[Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue

[Jerry Weisskohl]

I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to
mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just
received the KAT500 tuner  and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running
with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is
unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is
3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner
in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue.
Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal
tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas,
my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I
don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when
the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so.

I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the
picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same
results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18
which I installed. It did not make any difference.
David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still
unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole.

In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job
tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing
the same problem.

As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following:
COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band
COnfig:Tune PWR = 15

I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware
release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is
fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue.

Jerry - AC4BT