Good Antenna Tuner

[1 ADAM 12]

I have an Imax 2000 connected to a RCI 2980wx. I now have my Tech license for amateur radio and I want to use my 2980wx to transmit on 10 meters (28.300-28.500 mhz). At these frequencies my SWR climbs to around 1.7. I realize that a 1.7 will not harm my transmitter but I will soon be taking my General license test. Once the General is obtained I want to transmit on 12 meters (around 24.000 mhz). At the 12 meter frequencies my SWR is around 1.9. What brand/type antenna tuner will work well with the Imax 2000?

[Night Crawler]

I realize that a 1.7 will not harm my transmitter At the 12 meter frequencies my SWR is around 1.9.

1.9 won't harm your transmitter either anything under 2.1 is acceptable.
But if you feel you must use a tuner to see that flat swr get one of those MFJ's for around $100 that's good enough at the power level your running with that radio.

[231]

Moved to Misc. Radio Section (where anything ham radio related is discussed).

I agree...you won't need much if that's all the power you are going to be running. A simple 'T-network' MFJ (I personally prefer tapped inductor) should suffice. If you want the best, Palstar. I run old Dentron 'T-Network 3kw' tuners. I've had several over the years...and if you plan on running power down the road might as well get a good tuner from the get go. A good tuner (excluding MFJ's) will run you a couple hundred upward of close to a couple grand for an Alpha. Ten-Tec's L-Network 2kw tuners can be had for $200+ depending on model and condition, Dentron T-Network 1.5kw and up can be had for $100 on up, Palstar can be had for $300 on up depending on the models, etc. I'd highly recommend you keep your mic gain turned down on that radio too. The exports tend to go wide when run hard. And believe me, there are plenty of us with band scopes that can tell. You'll avoid allot of hassle from old timers who think exports are nothing more than glorified CB's., and being non-type approved likely to catch a little flack from it.

I find it odd though your standing wave is so high? Mine climbs to about 2:1 when I get toward the top of 10m but 12m is good throughout...so is 15m until I get down toward the middle-bottom of the band and it starts dropping off pretty quickly. I load it up for 17m without a problem too (using my tuner). Not sure on the specifics of your installation, but mine is at about 40' to the base of it, and my wire antenna apex(s) are under it.

Hope that helps a little.

[Fisherman100]

Hi,

I use a MFJ-941E and it's perfect for me.

Good luck.

[1 ADAM 12]

I failed to mention that I will be running a Palomar 25A amp along with my RCI 2980wx. PEP is around 280 on the highest setting so I have been told. I run an Astatic 636L mic because like 231 said, the exports tend to be over modulated sometimes. The possible reason for the high SWR on 12 meters could be because I run a RG213 "pigtail" coax connected to my coax going to the antenna. The reason for this is because I do not want unscrew the coax from my amp every time I'm finished using the radio (lightning precaution). I have noticed that the pigtail lowers the SWR on 10 meters but raises the SWR somewhat on 12 meters. Thanks for the help.

['Doc]

Whichever tuner you look at I would recommend getting one that's at least 3 or 3 times the highest power you'd ever put into it. Most tuners are rated in Pep watts, not Avg watts. Bigger is really better than just adequate. Lot's of possible over-kill in that, but it does pay off.
- 'Doc

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May 29 2013

Whichever tuner you look at I would recommend getting one that's at least 2 or 3 times the highest power you'd ever put into it. Most tuners are rated in Pep watts, not Avg watts. Bigger is really better than just adequate. Lot's of possible over-kill in that, but it does pay off.
- 'Doc

---

May 29 2013

Whichever tuner you look at I would recommend getting one that's at least 2 or 3 times the highest power you'd ever put into it. Most tuners are rated in Pep watts, not Avg watts. Bigger is really better than just adequate. Lot's of possible over-kill in that, but it does pay off.
- 'Doc

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My browser is acting a little odd today. Combine these posts and sort of 'average' them out. What happened to the 'edit' button?

[Night Crawler]

Why don't you just make a fan dipole for 10 an 12 meters if the swr numbers your getting bother you and use your Imax for 11 meters.
Your looking at quite a bit of money if your going to get a tuner that handle a kilowatt or more.

[North Texas Mudduck]

Antenna tuners dont tune a antenna
do it right and the station will perform better

[drdx]

Good info above. I'd do the dipole too, but be more worried about running a radio like that on 10m with and amp. I bet its signal would stick out like a sore thumb compared to a mild mannered signal and sound of the typical hf rig.

-drdx

[Savoirfaire]

There seems to be "NO" edit button in the Miscellaneous Radio section.

Anyway.

73, Frank 10 X-Ray 47 (SSB)

Unmentioned Amateur Call.

[De_Wildfire]

I use a Dentron Super Tuner, the size of a small microwave oven. I talk all over the world on the IMAX2000, G5RV (flat topped inverted V) and my inverted L antenna. The wire antennas are up at 25 feet and the Imax sits on a 13 foot pole in the trees. Sometimes we can't put up the perfect antenna because of neighborhood restrictions. The tuner comes in handy so the job does get done. The tuner is hooked up to an Alpha Delta antenna switch to make operating easier and I use a WM1 computing meter which I never touch. (swr's and pwr). If I didn't have antenna restrictions and didn't have to hide them all, I would cut an an antenna for every band. Stay away from MFJ tuners. When MFJ says your can run 1500 watts max, they mean 800 MFJ watts because of arching. Never had a problem with Dentron Supertuner. You can find them cheap at local hamfest.

[1 ADAM 12]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have recently purchased a Yaesu FT2900R 2 meter radio along with a Diamond F22A 2 meter base antenna. I plan on mounting the antenna on the side of my tower that also holds my Imax 2000. I have talked to some local hams about how and where and when...and all that good stuff. Can't wait to hit a repeater or two.

[721HACKSAW]

I have an MFJ 989D, I use it to tune a 132' wire dipole, it allows me to tune every band. I average 800w on most bands, the antenna's max is 1K. Never had a single problem.