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Reviews For: Turbo Tuner

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Turbo Tuner
Reviews: 156MSRP: 269. USD
Description:
Automatic Screwdriver Antenna Controller for Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu. Handles antenna motor currents up to 2 amps. Firmware is user upgradeable using a computer. Controller is powered by the radio. Plug and play with no calibration required. Works with all models of screwdriver antennas. Tarheel, High Sierra and others. RF bullet proof with extensive RFI filtering. Full 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee and 2 year no questions asked parts and labor warranty. We stand behind our products.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://WWW.N2VZ.COM
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001564.5
K6SRO Rating: 2010-03-26
A Must Have for effective HF mobile Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the TurboTuner based on recommendations from fellow hams on the Tarheel Yahoo User Group. I was nervous because it cost a lot more money compared to the programmable ones. But now that I have used it for almost 3 months now, I am glad I invested in it. Installation was easy. I found I had to change the toggle for SWR tolerance was all, otherwise it sometimes kept searching and would eventually park. The change solved that problem and I get incredible SWR match of 1.1:1 to 1.5:1 on all bands. With the IC-706MK2G tuning is a piece of cake. Just push "Tune" and the TurboTuner does the rest whether driving or stationary.

A very happy customer!

K3LGM Rating: 2010-03-11
Great product Great support Plug and play Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I first purchased the Turbo Tuner after the AmCom tuner I used with the High Sierra 1800 went south. I met Bill at Dayton and he thoroughly explained the workings of the Icom model to me. I had used it without a hitch for about 2 years and decided to change vehicles. During the changeover, the black wire in the 'Motor' pigtail somehow was broken. I sent it back to Bill and he has it quickly repaired to good as new condition for just the cost of shipping. My 706MKIIG is in the shop for repair and was wondering if the Turbo Tuner was compatible with my 7200. I sent off an email to Bill and within an hour had the answer. Just change the CI-V address to 58 (to make it think a 706 is attached) and set the baud rate to 300. That's al there is to it. Has functioned flawlessly from day one, and Bill provides great support. 73, Dave
W7FSI Rating: 2010-03-04
Outstanding Auto Tune Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Since I've had the TURBO TUNER since May 2008 I thought I'd add some user feedback on the TURBO TUNER with the ICOM IC-7000 and the Hi-Q 4/80 with DX Engineerings Hot Rodz CAP HAT and five foot whip mounted to front of vehicle mounted trailer hitch stinger. After considerable testing and adjusting using the good ol' MFJ-259 Analyzer, the Shunt Coil was pretty much perfected and THE TURBO TUNER HAS WORKED Absolutely FLAWLESSLY. Lots of Ferrites or Torroids used and plenty of RF Bonding all over the FORD F250 V-10......I don't think I could be happier.....and I know the XYL is happy that I am now eyes on the road while Mobile hamming.

Thanks for a fine Mobile Accessory
KD7UFF Rating: 2010-02-26
3 year now Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well after 3 years of running my Turbo Tuner on my 706M2G it has not skipped a beat.. Now I have a new IC-7000.. SO I emailed Bill to ask him if it will work with my 7000.. He said "Yes the Turbo Tuner will work fine with the 7000" I love my Turbo Tuner and I love my 7000... Should be a great pair.. BTW I am running a Tarheel II 6M-80M screwdriver antenna...
KL2FP Rating: 2010-02-24
Awesome Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Two years ago I had a Kenwood 480 HX, and a Turbo-Tuner professionally installed in my pickup truck. Several days ago, as I was transferring the equipment into my new truck I discovered the installers had changed connectors on the Turbo-Tuner and it was no longer plug-and-play. I contacted Bill and asked if he would either sell me replacements for the butchered parts or if I could send the tuner to him for repair at my expense. Bill instructed me to return the unit to him and he would perform the repairs under warranty! Within a few days I had a like new tuner back in my hands!

A great tuner and awesome customer service!

Thanks Bill
NF8S Rating: 2010-02-07
Turbo Tuner / Tarheel Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased the turbo tuner specifically for the IC-7000 radio and the Tarheel Model 200A antenna. So far I haven't had any complaints, the radio, tuner and antenna seem to interface well. I'm also impressed with the tarheel antenna as its had its cool weather testing this year with the temps being in the low teens. It works well whether its -10 degrees to +70 so I can't complain. I'd recommend both tarheel and the turbo tuner. I've called both with questions and so far I've had excellant response.
VK4ICE Rating: 2010-01-26
Great Product Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased a Kenwood TS-480SAT for the car and played with various whips. I purchased a Little Tarheel 2 and although it worked well, it was a little dangerous to re-tune when mobile. Bill's (N2VZ)Turbo Tuner was the answer. Problem solved. I purchased a little Tarheel 2 & Turbo Tuner for a client with a Yaesu FT-857D and now he enjoys hassle free band changes.
I liked the combination so much, I now have a Tarheel on my apartment roof and just ordered another Turbo Tuner to suit.
When I go portable, I tape a 30 foot wire to a telescopic fibreglass fishing rod and feed into the top of the Tarheel. 160 - 80m auto-tune.
I don't know how anyone could have problems with this product - it is plug & play.
Thanks Bill!!
W7RE Rating: 2009-11-25
Poor Product & Scam Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have a homebrew screwdriver antenna that I built 15 years ago. Tried to get the TurboTuner to work with it and it would not function at all. Bill sent another tuner and it would not function either. I bought a HiQ antenna and it would not function with it either. Very hard to get feedback from Bill. He told me to return the tuner and he would refund my money. I returned the tuners. After nearly a year, I am still waiting for the refund. Very disappointed.
W7JRK Rating: 2009-03-09
Love this thing Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I called on Monday, got a return call on Tuesday. Had it ordered and arrived in Washington by Friday. I spent 15 minutes setting everything up, followed the quick directions included in the packaging. Set my Kenwood TS-480SAT's PF button, set the tune power level, set the baud rate. Popped the case off the turbo tuner, changed a few jumpers to match up with my TS-480 and HI-Q 2/80 antenna. Plugged the turbo tuner in, fired up the kenwood, selected the frequency, hit the PF button, and within about 10 seconds I had an SWR < 1.5. Same held true for all the other bands as well. Just to be thorough I put my antenna analyzer on it for a few of the bands just to make sure everything was matched up properly and it was. This thing is a dream for mobile use of a screwdriver antenna. Just push a single button and wait a few seconds and it will dial the antenna in.
WW4DX Rating: 2009-02-27
Excellent Device Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my second Turbo Tuner. The first one was for the Yaesu FT-857D, worked perfectly. This one is for the Kenwood TS-480, and it works perfectly. Installation took less than 15 minutes. Changed 2 settings on the TS-480, and set the dip switches inside the unit, and I’m done. Tunes my Tarheel Model 75 to 1.5 to 1 or better on each band, by the push of a signal button. This is a great device!