[Elecraft] K3 + KPA500 + [future] KAT500 AND QSK

[iain macdonnell - N6ML]

It appears that the HF-Auto's method of interrupting amp keying
involves a separate relay, inside the ATU, that only activates when RF
is sensed and the tuner considers itself "tuned". This doesn't work
for QSK, which depends on the amp being keyed *before* RF is
generated.

I would assume that QSK is included in the design criteria for the
KAT-500, but we all know what it is to assume, so it's a valid concern
to raise, IMO...

    ~iain / N6ML


On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 9:25 AM, Phil & Debbie Salas <dpsalas at tx.rr.com> wrote:
> This sounds strange to me.  Why would the tuner care whether it is in a QSK
> environment?  I run QSK with my K3, KPA500 and MFJ-998 with no problems.
> Almost sounds like there is some hot-switching going on that makes the tuner
> declare a SWR fault.  The tuner should be outside the QSK loop anyway.
> I.e., the Ameritron QSK5 switches the amp in and out at CW speed.  It sounds
> like maybe the tuner is right at the output of the PA where it connects into
> the QSK5.  If the tuner is at the output of the QSK5, I find it hard to
> believe the tuner would see a problem.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> "I have been following a short message dialog over on the Palstar yahoo
> group for the new Palstar HF-Auto automatic tuner.  This started with a
> problem reported that the Palstar tuner does not support QSK which was
> uncovered when one person complained that the tuner did not work right
> (would fault) when an external QSK box (Ameritron) was used with the amp."
>
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