[Elecraft] K3 - Interface to MFJ 998 Auto Tuner

[Jerry Flanders]

At 12:26 PM 7/1/2008, Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
>I use my K3 with a MFJ-998 and Ameritron ALS-600.  The K3 doesn't 
>have an input YET that puts it in the low power CW tune mode.  I 
>understand this is planned.  Once this happens it will be easy to 
>make an interface cable from the MFJ-998 to the K3.  Currently I 
>just feed the K3 amp-key output through the MFJ-998, and I leave the 
>MFJ-998 in the full auto-tune mode.  When I change bands or 
>antennas, I just hit the TUNE button on the K3.  If the SWR is 
>greater than 2:1, the MFJ-998 takes the ALS-600 off-line, tunes, and 
>then puts the ALS-600 back on-line.
>
>The amp-bypass feature of the MFJ-998 really works well.
>
>Phil - AD5X
>_____________________

Pin 4 of the aux i/o connector is a PTT line, in parallel with the 
mike PTT. If the radio is in any of the continuous modes like FSK 
RTTY just keying that line makes the K3 output a signal. I have wired 
it up to my Quadra so the Quadra can key up the K3 for antenna 
tuning. Works automatically for me, since I am usually in FSK RTTY 
mode at approximately the right power level needed, but others need 
something like the ICOM rigs provide.

Jerry W4UK