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Reviews For: ATU-100 EXT

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : ATU-100 EXT
Reviews: 12MSRP: $70
Description:
Auto tuner 1.8-55MHZ 100W
Product is in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
23124.3
VE5CQ Rating: 2020-12-30
Almost Too Good To Be True! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A fellow ham recently recommended this unit to me after it solved all his tuning problems. He had an FT-450 whose tuner did not have a very broad impedance tuning range. Once he inserted the ATU-100, his problems were not only solved, but he could just about load up the proverbial "rusty bed-springs". This thing really works!

Firstly, for those who doubt the orthodoxy of any ham who tunes by impedance rather than by cut length, the classic 52 ohm dipole is merely a didactic antenna used to acquaint the new ham with a quick, rudimentary and trouble-free antenna. The dipole is FAR from being the be-all and end-all of antennas, and there is nothing sacred about 52 ohms, other than being a relatively recent industry standard (for us old guys). Many single-purpose antennas not only cover all bands, but produce gain on the higher harmonics that often out-perform beams. After radios began being manufactured with a 52 ohm unbalanced output, the dipole became an instant recognizable standard. Older radios and older hams were accustomed to loading just about anything into their finals' matching network. The antenna building discipline thus became much narrower-minded after the 52 ohm unbalanced standard was adopted.

As most hams know via reading, there are literally hundreds of approaches beyond "tuned lengths" and physical antenna adjustment. This ATU was purchased to tune Off-Centre Dipoles, End-Feds (with or without exterior grounds), Verticals, feed 9:1 Ununs and a host of any other "stuff" you can willy-nilly string up in your yard. It would seem the ATU-100 is stunningly capable of matching the very best and the very worst antennas any of us hams can possibly dream up. I would know, for over the years I've built both kinds...

The ham who recommended this tuner to me suffered from "small-lot syndrome" and only had space for a 40m Off Centre Dipole (a.k.a. "Carolina Windom") about 66' long. What he never expected was to also tune all of 160-10 metres in a mere second on that same antenna. The even bigger surprise was how strong his output was and how well it performed. He expected 40-10m, but to eke out the 160 and 80 metre bands as well was a real bonus. The even bigger surprise was that those with whom he had Q5 QSO's never had a clue!

Five stars for sure, outperforming some very popular, well-known commercial brands. It's half the size of an FT-817 and thus exceptionally useful to the QRPer. Works on QRP as well as up to 100 watts and is smaller than most other compact tuners, making it ideal for low power and portable enthusiasts. The readout gives SWR, Power, loading efficiency and C & L Reactances. The latest ones are even rechargeable. Many many pros with only one con: It's kinda iffy on 6 metres QRO.

$98 Canuck dollars assembled and delivered. Best money I've spent in a long time. Highly recommended!

73's
K7OFG Rating: 2020-12-20
ATU for portable or home use. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Although I have only owned this tuner for a short time I have used it both at home and portable.
I was looking for a small ATU that was affordable and could be used with my FT-891 and a random wire antenna when portable. After trying it at home on my OCFD and seeing it tuned frequencies that my Kenwood TS-590sg internal tuner wouldn't I took it out in the field and tried it with my EFHW cut for 40 meters. It tuned all the frequencies that antenna is suppose to be able to use but wouldn't and I also tried 80 meters and it brought it down to a 2:1, which my Yaesu FT-891 can handle.
It works great for me but there is a video on Youtube showing it doesn't work on 6 meters. I don't do 6 so no worries to me.
So far I am very happy with this tuner. And the service from banggood.com was excellent.
Steve, k7ofg.