Have a question about antenna tuners.....
If you was going to buy this amp, which antenna tuner would you buy and why ?....
If you was going to buy this amp, which antenna tuner would you buy and why ?....
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Ameritron AL-80B amplifier ?
- Thread starter Oatmeal
- Start date
New? I've never had a problem when I was running my AL-811 on my Palstar AT-500, and now I'm running a AL-80B (transformer wired for half power) through it. I guess the natural progression would be a AT2K or AT2KD, which will handle the AL-80B with plenty of headroom.
Used, you have plenty of good options. I think the beefier MFJ ones have decent reviews. I have a Dentron MT3000 tuner to clean up and run with a Dentron MLA-2500 (which also needs to be cleaned up). I read they're quite solid tuners.
Used, you have plenty of good options. I think the beefier MFJ ones have decent reviews. I have a Dentron MT3000 tuner to clean up and run with a Dentron MLA-2500 (which also needs to be cleaned up). I read they're quite solid tuners.
Most tube amps can handle a decent SWR without problems worse SWR i have is on one band 1:2.5 which my Heathkit SB-1000 wil handle with no sweat.
I do have the MFJ 998 legal limit tuner that will tune my 23 meter vertical whic will handle 1500 watts no sweat.
Tube amps are much more forgiving if your SWR is a bit off.
I do have the MFJ 998 legal limit tuner that will tune my 23 meter vertical whic will handle 1500 watts no sweat.
Tube amps are much more forgiving if your SWR is a bit off.
Both buickid and Justme have great input. Your main consideration is a tuner that will handle the amplifier’s output. Second consideration would be the range/capacity of tuning based on what antennas you’re using, do you need a by-pass switch, number of antenna ouitputs. Regarding power handling capability In the case of the AL-80b that would be nearly 1kw. As stated:
MFJ has made some respectable tuners as. Justme mentioned. Along with older Dentron, HeathKit, NyeViking, Drake, etc.
A LDG 1000 would work but in my opinion there isn’t enough headroom for the AL-80B.
I would definitely get the grid over load protection board either offered by Ameritron or the TOF-1 by Tom W8JI
Brad
MFJ has made some respectable tuners as. Justme mentioned. Along with older Dentron, HeathKit, NyeViking, Drake, etc.
A LDG 1000 would work but in my opinion there isn’t enough headroom for the AL-80B.
I would definitely get the grid over load protection board either offered by Ameritron or the TOF-1 by Tom W8JI
Brad
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I think hands down the old school big (2500 watts?) Palstar Tuner is the way to go. Can't remember the model number, those are built like a tank, you'll never need another Tuner unless you go big. I think it was AT2K? something like that. I looked at them years ago, was set on purchasing one, but ended up not needing a tuner that bad, better to run a resonant antenna where possible.
Agreed, a palstar transmatch is the way to go. I have an at2k. Very high quality build, and the controls are gear driven. Very smooth
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I have a Palstar AT2K works great tunes everything I have tried.
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Johnson Matchbox (275W AM)
Classic Johnson matchbox. This one dates from the mid 1950.s Nice shape. No burn marks inside. Clean. Modification for coaxial output and for coaxial input that bypasses the T-R relay inside. Non smoking owner. Has a few small paint chips only on the top rear of the cabinet. Overall nice balanced line tuner that is hard to beat. Handles 275W AM or approx 1 KW in SSB service.
$149 shipped USA 48.
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Johnson Matchbox (275W AM)
Classic Johnson matchbox. This one dates from the mid 1950.s Nice shape. No burn marks inside. Clean. Modification for coaxial output and for coaxial input that bypasses the T-R relay inside. Non smoking owner. Has a few small paint chips only on the top rear of the cabinet. Overall nice balanced line tuner that is hard to beat. Handles 275W AM or approx 1 KW in SSB service.
$149 shipped USA 48.
Add 3% for Paypal or Credit Card fees. Paypal, Credit card, cash app, venmo, zelle, all OK. Email me.
Listing #1556149 - Submitted on 09/15/21 by Callsign K7JOE - IP: 149.160.230.175
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That price is not bad. Seem ole W8JI don't like the Johnson Matchbox's that much. But as a pretty smart friend told me, W8JI, is a work in progress. So you take it with a grain of salt, and understand it's HIS opinion. For most folks, they probably work fine, are they the "cat's meow" of tuners. No, he's right they aren't, but good enough, yeah.
https://www.w8ji.com/antenna_tuners.htm
Palstar AT2K is what I have been using for several years. It has done very well.
I own presently: DENTROM MT-2000A (modified for twin-lead/Ladder line only)
PALSTAR BT-1500A (the newer version Double L balanced tuner)
I traded the PALSTAR AT4K, I had to get this NIB/never used BT-1500A !!!!
Love the way it tunes my "Phased" Doublet Array for 75 thru 17 meters.
I use the DENTRON for my 40/15 meter Half Square.
(both tuners would load-up a screen door on a submarine)
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
PALSTAR BT-1500A (the newer version Double L balanced tuner)
I traded the PALSTAR AT4K, I had to get this NIB/never used BT-1500A !!!!
Love the way it tunes my "Phased" Doublet Array for 75 thru 17 meters.
I use the DENTRON for my 40/15 meter Half Square.
(both tuners would load-up a screen door on a submarine)
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
Biggest you can afford. Power ratings on antenna tuners are uniformly optimistic. I'll skip the technical excuse for calling a 750-Watt tuner a "1.5KW" tuner.
Wear and tear adds up faster the smaller the tuner's rating is.
I don't approve of roller inductors. They permit you a really fine-tuned tuning solution, But the rolling contact surface becomes a problem sooner or later, becoming oxidized or burned from turning the knob with too much power applied.
Basic rule for tuners is the bigger the better.
73