Well, I have to put in my 2 cents worth. First off, putting a carrier on the air to tune/test/analyze a antenna is probably not the correct thing to do. The reason is simple, if it is a new antenna you have no idea what the R and X numbers are for where the j0 point is, correct? Then with all of the antenna analyzers out there, take a look at the antenna wideband........ That's right, wideband. Why spend endless amounts of time trying to "Tune Match" the antenna and cause unnecessary signals on the air if you don't have to??????
Second, use the modern tools available. And not just a ATU. The whole idea of putting up a antenna is to understand what it is and how best to put RF power into it. Sure the ATU can match an antenna that is a MegaHertz high in frequency and at your target frequency it is 200 ohms. Why not use a 4:1 balun and make the ATU not absorb the loss of matching????? OK, My method is not new, but I think it serves repeating. New amplifier. Not automatic, one that requires band and tuning settings. DO it into a dummy load, write down the numbers. Take the analyzer and find out where the antenna is resonant. Yes, it will be more efficient if it is resonant where you want to operate. Of course if it is a weird configuration, then at least write down the R and X numbers for the frequencies of interest. Then take the steps necessary to limit the loss in the system. Baluns if necessary, tuners of your choice. But use the analyzer to "tune and match" the antenna, record the numbers. Then hook up the radio, amplifier, tuner, etc and if necessary fine tune the final settings and record them for future use. Next time you decide to switch bands just use the presets you recorded. Less interference on the bands, and less stress for the equipment. OK, There is my 2 cents worth, like someone else said, back into my hole. Mel, K6KBE On Thursday, August 28, 2014 9:54 AM, Jim Miller <jimmil...@stl-online.net> wrote: I always set my tuner first with only the radio into it and at 4 watts. When it is good, increase the scale on the meter and enable the AL-1500Q amp at 4 watts giving me 200 to 400 watts out and tune the amp and then tweek the tuner if necessary. 4 in gives 400 out, 25 in gives 1500 out on some bands - NO I am not going to start tuning at full power. 73, Jim KG0KP -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Wheeler Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2014 10:14 AM To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Tuning your radio and amplifier to your amtenna Good point in the "On the other hand", Jim. I'm not sure the original poster specified KPA500/KAT500 or a 3rd party amp -- and it does make a difference. Phil W7OX On 8/27/14, 10:50 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > On Wed,8/27/2014 9:22 PM, kd7gc wrote: >> I have never heard of anyone suggesting that tuning should begin with >> anything close to 4 watts. I generally go thru 3 or 4 steps, but I >> start with my transceiver set to about 25 or 30 watts output. > > Agreed. My Ten Tec Titans (a pair of triodes) drive with a bit less > than 50W. I have tune settings for each amp for each band on a yellow > sticky next to the amp, so I set those, then hit it with about 25W, > tweak, run drive to see close to 1500, and retune for maximum smoke as > indicated by the SWR/power meter. I tune with dits, so the duty cycle > is 50%, less stress than full power carrier, but gives me correct > tuning for full power. > > On the other hand, if you're tuning an auto tuner like the KAT500, you > want to tune it with drive power only, the amp off. > > 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to jimmil...@stl-online.net ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to farrerfo...@yahoo.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
