[Elecraft] KAT500 Antenna Grounding

[Robert Wood]

Ameritron RcV-8V
The unused ports can be grounded but the solder jumper is not done at factory

I have found at times the RCV-8V that relay sticks and stays "connected"  the mechanical "stuff" on top of the relay binds.   or won't close (same issue) or coil relay burns out
removing the cover, can quickly fix mechanical jam.  if the coil burns out - you got one less port or buy a new switch.  Difficult to change relay out

on another grounding side:  I use ports 4 & 5 to feed phased vertical array
have not figured out a way to ground those when not in use, one port is feed & other must float 
73 Robert W5AJ


-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Cliff Frescura
Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2015 1:19 PM
To: 'Jack Brindle'; 'David Ahrendts'
Cc: 'Elecraft List'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Antenna Grounding

I'm in a similar situation.  Love the KAT500 (especially with the KPA500 and Kenwood TS-940).  Already have an Ameritron remote antenna switch, so not using the switching on the KAT500 (except for a  switching in a dummy load).

The solution I've come up with is to have an Arduino monitor the radio frequency/band data and have it switch the antenna.  However, I doubt that the Ameritron switch grounds the unused ports.  The DX Engineering remote switches appear to have this as an option.

73,

Cliff K3LL/6

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jack Brindle
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 5:42 PM
To: David Ahrendts
Cc: Elecraft List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Antenna Grounding

I can answer that. The KPA500 does not ground unselected antennas. Nor does it ground selected antennas. ;-) (OK, it’s Friday. Even we Elecrafters let our hair down on Friday…)

- Jack Brindle, W6FB


> On May 8, 2015, at 5:18 PM, David Ahrendts <davidahrendts at me.com> wrote:
> 
> I’m considering stacking the Cushcraft A503S 6M yagi with my MA5B mini-beam rather closely — like five-feet vertical separation (Rohn five-foot tripod on the roof in a tight lot). Cushcraft recommends using an antenna switch to ground the unused antenna since the two would react with each other at 17M. Both would be connected to the KAT500. So here’s the question: are the un-selected antennas out of the three on the KAT500 grounded  through the KAT500 or do they remain just unattached but active? Do I need to mount an external antenna switch to ground the unused antenna, which is not desirable because of the KAT500’s ability to memorize frequencies and tuner corrections per antenna?
> 
> David A., KC0XT, Los Angeles    
> 
> 
> 
> David Ahrendts   davidahrendts at me.com   
> 
> 
> 
> 
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