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Reviews For: LDG AT-1000 Pro II

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG AT-1000 Pro II
Reviews: 66MSRP: 539.00
Description:
Building on the success of the AT-1000Pro, LDG Electronics has refined and
expanded its flagship 1KW tuner. The new AT-1000ProII keeps many of the
same features of the previous model, but simplifies the operation. With the
two position antenna switch there are 2,000 memories that store tuning
parameters for almost instantaneous memory recall whenever you transmit on
or near a frequency you’ve used before. Just key and it tunes! The AT-
1000ProII will operate at any power level between 5 and 1,000 watts peak RF
input.

The AT-1000ProII has a large, easy to read bargraph with two selectable scale
ranges (100 and 1,000 watts) as well as SWR meter. The AT-1000ProII will
interface with many popular transceivers, enabling their TUNE button to
control the AT-1000ProII’s operation. Dedicated control buttons allow you to
fine-tune capacitance and inductance on those rare occasions when the AT-
1000ProII can’t find a perfect match by itself.

The AT-1000ProII will tune from 1.8 to 54.0 MHz continuously, and will
match an amazing range of antennas, from Yagis and dipoles to inverted-Vs
and slopers; virtually any coax-fed antenna from 6 to 1000 ohms impedance
(16 – 150 ohms on 6 meters). Tuning time is usually under 10 seconds. If
you’re transmitting near a frequency with stored tuning parameters, it will set
those parameters in under 0.2 seconds. Longwires or antennas fed with
ladder line require an external balun.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ldgelectronics.com/c/252/products/17/67/1
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
44.3664.3
ON5HB Rating: 2021-01-25
Relays are not upto the task. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It's a very good tuner but not good enough to sustain QRO.
My Acom1010 outputting 800W into the G5RV was able to make the relays go bad.
They really need to install bigger relays for high SWR-antenna's.
This is the second time the G5RV is able to make the LDG Autotuner go bad, the first was the KT-100 behind the Kenwood TS-590S not able to sustain 100W SSB output.

It's a very good and fast tuner, but the power-handling is highly overrated.
I hope they install bigger relays as these are too light.

Another issue is the tuner doesn't go into standby when the power is removed, as such it needs to be powered for RX else there is no signal.
When running an websdr with the same antenna, this is not good.

I would rate this tuner 500W at best, certainly not 1000.
WB5AGF Rating: 2020-12-07
Decent Auto-Tuner But Irregular SWR vs Freq May Be Problem Time Owned: more than 12 months.
(background)
I've run balanced feedline for decades and always felt that it was the way-to-go until a recent shack configuration put stereo gear in the same room as the ham station. Even after applying RF suppression methods to power & signal lines there were some ham bands that still had RF getting into the stereo equipment. I (reluctantly) decided to change over to coax cable in an effort to contain the RF floating-around-the-shack (that's working).

In changing from balanced feedline to coax I decided to install a trap dipole as the old 'flat-top' antenna, that had workled so well with the balanced feedline and manual antenna tuner, would not have worked with coaxial cable.

At the same time I decided to try the LDG AT-1000Proii auto-tuner that I bought several years ago (but had never used).

Here's what I've learned :

The AT-1000Proii tuner does not appear to have the ability to arbitrarily set tune frequencies where the operator might wish but instead the LDG software (as best I can tell) breaks the ham bands up into segments (of unknown widths as LDG doesn't disclose that). The operator can indeed manually find the best match at whatever frequency they wish but when you then tell the tuner to memorize the L & C settings the tuner remembers those settings for any frequency that falls in that frequency segment.

One of the quirks of my new trap dipoles is that there are some portions of the spectrum (I'm finding that on the low-end of 40 Meters) where QSYing as little as 10 or 15 kHz can significantly change the SWR. If that happens in the same frequency segment of the AT-1000Proii's memory then it will only be able to remember one set of L & C values (you can't tell the tuner to remember separate L & C values for frequencies falling in the same segments of the tuner's memory).

