[Elecraft] MFJ's new Internal K3 Tuner, anyone tried one yet?

Mon May 11 23:03:52 EDT 2015

Well i came up with this:
1. Why risk inserting a non-elecraft board in my k3
2. What about support issues should something go wrong with the k3
3. What about the posibility of fw issues
4. What about antenna separation
5. What about the build quality and design.
6. What algorithim is used....how good is it
7 What has MFJ done to offer a clone at $100 discount

So would i use one?

Doh....no way.

All this apart from the fact i have had the kat3 since day one.

We just wondered if anyone had one to test. Ya never know eh?

Curiosity is over now......:-)

Back to work on my tower trailer....far more interesting.

Gary
Vk1ZZ
K3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT
On 12/05/2015 12:47 PM, "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists at subich.com> wrote:

>
>  Therefore we are curious if anyone had actually had a chance to test
>> it. I imagine it would come up short but it would be interesting to
>> know.
>>
>
> Given that the tuning algorithm is in the K3 CPU, I would have to think
> the MFJ tuner is nothing more than a clone of the KAT3.  Perhaps the
> layout is different and some of the components are different (better
> or worse).  I can't see any advantage in the MJF unit - other than a
> substantially lower price - but would hesitate to use one without a
> very substantial set of tests.
>
> My biggest concern would be something like missing IF traps or low
> isolation between antennas.
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 2015-05-11 10:30 PM, Gary Gregory wrote:
>
>> Don,
>>
>> I dont believe anyone would be likely to use one if one looks at the
>> posters on this list.
>>
>> Speaking with Jeff we were puzzled by mfj's releasing this product. We see
>> no market but assume (bad word) some folks outside this list might be
>> swayed by cost.
>>
>> Therefore we are curious if anyone had actually had a chance to test it. I
>> imagine it would come up short but it would be interesting to know.
>>
>> It was a fair question and did not expect the type of replies we are
>> seeing. Oh well....as i said before...it is what it is.....
>>
>> Gary
>> Vk1ZZ
>> K3, KPA500-FT, KAT500-FT
>> On 12/05/2015 12:21 PM, "Tim Tucker" <ae6lx at worldwidedx.com> wrote:
>>
>>  I have not tried this "version" of an MFJ autotuner.  However, I have
>>> tried
>>> others, including their auto tuners capable of handling legal limit.  My
>>> results were mixed, at best.  If MFJ is using the same basic algorithm in
>>> this K3 tuner as their other tuners, I would not be interested in buying
>>> it
>>> as those tuners were not nearly as capable at loading up odd lengths of
>>> wire as the Elecraft units have been.  Case in point:  I had an MFJ
>>> autotuner inline and it couldn't load up an Alpha Delta DX-CC on 12
>>> meters
>>> with the MFJ, but I could with the K3 tuner.  Also, the SWR bridge's
>>> meter
>>> on the MFJ was waaaay off compared to other meters / analyzers.
>>>
>>> FWIW, I'm not an "anti-MFJ" guy, but my experience with their auto tuners
>>> hasn't been  the best.
>>>
>>> On Mon, May 11, 2015 at 6:42 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>  Consider that the Elecraft repair form includes a statement that any
>>>> aftermarket mods or additions must be removed before sending the
>>>>
>>> equipment
>>>
>>>> to Elecraft for repair.
>>>>
>>>> How would you like to remove the MFJ tuner from your K3 before sending
>>>> it
>>>> for repair?
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>
>>>> On 5/11/2015 9:35 PM, Gary Gregory wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Hey guys...valid question. Curiosity is a good thing.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jeff only asked if anyone had an opportunity to try one.
>>>>>
>>>>> I wonder what Elecraft think.
>>>>>
>>>>> He did NOT say he wanted to buy one but like me he is most likely
>>>>>
>>>> curious
>>>
>>>> and I can't imagine what MFJ are thinking. The KAT3 is an outstanding
>>>>> product and I am scratching my head trying to think how MFJ could
>>>>>
>>>> improve
>>>
>>>> on the kat3.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Owner, worldwidedx.com
>>> AE6LX, Amateur Radio
>>> NNN0ITA, Navy MARS
>>> NNN0GAF FOUR, Southern CA Director Assistant for Training, Navy MARS
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