[Elecraft] Re: k3 SWR readings seem generous

[Don Wilhelm]

Phil,

It is perfectly OK to do that, but I believe you are being more 
conservative than necessary.  The KAT3 is designed to 'take it' and the 
PAs of the K3 (either high power or low power) are also - if that were 
not the case, there would be a big warning statement in the manual.

In general, Elecraft designs are on the conservative side and will 
withstand normal operating without stress.

73,
Don W3FPR

Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> "There is a huge electrical difference between switching an additional
> inductor in series with the load (or a capacitor in parallel) than what
> is commonly seen as "hot-switching" which results in the amplifier
> seeing an open circuit until the relay closes.  A very high RF voltage
> will exist if the PA is operated into an open circuit.
> During the tuner's tune cycle, the load is never open circuit to the PA,
> and the resulting RF voltage is kept under control."
>
> Don - Maybe my "hot switch" term was not accurate for this situation.  
> I think of hot switching as making sudden abrupt impedance changes at 
> the output of your radio or amplifier.  In any case, it seems to me 
> that it would be less hard on the radio if you do this at 15 watts on 
> a 100 watt PA vs 5 watts on a 10 watt PA.  But then, I could be wrong.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>