The K3 works fine with the Buddipole. I've used mine a few times. I've also used the Buddipole with a KX1, K1, K2 and FT817. It works fine as long as you realize it isn't going to be be as good as a full size wire dipole. Here is how I do it:
1) Setup the antenna for the band you want to operate. I usually set it up as a horizontal dipole but you can set it up as a sloping dipole or vertical. I'm not sure which is best. When the antenna is setup, I use the blue card that comes with the antenna to make the correct settings for the band. If it says to extend the red side to 5 - 5.5 sections, I extend it right in the middle. 2) I then put the radio to a very low power (a few watts) and put it in CW mode with the antenna tuner off and do a short transmission looking at the SWR meter to check the SWR. If it is less than 3:1, I go with it and use the antenna tuner to top it off. If it is more than 3:1, I go to the next step 3) to determine if you need to lengthen or shorten the antenna, tune lower in the band and try the transmission test again. If the SWR is less than it was before, the antenna needs to be shortened. If the SWR is higher than it was before, the antenna needs to be lengthened. You can also tune higher in the band and check there. I make a small adjustment to the whips (1 inch or so), then go back to the original frequency and try again. I use CW 95% of the time and I've found that once I get it close in the CW section of the band I have no problems using it on that band for any CW frequency. The antenna tuner will help with this. I hope this helps. I started using the buddipole last summer and have only used it a few times this year so I hope to get more experience with it this summer. I bought an antenna analyzer that helps with the tuning of the antenna. If you get one of those, you can use it to determine the setting you need without transmitting. It is not necessary, but is helpful. 73 Jay On Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 5:26 PM, KC2VNI <st...@smarrano.com> wrote: > > I have just gotten my radio set up thanks to W3DVX. It has both the internal > ATU and 100W power amp options in it. I was wondering if any of you have > some tips on how to operate a Buddi Pole Deluxe antenna system? If you have > any suggestions or some past experience, please advise. > > Here are some of my questions: > > 1) Do you set the frequency 1st on the front of the radio AND then activate > the tuner? > > 2) The antenna is rated for 250W. I would assume that this means it's okay > to use the full 100W from the amp but I am concerned about the effects of > SWR. > > 3) I was wondering if I'll get better results using the antenna as a > vertical or do I want to try it on horizontal dipole (I believe you get > about 16 feet of height above grade). > > 4) I was wondering if any one has had experience with the Buddipole on SSB? > > Please advise with whatever opinions you may have. Please know that I > recognize I'm probably not going to get more than say NVIS type of > propagation with this type of set-up (since I'm in a relatively flat area > with no hills or the like). > > 73 > > KC2VNI-Steve > > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/Using-Buddi-Pole-Deluxe-Antenna-with-K3-tp4867678p4867678.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > 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:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
