[KAT500] Tune operation question

Posted by W5UXH on Sep 19, 2013; 5:24pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/KAT500-Tune-operation-question-tp7579061.html

Apparently my subscription to the mailman list got lost, so this is a second attempt to get this query out there:

First, the Rev C. manual says the following:

The Elecraft KPA500 is designed to have its key line switched to disable or enable the amplifier even
while it is producing full RF power, but many other amplifiers may be damaged doing that. To protect
those amplifiers, the KPA500 is supplied configured so that the key line will not be switched if more than
29 watts of RF power is present.

I am guessing this paragraph should say "the KAT500 is supplied configured....."?

I am getting close to ordering the KPA500 and KAT500 to go with my K3/100 and the tuning process is not clear in my old brain yet.  The manual states:

A tune operation begins when RF power between 10 and 100 watts is applied and the SWR is above the
tuning threshold in AUTO mode, or when the TUNE switch is tapped in either AUTO or MAN modes.

I am not able to fully grasp how this all works.  Part of my confusion is the upper limit of 100 watts.  Typically I will run the amp at more than 100 watts driving into the tuner.  What am I missing?  I hope tuning is automated such that all I have to do is key down shortly (a dash at 30 wpm I think I read somewhere) and the tuner will kick the amp offline if retuning is needed, do the tuning, and kick the amp back online.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Chuck, W5UXH