[TenTec] 238 tuner on 160? (long)

[Michael Schell]

Hello Mike,
I have a 229B, which is electrically identical to the 238.  I purchased it used from Ten-Tec.  The comment on the slide rule indicator is correct.  I wish it were a counter.  There are no rivets.  All connectors are secured with screws/lock washers/nuts.  I regard the review as harsh.  However, if your using 100-150 watts out, you might consider the autotuner AT-11 by LDG.
73,
Mike KF2LF      GO PACK!

-----Original Message-----
From:	Lara & Mike Pagel [SMTP:pagel@wi-net.com]
Sent:	Sunday, January 18, 1998 6:05 PM
To:	tentec@contesting.com
Subject:	[TenTec] 238 tuner on 160? (long)

Hello all:

I'm looking for a tuner, one that will enable me to cover more of 160
meters with my dipole and CTSVR antennas.  I have been thinking about
pouncing on one of the #238 tuners that pop up here from time to time.

While waiting, I dug up the review of tuners in the March '97 QST.  No
TenTec there, but coverage on 160 seemed to be a problem for most of the
commercial products reviewed, unless you were willing to spend a grand or
so.  Frankly, I was hoping to spend much less.

I then reviewed the archive for the TOPBAND reflector and read messages
associated with that same QST tuner review.  There seemed to be a strong
anti-MFJ sentiment, but significant disagreement about what was better. 
Someone favorably mentioned the #238, and that message was answered by
another ham who offered an unfavorable analysis - mostly about the
hardware.

Here is a portion of his message about the #238:
==========================================
I don't like:
* the anemic range (capacitor) switch--a conventional ceramic wafer easily
destroyed by a hotswitch at moderate power.
* the roller inductor--the coil form is ceramic, and the coil has a
variable pitch, but the end plates are epoxy/glass PC board, and the roller
tap wheel is skimpy. I wore mine out (the tap wheel literally wobbled on
the shaft) and replaced it with a roller inductor and counter mechanism
from a BC375E.
* the sliderule dial mechanism--I repaired it countless times until I just
threw it away, and it was not readable without the dial lights--nor was the
meter.
* the SWR/power meter--very inaccurate and nonlinear. Good for relative
indication only.
* the case--typical TenTec. Frequent disassembly lunched the end trim
pieces--I threw them away. Coax connectors were pop-riveted, but worked
loose over time, creating intermittent ground connections. Replaced all
rivets with screws, starwashers and nuts.
* the balun, a 4:1 unit. Most baluns in single-ended tuners---if not
all--are useless unless operated near the design center. This one smoked
early on, and I tore it out. If you want to use balanced line, build a
balanced-line tuner.

General construction reminds one of a homebrew project--useable but
cheaply-made couplings, shafts. knobs and other components. In short: good
electrical concepts, mediocre execution. This unit has helped dissuade me
from buying other TenTec gear.
======================================

My question is - are these comments valid?  

Are any of you running the #238 on 160?  What are your experiences?  I'm
running only 100 watts but have managed to work 31 countries from the RF
sinkhole that is the upper midwest, and a good tuner might help me work a
few more.  Someday I might even buy an amp!

I'm told that Ameritron builds a good tuner, but the skimpy literature I
find seems to imply that it lacks a roller inductor and I'm assuming that
I'd prefer the roller type to the tapped variety.  Dentron, according to
local legend, also built a good tuner but no one I've spoken to actually
owned one.

Suggestions?

73, de Mike, K9UW
Amherst, WI
pagel@wi-net.com

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm