[Elecraft] KAT500 QRP Operation?

[NZ8J]

Thanks Eric, appreciate the additional info, that does give me at least
an option to be able to use it. At the present I do have higher power
available for initial tuning,  but am contemplating going strictly qrp
so that option may not be available if I did depending on the rig of
choice. 

I have always been impressed by the K2, K3 and KX3 internal tuners
ability to reliably tune my all band ladder line fed antenna on 160-10
meters and would like the same matching capability in an external tuner
auto tuner. Haven't had much luck in finding an external auto tuner that
would do what the Elecraft internal tuners will do.

In any event Dick suggested the T1 which is not ideal for my particular
operating situation but I may try one to see how well it would work for
a main station tuner which I suspect is outside its intended purpose.

73
Tim
NZ8J

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft [mailto:wa6hhq at gmail.com] On Behalf
Of Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2012 11:46 AM
To: NZ8J
Cc: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 QRP Operation?


Hi Tim,

The frequency counter in the KAT500 should work down below 5W for auto
recall of antenna and last tune memory for a frequency. If you teach
your KAT500 your antenna set up by tuning it on various frequencies
above 10W (>20W is more accurate for best autotuning) it will recall
these settings when you run QRP.

73,
Eric
www.elecraft.com
_..._

On Nov 3, 2012, at 8:25 AM, "NZ8J" <nz8j at woh.rr.com> wrote:

> Just looked over the KAT500 manual and it appears from first glance 
> that it will not operate using a qrp power levels. Given the track 
> record of the current Elecraft tuners, I was very hopeful that it 
> would so I could utilize the antenna switching and superior tuning 
> capabilities of the Elecraft design in an automatic tuner.  Maybe 
> someone in the know can chime in and give a definitive answer as to if

> it will operate reliably using low power in the range of 3 to 4 watts.

> Keeping my fingers crossed..  Hi hi  :) Thanks
> Tim
> Nz8J