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Reviews For: ICOM AH2

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : ICOM AH2
Reviews: 8MSRP: 150 Used
Description:
1.8 MHz - 30 MHz remote antenna coupler.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icom.co.jp/manual/external/transceivers/AH-2.pdf
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0084.8
SP5MXF Rating: 2019-03-03
Very good remote mobile automatic antenna tuner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Four years ago I bought the ICOM AH-2 automatic antenna tuner due to the fact that it works with a 2.5 m AH-2b antenna from 3 MHz, it is factory equipped with a separate AH-2a box for controlling the antenna tuner and TRX, which can be adapt to virtually every radio, you just need to get the right cable for this purpose, I made it according to my own design, tunes and also tunes the FT-857D radio so that it transmits the carrier wave and reduces the transmitter power for tuning up to 10W.

AH-2 is a good remote tuner, it works well with wire antennas of various lengths, tunes on all bands from 160m to 6m, it can also tune a loop or dipole. Currently, the prices of AH-2 on the secondary market are quite attractive. The main advantage of this tuner over AH4 is that it is equipped with an AH-2a control box. As a result, it is relatively easy to adapt the AH-2 to work with any TRX, any brand.

Just buy a female DIN7 plug and connect according to the diagram in the instructions. A key line can be connected from the plug, which enters the KEY socket and the ALC return cable to reduce the transmitter's output power while tuning the tuner to the antenna. Then turn on the radio and press "tune" on the control box, and the tuner will do the rest. I made a minor modification, additional protection against the radio output in the event of tuner not tuning, I extracted a signal from the red ERROR diode signaling in AH-2a and introduced it via the TX inhibit cable in the FT-857D when the AH-2a box lights ERROR ( red LED) the FT-857D will not send a signal from the transmitter.

The AH-2 has only 8 memory locations, this is very little compared to today's manufactured devices such as the AH-4 or CG-3000, but only this tuner can work with a 2.5-meter AH-2b antenna in the 80m band.
I use a slightly different antenna than AH-2b, it is popular in Europe antenna WA-27, is shorter than AH-2b because its length is 2.05 m (80 ") but has a spring at the bottom acting as a coil extending the antenna to over 3.3 m (130 ") and in this set works well. WA-27 is a very durable and durable antenna, almost indestructible, better than military antennas.

So when driving a car we can broadcast on the popular eighty, this is a very important property because this band ensures uninterrupted communication throughout the entire, medium-sized country, range from 0 to 3500 km with good reports.

Thomas

sp5mxf.com
M0SRW Rating: 2016-08-06
Good in the mobile Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Have mine fitted in my van and used on my Alinco DX70 with a AH-2b antenna
It's not failed to tune from 40m-10m with this setup
Much more quieter than the Alinco EDX-2
I paid £140 about $210 off eBay for it so iam happy

So far I can't fault it
KB8DNS Rating: 2015-09-08
Great tuner! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought mine 20 years ago after hearing about it on a 75 meter swap net. 125 dollars with control, no antenna. Rewired the control plug to fit an Alinco DX-70 and the rig controls the tuner just fine! Tunes all sorts of antennas, I used it portable with an end fed wire of 60 feet. This gave me most of the HF bands except 160. Easy to revert back to the Icom control plug so it is a keeper! 73 Rod KB8DNS
K8IO Rating: 2013-12-17
Workhorse device Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought it used about 4 years ago. Along with a 735 and the AH2 controller interface. Has been out in the weather ever since on my tower tuning a 120 foot random wire. Tunes 160 thru 6 meters. Yes 6 meters. I found out I could unplug the interface box and it would interface directly to my 706mkIIg antenna tuner plug on the back of it. The 706 handles the tuning and control chores just fine. Another ICOM workhorse device.
AI4WM Rating: 2012-09-16
It just works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not much to say about a remote automatic antenna tuner that just works and works and works. I have mine several years and used it mobile and on several antennas around the house on all the HF bands. It will match just about anything quickly.

I do not have the matching antenna. Mobile I used it on a Hustler and on several Ham Sticks.

The tuner is rated at 120 watts maximum and I think 1.5 or 2 to 1 max VSWR.

I switch between this tuner and my AT-150.
N0AZZ Rating: 2012-01-24
It Works With Newer Radios Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I followed the post below and was able to get the AH-2 to work with several radios my IC-703+, IC-7000 and a FT-847 the mods are simple. I use this at home, in my Motor home and at Field Day where I have an antenna up and running before anyone else.

I bought mine for $150 used a great deal wouldn't sell it for that it's a keeper even today.
KC0AA Rating: 2009-02-18
Oldie but Goodie Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm trying to get back on HF with an antique transceiver (NCX-3) and antenna restrictions. Purchased this unit on EBay from a ham in Canada that purchased it from another ham that had it on a boat. The key to the AH-2 is that it works with any radio (Apply 12v/Ground to IC-735 connector)and has lots of "L" so it doesn't need much wire to load. Of course, we all understand that we need good antennas to get out. This one works perfectly and with a short 50' wire, it loads on all bands. Download the SGC SG-230 SmartTuner manual for excellent antenna suggestions and tips. It can also drive a loop or a dipole. Now I need to get active and maybe replace the NCX-3 some day. 73
NR9R Rating: 2007-04-24
Great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a great remote tuner that has worked flawlessly at the base of a 31 ft vertical wire. They are also pretty cheap on the used market right now. One advantage that this tuner has over the AH3 or AH4 is that it comes with a control box. As a result, you can easily interface it with any brand radio. All that you have to do is buy a female DIN plug and follow the diagram in the manual. From the plug you can wire a key line that goes into your key jack and an ALC feedback cable to control the output. Then you just switch your radio to CW and press tune on the control box and the tuner does the rest. If more info is needed on this feel free to drop me an email.