[Elecraft] Best way to check ATU function?

[Tom Hammond NØSS]

Tim:

>My ATU doesn't seem to be doing a lot of retuning when I shift between
>bands lately. I use a 260' horizontal loop. For example, I can shift
>between 20 meters and 30 meters and the ATU will act as if it's already
>tuned when you push the Tune button - and show me a 1.1. No relays
>clicking at all. The ATU is in AUTO mode. I'm just having a lot of
>trouble believing that it is tuning to the maximum. It seems that in the
>past it did more "retuning". Can someone suggest the most practical way
>to check if the ATU is functioning properly. (I know I'm going to feel
>stupid when I hear this answer hi hi). 73/Tim Logan NZ7C

And it shouldn't!

It remembers the last GOOD settings for each band and resets them as soon 
as you chenge bands.

Sooo... unless thre's been a change in the antenna characteristics or 
you're changing to a significantly different area of the band (esp. on 40M 
or 80/74M) you may well not notice ANY retuning.

Just because the ATU's in AUTO mode, this doesn't mean you still don't need 
to press the [TUNE] button to have it tune... it will NOT tune without you 
being in TUNE mode regardless. But, when you DO hit [TUNE], if the ATU sees 
an SWR less than about 1/5:1, it probably won't attempt to return.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS