[Antennas] Re: Antenna Tuner Selection

[Dan Richardson]

Gary wrote:
>>I purchased an Ameritron AL-811H 800 watt linear and
>>am debating about the right antenna tuner to purchase.
>>  I have read the E-ham reviews and have gotten such a
>>mixed bag of opinions that I've come away more
>>confused than informed.

Gary,

With all the claims and counter-claims regarding tuners your confusion is 
certainly understandable. Over the years I have owned and used several 
tuners and have come to the following conclusions:

1) Most have about the same matching ranges.

2) Tuner losses are the greatest for low impedances at the lower 
frequencies ( less than 25-ohms on 80 and 160-meter bands).

3) A Tee type tuner has the widest matching range of impedances with 
smaller capacitance and inductance values.

4) An L type tuner has lowest losses, but requires wider range of component 
values.

5) For matching 25 to 2500-ohm impedances most commercial tuners' losses 
are less than 1/2dB. Providing you are operating within their power ratings.

5) The true power handling capacity is about 1/2 to1/3 the rating claimed 
my the manufacture.

5) Based upon tests made by the ARRL's lab and reported in the fall of last 
year, it appears that most automatic tuners on the market today have higher 
losses than manual tuners.

6) Large manual tuners with physically large components have the lowest losses.

My advise would be get the biggest tuner you can afford. If you get a good 
tuner the first time you'll never need another as it will last a life time.

73,
Danny, K6MHE






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