[Elecraft] Icom Remote Antenna Tuner

[Michael Walker]

It is all automatic.  AM, RTTY or CW.  Any constant carrier mode.  It will
also tune on SSB voice if you wish, but that isn't the best.  The processor
does a frequency analysis and tunes accordingly.

It is well outlined here on SGC's web site.

http://www.sgcworld.com/SideAd06.html and
http://www.sgcworld.com/generalsmartFAQ.html

These are not hobby grade tuners like ham ones we use (Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu
or even LDG).  These are commercial and military grade tuners.

I have used 4 of them on and off over the years when I need a tuner.
However, today, I only use resonant antennas and eliminate the need for a
tuner.

I have 1 SGC259 as a spare in case I need it for an emergency.  It is on my
2nd antenna port on my flex radio at my remote base.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1509

http://www.sgcworld.com/239ProductPage.html

There is an SGC user group you can join.  Most of the Marine guys use them
as well.

Mike va3mw


On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:11 AM, Jim Allen <jalleninvest at gmail.com> wrote:

> How does the SGC tuner know whether you are sending a signal to tune or to
> radiate?
>
> Why must it be AM?
>
> 73 Jim Allen W6OGC
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Apr 9, 2017, at 06:16, Michael Walker <va3mw at portcredit.net> wrote:
>
> You may want to also look at the SGC Tuners.  Far superior to the Icom.
> You can just send it an low power AM signal and it will tune.
>
> I have used them in cars and many temporary installations and they 'just
> work'.
>
> http://www.sgcworld.com/
>
> Mike
>
> On Sat, Apr 8, 2017 at 8:36 PM, Jim Allen <jalleninvest at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> > I am looking at remote antenna tuners. I have seen several controllers
>> for the ICOM AH-4 tuner. My questions are about operation with a K3s.
>> > 1.    Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the
>> AH-4 via the K3s Tune button?
>> > 2.    All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
>> 0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
>> > 3.    When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF
>> or the momentary be terminated immediately?
>> > 4.    Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage
>> the AH-4?
>> > I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some
>> months, and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work
>> at all. That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4
>> gets excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM
>> rig control.
>> I have used an AH-4 for many years, with a 706MKIIG and with various
>> other manufacturer's radios, including now a K2.  Other than the limitation
>> to ~125 watts, these are excellent.  I only run 5 watts so it is not an
>> issue.  I do not recall a situation where the AH-4 would not give a useable
>> match, provided I provided it a plausible antenna.  I use a separate
>> SWR/watt meter that shows it working.
>>
>> The momentary switch  is push on, release off, no time specified.
>> Pushing the button signals the AH-4 to run through its paces for a match.
>> Most often, it is very quick.  Occasionally, when you have gone from, say,
>> 15M to 80M, it might take a little longer, but never more than several
>> seconds.  If no match can be found, it just stops.  Either way, you stop
>> the power. I wouldn't let it just run like that, but have never heard of
>> damage because of it.  You need to reduce power with non-Icom rigs that
>> don't do it automatically.
>>
>> You might join the Icom tuner Yahoo group, if you can stand Yahoo.  Lots
>> of user experience there.
>>
>> I've never seen a store bought controller for the AH-4.  Where have you
>> seen them?
>> 73 Jim Allen W6OGC
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at 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 va3mw at portcredit.net
>>
>
>