Elecraft

Tuner

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NK7Z

Tuner

Hi all,

I am considering the Elecraft KAT500K tuner for my station... I run
around 1K to 1.5K for SSB, and 500 to 750 for RTTY/Digital.

Is this pushing the Elecraft too far?

I am looking at an LDG AT-1000 PROII, and the Elecraft KAT500K right now
as the two possible candidates. Palstar would be nice, but too
expensive. Any other suggestions?

Looking for general input and want your feelings if you have used both,
or thoughts you might have on the two as a comparison point prior to
purchase.

--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Tuner

David,

It all depends on the SWR the tuner has to handle rather than the mode.
If you look at the specifications you will find that the KAT500 will
handle 1000 watts over a 3:1 SWR range (600 watts over a 10:1 SWR range)
- and that is from 3 to 30 MHz. At the 1.8 to 2 MHz frequency range,
the 600 watt level is reduced to a 5:1 SWR for low impedances (still
10:1 for high impedances). At 1000 watts the rating is still for a 3:1
SWR over an impedance range of 16 to 150 ohms.

So the real answer depends on your required antenna tuning range. Will
it work at levels exceeding the specifications? It may, but it may
exceed the maximum voltage of the capacitors and/or the maximum current
of the inductors. In other words, operation beyond the limits of the
specifications is at your own peril.

Examine the impedance of your antennas and then you can determine the
answer for your station.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/17/2014 9:14 AM, David Cole wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I am considering the Elecraft KAT500K tuner for my station... I run
> around 1K to 1.5K for SSB, and 500 to 750 for RTTY/Digital.
>
> Is this pushing the Elecraft too far?
>
> I am looking at an LDG AT-1000 PROII, and the Elecraft KAT500K right now
> as the two possible candidates. Palstar would be nice, but too
> expensive. Any other suggestions?
>
> Looking for general input and want your feelings if you have used both,
> or thoughts you might have on the two as a comparison point prior to
> purchase.
>

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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Tuner

In reply to this post by NK7Z

What antenna will you be using, David?

Phil W7OX

On 11/17/14 6:14 AM, David Cole wrote:

Jim Brown-10

Re: Tuner

In reply to this post by NK7Z

On Mon,11/17/2014 6:14 AM, David Cole wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I am considering the Elecraft KAT500K tuner for my station... I run
> around 1K to 1.5K for SSB, and 500 to 750 for RTTY/Digital.
>
> Is this pushing the Elecraft too far?

I'm using a pair in my SO2R station that I run legal limit. My antennas
are all fairly well matched. When the KAT500 doesn't like the load or
the power, it faults to protect itself. If you're a reasonably
technical guy who won't expect the tuner to do things it cannot do, I
think you'll be very happy. I am. As Don has said, it won't let you run
high power to a badly matched load.

The KAT500 has three outputs, and the firmware remembers settings for
each on each band (and even multiple frequencies on a band). Like the
KPA500 (which I use when not contesting), all it takes is a dit or a
bang on the mic to change bands and recall settings. I use no band data
for either unit, and only PTT for the KPA.

73, Jim K9YC

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NK7Z

Re: Tuner

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Hi Phil,
I will be using a vertical, and I have decided to get the LDG... Thanks
for the thought sir!!!
--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Mon, 2014-11-17 at 07:57 -0800, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> What antenna will you be using, David?
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 11/17/14 6:14 AM, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I am considering the Elecraft KAT500K tuner for my station... I run
> > around 1K to 1.5K for SSB, and 500 to 750 for RTTY/Digital.
> >
> > Is this pushing the Elecraft too far?
> >
> > I am looking at an LDG AT-1000 PROII, and the Elecraft KAT500K right now
> > as the two possible candidates. Palstar would be nice, but too
> > expensive. Any other suggestions?
> >
> > Looking for general input and want your feelings if you have used both,
> > or thoughts you might have on the two as a comparison point prior to
> > purchase.
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

NK7Z

Re: Tuner

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the info... I will be getting an amp from Elecraft if they
ever come out with a 1K job, and buy the tuner then... THANK YOU!
--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Mon, 2014-11-17 at 10:28 -0800, Jim Brown wrote:

> On Mon,11/17/2014 6:14 AM, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I am considering the Elecraft KAT500K tuner for my station... I run
> > around 1K to 1.5K for SSB, and 500 to 750 for RTTY/Digital.
> >
> > Is this pushing the Elecraft too far?
>
> I'm using a pair in my SO2R station that I run legal limit. My antennas
> are all fairly well matched. When the KAT500 doesn't like the load or
> the power, it faults to protect itself. If you're a reasonably
> technical guy who won't expect the tuner to do things it cannot do, I
> think you'll be very happy. I am. As Don has said, it won't let you run
> high power to a badly matched load.
>
> The KAT500 has three outputs, and the firmware remembers settings for
> each on each band (and even multiple frequencies on a band). Like the
> KPA500 (which I use when not contesting), all it takes is a dit or a
> bang on the mic to change bands and recall settings. I use no band data
> for either unit, and only PTT for the KPA.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]