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

[k7sss at aol.com]

I agree on the overthinking. How about the Elecraft AX1 ant?  All you need extra is coax and a tripod. It takes me 10-15 min max to get on the air. The only limitation is no 80, 60 and 10 meters Sorta works on these bands if you play with the whip and use the ATU. YMMV 73Jim Hk7sss.  In a message dated 12/13/2020 12:40:10 PM Pacific Standard Time, ghyoungman at gmail.com writes: 
I can’t help but think we’re over-thinking this.

I think the original post was regarding ‘portable' operation.  When I go portable I don’t carry a large antenna with lots of wire or weight.  I usually carry a 41’ (non-resonant) wire with a 9:1 unun rated at 300w watts, and a throwing line and weight to get the far end of the wire up in a tree. I have a large OCFD and a 40’ fiberglass’s mast to get it up, but frankly, for quickie portable, getting the center pole staked and up and guyed is more trouble than its worth.  If it was for a weekend or a week, maybe.  But I’d rather spend the time operating.  I’ve used the simple wire with both a K3 and KX3 with internal ATUs.  Works fine.  Nothing has ever cooked.  The internal ATUs typically get SWR to 1.2:1 or better.  Feedline is 25 feet of RG-58 choked off a foot before the radio termination.

Sure, some power is getting lost in the tuner, the balun, the feedline, the connectors, human absorption, whatever.  But … 

Grant NQ5T