Why not just use two KRC2s? They are complete and shipping. :-) 73, Eric
--- www.elecraft.com On 7/13/2011 4:22 PM, Brendan Minish wrote: > I think that 2 Antenna ports on the KAT500 is a good fit, after all 2 > ports is what the K3 (+ATU) has so many of us have configured our > stations to work with this configuration > > I would suggest however that there be an (optional?) module (s) for the > KAT500 that provides for sink or source outputs, one per band (plus a > few more?) that can be further configured via software to to clever > things (like selecting 2 different antennas for 80/75m, or multiple > bands on one antenna ) > It would be even nicer if this was duplicated for the second antenna > output either in the same module or as a second user installable module. > > These would be driven by the auxbus data that will presumably be fed to > the KANT500 and decoded by it's CPU anyway. > An input (per antenna port) that can be used to indicate to the KAT500 > that the requested antenna is not available might also be a good idea so > that the KRC500 can then select the second choice on the other port > (complete with recalling the last used tunings for the secondary ) would > also be nice. > > Think of this as the functionality of (2x ?) KRC2's built in and it > would make for superb versatility since the KRC500 could then be > configured to automate pretty much any external automatic antenna > switching arrangement. > > I don't know if this is practical to fit into the box but it sure would > be nice. > The KRC2 may already form the basis for much of the required > circuitry/firmware. > The Sink/source outputs could be selected sink/source by internal jumper > and the output could be on DB15 or DIN connectors to minimise rear panel > real estate. (perhaps with pre-made breakout cable supplied ) > Another option might be to have the 'Glue' internal to the KPA500 and > the Sink/source drivers in a 'dongle' to conserve internal space and > provide for easier breakout. > > 73 > Brendan EI6IZ > > > > > On Tue, 2011-07-12 at 15:34 -0700, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: >> Hi Gary, >> >> Having 4-5 RG8 antenna cables, plus the input cable, hanging out the >> back of the desktop ATU is both likely to pull the ATU off the desk, and >> will easily not fit in the box size we are planning. It also adds a lot >> of complexity and cost to the basic ATU in order to accommodate more >> connections with the needed isolation etc. We certainly do not want to >> price the ATU out of the range of most hams, or make it too large. >> >> Many of us use manual or automatic switches external to the amp / tuner >> to provide these functions. >> >> A much better solution for those needing more than two auto-selected >> antennas is to use an external relay switch box, controlled by the >> radio. This has the advantage of getting the cables, clutter, and >> switching network off the desktop and either under the table or outside. >> There are certainly a number of external antenna switches out there that >> can do this, but if we offered something that was tightly integrated >> with the K3 (and KPA500/KAT500) as a product, what features would be >> desirable? (Number of antennas, rigs inputs, switching options etc.) >> >> 73, Eric WA6HHQ >> >> --- >> www.elecraft.com >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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
