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| Reviews Summary for Elecraft KAT100 Automatic Antenna Tuner Kit |
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Reviews: 23
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $239
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Description: The KAT100 handles up to 150W and is the ideal companion to the K2 and K2/100 transceivers. It can match a 10:1 SWR with tuner settings stored for each band and each of its dual antenna outputs. 10 LEDs display real time SWR.
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More info: http://www.elecraft.com
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write your own review of the Elecraft KAT100 Automatic Antenna Tuner Kit.
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K9YC
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 2, 2004 16:29
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The Contester's Tuner!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is a great tuner! It has inputs for two antennas, and the microprocessor remembers last setting for each antenna on each band. It's an L-section tuner, which means that it tends to maintain a good match over a much wider bandwidth than other types of tuners.
The K2/100, combined with this tuner, is a wonderful rig for CW contesting, DX chasing, and general operating. The only thing that would make it better is a third antenna input!
Like any tuner, the tuning range is not infinite, although it is quite good. There are some antennas that it just won't tune. When I run into that situation (as I did this winter when I found myself with shorted coax on my main antenna and weather that doesn't let me change it) I stick a manual tuner between the KAT100 and the antenna. The combination always finds a match, even with awful antennas.
Jim Brown K9YC
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K1XM
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2003 21:11
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Fine K2/100 addition
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I had arranged to operate the 2003 CQ WW CW contest from VP9GE's station in Bermuda. The antennas consisted of a G5RV and a small triband beam.
A couple weeks before leaving I bought the KAT100. It was easy to build. I had to replace several microprocessors in the K2/100 because my firmware was too old. This gave me a chance to do the latest mods and to re-tighten the final amplifier transisitors.
The KAT100 was easy to build (I ordered pre-wound toroids) and was done in a day. I found it more pleasant to construct than the K2. It worked 100% the first time I turned it on. This was good, as I finished it on Friday, packed it on Saturday, and arrived in Bermuda the next Wednesday.
In Bermuda I connected the two antennas to the transmatch. For some reason the transmatch could not load the G5RV on 20 meters, but everything else was fine. If that mattered I would have added a few feet of coax to the G5RV which probably would have fixed it. As it was, I used the beam on 20.
This arrangement allowed me to QSY instantly to any band, which is otherwise not possible with a G5RV. It was great.
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KD5UVF
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 19, 2003 22:27
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Absolutely the best!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've used the unit with my k2/100 for approx. 3 months and have found it to be flawless (and very fast). The kit was easy to build (including winding the toroids) and when I made a mistake and soldered an IC in backwards a call to Elecraft got me instructions on what to do and a new part by mail in several days. I could not praise the service I've received from Elecraft too highly.
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KQ9L
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Rating: 5/5
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May 10, 2003 16:46
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Lives up to the Elecraft tradition
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Well having owned the excellent LDG AT11-MP, I was sketical that another auto tuner could match its abilities. I bought the KAT100 because I wanted to built it into an external case with my 100w PA and have an all Elecraft station. I have been pleasantly surprized that this tuner can match anything that the LDG could and in addition do so in less time!
With the KAT100, I get 1:1 - 1:3 SWR on 10-80m with my eclectic blend of attic mounted and long wire antennas. The tuner remembers its last match per band and PER ANTENNA, a great feature for a multiantenna setup.
Just another great product from Elecraft which lives up to the fine tradition of Elecraft products.
73 Rich
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K9FTB
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 3, 2003 19:29
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Excellent Value & Performance
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I built the KAT100 into the EC-2 matching K2 enclousre along with the 100 Watt amp, KPA100.
The KAT100 works very well and is very fast. I've matched all sorts of test antennas and it almost always ends up below 2.0 to 1, most often 1.0 to 1.0. Using this guy with the KPA100 and the K2 is a combination that is very capable, small, rugged, and gives me the satisfaction of knowing that I built it. The support on the Elecraft reflector is super as is the company. During assembly I broke a connector. I sent an email and within 3 days had the no charge replacement.
I've configured my K2 with the KAT2 internal QRP tuner inside the K2. So when operating at home, the KAT2 QRP tuner is bypassed and the K2 uses the KAT100 / KPA100 combo in the separate enclosure. This enables a drop and go situation to grab the K2, with internal battery, and run QRP in the field, just by disconnecting a few cables. Super flexibility.
The performance is great, the value is great, and the company is great. I'd higly recommend this tuner for use with the K2/100!!
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AE6CP
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 18, 2003 13:54
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What can I say, it's an Elecraft
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I'm the coolest ham on my block with my K2/KAT/100. No missing parts, great instructions, a blast to build, works great. Thanks again Elecraft.
-Larry AE6CP
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W5EI
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 14, 2003 00:09
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DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Building this tuner could not be easier. The instructions are clear, and the KAT100 worked great the first time I tried it. My antenna is a W9INN dipole tuned for 160-80-40 meters. The KAT100 will tune to 1.1 SWR every time on any band through 10 meters. I did encounter a slight problem trying to tune at high power (>10 watts) on 17 meters. Adding a short length of coax fixed the problem. Instant band change is now the order of the day, and I could not be happier with the KAT100. If you have a K2/100, this tuner is a natural fit.
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N2ZDB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 23, 2002 22:53
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Works Great!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Completed my new KAT100 last Saturday (11/16/02), after about 5 - 10 hours of assembly. Tuner is functioning great with my K2/100, and tunes just about any band with 1.5:1 or less SWR (most are at 1.0:1). I am currently just using a dipole with a length of about 60 feet.
Would highly recommend this to anyone with a K2!
Michael
N2ZDB
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W8OB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 16, 2002 17:10
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excellant product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just completed building my kat100. I could not be happier with the performance of this piece of gear. I can now tune antennas to cover 160-10 meters with 1.0-1 vswr. assembly took about 11 hours and fire up was without any problems. the really great thing about this gear is if you have a problem or a question a lightning fast answer is only a phone call or email away without having to find your way through a endless maze of "if you need help press 4" type of crap some of the other mfgrs have. keep up the great work elecraft and by the way, Whats next?????
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W0KJV
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 31, 2002 21:03
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Cutting-Edge Technology Design in a HF 150-Watt Antenna Tuner!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am W0KJV who is one of the Elecraft Field Testers that was selected to build and evaluate the new model KAT-100 Automatic Antenna Tuner. The KAT-100 is a unit conservatively designed to handle up to 150-watts of power when it is used with the matching model K-2 HF Transceiver kit and the model KPA-100 HF 100-watt Amplifier kit.
The kit took about 15 hours to inventory the parts, assemble the parts into the two circuit boards, winding of various toroid coils, and cleaning the solder rosin from all the solder joints. You can purchase the toroidal coils already wound, but they are really easy to wind yourself. Cleaning the solder rosin from the printed circuit boards not only makes the entire finished project look very professional, but the real benefit is that the process enables the builder to spot and correct any solder joints that may have not been done correctly.
There were no parts shortages and the assembly directions were quite thorough. You will find that the kit is an oustanding value and if you carefully follow the assembly directions, your kit building adventure will be the satisfaction of a fine tuner. I must say again that it is well designed and it works great!
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