Wish I had a KAT1500

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
13 messages Options
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Wish I had a KAT1500

Vic Rosenthal
I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil and
capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine; but it
requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is something
that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick, trouble-free, and good
for a 10:1 SWR on HF.

Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.

If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy one.
--
73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Don Wilhelm
Vic,

 From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at an
SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can handle.
At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500 will tune a
10:1 SWR.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil and
> capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine; but it
> requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is something
> that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick, trouble-free, and good
> for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>
> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>
> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy one.
______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Bob McGraw - K4TAX
 From the KAT500 manual:

3 - 30 MHz 1000 W into 16 ohms to 150 ohms (3:1 SWR)

1.8 - 2 MHz 600 W into 10 ohms to 500 ohms(5:1 Low Impedance, 10:1 High
Impedance SWR)

30 - 60 MHz 500 W into 5:1 SWR (10 ohms to 250 ohms)

  "The cabling diagrams show how to use the KAT500 with any transceiver
and amplifier in the 10 to 1000 watt output range."

I find with mine, in some cases the ATU will resolve a match at 20
watts, but at 500 watts it goes into a FAULT mode.  This indicates power
must be reduced to prevent damage as the SWR being resolved is outside
of the power range of the tuner.

In all aspects, with the KPA500 and my antennas, it provides outstanding
performance.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 11/27/2018 10:39 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Vic,
>
> From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at an
> SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can handle.
> At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500 will tune a
> 10:1 SWR.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil
>> and capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine;
>> but it requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is
>> something that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick,
>> trouble-free, and good for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>>
>> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>>
>> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy
>> one.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>


______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Vic Rosenthal
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm
My somewhat unique antenna system presents SWRs up to about 8:1 on some
bands, so this would be kind of limiting.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
On 27/11/2018 18:39, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Vic,
>
>  From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at an
> SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can handle.
> At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500 will tune a
> 10:1 SWR.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil and
>> capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine; but it
>> requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is something
>> that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick, trouble-free, and good
>> for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>>
>> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>>
>> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy
>> one.
______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Bill K9YEQ
If you manually tune at low power first, then there should rarely be an  issue.  Frequency hopping with the segments memorized should yield good results as well.  If there are changes in the antenna due to wind, moisture, reaction to other materials, etc., then one can expect the tuning to need adjustment even if recently tuned.  

As you probably know, there is more to tuning than just an SWR reading. I do not hesitate running my KPA1500 into 1.7 to 1 as indicated on my W2 without retuning.  

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

https://wrj-tech.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:43 PM
To: [hidden email]; Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500

My somewhat unique antenna system presents SWRs up to about 8:1 on some bands, so this would be kind of limiting.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
On 27/11/2018 18:39, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Vic,
>
>  From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at an
> SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can handle.
> At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500 will tune a
> 10:1 SWR.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil
>> and capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine;
>> but it requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is
>> something that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick,
>> trouble-free, and good for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>>
>> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>>
>> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy
>> one.
______________________________________________________________
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]
______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Vic Rosenthal
I would worry about exceeding voltage ratings on capacitors even if it
was pre-tuned. I believe in judiciously exceeding ratings of
conservatively rated devices, but this doesn't seem "judicious!"

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 27/11/2018 21:53, Bill Johnson wrote:

> If you manually tune at low power first, then there should rarely be
> an  issue.  Frequency hopping with the segments memorized should
> yield good results as well.  If there are changes in the antenna due
> to wind, moisture, reaction to other materials, etc., then one can
> expect the tuning to need adjustment even if recently tuned.
>
> As you probably know, there is more to tuning than just an SWR
> reading. I do not hesitate running my KPA1500 into 1.7 to 1 as
> indicated on my W2 without retuning.
>
> 73, Bill K9YEQ
>
> https://wrj-tech.com/
>
> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
> 4X6GP Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:43 PM To:
> [hidden email]; Elecraft Reflector
> <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a
> KAT1500
>
> My somewhat unique antenna system presents SWRs up to about 8:1 on
> some bands, so this would be kind of limiting.
>
> 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel Formerly K2VCO CWops no. 5
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 27/11/2018 18:39, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Vic,
>>
>> From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at
>> an SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can
>> handle. At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500
>> will tune a 10:1 SWR.
>>
>> 73, Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>>> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a
>>> coil and capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works,
>>> it's fine; but it requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling.
>>> What I need is something that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3;
>>> quick, trouble-free, and good for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>>>
>>> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>>>
>>> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd
>>> buy one.
______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Peter W2IRT
In reply to this post by Vic Rosenthal
I agree, Victor!

