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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
WX1F Rating: 2006-08-08
Fast, accurate, easy to operate Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just replaced my MFJ-949D antenna tuner with this awesome little LDG Z-11Pro! It will tune any swr that the mfj could in one tenth the time!! It also holds more memories than Icom's equivalent autotuner..and all for half the cost of the Icom tuner, too!! I have had it two weeks now and wish I had bought it sooner! I have it hooked to my Icom IC-706MKIIG and the optional interface plugs right in to the back of the 706. Operation is the same as the Icom AT-180. I emailed LDG support to get answers (that I could not find anywhere) to a couple of questions I had about my Z-11Pro. They answered back immediately and were very helpful. I have been so impressed with the overall experience with LDG that I have ordered a new AT-1000 to replace my MFJ-989C. I will post a review of the AT-1000 after I operate it for a couple weeks.
W2DI Rating: 2006-07-05
Works Well and great customer support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had the Z-11 Pro for a month now and it has worked very well - exactly as advertised. It is fast and has, thus far, matched anything I have asked it to.
The panel interface is a little confusing at first, but easy to master after a little use. And, if you don't like pressing buttions, the Z-11 Pro virtually operates itself - just talk or key and the tuner will tune.
The more you use it the more automatic it gets, remembering previous settings in its substantial memory. The match is made almostly instantly! And the match conditions seem to hold well over a fairly wide frequency range.
Summary - Thus far, this is a very good tuner in a small package and a reasonable price for radios from QRP to 100W, fixed, portable or mobile.
As an aside, I sent LDG an e-mail on July 4th asking if they still stocked a cable for the tuner that would work directly with my transceiver. I got an answer and alternate suggestions the same day!!! On a holiday. Thanks LDG!
Thank you for reading. Joe -- W2DI
KC5EJT Rating: 2006-07-01
Back Again Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Well it's back to the factory for the second time. The cheap russian made latching relays seem to have a very high failure rate. At first they seem to need higher voltage to latch, mine quit working with 6AA's as the power, so I upped it to 8AA's but that was only a temporary fix. About 5 of the relays won't latch at all now even with a solid 13.5v supply.

When it works it works great, but when it doesn't.......
VE3II Rating: 2006-06-28
Excellent ++++ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the Z-11 Pro a couple of days ago and it is performing perfectly.

I have a 706MK2G and a 102" stainless steel whip in my car. Over the years, I have used an AH-2, AH-4 and an SGC SG230 auto tuner. They have all worked but none has really worked well, even with extensive grounding.

I bought the Z-11 Pro to try to get 'true' auto tuning and hands-free tuning.

Well, I have it now. It was out of the box and on the air within 5 minutes and it has worked flawlessly for the past 2 days. It is perfect!!!!

I can tune from 80 to 6 meters without a glitch. A temporary outboard SWR bridge shows the SWR to be 1.1 to 1.2:1 anywhere I tune, on any band.

It's always been a great joy to have mobile HF and this little tuner just made it a whole lot more fun!!

Thanks LDG!
N9IGP Rating: 2006-05-21
Smoked Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got this new from Dayton 2006. Brought it home to chicago. Took of my manual tuner and hooked the Z11Pro to My Ft100D runing 100 Watts. Tried hf on my yagi and vertical. #1 it does not apear that i auto mode the tuner can tune to where I ca get full power out. the Z11 shows 1.5 SWR but the 100D does not show it. SWR o the 100D shows higher and does ot put out full power till I manually tune the unit. Had varying results on different bands o different antennas. sometimes i would get a great match and a number of times close but not quite 1:1 per the 100D. Next I tried 6 Meters to my 6 mter 3 element yagi. Te tuner never got the SWR right and then I lost power o the Z11Pro then smoke strted poring out of the unit. Now mind you I was well within specsper the manual. never exceeded 100 watts..... Well now the unit, only day owned and $170.00 is out the window..... Contacting W4RT.com who I purchased the unit from in Dayton... I hope they can help me. I have their reciept and all. Oh Man..
VA2DV Rating: 2006-05-15
Best bang for the buck ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It's fun sometime to find something that works beyond your expectations.This is exactly the case with this tuner.In the past,i had several
models of manuals antenna tuners.Downsizing the shack recently,i started looking for a very small
ATU to match my FT-857d in portable operations.
I tried the terrible Yaesu FC-30 and got back to a bigger unit.Finally,i decided to take the plunge and go for the newest LDG , the Z-11 Pro.
After my experience with the limited-range FC-30,
i was expecting similar performance from the Z-11.I was happy to discover that it was a completely different machine.The tuning range is awesome.I am able to load my Cushcraft MA5V antenna on any bands 3.5 MHz to 50 MHz.Knowing that now,i will install a longwire in the backyard with the LDG 4-to-1 balun.I have found the manual to be OK.Overall,i am very satisfied with my purchase.Having a complete auto-tuner in such a small package for the same price as a cheap manual unit is very rewarding !
Keep on the good work LDG !
N2HTT Rating: 2006-02-12
Excellent tuner -- but read the manual carefully! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It does a great job, with a very wide tuning range. Memory tuning works great,once you get it going. I am using it to load a 40m loop on 80 - 15 successfully, but I had some bumps in the road along the way:

-> I tried to power it internally with a 9v battery - not a good idea. The battery will quickly discharge to the point where the the relays won't latch even though the lights flash. I couldn't figure out what was going on, suddenly none of my antennas would tune up. A call to LDG quickly resolved that problem. If you want to use battery power, use 6 or 8 AA's

-> I then ran into a problem where the tuner would lock up when attempting to tune. This turned out to be a ground loop between the tuner and the radio, an email to LDG and subsequent removal of the grounding strap solved that one.

-> I couldn't get the memory tuning to work - a *careful* reading of the manual solved that. I wasn't running in auto mode, and the keypresses I thought would trigger memory tuning were actually bypassing the tuner - operator error. Also, it appears that the memory is volatile - remove the power and you lose the memorized settings. So if you want to take full advantage of the memory tuning, run on internal AA's or keep it connected to a power supply all the time.

Bottom line:
An excellent piece of equipment and excellent tech support -- but read the manual carefully!
KX1C Rating: 2006-01-08
What a Tuner ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The marketing hype by LDG is right on. This unit does what is advertised. My Z-11 Pro is tuning an FT-897d with no problem. The stored memories speed the process and you're transmitting instantly.
The unit is all metal plus the LxWxH is very compatable with the FT-897. It looks great sitting on top of the xsceiver. LDG hit a home run with this outstanding tuner.
ZL2TTM Rating: 2005-10-14
Great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use it with my TS2000. It works as advertised, simple effective and tunes a wide rage. Equal or better tuning range than my Elecraft T1. I pretunned it up every 25khz or so, only took 10 minutes for all the bands and now it goes straight to the correct tuning instantly. The manual could be better, The Z11-Pro is easy to use but the manual left me puzzled at times.
Regards,
John ZL2TTM
K4EQ Rating: 2005-09-10
Fantastic! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my third LDG auto tuner (others AT-11MP and Z-11) and it's the best. Once a frequency is in memory, it takes only a fraction of a second to tune that frequency in the future. Also, the Pro tunes MUCH more quietly than the others I've had. What a great addition to my station. --Dale, K4EQ