Auto ATU

mu0chn · Thu 2nd Jun 2011, 22:56

Hi I am looking into getting an auto-tuner and quite like the look of the LDG range. So what do people recommend. Want it to work with my current radios:- IC-746 and IC-706 mk11 and QRP.
Will also need to tune long wire/vertical and I don't mind if I have to use a balun/unun.

Thanks

**G6NHU** · Fri 3rd Jun 2011, 13:07

Auto tuners are very straightforward and simple to use - I've got an SGC SG237 and up until last weekend was using it very successfully with a wire at about 20ft.

You connect your coax and a 12 volt line to one side and the wire and a good ground system to the other and you're good to go, it will work with a simple earth stake but laying a good RF ground makes a huge amount of difference to your transmitted signal.

An auto tuner will work with any wireless.

I can thoroughly recommend having a read of this article by Martin, G8JNJ about auto tuners.

**AE6ZW** · Mon 6th Jun 2011, 08:20

I use LDG AT 200 auto tuner, I have placed outside right at feed point of antenna. and feed tuner with separate wire for 12 V power. it seems like auto tuner works better if I placed at outside at feed point rather than by radio. I can use just about anything metal as antenna, anything from loop to a piece of wire, some works better than others. I clip on those CLIP on type RF choke ( about 10 of them ) on coax cable between tuner and radio, it helped RFI considerably. I got those RF clip on shield choke 100 for $50 on ebay. it is also effective on TVI, telephone line , computer speaker, interference.

mu0chn · Tue 7th Jun 2011, 22:19

Thanks Keith and Hidenor
Keith the SGC SG237 is made to use a long wire or vertical and would do what I want but well out of my price range. I have been looking at the LDG range because they make tuners to match makes of radios and also work at QRP power levels.
Hidenor are you using a balun with your tuner, I have got a 30 foot pole 2” dia that fits together and want to use it as a vertical.

**TI2-NA7U** · Wed 25th Apr 2012, 15:24

I can second the recommendation of the LDG AT200pro. I have two of them and they work like champs on most anything I attach to them. They still don't tune quite the range of antennas that my K2 ATU does, but of course that's not a separate tuner that can be used for other rigs. If you're using the LDG for that vertical and using the vertical multi-band, then your best bet is to place it at the base of the vertical, but then you have to be sure to weather-proof it. The SDG and some MFJ ATs are made to be put outside (though I'd never use them here in Costa Rica because I'd be afraid of damage from electrostatic discharge, lots of lightning storms).