[ICOM] Icom auto tuners and multiband antennas

[we1x at comcast.net]

Des,

I've used the AT-500 with various wire antennas including G5RV, center fed multi-band dipole, and Fritzel FD4 windom.  I still use the Fritzel FD4 windom for 80-10m. One fine antenna. SWR very high on 30m and 15m as the antenna was not designed for those 2 bands..however, I've found over the years (antenna has been in use for 10 years) that the AT-500, internal Icom transceiver tuners, and now my outboard LDG AT-200pro "tune" it just fine.

Unfortunately, the Fritzel FD4 is no longer in production as OM Fritzel passed away years ago..and I think Hofi no longer markets the antenna.  Buckmaster/Alpha Delta make a variant.  

Harry WE1X

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Des Pendergast" <vk3dmp at wideband.net.au> 

> 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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