[TenTec] TUNING, MATCHING, TUNERS

[Ken Brown]

You can TUNE an antenna by changing the dimensions of the antenna, or 
changing it's proximity to ground and other conductive objects.

You can MATCH a feedline to the antenna's impedance with a impedance 
transforming device at the antenna feedpoint.

You can MATCH a transmitter output (or another feedline) to the antenna 
and feedline system, somewhere other that right at the antenna feed 
point, such as in the shack with an impedance transforming device.

Whatever you call those impedance transforming devices, they do not TUNE 
the antenna. They MATCH the different impedances connected to their 
antenna system port and source (transmitter) port. In order to get the 
impedance transforming (matching) device adjusted to effect the desired 
impedance transformation, you TUNE the device. The device does not tune 
the antenna. The device is TUNED, it is not a TUNER. The operator (human 
or microprocessor or analog servo system) is the TUNER. If a human, 
servo system or microprocessor adjusts capacitors, inductors or 
transformer taps on a device separated from the antenna, he, she or it 
is TUNING the impedance transforming device, not the antenna.If the 
human, servo system or microprocessor adjusts antenna dimensions, he, 
she or it is TUNING the Antenna.

DE N6KB