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| Reviews Summary for SGC SG-239 Smartuner |
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Reviews: 34
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Average rating: 4.2/5
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MSRP: $199.95
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Description: Very small SG-239 Smartuner automatic microprocessor antenna coupler with 68HC711 microprocessor. Coupler can be used within its' power rating with any SSB in range of 1.8-30 MHz. Designed for base station, marine, mobile and ladder feed antenna applications. For antenna types 100ft or longer base or marine whip for full frequency range operation. Housed in an aluminum case.
• Number of channels: unlimited
• Frequency range: Minimum length of 9 feet (7-30 MHz @ 100W), 40 feet (3-30 MHz @ 200W) or 100 feet (1.8-30 MHz @ 100W).
• Power rating: 200 watts* PEP maximum: 12VDC. operation
• SWR: Less than 2:1
• Minimum tune power: 1.5 watts typical
• Supplied with manual.
• Over all dimensions 7.5 x 6 x 1.85 inches
• Under 2 pounds
* For antennas 100 feet or longer.
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.sgcworld.com/products/239/239.html
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G0MRR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2011 11:47
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Smartuner by name Smart Tuner by use!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This incredible tuner used with (Stealth, inside roof area) through an EZ End fed 16.2 metre. Insulated long wire from a 1 to 9 unun gives me excellent SWR readings though all HF Bands.
It was installed using a GOOD QUALITY 13.8VDC DC transformer in the roof space to supply the SG239. (I tried a cheap transformer and got a lot of interference where the quality transformer works well and silent.) From the transformer cable connected to a fused switched spur down stairs to a handy cupboard, you can hear the improvement when the tuner is switched on, it makes a huge difference to RX on my transceiver.
The great thing is its huge memory, I can switch on and transmit! It memorises all previous modes & frequencies. Fast efficient and a bonus to my antenna system.
No need for a clumsy ATU next to your rig! Your transceiver shows you how efficient the SG239 can perform.
One or two exceptions:
The power input range is up to 200W PEP. If you wanted to use outside then you would need to be creative with a plastic box (Ice Cream Tub) as it would need protecting from all weathers.
I’m sorry if I sound like a sales advert but I speak as I find this is truly a brilliant piece of kit! http://www.sgcworld.com/239ProductPage.html
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G4HUK
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 31, 2009 13:25
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Excellent Technical Support
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I purchased a faulty SG-239 on EBay for £36 (T1 had been burnt out) and emailed SGC for the cost of a replacement part and winding info. They responded quickly with a very reasonably priced part and provided details of the wire size, type and number of turns which enabled me to rewind T1. The tuner now works exactly as expected. First tune is quite fast unless it is an akward load at that particular frequency, but it always finds a match eventualy. Once a match has been found and memorized it recalls it instantly the next time I use that frequency. This is my first auto-tuner so I can't compare it with others - but it seems to do everything claimed. SGC deserve a well earned 10/10 for their technical help.
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KD6HUC
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 27, 2008 16:07
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Ditch your built in tuner
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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For starters I live in an apartment and all my antennas must be stealthy. This unit is installed just six feet from my operating position and works well connected to seventy feet of antenna with around 100 feet of counterpoise(rain gutters) Sometimes I do need to reset the unit due to changing antenna conditions. I live on the ocean in the Pacific northwest and we get lot's of rain, so I think it's no fault of the unit, just changed electrical characteristics of antenna. My summary states,"ditch your built in tuner" and I stand by this 100% When purchased I expected performance on par with the built ins on past rigs I've owned. Boy was I wrong! This thing may even tune a wet string if it's the right length and it's fast! Don't get me wrong. It can't match my trusty Drake MN-2000, but that's a manual tuner that was built to practically Mil-Spec standards! Just the same it works damn good and to top it off it's made here in the U.S.A!!! As far as tech support goes; well I really feel for those people who had problems, but at least they have tech support here on this continent!!!
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KY6R
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 15, 2008 14:01
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Good Gear / Good Price
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I saved $300 by purchasing this unit and putting it in a weatherproof box that I had laying around the house (which is a Pelican waterproof camera case. I had a nice set of ceramic standoffs for the ladder line connectors, an SO-239, and I used a 4 pin mic connector for the power and other two control lines.
I am using it with a 46 foot ladder line fed doublet that has loading coils for 40M.
This tuner tunes this antenna very nicely from 80 - 10M.
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DH5AK
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Rating: 4/5
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May 5, 2008 12:56
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Good companion!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use it for portable operation, bought it used in 2006 for 200.oo€. It works as it should and tuned most or even all antennas I ever tried. I give a four as I do not like the soulution with the metal case. SGC could have saved the money for the metal case and add a slim line plastic case with a silicone seal. Leaving away the metal case would cause higher efficiency anyway.
