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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
KC8QVO Rating: 2009-12-25
Great tuner! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first autotuner. I have been a Ham for 9 years and have all manual tuners (Palstar AT1500CV and MFJ 971). The only "autotuner" I have is built in to my TS-2000, which only matches a 3:1 SWR so it isn't a real "tuner".

I will say, though, that a better term for a tuner is an "impedance matcher". It doesn't really "tune" your antenna - it just makes your radio happy by adjusting the impedance of whatever is presented to the tuner to 50 ohms (whether it is the antenna feed point, ladder line through a balun, or coax).

I have a few friends that have the older Z-100 tuners. From using those in the past I knew they were excellent tuners so I didn't hesitate to buy an LDG myself.

The reason I bought my Z-11pro is I wanted a compact, easy to use tuner to use with my FT-857D. I have always used my MFJ-971 tuner and have not had any problems with it. However, it takes some fiddling with the knobs to tune (as with any manual tuner). I figured the Z-11pro would add some ease of use to my very compact portable station.

I did not read the reviews here before I bought the tuner. Like I said above, I know people that have LDG's and have used LDG's in the past so I knew they were good. However, I was startled by the LOUD relays! I was totally not expecting this little box to make so much noise. However, once the initial tuning is done and a match is found the setting is stored in to memory. The next time you go back to that frequency (typically entire bands) on the same antenna the tuner knows where to go and as soon as you key up the tuner switches to the memory setting. It really is amazing!

In the past I have copied down the manual tuner settings (the numbers on the caps and turns on the inductors) so when I change bands I can ball-park my tuning. With the LDG Z-11pro I just key up and it's THERE. I don't know why I never got an autotuner before... these things are pretty slick!

I am considering putting an AT-200pro in my shack as my main station tuner. The AT-200pro has the same frequency and SWR sensing as well as memory recall that the Z-11pro does. Only, it is a bigger box with 2 antenna ports, LED meters for SWR and Power, and 250 watt power handling to cover 200 watt rigs.

The only drawbacks to the Z-11pro (or, I am guessing, any of the LDG tuners) are:
1. The LOUD noise of the initial tuning
2. The Yaesu interface doesn't allow for controlling of the tuner from the rig's TUNE button (as is on the FT-857D/97D radios)

However, I still rate the tuner a full 5 because I think the drawbacks are small and the functionality of the tuner is exceptional.

If you need a compact, do everything tuner I highly reccomend this one. The matching range is fabulus, as is the ease of use. It is small and light weight. It matches the FT-857D very well (it is very close in size). With the addition of a balun it will match ANYTHING. Buy one, you won't regret it!



Someone posted a review below (less than 6 down) writing of not being able to switch the tuner out of the circuit for general HF listening. The tuner DOES have a bypass mode. In bypass mode the relays switch the RF circuit to go straight from the TX port to the ANT port with no modification. To do this you should be in Semi-Auto mode (push the FUNC button and Cdwn to toggle, the outside LED's light in Semi). Then push the TUNE button quickly to switch between TUNE and Bypass. If you are in full auto mode the tuner will either recall a memory setting or go to a tuning sequence when you key up, so you must be in Semi-Auto mode if you intend to transmit while in Bypass.
KD5BLZ Rating: 2009-10-30
Changing my review Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I gave this tuner a bad review I was able to get a copy of my receipt from HRO and got the tuner repaired and upgraded under warranty. I am impressed.
GW6VET Rating: 2009-07-28
Roofspace Installation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have limited space for an external antenna so installed an Alpha Delta DX-EE in roofspace
The DX-EE is 40ft long and my attic is 26ft long, so I bent the ends into a Z shape!

I then ran 30ft coax into an LDG Z-11 pro ATU in the shack.

I fired up on 5 watts and it tuned up perfectly across all bands from 80m to 6m!

I am glad I read the reviews of the Z-11 pro before, otherwise the clatter from the relays would have caused me some concern - but I knew what to expect!

I tried a contact on 20m and 5W power and made the trip from UK to Bulgaria - distance of 2500Km (1500 miles)

So I am very happy indeed with antenna and ATU
I can definitely recommend
KT1F Rating: 2009-07-21
Very happy with it Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have mine outside in a waterproof box with flashlight batteries for power. It feeds a center fed dipole with open wire line through a 4:1 balun. The dipole is a 1/2 wave on 80m and the tuner happily tunes it on all bands from 80 to 10.

I have coax from the box into the house which really gives me the best of both worlds. I get the convenience of coax to get outside which means no RF in the shack problems etc and then the efficiency of open wire.

Changing bands just needs a short burst of RF. My only wish would be to have a way to switch it out which would be useful for general listening throughout the HF spectrum. I'd be happy to run a control line out along with the coax but I don't think there is a way to switch it out even with the front panel buttons.
KA5S Rating: 2009-07-05
Works fine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of these. Have had several other LDG tuners, from their original QRP tuner and Z11 to an AT-1000 (not yet yet installed).

At Field Day, I used a Z11-Pro on internal battery power to remotely tune a wire elevated by an RC helicopter. Set on automatic, it dealt with wire sometimes half on the ground, and sometimes with being pulled into the air and slammed down again. Still works!

I use one at home in series with a Balun and an RF transformer for trouble-free operation across the HF spectrum. I've learned it can't match everything, but it doesn't take much help to match everything I've thrown at it.

K3YUB Rating: 2009-06-14
Does an excellent job Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have used the Z-11 Pro with my Icom 746 Pro and Yaesu 857D as a base tuner loading a Caroline Windom. It has performed very well with absolutely no problem keeping the SWR below 1.5 - 1.0. It has also performed very well in my mobile installation with hamsticks. It is very important for both base and mobile to provide a very good ground.
N4NZM Rating: 2009-05-22
Excellent! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got mine to use with my TS-520S Kenwood hybrid hooked up to a G5RV, inverted L, and 40M Delta loop. It worked great out of the box, then I put the battery pack on, and it started acting up and finally quit tuning. I sent it back to LDG and got it back in a couple of days. Tried it again, and it wouldn't work so I sent it back with some angry remarks. Found out I had shorted the battery pack when I installed it both times. I really felt stupid. Now that LDG corrected my error, it works perfectly. They have great customer service, the warranty is for two years which is great for idiots like myself. Read the directions, the battery pack is easy to install, but somehow I managed to screw it up. Great little tuner at an affordable price.
K1DR Rating: 2009-04-05
Home Run ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have operated my FT-897D with this dynamic, little tuner for 3+ years and could not be more pleased. The antenna is an end-fed Zepp used in my limited space condo setting. This tuner does well across most bands with the FT-897D. Where as my FT-890 with built in tuner will not tune the Zepp as well. This unit is well constructed, fairly easy to use once directions are read and stacks well on top of my FT-897. Would purchase again.
M0JIY Rating: 2009-03-04
doesn't bring the swr right down. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I found it to be quite impressive but when you ask the unit to bring the swr down to 1.5 or below it goes into tuning cycles in the middle of your overs: very annoying!Exasperating! Makes you want to throw the thing against the wall!
KB1PGH Rating: 2008-12-24
Didn`t work as advertised Time Owned: N.A.
This thing didn`t work out of the box,The tuner would constantly try to retune everytime when I started transmitting.I tried everything in the book-and yes I did read the directions.I have a Alpha Delta ee and it would not tune on 40 meters which my manual MFJ tuner will.The relays would get stuck all the time and I would have to unplug it.Too bad-maybe I got a lemon after reading all the other decent reviews.So I returned the unit.