I find myself constantly punching the 'up' & 'down' buttons for the inductors and capacitors as I QSY up-and-down the 40 Meter band. (In most instances going either up or down the band means that one-or-two punches of the 'up' or 'down' buttons will keep the SWR down.)

With my particular antenna/feedline configuration I find that there's a 10 to 15 kHz 'no man's land' where the capacitors have to be changed from one 'side' of the inductors to the other. As (bad) luck would have it those frequencies fall within the same segment of the tuner's memory and so it isn't capable of remembering separate L & C configurations. If I QSY far enough either 'up' or 'down' in frequency then yes, the tuner can remember a new set of L and C settings, but not before the SWR seen by the radio goes to very high values unless I manually reconfigure the tuner as I QSY through that portion of the spectrum.

- Paul, WB5AGF
AB4PP Rating: 2020-05-25
Very Good. Highly satisfied. Great asset to my station. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Picked up the LDG AT-1000PRO II with the M-1000 meter from an estate sale with a Yaesu FTDX-3000 and they were both new in the box. Set up and found the necessary patch cord and set up. Love the two antenna capability. Put my Windom on one and a new vertical Hustler 6BTV on the tuner. Switches back and forth with ease. And remembers the frequencies I use most and tunes itself. Love the new tuner. Work some QRP and it is an asset to have the power out with little reflected.
AF9FA Rating: 2020-04-14
Excellent product!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've used a couple of LDG tuners and have not had a bad experience. When I added an AL-80b to the shack I needed to upgrade the tuner as well. I researched a couple of options before I went to the radio shop. This tuner is an EXCELLENT choice for two reasons. First off, it's bullet proof! It tunes a marginal G5RV antenna (HOA Issue) to less than 1.5:1 from 6 - 80 meters. I realize it's not ideal but I'm on the air. :-) Second, the technical support is awesome! I had a couple of questions on technical stuff. The staff was VERY responsive and quite knowledgeable on the product and the antenna theory I was asking about. I will buy LDG equipment in the future.
W0CKI Rating: 2020-03-24
Terrfic tuner with great support Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use this tuner with multiband vertical and a Acom 1010 amp running 700 watts. The antenna has an SWR of 2-1 at band edges and the amp can handle the 2-1 with no problem. I use the tuner only when necessary, mostly CW where the SWR is 2-1.
It works great, the display is informative and the tuning is fast. I most often use the very fast memory tune.
As a result of a mistake, mine, I needed to send the tuner in for a recalibration. Outstanding service, fixed and returned within 10 days and the LDG staff is terrific. I'm a happy camper.
K5KWG Rating: 2020-03-04
Very Satisfied with this automatic tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In my 59 years of ham radio, I rate this the best auto tuner I have owned of many. This tuner works beyond my expectations. The fine manual tune and save makes it able to tune to one to one like a manual tuner. Once your operating spots are memorized, tuning is almost instant. If you need a versatile kilowatt automatic tuner from 160 to 6 meters this is an excellent choice.
K1HH Rating: 2020-03-03
Great Improvement in the LDG Product Line Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently let the smoke out of an older LDG AT-1000Pro.
I had bought it used. It was long out of warranty, and I made I made a mistake in applying too much power, for too long a period, into a too short ladder line for the load.
I filled out the LDG Return/Repair form and boxed the unit up and sent it to LDG. with a note that I was willing to pay for repairs to the tuner, because I LOVED THAT TUNER. I had self-diagnosed that two capacitors were cooked but because of my ET (essential tremor) didn't feel I could unsolder wires and check the bottom of the circuit board. Within a few days I received a confirmation that LDG could replicate the problem and that the unit was unrepairable. A day or so later I received notification from UPS that I had a package enroute from LDG. When it arrived, I noticed it was a new box, not the one I had shipped my unrepairable unit in. I opened the box, and it was a BRAND NEW LDG AT-1000ProII. Wow! What a unit!
I spent some time programming all my favorite frequencies in with my Icom IC-7300; then I tried it with my SB-1000, single 3-500 amp, and it works perfectly.
I admit I DID read the manual, and learned the little tricks to access the different features like PEAK versus AVERAGE
reading wattmeter. I've put a direct reading dummy load on the Antenna 2 port for tuning the amp. And I always use Auto Tune at low power, then switch to semi-auto mode for high power. Did I say I LOVE this tuner? I also have the Z-11Pro and Z-100 Plus tuners that I have added internal batteries to. They make great Field Day setups.
All in all I have owned five LDG tuners, and love their functionality. BUT BEST OF ALL, I LOVE THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. Thank you Dwayne and Mark, and all your staff.
73s
W9BB Rating: 2020-02-03
love it Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I think the biggest problem hams have with equipment is reading the manual ! (ME INCLUDED) I owned a ldg 600 and was not happy at all (never read the manual ) , sold it, and went back to manual tuner ( palstars ) which always seen to work just fine . Well I decided to try another auto tuner , I purchased a ldg 1000 pro 2 ,This time I read the manual and to my surprise the tuner works perfect . So read the manual and I think you will be satisfied with your purchase. 73's
WY7CHY Rating: 2019-05-15
Excellent tuner for what it is Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
For someone who bounces around the bands a lot; chasing DX or whatever; an auto tuner is important. My first comment is to take the reviews of people here; and other sites; with a grain of salt. There is nothing more frustrating than someone who gives a negative review, and tries to PAWN themselves off as some "Expert" and you're SUPPOSE to take their word for their recommendation. I.e. "I've had nothing but problems with this item. Whatever you do, DON'T BUY IT". Yet, 99% of the other reviews are showing positive reviews. But this one guy; thinks he's the authority and should be listened to. Read reviews. Take their comments/opinions. BUT... if they try and DIRECT YOU to "TAKE THEIR WORD, AND DON'T BUY THIS ITEM"; that automatically says, that person is an IDIOT.

