[TenTec] TT Eagle tuner spec: SWR v. impedance range?

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

Tuner loss is complicate by most tuners that have a myriad of tuning 
positions with different tuned circuit loaded Qs and so circulating 
current in the resonant circuit with different losses and bandwidth for 
the same load. Some of the Tentec tuners that are L networks get away 
from that, because there is only one set of L and C (presuming series L 
and shunt C) that will tune any given load at any given frequency so the 
tuned conditions are unique and the lowest loaded Q for the impedance 
transformation ratio. If we still used an RF ammeter in the feed line 
beyond the tuner and always tuned through the available tunings for 
maximum RF current we would be minimizing the tuner losses. 
Unfortunately some loads are so much bother to tune that we quit with 
the first set that matches. I think most of the automatic tuners are 
also L networks and so will come up with the single possible tuning 
condition which is at the same time optimum. This is not true of T and 
PI and other tuner circuits.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 1/8/2011 5:25 PM, Rick - NJ0IP / DJ0IP wrote:
> Another thing people should look at is "Tuner Loss", not just tuner matching
> capability.
> There can be significant differences at certain extreme impedances.
>
> Unfortunately nobody publishes any specs on that.
> You have to measure it yourself, or wait for someone like ARRL to publish
> test results - which they have.
>
> In the last couple of years there have been two good tests by ARRL,
> comparing matchbox losses.
> Unfortunately each test only covers 5 or 6 matchboxes, and it seems like I'm
> always interested in one that was not tested!
>
> And since this is a Ten-Tec reflector, I'd like to remind people that at the
> extremes, the Ten-Tec Model 238B was more efficient than the other "noble"
> matchboxes it was compared to.
>
> 73
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Steve Hunt
> Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 5:05 PM
> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] TT Eagle tuner spec: SWR v. impedance range?
>
> It's tough to find a way to express a tuner's capability in some
> succinct and meaningful way.
>
> This was my attempt:
> http://www.karinya.net/g3txq/temp/aat_chart.png
>
> Each "cell" represents a particular load impedance going from 3.125 Ohms
> to 3200 Ohms in binary steps, Resistive (X axis) and Reactive (Y axis)
>
> If the cell is green, the tuner was able to find a match, and the number
> in the cell shows the % power loss in the tuner. The darker the green,
> the better.
>
> If the cell is red it indicates that a power dissipation limit or a
> capacitor voltage limit was exceeded
>
> L+ indicates "no match - not enough inductance"
> C- indicates "no match - too much minimum capacitance"
> etc etc.
>
> One chart needed per band.
>
> The data was the output from the AAT programme on the Antenna Book CD.
>
> 73,
> Steve G3TXQ
>
>
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