Brian, would you list for us the multi-band antennas you know that can cover all of several bands with a SWR that will allow full power from the K3 without using some sort of variable matching mechanism? Of course the SteppIR will do it, but it has its own variable matching mechanism built in and is very likely much more expensive than a KAT-500 is likely to be priced. Most Tri-banders have CW and Phone settings. Most all band verticals will only match 75 KHz or so on 80 or 75 meters and all band dipoles maybe 150 or 200 KHz. G5RVs are difinitely candidates for matching devices.
Of course, some manufacturers offer products with a built in matching network that is low Q enough that it appears to have a very wide bandwidth. Unfortunately these seem to dissapate most of the power in the matching network. We all know that contacts can be made with very low power radiated. But no one that I know favors putting out 100 or 500 watts to radiate 5 watts or less and heat the antenna matcher with the rest. Joel Hallas, W1ZR has a very nice explanation of why and how Antenna Tuners on pages 52 and 53 of the August 2011 QST in his "Getting on the Air" column. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart ________________________________ From: Brian Alsop <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, July 13, 2011 4:58:41 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 and KAT500 Ports How about taking the money you'd spend for the KAT500 and put it towards antenna(s) that don't need a tuner? There are lots of multiband antennas out there. Some cost less than the likely cost of a KAT500. 73 de Brian/K3KO ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1390 / Virus Database: 1516/3761 - Release Date: 07/12/11 ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
