[Elecraft] New list member/T1 tuner questions

[qrp_1 at juno.com]

Hello to the group !
  I'm Rick - KC8AON, in Southern Ohio.  Just joined the Elecraft group
because I am thinking of buying a T1 tuner kit to go with my Yaesu
FT-817.  I have been reading some of the reviews of the T1 on the web and
most seem to be good reviews except for the enclosure they put the T1 in.
 I guess they use plastic to save on weight and expense ?  Anyway, was
wondering if anyone has mounted their T1 in a more robust enclosure to
offer more protection in the field and if so did a metal enclosure effect
the tuning properties of the tuner ?  I have a nice small modem case that
would make a very nice rugged enclosue for the T1 that has an extruded
aluminum chassis and a slide on vinyl covered steel top.  But again, will
a metal enclosure effect the tuning properties of the T1 ?  I would
rather go ahead and build it into the more rugged enclosure as I build it
than I would to put it in the plastic box that comes with it if it will
work ok in the metal enclosure.

  Also, does the T1 work well with endfed wire antennas ?  I'm thinking
maybe non resonant lengths with counterpoise wires to eliminate the high
Z of half wave length wires so the tuner will not be trying to tune a
very high impedance and to move the feedpoint to much lower voltage point
on the antenna.  So, if the T1 will work with end fed wires, what are
some good lengths that have been proven to work well with the T1 for 10
thru 40 meters, 10 thru 80, and 10 thru 160 ?  Most of my portable
operations are 10 thru 40 meters, but I do like to work 60 & 80 meters on
occasion, and even 160 on scarce occasions.

  Now, when using the T1 with the FT-817, is the special control cable
absolutely needed ?  If so, how long is the cable and can it be easily
lengthened ?  My planned purpose for the tuner is to put it at the
feedpoint of the endfed wire when operating portable to eliminate coax
feedline loss between the antenna and the radio, so if the T1 will work
fine without the control cable, that would be much better.  If not, the
cable would need to be at least 8 or 10 feet long to reach the feedpoint
of the antenna where the tuner will be.

Thanks for the bandwidth !

73 - Rick McKee, KC8AON
Southern Ohio - EM88sn
www.angelfire.com/electronic2/qrp
With God all things are possible ~ ><(('> ~