[Elecraft] Externmal ATU

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Phil.

 > The problem is that the K3 needs an external input to put it in the
 > TUNE mode.  I have the KAT3, but I need an external autotuner for
 > use with my ALS-600 amp.  So I have this same issue with my MFJ-998
 > autotuner.  The MFJ-998 puts out a control signal (ground) before it
 > starts tuning to automatically put a transceiver into a CW TUNE mode.

I believe you will find the (Straight) Key input will provide a carrier
in any mode if you turn on "CW in SSB" and enable VOX.  It has been
used that way with the Yaesu Quadra which requires a carrier for its
F-Set function.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 8/24/2010 7:03 AM, Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> "...You could go to a lot of trouble and reverse engineer the LDG cables and
> then adapt them to the K3..."
>
> The problem is that the K3 needs an external input to put it in the TUNE
> mode.  I have the KAT3, but I need an external autotuner for use with my
> ALS-600 amp.  So I have this same issue with my MFJ-998 autotuner.  The
> MFJ-998 puts out a control signal (ground) before it starts tuning to
> automatically put a transceiver into a CW TUNE mode.  Many transceivers have
> this capability - FT857/897, Yaesu MKV, IC-706/7000 are ones I know of.
> Sooner or later the K3 will need this external TUNE REQUEST input if
> Elecraft does build an external tuner for their amplifier.
>
> Currently, I leave my MFJ-998 in the full auto mode so it starts tuning when
> the SWR goes above 2:1.  So whenever I change bands or antennas, I manually
> enable TUNE on my K3 (output set for 15 watts).  If SWR is greater thyan 2:1
> the MFJ-998 interrupts the ALS-600 key line, tunes, and then re-enables the
> amp key line (a neat feature of the MFJ-998).  But since it takes some
> milliseconds for the tuner to recognize there is an SWR problem, the
> amplifier momentarily sees a high SWR before the MFJ-998 takes it off-line.
> With the TUNE output of the K3 set for 15 watts, I haven't had problems with
> the ALS-600 tripping out during this short time period.  However, if the K3
> had a TUNE REQUEST input, then punching the TUNE button on the MFJ-998 would
> disable the amp first before enabling the TUNE ouput of the K3 (the MFJ-998
> timing is set up this way).
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
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