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Re: [TenTec] OT: Openwire Balanced Antenna Tuners (QST Test)

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT: Openwire Balanced Antenna Tuners (QST Test)
From: "Bob McGraw - K4TAX" <RMcGraw@Blomand.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:15:21 -0600
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Agreed, the term "antenna tuner" doesn't really tune the antenna but more correctly matches the load, being a combination of antenna and feedline, to a suitable impedance to which the radio can deliver power. There is no "fooling" involved except to the operator. Regardless, at the output of the tuner, feedline loss will always remain the same. The idea of using open wire line is the fact the loss per unit/frequency with a given SWR is always less than coaxial cable for the same SWR, length and frequency.

Regarding "antenna tuners" in actuality every AM broadcast station in the world correctly uses a matching network, i.e. antenna tuner, at the base of the antenna. These are typically referred to as "tuning networks" with most being T networks having fixed values of L and C components. There's no substitute for a proper antenna with a correct matching network that provides a good impedance match to the feedline and the use of a low loss feedline.

On the topic of SWR and feedline loss, I suggest one should investigate the actual loss in the tuner being used. A recent report shows some tuners can have as much as 30% or more power loss under certain conditions. That is a lot more loss than dealing with a 3:1 SWR at the radio and no tuner. Today's radios and amplifiers typically will operate satisfactorily with a 3:1 SWR or less.

With regard to the recent QST article, March 2013, on balanced tuners, I was astonished at some of the loss values reported with one brand in particular. In all likely hood, the typical ham installation might not see the low impedance values where the test were conducted. I would have preferred a test sequence of higher impedance values as opposed to the very low impedance values.


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.






----- Original Message ----- From: "bob barnes" <k0wtz@yahoo.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 9:59 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] OT: Openwire Balanced Antenna Tuners (QST Test)


my thoughts on antenna tuners is they will not change an antenna but they will fool your rig into seeing a load. not matter what that swr if it is high with the tuner the swr will still be high behind that tuner no matter what!


that tuner is still seeing all the bad things about your antenn best bet trim the ant to a acceptable low swr and save your cash.

i know that may not be believable but that is the way it is.

bob k0wtz

all things are possible in Christ Jesus our savior

--- On Fri, 2/15/13, Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP <Rick@DJ0IP.de> wrote:


From: Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP <Rick@DJ0IP.de>
Subject: [TenTec] OT: Openwire Balanced Antenna Tuners (QST Test)
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>, Ten-Tec-Omni-VII@yahoogroups.com, TenTec_Eagle@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, February 15, 2013, 9:48 AM


The March 2013 issue of QST has another Antenna Tuner test by Joel, W1ZR.

This article is a good read because it also describes the ARRL's newest test
method for antenna tuners.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES I find people make in their thinking is, they
believe that if their ATU can match the antenna, that's goodness. NOT!
In addition to whatever losses the antenna itself may have, there may also
be SIGNIFICANT matchbox losses. as this article points out on one of the
boxes.

The two Matchboxes tested here are the MFJ-976 and Palstar BT-1500A.
<> What are their matching ranges?
<> MORE IMPORTANT, how much power is lost in the matchbox when matching the
various impedances?

BTW, I have added these results to my "MATCHBOX SHOOT-OUT Spreadsheet" on my
web site.
It compares these tuners to others which the ARRL has previously tested.
LINK: http://www.dj0ip.de/antenna-matchboxes/matchbox-shoot-out/

A HUGE THANK YOU TO JOEL and his colleagues for reporting on this
interesting topic.

73
Rick, DJ0IP


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