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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
N7BUI Rating: 2007-06-15
LDG you got it right with this one! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've owned several LDG tuners over the years, and the most recent is the AT-100Pro. It pales in comparison to the range that the Z-11Pro is capable of. Where I normally have to put a manual tuner in line with the AT-100Pro for 160 to tune my 260 foot Windom, the Z-11Pro handles it with no problems at all. This one is definitely a keeper.
G4GXQ Rating: 2007-06-15
Very pleased with this tuner - Behaving perfectly Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Interesting reading about some of the problems people have encountered with the Z-11Pro.

The only problems I have had have not been the fault of the tuner at all, although at the time I was becoming convinced it was faulty.
Mine started behaving erratically too.
It would not be able find a low SWR with antennas it had previously worked OK with.
Sometimes it would start re-tuning mid QSO.
In fact I experienced nearly every type of misbehaviour reported in the negative reviews, apart from smoke.
Everything was checked and tested and much was replaced; feeders, grounding, plugs, connectors, everything.
It was all in good order. It had to be the tuner.
I was about to send the tuner back to the supplier but a final check revealed that an internal battery holder I had installed had been badly manufactured and it had an intermittent faulty connection in it.
Nothing to do with LDG at all.
It took some finding because every time I opened up the case and checked out the batteries and wiring everything worked fine.
Anyway, I guess the fault on the battery holder had been there all the time and that when it was first fitted and with 6 brand new AA cells the tuner worked OK.
With 6 cells that were part way through their life and the bad connection the tuner was just not getting an adequate, reliable power supply.

Now I have the fault diagnosed, rectified and this cleaver tuner's performance back to normal I unhesitatingly give it a 5/5.

I am not saying other reviewers have not had genuine faults with their tuners but I so nearly put in a negative report and a bad score too.

In my case it turned out to be an installation issue, not a faulty tuner.
HB9LEK Rating: 2007-04-15
working fine Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought the Z-11Pro ULTRA Blemished version from W4RT directly and got it within a week in HB9. Only minor color differences visible one side of the case. Tuning so far everything I exepect it to tune from a 20m longwire thru a 4:1 Balun to a Diamond HM6 indoor - and surprisingly fast, altough the noise for a full tuning cycle is quite high - but I assume other autotuners have the same behaviour
AD9P Rating: 2007-01-13
Not the best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Works ok on PSK, CW.
But on SSB it hunts. In other words usless.
I am tired of fooling around with it.
AC7WL Rating: 2006-12-28
Excellent upgrade!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Being an original owner of the Z-11, I was reluctant to purchase the updated model. What an upgrade it has been! Faster tuning, plenty of options, and excellent matches make this one a great buy! Had the unit shipped priority out here to Guam and am making contacts all over Asia. Here are some of the improvements I have enjoyed the most:

- Matching time is FAST! Plus, the relays are much QUIETER than with my original unit!
- Plenty of options to set with firmware, this is a definitely an upgrade from the previous model (which was great, by the way!).
- Size is a perfect match for my FT-817, and is only slightly higher than the previous model.
- Matches all kinds of loads. I use it with a vertical whip attached to a "Superantenna" mount on my 817 (10-30 meters), and also match a multiband dipole fed with ladder line, using 1:1 and 4:1 baluns (10-40 meters), have not experienced any difficulties thus far.
- Design is sturdy, and seems like it would handle field use fine.
- Internal power is a great alternative, although I use it exclusively with the jack connection.

Altogether, yet again a great product from LDG, and given their history, have no qualms ordering any product from them. Most highly recommended! By the way, W4RT, please build a "One Touch Tune" for the 817 and this model!
K1TWH Rating: 2006-11-10
Works well. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've been using the Z11 Pro with a Yaesu FT-857D and several wire antennas for about 5 months now. After learning the simple interface, it's been a pleasure to use. The FT-857, Z11-Pro, JPS ANC-4, Ten Tec 607 paddle, Gamma Research HPS1 power supply all fit in a 33" by 24" deep Secretary's Desk, and work like they were designed for one another. Tom Howey WB1FPA
KC9JCH Rating: 2006-10-30
Does what it's supposed to! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I upgraded to general a few weeks ago and had been listening to HF on a Yaesu 897D. I bought the entire shack from the estate of an SK, and have a G5RV, the 897 and the FC-30 tuner from Yaesu all from that purchase. With the FC-30, I could successfully match my wire on 20m and 40m only, and decided that I either needed another antenna, or a tuner with a wider range than the FC-30. New antenna will wait until spring. The Z-11 pro has been hooked up for just the past weekend, but during the ww ssb contest, I was able to work stations on 10m, 12m, 15m, 20m, 40m and 80m. I also had a QSO with a nice gent in Florida Saturday morning on 17m. It will even tune my wire on 6m! QSY is fast, just change bands and start talking. Once tuned to a band, on returning to that frequency, tuning is almost instantaneous. I do find that if I go from 80m to 17m (for example), it takes longer to tune than a jump from 20m to 17m, but still a matter of a couple of seconds only. I have very little experience, but this product does just what the manufacturer claims and at a price that didn't break my bank ($179 from AES). Will post again when I've had it for a while, but initial impression is a winner.
Tim
KC9JCH
OE3SGU Rating: 2006-10-01
Still happy Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought a Z-11 pro a while ago for use with my FT-857D. It would tune an indoor 12 foot whip on all bands from 40 to 10 meters without any problems. And once matched, the memories come in very hand. In the meantime I am using it with my IC-7000 and the fascination continues.
VA7YQ Rating: 2006-09-28
Money well spent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is probably my best spent $$ in the shack.

When I first installed it, I accidentally plugged-in the coax from my 2m J-Pole, turns out it would tune from 10m to 40m (although it was a little quiet, hihi).

Having used it with my Carolina Windom 80 Special (at 20') for about 2 months, tuning is now fully automatic and takes less than a second for every frequency that I use on a regular basis. The simple interface cable for the Yaesu FT-857 makes forcing a tune cycle even easier.

My only recommendation to LDG would be for a way to turn off the internal battery... mine came from W4RT clicking (tuning) in the box! Perhaps integrate a smart NiMH charger?
M5TAW Rating: 2006-09-12
Good auto tuner Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Well made auto tuner with clear SWR indication and tuning controls. I bought the FT 897 tuner interface at the same time which keys the radio when the tune button on the ATU is pressed. Tunes my carolina windom 80 on all bands (including 160) without problem to 1:1.5 or less. Takes the pain and effort out of manually adjusting manual ATUs. Can also be tuned manually using the buttons for out of band reception.
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