[Elecraft] elecraft kat1

Fri Jun 19 23:54:54 EDT 2009

Ron:
Thanks for the information about the counterpoise and feedline.  Would using 300 ohm twinlead work better than coax for a kooky attic dipole I constructed? With RG-6 coax and no ground, it seems to work fairly well on 40 meters.
I have a couple of other antenna questions:
Grounding:  I am currently using the third prong of my electrical socket for that.  It is connected to the house plumbing in the basement.  Is this acceptable?  Should I use this for dipoles and loops, as well as long wires?
Reception:  I have made a couple of contacts in VA and IN with folks who give me an RST of 599.  In both cases, their signal was fair  - around 478 at best, but drifting.  I was wondering why there is such a difference. Isn't propagation usually a two-way street?
Thanks.
73,
Ed   KB3SZZ====================

> From: ron at cobi.biz
> To: doublehelix454 at hotmail.com
> CC: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] elecraft kat1
> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:43:28 -0700
> 
> Hi Ed:
> 
> I don't have a K1, but I agree with everything Don said. 
> 
> Your situation sounds a bit strange though, because I know a number of
> people who have K1's who typically have not problem loading all sorts of odd
> "end fed" wires.
> 
> You are right to get rid of the coax in almost any situation like that. Coax
> has huge losses at high SWRs. The ATU only ensures a match between the
> antenna where it connects to the rig and the finals in your K1. It does
> *nothing* to reduce the SWR on the feed line between the rig and antenna. 
> 
> A counterpoise is used to produce a low impedance at the rig. It's usually
> 1/4 wavelength long. A 1/4 wave long conductor with the far end insulated
> will show a low impedance at rig end. It can replace an extensive RF
> grounding system, although a simple one-wire counterpoise is seldom as
> effective. However, it's world's better than no counterpoise or ground at
> all. Having a counterpoise or RF ground does two things: 1) It keeps
> troublesome RF voltages off of the case of your K1, the key, etc. 2) It
> greatly increases the efficiency of the radiator (antenna) when the antenna
> is an odd multiple of 1/4 wave long or less than 1/4 wave long.
> 
> You'll want two counterpoise wires for your setup: one 66 feet long (1/4
> wavelength on 80) and one 33 feet long (1/4 wave on 40). You can connect
> both in parallel to the case or ground lug on your K1 and leave them
> attached at all times. They won't interfere with each other. Indeed, you can
> run the two wires alongside each other but separate them the last several
> feet and be sure the ends are insulated from each other and from other
> objects. 
> 
> Ron AC7AC
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of E Neubauer
> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 6:21 PM
> To: Donald Wilhelm
> Cc: Elecraft Bulletin Board
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] elecraft kat1
> 
> 
> Don:
> Thanks for the advice.  I will definitely try those things, especially for
> my attic system.  Just a few moments ago, I got rid of my coax feedline
> altogether and plugged my antenna wire (long wire to the backyard) directly
> into the K1, via a paperclip.  Wow, that made a big difference - got down to
> about 1.5:1 on both 80m and 40m.
> By the way, I have read things about using a _counterpoise_.  Is this a sort
> of substitute for a ground connection?  I am interested, because we are
> going to do some camping over the next couple of weeks and I am taking the
> K1 along for (hopefully) some outdoor "work".
> 73, Ed  KB3SZZ==================
> 
> > Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:34:09 -0400
> > From: w3fpr at embarqmail.com
> > To: doublehelix454 at hotmail.com
> > CC: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] elecraft kat1
> > 
> > Ed,
> > 
> > One other thing - if your match varies from time to time, look for bad 
> > connections in your antenna system.  An intermittent connection can 
> > allow good tuning one time and poor results at another time.
> > 
> > 73,
> > Don W3FPR
> > 
> > E Neubauer wrote:
> > > Hello: I have noticed that my k1 (with the kat1) seems to have
> difficulty obtaining a low SWR with most of my antenna efforts.  Most of the
> time, it stays at 4:1 or higher.  I have been successful at obtaining 1:1,
> but it is kind of hit-or-miss and only works for one band.   I live in a
> townhouse, so options aren't great, but I've mostly tried long wires and
> loops in the attic and yard.  Still, I thought obtaining a decent match
> wouldn't be so hard, especially on 40 meters.  I should note that I have the
> 2-band filter board for 40 & 80 meters.
> > > Also, I am new to ham radio, so I am not sure whether it is safe to
> operate the rig when the SWR is that high.  Comments or suggestions
> appreciated.
> > > 73,Ed  KB3SZZ
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