Got Time to add new Antenna Tuner?

[n6ddf]

It's Saturday morning, 8am. What a perfect day to add my new Plastar AT 1500C antenna tuner to the shack. Once it arrived I admired it. Beautiful piece of equipment. My plan was very simple, I was switching from coax on my long wire to 400 ohm twin lead. I thought an external tuner would serve me better than the tuner inside my FT-920. The wire had been run for weeks. So I rolled up my sleeves and got started on what I thought was going to be a 15 minute job. 13 of which, I would be tuning.

I set the tuner on the desk and thought, how about I just rest you on top of the power supply. No, that’s not going to work too big. How about Power supply on top of tuner, no too heavy and not a balanced look. My Ameritron is too big to fit it on top. Well, if I move my Ameritron to the other side, moved my Kenwood TS-690s up on the top shelve I could put my new tuner right in front of the operating position. Not a good idea that leaves me reaching for the equipment I use everyday.
Retreat to pad and paper for a quick sketch.

It was now well after 10am and I haven’t even stripped the end of the twin lead yet. What I quickly realized was that after removing all the keepers from all the wires and coax I was involved in a major remodel. After a quick run down to the candy store for a new antenna switch box and soldering up some new connectors my design was finalized.

Power supply and new antenna tuner were moved down inside an open back cabinet. I moved my laptop off the swivel arm and placed my FT-736R on it. I moved my TS-690S on the top shelve which left plenty of room for my primary FT-920 right in front with my Ameritron in the corner of the desk. Moving the lap top made it necessary to purchase a new flat screen monitor that makes it much easier to see and use. At least that’s the story I told my wife and after knocking off $100 off the actual purchase price it was too good to pass up. Rearranging my external speakers and a little dusting I was very pleased at my final arrangement. #

Well, it’s after 4pm and a quick check reveals everything works. But I’m too tired to actually hook up the new tuner and start tuning the long wire. I decide that I’ll get to that next weekend.

Now if I could just get the rotor control box over so it’s more in the middle that would be perfect. But that means the flat screen would have to be moved…Not a chance.

[ve3rec]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n6ddf @ Feb. 05 2002,06:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">It's Saturday morning, 8am. What a perfect day to add my new Plastar AT 1500C antenna tuner to the shack. Once it arrived I admired it. Beautiful piece of equipment. My plan was very simple, I was switching from coax on my long wire to 400 ohm twin lead. I thought an external tuner would serve me better than the tuner inside my FT-920. The wire had been run for weeks. So I rolled up my sleeves and got started on what I thought was going to be a 15 minute job. 13 of which, I would be tuning.

I set the tuner on the desk and thought, how about I just rest you on top of the power supply. No, that’s not going to work too big. How about Power supply on top of tuner, no too heavy and not a balanced look. My Ameritron is too big to fit it on top. Well, if I move my Ameritron to the other side, moved my Kenwood TS-690s up on the top shelve I could put my new tuner right in front of the operating position. Not a good idea that leaves me reaching for the equipment I use everyday.
Retreat to pad and paper for a quick sketch.

It was now well after 10am and I haven’t even stripped the end of the twin lead yet. What I quickly realized was that after removing all the keepers from all the wires and coax I was involved in a major remodel. After a quick run down to the candy store for a new antenna switch box and soldering up some new connectors my design was finalized.

Power supply and new antenna tuner were moved down inside an open back cabinet. I moved my laptop off the swivel arm and placed my FT-736R on it. I moved my TS-690S on the top shelve which left plenty of room for my primary FT-920 right in front with my Ameritron in the corner of the desk. Moving the lap top made it necessary to purchase a new flat screen monitor that makes it much easier to see and use. At least that’s the story I told my wife and after knocking off $100 off the actual purchase price it was too good to pass up. Rearranging my external speakers and a little dusting I was very pleased at my final arrangement. #

Well, it’s after 4pm and a quick check reveals everything works. But I’m too tired to actually hook up the new tuner and start tuning the long wire. I decide that I’ll get to that next weekend.

