[Elecraft] New list member/T1 tuner questions

[qrp_1 at juno.com]

Gang,
  Let me make myself clear on what it is I expect from the T1 and what my
plans are for it.  First, I do not want resonant antennas for each band -
takes too much time to setup and take down when changing bands.  The T1
will mainly be used for portable radio adventures which I do not get a
lot of time to do and changing antennas each time I change bands is just
too time consuming.  I know all the ins and outs of 1/2 wave end fed
wires and how they are less dependant on ground connections and I do like
them very well for single band operation with my little Small Wonder Labs
single band rigs.  But my FT-817 as you all know is an all band rig and
my plan is to utilize a small autotuner at the feedpoint of a single
endfed wire for all band operation.  I don't mind using radials or
couterpoise wires - thats not a big deal.  But the need to change bands
without changing antennas is the most important aspect to me, and a tuner
that will provide a match automatically is also very important. 
Basically, I want more operating time and less time fiddling with knobs
and putting up and taking down antennas.  Maybe the T1 is not the tuner
for me, I don't know but I do like the size of it which will fit in my
Jump Kit very easily.  I could just switch to my Icom 703 with built in
tuner, but then its a non plus model with no 2,6, or 70cm bands and is
somewhat bigger.  My idea is to have a small packable station that will
do it all in one package and do it very quickly.  I was hoping that the
T1 coupled with my FT-817 would fill the need ?

So, what magic wire lengths work well on all bands with the T1 ?

Do I need to use a balun with the endfed wire to make it work or just
feed it direct to the T1 ?

Somewhare I read about some certain length wires used with the T1 - as I
recall, one was 32.8 feet long and would work 6 thru 80 meters with the
T1 but it did not specify the use of a balun or not.  It also listed 2
other lengths but I don't recall those but do recall that one was for 6
thru 80 meter operation and the other was 6 thru 160 meters.  The one
that went down to 160 meters may have been near 88 feet long - not sure ?
 Anyone know where this info is from my description ?  I thought I had
bookmarked it but cannot find it now.

Also, I now find that the T1 requires the push of a button before
starting to transmit, so is there no full autotune mode that cause it to
tune whenever the swr goes above a certain level ?  When changing bands ?
 If not, kind of messes wit hthe idea of having an utotuner in the first
place !  Hmmm ?

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