[Elecraft] [K3] New order, do I need a KAT3

[Thomas Horsten]

Hi Tony,

I don't have the ATU in my K3 and I am quite happy without it. I have
mostly resonant antennas (<2.0:1 on the bands I use without ATU) and do
have a manual external tuner that I can put in for the other bands.

If you are using a remote ATU at the antenna feed point there's no need to
have the KAT3 as long as the SWR seen at the rig stays below 2.0:1 (ideally
1.5:1), beyond that the K3 protection circuitry scales back the power.

If you're planning to use the K3 for portable operations then getting the
ATU is probably a good idea. Then you can just hook up any wire antenna,
possibly fed with balanced feeder and a balun, and you'll probably be able
to get a good match on all bands. For that reason, I'm getting the ATU in
my KX3, but I don't think I'll add it to my K3.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 14 May 2012 04:46, Tony BenBrahim <tony.benbrahim at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I am ordering a K3 and was wondering if I need a KAT3, given that I will be
> running an auto tuner at the anternna feed point? Will I bypass it most of
> the time or is there some utility to having it?
>
> Thanks
> Tony (AF5EB, K5DEV after Tuesday)
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