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Reviews For: Vectronics VC300DLP

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Vectronics VC300DLP
Reviews: 25MSRP: 159.95
Description:
"T" Antenna tuner with dual movement SWR meter and dummy load.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.vectronics.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00252.3
WA2ASB Rating: 2020-04-08
Not working out of the box Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The first problem I noticed was that the inductor tuning switch did nothing. Second was the dummy load in the bypass position did not connect to the internal dummy load.

When I took the cover off, I found that the little coil going to the large coil was not connected. Easy fix - just a little solder.

Then it still wouldn't tune properly. On closer inspection I noticed that there was an insulator between the switch and the chassis. I removed that and now I can properly tune. (Otherwise, the connection from the shaft through the hole was connecting - sort of).

Either the dummy load is wired wrong to the output switch or the switch is bad. I can live with the dummy load just being in the "tune" not the bypass section. Why the designer put it there is beyond me. I don't want to spend the money to ship it back and have it returned.

This unit if for my "sub-shack" and I didn't want to spend the money on a Palstar like I have in the shack. Bad move. (Since my wife retired, I bought her a piano, and it is in the room directly below the shack. Another bad move!!!)

I should have read some of the reviews before ordering this thing. Nobody ever said I was smart.

KH6KM Rating: 2020-01-08
Junk! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was just remembering back some years ago how bad this piece of junk is. Thought I would kick it again even though it's already down.
AH7I Rating: 2019-11-15
LOTS OF FUNCTION IN A SMALL BOX Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I acquired this from an uncle's estate. It was "in the box" and did not appear to have had any use. There was a slight rattle so I opened it up and found a wire clipping bouncing around. Otherwise, solder joints, switch, wiring, contacts, all looked like they should.

Overall impression. It's very nice having the dummy load, antenna switch, SWR indicator, and matching network all in one box that is not much larger than my TenTec Eagle. The 300 W power rating is for SSB. CW rating is 200 W. I used at 100 W CW and it works well.

0. Output select: Dummy load, direct and via matching network; Bypass direct to coax connector (so239) on rear; coax 1; coax 2; wire (balanced or unbalanced via jumper on rear panel).
1. Tuner: Set up for coax, wire, and balanced line; A little finicky on 160 but does a good job of matching on all bands; Matched my 105', parallel line fed, doublet on 160, 80, 40, 20; I was surprised that it would match the doublet on 160 but heard plenty of signals and saw my own on the reverse beacon net.
2. Dummy load: Indicated SWR increases as frequency is increased; 1.1:1 on 160, 1.3:1 on 40, 1.4:1 on 20, 1.7:1 on 15; Resistor appears to be a wire wound with a compensating capacitor and is
main reason for subtracting a star.
3. SWR bridge: MFJ style cross needle indicator; Average and peak settings appear to have reasonable time constants; Meter is back lit and requires 12 VDC; It's not very clear from the advertisements that a power supply is not included; It looks good with the back light.

The only reason I am not keeping it is the 200 W power limit. I run a 500 W amp when needed. It is really nice having the tuner, SWR indicator, antenna switch, and dummy load all in the same package.
M0WEM Rating: 2014-03-26
good All Rounder Time Owned: N.A.
No qualms with plate and load, grew up with valves in the '40's.

Bought second-hand in exc. condition., can't understand why other reviewers are giving it a slating...........

Does what it says on the tin and good selection of AERIAL outputs, and lots of knobs and switches to turn and press (sadly doesn't make coffee).

Tuning caps are a bit sharp but no real problem.

MY ONLY GRIPE is that some cretin had put a 50 ohm wirewound resistor in as the Dummy Load, thus defeating the whole object of non-inductive.

My FT101ZD runs into this tuner then on to the FL2100Z LoudHailer.

Time and patience are a virtue with these older models, if you do not have either or both, then it's not for you...Take up Knitting, instead.

cheers, 73.
N7TML Rating: 2011-01-25
Quit After 7 Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Has been an OK tuner with verticals and inverted V's. It's alwasy been a bit touchy but worked OK for 7 years. This afternoon my SWR was all over the place and would not hold when not adjusting tuner. Put antenna analyzer on and could see unstable SWR and it which jumped all over the place when I tapped the tuner with my finger. I'll open it up tomorrow and see what's wrong and if a replacement part is cheap enough will fix it. If not I'll have to cut my Inverted V to the lower end of 40 and save for a remote tuner.
OK1IN Rating: 2010-10-03
Good, but... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I buy this tuner few Years back on Ebay. In my home QTH worked good, but antenas is in good conditions...
On Our last Hambike SOTA expedition in summer 2010 (OL8CX) start problems. We are use little poor antenas and one evening with 100W power tuner burn out. More precisely, burn out 12 pole multiswitch (selector).
Be carefully to use higher power on to bad antenas with this tuner!!!
K5RIX Rating: 2009-10-07
It has always worked for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My VC300DLP was made in Piqua, Ohio; I have had it for 19+ years. The only problem I've had with it is the meter needed replacement after years of bashing about. By that time I needed to order the part from MFJ. I installed the new meter and everything is great.

It's a T-tuner, and operated within its limits, it works fine. At least mine does.

I just now removed the cover to see how things are inside. Everything is fine.

My unit is reliable and fine to operate. 73
KD5PIV Rating: 2009-08-17
Works Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not sure how you write a review from a broken piece of equipment that someone gave you,as another reviewer did, but this tuner works great for me. I have used it daily for 10 years and had NO problems.
K7SU Rating: 2009-04-26
Really BAD! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This thing does not deserve the raw materials it took to make it. It was given to me by a friend who had nothing but trouble with it. When I got it I had to cut out a chunk of the mounting bracket for the coil to keep it from arcing. Even after the repair it won't tune anything. I use it inline for the cross-needle SWR/Power meter is all but it's worthless as a tuner. If you buy this you will be wasting your money! Stay away from it!
PD5L Rating: 2008-12-16
Junk Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Looks nice, but it's junk.

Save your money buy something else.

73' Edwin PD5L