I have a newer HF-Auto which is even more problematic than the AT-Auto. The
issues for me are 40 and 80. I have a shorty forty Yagi, with about 175 kHz
between the 2:1 points. Since I normally operate in the bottom end of the
band (CW and occasionally FT8) I set the resonant point around 7040, which
makes it usable all the way to the bottom of the phone band. But on phone,
the SWR varies from 2:1 at 7128 to about 8:1 at 7300. It's equally
problematic on 80 (resonant 3575, 3:1 points 3500 to 3675 to make the
KPA-1500 happy). Above 40, and 160m, my antennas are resonant. I'd pay
anything for an auto-tuner that can handle full power, works properly every
time and uses band data, rather than RF sensing (which is how the HF-Auto
works).

I don't have a tower that can handle a full-size/full-bandwidth 40m Yagi as
well as everything else I need up there, so I'm reliant on a tuner to make
things usable.

I remote in to my station once in a while, and I'm at a big disadvantage on
40 when I need to go on phone. I'm almost never on 80 phone (except for two
contest weekends a year) so that's not a big problem.

I can't believe that nobody in the ham community has come out with a
5kW-rated 10:1 fully automatic tuner, with everything else that's been done
lately.

----------------------------------------------------
Regards,
Peter Dougherty, W2IRT
DXCC Card Checker/CQ-WAZ Checkpoint

www.facebook.com/W2IRT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
4X6GP
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:32 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500

I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil and
capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine; but it
requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is something
that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick, trouble-free, and good
for a 10:1 SWR on HF.

Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.

If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy one.
--
73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
______________________________________________________________
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]

______________________________________________________________
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]
Lovin' my K3S (S/N 10023)
73, Peter W2IRT
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Ed Pflueger
Ten Tec made the 253 automatic tuner and a friend of mine bought his in 1988
or so and still uses it daily with his Orion II and 425 Titan.

Ed.. AB4IQ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Peter Dougherty
(W2IRT)
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 6:40 PM
To: 'Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP' <[hidden email]>; 'Elecraft Reflector'
<[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500

I agree, Victor!

I have a newer HF-Auto which is even more problematic than the AT-Auto. The
issues for me are 40 and 80. I have a shorty forty Yagi, with about 175 kHz
between the 2:1 points. Since I normally operate in the bottom end of the
band (CW and occasionally FT8) I set the resonant point around 7040, which
makes it usable all the way to the bottom of the phone band. But on phone,
the SWR varies from 2:1 at 7128 to about 8:1 at 7300. It's equally
problematic on 80 (resonant 3575, 3:1 points 3500 to 3675 to make the
KPA-1500 happy). Above 40, and 160m, my antennas are resonant. I'd pay
anything for an auto-tuner that can handle full power, works properly every
time and uses band data, rather than RF sensing (which is how the HF-Auto
works).

I don't have a tower that can handle a full-size/full-bandwidth 40m Yagi as
well as everything else I need up there, so I'm reliant on a tuner to make
things usable.

I remote in to my station once in a while, and I'm at a big disadvantage on
40 when I need to go on phone. I'm almost never on 80 phone (except for two
contest weekends a year) so that's not a big problem.

I can't believe that nobody in the ham community has come out with a
5kW-rated 10:1 fully automatic tuner, with everything else that's been done
lately.

----------------------------------------------------
Regards,
Peter Dougherty, W2IRT
DXCC Card Checker/CQ-WAZ Checkpoint

www.facebook.com/W2IRT

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
4X6GP
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:32 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500

I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil and
capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine; but it
requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is something that
works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick, trouble-free, and good for a 10:1
SWR on HF.

Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.

If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy one.
--
73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
______________________________________________________________
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]

______________________________________________________________
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]

______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Bob McGraw - K4TAX
Sold new in 1988 for $995.  Used market today about $450 to $650
depending on condition.  Rated at 2KW with 10:1 SWR 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 11/27/2018 7:21 PM, AB4IQ wrote:

