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Reviews For: LDG AT-100Pro Memory Autotuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG AT-100Pro Memory Autotuner
Reviews: 88MSRP: 219
Description:
Low cost 1 to 125 watt autotuner (50W on 6M). 4000 memories, SWR and Power indicator, 2 position antenna switch, low power consumption, 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
00884.1
KD1JT Rating: 2021-12-18
Works as advertised! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my third LDG tuner. All still in rotation, including a QRP one from the late 90's. I appreciate the two antenna outputs on the AT-100ProII (the latest model), and the status lights for bypass and antenna. In the shack I'm using it with my FT-450D and a W3EDP "random" antenna with a 9:1 transformer, RG8x to LDG 1:! choke at the tuner. Tunes that wire from 80 thru 6m, and WILL tune 160 (but I can't imagine very efficiently!). Glad I got one, no regrets.
OK1RP Rating: 2020-07-07
Dissapointing Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My experience was exactly as W5JV and K6XR. I was using a Z-11Pro which worked just fine then passed to daddy and still works as it should. I wanted the LCD display so bought the AT-100Pro. Big disappointment. IT WOULD NOT tune the same antennas as the Z-11Pro. Even more... after tuning is ended with good match at 1:1.1 the tuner starts tuning cycle again while I am operating! Have to put to manual mode in order to keep it matched. LDG support recommended to check relays or processor... No way to check processor isn't it? The tuner will have to go...
W8NIC Rating: 2018-02-06
Best 100w tuner I've owned Time Owned: more than 12 months.
All I have as antenna is a G5RV Jr and this little wonder tunes from 40m all the up to 10m really fast. Memory is fantastic too! I paired it with my ic-7300 (internal tuner is useless) and they work perfectly together.
WD9GNG Rating: 2017-07-19
Still Great After 10 Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the LDG AT-100Pro for over 10 years supporting the Yaesu FT-857 I bought at the same time. It has worked well with a 80-6 Carolina Windom and tunes well from 80-6 with no issues. I use both in the house and have been very satisfied with the tuner.

The tuner has a high quality build and has been reliable throughout the years!!!!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WD9GNG on 2005-07-03

During Field day 05, I operated a FT-897D & Z-100. After 24 hours I fell in love with both products. A few days later I bought a FT-857D which is the mobile/hiker version. I started to buy the Z-100 but they were on back-order everywhere. I instead bought the AT-100Pro for a few dollars more since they were in stock.

My FT-857D order was delayed a few days and the AT-100Pro arrived first. I planned to leave it in the box until the FT-857 arrived but ended up trying it out on my old reliable Kenwood TS-130S with a parallel dipole and even my old 2 Meter Ringo Ranger.

The Z-100 I used during Field Day was fully functional but this AT-100Pro adds fun too! Once you see the LEDs do the Snoopy "Happy Dance" when you reach less than 1.1 you are hooked. I drove the whole family nuts dragging them in to watch me tune up on the band ends and middle of 80 through 10. You have to be a ham to appreciate how really cool this tuner is.

Once you tune a couple times, the AT-100Pro snaps almost instantly to the lowest SWR possible. By the way, I was able to tune the parallel dipoles and Ringo Ranger without any problem. I'm sure the 2 Meter antenna was very inefficient but I did do a couple A/B comparions on 20 meters and did get better reception on a couple of DX stations. Imagine what a decent vertical antenna could do in combination with a simple dipole.

I will sum it up and say that based upon 24 hours of solid Field Day use the Z-100 was just fine and performed flawlessly but if you want fun and the ultimate in operating coolness with enriched functionality then I would go with the AT-100Pro. The AT-100Pro also has more memories, nice solid METAL box, SWR/Wattmeter, Dual Antenna Feed, Automatic tune with SSB (Nice Feature!).

Only problem I see is that I might have to buy another one for the shack since this one was meant for the car and backpack :-).

By the way, W4RT Electronics is great to work with and made sure my stuff was on the truck ASAP. They also have the best prices I was able to find on the Internet. They answer emails quickly about orders and sincerely appreciate your business, it shows!

Ken Wigger
WD9GNG
K5TUE Rating: 2017-04-19
Seems to work well if... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Seems the reviews here are polar opposites, either good or bad.

