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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
KA4AXS Rating: 2005-08-09
Be careful what you read Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading all the reviews on the Z-100 it sounded like it was too good to be true. I could not get it to tune a G5RV below a 2:1 SWR yet my old fashion MFJ would tune it to 1:1. Also, could not get it to tune a Buddipole below 2:1. Makes a lot of noise (like the sound of a blender--normal) which is not what I like to hear in my shack. My radio is a 897D and it needs 1.5 or less. I returned the tuner to HRO and plan to buy a mini-travel manual tuner.
M0RGB Rating: 2005-08-08
great budget auto tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Very quick and versatile tuner, used with FT-857 and FT-897D. I opted for the W4RT one touch tune, this adds a few wires but makes it a really quick setup to use. Just press tune!

Has no trouble with long wires or doublets (with balun) and basically tunes whatever you throw at it. (Within reason)

I don't know about the losses in this tuner but my experience is that it works very well on transmit, swr always reduced to 1:1 or similair.

Would have scored a 5 if the box had been a little better, not keen on plactic or the shape come to that! But it's lasted well with no damage and lots of portable use.
N5RKE Rating: 2005-07-01
Neat tuner Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Mine is installed along with an IC-706MkIIG in a dry box. It loads up everything I have attached to it, especially with a 4:1 balun. Had no difficulty tuning a slinky dipole on 40-20-15 during FD.
K3MP Rating: 2005-05-04
Great tuner Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Have been using this tuner with my original 706 for about 5 months now. It use it with a Comet UHV-6 antenna with 40, 20, 15, 10 mtr add ons. I loads fine and brings up a better receive also. Many compliments on my signal. Going to put one in my 5th wheel this summer along with a comet UHV-6 on the roof rack on the 5th wheel. This will be a great portable set up for camping.
K4AH Rating: 2005-04-03
Fantastic Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have never used an auto tuner and decided recently to give it a try. I can't believe I wasted all those years not having one. The Z100 works great with my FT-817ND and Cobra Ultralite Senior antenna. Once the tuner gets the memory set it is super fast. I bought the Ultra model from W4RT to get the battery option. IMHO that is the best way to go.
W4VD Rating: 2005-03-17
Super Little Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got this tuner and the interface cable for my Alinco DX70TH, it is a fast tuner I have used many over the years and this one beats them all for speed and tuning abilty, I mostly wanted it for my amp, on 75 and 80 I use a Windom with a legal limit tuner, but the input SWR on SSB was a little high and the rigs output folded back lowering my amps output, now she will do full output on all bands including WARC with a nice 1 to 1 input swr in a flash, this is a bargain for the price! This would be great in the mobile with any of the modern moblie HF rigs, they have interface cables for most of the popular rigs for front panel control.
N6ILS Rating: 2005-01-12
Nice Interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got my new Z-100 hooked up to my IC-718. It's like these two were made for each other. I have the 718 configured to automaticaly tune if the swr is greater than 1.5. It performs this operation marvelously. The tuner is a nice small package too, it takes up very little space in the shack. My retailer was having problems supplying one of the interface cables to me. I called the folks at LDG Electronics and they were great. They sent me a cable at "no-charge"! Now that's customer care!
KC0GLA Rating: 2005-01-02
Small but powerfull. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned this for about 9 months and would not traded it. Woks great on all the HF bands. 6M is not quite as good. The processor on the tuner causes some interference while tuning.

I use one of LDG's 4:1 baluns and a shortened Flat Top and can tune anywhere on any band with this tuner, even 60M band.

It took a little while to get used to the timing between memory autotune and complete retune. I finaly have it down now and can tune in almost no time at all. Even without looking at the indicator.
KB4BJM Rating: 2004-12-24
This thing ROCKS! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It has better tuning power than my Icom-756. It meets every challenge that I have given it. A great deal to own.
KC2GYP Rating: 2004-12-03
An even Greater Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had the Yaesu FT 817. And with it, the perfect mate: the LDG Z11 tuner. But now I operate the FT 857. So I needed a tuner that could handle a touch more wattage. Like 70 watts more. Enter the LDG Z100. Not only is it better and can handle more power, it's smaller (go figure), and smarter than the Z11. Just one button on the front (not a bunch of little switches that go every which way). What could be simpler? And the results? Just awesome. No little swl symbols flashing anywhere on the LCD of the rig. What more could you ask for? It's everything you ever wanted in a Z11. And more.

Highly recommended.

73

Peter
KC2GYP