I have manual tuners as well as auto tuners. I currently have an LDG AT-1000 (NON-PRO). I've loved using it. It only has 250 memories, which isn't a problem, but you have to hit the tune button manually each time you change. The new models; Pro and ProII will truly auto tune; and this model does a great job. I do have more money than smarts, so I buy a lot of stuff just for the hell of it. I use quite a few of the LDG AT-200Pro II's at work, so I thought I'd try the 1000ProII for home. So far it's exactly what it's suppose to be. I only do SSB, so 1000 watts is enough. My amps are only 300-400 watts for one; 800-900 watts for the other amp. One thing I LIKED about the Non-Pro model, is you can Factory Erase all memories. You CAN'T on any of the ProII's. A Manual Forced Tune will overwrite the existing settings, but you can start 100% fresh.

But once you get use to the tuner, especially how to TWEAK with Manual Cap/Ind adjustments; it's a really good tuner. One thing I don't like about any of these auto tuners is, the SWR Auto setting for a tune, can only be set for 1.7:1 swr. So, if I have it tuned for say 7.240mhz and it's set at 1.1 or 1.2:1 swr; but I go all the way down to 7.100, the SWR might jump to 1.5:1 swr and the tuner will use the existing setting for 7.240mhz. I have to manually add/subtract cap/ind to get down to 1:1. I'd like the SWR auto settings to be able to be set for 1:3:1. SOME of us actually have very good antennas and don't have to satisfy with 1.5+ swr. Other than that little thing (Which you can manually adjust for); the tuner is a solid performed. Especially if you can find one at a good price. Normal new is $480-$560. I found a source who gets items from places going out of business. I've dealt with him many times. He tells me whenever he gets ham radio, electronics, or other items I like. He got me this brand new AT-1000ProII, in the box unopened, for $390. Anyway; it's a very good tuner.
WG4R Rating: 2018-10-27
Excellent Tuner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've used quite a few tuners over the years, but this one beats them all. I work my Flex 6600 with this tuner and normally with a small amp, about 800 watts, and the LDG AT-1000ProII interfaces well with the equipment with no problems. I would highly recommend it to anyone running a dipole antenna. Mine does have the optional meter. I love the thing! de wg4r