On Sun,2/14/2016 6:30 PM, Jim Murray via Topband wrote:
would appreciate any opinions
My favorite has long been the Ten Tec 229/238 series of tuners. All
essentially the same, except that the latest models use mechanical
vernier indication of inductor position rather than a dial string (a
major improvement).
These are L-section tuners, a major virtue of which is that they stay
tuned over a wider bandwidth than other designs. And this tuner, which
is essentially unchanged electrically for 30+ years, is more efficient
than most tuners (according to ARRL reviews).
Issues that you will want to fix -- trade out the few fixed disc
ceramics for caps with lower ESR and higher voltage ratings. If the unit
has a dial cord, you'll probably want to restring it if it's flaky. They
get that way when they get old. You may also want to add the specified
optional fixed cap for 160M, depending on what it takes to tune your
antenna.
The 229s go for about $275, dial cord versions of the 238 for $300 -
$325, and newer versions of the 238 with mechanical indication for $400
and up.
These are great tuners, and well worth chasing down and modifying. If
your antenna is anywhere near reasonable, it won't require much retuning
to cover the bottom half of the band.
73, Jim K9YC
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