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Reviews For: SGC SG-231

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : SGC SG-231
Reviews: 12MSRP: 595.00
Description:
Model SG-231 Smartuner automatic microprocessor antenna coupler
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.sgcworld.com/products/231/sg231.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00124.5
W3FLH Rating: 2020-07-02
Another great product from SGC Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this tuner from another ham in great shape, as it was only used to tune an attic dipole. I promptly put it into service in my truck, replacing an SG-237 that served me well for many years. The SG-231 is a bit more robust, and physically larger, than the '237, but still fits seamlessly into the mix, and tunes my 108" whip without issue.

SGC makes fine products that seem to withstand the test of time (with proper care & feeding...).
NX0E Rating: 2020-07-02
Very wide tuning range Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a refurbished SG-231 directly from SGC. It is now my "go to" tuner for my 80 m True Ladder Line antenna fed with a 1:1 balun. Compared to other antenna tuners, the SG-231 has a wider range and finer tuning of Pi Net component values than most. Consequently I find it tunes to a low SWR on 160m - 10m quickly and without complaint.
G7HZZ Rating: 2017-01-29
Very good indeed Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Provided that it is installed correctly this is a great way to operate Q&D (Quick and Dirty) or stealthy portable stations. The important points are grounding and counterpoise. And there's no excuse for reading the manual, it's packed with hints.

Don't expect to leave it outdoors in a permanent or semi/permanent location without additional weather protection - it's common sense, especially for a secondhand one.

Almost all of Phoenix ARC (UK) portable events have used the SC-231 with single-wire antennas with lengths as described in the manual. The only problems have been when we tried to cut-corners and skip using a decent ground.

The sheer flexibility that the SG-213 offers for portable ops is its main strength. For permanent antennas there are better solutions unless space and visibility are issues.


KX4TT Rating: 2015-11-05
Back in Production Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I currently use the SG-231, which was purchased after SGC brought them back into production. This unit replaced a SG-239, which was a great coupler, but with reduced tuning capability when compared to the '231. With a random wire around the ceiling of my bedroom, and tuned radials (including a MFJ-931 for 80 and 40) 80 through 6m is possible. If RFI gets into the units, they can act up, so it is important to do things like choking the input and placing ferrites on the power leads. I use the unit with up to 50W on RTTY, CW, PSK, JT modes, and SSB without problems. The SGC techs are good at answering questions in regards to placement and grounding.
N4VNV Rating: 2006-03-08
BEST IN THE WEST! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Been using mine over seven years. I run a 450' Loop Skywire with the SGC outdoors on a pole at the feed point. It could be better, however it's way above anything else I've ever had in 30 years.
KE4IZA Rating: 2006-03-08
Simply Amazing Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Best ham device I have ever owned. Once connected the SG-231 is fully automatic. Move in the band it tunes. Change bands it tunes. I forget it is even there at times. I use the SG-231 to tune a 102" CB whip on 10m ~ 20m. SWR is usually 1.3:1 or better. Just make sure there is a GOOD ground. The SG-231 is not really a tuner but a coupler. It installs at the antenna end. I also bought the SGC DC coaxial line isolators so I can run the 12vdc down the coax thus eliminating the need for a power line. Check out the SGC Smartuners, there is nothing like them.
K6JEY Rating: 2005-03-14
Very Flexible Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Follow up. Having had the tuner for a while, I am impressed. Yes, it could use a better box, but the use of a Pi network in addition to the L network gives the tuner flexibility others do not have. The larger and huskier components give it lower loss and the ability to handle more electrical stress at high SWR than the cheaper ones. I am now using it on a 120 ft inverted L antenna at 30' on 160m and am doing very well with coverage (all over NA). It also works well on the other bands (JA on 40M for the first time). The tuner is in the garage at the feed point and works transparently. Like we used to say about the Johnson Matchbox, probably even tunes a wet noodle on 80m.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K6JEY on 2004-05-09

I bought it to feed an R-7 vertical on 160m. I switch out the balun on the R-7 and feed it directly from the 231. It works! The R-7 is very short for that band but it tunes fine. It also works on 80m. I switch back to the balun for the other bands. Why not use a horizontal antenna for 160m? Angle of radiation. The tuner is in a protective tub.
KG5JJ Rating: 2003-06-14
Nice tuner; beware of shortcomings Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
There is a reason SGC wants you to install the tuner in an upside down plastic wastebasket; the unit is not waterproof (water-resistant might be a better term to describe it). Water-ingress because of the foam-rubber seal not sealing against the plastic case (the plastic case distorts because it is not heavily made) ruined the 12-volt DC trace on the board from the fuse to the plug going to the control socket. Also, I had to resolder ALL the relay, switched capacitor and switched inductor solder-joints because of bad/intermittent connections, presumably because of heat/cooling cycles from weather exposure. I purchased this unit used (yes, buyer beware) and disassembled it because of intermittent operation the moment I put it in service. It was used in amateur radio operation.

The unit was two years old when I purchased it, it now performs as advertised, but the unit will not survive out-in-the-open on land, and I can only guess what will happen to it in open-air marine use.

I gave this unit a two because it now performs brilliantly, but the build quality is WAY below the retail price asked for it.

73 (Mike) KG5JJ
OH6KXL Rating: 2002-12-25
Handy compromise! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After few weeks usage I am satisfied. I am using 100W transmitter (10W in 6m). Antenna is about 70 meter long rectangular horizontal loop fed in corner by few meters 450 Ohm open lead. One side of loop is about 25 meters and other 10 meters. SG231 usually tune my antenna to whatever band between 80m and 6m. 160m doesn't couple in my location. Reason can be odd reactance fault described by manual or RF incoming to my shack.

I replaced original coaxial jumper cable by half inch semirigid full copper jacket coax. I am not using SmartLock or any other device to monitor the tuner.

Tuning process is extremely quick. Normally some milliseconds only. Sometimes I have to switch of the tuner or tune to another band to find required match in exact frequency.

Why rating four?

160m problems, and poor rg58 coax jumper. I prefer quality cables like NK or Andrew.
N9FG Rating: 2002-06-26
Nice Tuner... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I use this tuner on a center fed vee (60 feet per leg) on all bands. The ends of the vee are up approximately 50 feet and the center is up only 10 feet. I work all bands without any problem, the tuner finds a match within 1 to 3 seconds...

I would have rated this tuner a 5, but have found the case not to be as durable as some of the others on the market. SGC recommends covering the tuner case, to keep it from being exposed to a lot of sunlight. The tuner is physically bigger than a few others on the market, and is a little more akward to mount. (I also have an Icom AH-4 which doesn't have any of the previous shortcomings.)

This is a nice tuner, but because I have an Icom 756 Pro2 and an Icom 706MK2, I favor the AH-4.
The AH-4 plugs right into the rigs and is controlled from the tune button.