QRP Club

QRP Station => Antennas => Topic started by: DF5WW on December 10, 2013, 11:53:42 UTC

Title: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: DF5WW on December 10, 2013, 11:53:42 UTC
Using here a ZM-4 (by QRPShop Berlin) qrp coupler for my ladderline and koax feeded antennas. Nice coupler. It don´t works as low- or highpass coupler, it works as a "bandpass". Nice if you use indoors and have some wideband qrm from the neighbourhood.

What´s your favourite qrp couplers ???
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: ve3lyx on December 10, 2013, 13:03:04 UTC
I use a homebrew antenna tuner which is a PI network but also has a C series only capability. It loads a long wire up an average of 50ft . The single wire is 137 feet long and the feeder is 67 feet. It is end fed and since putting it up has been my antenna of choice easily outperforming anything else I have ever had at this particular QTH with the possible exception of my ground mounted 20M vertical which almost never fails to return a reply. I use the tuner and long wire for all contacts except 20M SSB.
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: RV3GM on December 10, 2013, 19:18:21 UTC
Years I use homebrew L-tuner (circuit included). There are 9 positions rotatory switch. variable capacitor may be connected to both ends of inductor or stay free, two additional cap's may be connected to var.cap. That is the same principle as in Elecraft's tuners. I like it.
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: m0jha on December 10, 2013, 20:07:52 UTC
The L match in the Elecraft are good for random wires/end fed etc which the likes of the KX1 tuner are designed for albeit not very wide tuning range on them ..

I'm using the EMTECH ZM2 z match tuner at the moment and this thing will tune a chair leg ..

I have only just started using an atu as I have only worked monoband dipoles for a few years ...
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: YO2MSB on December 12, 2013, 22:05:01 UTC
I used for a couple of time the LDG products. Not bad tuners! But now I have in my shack an SGC MAC-200 and it's a completly different thing: not only tuning the antennas but making them radiating, most important.
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: E21AOY on December 19, 2013, 01:22:20 UTC
My favorite outdoor tuner is made by Katsu JA7QIL a compact T-match ATU with 3 position band switch cover all HF band and SWR detector weight 74g very convenient for field operation. Limited distribute for Tokyo Ham Fair 2011.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8245/8625591975_d13cf32d7c_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8625592025_f00a0668c1_z.jpg)
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: KI6J on December 19, 2013, 01:38:05 UTC
I like that T match, Wara. Is three tap positions on the inductor enough to give smooth tuning coverage?

Stu
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: YO8RIX on December 19, 2013, 08:55:12 UTC
ZM-4 (at home) and ZM-2 (for /p) here
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: E21AOY on December 19, 2013, 10:06:13 UTC
I like that T match, Wara. Is three tap positions on the inductor enough to give smooth tuning coverage?

Stu

This T match is coverage 80m - 10m, Stu.
I have no problem tuning to Longwire, Yagi, Mobile, Dipole but not try on 80m yet.

Wara
Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: 5Q5T on July 27, 2014, 09:49:48 UTC
Hi

I use an Elecraft T1 ATU together with LWs (endfeed with 1.9 unun) or 7m vertical (fishingpole).
Amazing what this little tuner can do :-)

The T1 gives a double fun experience, first building and testing it, then actually using it.

Lately I bought a remote kit from Adafruit which I use for remote controlling activate the tune function
up to 25-30 meter from the tuner/antenna.

73 de 5Q5T, Torben
Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: G0BVZ on August 07, 2014, 00:48:10 UTC
Base: MFJ-974HB balanced tuner. -Absolute favourite
Car /p: LDG Z-817
Rucksack /p:  small plastic Z match.

I do like the look of the ZM4 but I'm waiting for a ZM4 kit with SO239 connectors.   ;D  I think SO239 is possibly more rugged than BNC, which has no particular advantage at hf.
Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: DF5WW on August 07, 2014, 05:22:37 UTC
Where´s the problem to change from BNC to PL connectors ?? Think the case size is o.K. for the bigger PL connectors. I prefer BNC. It´s "lightwight" and easy to use. Most qrp radio kits have also BNC as antenna connector and ready build bnc/bnc cables you can buy by different ham radio dealers ..... I will stay on BNC for QRP  :D :D ;)
Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: GM0LVI on August 07, 2014, 07:40:53 UTC
I built a ZM2 for use with my FT 817 there is an option for BNC or PL239 connector. It worked very well but now I have a KX3 with an internal auto ATU.
I prefer using BNC connectors as they are lighter and in the few situations where  I need a PL connections I use a convertor.
Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: PH2LB on August 07, 2014, 15:10:58 UTC
I have tried many for the QRP operations (FriMatch, T-match, PI etc) but my current favorite is my ZM4 (DIY) based on the QRP-project version. Equipped with BNC.

(http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10387936_293796407448505_1562567075_n.jpg)
Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: PA1FJ on August 08, 2014, 12:22:03 UTC
My homemade PA0FRI match.
Title: Re: What´s your favourite antenna coupler/tuner
Post by: KO7I on August 12, 2014, 01:22:57 UTC
Years I use homebrew L-tuner (circuit included). There are 9 positions rotatory switch. variable capacitor may be connected to both ends of inductor or stay free, two additional cap's may be connected to var.cap. That is the same principle as in Elecraft's tuners. I like it.

Two thumbs up for this design. Excellent!

Title: Re: What's your favourite antenna coupler/tuner?
Post by: f5gsk on August 13, 2014, 19:25:12 UTC
hello,
using an MFJ-948 for the base  and an LDG Z11 Pro for the field... I have also an minituner  for Fuchs Antenna.
 Here the antenna base is an FD3 and Fishing antenna for the field...

My rig is also an Flex 1500 5  watts and an At sprint 3 A .
Qrp 100 % is fun !

73's
Pierre