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Reviews For: LDG AT-100ProII Autotuner

Category: Antenna Tuners/Matching Networks

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Review Summary For : LDG AT-100ProII Autotuner
Reviews: 24MSRP: 230
Description:
The LDG AT-100ProII desktop tuner covers all frequencies from 1.8 – 54 MHz like the AT-100Pro it replaces, plus it
has LED indicators for antenna 1/2 selection to indicate when it's in bypass.

It will handle up to 125 watts, making it suitable for everything from QRP to a typical 100 watt transceiver (plus headroom).

The AT-100ProII includes 2,000 memories for each antenna, automatically storing tuning configurations for each frequency and band as you use them. Whenever you transmit on or near a frequency you’ve used before, the AT-100ProII can retune from memory almost instantly.

LED bargraphs show power (in 2 ranges) and SWR, and a Function key on the front panel allows you to access data like MODE and STATUS. Like most other LDG Autotuners, the AT-100ProII uses latching relays which retain the tuned configuration indefinitely even when powered down and a processor-controlled Switched-L tuning network which can match dipoles, verticals, inverted-Vees or virtually any coax-fed antenna. With an optional LDG balun, you can also use longwires or antennas fed with ladder-line.

• 1 to 125 watt power range (SSB and CW), 100W on 6M
• Tuning time: 0.5 to 6 seconds full tune, 0.2 sec memory
• Tunes 6 to 1000 ohm loads (16 to 150 on 6M)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ldgelectronics.com/c/252/products/1/1/1
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00244.3
KJ4WRK Rating: 2011-09-16
Works great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I live in an antenna unfriendly neighborhood and needed a way to tune my stealth 40m horizontal loop. This tuner's takes all of the guesswork out of getting the best possible signal out on the air.

The tuner's easy to use and since I usually like to work PSK31 on many bands, the tuner reduces the time needed to get tuned up to almost 0.

The build quality's nice, but a metal case would be a plus. The 'tune' button will control my FT-897D or I can rely on the auto-tune feature. The manual's a bit short and it would be nice to have more info, but it's not hindered my ability to use the tuner at all.
KC9TNH Rating: 2011-08-03
Does a fine job Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Having used a couple other autotuners, this one is pretty good and 'almost' as good as my beloved Elecraft T1, but with more capability. Spent some time initially going around the bands and areas within those bands where I typically go, tuning during quiet time, to let the tuner do its thing and store the settings. For the slightly more obstinate match - out at far-end of 80m on my OCF dipole for example - a little learning and use of the capacitance/inductance tweaking available at the front panel does the trick. 2 keypresses and THAT setting is now stored.

Also, occasionally the tuner would run its whole sequence then go into Bypass. Quick consult with LDG, who explained that the tuner had simply found a resonant point on the antenna and the antenna itself, at that specific point, was better than what the tuner would come up with.

I like it alot. With a very small amount of thought applied to some setup, changing bands & retuning is a snap, literally 1/2 second, not bothering someone with a cxr for 1/2 Minute while "searching for perfect."

All its other functions work as described in the manual. Good piece of gear.
VE3MVW Rating: 2011-04-02
Dissapointed Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Being in the hobby for 30 years I must say that next to the Hallicrafters FPM 300 MK II this is the worst piece of amateur radio equipment I have ever owned. It's range doesn't even come close to a manual tuner, it's noisey, and sometimes it also decides to retune during a qso.It may be OK as a trimmer tuner but that is about it.It's build quality is about on par with home brew equipment.During our last field day and lighthouse day each time a different club member's LDG went up in smoke.what does that tell you? I am going back to manual tuners only.
AF6AV Rating: 2010-07-15
Works Well With an IC-7000 and G5RV Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Initially I was using a 746Pro (having an internal tuner) with the G5RV. When I switched to the 7000, the guys at HRO San Diego recommended the AT-100Pro2. The price was reasonable and I'd had good luck with a Z11Pro and an FT-857D a few years ago so I went with it.

The AT-100Pro2 works the same as the Z11Pro except that it has dual meters and 2 antenna connections. It works like the original AT-100 except plus LEDs to indicate whether the unit is on Ant 1, Ant 2, or in Bypass.

It loads up the G5RV (the type with 300 ohm twinlead for the vertical section, having a current balun at the bottom) from 160m thru 6m (which the 746Pro's tuner could not do) incl 60m - I can't say that the ERP on 160 or 6 is more than a watt or so but that's not the AT-100ProII's problem.

Occasionally I can get a better match than the processor finds, using the L and C controls. And the dual antenna connections makes up for the IC-7000's single HF output vs 2 on the 746Pro.