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| Reviews Summary for BetterRF 7000 Screwdriver Control |
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Reviews: 9
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $84.95 + 8.00 shipping
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Description: Companion piece for the BetterRF 7000 Tune Control. It allow automatic tuning of a motorized antenna with the tune button on the IC-7000
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More info: http://www.qth.com/betterrf/
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write your own review of the BetterRF 7000 Screwdriver Control.
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W9LP
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2009 16:57
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Great Mobile HF Solution
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've been using this BetterRF controller with my IC-7000 and Little Tarheel 75. After following all the instructions to the letter, this controller has worked flawlessly for over 9 months.
There are very few auto-tuning antenna configurations that work seamlessly in the mobile... this one does and has been completely reliable.
You can't go wrong with this product.
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N6VQL
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 22, 2009 22:53
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GREAT PRODUCT!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 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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KE5DLQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 5, 2009 19:23
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Hi-Q and the BetterRF Syetem
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have had a 4/80 Hi-Q antenna for three or four year and never really got it working properly because of problems with figuring out an easy way to tune it. Then I heard about the BetterRF system from K0BG's web site. It sounded like what I was looking for so I bought one.
Although I had a few problems with the installation, a couple of quick phone call was all it took to get everything worked out and it works exactly as advertised and tunes the Hi-Q dead nuts every time. I work mostly 40 meters mobile, but I have used the set up on 20 and 75 meters with equally impressive results. It will normally tune the antenna to 1.2 or 3 :1. I'm running at 500 watts, so the lower the SWR the better.
I bought an LDG AT1000 when I was planning the layout in my new Jeep, but now that I have the BetterRF system set up and working, I don't need a tuner. And I'm getting great signal reports with my Hi-Q at 11 feet- I guess I'm getting most of that 500 watts out.
So now I have two different Ameritron/MFJ controllers, a Boss II, and an LDG AT1000 that I don't need. Guess I’ll have my own swap meet someday.
Bottom line, I am extremely satisfied with the product and the after sales service has been great. There are some things I would suggest they change, like having a single box for the tuner and the antenna controller, and the connectors could be more secure, but those are nits. It works and I’ll by another without a second thought when I’m ready to set the motor home up with a Hi-Q.
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N4NOO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2009 08:58
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Wow!!! This is the one!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Over the past three months I have been designing, buying and installing my mobile HF system. I went with the Better RF 7000 Tune and Antenna Controler. With this device between the Icom 7000 and the Hi-Q 6/160 RT/MC-3-H antenna it is a simple one button push to have the antenna perfectly tuned. Within a band change takes less than 5 seconds and from 160 to 10 meters takes less than a minute. Just pick a frequency, push a button and you are ready. There counldn't be a more simple way. Many thanks to Alan - K0BG for his web site and his thoughts and the folks at Better RF for making a great product! You can not go wrong with this product.
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K6UW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 12, 2009 15:13
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The Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use this with my High Sierra 1800Pro and it work perfectly. I tried the one from an N2 and the one from a W4. Neither worked at all. This one from Better RF works everytime. This is the one to buy.
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K3FT
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 12, 2009 14:59
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Great product, great support!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Well fellow hams I wish I could be the first to tell you what a great product the Better RF Screwdriver controller and Tune Module are but I will tell you that others who say this product is great are right on target! I have a working product coupled to a Little Tarheel 2 antenna on the rear door of my Rav 4 SUV. I know that I learned a great deal about common mode currents and RF on the coax and the motor leads but that is how you advance in this hobby. The support from Alan Applegate, K0BG is superb. His web site is a masterwork of knowledge and experience.
73 Dave K3FT
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KF4YOR
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2009 02:57
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Absolutely perfect!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've owned my IC-7000 and HS 1800/Pro for almost a year now. When I first purchased my setup, I didn't think I needed a "tune control" or similar, since the HS 1800/Pro had the rocker-switch adjustment. I called and talked to both Gerry and Alan with some technical questions. My questions were answered fully, professionally, and were very easy to understand.
I also purchased the Screwdriver Control for the IC-7000 as well. First thing I did was crack open the TC (Tune Control) box and adjusted the dip switches for the SC (Screwdriver Control). Plugged everything in, followed the instructions to the letter. Everything works FLAWLESSLY!! I should have purchased this gear when I purchased everything else. My TUNE button works!
I also had my antenna on the High Sierra supplied tripod. Alan had suggested I ditch the tripod, mount the 1800/Pro on a pole in the ground, replace my HS supplied radials with longer ones (and more) as well as use garden staples to secure them to the ground. Alan, if you're reading this -- *WOW*!! I'm hearing stuff I haven't heard before! I'm *REALLY* having to put the filters in the IC-7000 to the test now! There's just SO much I wasn't hearing before!
Not only did I receive a fantastic product -- the support was phenomenal! How many other companies will give you tech advice for someone else's products? Alan's website is also a treasure trove of incredible information! www.k0bg.com
The TC/SC has certainly completed my 'shack'. The SC was super-simple to hook-up as well. What really impressed me the most was when it controls the 1800/Pro -- slips a little past the 'sweet spot' for ~1.5:1 SWR -- and it starts ticking back to lock in. I wasn't expecting that! The **ONLY** downside I can think of is how slow the antenna moves -- however, I'm certain that this is of NO FAULT of BetterRF, nor the TC/SC. Just a slow motor in the antenna itself. I can certainly live with that -- since I no longer have to hold a rocker switch while staring at the IC-7000 screen's SWR meter. Press & hold TUNE for a second, and watch the antenna go!
I replaced my eight 10-foot radials with sixteen 30-foot radials. The antenna is mounted about two to three inches above the ground now.
If you have a screwdriver-type antenna -- BUY THIS PRODUCT COMBO!!!!! (the TC/SC) You will NOT be disappointed!!
BTW: Follow the instructions in regards to the windings on the supplied ferrite core. I did, and the ONLY thing I had to do was reverse the polarity on my antenna. Everything just works perfect out of the box!
Note: I'm copying and pasting this entire review for the "BetterRF 7000 Tune Control" as well.
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W0RIC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 4, 2008 20:20
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Works like a Champ!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The easiest way to make sure your antenna tunes correctly!
Easy to install and operate. In a matter of a few seconds, the High Sierra Sidekick tunes to the correct SWR. One push of a button on the IC-7000 and the antenna adjusts to the correct SWR.
What a fantastic product!
73
Rick
www.w0ric.com
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KG7UY
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 12, 2008 19:39
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Works Slick!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am using this with a High Sierra Sidekick mounted on the roof of a Honda Element using a 3 magnet mag mount. I know that a mag mount is not real effecient but this is a slip seat arrangement that gets occasional use. I tested the antenna with a traditional up/down switch first and got 1.5:1 or better 80-10 meters. What a surprise. I installed several mix 31 beads on the motor control wire and on the coax. The Auto tuner would setup fine but would not work correctly. After consultation with Alan, K0BG, I added several more large split beads on the motor line and wrapped 10 turns of wire on each. That solved the problem. My next step is to devise a short ground strap to the roof. This unit works great, but you have to get the rf off the motor control line and the coax!! Now all I have to do is push the tune button on the IC-7000 for more than 1 second for completely automatic tuning of the antenna. I will do a review of the Sidekick after I use it some more and add a cap hat, but so far it works better than expected.
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