Topband: Tuner ??? on 160

[Jeff Maass]

In March 1997, QST included a review of four high-power antenna tuners (MFJ MFJ-989C;
Nye-Viking MB-V-A; Tucker T-3000; N4XM XMatch). The XMatch was clearly the "best of breed"
of those tested, especially on the lowbands.

If you are an ARRL member, you can read the review at:
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr9703.pdf

I have had the XMatch "Classic Lowbander" model since 1997, and I have tuned some truly
awful antennas to the satisfaction of my Alpha 91b at 1500W out. It's not cheap, but it
does work well.

The other workhorse that I have used is the Dentron MT-2000 (I have four currently). It
does OK on 160, but doesn't have the range or efficiency of the XMatch. I can recall some
old ARRL 160 Contests where the MT-2000 enclosure was very warm to the touch after a long
night of contesting, but the XMatch is always cool.

73,  Jeff  K8ND