[Elecraft] [KX3] Screwdriver Antenna Tuning ??

[Wayne Burdick]

Logic drive signals (up/down). You'd have a special TUNE mode that  
would bypass the internal ATU, if present, then adjust the antennas  
while watching for lowest SWR. All a small matter of programming in  
the KX3 itself. But the drive signals would need suitable buffering.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On May 27, 2011, at 12:46 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> Wayne,
>
> Thanks for the quick response.  Would the KX3 control interface be  
> command oriented or some voltage controlled signaling interface?   
> Also, in asking this question I am stretching my understanding of  
> how such an interface would work so if I am off base I welcome  
> correction.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
> On May 27, 2011, at 9:22 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>
>> We've already provided the needed hardware for this in the KX3, so  
>> an interface could be supported. It may take some time to add the  
>> needed control firmware.
>>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>> On May 27, 2011, at 8:19 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>>
>>> The KX3 surely looks like a nice mobile rig that may replace my  
>>> IC-706....
>>>
>>> But, I would need a good screwdriver antenna tuning interface.   
>>> Currently, I use the Turbo-Tuner by N2VZ which is fitted to the  
>>> IC-706 tune control.  I have a Hi-Q 4/80 antenna mounted on my  
>>> pickup truck.
>>>
>>> So, several questions:
>>>
>>> 1.  Would there be a tune control interface on the KX3?
>>> 2.  Would Elecraft consider building a screwdriver antenna  
>>> interface?
>>>
>>> Just to be clear on what I mean by screwdriver antenna interface  
>>> --- a device that uses the transmitter's tune control circuit to  
>>> switch on a low power signal and measure the SWR (usually via  
>>> reflected voltage) and switch on the screwdriver antenna drive  
>>> motor adjusting the center loading coil tap until a minimum SWR  
>>> (under 1.5:1) is reached where it turns off the drive motor and  
>>> turns off the transmitter's low power signal.
>>>
>>> I guess if Elecraft did not come out with a screwdriver antenna  
>>> interface that some talented electronics guru on this forum might  
>>> do so.
>>>
>>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>>
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