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You can
write your own review of the EMTECH ZM-2 ATU.
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KC2IYK
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 9, 2006 18:05
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Feels Chintzy
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Well- I know this has a growing fan club- but I was disappointed with the cheap overall feel- too plastic-y. The sticker on the front was a rude surprise- thought the aluminum would have been stamped or airbtushed, etc. Would have been nice to see better provisions for keeping the innards from jostling. Having fairly good tuning luck- but compared to the aluminum-cased SignaLink (for example)for the same money, I think the ZM-2 should run around $30- it just doesn't "feel" like quality. (I want to like it- I really do!)
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K5GMT
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 26, 2005 22:00
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Great Tuner
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I got this for use with my FT-817 while camping and traveling. Assemble was a snap. I think this thing will tune anything. I recently used it from a 3rd floor hotel room with a wire out my window to a tree and a counterpoise. Tuned up and radiated great. Only improvements suggested: 1. Put it in a small case. 2. Put the antenna connections on the back.
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KJ7BS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 7, 2005 11:36
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ZM-2 A Big Thumbs Up
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I built this kit in a couple of hours. I was a bit intimidated about winding toroids, but the instructions were really clear and the pictures helped, too.
I've been using my ZM-2 with several QRP rigs I purchased with excellent results. I primarily use it with my Elecraft K2 now and it has seen a lot of camping and backpack use.
Tuning took a little getting use to as the tune 'sweet spot' is very narrow, but when that LED goes out, you are in tune. The bright LED is easily seen in the full sun of the day.
I tipically use a long wire antenna, but have also used it on all kind of wire antennas. I believe it will tune anything.
Mark, KJ7BS
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AI4DG
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 30, 2005 08:48
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Great value
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the kit version to go with my FT-817. I'm fairly handy with a soldering iron and I got it together in about 3 hours one evening.
I've used it to match random wires and to broaden the range of Hamsticks. I've always been able to match a reasonable load for the band. The LED SWR indicator does a good job of indicating the dip in SWR and the absorptive bridge keeps the high SWR away from the rig.
The only wants I'd have are:
- A somewhat smaller case. The components could go into a smaller box.
- A bypass switch. Easy enough to add or just disconnect the tuner.
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KC0JYT
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 5, 2004 00:42
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One of the best decisions in QRP radio I've made yet!!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The best way to describe this tuner is "Exactly as advertised"! I built a 1/2 sized G5RV, inverted V with the feed point at 25' and can match any freq in the 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, or 10m bands. At first I didn't believe it so I used another SWR meter to confirm the readings. Almost every match is a flat 1 to 1. The few areas where the SWR light wouldn't go completely out, still showed 1.3 to 1 or better! Tuning is SHARP so a little practice is required.
Results? You bet!
First contact from my QTH in Honolulu HI was to a HAM on Kwajalein Island. Thats a little over 2,400 miles as the crow flies on 5 watts SSB. He gave me a solid S5 ~ S6. Next contact was Santa Catarina in Brazil. Again, 5 watts, SSB and a little over 8,000 miles! I haven't broken any records but the ZM-2 has exceeded all of my expectations.
Rig used is a Ten Tec Scout turned down to 5 watts. Antenna is a homebrew G5RV, inverted V at 25'.
Previous building expirence:
- Tuna Tin Two (kit)
- A couple of DC receivers (kit and ugly)
- A few antennas
- One self designed CW paddle
I would purchase this tuner again without any hesitation. It's reasonably priced, easy to build, and works exactly as advertised.
73s
Kc0jyt
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KV6O
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 15, 2004 16:37
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Excellent!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just built it last weekend, and took it on the road with me for a business trip. Ran 66' of wire out a 4th floor hotel room window (out over a branch about 20' away and straight down) and attached about 25' of counterpoise for an End Fed Half Wave on 40 - worked well beyond my expectations! Worked some friends in SoCal on 20M, US Virgin Islands, and a ton of NorEast stations on 80M - all with 10W from a IC-703.
The tuner is easy to build, and easy to tune - looking forward to my next roadtrip!
SteveL
KV6O
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W1MT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 28, 2004 10:24
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Excellent functional kit
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Time owned: months
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Had a shipping problem but support from Emtech was excellent. Put it together one night while on vacation and used it the same trip. Everything was as expected. Works absolutly perfect. Highly recommended for every QRP kit bag.
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AA7JC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 20, 2004 01:04
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Cool!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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One thing for sure, the SWR sensor is SENSITIVE and accurate! When that (bright) LED light goes completely out, you are tuned! My 300mw qrp transmitter (38 Special) was strong enough to do the trick. No batteries required.. just RF (at QRP levels)!
Another cool thing is that it does not need a balun to feed ladder line... just flip the switch that isolates the link ground from the input ground and you are set.
I took my time and really enjoyed piecing it together.. It was a great project, Lots of fun.. I can't wait to use it on my next campout.
Eham.net gets pat on the back..
Eham is providing ham radio with a very valuable and very unique service through these product reviews.. Who does it better? Thanks Eham!
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KC9BRR
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 12, 2004 16:24
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Outstanding!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Fabrication was easy. Performance is awesome! It loads anything, usually in less than 10 seconds. I've used it with dipoles, folded dipoles, long wires, and my MP-1 vertical. It is the perfect companion to my FT-817.
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K8EAB
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 26, 2003 18:10
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Great Service!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The EMTECH people were out of the black "project boxes" that the ZM-2 fits into when I placed my order, so Scott sent my unit inserted into a "box" that came from one of his personal ZM-2 units ... they have just about solved their enclosure supplier/supply problem, and will be sending me one of their new "boxes" soon ...
These folks respond to e-Mail as quickly as any company I've ever done business with ... the ZM-2 loaded a 20-meter 1/2 square antenna on 30 meters just fine, and I'll know more about it after my upcoming vacation, but for service and response, the EMTECH duo of Scott and Charity can't be beat!
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