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Reviews For: BetterRF 7000 Screwdriver Control

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : BetterRF 7000 Screwdriver Control
Reviews: 43MSRP: 84.95 + 8.00 shipping
Description:
Companion piece for the BetterRF 7000 Tune Control. It allow automatic tuning of a motorized antenna with the tune button on the IC-7000
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.qth.com/betterrf/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00434.5
ZL2BK Rating: 2008-08-16
Works as advertised Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Along with the Better RF IC7000 tune control it works very well. So far after months of use it has not got confused and tunes my HiQ 5/160 very accurately. Had a problem with RF getting on to the control cables but after a very quick helpful response from Better RF, I cured it using ferrite clamp on suppressor at the antenna base. Thoroughly recommended.
AG7K Rating: 2008-08-02
makes tuning a breeze Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use this with the Tune Control on a IC-7000 installed in a Buick Park Avenue with a Hi-Q 5/160 mounted on the rear of the car.I can change bands with ease and it never gets confused(yet). I have used the same controller with a Hi Sierra Sidekick with great results.
N9AYH Rating: 2008-06-19
Talk about Service!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just installed the Better RF Screwdriver Controller. Of course, I was the one that received, most likely, the only defective one that has been made. I called the guys at Better RF. They asked me a few questions, had me do a few things and determined I really had a bad one. The next morning one was sent via FedEx. I received it the following day. It worked perfect!!
The product itself is an excellent design. It was easy to install. Just follow the instructions and it will work. Mine is controlling a HiQ 4/80 antenna.
This kind of service is what's missing from most companies today. Not to mention the guys at Better RF are just dam nice guys!! I HIGHLY endorse/recommend this product and the Better RF company.
Blake N9AYH
LA3ZPA Rating: 2008-05-05
I lov it to Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It work perfect with the Better RF Screwdriver Controller and connected to the HI-Q 5/160.

I am weary pleased with this controller form Better RF.

If you lock for only pusch a button and tune the antenna from 160 to 10m with the 1.2 or better SWR this is the solution.

If you have a Screwdriver antenna this is the perfect match with the Better RF Screwdriver Controller, I love it.
N4MGR Rating: 2008-05-04
Better RF Yaesu Tune Control Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the Better RF Yaesu Tune Control with my new High Sierra Sidekick Antenna. It is not an auto tuner, but is the next best thing. I hope to get many hours an years of enjoyment out of my equipment and this product will go a long ways towards that.
W0RIC Rating: 2008-04-28
FANTASTIC PRODUCT! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
WOW! What a great product!

Easy to install and use.

Took a few minutes and some reading and ON THE AIR!

Just one push of the IC-7000 tune button and in a few seconds it's tuned!

What a fantastic product!

I used some ferrites as suggested and not one issue with any RF.

73 & Good DX
Rick
WØRIC
www.w0ric.com

MW0DCT Rating: 2008-04-22
Great Product & Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi All,

I have an IC7000 in the car and this is my 3rd attempt at HF mobile.
Previous failures are a TS50 & Outbacker and FT857 & ATAS.
Both the prevoius attemps are failure due to me not understanding HF mobile atennas and how they work.

Looking ay Alan's site K0BG I have learnt where I was going wrong and have spent a lot of time and rffort in following Alan's great advice in installing an antenna.

Everything he mentions is 100% accurate.

So....Better RF.

Based on Alan's knowladge and guidance getting me corrected in my installation I guessed the Better RF he recomends must be good.

Well...I ordered it direct with Gerry over the phone and he's a perfect gent and great to do business with.

It arrived and the first thing I noticed is the packaging. Well packaged and well presented which gives you a high confidnce level from the outset.

Ok...Installation was easy but I was getting strange actions from the antenna from 20M and above.

Called Gerry and he told me 100% its RF in the power lead for the antenna...which is not supplied by Gerry ofcourse.

Spent about 30mins playing and have resolved the RF.

How does it work for me?
I can tune from 80m to 10m while mobile at a touch of a button and also QSY in band with no problems.

It just works...Theres nothing more I can say.

I'd recomend anyone with an IC7000 and a screwdriver to get the Better RF and enjoy simple & SAFE HF mobile.

73's
Paul
MW0DCT
W9PMZ Rating: 2008-04-13
great accessory to a screwdriver antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The system installed pretty easily into my mobile station. It was connected to a Tarheel Model 200 and I had a few problems intialially, but the tech support was very good and the problems were corrected.

The problems I had were RF feedback between the Tune Control and the Screwdriver Controller. I installed two ferrites on the DC line and the interface line and the problems were overcome.

Perhaps in a future PWB spin ferrite beads could be added to the units.
N5GMK Rating: 2008-03-19
Great Motorized Antenna Controller Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am using the Better RF 7000 Screwdriver Control with my Icom 7000 to tune a SideKick antenna mounted on a Ford Windstar mini-van. To say I'm satisfied with the operation of the controller would be an understatement. Taking time to fully read the straight forward instructions for installing and setting up the 7000 Screwdriver Control will most assuredly be rewarded with greater pleasure of owning a motorized antenna that can be tuned at the touch of a button with eyes on the road! Better RF has a great product in my opinion and would highly recommend it to anyone using a motorized antenna.
KJ7U Rating: 2008-03-02
Best Controller I have ever had. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Finally someone made a controller that will work with my antennas. I am using this controller with Larry's Antennas LLC model 6-160 antenna. I am very satisfied with the controller. It will tune close to 1:1 swr on every band. It never goes the wrong direction. It stops the motor quickly with dynamic braking as well as pulse modulation slowing when getting close. It operates very smoothly and accurately. It is the very best I have ever used. I have had 5 other controllers over the years and none worked this well. Also I did not have to modify my antenna. No magnets or switches to install in the antenna. I just push the tune button on the IC 7000 and in a few seconds the antenna is tuned and ready to operate. Excellent.
Larry KJ7U