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Reviews For: Ameritron ATR-30

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Ameritron ATR-30
Reviews: 58MSRP: 670. USD
Description:
True Legal Limit Edge Wound Roller Antenna Tuner
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.ameritron.com/Product.php?productid=ATR-30
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00584.1
AD4C2006 Rating: 2008-03-22
One of the best in the market Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned several tuners,MN-2000,different MFJ's,Johnson,Tentec,etc and as soon I purchased this one from a second hand but kept in pristine condition,I realized it was well done,inside and outside the bulding is solid,I have run all kind of antennas from G5RV,dipoles,windoms,verticals,etc using more than 1200W trough it and it never has problems tunning them even at high power.The roller inductor feels smooth,the PEP wattmeter is very accurate,capacitors move very smooth as well,in other words its a perfect tuner for any amp no matter how big it be.I payed $400 for this one and I think it was a good investment.

Hector
AD4C
KD5NCO Rating: 2007-02-24
Pleasantly Surprised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Based on past MFJ / Ameritron Quality Control issues I was prepared to find cold solder joints, loose or missing hardware, and tight or notchy adjustment controls.

My ATR-30 is perfect in all aspects and works just fine against my Hustler BTV5 compromise vertical. Because I am not a full QRO operator, I highly doubt this tuner will ever be a problem. In fact I bought it for the slight over kill based on my use and needs.
N4DEK Rating: 2006-01-21
Works great for me Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
My ATR-30 is dated 04-2005 and shows none of the defects as described below by another owner. Fact is I looked inside mine to find that it's just the opposite of what he claims he found in his. Everything is well mounted and secure as well as being straight and in line with the cabinet. I have no binding issues what so ever with the roller inductor either. From one end of the cycle to the other it is smooth in it's rotation. Turns counter works great. No rough spot on the antenna selector either. Feels the same going counter clockwise as it does clockwise. All knobs and controls have a good solid feel to them. Metering circut works excellent and seems to be as accurate as anything else these days. Can't explain why others have had problems with this tuner but mine works as advertised. Well worth what I paid for it anyway.
KB9FMV Rating: 2005-11-17
MIGHTY FINE JUNK Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had it over a year and paid $400.00 more like a $300 DOLLAR tuner! Had to replace the roller inductor ! Well MFJ DOES IT AGAIN ! NEVER AGAIN!
N3MX Rating: 2005-01-18
Very nice solid tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have now owned the ATR-30 for over a year and run it with an Ameritron AL-1200 legal limit amplifier.
I have operated several contests with it and put a number of hours on this tuner running full legal limit. It has and continues to work flawlessly with very smooth repeatable tuning. I have never experienced any arcing of any kind even on 160 meters.
KC4VFP Rating: 2004-08-04
Twice Bitten Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The reason I gave this a "0" is because the roller inductor is a continuing weak link on MFJ products.

The "0" is because this defect could potentially destroy a high power amp, or a radio with poorly protected finals.

See http://kc4vfp.us/atr30_antenna_tuner_problems.html

The roller is pushed back from the surface of the inductor because of this factory defect. The "QC" inspection sticker means nothing.

Lesson to learn: If you feel any extra tension as you rotate the inductor dial, return the unit. This extra tension is caused by the roller inductor supports coming in contact with the roller, and pushing the roller AWAY from the inductor.

To protect your TX, always use a device that senses excessive SWR and interrupts the TX keying line.
KA2UUP Rating: 2004-07-09
4 years and still working as new Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Update on my review of 4 years ago. Still works like new. No problems, no sparking, no burned parts. I use this with my IC-746 and with an AL-811H amplifier. 10-80 meters is no problem while tuning an MFJ-1798 antenna. I have been able to tune this on 160 meters, too.
W9PMZ Rating: 2004-07-09
Very Nice Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have now owned this antenna tuner for 3 months. So far no problem.

The power meter is good and compares to other power meters that I have. The peak reading feature is very nice and compares well against a single tone.

Have not had any arcs yet (am using a AL-1200) with my vertical on 80M.

Built solid, lays flat on the desk, unlike a prior MFJ-989C.

Knobs and vernier dive are much nicer than the MFJ-989C.

My only complaint is that most antenna tuner manufactures use cross meters. I'd prefer a two meter system such as my Heathkit 2140.

In comparing the Palstar Tuners against the Ameritron Tuner they are both good choices. However, I prefer the meter on the Ameritron than the Palstar, just a cosmetic opinion.
N0XE Rating: 2004-05-28
MFJ Clone Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Sorry, I can't agree with some of the reviews on this tuner, it is still mostly a MFJ and leaves a lot to be desired. I have had to do quality control on every MFJ product I have owned and this one is no exception. I had an Ameritron tuner several years ago and it was built much better then this unit. This tuner will work and yes it will do what it is suppose to do, but the feel of the knobs is cheap, the rollar inductor like most of the MFJ units I have owned is very stiff and does not roll smoothly. There is a serious quality control problem with many of MFJ products and now it has rolled over on to the Ameritron line, $599 for this tuner is nuts, it is in no way in the same class as the Heathkit 2060A which is an outstanding rollar inductor tuner and it's built from a kit, The Palstar line will blow this unit out of the water and if you are going to spend new money on a tuner then look at one of the other high quality tuners on the market and get your $599 worth, It works and it will do the job, but it is basically OK and that is it!!
73 N0XE
W8OB Rating: 2004-02-04
Great in my book Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Been using this tuner for a couple of weeks now. Tuning is smooth, the Peak reading wattmeter is one of the best in the business, runs right along side a bird 43 for accurate readings. using a couple of different antennas for 160M I am able to run the legal limit in cw without any arcs or sparks, 80-10 very fine tuning no arc or sparks. I looked inside the unit nice quality componets. I am glad I forked over the few extra bucks to get this tuner instead of one of the cheaper headaches.