[HCARC] Antenna Tuners

[Kerry Sandstrom]

Bob and Gale,

Here are 5 useful antenna tuner references from QST.  "How to Evaluate Your Antenna Tuner - Part1", QST Apr 1995 pp30-34;  "How to Evaluate Your Antenna Tuner - Part 2" , QST May 1995 pp33-37;  "Getting the Most Out of Your T - Network Antenna Tuner", QST Jan 1995 pp 44-47;  "Introducing the Series - Parallel Network", QST Jun 1986 pp21-23;  "The Ultimate Transmatch", QST Jul 1970 pp24-  .

Gale, the 2nd article includes a schematic of the Collins 180S1.

 For whatever reason, Lew McCoy seems to have fallen out of favor with the ARRL.  His Ultimate Transmatch was a popular design for many years.  The T-Network is equally good and doesn't require a dual capacitor (hard to find).  The Heathkit antenna tuners were also quite popular as were the Johnson Matchboxxes.  For balanced lines the Matchbox is the best way as the 4:1 baluns used in the Heathkit tuners and many others are lossy.  There is no substitute for roller inductors and air dielecrtric or vacuum capacitors.  The MFJ tuners are quite popular but just don't have the E F Johnson quality components.  The auto tuners use numerous small inductors and capacitors that are switched in or out to match.  They have a lot more limited matching range compared to the large manual antenna tuners.  The large components from the 60's and earlier are hard to find and quite expensive now. 

Have fun,

Kerry