[Elecraft] KPA 500 and ATU

[Johnny Siu]

Hello Mike and others,

IMHO, ATU is nearly a must.  While we can have a well matched antenna, the ATU 
serves two purposes:
1. a preselector gives some sort of improvement in selectivity under strong out 
band QRM;
2. for whatever reasons there are something wrong with the 'well matched' 
antenna, ATU is the one to be hit and not the expensive linear amplifier.

It would be my original idea of hand carrying back a KPA500 to Hong Kong while 
in USA next month so as to save some overseas shipping costs.  I would rather 
wait for more information of KAT500.

Furthermore, there is only one RF input / output in KPA500.  I need to think 
about the arrangement for multi-antennas and 2 radios operation.  Yes, I can 
use third party antenna switchs for input / output.  However, the cabling will 
be as ugly as the PR6 at the back of my K3.

I would think Elecraft will allow more antenna sockets in the forthcoming 
KAT500.  Multi-antennas are not uncommon for ham radio even I am living in a 
congested city like Hong Kong.

 TNX & 73, 


Johnny VR2XMC 




________________________________
寄件人﹕ Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com>
收件人﹕ elecraft at mailman.qth.net
傳送日期﹕ 2011/4/8 (五) 8:55:03 AM
主題： Re: [Elecraft] re KPA 500 and ATU

I thought Eric stated that they hoped the tuner would be out around the 
fall time frame.  When I last asked it was in design.



On 4/7/11 6:32 PM, David and Dianne on Comcast wrote:
> I gotta say I’m with Bill-N6FB on this one.
>
> I am interested in the KPA500 but disappointed
> that it did not come with an on-board tuner or at
> the same time as the KAT500… so now I am going to
> wait to see what evolves with the KAT500 later on
> before I take the plunge. I could buy an LDG
> AT-600 but would prefer not to in the interim.
>
> I run one non-resonant antenna here, a Carolina
> Windom at 60 feet. And before some of you start
> reminding about the inefficiencies of it, I've put
> up a DXCC score of 346 confirmed with 100W. So it
> works. My QTH is 92 feet ASL and 8 miles from the
> Atlantic so nothing special with the QTH here.
>
> Why my interest in the KPA500 now? With only 2
> left for #1 DXCC I will need a RF boost especially
> with this solar cycle looking like it’s a bust.
>
> And I’d love to have the complete ‘K-Line’ here in
> my station before it’s all over. (I had a heart
> attack last year.....the clock is ticking.)
>
> So Wayne and Eric, how about a bit more insight
> and info on the projected status of the KAT500?
>
> It would be appreciated here.
>
> 73 de N1LQ-Dave