[Elecraft] Frequency Tracking Revisited

[Andy Durbin]

"As I now understand Frequency Tracking, it works like this:

1. Once the KAT500 is "trained," the frequency segments attributed to each band are places where the KAT500 will look for good SWR matches. In other words, if I happen to have the VFO set on a frequency that is in Segment 5 (my label, just for clarity), the tuner will for for good matches in Segment 5 — correct? 

2. If no good matches are found in Segment 5, the KAT500 will do a Full Tune to create one — correct?

3. It seems to me that "Training the Tuner" is truly a convenience exercise: populating segments in the band so the tuner will find a good match and not have to do a Full Tune — correct?

4. Rather than setting just low, middle, and high tuning solutions on 20 meter SSB, for example, I set a solution in each of the 11 segments, thinking that no matter where I tune in 20 meter SSB, the KAT500 will find a good solution. — correct?"

1 - Each tuner bin has a finite width.  The match at the upper end, middle, and lower end of each bin may be different.  How different depends on the characteristics of the antenna.

2.  Only if the tuner is in AUTO mode.  Many seem to recommend training for the band and then using MAN mode.  That is how I use my KAT500.  

3.  If you train the tuner then you are finding and saving a match for each bin at your convenience.  This is better than having the tuner un-key the amplifier and try to find a match while you are attempting a QSO.

4.  Populating all bins in a band with good solutions is, in my opinion, the best way to use the KAT500 but it is still no guarantee that it will give a good match on every frequency (see 1 above).

73,
Andy, k3wyc