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| Reviews Summary for Ameritron ATR-30 |
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write your own review of the Ameritron ATR-30.
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W5VYY
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 29, 2008 14:17
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Great top band tuner
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I purchased the ATR-30 new and have not had any issues with it. I run 1000 watts output from a Heathkit SB-1000 on 160 meters and I use the ATR-30 to tune my open wire fed loop antenna. It was highly recomended to me by other top band operaters. Pictures at: www.johngammon.com
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AD4C2006
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 22, 2008 21:06
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One of the best in the market
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have owned several tuners,MN-2000,different MFJ's,Johnson,Tentec,etc and as soon I purchased this one from a second hand but kept in pristine condition,I realized it was well done,inside and outside the bulding is solid,I have run all kind of antennas from G5RV,dipoles,windoms,verticals,etc using more than 1200W trough it and it never has problems tunning them even at high power.The roller inductor feels smooth,the PEP wattmeter is very accurate,capacitors move very smooth as well,in other words its a perfect tuner for any amp no matter how big it be.I payed $400 for this one and I think it was a good investment.
Hector
AD4C
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K3HKR
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 7, 2008 07:35
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ATR-30
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Simple as this. Most of the BAD reviews are coming from MFJ bashers.
This tuner handles a ton of RF. It is clean and requires only a small amount of maintenance. Yes I change oil in my car too!!!
If you bashers would spend as much time reading, as you do writing, chances are you would not be in this situation. I know if I spent 400.00 on my ATR-30 I would certainly be concerned that something was wrong when I bought it. And YES I will give you 300.00 to take it off your hands...
I am sorry if I did not bash AMERITRON...I don't bash, I just don't buy. This tuner I would buy again (if I had too).
BTW: There is only one tuner that deserves a GREAT rating. Did I hear domone say, big Johnson ??
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KD5NCO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2007 15:16
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Pleasantly Surprised
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Based on past MFJ / Ameritron Quality Control issues I was prepared to find cold solder joints, loose or missing hardware, and tight or notchy adjustment controls.
My ATR-30 is perfect in all aspects and works just fine against my Hustler BTV5 compromise vertical. Because I am not a full QRO operator, I highly doubt this tuner will ever be a problem. In fact I bought it for the slight over kill based on my use and needs.
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K2VI
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 3, 2007 10:05
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very good tuner
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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purchased mine new in 2002 and it still works flawalessly,i run full 1500 watts pep from my ameritron al-82 and it tunes flat SWR all the time.Im thinking it's a quality control issues with ameritron/mfj. I got lucky and got one that was assembled perfectly.Also the peak meter is very accurate and responsive.I hope you get one of the good ones,they do a great job.
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N2EIK
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 3, 2007 09:00
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OK, overpriced.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I haven't seen any flaws as described in some other posts. I have been using it QRO and I like the meters But the meters do not work at all (nature of design) if there isnt any 12v dc going to the tuner. It is sort of inconvenient, but easy to work around (add a plug from my shacks 12 volt rail. All in all I should have never sold my Murch UT2000, that would tune a tin can! Should have bought one on ebay.
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N4DEK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 21, 2006 10:15
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Works great for me
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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My ATR-30 is dated 04-2005 and shows none of the defects as described below by another owner. Fact is I looked inside mine to find that it's just the opposite of what he claims he found in his. Everything is well mounted and secure as well as being straight and in line with the cabinet. I have no binding issues what so ever with the roller inductor either. From one end of the cycle to the other it is smooth in it's rotation. Turns counter works great. No rough spot on the antenna selector either. Feels the same going counter clockwise as it does clockwise. All knobs and controls have a good solid feel to them. Metering circut works excellent and seems to be as accurate as anything else these days. Can't explain why others have had problems with this tuner but mine works as advertised. Well worth what I paid for it anyway.
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KB9FMV
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Rating: 0/5
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Nov 17, 2005 07:08
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MIGHTY FINE JUNK
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Had it over a year and paid $400.00 more like a $300 DOLLAR tuner! Had to replace the roller inductor ! Well MFJ DOES IT AGAIN ! NEVER AGAIN!
