[TenTec] balanced antenna tuner ( or how to do things on the cheap - tribute to Geoff's drive for cost effect

[Marinus Loewensteijn]

Geoff
 
In your drive for equipment on the cheap I like to draw your attention to the S-Match as promoted by PA0FRI: http://www.xs4all.nl/~pa0fri/ATU/Smatch/smatcheng.htm
 
It uses only three components, tunes very easily and can handle both balanced as unbalanced antennas. Unfortunately you may have to build a different version for 160m than for 10m because minimum capacitance values do have an impact.
 
It should be the ideal beginner's project, in particular if I see prices asked for "commercial" antenna tuners and which often contribute a considerable expense towards establishing a station. 
 
By the way - even with the older tentec gear like the Omni-C one does not need a SWR meter since that is already built in to the rig. (And "standalone" SWR meter's  prices are through the roof for such a simple piece of equipment)
 
Enjoy, 73, Marinus, ZL2ML
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