Correct.

Wayne


> On Apr 7, 2019, at 11:32 AM, hawley, charles j jr <[email protected]> 
> wrote:
> 
> I take it this is a KAT3 clone, not a KAT3A improved version.
> 
> Chuck Hawley
>  [email protected]
>   
>  Amateur Radio, KE9UW
>  aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles  
> 
> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on 
> behalf of Wayne Burdick <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2019 11:28 AM
> To: Doug Person
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] BIZARRE OFFERING FROM MFJ
>  
> I've used many MFJ products and in have had very little trouble with any of 
> them. For example, I make frequent use an MFJ-223 hand-held VNA -- it's 
> versatile and does the job. I've also used their manual tuners, antenna 
> switches, and portable/mobile whips. They have a very comprehensive product 
> line that's really unique in the industry.
> 
> That said, I do have some suggestions for MFJ's engineering team on how they 
> might improve their ATU. 
> 
> Looking at the photo, I see that they used much smaller toroidal cores for 5 
> of the 8 inductors in the L network. This could result in excessive heating, 
> especially on the higher bands, at full power into a worst-case match. We 
> specified T68 sized cores to remain conservative based on extensive testing. 
> Also, if you click on the photo to see the details, you'll see what appears 
> to be very inconsistent hand soldering of the SMD components. While this 
> doesn't necessarily worsen performance or reliability, it should be done in a 
> way that inspires confidence in the buyer. (Easy for me to say, of course. We 
> have the luxury of mass-producing these assemblies using automated 
> pick-and-place equipment at our fabricator in Monterey.)
> 
> Wayne
> N6KR
> 
> 
> 
> > On Apr 7, 2019, at 9:00 AM, Doug Person <[email protected]> wrote:
> > 
> > MFJ has been a leader in automatic tuner technology for years. It was 
> > probably a very simple engineering process for them to use what they have 
> > to create a K3 tuner. You may have a dislike of MFJ products. But, that 
> > doesn't preclude the fact that their tuners work very well. They have been 
> > selling the K3 tuner for years. It doesn't seem the least bit surprising 
> > given the modular nature of the K3 and the long history MFJ has with 
> > automatic tuner technology. Maybe it's actually a complement to Elecraft 
> > that MFJ takes the K3 so seriously.
> > 
> > Doug --KJØF
> > 
> > On 4/7/2019 10:26 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
> >> Ozarkcon yesterday. Break-time.  Pile of MFJ catalogs on a table.  Took 
> >> one back to my seat to kill time.  Opened it up to the second page and in 
> >> the lower left corner is a box-ad with the following:
> >> 
> >> 
> >> "MFJ ATU PC Board for Elecraft K-3 Rig.  MFJ-950K3 is a super clone of the 
> >> KAT3 optional tuning board for the superb Elecraft K3 transceiver.  
> >> MFJ-950K3 is a direct plug-in PC board for the Elecraft K3 10 Watt or 100 
> >> Watt model. Covers 1.8 to 54 MHz.  This automatic antenna tuner PC board 
> >> features an L-Match design and can match SWR up to 10:1. It handles 100 
> >> Watts.  The ATU PC board has a second antenna port, and a sub-rx SMA port. 
> >>  All antenna ports are protected with gas discharge tubes.  Super 
> >> sensitive relay allows excellent low current drain.  MFJ-950K3 is 4W x 3 
> >> 1/2H x 1 1/4D inches and easily slides right into the K3’s tuning board 
> >> slot. Weighs less than 1/2 pound.  Pick up this great accessory for your 
> >> K3 today and save $$$!"
> >> 
> >> 
> >> What in the world is that all about?  What possible market are they 
> >> shooting at?  Who would put anything "MFJ" in anything Elecraft?
> >> 
> >> Someone enlighten me!  Did I sleep through April 1st?
> >> 
> >> https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-950K3
> >> 
> >> 73,
> >> 
> >> Kent  K9ZTV
> 
> 
> 
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