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Reviews For: LDG AT-897 Autotuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG AT-897 Autotuner
Reviews: 54MSRP: 239.00
Description:
Bolt on wide range autotuner for the Yaesu FT-897. No cooling fan! Latching relays means no current draw once tuned. Provides access to CAT port for computer control of the radio.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ldgelectronics.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00544
K6USN Rating: 2003-08-12
A nice match for the FT 897 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have given this a '5' when my instincts say a '4.5' would be more accurate. the reasons are largely physical, not electronic.

The AT 897 tuner has the superb qualities of the LDG line of tuners, and works very well for me into a variety of antennas including long wires
(with the LDG balun).

However, the tuner bolts to the side of the FT 897 and is not very pleasing to look at. (a bit too large, too boxy, and there was plenty of room inside the AT to avoid this.) This is cosmetic, but is noticable.

I purchased the OTT and had problems with the FT 897 and AT 897 locking up on transmit. I removed the OTT and the problems stopped. The OTT is not a one touch tune, buy the way - you still have to manually reduce the trans output if you don't want to tune up at 100w)

I travel a lot and wanted a rig that I could carry on an airplane and had more power than my '817. The FT 897 fits the bill, but pushes the
limits of my computer bag. I've had to unbolt the
AT 897 and carry it separately. The rats nest of cables to and from the AT and '897 (including the OTT's CAT cable) was more than I want to deal with on the road, so I leave the OTT off.

All in all, a functional tuner that was clearly designed for one particular radio, and generally serves that purpose well. If there is a second generation, it should better match the FT 897 and have some sort of 'quick release' latch from the
radio. As it is, it's a time consuming job and I just leave it separate, largely defeating the purpose of the tuner's physical 'bolt on' design.

I'd recommend it. I am taking mine to ZK1 land next month and will depend on it to tune my antennas.

Allen
K6USN/VK4DSN
K5LOR Rating: 2003-08-01
A Moderate Success Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have read a great deal about LDG's great auto tuners. I have a Yaesu FT-897 and decided that the AT-897 with W4RT's OTT would be a perfect fit for my small and mobile setup. I currently have a Hustler 6BTV vertical and a Alpha Delta DX-EE inverted V antenna. Both of these antennas tune to within 1.3 on all resonant bands using my cheap manual MFJ-945E tuner. I first setup my AT-897 without the OTT module. The tuner tuned fairly well using the manual tuning process on all bands except 80 Meter. I could get my SWR within 1.3 with the MFJ but the LDG would not tune at all. I thought it was pilot error, so I installed the OTT module. The tuner would tune 10-30 Meter bands but not 40 or 80. I was going backwards. I then began changing out cables. Nothing seamed to work, and my radio began locking up in the transmit position when I tuned the LDG with the W4RT OTT. I sent both LDG and W4RT emails regarding my problems. W4RT responded to my second email and the module is currently in route back to the company for testing. LDG has not responded to two emails regarding questions about a poorly functioning tuner. I believe the most of the problem is with the OTT module, but I am disappointed that the LDG will not tune my 80 Meter band on my Hustler from a 2.2 to anything else. The AT-897 is a nice size but is too expensive to not tune the bands it is supposed to. I recommend staying with one of LDGs other models or going with a manual tuner. That is what I have chosen to do. I am very disappointed in this tuner. It was a great idea but falls a little short. I wish I had a long wire to try it on, but it just will not work for on my vertical.
K9XYZ Rating: 2003-05-21
Great Tuner for the FT-897 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought one at Dayton last Friday to go with the new FT-897 I also bought there. Added the W4RT OTT option and it works great, tunes my G5RV on all bands. No it dosen't match the radio exactly(in looks) but since I was standing there looking at it when I bought it I wont fault anyone on that issue. Bottom line it matches(functionally)the Ft-897 perfectly and works as advertised. By the way if you've never tried the 897 it is a fantastic rig, now with the AT-897 and W4RT OTT it is even better!!
73,k9xyz
KV3A Rating: 2003-05-15
Great for size Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Works great for size, not quite an RT-11, or AT-11. But very close. Tunes best with radio set at lowest power and AM or other carrier mode. Nice that is runs on power of radio. Simple to use.
Latching relays are nice, if you use same band often, saves some tuning time.
They should have included a short coax jumper with unit.