[Elecraft] elecraft kat1

[Don Wilhelm]

Ed,

Actually "counterpoise" is a misnomer.  When implemented, it is a part 
of the antenna system.  Yes, a 1/4 wave 'counterpoise' will produce a 
low impedance at the shack end, and will tend to keep RF-in-the-shack 
problems to a minimum.

A coax feedline for multi-band operation is not the best - use coax only 
for resonant antennas and use parallel conductor feedline for 
non-resonant antennas.  In the case of an attic antenna, the use of 
'counterpoises' may be necessary because the antenna energy can be 
present in the shack due to the close coupling.

Good luck on your camping adventures with the K1.  An 88 (to 135) foot 
radiator center fed with 300 or 450 ohm parallel line will serve you 
well on both 80 and 40 meters.  Hang it as a dipole or as an inverted 
Vee.  Use a 44 ft to 66 ft length for 40 meters only.

73,
Don W3FPR

E Neubauer wrote:
> 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
>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>> Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®.
>>> http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd_062009
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
>>> Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.80/2187 - Release Date: 06/19/09 06:53:00
>>>
>>>   
>>>       
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Insert movie times and more without leaving Hotmail®.
> http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd_062009
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
> Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.80/2187 - Release Date: 06/19/09 06:53:00
>
>