[Icom] AT-180 Auto Tuner

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 22:01:09 -0700

Tony,

The AT-180 and AH-4 are designed for completely different applications.  The
AT-180 is intended for use with near-resonant antennas; it will tune a
maximum excursion of 3:1. The AT-180 is mounted near the transceiver, and
should have sufficient band overlap to accommodate the MARS frequencies.
Here are the AT-180 specifications:

<http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/hf/at-180.html>

The AH-4 is an automatic antenna coupler, intended to tune random-length
wire and whip antennas. The AH-4 is mounted at the antenna, and the RF lead
from the coupler to the radiator should be as short as possible. The AH-4
covers 3.5 to 54 MHz (continuous) with a 7m (23 ft) wire antenna. Here is
the AH-4 brochure:
<http://www.icomamerica.com/support/documents/brochures/ah-4.pdf>

The AH-3 is an alternative to the AH-4; it covers 1.8 to 30 MHz (continuous)
with a 7m wire antenna.

Best 73,
Adam, VA7OJ/AB4OJ
North Vancouver, BC, Canada
http://www.qsl.net/ab4oj/
Note new e-mail address:
mailto:[email protected]

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of Tony Hackenberg
Sent: September 24, 2002 19:04
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Icom] AT-180 Auto Tuner

I have an ICOM IC-706MKIIG.  I'm thinking about adding the ICOM AT-180
automatic tuner to it.  Any comments?

My primary use of the 706 and auto tuner will be for mobile operation on the
HF bands.  Occassionally, I'll use the 706/auto tuner combo as a base rig.

My other concern is that the auto tuner must be able to handle not only
amateur bands but also MARS frequencies.  An ICOM tech rep told me that the
AT-180 will handle this; whereas the AH-4 is strictly limited to amateur
band frequencies.

I've already consulted eham.net's reviews on the AT-180.

73,
/s/
Tony/WA8SSQ