Mine works fine at the home QTH, where RF in the shack is controlled by good antenna and station grounding and any common mode RF on the coax is controlled with a 1:1 balun at the feedpoint.

But in portable operations it seems to act up sometimes depending on the particular setup being used.

I suspect the owners who have trouble getting it to tune, might have RF in the shack that they dont know about, and the tuner mis-behaviour is an indicator of that. Try setting the tuner to 'semi auto' tuning and see if that lessens the problems.

BTW these work quite well with the interface cable for Icom and Yaesu. As a standalone tuner with no interface cable, its much less convenient when changing frequencies, but still usable.
KA4AFE Rating: 2016-03-23
Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great tuner!!! Tech support is awful! And insulting refused to sell parts always wanted unit returned for repair! What happened to helping the hams with repairing their equipment! Will never buy one again. Problem was shorted I/O input pin 6, told me my Fluke meter caused problem! 😖
MM0XXW Rating: 2015-06-01
Does what it states .... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I exchanged my MFJ-993 for this model as I needed 6m capability but have found no issues with it so far (touch wood).
It's tuned both a multi-band vertical and a OCFD with ease and no issues arose with either. The clacking on the initial tune is a little annoying however once confined to the memory function it's all plain sailing, fast, efficient and quiet tuning ensues thereafter.
I didn't give it a full 5 as I would like to have seen it handle a bit more power but then it would be called something else!!!!
W2NER Rating: 2015-04-21
Not bad, does the job Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had other tuners from LDG like the AT-1000 and IT-100. This does not do as good of a job across the band as the others I have had but still works well.
K6XR Rating: 2015-03-01
problems as well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My experience was exactly as w5jv. I was using a z11proII which works just fine. I wanted the lcd display so bought the at100proII. Big disappointment. IT would not tune the same antenna as the z11. I have sent it back to LDG. so far no word from them. If it works when it is returned I will update my review
W5JV Rating: 2015-03-01
Not What It's Supposed To Be Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I exchanged several emails with LDG Sales before buying this tuner. I was already using an ICOM 1710 with their IT-100 and very happy with that set up. It tunes a high SWR G5RV antenna flawlessly and has allowed me to work most every MARS frequency I was asked to report to. But, it sends a frequency location signal to the tuner and does not depend on a keyed down event. So, when it came time to service my old Yaesu FT-840 and then provide it with a tuner, I wrote LDG a few emails. They were responsive although curt and not very friendly. Okay, okay, they are not there to be pen pals. But they are there to THINK about our questions and make responsible responses. I was led to their "generic" tuners and the AT-100Pro II was the first up. After receiving my FT-840 back from the service center checked & aligned, I ordered the AT100 from HRO and within 4 days had the tuner. I attached a good ground to the xcvr & tuner and then simply moved my G5RV 's feed line over to the new set up for a first go. TILT. Did not work. With a power setting only 1/4 of the way up, the AT-100 kept throwing itself into "BYPASS" after considerable chatter that was almost like complaining. My IT-100 hardly ever makes noise. This was on 75 meters. So using my antenna analyzer I found a native SWR dip around 7220 and moved the frequency over there. No difference. TILT. A nearby ham followed me over and was able to hear me fine but the tuner could not handle 7220 at 1/4 power. I wrote LDG and they responded it sounded like I was trying to load an empty or vacant antenna input connection. There is only pos.1 and 2. 1 is the default where I was at. I began looking at other hams experiences and found at least two here on eHam net with an AT-100Pro tuner which would not work on 75 or 40 meters either. The only thing we can think of is that on initial engagement of the tuner, there is a high SWR causing a foldback of power onto the tuner which it cannot handle and at the same time tune. One other buyer exchanged his AT100 for an AT200 and claims the problem went away. Well, I am returning mine for now. LDG did offer to look at it from a warranty perspective but I think that they are aware of this weakness and simply expect the ham to use low SWR antenna's. SO MUCH FOR THE GENERIC WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO JUMP THROUGH LOOPS TO GIVE GOOD SERVICE. I'm disappointed not so much in this tuner as with LDG's Customer Service. What's the point of having an automatic antenna tuner if you have to have a low SWR tuned antenna to use it with? DUMB.