[Amps] Attenuator needed

[Jim Brown]

On 11/15/2010 12:38 PM, Vic K2VCO wrote:
> I made a 6 db attenuator for the input of my grid-driven amplifier in order to bring the
> drive requirement up a bit and to provide a better SWR for the exciter during tuning.

Another downside to using an attenuator between the rig and the amp is 
that unless you provide bypass switching,  it's still inline when you 
want to operate without the amp.

W8JI has noted the importance of using the attenuator with some more 
primitive rigs that create a full power spike when set for less than 
their max output power.  This is not an issue with the K3, and I don't 
think with the MP series either, but Tom did specifically mention a 
couple of the 100W $1000 160-440 wonders as having this problem. :)

73, Jim K9YC