Re: K4 RX antenna ports

[wayne burdick]

> n6wg <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> There are 5 rx ant ports on the K4, 3 UHF and 2 BNC.  I've seen no mention of how they are to be selected though.  In my imagination, I see pressing the RX ANT button putting a list of up to 5 antennas on the screen.


This is pretty close, Bob. There are actually four antenna controls on the K4:

   ANT (tap)        Selects the transmit antenna (if a KAT4 is installed: ANT 1/2/3)
   REM ANT (hold)   Might be used to control a remote antenna switch, rotator, etc. (future)

   RX ANT (tap)     Selects the main RX antenna (default: TX ANT)
   SUB ANT (hold)   Selects the sub RX antenna (default: TX ANT)

When you tap RX ANT or hold SUB ANT, you'll get a pick list of all available antennas for that receiver. In the case of the K4D or K4HD, you can make independent selections for these, because they both include the diversity option module (with a second ADC, second set of band-pass filters, and separate set of of RX antenna relays).

The default antenna for both receivers is the selected transmit antenna. This means the signal goes through the KAT4 ATU and its antenna switch (ANT 1, 2, 3).

The other possible receive antenna choices are:

   RX ANT 1
   RX ANT 2 (which doubles as XVTR IN)
   Either of the two KAT4 *non-transmit* antennas

ANT 4 is reserved for use with the future VHF/UHF module. The connector could be UHF or N.

73,
Wayne
N6KR
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[HarryW]

Good morning Wayne,

You mention, "(if a KAT4 is installed: ANT 1/2/3). So the KAT 4 is not
included in a K4?

On your K4 page, under "Specs", "Standard Features", you list "KAT4 ATU:
10:1+ range; 3 ant. Jacks".

Your photos all seem to show the KAT 4 installed with no disclaimer about
any accessories being included in the image.

Which is it, included in the K4 or not? BTW, there is at least one other
place in the K4 page that indicates the KAT 4 is included in the K4.

Also, is it true that the K4 has just one receiver?

73,

Harry K1RSA

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2019 11:54 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K4 RX antenna ports

> n6wg <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> There are 5 rx ant ports on the K4, 3 UHF and 2 BNC.  I've seen no mention
of how they are to be selected though.  In my imagination, I see pressing
the RX ANT button putting a list of up to 5 antennas on the screen.


This is pretty close, Bob. There are actually four antenna controls on the
K4:

   ANT (tap)        Selects the transmit antenna (if a KAT4 is installed:
ANT 1/2/3)
   REM ANT (hold)   Might be used to control a remote antenna switch,
rotator, etc. (future)

   RX ANT (tap)     Selects the main RX antenna (default: TX ANT)
   SUB ANT (hold)   Selects the sub RX antenna (default: TX ANT)

When you tap RX ANT or hold SUB ANT, you'll get a pick list of all available
antennas for that receiver. In the case of the K4D or K4HD, you can make
independent selections for these, because they both include the diversity
option module (with a second ADC, second set of band-pass filters, and
separate set of of RX antenna relays).

The default antenna for both receivers is the selected transmit antenna.
This means the signal goes through the KAT4 ATU and its antenna switch (ANT
1, 2, 3).

The other possible receive antenna choices are:

   RX ANT 1
   RX ANT 2 (which doubles as XVTR IN)
   Either of the two KAT4 *non-transmit* antennas

ANT 4 is reserved for use with the future VHF/UHF module. The connector
could be UHF or N.

73,
Wayne
N6KR
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[Jim Miller]

If/when implemented how would the REM ANT control communicate with the controlled device?

73

Jim ab3cv

> On May 28, 2019, at 11:53 PM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>

> n6wg <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> There are 5 rx ant ports on the K4, 3 UHF and 2 BNC.  I've seen no mention of how they are to be selected though.  In my imagination, I see pressing the RX ANT button putting a list of up to 5 antennas on the screen.


This is pretty close, Bob. There are actually four antenna controls on the K4:

  ANT (tap)        Selects the transmit antenna (if a KAT4 is installed: ANT 1/2/3)
  REM ANT (hold)   Might be used to control a remote antenna switch, rotator, etc. (future)

  RX ANT (tap)     Selects the main RX antenna (default: TX ANT)
  SUB ANT (hold)   Selects the sub RX antenna (default: TX ANT)

When you tap RX ANT or hold SUB ANT, you'll get a pick list of all available antennas for that receiver. In the case of the K4D or K4HD, you can make independent selections for these, because they both include the diversity option module (with a second ADC, second set of band-pass filters, and separate set of of RX antenna relays).

The default antenna for both receivers is the selected transmit antenna. This means the signal goes through the KAT4 ATU and its antenna switch (ANT 1, 2, 3).

The other possible receive antenna choices are:

  RX ANT 1
  RX ANT 2 (which doubles as XVTR IN)
  Either of the two KAT4 *non-transmit* antennas

ANT 4 is reserved for use with the future VHF/UHF module. The connector could be UHF or N.

73,
Wayne
N6KR
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[wayne burdick]

> Jim Miller (ab3cv) wrote:
>
> If/when implemented how would the REM ANT control communicate with the controlled device?

Hi Jim,

There are several possibilities: Ethernet, USB, RS232, or indirectly through an attached computer.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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[wayne burdick]

> <[hidden email]> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Your photos all seem to show the KAT 4 installed with no disclaimer about
> any accessories being included in the image.

The KAT4 is an option, as is correctly stated throughout the K4 web page and order forms. This was also made clear at Dayton for those placing an order. But you're right, we need to clarify this in the sales brochure. (I was in a huge hurry trying to get that copy ready in time for the hamvention.)


> Also, is it true that the K4 has just one receiver?

Not true. Even a basic K4 can do dual receive, with identical performance on both receivers, on any two frequencies in the full tuning range (100 kHz - 54 MHz). The two receivers have independent VFO and gain controls, and separate setting of all RX functions including modes, filters, NB, NR, etc. They can even do text decode in two different modes simultaneously, with two separate text-decode windows. The basic K4 can also be set up to display two panadapters (and two high-resolution mini-pans).

The K4D and K4HD add a second ADC and a second full set of band-pass filters to allow for diversity operation. A basic K4 can be upgraded to this configuration at any time, in the field, with no soldering.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


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