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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
N7LYT Rating: 2007-11-23
Invaluable!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm using the Z-100 with my FT-857D. I use it portable and have the Z-100 bolted onto the top of the xcvr mobile mount. I also pigtailed the power cord to the xcvr cable. It's compact, lightweight and a perfect compainion to my rig.
AD7BK Rating: 2007-09-29
A Great Tuner That Allows 60m use on ICOM 746 PRO Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I used a friends tuner on my Yaesu FT-100D So I bought one for myself at cheapham.com for 129.95 plus 9.50 shipping. The only downside of this tuner is there is no cable for the FT-100D but there is one for the Icoms which works OK. The internal tuner is better on all bands except 60m the tuner for some reason wont go below 1.5:1 which causes transmitter power cutback. (A fail of the pro rigs they should only due the cutback on 2.0:1 instead of 1.4:1) I love this tuner it is the best for the low cost.

This tuner is perfect for all rigs. Mobile you can mount it in a good place and if you have a rig that the cables don't work on then push the tune button while on AM/FM or CW. Once tuned your good.


This tuner is perfect for back packers.

Only downside of this tuner is 50Watts MAX on 6m which is ok 1-S (3dB) less than if you're running 100 watts.

Right now if you buy the tuner they have a free offer for a RBA-1 or RBA-4 (1:1 and 4:1 Balun respectively) Which effectively increases the range of the tuner if you get the 4:1 it now allows you to tune a 1.50 ohm-3200 Ohms HF (4 ohms-600 ohms 6M) It is a great tuner. Better than the Internal tuners of most every radio on the market.

I just wish it would tune better to 1:1 so I can do 100 watts as opposed to 50-75 watts.

So if you are considering to buying it do so.

AD7BK
W0ACE Rating: 2007-08-12
SUPER NICE! WORKS PERFECTLY! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Just a brief follow-up, had mine for over 6 months now, still working GREAT! I use it to match a 80 meter dipole on ALL BANDS, and a home brew 1/4 wave 20 meter vertical on 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters. JUST AWESOME! I use mine with a Yaesu FT-857D with the auto tune line hooked up. Just push the button and go!!!!!!I love this tuner. Only thing I'd asked for, 100 watts on 6 meters also.

LDG KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!

AAAAA++++++++++++++

73's Chris W0ACE


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Earlier 5-star review posted by W0ACE on 2007-02-12

I am using mine with a Yaesu FT-857D and a 80 meter di-pole. Will tune up on all bands, even 6 meters! Works fine with the push of 1 button! VERY HAPPY CUSTOMER!
W0CBF Rating: 2007-08-02
Get this tuner! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I think for approx. $149 you cannot go wrong. I use a G5RV antenna (1/2 length version) and it loads up very nicely from 10 - 40 meters. This is the first automatic tuner I have and don't see how I could have lived without it all these years.

73's
Chuck
KC4MYV Rating: 2007-07-26
love it wont give it up Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
i just purchased this little diamond 3days ago for use with my ts440s 1button tune works well for me using a diapole ant tunes less than 2 on everything from 10mdown to 80m just wont do 160m just love it, ant had over 10swr without tuner but havent seen much over 2, i just love it. never had a tuner before but hopefully never need to replace this one
NY0K Rating: 2007-06-26
Solid Auto Tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I picked this tuner up for my FT817. I now use it with my son's Ten Tec Omni-D. This little unit tunes quickly, then gets out of the way. Excellent for ops who hate all the buttons and whistles. Poke a button and you're tuned in under ten seconds.

This little tuner easily matches a G5RV antenna, and the low power requirements allow you to take this mobile without worrying about the batteries.

Lots of these on the second-hand market, and this is an excellent tuner for field day or remote/emergency ops.
KC0KJF Rating: 2007-06-01
Love It !!!!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
At This time only have 10 meter privileges.
Hooked this up to my Ten-Tec Corsair and using a spectrum 1600 vertical thqats was tuned originally for 11 Meters. Pushed the tune button and about 6 seconds later a swr of 1.2 down from 3.1 on 28.400, to my way of thinking not bad at all. Cant wait to take my general test this month so can try it out on 40 and 20 .
KD5JOS Rating: 2007-05-28
No complaints Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this unit to tune antennas for my IC-735. I live in an apartment and have limited choices for antennas. I made a homebrew halo out of some RG-213. It's approxamately 10' on each side. This tuner handles it beautifully down to 40 meters. I can't wait to try it with a "real" dipole.
K4CPU Rating: 2007-05-04
Great Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I kept going back a forth between purchasing this tuner and another. I am glad I bought this one. I purchase the Z-100 Ultra. I does not require a 12v source because it has internal batteries. This tunes all the bands I use. I like the size and it goes great with the 706MKIIG and dipole.
KI4CRA Rating: 2007-04-22
Great little auto-tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had my Z-100 for about 2 and a half yrs. during that time it was used extensively for various and sundry task requiring the tuner. Its small foot print was ideal for my IC-706MKIIG, it sat on top of the rig and all you had to do was push the button and it would tune most antennas. I purchased a Kenwood TS-480HX (200 watts) figured I would get the cabling to interface it with my Kenwod, it didn't work with the Kenwood, even when I turned the pwr down to 100 watts or less.
By this time the 706 was mobile, with a little tarheel II screwdriver antenna. so the Z-100 went into my box and eventually got sold at a ham fest about a year ago. Well fast forward a yr. I still have the Kenwood, traded the 706 for a Sony laptop and bought a Yaesu FT-897D, sure wish I still had my Z-100.
All in all a great little tuner, I'll have to look for another one, this time with the Yaesu cables. 73 hope to catch you on the bands.


Mark AI4HO

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KI4CRA on 2004-04-11

I must say after four and a half months this is one great tuner! Don't let the size fool you, once I had the interface cables together and hooked to my 706MKIIG, awaaay we went. I have found that, it will tune 160m on my GAP Challenger DX antenna with no problems, BTW the GAP isn't even tuned for 160. I asked Rich at GAP antenas if it would be a problem and he said no as long as you kepp it to 100 watts or less, (so all you gap challenger ant. owners out there listen up). This IS the tuner to have if your running 100 watts or so.
I did order factory direct, after explaining to the gentleman at LDG, that there wasn't one to be had anywhere he was more than happy to take my order send it rush delivery at no extra charge, and the shipping was only $10. In all honesty the LDG Z-100 Low cost tuner is a must have in any shack. 73 all hope to hear you on the bands.
Mark KI4CRA