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Reviews For: Ten-Tec 238B

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Ten-Tec 238B
Reviews: 29MSRP: 475.00
Description:
High power HF antenna tuner, using unique "L" network configuration
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tentec.com/HIGH.HTM#model238
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00294.7
VA6SZ Rating: 2004-04-12
Addition to the last review... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I almost forgot, there is one thing that disappoints me about this tuner. It has been mentioned before and I agree; the meter sucks! A larger meter, maybe a dual needle type would be much better. The meter that TenTec has chosen to use looks "Mickey Mouse" for a tuner of this quality. But, quite a small annoyance for a great piece of gear!
K4IA Rating: 2004-04-12
Top notch! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is without a doubt the best tuner I have owned - and that includes both the Ameritron AT30 and Palstar 1500CV.

I run a piece of coax to a 1:1 balun to ladder line to a top center fed L which is 100 feet on each leg. The vertical leg is 50 high so the wire runs down and back up again for linear loading. I can tune 160-10 meters and have never had even the hint of an arc with a full KW on 160.

The L network tuning is broad so I don't have to adjust every few khz. The settings are very repeatable and precise and that comes in handy when you change bands. Write down your settings and you can trust them. You don't have to fool around a lot to get in tune. This repeatability is a big plus missing in the other tuners. Their calibration is "sorta-kinda ballpark" at best.

TenTec makes good stuff and the workmanship is top notch.

I wish TT would offer a dual needle SWR/PWR meter and it seems easy enough to implement. However, it is not a deal killer to me. I don't think it is fair to give the fine piece of equipment a "3" rating for lack of cross-needles. My xcvr and amp have power meters and I just adjust the tuner for minimum SWR. Now that I am used to the setup, I don't miss the dual meter although it would be nice and I would pay to put one in if TT offered a retrofit. So, I give it a "4.999" but not a "3."

Consider this tuner even if you haven't yet become a TenTechie. It will make you a believer.
KB9WIS Rating: 2004-04-09
Outdated meter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
To be fair, this tuner is really a "5" operationally.. I definately can tell that the detail and quality of construction is much better than the MFJ and Ameritron mass marketed tuners..


What I really don't like, is the metering.. Its an outdated "you can only see wattage or SWR REF, or SWR Forward one at one time..) setup thats quite troubling. This is a huge annoyance.. I definately prefer the "cross-needle" metering, so there's no worries... I like to monitor both my SWR reflected power and output power simultaneously.. Its just too cumbersome, that I must manually "set" the SWR Forward Gain, and switch to see the SWR, and then switch back so I can see the power output.. You never know when there's a problem, becuase you can only monitor each one at a time.. If the wattage is less (say the amp is disabled or is not tuned correctly), the SWR metering than gives a false sense that the SWR is low, when it may really not be.. You also know if theres a problem with the amp, because you must remain the switch in the SWR position to monitor the SWR/Match. Tuners can become untuned quite easily, so I don't feel comfortable with "setting" it, and then never monitoring it again..


If Tentec would simply incorporate updated "cross-needle" metering, it would be my choice over Ameritron/MFJ anyday.. Until then, I'm sticking with the Ameritron breed, just so there's no worries..


KL1AS Rating: 2003-11-19
Great tuner. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had my 238B for three months. It has worked flawlessly tuning my G5RV Jr strung along the balcony of my condo in Juneau, AK. Worked Puerto Rico over the last weekend on 20 meters with 100 watts. Would also like to see a mod to replace the installed meter with a cross needle meter. This is my first piece of Ten-Tec equipment and based upon its perfomance I would not hesitate try other Ten-Tec products.
K8JS Rating: 2003-09-03
RF Transfer Efficiency to Feedline Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The "L" network configuration is well known to provide a consistant low-Q, a.k.a highly efficient, matching system with minimal internal losses with low RF circulating currents.
Also because of this low-Q tuner design, tuning is a snap; tuning is broad without those "sharp & peaky" tuning situations.
I like that vernier tuning dial for the inductor.
I never liked that horizontal slide-rule dial that the previous versions had.

Ten-Tec still needs to make one much needed improvement for this tuner: replace the SWR metering with the more convenient "cross needles" type of SWR metering. This type of SWR metering eliminates the need for zeroing the meter between changing to the different bands.

For several years I was very satisfied with using a 238A model, but I like this "B" model even better!
KF4LVC Rating: 2003-04-17
Worth the money and the wait! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After suffering some unusal failures with my trusty old Yaesu FC-102 tuner, I needed a good replacement. I did a lot of research and found that the specs for the TenTec 238B were better than most, if not all other, high-end tuners. I ordered my 238B at the Charlotte hamfest in March and I recieved it earlier this week. I got it all hooked-up and, after a short learning period, was able to tune all bands 80-6 (yes, 6...with about a 2.5:1). I didn't try 160 yet. After you determine the settings for the capacitor, inductor switch, and roller inductor for each band, you can go to those settings again and again and be at a match. The construction is top-notch, and the roller inductor is silky smooth. The meter is small, but accruate and easily visisble with power for the light.
Bottom line: If you want a GOOD tuner that will last for years to come and excellent customer support, then spend your money on the 238B.
N3DRK Rating: 2003-04-12
NICE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Doesnt get any better than this. Was concerned of spending the bucks for this tuner. Hundred bucks or more than an MFJ. Was worth the extra buck. Excellent Craftmanship and Engineering. Very pleasing to the eye. Roller Inductor is smooth as silk. This unit doesnt jump around like some antenna tuners we know about when cranking out the inductance. In addition to this is customer service. Had a problem with the backorder. Spoke to Jack Burchfield. Had the tuner within 24 hours. It doesnt get any better than this. Impressed not only with the product but with the service as well.
KG4LRU Rating: 2003-03-22
Top gun Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
A great hi power tuner write down the settings and save a lot of money good quality it will always tune I tried a lot of tuners and have found most big dollars tuners a waste this great tuner new and if your lucky to find aused one buy it Its all you will ever need. Love mine and I am going to buy a another one.
K6SBA Rating: 2002-12-19
New Cosmetics for a Proven Design Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is essentially the same tuner as the 238 and 238A. The "B" version matches current TenTec cabinet colors as well as that of most major manufacturers (i.e. "basic black"). The original design used a slide rule dial to indicate inductor position. The A & B versions use a vernier dial. This a a very robust and well crafted tuner. The "L" network is considered the lowest loss design for transmatches. This a very compact unit that can handle any legal limit amp. Pricey, but you only need to buy one for a lifetime of operation.

K6SBA - David in Santa Barbara, CA