[Elecraft] KAT500 Antenna Selection?

[K2GN]

In my opinion, antenna switching should either fully automatic or fully
manual.
I've had both, plus a mix.  I've never had a problem when it fully one way
or the other.
But for various reasons as stated in Joe's, it created problems, popped
diodes, what have you.  The K3/KAT500/KPA500 can work either way.
DON'T mix the methods!!  You'll surely be saying "OOPS"(Or worst) sometime
in the future.
That "OOPS" can be expensive!!!
Larry/K2GN - http://k2gn.com


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 5:14 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Antenna Selection?


 > Not if the operator isn't stupid.

  ... or tired, not thinking clearly, in a hurry to work a "new one",
changing the SO2R radio while concentrating on the run rig, or in a hurry to
work a multiplier on a new band, etc.  It only takes one time to forget to
"tune" the KAT500 - or have something happen to a normally well behaved
antenna - for the KAT500 delay RTTY to a legal limit amp by 1/4 second so
the vacuum relay switches at full power and end up with heap of trouble.

I'm not saying the RF switching/tuning isn't fine in its place but I would
certainly want to minimize the chances of a failure by using the band data.
If it were my design, the pass through PTT would not activate until the
input PTT had cycled - that is if the KAT500 had to take the amplifier off
line to retune, the PTT would not activate until the input PTT had cleared
and been asserted again.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 10/10/2012 4:56 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On 10/10/2012 12:15 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>> This only moves the hot switching from the KAT500 to the amplifier.
>
> Not if the operator isn't stupid.  A smart operator will do as I have 
> described -- a short burst of RF to let the KAT determine operating 
> frequency and recall settings. And with an amp like the Titan, simply 
> put it in standby to let the KAT tune if needed.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
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