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

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2015-05-12 5:45 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> I believe the KAT3 tuning algorithms are contained in the K3
> firmware which Elecraft does not disclose, so the MFJ gizmo must have
> begun with a reverse engineering effort, always a very dicey
> undertaking under the best of conditions.

Nothing dicey about it ... MFJ doesn't even need to know anything
about the tuning algorithms or controls.  The K3 CPU controls both
the tuner L/C values and the antenna selection via a serial bus
and series of serial to parallel shift registers/latches.  The only
"engineering" MFJ needed to do was copy Elecraft's KAT3 schematic.
The only "value engineering" is to do what Elecraft does at lower
production costs and perhaps loser cost parts.

The real question is the ethics (and legality) of copying Elecraft's
schematic.  The only way the MFJ tuner works properly is if it copies
the L/C values and controls exactly.

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV