[ICOM] Icom auto tuners and multiband antennas

[Adam Farson]

Hi Des,

Admittedly I have never used a G5RV, but I have used an IC-2KL/AT-500 pair
in conjunction with a set of fan dipoles (coax-fed, with a W2AU balun)
covering 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10m. I found that the AT-500 would match a load
with a maximum VSWR excursion of 3:1 or slightly greater.

Cheers for now, 73,
Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ


-----Original Message-----
From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Des Pendergast
Sent: 03 June 2006 21:16
To: IcomTuner at yahoogroups.com; Icom reflector; Icom Radio Group
Subject: [ICOM] Icom auto tuners and multiband antennas

Hello to all,

Due to a forced change in QTH, I am considering the options of what type of
station I will assemble once moved in there.  My present station consists of
dedicated antennas for each of the HF bands in the form of dipoles and yagis
- I have an AT-500 which I really use to just 'touch-up' the final matches
of these antennas which are pretty good, match wise, to the required band.

My new QTH location is probably going to mean that I will not be assembling
such a station - instead, maybe settling for a multiband antenna to cover
all the HF bands 80 - 10 metres.  One antenna - and that will probably be
it.

My thoughts so far are focused on the G5RV.  An antenna I have used very
successfully for portable operation but have never used much at home and
therefore have never tried the Icom AT series of tuners to obtain a match.

How do the Icom 'AT' series tuners perform and handle matching such
antennas?  Has anyone out there tried this sort of approach?  I would be
interested in any comments on how they worked out and how any problems were
over come.

Using something like my AT-500 will allow me to also use the IC2KL that I
have next to it on the operating bench - just a bit of help over barefoot
operation.  (Will be a bit short of what I can do with a 4 element yagi as
exists at present).

When portable, I use an AH-4 with the G5RV - which works fine with power
levels up to 100 watts but I would like to use the linear amp when operating
from the home QTH and the bands are noisy.

So my question is, how have others found the AT series tuners cope with G5RV
antennas and hose similar to it?

Looking forward some interesting replies,

Des - VK3DMP.




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