[Elecraft] A few Questions on the K3

[Amateur Radio Operator N5GE]

Hello Jobst,

Comments in line...

On Sat, 4 Dec 2010 10:19:46 -0800 (PST), Jobst Vandrey <jvandrey at yahoo.com>
wrote:

[snip]
>I operate Digital modes (mainly PSK) and stick to QRP so Elecraft equipment has always been on the short list.  I am now in the process of working on the antenna side of the equation and plan on a vertical Moxon (reversible) in addition to my 120 foot long wire (with an Icom AH-4 tuner) and a 33 foot vertical doublet fed with 450 ohm window line using a 4:1 Balun.  Once the antenna issue is complete, I am seriously considering the upgrade to a K3
>
>So - On to the questions:
>
>1) With a 4:1 Balun and the K3 tuner, will I have any issues (6 meters to 20 meters only) matching the vertical doublet (the Icom handles it OK)?
>

That should work just fine.  My K3 tuner will tune an antenna that has a 10:1
SWR to 1:1 on all bands.

>2) How could I continue to use the Icom Tuner with the K3 on the random wire (80 to 6 meters)?  How do I initiate a tuning cycle that would send 10 watts to the AH4 in CW and then revert back to SSB for the PSK

You might consider that the K3 has two antenna outputs that can be assigned to
different antennas.  The internal antenna tuner will select the correct output
connector based on the connector assigned to the selected band or bands.

>
>3) Can the K3 initiate a tuning cycle on the AH4 without using the internal tuner

Not automatically.

>
>4) I plan to use the MFJ 4116 Bias injector to introduce 12 volts on the coax leg that feeds the reversible Moxon (needed to run the relay that reverses the antenna pattern)- will this create an issue with the K3
>

I don't think so but I could be wrong...

>Any thoughts or experience is welcome
>
>Thanks in advance
>
>Jobst Vandrey
>AC0LP

73,

Tom Childers
Radio Amateur N5GE
Licensed since 1976
QCWA Member 35102
ARRL Life Member

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