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[AMPS] Antenna tuner

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] Antenna tuner
From: stevek@jmr.com (Steve Katz)
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 07:47:50 -0800




> I'd like to thank all of those who offered suggestions regarding
> "relative power idicators" for my link-coupled antenna tuner project.
> 
> Now I have another question.  The schematic I'm following for the tuner
> calls for a 1700 pf capacitor, in series to ground, on the input link.
> 
> I have a 4000 ph vacuum cap that I could use.  However, it's big and
> heavy.  I also have a 500 pf vacuum cap that's light and small.  I
> realize I could add fixed capacitance in parallel to achieve the correct
> value.
> 
        ::My feeling is that this is a poor choice.  Vacuum caps are too
slow to adjust, requiring lots of rotations for a relatively small
capacitance change.  If the tuner includes a bridge and control circuitry,
and a motor system to drive the capacitor, then I'd go for it; but for a
manually adjustable tuner, vacuum caps are silly.  Also, if the actual
circuit design requires 1700pF max (seems like a lot for an input cap) and
you parallel fixed cap(s) across a 500pF variable, you don't have nearly the
tuning range that a 1700pF variable would have, unless you use lots of small
shunt caps and switch them in and out -- sounds like a lot of bother.

        -WB2WIK/6


> My question is:  Would "doorknob" caps be a good choice for this added
> capacitance?  If so, any particular type?
> 
> TNX, Barrie, W7ALW
> 
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