[Elecraft] [KX3] Antenna Tuner Or Not

[Ignacy]

The advantage of internal ATU is convenience, just press a button and the
tuner works. Also no extra battery and no cable.

The tuning range of of my KX3 ATU is good but not great. It matches OK (with
exceptions) antennas when their total length is close to half wave or more,
but not shorter. For example, a dipole of 40ft would not be matched on 40m.
Almost a deal breaker for me in portable work.  But my ATU may be broken or
toroids in KX3 ATU may have lower loss than in other tuners; in some tuners
with lossy toroids one can obtain a match without any antenna connected. 
Also,  the tuning range may be deliberately restricted to avoid lossy
matches where ATU may self destruct.

With external ATU you can have an easy and low-loss balun by wrapping a
jumper (say of RG174) around a toroid a few times. 

I would buy an internal ATU if size and speed of setup are important issues.  

Ignacy, NO9E



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