K3 and was wondering if I need a KAT3, given that I will
> be
> running an auto tuner at the anternna feed point? Will I bypass it most of
> the time or is there some utility to having it?
>
> Thanks
> Tony (AF5EB, K5DEV after Tuesday)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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