Sounds like you need an Autek RF Analyst or one from another mfgr with same
capability. As far as I know TT does not have one but you can check first,
they may market one. With it you can adjust your tuner to the best of its
ability. AND you do not have to put a signal on the air.
Keyers: Never used an internal one in all my years, not knocking them, just
prefer an outboard keyer with many more adjustments and capabilities.
Sidetone incidentally really does not tell you much of anything.
Boat Anchors: Still use them - Still build them.
Choice of TT HF rigs, I have five. If I had to get rid of four I would keep
an Omni 6 plus, (with roofing filter of course)
Lyle W9FCX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim WA9YSD" <wa9ysd@yahoo.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 8:00 AM
Subject: [TenTec] OT Antenna Tuners
Some people like but radios cause they look for the one that operates well
and has a nice feel to it or how it looks or what ever.
I have gone through 6 different tuners and used a bunch more along with
home brews over the years and built two of my own. Each one has its own
feel, looks and operating characteristics. One I built that came out of
the ARRL Hand Book.
I do not like one that if you just tap on the knob that adjusts the caps
the tuning needs to be readjusted. Ground conditions change and a daily
basis and you need to tweak settings all the time. Roller inductors so
tight that you need a crank handle to turn it and not a figure knob to
spin it. Or a roller inductor that when you just tap on the knob the
tuning needs to be readjusted
I like a roller inductor when I spin the dial it moves at least a half a
turn when I stop.
Some tuners are broad band, while others are narrow. Some have a bit more
band width
I have yet to see a consumer tuner sold that indicates or automatically
finds that SWEET SPOT so you need to do minimal or no tuning at all when
changing from SSB to CW portion of the band or just changing bands when
using the same antenna with minimal tuning.
One of the things I like about the Ten-Tec 253 Auto Tuner is that it finds
the lowest SWR at the proper Q.
I have not learned how to find the proper minimal SWR at the proper Q with
a manual tuner. It was all ways trial and error. For the most part I
start with the caps at mid range, roller inductor 3 turns off the bottom,
and work from there.
Keep The Faith, Jim K9TF/WA9YSD
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