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Reviews For: LDG Z-11Pro Memory Autotuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG Z-11Pro Memory Autotuner
Reviews: 80MSRP: 179
Description:
The return of the popular Z-11 in a Pro version with increased RF power capacity and more memories. 0.1 to 125 watts (100W on 6M). 8000 3-D memories store up to 4 antenna settings per frequency, SWR indicator, internal battery capable, latching relays, SSB tuning 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
14804.2
K7WFM Rating: 2012-10-02
Meh Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This review is for the Z-11Pro II- It does alot of chattering sometimes after it's supposed to have memorized "The lowest match." The best match on some bands is ~1.5:1...a few jabs at the inductor/cap buttons brings it down to close to 1:1. For an auto tuner, I do a lot of button jabbing. I think this will be relegated to portable use with the FT-857 as its foot print is very small. I'll go back to my MFJ manual tuner for the home base. Oh, and the LED codes are very crpytic and blink their codes way too fast as mentioned in some other reviews.
VE9SK Rating: 2012-08-27
Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought my second Z11 pro II and used it remotely at the base of a S9 43foot vertical during the recent Lighthouse/Lightship weekend at Swallowtail Lighthouse at Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. Worked as advertised, and had no problems with it whatsoever. Had it mounted in a weather proof box,along with a 9 to 1 UNUN, and fed power to it with 8 AA alkaline batteries. Used it on all bands from 80M to 10M....Flawless all the way.
K6XR Rating: 2012-06-27
fantastic Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use a Carolina Window40 at 35 feet antenna. the LDG-z-11Pro tunes 40-6 meters in a flash. Hit the cw key or tune button on the radio and it clicks in a instant to 1:1 swr. A very good piece of gear for the ham shack. That is of course, on previously tuned memories. for a new freq usually less that 4 seconds has been my experience.
N0IHM Rating: 2012-06-26
Need to have Nifty card Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Got this for my first outboard auto tuner. Try to remember if you have it on manual or auto, and then be sure to watch lights, as they do their thing quickly. That's the only quick thing for me, half the time, as when I do a "new" frequency, it usually chatters for about 8-9 seconds, then finally stops with a 2 to 3:1 reading?? This is on a "store bought" 80-10 dipole. Same for homebrew 40m. Gonna re-read the manual again..and again...see if I missed something. May just use my manual Ten Tec inline.
G4REK Rating: 2012-04-07
VERY GOOD TUNER Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Nice easy to use tuner...bought it because my SGC auto tuner need too much rf to get it into life when using my green radio PRC 320 CLANSMAN.....
KJ6GED Rating: 2011-12-18
Cheap Junk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Tuner just keeps on tuning even after manual tuning. Would not tune 11m antenna to 10m band, just keep making noise. I really can't understand why some of these company's claim to have a great product, but in actuality they sell garbage ie: LDG and MFJ. After I took it back for a refund I found a $35 Dentron JR Monitor on ebay, this thing will tune anything. I will never buy LDG again.
N0YK Rating: 2011-11-07
Excellent tuner!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this tuner in combination with a S9 31' vertical antenna. I put a large waterproof electrical box at the base of the antenna and a 12 volt power supply. I then used the LDG 1:1 balun and connected the antenna to the tuner. This setup is working amazingly well in my antenna strict neighborhood! I currently can tune 6m-75m without a problem and have good signal reports on all bands. I cannot tune 160m yet but I have a 4:1 balun to try and I'm sure this will bring the 160 meter world into play. I drive all this with a Icom 746 Pro, I start with low power (20w) then after the tuner find the match increase to full power and always get below a 1.5 to 1. It does take the tuner a few seconds to find a new match but stored matches are restored instantly on transmit. Very happy with the combination and LDG was super about answering my questions before buying.

A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
KK8ZZ Rating: 2011-10-17
Great simple auto-tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've operated this tuner with the FT-857D and FT-817ND portable and it has always worked flawlessly. I recently sent away for the upgrade IC (cheap upgrade!) and find that it tunes faster with a variety of portable verticals and dipoles. I just love this rugged, fast, quick autotuner !

Bob KK8ZZ

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KK8ZZ on 2009-10-17

I've used this little bugger on a Zero-Five 43 foot vertical and more recently on a trap dipole for 75/40... tunes fast, quietly (once it learns the freq) and the LED readouts make a "go-no go" decision for the freq easy. This is a great little tuner, easy to set up and use, and works fast,every time!

de KK8ZZ
N2LK Rating: 2011-06-28
OK but power limited Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The tuner works as advertised but watch your power output!! I burnt up a toroid using 30 watts PSK on 80 meters with a homemade 43ft. veritcal. LDG was GREAT in repairing and sending back no charge..

Unfortunately I smoked it again on 17 meters digital....low power too..not as bad this time so I will keep it in case I ever go portoble with low power one day.

The advertised 125 watt power capability applies maybe for short duration cw and ssb, but for digi modes keep that power below 25 watts and you will be fine.

For me, I just finished a very robust homebrew T tuner and no problems at 100 watts.

GM1SXX Rating: 2011-05-09
Very useful auto matcher Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi,

I've owned one of these devices for several years and I've already reviewed it on these pages. I like it so much that Ive bought another one!

It's an impedance matching device, not an 'antenna tuner', despite what the manufacturers say or claim. In fact' it's just a simple L-match circuit, relay-driven by a PIC MPU that takes VSWR info from a simple toroid based bridge circuit.

Once you have used an automatic matcher, you won't want to use a manual one.

Yesterday, at a local radio rally, I bought my second LDG Z-11 Pro, this one being a mark II version. My reasoning for this is that I also like to work /P, and life is too short to use manual matchers :-) I plan to use it with a vertical whip mounted on a salvaged military radio carrier frame with a trailing counterpoise.

I've fitted my Z-11's with battery packs made from alkaline AA cells soldered in a series string and wrapped in PVC tape. This allows completely self-contained operation without the need for an external battery or cables. My battery pack is held in place by a pair of ty-wraps wrapped around the PCB and over the battery pack.

I still don't much like the manual supplied with this AMU. It could be better, hence the 4. The actual product has worked very well for me since I purchased my first one, which is used mainly with my FT-102 transceiver.

If I could give this a 4.5 I would, but the manual is a disappointment.

regards,
AL.
GM1SXX