Rick,
Thanks for the informative and timely reply. Two questions though- what
model number is the " big MFJ Symmetrical matchbox".
Is $200 too much for the KW?
Thanks-Tom
On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 9:51 AM, Rick - NJ0IP / DJ0IP <Rick@dj0ip.de> wrote:
> Tom,
>
> First of all, if I say "yes", Gerry will jump in my case! ;-)
>
> This is a clasical Z-Match - the 2-coil version.
> It is the high power version built about 30 years ago (or more).
> It was designed for openwire from the get go and is pretty good for
> matching
> typical open wire antennas.
> Like the Viking, it adds selectivity, which is useful for the receiver and
> for suppressing harmonics.
> However with today's good receivers (the good ones), you don't need it for
> that reason.
>
> It has no bandswitch, so that is one less source of trouble.
> Instead it has two sets of connections for the openwire.
> You have to move the feedline back and forth to change from 80/40 and
> 20/15/10.
> However, if you have some wild impedances, it can happen that you need to
> use the other input - generally only true when working 40m or 20m.
>
> It also tunes the WARC bands, matches them quite well.
> Which input 30m uses depends on the antenna. Can go either way.
>
> Sounds good up to this point.
>
> However, when you get impedance extremes, this box has an awful lot of
> loss.
> They were condemned by many people because of this.
> As long as you know that and make sure your antennas are never more than
> about 1000 Ohms, they work OK.
> You do that by changing feedline lengths.
>
> The answer to your question depends on the price.
>
> A better box in my opinion is the big MFJ Symmetrical matchbox.
> If the auction price comes anywhere close to that, go with the MFJ.
>
> Maybe Gerry has some other reasons why not to use a Z-match.
> I'm sure Steve is quite familiar with it; probably more than the rest of
> us.
>
> At the end of the day, there is theory and practice.
> I have the low power version, the KW EZEE Match, and I'm not parting with
> it.
> I haven't used it for 20 years, but I'm keeping it as a backup symmetrical
> matchbox.
>
> When I was using it regularly, I used it with:
> - 2x 13m doublet
> - 2x 17m doublet
> - 2x 20m doublet
> - 84m Horizontal Loop
> - 42m Horizontal Loop
> - Vertical Dipole (2x 5m)
>
> Our club(s) turned in lots of good field day results with these antennas
> (especially the loop), using that Z-match.
> I had lots of successful mini-expeditions with these combinations.
>
> There are better matchboxes.
> Some are expensive, others are not to be found (because nobody parts with
> them [think "Annecke"]).
>
> 73
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of tom stewart
> Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 11:48 AM
> To: TenTec@contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] KW 107 Supermatch
>
> Is this a good tuner for balanced lines? Is it worth pursuing?
>
> Thanks- Tom N7ESE
>
> --
> "No matter how fast you miss, you still lose."
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--
"No matter how fast you miss, you still lose."
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