[Elecraft] KAT3 Automatic Antenna Tuner

[Monty Shultes]

I have a K3 and Ameritron ALS-600 amp running 600 watts.  I have 3 antennas 
in use, a dipole, hexagonal beam, and 6 meter beam.  The dipole requires 
tuning, the hexagonal beam needs tuning on 10 meters only.  Both the dipole 
and hexagonal beam are connected to an external tuner, where I switch 
between them, and also switch the tuner in or out - one switch with 4 
positions does this.  The tuner is connected to the amp, and the amp to ANT1 
on the K3.  The 6 meter beam is connected to ANT2 on the K3.
*If I want to use the K3 barefoot with the KAT3, I put the amp and external 
tuner in bypass and select the antenna at the tuner.
*If I want to run the amp, I put the KAT3 in bypass and select the antenna 
at the tuner, either tuned or straight through.  The ALS-600 input requires 
no tuning.

The KAT3's memory is retained by this procedure.

If I forget a step, I get a high SWR warning from the K3 or amp, slap my 
forehead, and proceed.  Both are protected from my goofs.
Hope this is useful info!

Monty  K2DLJ

> Robby,
>
> Since the KAT3 can be configured with one antenna port in bypass and the
> other for normal tuning, why not put the amp on ANT2.  That should make
> things easier when switching between barefoot and the amp.
>
> I know that does not solve the problem of switching antennas on ANT1.
>
> BTW, the K3 does protect itself by reducing power if a high SWR is 
> detected.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Robby.VY2SS wrote:
>> The problem with automatic selection of memorized settings is it stops 
>> being
>> useful when you change to an  antenna that has different charactaristics. 
>> Or