No antenna is perfect in every respect. Losses, non-optimal space and many other circumstances prevent you from always being able to use an ideally matched antenna. Most of the time the resonance is not quite right, with the result that the standing wave ratio which the transmitter 'sees' is not very good. And so the transmitter can't transmit all its power to the antenna, it is converted into heat loss. An antenna tuner solves this problem by matching the impedance of the antenna to the impedance of the transmitter. You must compensate for capacitive or inductive mismatch, depending on how the antenna is constructed.
A distinction is made between manually and automatically tuned antenna tuners.
Manually tuned matchers are those that are equipped with variable capacitors and coils, which are then changed by hand to compensate for the reactive components of the matching. Manual tuners have the advantage to be tuned very precisely and to be designed for high power. The disadvantage is the time-consuming, manual operation.
Automatic antenna tuners tune automatically on demand, mostly with a relay network different fixed capacitors and inductors are switched through. The more such components a tuner has, the more precisely it can achieve precise matching. Most built-in antenna tuners also work according to this method. However, there is usually not much space available for large capacitors and coils. Therefore external tuners are usually superior - they have a larger impedance range in which mismatching can be compensated. Important for automatic tuners is the possibility to connect the tuner directly to the transceiver with a cable that fits exactly. This usually makes operation much easier.
Other distinguishing features of antenna tuners are weather resistance, the type of antenna connection (wire or coax), and the circuit design (L-element, Pi-element) etc. WiMo will be happy to help you find the right tuner for you!
Manual and automatic antenna tuners
Hardly any shortwave station can do without it - the antenna tuner. A device with many names: Tuner, Matchbox, Matching Network... but it does the same thing: it provides the best possible power matching between transmitter and antenna.
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SG230 Smartuner, antenna tuner f. wire antennas 1,8-30MHz, 200W, weatherpr.3-200 Watt PEP, 40x30x7,5 cm
Availability unknown
€729.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €612.61 -
MFJ-993B Automatic Antenna Tuner 300WMFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner.
In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days
€446.90incl. VAT, plus shipping €375.55 -
€475.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €399.16 -
MFJ-962D Manual antenna tuner asym./sym. 1,8-30MHz, 1500WMFJ-962D 1500 Watt Tuner with roller coa.
No longer available
€509.90incl. VAT, plus shipping €428.49 -
€319.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €268.07 -
Icom AH-730 antenna tuner 1.8-54 MHzKW+6m Automatic antenna tuner (1.8 - 54 Mhz), weatherproof, max. 150W, duration 100W.
In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days
€498.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €418.49 -
mAT-1500PRO automatic tuner, 1500WAutomatic tuner for high power up to 1500 W, 2 antennas switchable, bypass function, for Yaesu, Icom/Kenwood
In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days
€729.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €612.61 -
MFJ-969 Versa Tuner II, Manual antenna tuner asym./sym., 300W8-way antenna selector switch.
In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days
€427.90incl. VAT, plus shipping €359.58 -
€229.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €192.44 -
Palstar AT-2K Manual antenna tuner unsymm. (symm. w. opt. Balun), 1,8-54MHz, 2000WPalstar 2kW tuner with roller inductor, 2 variocaps
In stock, shipped in 1 to 2 days
€1,089.00incl. VAT, plus shipping €915.13
