What is an automatic antenna tuner?
The purpose of an automatic antenna tuner (auto-tuner) is to transform (match) a complex load impedance to 50Ω resistive, and to maintain the matched condition automatically as the operating frequency and load impedance vary.
Do I really need an antenna tuner?
Essentially, it keeps your rig happy and protected, even when your antenna system is not up to par. Antenna tuners are valuable tools for many applications, but if you’re looking for a well-matched antenna system, there are other choices that may better suit your needs.
How does an antenna tuner work?
The tuners can be used in a variety of ways: where an antenna element meets the feeder, or within the feeder near to the transmitter. Their basic purpose is to ensure that the antenna system impedance matches that of the transmitter or receiver and thereby the optimum performance is achieved.
Does antenna tuner reduce power?
Antenna tuners are used almost universally with solid-state transmitters. Without an ATU, in addition to reducing the power radiated by the antenna, the reflected current can overheat transformer cores and cause signal distortion. In high-power transmitters it may overheat the transmitter’s output amplifier.
Does an antenna tuner help transmission?
The antenna tuner DOES increase the power transferred from the transmitter to the transmission line and therefore increases the power radiated from the antenna. The antenna tuner does not reduce the portion of signal lost in the transmission line.
What do you think about the MFJ 993 tuner?
I like that the 993 has a built in meter and LCD display. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. So far i have had this tuner for over a week, and I LOVE IT! I have heard some hams criticize MFJ products, but i have been a faithful MFJ user for years. This tuner tunes my homemade OCF 80 meter dipole almost instantly.
What does the mfj-993 have to offer?
You get a highly efficient L-network, wide 6-1600 ohm matching at full 300 Watts SSB/150 Watts CW, 1.8-30 MHz coverage, Cross-Needle and digital meters, aural SWR meter, backlit LCD display, remote control port, radio interface, heavy-duty 16 amp/1000 volt relays and more. As you’re ragchewing, contesting or DXing, your MFJ-993 is learning!
How does the mfj-993 tune for minimum SWR?
When you transmit, the MFJ-993 automatically tunes for minimum SWR and remembers your frequency and tuner settings. The next time you operate on that frequency and antenna, these tuner settings are instantly restored and you’re ready to operate in milliseconds!
What is the size of the mfj-993 antenna?
The MFJ-993 is a compact 10Wx2¾ Hx9D inches. Use 12 –15 VDC/1 amp or 110 VAC with MFJ-1316. You can tune any antenna — dipoles, verticals, beams, phased arrays, inverted vees, quads, random wires, mobile antennas, compact limited space antennas – practically any antenna.