[Elecraft] New K1 Owner -- Which ATU?

[Michael Babineau]

Joe : 

I have both a 4-band K1 with the internal KAT1 and also an Elecraft T1 external tuner (which I use with some
of my other portable rigs). 

I can honestly say that the KAT1 and the T1 have very similar matching abilities (I think that Wayne once said that the
T1 was a little more capable).  I have yet to find an antenna that the KAT1 won't match that the T1 will,  at least on
40m/30m/20m/17m which are the 4 bands in my K1. 

It is hard to beat the convenience of having the tuner in the rig. No extra cables or power needed. It really simplifies
things.  I do recommend getting a BNC to banana jack adaptor like the ones made by Pomona as this is an easy way of 
connecting lightweight wires and twin-lead to the BNC on the rig. 

If you do decide that you want to go with an external tuner to use with other rigs for portable then I also highly 
recommend the T1 .. excellent performance in a small package with its own internal 9V battery.  

If your K1 is going to be your primary portable rig then I suggest going with the KAT1. 

Cheers,

Michael VE3WMB / VA2NB  (a happy K1, KX1 and K2 owner ;-) ) 


>From: af6ni <astro_crazy at hotmail.com>
>Date: April 4, 2011 8:08:23 PM EDT
>To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [Elecraft] New K1 Owner -- Which ATU?


>I just purchased a used (#2917) K1 at the TRW Ham swap meet last weekend.
>It's a 2 bander - 40 & 20 and works well now that I aligned it.
>I am thinking of either the internal K1 auto tuner or perhaps the external
>one. I would like to hear the plusses and minuses of the internal board vs.
>the external unit. I am leaning toward the external unit presently since I
>could use that with other QRP rigs.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>Joe
>AF6NI