[TenTec] tuner battle?

[Robert & Linda McGraw K4TAX]

Yes, and if you dumped the T match network and replaced it with an L network 
tuner you would find that the matching is much easier and always accurate. 
The L network will only match at one combination of L and C values.  The T 
networks are known to appear to match at several combinations of L and C 
values, however only one combination is most efficient.  It requires a 
network analyzer to figure out which one is correct.

73
Bob, K4TAX



> Hardly,
>
> I'm an apartment dweller, and QRP contester.  I've always had to make do
> with compromise antennas, and T-matches.  Even with a roller inductor, I
> still occasionally can't get down to 1.5:1 or less for an SWR.  This is
> where the radio's autotuner comes into play.  First, I tune for as low of 
> an
> SWR as I can get with the T-match.  THEN, I use the radio's autotuner to 
> get
> the radio seeing 1.5:1 or less.  BUT, you ahve to use the autotuner after
> you're done with the T-match, otherwise, it will most definitely "fight"
> with the T-match (you'll wind up tuning with one, and then the other, over
> and over again).  It'll be like a dog chasing its tail.  So the T-match 
> does
> the basic tuning for the band you're on, and then the autotuner does the
> fine tuning, and if you do search & pounce in contests, like I do, the
> autotuner will fine tune your SWR for any significant frequency chenges 
> you
> make on the band.  But, you have to leave the T-match alone, once you set 
> it
> on the band you're operating.