[Elecraft] KPA500 question

[Richard Ferch]

W2RMS wrote:

> One more question: is there a tuner inside that amp? How does it auto-tune? And if so \
> - does that mean that I will have 3 tuners? KAT3, KAT500 and whatever tuner is in the \
> amp? And also, is KAT500 pretty much a must?

There is no antenna tuner inside the KPA500. "Auto-tune" simply means 
that the amp switches bands automatically by detecting the frequency of 
RF. A single dit is sufficient. If you have the KPAK3AUX cable connected 
to a K3, the amp will change bands whenever you change bands on the K3, 
and conversely, the KPA500's front panel band buttons can be used to 
change bands on the K3.

The KPA500 is fairly sensitive to SWR. If you use a non-resonant 
antenna, or if you use a resonant antenna outside its comfort zone (e.g. 
CW vs phone frequencies on some bands), you will probably want the 
KAT500. The KAT500 integrates very nicely with the K3 and KPA500, and it 
works even when the KPA500 is turned off. With this setup, the KAT3 will 
be in bypass. The only time you will use the KAT3 is when you have an 
antenna connected directly to the K3, bypassing the KAT500 and KPA500.

73,
Rich VE3KI