[TowerTalk] Tuner, What Tuner??

Wed, 16 Aug 2000 19:58:48 EDT

Who makes the best antenna tuner??

I expect you will get all kinds of feedback on this kinda' question! A lot 
depends on what you are trying to match!  From my perspective there have been 
three antenna tuners that have impressed me as being outstanding in my 40+ 
years ham-dom:

1. Johnson Kilowatt Matchbox:  I consider this one the Mother of all antenna 
tuners, that is really designed to match balanced line. One of these went for 
$250.00 in excellent used condx up at Dayton this year. These have not been 
made for donkey's ears!

2. Ten-Tec Kilowatt Model 253 Automatic Antenna Tuner: This is the only 
automatic kilowatt antenna tuner I have ever owned and it does an excellent 
job. It is an "L" design and as such, there is only one point that a match is 
derived at. This model sold for almost a kilo-buck but you see them now from 
time to time on ham web sites and hamfests for around $600-700. 

3. Palstar Model AT4K:  This company is not out in the spotlight like the 
rest of the tuner companies.  I have never used one of these but I visited 
their booth at Dayton. I was extremely impressed with their rugged 
construction and use of heavy duty components. I consider this model, the all 
time Godzilla of antenna tuners. It even has a cooling fan!  (That alone 
should give you braggin' rights at the local ham club!) This tuner is well 
designed in that the balun is located at the RF input to the tuner, where it 
should be, -- not the output. (Walt Maxwell recommends this design 
philosophy) 99.9% of the "T" tuners on the market today have the balun at the 
RF output of the tuner.  You had better wine and dine and XYL though before 
you announce that you are gonna' buy this baby -- $899.00! Check this one out 
at www.Palstarinc.com

Please note that I have no affiliation with Palstar but, I would have to say 
that the AT4AK would probably be the last antenna tuner you would ever buy!

Val L. Erwin
W5PUT

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