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Reviews For: Dentron Super Tuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Dentron Super Tuner
Reviews: 42MSRP: $125-$175 used
Description:
160-10AT 1KW Tuner. Heavy duty tuner will couple a 160-10m transmitter to
almost any type of antenna system. Includes a highly efficient balun for
antennas feed with open wire line. Will work with coax as well as open feed line.
No SWR/PWR meter.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00425
KT4WO Rating: 2022-02-12
Great Match Box! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my Super Tuner for more years than I can remember.
Like most, I keep the power at 1kw or less.(Have hit it with 1300w+ a few times without issue)
Solid, well built and just works.
I did add a bypass switch(NOT professionally done..but works!)
I don't recall what the price was but well worth $100+++
No---it does not have a meter, but almost all rigs made in
the last 30 years do have a SWR meter, and most amps
have power output meter, so the tuner is all that's needed.

N7UTV Rating: 2022-02-11
Simple, Solid, Super Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I thought I had already reviewed this gem, but looks like I didn't. Ran This with an Amp Supply Co. LA-1000 for over a year. My amp puts out 800 watts PEP on SSB and the Dentron handles it with ease. Simple design, a tapped coil inductor and 2 heavy duty variable caps. The previous owner put in a bypass switch (professionally done). When I was looking for a heavy duty tuner, I threw out a WTB here on eHam and almost instantly got 3 responses all wanting to sell me a Dentron Super Tuner! I picked the seller who wanted $100 total with shipping to Alaska. It was a good choice. Now I run an Amp Supply Co. LK-500zb. Uses 2 3-500zg tubes for legal limit out. I keep the amp output between 900-1k so as not to press my luck. Tuner keeps going without a hiccup! See my reviews of both of those amps for more info on how much I appreciate the quality of this tuner. Oh, by the way I also have a Dentron Super Super Tuner rated at 3kw.
KD8JV Rating: 2022-01-09
This is a GREAT Tuner! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchase this nearly mint condition Dentron Super Tuner back in October! I have own 3 other tuners over my past 42 years. I was using an antenna tuner I bought new back in 1983 and it was a Yaesu FC-102. This Dentron runs circles around the Yaesu tuner. I purchase this Dentron from a local ham here in Cincinnati, for $100.00 in October, 2021. It is in near mint condition. I have put it through its paces before writing this comment. I really love this tuner. If you can "Find" one! Yes! Purchase it! I must admit, this tuner could in my opinion tune in "Box SPRINGS"! Currently I am using this tuner on a Butternut HF-9V and "It WORKS GREAT"! My tuner has one mod, it has a switch to switch out the tuner. I have had no problems using this tuner with my Ameritron AL-811H. Personally, I think this tuner would work with a larger Amplifier.

This tuner is very "Well Built" from the late 70's and it is Built like a TANK and heavy as well! Dentron made a "Super Tuner" that REALLY deserves the "Name", "SUPER TUNER"!
Glenn, KD8JV
K5AF Rating: 2021-06-23
Almost a "Big Boy" Tuner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When you see a product that has a "5 star" rating, it's usually worth a closer look. When you can find one for around $70, it's worth buying just to check it out!

The Dentron Super Tuner arrived at my door in bad shape, the variable capacitors were bouncing around inside the case, a result of the plastic mounting bars shattering, as has be noted in previous revues.

As I carefully opened up the case, I was relieved that there was no significant damage other than a dent on one of the rear corners of the case, which I was able to repair. My first impression was that the chassis was really packed with parts.

The parts placement was very logical and efficient. the varicaps were large and up to the task, the coil seemed sufficient and the balun was huge! What seemed out of scale for the tuner was the small size of the rotary inductance switch, which seemed tiny compared to the rest of the tuner. Further, the taps to the inductor were probably 20 gauge tinned copper, and the remaining wiring was 18 gauge, rather thin for a 1KW rated tuner.

I removed all the shattered mounting bars with Nylon hardware, using existing holes and half-inch spacers and one inch nylon screws and nuts. Seems to be secure!

I've been testing the tuner with it's original parts, and it seems to be able to tune anything I give it.

