Tuner location question

[9C1Driver]

So this is not my set up but I am curious about the suggestions I will get here. Local guy has an omni antenna up and on 36-40 LSB the SWR is a bit high, something like 2.0 or so. He runs a tuner all the time and also talks some in the 28.3 to 28.5 range. So here is the order of equipment in line.

Three radio's on a 3-way switch - swr/watt meter - amplifier(Texas Star) - swr/watt meter - 2-way switch - antenna and dummy load (from the 2-way switch)

So the question is where should the tuner actually be put in-line for that set up? I know there is a lot going on there with jumpers and switches but that is what the set up is.

The debate is should the tuner be last in line before the antenna or right after the 3-way switch from the radio's.

 

[AudioShockwav]

It should be before the antenna, "if" it's the antenna he wants to tune.
The tuner in front of the amp is only tuning the input to the amp when it is turned on and engaged and not tuning the antenna.
The best answer (as you probably already know) is a antenna tuned for the band, but in his case he is asking for a wide tuning range.

73
Jeff

 

[BC Coyote]

In the case given, the tuner would go between the amplifier and the two-way antenna switch.

Curious what the purpose of the meter between the radio and the amp is?
I only put a meter there when I am setting stuff up, to make sure input SWR to the amp is good. After that I take it out as it isn't required beyond that point....

 

[Mudfoot]

In the case given, the tuner would go between the amplifier and the two-way antenna switch.

Curious what the purpose of the meter between the radio and the amp is?
I only put a meter there when I am setting stuff up, to make sure input SWR to the amp is good. After that I take it out as it isn't required beyond that point....

It provides a measure of comfort, of the amps tuned input.

 

[fourstringburn]

Think of a tuner as the antenna because this is what the radio will see therefor it should be the last component before the antenna.

The routing of switches seems correct. 3 radios on a 3 way switch that outputs to a 2 way switch. The 2 way should have a dummy load that terminates to one output that can be selected and the other output to an amplifier, SWR meter, then finally a tuner which has the antenna hooked up to it.

This allows each radio to acess the amp and SWR meter then finally the tuner or the dummy load can be selected.

As an option, Many tuners have 2 or more antenna outs and a built in SWR meter so the dummy load could be connected and selected on the other antenna port on the tuner.

This will eliminate the 2 way switch and still allow a dummy load acess with the tuners SWR meter. Just put the tuner in bypass or just tune the dummy load if the tuner has no bypass feature so the radio and amp can still be analyzed.

My tuner has 3 antenna ports and I use 2 for my 2 antennas and the other goes to an oil can dummy load. When I close my station down, l always have the dummy load selected for added protection against a static surge from outside so the charge goes to the oil can first and hopefully stops there.

 

[Ranch55]

So this is not my set up but I am curious about the suggestions I will get here. Local guy has an omni antenna up and on 36-40 LSB the SWR is a bit high, something like 2.0 or so. He runs a tuner all the time and also talks some in the 28.3 to 28.5 range. So here is the order of equipment in line.

Three radio's on a 3-way switch - swr/watt meter - amplifier(Texas Star) - swr/watt meter - 2-way switch - antenna and dummy load (from the 2-way switch)

So the question is where should the tuner actually be put in-line for that set up? I know there is a lot going on there with jumpers and switches but that is what the set up is.

The debate is should the tuner be last in line before the antenna or right after the 3-way switch from the radio's.

Last thing inline right before the antenna........and after the antenna switch.......
Remember, the antenna is being tuned to match everything in front of it.......
You do not need, nor do you want the antenna tuner before the dummy load........
The dummy load is already a tuned antenna on all the HF bands......

 

[Ranch55]

In the case given, the tuner would go between the amplifier and the two-way antenna switch.

Curious what the purpose of the meter between the radio and the amp is?
I only put a meter there when I am setting stuff up, to make sure input SWR to the amp is good. After that I take it out as it isn't required beyond that point....

You do not need, nor do you want the antenna tuner before the dummy load........
The dummy load is already a tuned antenna on all the HF bands......

 

[Ranch55]

In addition to my comments above, you can do as I do with my station......
IF your antenna tuner has (as my Palstar HF Auto Tuner has) two or more antenna connection outlets, then connect the dummy load (as I do) to the other antenna output connector on the tuner and do away with the antenna selector switch that you currently have in line.....
Then just use the antenna selector on the tuner to select the antenna or the dummy load.....
OH, and put the antenna tuner in BYPASS mode when selecting the antenna position for the DUMMY LOAD.....

 

[AudioShockwav]

In addition to my comments above, you can do as I do with my station......
IF your antenna tuner has (as my Palstar HF Auto Tuner has) two or more antenna connection outlets, then connect the dummy load (as I do) to the other antenna out connector on the tuner and do away with the antenna selector switch that you currently have in line.....
Then just use the antenna selector on the tuner to select the antenna or the dummy load.....

Good stuff

73
Jeff