> Ten Tec made the 253 automatic tuner and a friend of mine bought his in 1988
> or so and still uses it daily with his Orion II and 425 Titan.
>
> Ed.. AB4IQ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Peter Dougherty
> (W2IRT)
> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 6:40 PM
> To: 'Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP' <[hidden email]>; 'Elecraft Reflector'
> <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500
>
> I agree, Victor!
>
> I have a newer HF-Auto which is even more problematic than the AT-Auto. The
> issues for me are 40 and 80. I have a shorty forty Yagi, with about 175 kHz
> between the 2:1 points. Since I normally operate in the bottom end of the
> band (CW and occasionally FT8) I set the resonant point around 7040, which
> makes it usable all the way to the bottom of the phone band. But on phone,
> the SWR varies from 2:1 at 7128 to about 8:1 at 7300. It's equally
> problematic on 80 (resonant 3575, 3:1 points 3500 to 3675 to make the
> KPA-1500 happy). Above 40, and 160m, my antennas are resonant. I'd pay
> anything for an auto-tuner that can handle full power, works properly every
> time and uses band data, rather than RF sensing (which is how the HF-Auto
> works).
>
> I don't have a tower that can handle a full-size/full-bandwidth 40m Yagi as
> well as everything else I need up there, so I'm reliant on a tuner to make
> things usable.
>
> I remote in to my station once in a while, and I'm at a big disadvantage on
> 40 when I need to go on phone. I'm almost never on 80 phone (except for two
> contest weekends a year) so that's not a big problem.
>
> I can't believe that nobody in the ham community has come out with a
> 5kW-rated 10:1 fully automatic tuner, with everything else that's been done
> lately.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Regards,
> Peter Dougherty, W2IRT
> DXCC Card Checker/CQ-WAZ Checkpoint
>
> www.facebook.com/W2IRT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
> 4X6GP
> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:32 AM
> To: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500
>
> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a coil and
> capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works, it's fine; but it
> requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling. What I need is something that
> works as well as the KAT3 in my K3; quick, trouble-free, and good for a 10:1
> SWR on HF.
>
> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>
> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd buy one.
> --
> 73,
> Victor, 4X6GP
> Rehovot, Israel
> Formerly K2VCO
> CWops no. 5
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>


______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Ignacy
Try MFJ-998. It matches my 80m flattop fed by ladderline on 160, 80 and 40m
(high impedance full wave) using 1:1 balun.  I use it for 40 and 80m running
at 1.5 KW level. It had a number of small problems but no problems with
relays/caps/inductors.

When everything is set up well, it recalls old setting in a  fraction of a
second. It has output for 2 antennas. When each antenna is prematched, once
you change frequency with antenna A and the switch to B, it is automatically
matched as well.
Ignacy, NO9E



--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Administrator
In reply to this post by Vic Rosenthal
Folks - If the untuned SWR presented to the KAT500 is above 3:1 or so at a KW
and above, it will automatically go into bypass to protect its components.

Eric
/elecraft.com/

On 11/27/2018 12:15 PM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:

> I would worry about exceeding voltage ratings on capacitors even if it was
> pre-tuned. I believe in judiciously exceeding ratings of conservatively rated
> devices, but this doesn't seem "judicious!"
>
> 73,
> Victor, 4X6GP
> Rehovot, Israel
> Formerly K2VCO
> CWops no. 5
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
>
> On 27/11/2018 21:53, Bill Johnson wrote:
>> If you manually tune at low power first, then there should rarely be
>> an  issue.  Frequency hopping with the segments memorized should
>> yield good results as well.  If there are changes in the antenna due
>> to wind, moisture, reaction to other materials, etc., then one can
>> expect the tuning to need adjustment even if recently tuned.
>>
>> As you probably know, there is more to tuning than just an SWR
>> reading. I do not hesitate running my KPA1500 into 1.7 to 1 as
>> indicated on my W2 without retuning.
>>
>> 73, Bill K9YEQ
>>
>> https://wrj-tech.com/
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
>> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
>> 4X6GP Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:43 PM To:
>> [hidden email]; Elecraft Reflector
>> <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a
>> KAT1500
>>
>> My somewhat unique antenna system presents SWRs up to about 8:1 on
>> some bands, so this would be kind of limiting.
>>
>> 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel Formerly K2VCO CWops no. 5
>> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 27/11/2018 18:39, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>> Vic,
>>>
>>> From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at
>>> an SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can
>>> handle. At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500
>>> will tune a 10:1 SWR.
>>>
>>> 73, Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>>>> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a
>>>> coil and capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works,
>>>> it's fine; but it requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling.
>>>> What I need is something that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3;
>>>> quick, trouble-free, and good for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>>>>
>>>> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>>>>
>>>> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd
>>>> buy one.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Bill K9YEQ
And a poor antenna system cannot be "fixed" by any a antenna tuner, especially an  automatic one.  Good luck turning manually.  Even AI cannot fix Imbecilic antennas!

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

________________________________
From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2018 4:09:05 PM
To: Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP; Bill Johnson; [hidden email]; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500

Folks - If the untuned SWR presented to the KAT500 is above 3:1 or so at a KW and above, it will automatically go into bypass to protect its components.

Eric
elecraft.com

On 11/27/2018 12:15 PM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
I would worry about exceeding voltage ratings on capacitors even if it was pre-tuned. I believe in judiciously exceeding ratings of conservatively rated devices, but this doesn't seem "judicious!"

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 27/11/2018 21:53, Bill Johnson wrote:
If you manually tune at low power first, then there should rarely be
an  issue.  Frequency hopping with the segments memorized should
yield good results as well.  If there are changes in the antenna due
to wind, moisture, reaction to other materials, etc., then one can
expect the tuning to need adjustment even if recently tuned.

