[Elecraft] KPA500 and KAT500 Ports

[Igor Sokolov]

IMHO  the demand for  a solid state linear amp with antenna tuner and 
multiple antenna ports can be split into two niches.

1. Fully integrated portable system of PA, antenna tuner, antenna switch 
with multiple ports and programmable band decoder all in one relatively 
small package. This system has limited flexibility but appeals to portable 
shack users, DXpeditions etc. One good example is Expert 1K-FA which has 2 
inputs, 4 antenna ports, limited SO2R using separate RX antenna, built in 
antenna tuner with huge number of memories for each of the two inputs/ 
band/antenna port and very nice built in band decoder that supports any type 
of transceiver. Expert 2K-FA goes even further having 6 ports and the 
possibility to remote the built in antenna tuner.

2) Separate sophisticated programmable band decoder that controls external 
(local or remote) antenna switches.
This is applicable  for stations with many different antennas because the 
system can be tailored to virtually any need. Microham Station Master with 
external antenna switches is a good example.

You may ask how does it relates to this reflector?  Simple. I use Elecraft 
K3 in combo with Expert 1K-FA and have  inverted L for 160, inverted V for 
80m, 2el Yagi for 40meters and tribander for 20-15-10 (exactly 4 antennas)
My friend R9DX  has 7 towers with multiples stacks and at least 4 antennas 
for each band. He is  using pair of K3s with pair of Microham Station 
Masters and different antenna switches in a pretty complicated SO2R 
configuration. Pictures can be found here http://ua9clb.narod.ru/


73, Igor UA9CDC