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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
KC5NYO Rating: 2002-05-27
Excellent Tuner Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Been using this tuner for about a year now. Tunes both of my verticals no sweat on all bands. When power is needed I run 600-700 watts through it with an AL-811H and it doesn't even blink. The 989C I got rid of sure made a lot of popping noises at that power. No comparison here, this tuner will be the last one I need for a long while.
N3FN Rating: 2002-05-27
Superb Tuner! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This tuner fits the bill! I use it with my amp and vertical antenna. It is very easy to use, and I'm able to get my SWR down to 1:1 across the bands. It is extremely sturdy and compliments my Ameritron AL-572B amplifier. A great combination coupled with my ICOM PRO II.
K9US Rating: 2002-01-17
good tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am currently running my AL1200 amp through the unit with no problems. I bought it to replace the 3KW MFJ tuner that went up in smoke. I presently use it to tune a 360ft long wire, G5RV dipole and a 10-17 meter vertical. The unit tunes my long wire 160-10 with no problems and the AMP puts out 1500 watts on all bands.

The only negitive thing would be the roller inductor. I wish it turned a little smoother.

Tim K9US
KI5FJ Rating: 2000-11-15
Soild Components Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used this heavy duty ATU on 160-10 meters to match a 480 ft horizontal loop fed mostly via coax. No problems except the roller inductor clicks about every turn and the SWR jumps at that point. Not a big issue unless you are foolish enough to adjust the inductor with more than 20 watts applied. I run 400-600 watts SSB / 300 watts RTTY and have not noticed any heat or arcing. I have used the MFJ-986 for 10 years and I think the Ameritron will outlast the MFJ. The MFJ-986 Differential-T, 2 knob device is quicker to adjust.
AD4J Rating: 2000-08-07
Excellent Design Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The beefy balun and wide-range capacitors allow this tuner to handle most loads at the legal limit. The roller inductor is especially robust. I use mine on 80 - 10 with an 88' doublet fed with ladder line. This creates some challenging impedances. The ATR-30 handles them with no problem. It also works well with my inverted L on 160 meters allowing me to cover the entire band. The unit has a very solid look and feel.

The only negative I've seen is the quality control. I had to take back 3 units before I got one without defects. Fortunately, my dealer (Ham Radio Outlet in Atlanta) was very cooperative even letting me take a unit apart in the store before taking it home.

The first unit was missing both screws for transmitter SO-239; one capacitor coupling allen set screw was loose and the set screw was loose on the other capacitor. I corrected these problems only to find that the power meter was defective. The second and third units had loose rollers on the inductor so the SWR would shoot up in response to any vibration. The fourth one works fine. In fairness to Ameritron, I should note that all four units had similar serial numbers, so it was probably just a bad run for them.
NT4I Rating: 2000-01-25
Not as good as they say! Time Owned: unknown months.
The tuner is not bad but 3K no way! I had the tuner snap crackle & pop on 160 meters with less than a KW. On 80 meters RTTY I developed a burn spot on the roller inducter with 1,500 watts. I sold mine and will not buy another. If you want to run 1,500 watts at full power buy a Nye Viking. They can handle the power NOT AMERITRON.
W4GN Rating: 2000-01-24
One Cool Tuner Time Owned: unknown months.
Finally,after 20-some years the Ten Tech 229 went into the closet replaced by the ATR-30 3KW model.With a full no-holds-bared one year guarantee,rated at 3KW true rf output,a T-network every bit as broadbanded as the T-Tech,runs cool/cold on 80 and 160,has a three-core balun, will switch 3 different antannas(coax)plus one wire antenna,can by-pass two,has a lighted cross needle meter reading PEP or average power and high/low power(I still prefer using my Palomar M-840 2KW LED meter for monitoring),has nice vernier tuning on both caps and a big roller inductor, what else do you want?The circuit is so broadbanded, QSY'ing from one band edge to another often requires very little touch up.Yes, the Nye has a name and a pricetag and over heats on 160;the Ten-Tech is cheaper--should be with a string-driven dial,no vernier tuning and no.18 wire, and then there's the MFJ(I won't go there!)In short,it melts!Exceptions exist in all comparisons especially if one has an antenna with good swr and simply places the tuner in line to keep things "linear,"but if you "use" a tuner and are unsure of certain swr values and then pour the smoke to it,expect the worse case scenario.The ATR-30 comes with an easy to understand and complete manual.Not a cheap piece of gear, but it is highly appreciated by this OM and by many on the DX reflectors.I even received a phone call weeks back from the factory wanting to know how well I liked the tuner.Need I say more?
W9QX Rating: 1999-09-04
NEED A TUNER LOOK Time Owned: unknown months.
IF YOU NEED A HIGH POWER TUNER GET A AMERITRON
ATR30 THATS ALL THE TUNER YOU WILL EVER NEED

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