[Antennas] horiz loop tuner recommendation

2002年5月28日 19:42:56 -0500

Just one comment, Robb.
You may have a problem finding a commercial tuner that "actually" works
well on 160 through 6. Some may advertise that, but I would have strong
doubts about the product.
Those two bands represent extremes in the L and C values required in a
tuner and it is very difficult, if not expensive, to design and build a
tuner that will cover that range and still be efficient, etc.
I know that you are looking to the future and would like to find something
now to cover all eventualities, but realistically you might want to
restrict yourself to 80 - 10 for now and expand to the other bands in the
future. On 6 you probably will want to use a small beam of some sort for
which a tuner would not be needed. And 160 is such a low frequency that an
efficient antenna there can be stressful for any tuner - a real special
case at times.
FWIW, I use the MFJ 989C tuner for my dipoles and a Drake MN-4 for my loop.
The Extended Double Zepp dipoles are fed with ladderline into 1:1 W2DU
baluns into the shack over RG-213 coax to the 989C. The loop is fed with
ladderline into paralleled RG-213 into the shack to the MN-4 operated as a
balanced tuner.
Good luck - sometimes it is better to do well now than to plan too far
ahead and compromise now for the future that might not be the way you
expect . . .
73/72/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas 
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe 
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771 I-LINK 11735
Icom IC-756PRO #02121 Kachina 505 DSP #91900556 Icom IC-765 #02437
Robb Romans wrote:
>> Greets,
>> I would like the group's advice for an appropriate antenna tuner. I'm
> running an Icom 706MKIIG into a horizontal loop antenna that's roughly 80m
> total length fed with 450 ohm ladder line. The 706 might be replaced with
> an Elecraft K2/100 in a year or so.
>> I'm looking for a good tuner for 160-6 meter work on this antenna and
> would prefer a manufactured unit, not a homebrew. I've had a
> recommendation for the Icom AH-4 mounted under an eave, but am not sure
> how well this will work with a balanced antenna. Also looked at the new
> AlphaDelta Pathfinder - same concern.
>> I'm a new ham, but I want something that will last. Also, there a small
> possibility that I would add a kilowatt amp in the distant future.
>> Can y'all help?