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You can
write your own review of the Better RF 7000 Tune Control.
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W3RXO
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Rating: 2/5
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Jul 24, 2009 16:38
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Can be good, for some
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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In the interest of total disclosure, I am friends with N6VQL, and I know that both of his Better RF 7000 Tune Controllers work absolutely flawlessly. My experience with the one I have has been nothing but headaches. We thought we had it set up pretty close, and it worked well for me on 20 and 40, but that was it. It would not find tune on my Hi-Q 5/160 on 10, 12, 15, 17, 75/80 or 160. So I contacted Alan, to get his input. Upon making the changes Alan recommended, it no longer was able to tune ANY band. Then I got word that my truck was to be sold, and I was getting a new truck, so I un-installed it from the truck it was in, in anticipation of the move. I then installed it in my new truck, using the advice Alan gave, and Felix's experience. After 3 months of messing with it, on two trucks, with 3 different mounting configurations, and countless differing combinations of snap on ferrite beads, in all of the usual locations, and then some, I have taken the Better RF 700 Tune Controller and the Better RF Screwdriver Controller out of my setup, and gone to Charlie's (W6HIQ) manual controller with turns counter.
Now, I do not want to bash the Better RF products, as I know they generally work VERY WELL, but I have had a very negative experience, with them, and wanted to be sure to post here, that in order to use them, you must be a patient person, and one who enjoys a challenge, to tinker with. If you lack the patience, to tinker, endlessly, and would rather have something that is plug and play, consider something other than these products. If you do not mind tinkering, you can probably install it, tinker with it for a short while, and be extremely happy with it's operation, for a long time. I just don't have the time or patience. I need something that requires very little adjustment, and works right away.
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N6VQL
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 22, 2009 22:48
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FANTASTIC PRODUCT
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This is the second Better RF tuner controller and screwdriver controller I have purchased. I now have one on both my car and truck. I use an Icom IC-7000, a HI-Q 5/80 antenna and the Better RF. Using this combination is almost a "plug and play" operation. I also used a shunt coil which worked very well. I now use an MFJ-910 which is not susceptible to car wash issues!
Today I assisted a fellow ham to install his IC-7000, Better RF, and a High Sierra 1800. The High Sierra 1800 is somewhat challenging to get operational because it is very prone to common mode current. High sierra does not recommend the use of any screwdriver controller for this specific reason. After trial, error, patience and a few tricks up my sleeve, I was able to get the 1800 fully operational for my fellow ham. Again, the issues I experienced making this combination operational was with the High Sierra and not the Better RF.
Customer service is top notch! Gerry and Alan are fantastic and are willing to assist the consumer with any issues encountered.
Alan's website www.KOBG.com is very informative and will give practical solutions to avoid common errors. I highly recommend visiting his site, especially the Antennas, Commercial section.
I highly recommend the Better RF Tune Control combination.
73's and look forward to my QSO with you from my mobile!
Felix
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N1QXV
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Rating: 2/5
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Apr 13, 2009 19:21
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Does not work every time.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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It seemed to good to be true, a device that works every time you push the tune button. I worked with their tech support who was not friendly and was unwilling to walk you through the configuration. For many hours I tried and finally got the unit programmed. The unit needs to be reprogrammed often and then still does not tune for a good swr on 40m each time. 20m usually works and has a good swr. I can manually tune my Pro1800 quicker and more accurate then the device. I was hopeful at first per these reviews and Gerry from better RF..I have spoke with others who dont even get the unit to work consistent on 20m. The place I purchased it from was great to allow a return after I worked with the unit for two months.
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ZS5J
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 1, 2009 05:54
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Good Job
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Works great with my IC-7000. At first I found it wouldn't fit on the back of my rig too well, because the speaker connector came straight out its port , and pushed against the tune control. I cured that by purchasing a new mobile speaker, that had a right-angle, 90 degree plug. This allowed the tune control to fit on the back of the rig with no problems. Great product.
73
John, ZS5J
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N6VQL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2009 22:13
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Great Product
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I recently purchased a Better RF 7000 tune controller. I found it operates better than advertised and technical service from Gerry was exceptional. I recommend visiting Alan K0BG’s web site for any information you will need to get your rig on the air.
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ZL2BK
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 16, 2008 14:32
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Just does what it should
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Simple to install and set up following the supplied instructions. Used with the motorised controller with my HiQ 5/160 and IC7000 makes an unbeatable and very simple to use mobile HF system. Very reasonable price with excellent manufacturers support.
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LA3ZPA
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Rating: 5/5
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May 5, 2008 13:12
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I love it
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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It work perfect with the Better RF Screwdriver Controller and to the HI-Q antenna 5/160.
I am weary pleased with this controller form Better RF.
If you lock for only pusch a button and tune the antenna from 160 to 10m with the 1.2 or better SWR this is the solution.
If you have a Screwdriver antenna this is the perfect match with the Better RF Screwdriver Controller, I love it.
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W0RIC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 28, 2008 11:53
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FANTASTIC PRODUCT!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Same review as the screwdriver control.
WOW! What a great product!
Easy to install and use.
Took a few minutes and some reading and ON THE AIR!
Just one push of the IC-7000 tune button and in a few seconds it's tuned!
What a fantastic product!
I used some ferrites as suggested and not one issue with any RF.
73 & Good DX
Rick
WØRIC
www.w0ric.com
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N5GMK
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2008 21:17
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Running mobile just became a greater pleasure.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently installed the Better RF 7000 Tune Control in conjunction with the Better RF 7000 Screwdriver controller for full automatic tuning of a Sidekick antenna. This makes for easy freq/band changing without getting distracted with the retuning process of the motorized antenna while driving down the road. Without taking your eyes off the road you can simply push the TUNE/CALL button on either the face of the Icom 7000 or on the stock mic and the Better RF 7000 Tune Control in combination with the 7000 Screwdriver control takes it from there.Or if you wish, you can purchase the 7000 Tune Control alone which makes the Tune/Call button functional and displays the SWR as you tune the antenna. You have the option of adding the 7000 Screwdriver Control later on if you desire. The instructions for installing and setting up the control is straight forward and tells you everything you need to do to insure proper operation. I am well pleased with the product and highly recommend it to anyone using a motorized antenna.
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K0BG
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2007 13:04
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Works exactly as advertised
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This unit plugs into the back of the IC-7000's tuner port, and CI-V port. When the Tune/Call button is pushed, it switches to RTTY at about 30 watts, and allows the use of the SWR meter to set the resonant frequency of any remotely tuned antenna. It work in conjunction with the Better RF Automatic Screwdriver to provide fully automatic operation.
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