Unless SGC has drastically changed the unit, it doesn't meet either of your
requirements. While reasonably sealed against moisture, SGC recommended
covering the unit with something (such as a plastic bucket, etc.) to protect
its plastic housing from the elements, particularly UV. Separate wiring was
required to supply power to the unit, and I found the optional "Smart-Lock"
control head a valuable addition to the shack as you could tell from the
LEDs when a tuning solution had been reached and you could also force a
reset and cause it to retune by pressing a button or two. My memory is
fading, but I believe that unit added another 5 wires to the control cable
requirement.
While the unit never failed to tune properly, I found it to be prone to
lightning damage, and I'm not talking about a hit or near-hit. If I ever
used such a tuning unit again, I'd make sure I had adequate surge protection
on all the control lines and that the antenna (and control lines) could be
easily and remotely disconnected from the tuner when not in use.
K8AC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill VanAlstyne, W5WVO" <w5wvo@cybermesa.net>
To: "_Mailing List Tower-Talk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 10:55 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Soliciting opinions on SGC SG-230 remote ATU
> The subject line says it all. I'm looking for a good remote ATU that will
> tune balanced or unbalanced HF wire antennas outside the shack, without
> need
> of separate control head/wiring or homebrew weatherproof enclosure. Most
> everything I've read on e-Ham about it seems to be a rave review. Would be
> interested in the TT take on this unit. Is there anything better? As good,
> but cheaper?
>
> Bill / W5WVO
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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