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write your own review of the Ameritron ATR-30.
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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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N3MX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 18, 2005 10:23
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Very nice solid tuner
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have now owned the ATR-30 for over a year and run it with an Ameritron AL-1200 legal limit amplifier.
I have operated several contests with it and put a number of hours on this tuner running full legal limit. It has and continues to work flawlessly with very smooth repeatable tuning. I have never experienced any arcing of any kind even on 160 meters.
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KY6R
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 4, 2004 18:03
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Better than expected
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've owned a Ten Tec 238B, a Heathkit SA series tuner and this one. They are all in the same class. I like the meter in the Ameritron the best, and I also like the design of this roller inductor over the other two, which were plagued with the roller inductor roller either falling apart (old SA series tuners end up with the Bakelite end caps popping out because the epoxy is so old), and the 238B (which is my favorite tuner) had a totally useless meter and the roller "wheel" popped off constantly.
I like my SGC 230 remote autotuner the best when I am only running 200 watts or less - NO moving parts in the shack . .
But for power, these mechanical roller inductor tuners are needed for high power and for ladder line doublets and such.
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KC4VFP
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Rating: 0/5
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Aug 4, 2004 06:08
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Twice Bitten
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The reason I gave this a "0" is because the roller inductor is a continuing weak link on MFJ products.
The "0" is because this defect could potentially destroy a high power amp, or a radio with poorly protected finals.
See http://kc4vfp.us/atr30_antenna_tuner_problems.html
The roller is pushed back from the surface of the inductor because of this factory defect. The "QC" inspection sticker means nothing.
Lesson to learn: If you feel any extra tension as you rotate the inductor dial, return the unit. This extra tension is caused by the roller inductor supports coming in contact with the roller, and pushing the roller AWAY from the inductor.
To protect your TX, always use a device that senses excessive SWR and interrupts the TX keying line.
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KA2UUP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2004 09:07
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4 years and still working as new
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Update on my review of 4 years ago. Still works like new. No problems, no sparking, no burned parts. I use this with my IC-746 and with an AL-811H amplifier. 10-80 meters is no problem while tuning an MFJ-1798 antenna. I have been able to tune this on 160 meters, too.
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W9PMZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2004 08:02
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Very Nice Tuner
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have now owned this antenna tuner for 3 months. So far no problem.
The power meter is good and compares to other power meters that I have. The peak reading feature is very nice and compares well against a single tone.
Have not had any arcs yet (am using a AL-1200) with my vertical on 80M.
Built solid, lays flat on the desk, unlike a prior MFJ-989C.
Knobs and vernier dive are much nicer than the MFJ-989C.
My only complaint is that most antenna tuner manufactures use cross meters. I'd prefer a two meter system such as my Heathkit 2140.
In comparing the Palstar Tuners against the Ameritron Tuner they are both good choices. However, I prefer the meter on the Ameritron than the Palstar, just a cosmetic opinion.
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N0XE
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Rating: 3/5
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May 28, 2004 16:51
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MFJ Clone
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Sorry, I can't agree with some of the reviews on this tuner, it is still mostly a MFJ and leaves a lot to be desired. I have had to do quality control on every MFJ product I have owned and this one is no exception. I had an Ameritron tuner several years ago and it was built much better then this unit. This tuner will work and yes it will do what it is suppose to do, but the feel of the knobs is cheap, the rollar inductor like most of the MFJ units I have owned is very stiff and does not roll smoothly. There is a serious quality control problem with many of MFJ products and now it has rolled over on to the Ameritron line, $599 for this tuner is nuts, it is in no way in the same class as the Heathkit 2060A which is an outstanding rollar inductor tuner and it's built from a kit, The Palstar line will blow this unit out of the water and if you are going to spend new money on a tuner then look at one of the other high quality tuners on the market and get your $599 worth, It works and it will do the job, but it is basically OK and that is it!!
73 N0XE
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K8XF
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 19, 2004 01:41
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ATR -30
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I opened the tuner the day I received it to check the construction and found the inductor traveling shaft a little crooked compared to the frame shaft.
Corrected the problem but still noticed that the inductor does not roll smoothly. Recently noticed the inductor roller getting ruffer to turn and noisy. Opened up the tuner and found the screw was loose at the end of the rolling whiper shaft. Took apart the frame and tightened the set-screw. Also, put some bearing grease on the rolling shaft that the whiper travels upon. I have a smooth tuner now. A world of difference. Feels as smooth as the big Ten-Tec tuner I played with at the Orlando HamFest last weekend.
73
Mike, K8XF
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