Eric, To be totally versatile, I would think two antennas per band would have to be available - and that means a total capability of 18 selections. Yes, the band/antenna should be controlled by the K3, and a 9 position remote switch on each of the KAT500 outputs should serve any need (a maximum of 2 antennas per band).
That is a lot of connectors, but might be properly addressed by offering 4 outputs for each KAT500 output (8 total) that the user could configure for the bands desired - similar to the KRC2 configurator application. For those who need more, offer an additional 5 x 2 outputs as an option. In my particular case, I have 8 feelines that would have to be handled. 1 for 160/80/40, another for 80/40. 1 for 60 meters, one for a 20/15/10 meter dipole, one for a 20/15/10 meter beam, one for 30/17/12 meter dipole, one for an 80 through 10m vertical, and one for a 6 meter beam. So just looking at the combinations and permutations, I would need to configure each KAT500/SW output for the particular combination of bands it would be used for, and my needs would likely not match those of anyone else, so configuration of the bands active for any one output connector would be needed. I have tried arranging my switching automatically, and have given up because it does not cover all situations I want. To make matters more complex, I want to switch those feedlines to one of 3 transceivers in the shack, and so I have 4 feedlines for 160 through 6 meters coming into the shack to make that possible. Good luck on satisfying even a majority with any one given solution unless each output is configurable for any combination of bands. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/13/2011 2:13 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: > I'd like to redirect this discussion to what is be desired for an > external antenna / rig switching add-on box for the K3/KPA500 and/or > KAT500. This question may have been missed in my original posting (below). > > From that posting: > > 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 > > > On 7/12/2011 3:34 PM, 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.) >> > ______________________________________________________________ > 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
