|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the EMTECH ZM-2 ATU.
|
W3TUA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 4, 2012 17:49
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Simple Excellence
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
This simple-to-use tuner has performed flawlessly for the past 8 months. I've had it tune all sorts of antennas from dipoles, to wire verticals, and random wires and it hasn't let me down.
The built-in SWR indicator saves me from having to lug around an extra meter. It makes a great companion to my Ten-Tec HR-4020 transceiver and goes in the same pistol case used to carry my entire portable station.
|
|
K9RCM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 14, 2011 13:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent!!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
This is the first review I've ever done. But, this tuner warrants it. I'm not a kit builder, and this is the first thing I ever attempted to build. It was an easy project and works as amazingly as they say it does. I tuned a random wire strung up 40 ft. as a sloper. Put a counterpoise wire out on the ground and worked several stations on 30 and 20 meters with PSK 31.
I even bought a second one.
|
|
KJ4FUU
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 8, 2011 07:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Easy build, great results
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I'd been out of practice building kits for a few years, and this was my first build since getting my ham license. The directions were OK (there were no errors, just some things may have been made clearer), and there's no arguing with the results. I have a random wire antenna, and due to its length it took me a bit to find the correct settings for 15 meters, but since I found them, I've worked Bosnia and Moldova on 5w phone! No troubles with any of the HF bands, and it does tune quickly.
I will probably buy another one, just as a spare, and I can easily recommend this tuner to any QRPer.
|
|
ZL2AIM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 27, 2009 21:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great matching unit for QRP
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have built two of these tuners and both work extremely well. I used them in conjunction with both TenTec 1340 and TenTec 1320 rigs and on a variety of balanced and unbalanced antennas.
I have used one with a FT817 with no problems in tuning up whatever antenna I was using.
I have never used one on my bedsprings but have managed to tune up a variety of antennas ranging from a G5RV, inverted Vee's, long wire with good earth and long wire with counterpoise earth. I found they were great to tune up a dipole antenna made out of two slinky springs. With that antenna tuned by the Emtech ZM2 I worked Zimbabwe from Durban South Africa using 2 watts.
Yes, the tuning is very sharp and some practice is required, but once mastered it is a cinch to set up and tune. Don't have a heart attack if the red LED does not go out completely, - you will not damage your set if you can see some dimming of the LED.
For portable operation on QRP, this is a great little matching unit.
|
|
W6EOD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 13, 2009 05:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Versatile
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
This is a very versatile piece of gear. I use it when portable and have no issues whatsover with packing it around.
Those upset about quality or ruggedness, remember that it is NOT MILSPEC. If you want tough as nails then go get a box of nails and make a tuner out of them.
You might say that the price is a bit high but If you ask the folks at EMTECH they will tell you that EMTECH is not their primary buisness. That translates to me that they offer this product for because we want them to. I don't mind the fact that the ZM-2 is not from a massive supply warehouse operation like MFJ.
My only observation that may stand out is that the "null" when tuning can be super narrow, and combine that with the fact that the SWR LED indicator may or may not go completly out at the match. This may cause some anxiety but all this amounts to is careful tuning will do the job.
If you are an /p operator give it a try because that is where it really shines!
|
|
CWBILL
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Oct 22, 2008 06:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
OK but not GREAT
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I ordered this kit and shipping seemed a bit slow, once I did receive it, I was not impressed by it's quality for the price paid. The instuctions were not helpful, but you can get by with google.. It works OK but not great.
|
|
W2AEW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 18, 2008 21:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Very Nice!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Easy to build, and simple to use. Tunes a wide range of impedances. I took the advice of other builders and used a self-stick clear protective film over the laser printed paper front panel/label to keep it in good shape. I also added a couple of blocks of styrofoam to mount the toroids on, using a bit of hot-melt glue to tie everything together. Very nice addition to my "portable shack" suitcase.
|
|
KC8SLC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 9, 2008 10:16
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Thumbs up!!!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
This is an excellent tuner!! Works great on all antenna types. I'm currently using it on a 83' foot long single wire with an earth ground for my qrp rigs, and I can tune up in about a minute with a perfect match. I'll be taking this on my backpacking trip to South Manitou Island this summer and many other outings!! Tim.
|
|
GM0ELP
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 3, 2008 04:16
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
ATU arrived after 3 weeks wait.
Would advise to read whole manual first as they put building hints at the end which I found when I had finished.
The diagrams for T130-2 torroid windings start by showing an anti-clockwise wind direction then switch to showing a clockwise wind direction which was confusing. The advise to wind all sections in the same direction in which you started is good and saved the day.
Care should be taken to read all notes on the diagrams as the diagram themselves are misleading.
Build time was 4 hours and was easy going.
All parts were present in the kit. The front panel decal is a sticker of matt finish which would turn to mush at the first sign of rain (a handy tip is given after you've finished to spray clear lacquer over the decal and allow to dry before mounting any components).
The ATU works well into my doublet and tunes all bands. The tuning LED is great and tuning using it is easy and avoids having to hook up a SWR meter. All in all this tuner deserves a 5 because it presents good value for money and works well. A little more work on the manual would make it more user friendly.
|
|
EI8DRB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 3, 2007 03:30
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Fantastic Tuner
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
After much research, I decided that the ZM2 would be the perfect companion to my FT817.
I was stunned by the quick delivery... 4 days to Ireland, and for only $5.
The construction was easy, guided by clear instructions. It took just over two hours to complete, with the only hiccup being a missing 500pf cap. I received a replacement cap via the same amazingly quick postage, fitted it and tried it out.
Tuning is fast and precise. Switch to 'operate', tune for maximum noise, switch to 'tune', fine tune for minimum led light (usually off), switch back to 'operate' and you're ready. All in all, after a bit of practise, it takes about a minute.
Great kit. I recommend to anyone considering taking the QRP road.
Build review with pictures at my blog...
http://blog.gerryk.com/?cat=4
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
