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| Reviews Summary for LDG Z-100 Low Cost Autotuner |
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Reviews: 115
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $149
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Description: Low cost 0.1 to 125 watt autotuner. 200 memories, zero power consumption
when not tuning, latching relays, interfaces for all popular radios and 160
thru 6 meter coverage.
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More info: http://www.ldgelectronics.com/
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G7IGB
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 21, 2009 04:22
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Great value for money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had several Z-100 'auto-tuners' in the past and currently use one with my Yaesu FT-450 for portable operation. Sometimes a BALUN or UNUN transformer is required to help feed point impedance matching, but the Z-100 never fails to tune anything within its wide range. It can be powered directly from your IC-706 or FT-857 and can also work from a 9V PP3 type battery, making it ideal for backpack HF or field day /P outings.
Older versions are limited to 50W on the 6m band, but there is a 'Plus' version now available which handles 100W on 50MHz. It will run on any voltage source from 7 to 18V and 6 AA batteries provide a year of normal use, with current drain while tuning less than 100ma. The new price has gone up to £140 in the UK but second hand units can be bought for around £70, which is a fair price considering the cost of some other units.
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N0BSS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 13, 2009 20:31
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Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Picked up a used Z-100 to use w/ my Icom 7200. Have used the tuner with numerous antennas including random wire, dipole, etc. Never failed to tune anything I thru at it. Excellent tuning range. Very tough unit. I power the unit off of the Icom and the nice thing it is very easy to use....just push the tune button on the Z-100 and a few seconds later, little or no SWR. Very nice for portable use. Also own a AT-1000 which also works very well. I know there is a "plus" now available, but I can't see how it would work any better. I picked this one up for $90. What a deal!!!
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WB2ERJ
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 19, 2009 14:34
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Not that great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I was disappointed with this tuner. I've used it to tune longwire and twinlead fed antennas and it just doesn't have the range to get a close match much of the time. I had to fiddle with the feedline length to get it to match my twinlead fed dipole. Even then, I often have to fool it by getting it to tune 50-100 khz off the desired frequency in order to get a good match. My old el-cheapo mfj manual tuner knocks the socks off of this thing. Spend a little more money for a better tuner.
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N8DNX
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 19, 2009 09:35
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Works good, but minor issue for noisy environments.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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We've been using the Z-100's along with some IC-718's at a few of the EOC's for disaster communications. We've been trying to cure problems with noise we get from all of their computers and network systems. We moved the antenna at one location away from the building but still get obvious trash from their systems.
While I was testing one of the radios and tuners on my bench, I noticed that the RX noise level increased when I plugged the power and control connectors into the Z-100. I popped open the tuner and noticed that the control and RF grounds are isolated for RF and that noise coming in on the control and power grounds was being induced into the RF side. I simply strapped the two grounds together and the problem went away completely.
Curious it's designed this way because the RF shield from the tuner is directly connected to the radio shield anyway. Go figure. Since putting in the jumper, the noise level is noticeably lower on the rig even here at my house. Looking forward to putting it back at the EOC.
Of course it is a plastic case, so may have to do something else anyway.
Chuck
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WA8VVG
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 21, 2009 10:25
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Tuned input for older amps
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just got my first solid state rig TS 930s, been running TS 830s's for many years. The TS 930s has the built in antenna tuner, but it does not operated on 160. I thought I'd try the Z-100 to use as a tuned input into my Dentron Clipperton L on 160. Works like a charm, just push the button and it tuned in the amp to 1.2 : 1 in about 3 seconds. Much less cost than trying to find or build a tuned input for the older amps. Now the rig and the amp are very happy with each other
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KC0QNX
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 14, 2009 08:11
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best bang for the buck
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I see some pinging that it doesn't have swr meter or noise, etc but for a low cost auto-tuner that does what you bought it for and does it well,,,,,,,,,,I guess you shouldn't expect Champaign when you're on a Beer budget, and I don't. I love mine, would buy again and running bare foot w/100w, it's just the ticket
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MI3LVZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 12, 2009 07:31
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Great compact tuner
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use mine for poratble work with my 706, the tuners size and minimal draw from the battery is great. A bit noisey when tuning but who's listening anyway. Always run it through an SWR meter as sometimes it needs a second tune cycle to get a better reading, apart from that it great for the cash.
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K5LOT
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 1, 2009 11:48
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POOR ENGINEERING
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Time owned: months
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JUST PUTTING THE AA BATTERIES IN IT IS A MAJOR HASSEL THE FRONT PLATE IS VERY HARD TO RESEAT IN THE COVER NOT TO MENTION THE BAUD RATE OF 38400 WHEN ALL THE OTHER ACC. USE 9600 BAUD THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT ARE RUDE AND DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT IMPROVEMENT
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AE5RC
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 29, 2008 19:21
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Basic Auto Tuner
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It is a pretty good basic auto tuner. I do not like the fact it has no swr meter and I do not like the green swr indicator light. I wish there was a light for less than 1.5:1 and a different color one for a high swr or a mismatch. However, it does what it says it will do in the directions. It is extremely easy to operate and takes little space in the radio shack set up. A 5 if swr meter and multi-colored lights were included. A strong 4 since they are not. It is a pretty nice addition to the shack.
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N4FDG
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 2, 2008 08:20
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Works as advertised
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Great little tuner. I use mine in my mobile with a 9v battery for power(just so I don't clutter up the cigar lighter with a cable). Tunes all bands as advertised using Diamond HV-7A vertical with the 40m stinger.
Works great in the shack too.
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