[Elecraft] KPA-500 Question

[Jim McDonald]

A benefit of Elecraft's not including multiple antenna outputs in the KPA500
is being able to price it lower and not forcing customers to buy a
capability that they don't need.  The Alpha 9500 has a sophisticated
4-antenna output capability, but that adds to the price whether it's needed
or not.

Jim N7US



-----Original Message-----

Yes, the band data lines can be paralleled to the KPA500 and another antenna
switching device.  The KPA500 order page offers an optional accessory cable
kit for use with the K3 (KPAK3AUX) that contains of a cable and a "Y"
connector for the AUX connector for just such a purpose. 

The advantage of doing it this way, rather than having the amplifier
involved in antenna selection, is that automated antenna switching is
available whether the KPA500 is on or off.

Band changing with antenna selection can indeed be made automatic. It
requires a little more hardware than the K3 and KPA500. We don't offer a
band decoder of our own, but we work well with the many decoders that are
already on the market.

There are a lot of possibilities when one considers antenna switching
arrangements.  If we offered a 4-position switch, someone would need 6 or 8
or 10.  There are a good number of options available  from a number of fine
manufacturers and there have been a number of construction articles in the
amateur literature.  I'd look first to the NCJ archives if you want to "roll
your own".

73 de Dick, K6KR