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Reviews For: Drake MN-2000

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Drake MN-2000
Reviews: 30MSRP: 250.00
Description:
HF Antenna Tuner
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.dproducts.be/drake_museum/mn-2000.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00304.8
K6OIX Rating: 2003-03-31
An Excellent Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recenlty purchased this tuner on eBay. The seller was honest and it was it great condition, as he said. I've used it for about 5 weeks now with both a trap dipole and the terminated folded dipole that B&W sells. So fart is has been a dream to use. I took it apart and the quality of construction is excellent. The only draw back is the lack of 160M, but I am not sure I will ever use 160 anywawy. I removed the stock knobs on the two capacitors and replaced them with verniers. This gives me 5-turns and a better scale. I tuned it for the 80-10M bands with my MFJ analyzer and plotted the settings so I can instantly tune as I
change bands or frequencies.

It is important to note that this tuner is a Pi network, and doesn't have a balun. The Pi network makes it a low-pass filter, as opposed to a high pass filter, which occurs with the T network tuners. Most of the current tuners are T networks, which may provide a broader range of
networking; however, it's not clear that any one really needs an all purpose tuner, or would be better off with an all-in-one tuner than two devices

I do not anticipate using mine for a balanced antenna. The recent QST review suggests that some of the currently available T network tuners are rather lossy at the extremes of their matching capability.

If you find a good used Drake MN-2000, buy it!
KG4LRU Rating: 2003-03-22
Oldie but a Goody Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great tuner I run this on my vintage gear its a great tuner it always on the numbers and good value used. Too band no 160 but if your tired of crap tuners find one of these in good shape you will not be disappointed USA built and name to be proud of you can take to the bank it will still be working 60 years from now.
K2SDD Rating: 2003-01-19
FANTASTIC!!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have tried many tuners over the years and this one is the best. Even the Super-duper Nye Viking is terrible compaired to the Drake....so I sold it. Large, easy to read meter. Solid antenna switch encluding by-pass positions. The giant variable capacitors extend all the way from the front of the cabinet to the back. No empty wasted space inside because you get so much for your money. When you take it apart (do it just to admire what you've got) you will descover a completely sealed second cabinet within the outer cabinet. Talk about over-kill. And I am happy to inform you that because the MN-2000 is so unappreciated, probably due to its age, that they are commonly available at hamfest flea markets for as little as $75 in mint condition. Because of this, I have been able to afford one for each band. They are all tuned up and ready to go. Just wire them up in series and select the band that you desire with the antenna by-pass switch. Tuning is a little touchy on the 80/75 meter band but the MN-2000 will still tune anything as long as you take it slow and easy.

73 from Mike, K2SDD
meltzer121@aol.com
M3SDX Rating: 2002-08-16
quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
this is with out doubt the best tuner i have ever owned and bullet proof...the build quality is out of this world and i guess it will easy handle 2kw or maybe a little more,i have had many tuners and none of them come anywhere near the drake in performance and quality...i made a great investment when i brought my mn-2000..
KC8HXO Rating: 2002-05-31
Wonderful quality!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great tuner for 10-80M. Had mine for several years, until the QRP bug bit..... Would also tune my 80M full wave loop on WARC bands. No 160M on this one, but she never complained at a KW on all other HF bands.
KE6OI Rating: 2002-01-19
Best Tuner I Ever Bought Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My Drake MN-2000 has never let me down in tuning up any band (including the WARC bands). This thing is solid! I have my Drake T-4XC sitting on top of it, and tune-up of the transmitter has never been easier. The MN-2000 has a by-pass switch position which I use to hook up a Heathkit Cantenna dummy load. I tune up the transmitter on that, switch the MN-2000 to the "Match 1" position and adjust SWR down to 1:1 on ALL BANDS! It is great, and I have never been sorry or disappointed in it.
W0PC Rating: 2001-12-28
Solid Investment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my MN-2000 in April 1976. I still have it on my bench and use it daily. I've changed every other piece of ham equipment but not the Matching network. It has a large meter that is easy to read without needing a back light. Drake made a High quality piece of equipment that will last a life time. The only draw back is no 160 meters. It will handle 2kw and high SWR with out arcing. If you buy one you will never need another tuner.
WD8WV Rating: 2000-12-11
GREAT TUNER Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had one of these tuners for over a year. I can tune anything! I have used it to tune the WARC Bands. You just have to know where to set the band selector and start tuning. If I ever have to get rid of any ham gear, the DRAKE MN-2000 will be the last to leave my shack. I have a Ten Tec Tuner for my OMNI-D and two MFJ 300 watt tuners and I would trade them all in for a DRAKE MN-2000 or even the MN-4 if all I needed was a 300 watt tuner.

It would be nice to see tuners of this quality available once again. The only change I would make in the tuner would be to put a lighted meter in it, but other than that I give it FIVE STARS.
W4MJR Rating: 2000-12-10
Nice well made tuner ( gets 4 + ) Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The only reason for not getting a ( 5 ) was because no 160 meter band on this tuner. I just bought mine last week and I can't get over how good it looks.To be a 25 to 30 year old tuner Drake sure made the MN-2000 tuner to last. I have read some where no WAC band use but mine tunes just fine . The 15 meter position will work 12 & 17 meters. 20 meter position will work 30 meters also. Has a large easy to see pwr/swr meter. Very easy and guick to tune and best of all is I like the way it looks on my desk. I'm not sorry I sold my Icom AT-500 auto tuner and replaced it with the MN-2000 but this put alittle of the ham classic back to work .Anyone can pick one of these up on the used market for around $200 to 250 price range. You will not be sorry and very well pleased.
N9CYS Rating: 2000-04-03
Solid Tuner - Good price Time Owned: unknown months.
I picked up one of these off eBay last fall (there are always some MN-4/MN-2000s for auction). I paired it a MFJ antenna analyzer through a switch and can quickly tune any one of 4 antennas in just a few seconds. I can cover any part of the 75-80 meters in a Gap Titan with an almost flat match. Tunes a 40-10 half square into 80 meters with a nice flat match. Also tunes a endfed (through a centaur balun) and keeps the finals happy. Handles big power without arcing. Built like a tank. Negatives? No WARC coverage. Why buy junk? Find one of these. 73 es gud dx