[Elecraft] Product suggestion

[mike]

As I ponder the various ways to have a stealthy antenna installation, an 
idea has occurred to me (once in a blue moon isn't too bad!).  How about 
modifying the existing phenomenal K2 ATU into a stand-alone, remote antenna 
coupler?  This is exactly along the same lines as the model from SGC, just 
QRP, MUCH less expensive and, of course, a kit.

90% of the work is already done as the existing ATU.  Adding an additional 
PIC to actually control it and a weather-proof housing would be the other 
major portions, as my feeble design ideas tell me.  Power could be run down 
the coax, like many existing products currently do.

A device like this would allow a remote, stealth dipole or loop (for 
examples) to be used more efficiently on multiple bands, thus avoiding the 
previous debates over potential inefficiencies of 4:1 baluns, etc.  This 
would also allow a low-loss coax feed to such an antenna, since the rig & 
coax would always see 50 ohms.  This would be a boon in those places where 
balanced feed line is too visible or has to pass large areas of metal.

K2 or K1 rigs with existing internal ATU units could just disable them via 
the menu. A product like this could also obviously be used with ANY rig on 
the market, providing the power limits are observed.

I say, if SGC can do it, why can't Elecraft (only better)?  Is this 
reasonable, and would there be a demand for it?

73,

Mike Boice, KW1ND
Nampa, Idaho


--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/mixed
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
---