[Elecraft] OT question - shorted inductor turns

[Fraser Robertson]

Apologies for this completely OT question, but I know I'll get some good 
answers on here, plus it will make a change from 'where's my K3?'

Someone has just asked me this, and I confess it’s something that’s puzzled 
me before:

In HF ATUs, and high power linears for that matter, it is common practice to 
short out the unwanted turns of an inductor, e.g. in a tapped/switched coil. 
Why does that not have a significant effect on the Q of the coil.  I know it 
would have a detrimental effect in a transformer, so what’s the difference?

I’d be grateful for any comments/pointers.

Thanks / 73 Fraser G4BJM (K2/100 etc.)

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