Now if I could just get the rotor control box over so it’s more in the middle that would be perfect. But that means the flat screen would have to be moved…Not a chance.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Great story... thoroughly enjoyed it! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[n5xm]

Boy, is this reality, or what? #My station is also at maximum saturation, and even adding something as small as a two-coax antenna switch would require some deep thought. #Something as large as a high power antenna tuner would require ANOTHER rebuild, which is 3-4 hours, minimum. #It is always worth it, but what a struggle. About the time I get my new pictures developed, I've just moved in a new piece, and dat ain't what the shack looks like any more! #I have a good friend who just got married, who is using his previous home as a shack...the WHOLE house. #Think about that one... OK, let's go into the 20m room, ok now, time to head for the back bedroom for a little 6m. #A band for each room! #Cool.

[kc0isu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n5xm @ Feb. 11 2002,05:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have a good friend who just got married, who is using his previous home as a shack...the WHOLE house. #Think about that one... OK, let's go into the 20m room, ok now, time to head for the back bedroom for a little 6m. #A band for each room! #Cool.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I assume he keeps sodas and beer in the refrigerator, along with salsa and chips. Hah! He should apply for a vanity call sign "AH0USE" and put a custom sign with call sign on the front door or post office box. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[w0fm]

How ironic. This past Saturday, I also sat in the shack with my brand new Palstar AT 1500CV sitting on the floor, looking up at me. I know it was saying (in tuner language) "please hook me up!" But the thought of tackling the rearrangement of the entire station was more than I was prepared for. So, I worked some stations in the RTTY contest, built a controller for my screwdriver antenna and then went out to dinner. So far as I know, the tuner is still sitting on the floor in the shack. Maybe next weekend! Terry, WØFM

[w2fdr]

If I remodel my shack one more time...which is everytime time I add a new piece of equiptment.... I'm ready to hire Martha Stewart just to make sure it looks right. If they only offered color coorindated coax. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wa2ted @ Feb. 11 2002,16:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If they only offered color coorindated coax. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Well, Belden 9880 DOES come in Yellow... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

de AB8LR

[AB8OJ]

It doesn't even need to be a big tuner. #I just acquired a small Heath HW-24H dual-bander to replace my IC-271A. #A little radio to replace a big one; no-brainer, right? #Several hours later, my shack was completely redesigned. #And I'm still not done; the pile of stuff that used to be on my operating desk is now on my work table, waiting for a new home. #Maybe one more shelf....

And my big Heath SA-2060A tuner is still not hooked up...maybe just the presence of the tuner is the key? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[KS7H]

Nah, it's not the tuner...

I didn't add any equipment, haven't put up any new antenna's, and I still had to rebuild the shack ... all because I neede dto reinstall the OS on the laptop!

The upside is I get more operating in. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[yv6azc]

You should count yourself lucky, my MFJ antenna tuner is still in its original box under 150 feet of 400 Ohms ladder line.
I bought them in March 2001. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[n6mai]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (yv6azc @ Feb. 14 2002,15:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You should count yourself lucky, my MFJ antenna tuner is still in its original box under 150 feet of 400 Ohms ladder line.
I bought them in March 2001. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Hey, that's a *great* place for an MFJ tuner. I'm sure it performs well in that situation. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[wd0bc]

In reference to "It's the new tuner" #a friend who is not a ham but a bioligest once told me "MAN IS THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT CRAPS IN HIS OWN NEST!". # You don't soppose anyone could remotely relate this to our shacks do you? #Just something to think about. 73'S

[kg6ena]

JUST not to give anyone the belief that this tuner isn't fantastic....i got mine today, and i got it up and running in just a few minutes. Absolutely the best tuner there is. No question.

thinking about it....just buy it!

you won't be unhappy.

I live in an apatrment and only get a corner of the livingroom for a "shack".

The Atic access is in the laundry room.....need long wire in attic ( have tuner ).

The question I have for the arrangment goooorooos is this: How do I talk/Convince the XYL that the washer and dryer would better serve god and country in the living room? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

73 all de Craig.............KC0GOA

[w4lrs]

Brother,I think we all fee your pain.

[KD6RWF]

I'M TOO CHEAP AND I'M TOO LAZY GET RE-AQUAINTED WITH ANTENNA THEORY. SO I JUST TUNE ALL MY INVERTED "V"S. AM I GETTIN' OUT?
73'S ALL
RICK