[Elecraft] K3/KPA500/KAT500 SWR problem

[Bill W2BLC]

There is a lot of mention regarding common mode chokes, RF grounding, 
copper to aluminum connections, etc. Speaking only of my station, I 
experienced no similar automatic tuner problems with equipment other 
than the KAT500. I suspect other ops have similar experiences.

My typical experience using the tuner is QSY - a two second TUNE - and 
the KAT knows where and what to do. Everything is just fine - until in 
the middle of the QSO the tuner goes berserk and does a retune (a little 
noisy). If I talk through it - all will go back to normal in a few 
seconds. Disconcerting to say the least.

I do not know if this problem is damaging to the KAP500 and/or the 
KPA500. Hence, I am back to running 100 Watts until this is corrected - 
changing some coax connections and using the K3's internal tuner.  Thus 
removing the devices from the lineup.