[Elecraft] Tuning Random-Length Wire Antenna with K3 Internal Tuner??

[Drew AF2Z]

The point is that protection is built into the tuner & the firmware to 
take care of extreme instances. As I recall, one release a few years 
back stated that it will handle the parting of an antenna wire while 
transmitting at maximum output. We can assume that a non-resonant 
antenna is not cause for concern. There's not much point in having an 
ATU if it can only be used with resonant antennas.

But as someone else has mentioned-- choose an optimal "random" length so 
as to get a good match on multiple bands.

73,
Drew
AF2Z



On 12/13/20 02:12, David Gilbert wrote:
> 
> Seriously??  Why do you think that Elecraft's tuners (like just about 
> every other one) have max power ratings that differ depending upon the 
> SWR?  For example, for the KAT500 has a max power rating of 1000 watts 
> into a 3:1 SWR but only a 600 watt rating into a 10:1 SWR???  It can 
> match both SWRs, but not handle the same power at both.
> 
> Did you bother to check out TLW like I suggested?
> 
> Dave   AB7E
> 
> 
> 
> On 12/12/2020 8:59 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> Of course there are high voltages or currents in some tuning 
>> solutions. Why do people think the Elecraft ATU would not be designed 
>> to handle those?
>>
>> wunder
>> K6WRU
>> Walter Underwood
>> CM87wj
>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>>
>>> On Dec 12, 2020, at 7:36 PM, David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> A matched conditon does NOT prevent the components of the tuner from 
>>> seeing high voltages and/or high currents.  Check out TLW ... the 
>>> transmission line application that comes free with the ARRL Antenna 
>>> Book.  Pick a load that gives a high SWR and then click on the 
>>> "Tuner" button for the application to draw one of four different 
>>> tuner configurations for you.  The app will tell you what the 
>>> voltages across each component are, and also the power loss (i.e., 
>>> heating effects) in each one.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Dave   AB7E
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/12/2020 8:18 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>>>> Tuning happens at low power, so transients are small. After it is 
>>>> matched, why would the K3 ATU not be rated for full power over the 
>>>> full SWR range?
>>>>
>>>> Other components might fail, of course. Amphenol UHF connectors are 
>>>> only rated for 500 V.
>>>>
>>>> wunder
>>>> K6WRU
>>>> Walter Underwood
>>>> CM87wj
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