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Reviews For: LDG Z-100 Low Cost Autotuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG Z-100 Low Cost Autotuner
Reviews: 116MSRP: 149
Description:
Low cost 0.1 to 125 watt autotuner. 200 memories, zero power consumption when not tuning, latching relays, interfaces for all popular radios and 160 thru 6 meter coverage.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ldgelectronics.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151164.5
N4MJG Rating: 2022-10-16
Still no problem ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I pick used back late 2000 i never had any problem i downd load manuel on website and read i wanted to run power suppy to run the tunerfor my 897D i have the cable to use it on back of radio ft897d radio


73
Jackie
N4MJG SKCC 7305 SINCE 2005
NAQCC 5233
OMISS 11548
KR0OT Rating: 2022-06-13
Had two of these fail. LDG Z-100Plus Time Owned: more than 12 months.
First one worked great for about six months then started acting "wierd". It would quit tuning on certain bands. Over time I had to keep reducing my transmit power. It finally got to the point that whenever I would transmit, the radio (Icom 7300) would reboot. I finally bought a replacement. The replacement always had a burning electrical smell that had the whole house complaining. These were both the LDG Z-100Plus Autotuners.
N6DXX Rating: 2020-11-18
Works Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My LDG Z-100 is paired with a Yaesu FT-891 via a control cable. My antenna is a 110 ft dipole fed with twin lead. The tuner matches all bands from 80 to 6 meters down to a 1.4 or lower SWR with just a single touch of the tune button. A nice feature is the tuner's staying on for about a second after the match is achieved. This allows time for an outboard SWR cross needle meter to be read - a nice feature.
I also own similar LDG tuners for my ICOM & my Kenwood transceivers. They too operate perfectly for me. Good products LDG!
N9AOP Rating: 2017-09-06
still works well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this tuner for about 10 years and use it for portable operations. It still works as it did when new.
WA4THR Rating: 2012-07-31
Outstanding! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the little Z-100 new many years back and it has worked amazingly, once I learned to dial my rig down to 25w for tuning. Recently it failed to tune and opening the case I found one of the many latching relays had a hole burned through the side. I sent an email to the factory to see if replacements were available, and received an immediate reply (on a weekend!) that parts would be sent to me right away. A few days later they arrived, and with a new relay installed the little tuner is back to performing as new. Outstanding service!
AI4HO Rating: 2011-10-18
Does what its supposed to do.. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am on my 2nd LDG Z100 auto tuner, got foolish and in a moment of weakness sold the Z100 along with my FT-817ND. I vowed afterwards I would find its replacement. Well fast forward a couple of years..2 weekends ago at a ham fest that is a 45 minute ride from the house, while walking the aisles, and browsing the tables. My eyes fell upon the familiar site of an FT-817ND box. Here, this gentleman was selling his 2 year old Yaesu FT-817ND, and included in the package was an LDG Z100 auto tuner.

Not one to pass up a deal, especially this one in particular..a price was quickly negotiated, one that I was both surprised and wary about. At this low of a price, something has got to be wrong with either one or both. But, my fears were laid to rest,when after a couple of days later when I could devote the necessary time to check out both pieces. The FT-817 (see separate review) worked flawlessly, the Z100 after I swapped the power cord from my LDG AT-600Pro, worked equally as well.

Once satisfied that all was right, tight, and squared away with both, I turned my attentions toward obtaining another, or rather an additional power cord for the Z100. I may here in the near future look into maybe doing the mod to be able to run the Z100 from 6 AA batteries, but for now..any operating, will be done either from the home QTH or in a near by park..where there are numerous AC outlets, so even when I do venture forth an put the rig and tuner to use with my Buddipole system will have the AC power necessary. These tuner are probably one of the most underestimated tuners ever made. They do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it. There's no multicolored lights, no meters, just the tuner, with 2 LED's to let you know that its working, and then its tuned. Its not rocket science..lets not make this any harder by adding stuff to it, if I wanted lights and meters, I would've bought something else. All I wanted was another Z1100..it works.

73 de Mark
W3LZK
W3NRL Rating: 2011-05-16
not bad for a little tuner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I recently purchased ft-857d for the mobile and i had a z100 auto tuner that i had from a trade last year i installed the radio and z100 tuner in the car and grounded the radio and tuner my next delma was to purchase a antenna for hf and i really wanted to run 10 meters in the car i had a Wilson 5000 from earlier days so i figured let give a try and see what happens, well to my surprise I tune 10-17 meters and made contacts on all those band, the little z100 worked flawlessly.
Nice little tuner you can pick up a used one cheap these days and save some $$.
WA9LEO Rating: 2010-03-16
very nice equipment Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked up a used z-100 last month, and i am impressed with how well it works. i have a 10-40 dipole in my attic for a ear and use a kenwood 440at rig. i was having trouble tuning the 440 on 10,15, and 20 meters, i tried 2 other unnamed tuners, which were so so. I picked up the z-100 and it is and shall be my tuner of record. It tunes in 3 seconds or less and retains the memory . i enjoy this tuner. thanks ldg.
KG9H Rating: 2010-03-08
Great little tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had LDG tuners for years since I built the first one out of a QST article. I have had two problems with them and Dwayne assisted in both. This weekend, I took one of my Z-100's and attached it to my new 817ND. One did not tune at 0.4 watts but a swap of PROMS indicated one PROM was not working correctly.
An email to Dwayne on Saturday and a few email conversations led him to send me a new PROM. I cannot say enough about LDG and their support. Oh the tuners, great. I have used them for G5RVs, Loops (with my 4:1 balun) and a few other dipoles with open line. They are great tuners and the support is fantastic. Even on the weekend!! -73 Frank KG9H
N1FDX Rating: 2010-01-12
Endless possibilities Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had this tuner for a few years now, in the mobile, in the shack and on vacation. It's now remotely located in my attic on a slinky dipole with a 1-1 balun as backup antenna and work great, even tunes 160m. The slinkies are about 60+ ft per side. This little unit has exceeded my expectations many times.
http://home.comcast.net/~n1fdx/pwpimages/Z100.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~n1fdx