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Reviews For: LDG AT-200Pro Memory Autotuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG AT-200Pro Memory Autotuner
Reviews: 88MSRP: 249
Description:
5 to 250 watt autotuner (100W on 6M). 16,000 3-D memories, SWR and Power indicator, 2 position antenna switch, 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
00884.6
KB3MP Rating: 2020-09-29
Terrific autotuner with great support Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this unit 15 years ago, not long after LDG first created this line of autotuner. I used it frequently for many years with the various multi-band wire antennas I put up and took down during that time. If memory serves, I believe it stopped working around the time I decided to replace the multi-band wire antennas with single band versions. (Don't know which came first: the autotuner failure or the multi-band antenna replacement.) Several years later, I again erected multi-band wire antennas. Sadly, the autotuner hadn't fixed itself while sitting on a shelf, so I contacted LDG's support. They replied very quickly. I described the problem as best as I could determine it (the tuner couldn't "see" any reflected power), then sent them the unit. About 10 days later, I had it back. The problem was fixed (SWR circuit diode replacement), the firmware had been updated, and the tuner again works like a dream.

This is a super autotuner. LDG's service was fast, friendly, and delivered at an unbelievably low price. Both are highly recommended!
KF7MAX Rating: 2017-10-23
Very Nice...! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great tuner I used for many years...there is one thing to be careful of...200watts is meant for SSB not full key down CW or digital modes for 15mins. Depending upon your match to the wire, you will generate some heat in the toroids. They have a warning in the manual that you need to crank back the power for those modes. I did screw up and fried a toriod. However a call to the factory,and they sent me a replacement, and all I had to do was cover the shipping, even though they knew I screwed up.This unit has been replaced by the AT-200Pro II. I give it a 4 because it can get noisy, but once you have your favorites in, it tunes extremely fast. The ProII is basically the same unit, but has a light to tell you what antenna your on.(Something I was going to add to mine but have yet to got around to it)
KF6KXG Rating: 2015-08-04
A Good Value and Works Well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The AT200 Pro is a bit noisy, but does a great job tuning my G5RV on most bands. It has been my main tuner for 5 years and have been happy with it. One caution: Be careful to have your power supply off when putting in the coaxial power plug as if you accidentally touch the adjacent jack, you will have "issues".
`The reason I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 is I also have another brand of tuner that tunes quieter and achieves a lower SWR with the same antenna. By the way, the 200 Pro is much better than the ProII that replaced it. I tried a ProII and returned it. The original Pro tunes to a lower SWR and is not as sensitive to stray RF.
KY4TS Rating: 2014-05-20
Despite my best efforts, it's still working! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've seen some negative reviews where the operator has admittedly done something wrong, but expects the tuner to keep running. Despite my mistakes on occasion, one of which let the smoke out of one of the caps, this tuner refuses to quit! It has been my main tuner in the shack for over 4 years now and has performed remarkably. Inverted L's, non-resonate dipoles, hastily constructed verticals, all have posed no issues. Yes it makes noise when it tunes. It's supposed to. Even the tuner in my FT-950 makes noise. Relays do that. But it is far from ear shattering and it lets me know it is working. For all practical purposes, do you change bands that much that it is an issue? For what this thing costs, you'll be hard pressed to find a better auto tuner.
IU3BRO Rating: 2014-05-15
claimed for 100watts, problems with 100watts! No tech support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi,
I recently purchased in Italy the above AT. While the shack was unattended by me, for a home emergency, the computer started transmission, for a Ham Radio Deluxe malfunctioning or any other mysterious reason, and the rig ic718 continued to transmit for 15 minutes. When I went back to the shack, the AT was very hot, smoking a bit, and the rig as well. Switched off at once, after one hour switched on again, and it worked, but with a very bad smell.
Opening the box, a toroid appeared burned, but still working with huge heat generation partly melting a nearby relay. I asked to Tech support of LDG for service manual, LDG says they do not have, then I asked at least a schematic diagram, they said NOT AVAILABLE! Now, maybe I made something wrong, but why a claimed 200watts tuner burns for a 15min 100watts transmission? And why this absent tech support? Avoid this rubbish!
MM0XXW Rating: 2014-01-29
A neat piece of kit .... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I managed to pick one up second-hand but practically un-used so there's not a scratch on it.
Before I tuned my antenna I reset the unit so all memories were empty of any previous presets.
It's only trimming a ground-mounted multi-band vertical which it accomplished in milli-seconds and has been rock-solid since.
I've a couple of small gripes one being I don't have an adapter for my TS-480HX and the other one is the noise, no-one could describe this as silent operation!
However they're only minor issues and therefore I've given it a 4.5!
KJ4DKT Rating: 2013-06-13
HARD TO BEAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have a MFJ 993b, Yaesu fc 40, and a LDG 200 Pro. They all have their MINOR faults, but are very bearable. The 200 Pro has no digital readouts as does the 993b, but seems to tune quickly and noisily. No tuner is the BEST, however some may be better than others whatever the reason. I like ALL of mine. I will sell mine to buy the 1000 Pro model. I have NO problems with LDG products and will continue to use them in the future.
M0AZE Rating: 2013-03-22
M0AZE Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It grieves me to write a negative report about a product and a company that is held in such high esteem. But when composing a review you have to truly reflect your experiences.

I've had this tuner for just over 2 years, its no where near as fast as some of the earlier reviews, similar to other reviewers it sometimes does not like the frequency you are transmitting on and starts to 'clunk' and just refuse to do anything. On some frequencies it just refuses to tune a resonant antenna!

Having sent the unit back for repair it came back with no fault found. I spent over £50 doing this. It appeared to be okay for a day or 2 then similar issues started again.

Having written to LDG requesting help and advice the silence is deafening. What perturbs me is the excellent service received states side to what I've experienced over here in the UK.

It's now 'out of service' in the cupboard while the auto atu in my ICOM 756 pro III does the job quicker, quieter with very respectable results. This is my second LDG product, I purchased on the basis of the strengths of reports and the service and backup this company seems to promote.

Should LDG get in contact it may still have some life yet, but I'm not holding my breath!
N0DQS Rating: 2013-02-18
Good Value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have used mine for some time now, used it in the Shack to get used to it and now use it in the moble with a Yaesu FT-857, once it tuned an antenna or Freq the next time it took a spit second, tuned really well had no problems with it. Still using it.
K2DEP Rating: 2012-07-21
Excellent autotuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the LDG AT-200Pro II about a month ago. A bit noisy when first tuning to the freqs that I use but a lot more tolerable than turning a bunch of knobs manually. This unit works great with my Mini G5RV 46' antenna @ 20' height. I have worked stations in Europe and South America on 10 and 15 meters and some long distance on 40 meters. After reading the reviews, I feel that those that had issues with the autotuner either did not know what they were doing, were using a lousy antenna to begin with or just did not like the noise whilst tuning. In researching, I did not see an autotuner that works as well in comparison nor had the quality of construction. I have a very extensive background in radio wave propagation and I see little fault with this product. I give little validity to those that commented in a negative way. Basically if your antenna isn't tuning properly and the LDG is always trying to retune, you have a lousy antenna. Don't expect miracles.