[Elecraft] Question about K3: ATU function

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

The ATU requires you to tell it to tune by tapping the ATU TUNE switch. 

Keep in mind that a 1:1 SWR is pretty meaningless. You won't see any
degradation in your signal if your SWR is 1.5:1 or even 2:1. 

How far you can QSY before the SWR is an issue depends entirely on your
antenna system. The KAT3 ATU retains up to 30 frequencies in each band in
memory, so you only need to let it cycle looking for best match once in each
frequency range (unless you change your antenna). After that when you tap
ATU TUNE it will instantly switch to the memorized settings for that
frequency. 

If you forget to do the initial tune or something in your antenna setup
changes, you'll see your SWR is high. Excessive SWR over time will trigger
an error message at the K3 - either HIGH SWR or EXCESSIVE CURRENT (since
transmitting into poor match will cause the PA current to rise). Tap the ATU
TUNE switch to retune.

See "Transmit, ATU, and Antenna Controls" in your Owner's manual Quick Start
Guide (pg 6 in the Rev 9 manual) for more details. 

Ron AC7AC

 

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of tomb18
Sent: Saturday, June 25, 2011 11:59 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Question about K3: ATU function

Hi,

Second question: Does one need to press the ATU tune button at each
frequency of use?  What happens if you forget?  Will the K3 automatically
try to tune?

Thanks

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