[Elecraft] [KX3] Antenna Tuner Or Not

[gary bartlett]

Phil, I only use non-resonant wire antennas fed with ladder line through
baluns (4:1 and 9:1).  The K3 ATU (and I think Wayne said that the KX3
transmatch had essentially the same design philosophy) handles the 160M
full-size delta loop on top band through 6M, and the 80M dipole on 80M
through 6M, without flinching.  The challenges to the transmatch are pretty
severe some times, especially during rain and snow, but the *Tuner* handles
it with ease.  [With experience, I can now judge the rate of precipitation
by the amount of touching up required by the transmatch (seriously)].

While I didn't much like it and I doubt that it was very efficient, I found
one of my friends operating my K3 using the 80M dipole loaded on 160M with
apparent ease so far as matching was concerned.  I assume that the ladder
line became part of the radiating portion of the antenna in this particular
case.

The other advantages, of course, are the nice integration of the Elecraft
ATU with the radio, plus if you take the radio into the field a lot like I
do, it's one box and a couple of cables fewer to concern yourself with.  If
one has the option, buying the radio and the matching device from the same
source (that would be Elecraft) makes a lot of practical sense.  During
tuning, the K3 ATU I also very quiet compared with another transmatch I once
owned.

	73,
	Gary VE1RGB

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad
Sent: September 13, 2012 3:13 PM
To: Elecraft List
Subject: [Elecraft] [KX3] Antenna Tuner Or Not

I am perplexed and bewildered but not yet bothered.  I can't decide on
whether I should order the internal 20 watt ATU or not.