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Re: [TenTec] ATU Performance & Results

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ATU Performance & Results
From: "Robert Mcgraw" <rmcgraw@blomand.net>
Reply-to: rmcgraw@blomand.net, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2013 13:16:12 -0600 (CST)
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Yes, it is a very typical and inexpensive feed line.  For a true
multiband antenna a balanced feed system is preferred.

73
Bob, K4TAX

> Did you have a good reason for using coax?
>
> Paul Gates
>
>> From: RMcGraw@Blomand.net
>> To: tentec@contesting.com; TenTec_Eagle@yahoogroups.com
>> Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 13:38:02 -0600
>> Subject: [TenTec] ATU Performance & Results
>>
>> At risk of stirring the proverbial pot on this subject, I launched into
>> a morning project of seeing what the internal ATU would handle and
>> investigate if anything could be done to explain why some get better
>> results than others.
>>
>> The antenna used for this test is a center fed 75M dipole some 50 ft
>> high and having a natural resonance at 3.8 MHz.  Center feedpoint has a
>> 1:1 current balun and the feedline is some 75 ft of RG-213.  The output
>> of the radio is connected to a to a suitable cross needle SWR/Power
>> meter via a 1 ft RG-8x jumper.   The antenna side of the SWR/Power
>> meter is connected to a Current Isolator or UNUN being a product from
>> The Wireman item # 8232.  This is basically a coax jumper of some 3 ft
>> in length fitted with a series of #73 and #43 beads.  This jumper is
>> connected via a barrel connector to the RG-213 feeding the antenna.
>>
>> It is noted after the initial test and repeating same for reliability,
>> I found the removal of the Current Isolator between the SWR/Power meter
>> and the coax to the antenna did cause some noticeable to very large
>> errors in the value displayed on the external SWR/Power meter.  Thus
>> the value indicated on this meter were affected by circulating current
>> on the coax feed line.  This is not surprising.  I have had some
>> suspicion that these circulating currents may have some effect on the
>> performance of the internal ATU as well.   A point not of concern was
>> the time required to attain a match as I only check one frequency on
>> each band.
>>
>> The values shown below are:
>> Band.......Frequency........SWR as shown on the radio.........SWR value
>> as shown on the external bridge with the Current Isolator in place
>>
>> These values are using the Eagle with its internal tuner:
>> 160M..........1942.......No Match......>10:1
>> 75M............3900.......1:1...................4:1
>> 60M............5357.......1.5:1................8:1
>> 40M............7100.......No Match......>10:1
>> 30M...........10114.......1:1.................10:1
>> 20M...........14325......No Match......>10:1
>> 17M...........18135.......1:1................ 10:1
>> 15M...........21290.......1.2:1................5:1
>> 12M...........24995.......1.5:1................5:1
>> 10M...........28402.......1:1...................4:1
>>
>> These values are using the Omni VII with its internal tuner:
>> 160M..........1942........No Match........>10:1
>> 75M............3900........1.1:1..................4:1
>> 60M............5357........1.5:1..................8:1
>> 40M............7100........No match.......>10:1
>> 30M...........10114........1.1:1...............10:1
>> 20M...........14325........2.5:1.............>10:1
>> 17M...........18135........1.1:1...............10:1
>> 15M...........21290........1.2:1.................5:1
>> 12M...........24995........1.4:1.................5:1
>> 10M...........28402........1.5:1.................4:1
>>
>> So what am I to conclude?  The Eagle ATU matched 7 out of 10 bands and
>> the Omni VII ATU matched 8 out of 10 bands.  And the use of the Current
>> Choke or line isolator does make a difference.  I did go back and
>> re-test on 20M and have no explaination for the difference observed
>> between the two radios using the same procedure and equipment for
>> measurements.
>>
>> {I  hope these tables stay in alignment}
>>
>>
>> 73
>> Bob, K4TAX
>>
>>
>> DISCLOSURE:
>> This is to inform all persons, I am a Tentec Ambassador and I receive
>> compensation according to the Tentec Ambassador program.  In addition,
>> I serve as a volunteer beta test person to Tentec for the Omni VII,
>> Eagle and Argonaut VI radios.  I hold no employment relationship, no
>> financial interests nor do I conduct any commercial business, direct or
>> indirect, with Tentec.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>>
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