[Elecraft] KAT500 QRP mod

[Andy Durbin]

"Anyone mod the KAT500 for qrp? I'd like to use it at 1 to 100 watts."

I think you would need to define your expectations.

A KAT500 needs about 20 W to perform  a reliable full search tune but that power may be lower for an exciter that does not fold back with a mismatched load.

The KAT500 needs than far less than 20 W to derive a frequency count from the RF input. (In one quick test I observed FC was set with 4 W on 30 m.)

The KA500 needs no RF input at all to set the tuning solution manually using the Utility.

The KAT500 needs no RF input to select a previously stored tuning solution if it is provided with the rig TX frequency by using the serial data port.

So what do you hope will work at 1 W?  An unmodified KAT500 will provide the same load matching at 1 W as with 1000 W but it will require manual tuning for each new frequency.

73,
Andy, k3wyc