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Reviews For: Advanced Electronic Applications AT-300 tuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Advanced Electronic Applications AT-300 tuner
Reviews: 10MSRP: 199.95
Description:
300 Watt antenna tuner.
Settings and connections for: Two coax inputs with tuned
or direct switching, dummy load, and balanced antenna.
Dual read forward and reflected Wattmeter and SWR meter, uses 12V power supply to light. 30, 300 watt settings. Transmitter, Antenna, and Reactance adjustments. Approximately 6" H x 12" W x 12"
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00103.4
W6BP Rating: 2021-01-01
Very good, but don't buy one! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned this tuner since the late 1980s and (a) think it's great and (b) recommend against buying it. I managed to purchase a new one, which is no longer possible, and I suspect that many of the problems listed by other reviewers can be traced to someone--probably not the reviewers--smoking some wafer contacts by turning the inductor switches while tuning up at full power. Anyone buying one today runs the risk of buying faulty (and irreplaceable) switches. That's too bad, because I can match loads that even my K3's ATU (a *very* good tuner) cannot.
VE3LJQ Rating: 2016-08-28
Not bad at all Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
There's that old adage, if all else fails follow the directions. I bought this one used and, yes, had problems with getting it going but, after downloading the manual, realized what I was doing wrong and it tunes every antenna I have. It's certainly a lot better than the Mighty Fine Junk 941E it replaced.
K5AF Rating: 2015-09-21
Very Badly Designed! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a couple of these over the years, thinking that I might be able to salvage enough parts to create one working unit. The design is an Inductive T circuit (two series inductors with a capacitor to ground connected in the center of the circuit) The weakness is in the wafer switches on the two inductors, which aren't up to the task of handling a lot of power. I believe that many of these tuners get smoked because the inductors are switched with 100 watts or more RF present, and the small switches won't handle the power spikes. If you're lucky enough to find one without the switches fried, tune it to resonance at QRP levels and bring up the power only after resonance is achieved.

I stripped out the components on the last one a bought and am using the case for another project. Enough said....
WD8KTQ Rating: 2015-01-22
Good only for QRP! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased this off Ebay a few years ago. For the most part it seems to tune a variety of antennas okay. Three times I have had the inductor switches arc out. My transceiver is only 100 watts and this unit is supposed to handle 300W. It is now completely unusable due to several positions on both switches that have arced and burned. 18 position rotary switches are not that easy to find and with AEA out of business replacement parts do not exist.
ZS1SA Rating: 2014-05-09
If it won't tune, replace the diodes Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this tuner for 25 years, a quarter century of excellent service. The only time I had a problem with this 300 watt tuner is when I tried to use it with my KW amplifier. It tuned fine for a short time then the RF sensor diodes blew. Replacing the two cheap 50 cent diodes allowed the meters to read correctly again and I could tune the antenna system once more. The RF section will take the KW, but the SWR/Power measuring section can't. Check your diodes before condemning the tuner, that may be all that is wrong with it.
2E0TZM Rating: 2012-03-30
The Worst Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Paid £30 for this piece of junk off ebay it will not tune anything wish i had read the reviews before buying.

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Earlier 0-star review posted by 2E0TZM on 2010-07-30

Picked up at a bring and buy as new in box thought i had made a good find but its the worst tuner i have ever used it won`t tune anything right, another person below said his won`t tune anything it must be wired wrong i would say its down to poor components and build another £35 down the drain.
N0IHM Rating: 2012-01-30
Great tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this tuner back in the early 90's for my trap 80-10 dipole. I could always tune it for 1.5:1 or less, and marked the settings down for future use. It gave me no problems, and I liked the cross needle meter. It does only 80 thru 10, and not 160, but my old TS530sp liked it. Large case, and High Q. No loose fittings on mine at all. Great tuner for me.
N7SO Rating: 2011-12-26
Works well for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this used quite a few years ago and it continues to serve me well. I've used it with a 55' inverted-V low above a one-story townhome roof, and now with a 140' inverted-V up 38 feet-- both fed with ladder-line. I have had no trouble tuning the former from 40 - 10 meters, and the latter from 80 - 10 meters. There just have been no issues with it. I was previously using an MFJ-948 for which I had to build a much beefier internal balun to make it work properly (and not heat up) with my 55-footer; the AEA experienced no such issues. It's just too bad it's not designed to work on 160 meters.
W5WAA Rating: 2009-05-08
Nice Tuner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Have been using one of these about a year, no problems. Tunes my Cobra antenna and the G5RV with no problems. I like the detents on the 18 position inductor selectors, gives you almost as many choices as a roller inductor. The MFJ-949 has only 12 inductor tuning positions, so the AT-300 has 50% more postitions. The lighted 2 1/2" wide swr dual needle meter is easy to read. Ran it at up to 350 watts with no problems. The antenns connectors on the rear have large insulators for a balanced line. With tuners running close to the $200 mark if you can find one of these used it is a good buy.
VE7IT Rating: 2004-12-20
waste of money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this tuner second hand and it was in mint condition. I dont know what is up with it. It has a very poor tuning range. In fact. it has no luck tuning a 80 full wave loop or helping on a 5 band vertical. I have not been able to find a wiring diagram. I suspect it must be wired up wrong internally as it doesnt tune any antennas I am using. This tuner has 2 switched coils and one variable capacitor. I would love to have this tuner work... anyone else have any luck? Mine is destined for the next swap and shop.