Joe : I have both a 4-band K1 with the internal KAT1 and also an Elecraft T1 external tuner (which I use with some of my other portable rigs).
I can honestly say that the KAT1 and the T1 have very similar matching abilities (I think that Wayne once said that the T1 was a little more capable). I have yet to find an antenna that the KAT1 won't match that the T1 will, at least on 40m/30m/20m/17m which are the 4 bands in my K1. It is hard to beat the convenience of having the tuner in the rig. No extra cables or power needed. It really simplifies things. I do recommend getting a BNC to banana jack adaptor like the ones made by Pomona as this is an easy way of connecting lightweight wires and twin-lead to the BNC on the rig. If you do decide that you want to go with an external tuner to use with other rigs for portable then I also highly recommend the T1 .. excellent performance in a small package with its own internal 9V battery. If your K1 is going to be your primary portable rig then I suggest going with the KAT1. Cheers, Michael VE3WMB / VA2NB (a happy K1, KX1 and K2 owner ;-) ) >From: af6ni <[email protected]> >Date: April 4, 2011 8:08:23 PM EDT >To: [email protected] >Subject: [Elecraft] New K1 Owner -- Which ATU? >I just purchased a used (#2917) K1 at the TRW Ham swap meet last weekend. >It's a 2 bander - 40 & 20 and works well now that I aligned it. >I am thinking of either the internal K1 auto tuner or perhaps the external >one. I would like to hear the plusses and minuses of the internal board vs. >the external unit. I am leaning toward the external unit presently since I >could use that with other QRP rigs. > >Thanks in advance. >Joe >AF6NI ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