This tuner could be enhanced to a full legal limit very little effort. Replacing the rotary inductance switch with a larger, more robust switch would make it usable at much higher power levels. Wiring is a no-braineer. I have all the parts to make these improvements which I believe would make it a "Big Boy" tuner that is in a small package, roughly the size of a K3.



NZ5L Rating: 2020-01-22
still great after 40+ years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one to use with my SB-200 amp back in '76. Sold it some time later. Bought a new AL-811 amp last year, and needed a tuner that would take 600+W and not breathe hard. Saw the Super Tuner on eBay, and pressed "Buy it". GOOD IDEA! There is no antenna I have (4) that this tuner can not match, and it takes the power without a problem. Bells and whistles? None at all - you will have to add a meter and an antenna switch, and rig an "in/out" switch. Lots of tuners have all that stuff included, but not for $125! Oh, there IS a usable 4:1 balun, nicely potted, and it works great with ladder line doublets. Very basic tuner, does the job very well, and won't break the bank. Glad I could get re-acquainted with it after a pause of almost 40 years.
WB8ICU Rating: 2019-04-22
best ever Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the dentron super tuner for about 5 years, and it has never failed me. I use it at home on my 80-40 loaded dipole (dave tadlock), mostly because of the 80 meter portion, which just doesn't work as well. (cw only here). I also use it at field day nearly every year. Only nit pick I can find is the dial settings. I have to use 5+ or2-, because swr always falls between 2 numbers. Small price to pay for a cost effective really great tuner.
W4IV Rating: 2018-10-25
Simple but effective Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found the acrylic tuning capacitor mounts were shattered like so many others have found.
It's a good thing the seller had removed the knobs, as the capacitors were flopping around inside the case, yet the nylon shafts were unbroken.
I fabricated new mounts using two pieces each of 2" wide by 7" long 1/4" plexiglass I had lying around. I did move the front mount hole forward by 5/16" to allow the tuning shaft's to stick through the face of the tuner. Now the knobs have a good amount of shaft to grip. The two plexiglass pieces were sanded lightly and super glued together.
I didn't countersink the screws, I drilled 5/16" holes in each piece at the proper location and used the original screws.
The tuner work's great!
Email me if you want pictures of my mounts.
It's just a box with a tapped coil, rotary switch, and two capacitors but isn't that all you need. I have given it 1kw so far with no problem.
It doesn't use a roller inductor, so no need to worry about keeping that clean/aligned.
This tuner will tune almost anything, and probably outlast me!
73
W4IV
SWLCHRIS Rating: 2018-07-21
revised review Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have to correct my review to a fantastic item for a shack.I can travel a large part of the band without having to retune using this Dentron. I couldn't do that before with the MFJ 904H. It was about 1\10 the size of the Dentron and the capacitors and inductor were tiny compared to this.
This tuner is huge compared to my old one.It does take up a lot of real estate on the desk but I know I can go anywhere on the bands without having to retune every 30 khz.
Hooked up to a Daiwa NS660PA meter shows it's real worth. I can now see what I was missing out on.Buy cheap get cheap. This tuner was built to last.
KF4MKP Rating: 2018-01-24
Nothing like it Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A good friend found this tuner for me on eBay for less than 75 dollars after I got a new AL811H and was looking for a good used tuner. His recommendation to go with the Dentron has been one of the best ham gear decisions I've made.

I use a Daiwa CN-101L SWR-Wattmeter along with this tuner. When I first got the tuner, I had intermittent results and after troubleshooting found a short in one of the coax connectors, after replacing it the tuner was again "like new" and it has been fantastic ever since. I have never had an issue getting a match using my Hexbeam, EFHW, G5RV, or other antenna.

Actually, instead of "if you can find one", I'll just say that it's worth it if you "go looking for one"! It really is built like a tank, they are heavy duty and mine has never let me down. This is one piece of ham gear that I'll NEVER sell, it's just worth too much! I'm always looking for Dentron tuners when I go to hamfests because I'd love to have another one.
KF6WND Rating: 2017-12-10
Built like a tank. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this antenna on ebay about a year ago. After getting it I discovered one of the capacitor plastic stand-off rails was broken so that the capacitor was loose. I cut four pieces of oak wood the same size as the rails and epoxied them on each side of the rails and to the bottom chassis plate. The tuner is now physically solid and works very well on my rebuilt Dentron GLA-1000 amplifier.