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KAT500/KPA500 - Sanity Check Please

Posted by k4vd on Jan 26, 2019; 4:47am
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/KAT500-KPA500-Sanity-Check-Please-tp7648517.html

I'm reading the specifications for the KAT500. Typical matching range from
3-30 MHz is 10:1 SWR for 600 watts.

This means that if the KAT500 utility reports "Bypass VSWR" in excess of
10:1 then the KPA500 should not be set to operate.

I'm running a dipole cut for 80 and fed with 600 ohm ladder line as a
multiband antenna. The BALUN is right outside my window. I have the option
of 1:1, 4:1, 9:1 and 12:1 I think. They are DXE brand. My job then is to
pick the right BALUN to provide <10:1 SWR on the bands of interest. I hoped
this would be at least 80-20 if not 80-10.

Not sure which BALUN is plugged in right now but on 80 meters I'm showing a
bypass VSWR of 12.00 and VSWR of 1.6:1. This means I cannot use the KPA500
on 80 regardless of the good match the KAT500 provided.

Should the key line cables from the KAT500 to the KPA500 and the rig (using
a Flex) prevent keying the amp if the SWR exceeds 10:1 automatically?

If I want better than that then I have to find another antenna tuner with a
wider SWR range at  600 watts or a different antenna?

Can anyone guess at the matching range of the KAT500 at 100W?

The thing is... I think I have a dead amp.

Kev K4VD
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