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NQ3X
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 30, 2008 04:51
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Does what it says and then some
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Having used SGC products before, I was already somewhat familiar with their equipment before I took the plunge and purchased a 239. I am not disappointed!
Putting the L/C network at the antenna end of a coaxial feedline eliminates loss in that feedline. SGC makes it simple and quick to make that happen: run coax, power, and possibly control cables to your antenna's feedpoint and forget about it.
My main HF antenna is an Extended Double Zepp cut for 14MHz, fed with 300-ohm twinlead. With the SG-239 at the bottom end of the balanced feeders, the antenna is usable on all HF bands within seconds. Moreover, I once mistakenly tuned this antenna on 6m - outside the specs of the tuner - and it worked so well I didn't notice the error until after I finished the QSO.
It should be noted that the SG-239 won't make a 5-foot long piece of wire into a 3-element Yagi on 3.5MHz - nor will it tune everything with no problems. If the user exceeds the specifications of the unit, it won't work properly. It does NOT have the wide parameters of a manual unit (like a Johnson Matchbox or even an MFJ "twiddle the knobs" tuner). But unlike other amateur radio products I've tried (and sold on), this unit does exactly what it says on the box.
This unit would be a fantastic addition to any emergency communications kit. No training is required in its operation; you key the microphone, talk, and the firmware does the rest.
There is one caveat - as sold, it is not weatherproof. I fixed that with a Rubbermaid bin, a fistful of connectors from my Junque Boxe, and some time. But since the weatherproof remote tuners are exponentially more expensive than the SG-239, I'll deal with that utterly minor inconvenience.
If you're looking for an inexpensive install-it-and-forget-it antenna matching unit for either your home or portable/emergency operation, consider the SGC SG-239.
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WC0L
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 17, 2008 20:53
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Needs a balun
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is actually a very good tuner. I own two of them. I keep one as a spare, because every 2 or 3 years, I have to send one back to SGC for repair due to my W5GI "Mystery" antenna taking a local static charge which pops some of the diodes in the tuner (Kansas thunderstorms, you know). I recently installed a knife switch to disconnect the antenna when not in use. We'll see if that stops the static charge problem. I recently installed an Elecraft BL2 balun on the output of this tuner. What a difference! Now, the tuner tunes much more quickly, does not have to retune as often with frequency change, and the antenna is much more quiet. I am now working DX with this antenna which I have never done before. If you use one of these tuners on a center fed antenna with open wire or ladder feed, do yourself a favor and put a balun on it. You won't believe the difference.
73,
Mike, WC0L
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WB8IJN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 4, 2007 20:11
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Worth the Effort
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had my SG-239 at the end of 70-odd feet of ethernet hose & a multi-wire control cable, out in a shed behind the house for at least three years. It's hooked up through latching relays to a 40m, a dipole cut for something below 4 MHz and the mast that holds the dipole. The control box in the house that runs the antenna system also has a "Smart Lock" circuit running to the '239. I've run an IC-706Mk2G, an IC-718 and a FT-817 into the tuner and it's never failed to work.
It's been back for repair once, after a thunderstorm passed through (during which it was disconnected from antennas and powered off). That's the only service it's ever needed.
It tunes all my dirt-cheap antennas 160m through 6m within a few seconds. I was surprised when it tuned an antenna with the FT-817.
If I could get one shrunk to the size of the '817, I'd buy it. I plan on keeping it 'til the estate auction. I depend on it to work and it has never disappointed me.
Nils
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WB1AEX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 6, 2006 13:54
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Outstanding Performance and Reliability
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have my 239 remotely installed in the basement where my ladder line enters through a sill installation. From the second floor operating position, I use 3 wire rotor cable to send +12vdc down to it as well as a line that allows me to remotely reset the tuner if desired. My 239 tunes a ladder line fed 160 meter inverted vee on any frequency from 160 - 10 meters. To speed things up, I have walked it in 10 kc steps through the areas of bands that I operate, so it will store those frequencies in memory. Training it like this really enhances operation. The tuner has been in operation for 1.5 years without a glitch. I did install a switchable (1:1 or 4:1) Elecraft balun at the output of the 239. I found that this really smoothed out the matching performance and it made a HUGE difference in noise rejection on receive. I would recommend the SGC-239 tuner without hesitation to anyone who wants a simple to use fully automatic tuner.
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N0UA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 13, 2006 08:21
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Excellent & Good Support
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had the 239 for two years in my attic tuning a loop with a length of 60 feet. Works well. Several months ago the tuner stopped working. Upon opening the unit I found a badly burned matching capacitor. Called SGC and told them about the cap AND my amp. They sent me a full set of caps at NO CHARGE. Replaced cap - tuner works as original.. I do have an amp (Alpha 78) in the shack and there is a very good chance that I inadvertently placed the amp in-line with the 239! The shack has been rewired so the amp can no longer be in-line with the tuner....
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