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[K2JF]

I'm going back to using a manual tuner even though my rig has an internal tuner. Is it necessary to reduce power to tune? The tuner is rated at 300W and my radio puts out 100 watts so why the need to lower power to tune? Rig is a Yaesu FT 950

[NA4IT]

It is good practice to lower power to 10W when tuning. Less strain on all the parts in the rig that might let out the magic smoke.

[N5CM]

Less power (for tuning) = less QRM.  I use about 5 watts.  Also, I keep a list of my settings for each band, and that results is less time required for tuning.

[WA3SKN]

The dentron can handle the 100 watts of the FT950.  The ft950 will fold back though at high VSWR.
I normally just use my antenna analyzer to tune the tuner... 20 milliwatts max and little interference, then switch over to the rig.

-Mike.

[N8AUC]

Less power (for tuning) = less QRM.  I use about 5 watts.  Also, I keep a list of my settings for each band, and that results is less time required for tuning.

I do this too when using a manual tuner.
Less stress on your finals while tuning, less QRM while tuning.
Just a good approach all around.

[WB6BYU]

While the tuner may be rated for 300W when properly matched,
in the process of tuning the voltages and currents can be higher.
That's why it is good practice to tune at low power.

And tuner power ratings need to be taken with a grain large bag of salt.
I have a tuner with much larger components than the modern "300 watt"
units, and have arced the capacitors at 10 watts matching an extreme
load.  It isn't uncommon to see melted coil supports at 100W in
such units, and one friend had the coil wire get so hot it unsoldered
itself.  So don't assume your are safe at 100W under all conditions.