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KD5OEI
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Rating: 2/5
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Sep 26, 2005 21:35
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cheaply and carelessly made
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Here is my complete summary of my experience with the ATR-30. The only reason it scored as high as "2" is because it did function despite its defects and I do believe that it can handle the power advertised. The unit was bought from Texas Towers in Dallas Texas, and came in a factory-sealed Ameritron carton. Upon my returning to the store and explaining the troubles I had experienced and the defects I had found, they cheerfully credited my payment. I am very pleased with this merchant. I wanted to say that up front.
Now here to the ATR-30:
1. END ITEM COMPONENT QUALITY
1.1. Inductor:
The inductor binds up at a spot in each turn. This happened after about 13 tuning cycles during testing.
Testing was not completed because of this inductor problem.
The unit was inspected to determine the cause.
It was found that the inductor is of a construction that has an axial shaft upon which a brass block pillar support at each end holds another shaft, upon which slides axially and rotates circumferentially a contact subassembly similar in appearance to a pair of spring-loaded washers that grip the sides of the selected portion of an edge-wound inductor between them as the contact assembly spirals up and down the inner circumference of inductor. It was found that one or both ends of this shaft were askew because the small machine screws in the brass block pillar supports that hold the brass block pillar supports in alignment on the main shaft were loose. The screws secure the brass block pillar supports axially and radially in the same manner as a typical knob is secured to a shaft.
Tightening the screws was ineffective because the assemblies would not remain radially aligned on the main shaft during use.
The inductor operated smoothly for several more adjustment cycles and failed again.
Because of this behavior, it is suspected that this has been corrected before on this unit and failed.
The assembly repeatedly seeks the defective mechanical alignment due to the inability of the mechanical interface between the screws and the main shaft to prevent movement.
The quality of construction and design of this mechanical assembly is deficient.
1.2. Antenna selector switch:
The antenna selector switch has a rough spot or binding spot in it when it is turned counterclockwise between the two-o'clock and ten-o'clock positions.
The switch is defective.
2. WORKMANSHIP:
2.1 Turns counter assembly:
The plastic gears for the turns counter do not align properly and the turns counter input shaft is not aligned properly with the inductor tuning shaft and is under mechanical stress.
There is no provision for adjustment.
The workmanship is deficient.
2.2 Inductor Body Alignment, Mechanical:
The front support of the inductor assembly is not mounted parallel to the front panel of the unit. The skew was not measured but is easily seen by the eye.
The result of this defect is to cause the inductor shaft to bind at an angle in its plastic bearing.
The workmanship is deficient.
2.3. Insulators:
The ceramic insulators on the rear have metal-to-ceramic contact between the nuts and the ceramic. This was noticed when the tests were begun on the balanced line load.
Good engineering practice demands fiber washers between ceramic and metal.
Either the components are deficient in quality or the washers were not installed.
3. OTHER:
3.1. Factory Packing:
Upon opening the carton, The ATR-30 was rolling around loose inside the box with apparently only some of the packing material inside.
The AC adapter was loose in the carton.
The AC adapter box was also loose and ripped up.
Inspection of the AC adapter's box indicates that the AC adapter had been removed from its sealed box.
The front of the tuner has little scratches and marks on it, and the chassis looks warped, either that or the top cover does not fit correctly.
There did not appear to be adequate packing material in the carton, possibly contributing to this condition.
4. Conclusion:
4.1. Condition upon receipt:
The condition in which the equipment was received and the failures of the equipment to meet reasonable standards for quality indicates that it was either not new and/or incompetently manufactured and packed.
4.2. Disposition:
This equipment will be returned for a full refund.
4.3. Future Acquisition:
No further purchases of this model of equipment will be authorized.
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KB9FMV
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 26, 2005 19:39
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NOT BAD
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had mine a couple of years now and bought it for $450.00 used in the box ! But had the a problem with the copper strips around the roller inductor ! MFJ sent me new ones and I repalced them ! Been working fine ever since!
Will do 1500 no sweat
Paul
K9PLK
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