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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
W4NMP Rating: 2004-03-17
Super Delivery Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After considerable research, I attempted to order the Z-100 from gigaparts and one other retailer, only to be told the item is on backorder, and would be a week or more before inventory was received. When attempting to order from LDG I was told the backorder situation was 6 to 8 weeks - order from a retailer. HRO CAME THROUGH. The items were in stock!!! I placed the order mid-day Monday and the items were delivered Tuesday, UPS GRND delivery to Reno!!!

Now I have to clean up the shack and install it.
W3PH Rating: 2004-03-12
Very impressive, esp. for speed of tuning. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I'm using a Z-100 with a 4:1 balun to feed a vertical loop via open-wire line. While the impedance range isn't as great as the internal tuner in my TS-940 (the loop works decently on 80 with the 940's tuner, but won't match with the Z-100), the Z-100 wins hands-down for speed - it's essentially instantaneous once it has memorized the settings for a given frequency. Makes changing bands, which I do frequently as conditions change on 40/30/20/15, a simple matter. Certainly beats any manual tuner for speed. Planning to get another for 2nd rig/antenna. Have used with TS-940 and Pegasus, and it's great with both.
WO7T Rating: 2004-03-10
Works as Spec'ed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excellent product at value-minded price. Works exactly as spec'ed, and yes that means 50W on 6M

Good luck getting one...backorders seem pervasive.
VA3HVM Rating: 2004-03-10
AWESOME!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
CAN'T BELEIVE THIS THING.. WOW SO SMALL AND WORKS LIKE A CHARM.. 80 METER DIPOLE EASILY TUNES ANYTHING ON 80 40 20 17 15 12 10. 6 METERS AND 160 WON'T TUNE BUT I'LL BET IF I HOOK A COAX UP TO MY EVESTROUGH IT'LL WORK.. BUY ONE YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED.
N7CCH Rating: 2004-02-22
Great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The same as all other reviews. However, the $30.00 price drop is nice, and the ads by SGC would seem to indicate that the 211 is comparable, but I don't believe it will handle a 100 watt transceiver, so maybe they are not quite comparable.
AE4RV Rating: 2004-02-18
Great companion to my 706 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm not going to reinvent the wheel here - everything that can be said about this excelent-value auto-tuner has been said.

This is the best operating accessory I have purchased for My Icom 706MKII. It allows me to quickly (and easily) tune a random-length wire antenna to work any band. Gets it's power from the 706 and is controllable by the TUNER button on the rig. Beautiful.
N0HHS Rating: 2004-02-14
Great value; works beautifully Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this to replace an Icom AT-180, tuning a G5RV driven by an Icom IC-718 transceiver. The AT-180 does not tune as wide a range of impedances, and it would annoyingly "un-tune" during an ssb transmission at full power on bands with a severe mismatch.

The Z-100 costs <1/2 what the AT-180 did, and works better. Interfaces seamlessly with the IC-718. I also like the fact that it latches and stays tuned when powered down. I can use the 718 interface to tune at 14.060, turn it off, and run my Rock Mite 20 through the tuned feedline/antenna system.

In a world of frequently overpriced equipment, this is refreshing deal. I recommend it without qualification. ($10 cheaper from retailers like Gigaparts than from LDG direct.)
K2HJM Rating: 2004-02-10
A pleasure to use Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using the W4RT Ultra version of the Z-100, with installed alkaline battery pack, mostly for mobile operation. It works very well indeed. Tuning takes 3-6 seconds, as advertised, using a resonant antenna. The memory recall is nearly instantaneous... generally under 2 seconds.

The green LED delivers useful information , but only at the very end of its tuning cycle. If a ballpark SWR is important to you, you have to look at it and see if the cycle ends in a steady green, flashing, etc.

I generally like to reduce power to 5W for tuneups on my 857. But that's just a preference, based mostly on etiquette and overall PA wellbeing. That said, the SWR foldback circuit apparently works quite well.

I did have one isolated lockup glitch, requiring me to shut down the 857 and open the Z-100 to pop out a battery. But if you're applying external power-- resetting is not a problem. BTW, that locked up red-LED condition has never repeated.

A very cool, tiny, problem-solving addition to any 100W (except for 6) station.
NT9H Rating: 2004-01-20
great tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got my new Z100 with the icom cables last week. It is so nice to get more than you pay for! The tuner workes great right out of the box. The only problem that I had was my own. I needed to read the manual on my radio to activate the tuner button!!! Even the auto PTT tune feature works with the Z100! I would recommend this unit to anyone who wants more for their money!
M3SKF Rating: 2004-01-16
GET TUNED Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Used this tuner in the Marine Mobile & WOW it works very well.This tuner is small & compact it even tunes via my main-stay on the speed-boat.What more can i say,go get one they are just FAB.