Use of MFJ ATU on the KX3

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Use of MFJ ATU on the KX3

john daws
Just a query about the use of the MFJ 971 portable tuner with my KX3 (fitted
with automatic ATU)

 

The twin feeder from the doublet goes into the back of the MFJ which is then
attached via coax patch lead to the KX3

 

I can bypass the Auto ATU fitted on the  KX3 menu and manually tune the MFJ
or

 

Simply auto tune for each band on the KX3 ignoring the scary looking needle
readings on the MFJ!

 

I trust the KX3 more

 

Any advice?

 

John 2E0XET/M6KET

 

PS only running 10/15 watts at the most

 

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Re: Use of MFJ ATU on the KX3

Don Wilhelm
John,

Yes, I would trust the KX3 more.  The KXAT3 can match an SWR up to 10:1
- it is truly a wide range tuner.

Use a balun instead of the MFJ-971 to transition from coax to your twin
feeder doublet.  A balun like the Elecraft BL2 provides a choice of 1:1
or 4:1 ratio.

Do not be mislead by those who believe you need to match the
characteristic impedance of the feedline - that is just misleading.
Instead, you need to match the impedance presented by the twin feeder at
the shack location, and that can vary from very low to very high
depending on the radiator length, the feedline length and the frequency
of operation.

If you have trouble matching on some bands, try adding or subtracting a
1/8 wavelength of feedline for the lowest band you have trouble with.

The use of 2 tuners in-line will cause additional loss.  Any antenna
matching device has some loss - using 2 in-line will double that loss.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 4/28/2018 6:04 AM, John Daws wrote:
> Just a query about the use of the MFJ 971 portable tuner with my KX3 (fitted
> with automatic ATU)

> The twin feeder from the doublet goes into the back of the MFJ which is then
> attached via coax patch lead to the KX3
>
> I can bypass the Auto ATU fitted on the  KX3 menu and manually tune the MFJ
> or
>
> Simply auto tune for each band on the KX3 ignoring the scary looking needle
> readings on the MFJ!
>
> I trust the KX3 more
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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