http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/KPA500-and-KAT500-Ports-tp6574422p6580244.html
> Eric,
>
> To be totally versatile, I would think two antennas per band would have
> to be available - and that means a total capability of 18 selections.
> Yes, the band/antenna should be controlled by the K3, and a 9 position
> remote switch on each of the KAT500 outputs should serve any need (a
> maximum of 2 antennas per band).
>
> That is a lot of connectors, but might be properly addressed by offering
> 4 outputs for each KAT500 output (8 total) that the user could configure
> for the bands desired - similar to the KRC2 configurator application.
> For those who need more, offer an additional 5 x 2 outputs as an option.
>
> In my particular case, I have 8 feelines that would have to be handled.
> 1 for 160/80/40, another for 80/40. 1 for 60 meters, one for a 20/15/10
> meter dipole, one for a 20/15/10 meter beam, one for 30/17/12 meter
> dipole, one for an 80 through 10m vertical, and one for a 6 meter beam.
>
> So just looking at the combinations and permutations, I would need to
> configure each KAT500/SW output for the particular combination of bands
> it would be used for, and my needs would likely not match those of
> anyone else, so configuration of the bands active for any one output
> connector would be needed.
>
> I have tried arranging my switching automatically, and have given up
> because it does not cover all situations I want. To make matters more
> complex, I want to switch those feedlines to one of 3 transceivers in
> the shack, and so I have 4 feedlines for 160 through 6 meters coming
> into the shack to make that possible.
>
> Good luck on satisfying even a majority with any one given solution
> unless each output is configurable for any combination of bands.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/13/2011 2:13 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
>> I'd like to redirect this discussion to what is be desired for an
>> external antenna / rig switching add-on box for the K3/KPA500 and/or
>> KAT500. This question may have been missed in my original posting (below).
>>
>> From that posting:
>>
>> A much better solution for those needing more than two auto-selected
>> antennas is to use an external relay switch box, controlled by the
>> radio. This has the advantage of getting the cables, clutter, and
>> switching network off the desktop and either under the table or outside.
>>
>> There are certainly a number of external antenna switches out there that
>> can do this, but if we offered something that was tightly integrated
>> with the K3 (and KPA500/KAT500) as a product, what features would be
>> desirable? (Number of antennas, rigs inputs, switching options etc.)
>>
>> 73, Eric WA6HHQ
>>
>> ---
>>
>> www.elecraft.com
>>
>>
>> On 7/12/2011 3:34 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
>>> Hi Gary,
>>>
>>> Having 4-5 RG8 antenna cables, plus the input cable, hanging out the
>>> back of the desktop ATU is both likely to pull the ATU off the desk, and
>>> will easily not fit in the box size we are planning. It also adds a lot
>>> of complexity and cost to the basic ATU in order to accommodate more
>>> connections with the needed isolation etc. We certainly do not want to
>>> price the ATU out of the range of most hams, or make it too large.
>>>
>>> Many of us use manual or automatic switches external to the amp / tuner
>>> to provide these functions.
>>>
>>> A much better solution for those needing more than two auto-selected
>>> antennas is to use an external relay switch box, controlled by the
>>> radio. This has the advantage of getting the cables, clutter, and
>>> switching network off the desktop and either under the table or outside.
>>> There are certainly a number of external antenna switches out there that
>>> can do this, but if we offered something that was tightly integrated
>>> with the K3 (and KPA500/KAT500) as a product, what features would be
>>> desirable? (Number of antennas, rigs inputs, switching options etc.)
>>>
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