[Elecraft] KAT 2

[Don Nesbitt]

Hi Jerry -

First:  if the WM-2 is between the K2 and the antenna, the results of the 
KAT2 matching the K2 to the antenna will NOT show up on the WM-2!  Why? 
Because the WM-2 would have to be located INSIDE the K2 between the output 
of the final transistors and the input to the KAT2 - and - it isn't!

But - when you use the T1, you likely do have the WM-2 between the rig (K2 
or Yaesu) and the T1 - so - as the T1 matches to the antenna, the results DO 
show up on the MW-2!

Pictorial view follows: (bad but you may get the idea).  If indeed the 
following lineup is what you have, NO amount of matching accomplished by the 
internal KAT2 will result in a change in the reading on the WM-2.  If the 
antenna presents a high SWR, the WM-2 will show a high SWR  even though the 
internal KAT2 will have matched to it!

K2 & KAT2 (that is all inside the K2 - now we are going outside the K2) => 
Coax => WM-2 => Antenna

The real question is in the lineup shown above what does the K2 with the 
KAT2 show for the resulting SWR?

Now - with the 817 here is what you likely have:

817 => coax => WM-2 => coax => T1 => antenna

Since the WM-2 is now BETWEEN the rig output and matching unit (in this case 
the T1) it WILL show the results of the match obtained.

Just another thought on the procedure you described:

Once you switch to the correct ANT, you don't "double" push the button, 
(that will switch back to the opposite antenna connection that is probably 
not connected to anything!) - you just push it in and hold it for a second 
or two.

You may be inadvertently switching to an unused ANT position before you are 
holding the button in for the antenna matcher to tune.

Have fun es gud dxing -- Don N4HH


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "nr5a" <nr5a at rap.midco.net>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 10:17 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] KAT 2


> Ok, yes, I'm stupid, no I can't follow directions or understand them, I 
> need them on pre-school level I guess. I had my A ver, K2 brought up to a 
> B version, just got the K2 back today with all the upgrades. 160m module, 
> KNB 2, and KAT 2 amoung the other stuff.
>
> I'm sitting here, I hit the Menu button. Next I rotate the main tuning 
> knob to ATU  AUTO just like the instructions say.
>
> A fast push on the Menu button again returns the K2 to freq readout as it 
> should be. 7040
>
> I've got the power output knob set to the 2nd dot turning it clockwise 
> wattmeter on K2 says 2.5watts.
>
> I tap the ANT 1/2 button and I can see it go from ANT 2 to ANT 1, I assume 
> its on ANT 1 because no lil down arrows are on ANT 2.
>
> Next I hit the ANT 1/2 button and hold it in a few seconds, I hear the 
> rattling of relays. I watch the WM-2 wattmeter I always keep inline. The 
> rattling stops, the cw tone stops, and the SWR is pegged, both in Ref and 
> Fwr positions. What am I doing wrong???
>
> I have the directions open to page 18 and am following the Basic ATU 
> Operation (auto mode) step by step, or so I thought, What am I not doing?
> I'm trying to tune back on 7040 and only hear static. There is a big 
> difference between Ant 1 and Ant 2 in noise level. Ant 1 is where the 
> noise is but no signals coming thru.
>
> Its not my antenna, a hour ago using my FT-817 thru a T-1 tuner I was 
> tuned up on 40m. I used the K2 thru the T-1 before the conversion, and it 
> worked great. The antenna is a 22ft vert gnd mounted with 14 radials.
>
> So can anyone see what I'm doing wrong?? And explain it to me so I can 
> understand it, remember your talking to a very frustrated stupid person.
>
> Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota