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Reviews For: Ten-Tec 238C

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : Ten-Tec 238C
Reviews: 11MSRP: 819
Description:
HF antenna tuner with dual cross-needle forward / reverse power display
Product is in production
More Info: http://radio.tentec.com/amateur/tuners/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00114.7
K3CB Rating: 2009-07-02
OK - BUT !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ten Tec knows what I am saying here. This new unit is OK, a bit of improvement over previous models. Still a compromise on 160M and shouldn't be at $795 MSRP. Two shortcomings in my opinion: the CAP and "L" knobs are of the Orion-type; missing are the knob handles as on the 238B, etc. W/O handles, tuning the unit - if placed where a tuner should be placed in a shack - away from operating equipment, the Orion-type knobs make tuning a bit difficult when reaching for the knobs. Second shortcoming is a big one in my view. The dual, cross-needle power meter is useless. The forward and reverse scales are 20W and 4W respectivley. Not a problem for multiplying to get 200W or 2000W or the same for reverse. The issue is the unit's ability to provide a proper display of power on scales so severely compressed (i.e. 20W and 4W full scale) when running 200 or higher power. I prefer Return Loss numbers to a graphic display of SWR, "no can do" with this unit - too bad, because its a nice unit and a big improvement over my 238B which Ten Tec allowed me to trade in. The final issue I have is power meter displayed accuracy. I used a pair of HP power meters, HP sensors, and NARDA directional coupler to assess forward and reverse power vice the displayed values. Not too bad at lower frequencies (160M power values are questionable, way low) - 80M to 15M, OK - at 12 and 10M the dual, cross-needle display error is significant in my view becoming as much as 15% in error (high side) on 10M. Overall this is a very nice meter if you use it properly and do not rely on the dual, cross-needle power meter display for anything useful. Owen, K3CB