As you probably know, there is more to tuning than just an SWR
reading. I do not hesitate running my KPA1500 into 1.7 to 1 as
indicated on my W2 without retuning.

73, Bill K9YEQ

https://wrj-tech.com/

-----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
<[hidden email]><mailto:[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
4X6GP Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:43 PM To:
[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>; Elecraft Reflector
<[hidden email]><mailto:[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a
KAT1500

My somewhat unique antenna system presents SWRs up to about 8:1 on
some bands, so this would be kind of limiting.

73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel Formerly K2VCO CWops no. 5 http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 27/11/2018 18:39, Don Wilhelm wrote:
Vic,

From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at
an SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can
handle. At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500
will tune a 10:1 SWR.

73, Don W3FPR

On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a
coil and capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works,
it's fine; but it requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling.
What I need is something that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3;
quick, trouble-free, and good for a 10:1 SWR on HF.

Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.

If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd
buy one.
______________________________________________________________
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]<mailto:[hidden email]>

______________________________________________________________
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]
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Wish I had a KAT1500

Don Wilhelm
Bill,

While it is true what you said, the KAT500 or ATU in the KPA1500 will
generally do a good job.

The tuner should be "trained" to the antenna(s) in AUTO and then placed
in MAN for operation.
That will prevent the ATU from attempting to tune when it falsely
detects a high SWR - usually only happens with SSB operation, or
frequency sensing of a frequency where the ATU has not been "trained" to
store the L/C values appropriate to the antenna selected.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/29/2018 9:16 PM, Bill Johnson wrote:

> And a poor antenna system cannot be "fixed" by any a antenna tuner,
> especially an  automatic one.  Good luck turning manually.  Even AI
> cannot fix Imbecilic antennas!
>
> 73,
> Bill
> K9YEQ
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft <[hidden email]>
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 29, 2018 4:09:05 PM
> *To:* Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP; Bill Johnson; [hidden email];
> Elecraft Reflector
> *Subject:* Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a KAT1500
> Folks - If the untuned SWR presented to the KAT500 is above 3:1 or so
> at a KW and above, it will automatically go into bypass to protect its
> components.
>
> Eric
> /elecraft.com/
>
> On 11/27/2018 12:15 PM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>> I would worry about exceeding voltage ratings on capacitors even if
>> it was pre-tuned. I believe in judiciously exceeding ratings of
>> conservatively rated devices, but this doesn't seem "judicious!"
>>
>> 73,
>> Victor, 4X6GP
>> Rehovot, Israel
>> Formerly K2VCO
>> CWops no. 5
>> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
>>
>> On 27/11/2018 21:53, Bill Johnson wrote:
>>> If you manually tune at low power first, then there should rarely be
>>> an  issue.  Frequency hopping with the segments memorized should
>>> yield good results as well.  If there are changes in the antenna due
>>> to wind, moisture, reaction to other materials, etc., then one can
>>> expect the tuning to need adjustment even if recently tuned.
>>>
>>> As you probably know, there is more to tuning than just an SWR
>>> reading. I do not hesitate running my KPA1500 into 1.7 to 1 as
>>> indicated on my W2 without retuning.
>>>
>>> 73, Bill K9YEQ
>>>
>>> https://wrj-tech.com/
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email]
>>> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
>>> 4X6GP Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:43 PM To:
>>> [hidden email]; Elecraft Reflector
>>> <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Wish I had a
>>> KAT1500
>>>
>>> My somewhat unique antenna system presents SWRs up to about 8:1 on
>>> some bands, so this would be kind of limiting.
>>>
>>> 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel Formerly K2VCO CWops no. 5
>>> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 27/11/2018 18:39, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>>> Vic,
>>>>
>>>> >From what I have heard, the KAT500 will handle 1500 watts, but at
>>>> an SWR of only 3:1 - that is the same as the ATU in the KPA1500 can
>>>> handle. At lower power (its rated power of 500 watts) the KPA500
>>>> will tune a 10:1 SWR.
>>>>
>>>> 73, Don W3FPR
>>>>
>>>> On 11/27/2018 10:32 AM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
>>>>> I am using an older Palstar AT-Auto automatic tuner. It has a
>>>>> coil and capacitor operated by stepper motors. When it works,
>>>>> it's fine; but it requires a lot of maintenance and fiddling.
>>>>> What I need is something that works as well as the KAT3 in my K3;
>>>>> quick, trouble-free, and good for a 10:1 SWR on HF.
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh yes, it has to handle 1.5 kW, too.
>>>>>
>>>>> If Elecraft would beef up the KAT500 to meet the above specs, I'd
>>>>> buy one.
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>

______________________________________________________________
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]