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Reviews For: SGC MAC-200 Master Antenna Controller

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : SGC MAC-200 Master Antenna Controller
Reviews: 34MSRP: 319.95
Description:
The new MAC-200, the Master Antenna Controller from SGC, is the answer to multiple antenna matching. The MAC-200 allows you to control 5 antennas, 3 fed by coax, 1 with balanced line, and 1 random length line. The built-in antenna tuner provides a match automatically on all antennas.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.sgcworld.com/products/MAC200/MAC200Info.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00342.7
ON6CV Rating: 2004-11-21
Excellent ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The SGC MAC-200 is a really nice product that tunes nearly everything (even an antenna that was not suited for some bands !). Tuning is lightning fast once stored in the memory bins. Nice dark grey aluminum case that looks like a military / professionnal product. I choose this SGC ATU for my Tentec Orion 565 over the LDG internal tuner that has no memories and which only works on 1 antenna port. For the same price of a internal option, you got a product that is an antenna switch and an ATU for 3 antennas fed with coax, 1 longwire and 1 balanced connection ! Great idea.

Don't be afraid of that "KKKKRRRR KRRRR KKKKRRR KKKKRRRR" during the tuning process - the ATU is searching for a match with it's internal relays. Once a setting is stored in memory, the ATU is very silent and fast.

Price has dropped, so why not go for it ?

Best regards, Eric de ON6CV
IK5WQO Rating: 2004-06-25
Everyone should have one ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hello, i own an SGC Mac-200 since few days, and i am very much satisfied!

The construction is nice, strong and "professional" looking.
Rear connections are good quality , and the front panel is perfect, with just everything you need (nothing plus, nothing minus), nice soft-rubber keys and green-light leds and instruments.

I use it with my Yaesu FT-100d, an Alpha Delta DX-EE dipole ad a long wire antenna, and i can easily cover the entire HF OM spectrum from 1,8 to 28 MHz!
The tuner is VERY fast and works perfectly, and the auto function help to select automatically, with no manual work other than rf trasnmission, the right antenna that have been previously (once!)selected and tuned on this band.

If you want you can select manually, each time, the desired antenna : just push manual and the antenna you want to use, transmit a low power carrier and that's it : you are ready !!!

It works at 12 volts, the power consuption is very low, and user can also choose to turn off backlighting to save energy.

I suggest this unit, it's a very nice and useful accessory.
N7KJ Rating: 2004-05-27
Super Tuner !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a excellent working Antenna Tuner, and it even looks great. It accommodates five (5) antennas at any one time, including a Long Wire and a Balanced Feed Line. In addition you can connect three coax cable to complete the set. You can switch antennas by pushing the corresponding button on the front panel. The tuner has several memories for each antenna, but you can also elect to have the tuner do it's work every time you change your frequency. It even lets you bypass the tuner all together. This antenna tuner has two meters, not just one. One gives you the SWR reading, and the other one shows you the Power Output. It has two power ranges, 20 and 200 watt. This means this tuner works very well on either QRP or QRO. All it needs to work is a mere 1 watt. And work it does. I have tried it on several antennas and bands. I've even used it on the new 60 meter band. It only takes a few seconds, even on a bad mismatch, and you are in business. You just want to tune at low power in a case like that, of course. I can only recommend this tuner for either your home or mobile station, and it is even light enough for portable oparation. The going street price of $359.95 is not out of this world either, and matches nicely the prices of other manufacturers. I just think the MAC-200 is a good bit better. Feel free to e-mail me if you need any additional fill at N7KJ@arrl.net . 73, Scott N7KJ
M0NKD Rating: 2004-05-22
My favourite tuner Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had some concerns at first with this unit that it wasn't quite operating as described in the manual. It took a little while figuring out that the default antenna position was 3 and I wanted to use 1. SGC support were simply excellent, being courteous, fast and helpful. The tuner works on all bands (160m thru 6m) on a random length double wire loop going around the garden at mostly just fence height.
It out performs all of my rigs built-in tuners including Yaesu FT1000MP Mk V, Icom 756 Pro II, Kenwood TS2000x.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely!!