How efficient is the Dentron Super tuner.....

[KB4MNG]

I wanted a very efficient tuner. I have a mfj 989b that does a fine job tuning, however I hear they waste a lot of rf. How is efficient is the Dentron super tuner compared to palstar. I understand palstar is king of the hill in tuners. Will there be much difference in efficiency. I know there are many nice options on the palstar but I'm worried about getting watts to the antenna. This comparison is assuming my antenna is up to spec.

Thanks Brian KB4MNG

[KK7KZ]

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Techn...df/9501046.pdf

Learning to adjust a T tuner for best efficiency will put maximum power to the antenna.

I wanted a very efficient tuner. I have a mfj 989b that does a fine job tuning, however I hear they waste a lot of rf. How is efficient is the Dentron super tuner compared to palstar. I understand palstar is king of the hill in tuners. Will there be much difference in efficiency. I know there are many nice options on the palstar but I'm worried about getting watts to the antenna. This comparison is assuming my antenna is up to spec.

Thanks Brian KB4MNG

[WX7G]

How much loss do you estimate your MFJ-989B has?

If the loss was 1 dB it would be losing 20 watts as heat with an input of 100 watts. It's a legal limit tuner so at 1500 watts it would be losing 300 watts. It would get pretty hot. Does it?

[WB2WIK]

The ARRL test lab already went through all this...

March 1997 QST reports on the MFJ-989C.

February 2003 QST reports on five modern legal-limit tuners: MFJ, Ameritron, Palstar, Ten Tec, and Vectronics models.

The MFJ did okay. The Ameritron ATR-30 did about the best, although the Ten Tec, Palstar and Vectronics models weren't bad.

The reports are all on line at the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/reviews-listed-by-manufacturer

My own experience: I blew up a Palstar AT4K with 1500W on 160m. I've never been able to hurt the ATR-30 no matter what I did.

Good idea to read all the reports and see what you think.

[AF6LJ]

The ATR-30 is rather well made...
Wish I had one.

[KM1H]

According to Ten Tec:


Product Description

Model 238C now features a large cross-needle SWR and peak reading power output meter. Model 238C uses our tried and true “L” match design used in the earlier 238/238A/238B models with a new cosmetic design, larger heavy duty tuning capacitor than the original and backlit cross-needle SWR and peak power output metering. The 238 was rated the LOWEST INSERTION LOSS of any high power antenna tuner available by the ARRL Lab in their survey article comparing the Amateur Radio tuner market (QST 2/03).


Altho it is an L match circuit it allows a wide range of impedance switching and many on 80/160 swear by it as able to cover the full bands with a multitude of antenna types. I agree the ATR-30 is well made considering its MFJ parts in it.

[WA7PRC]

The ATR-30 is rather well made...
Wish I had one.

I just want the roller inductor for my 160m amplifier project.

[N0AZZ]

It seems only one person has ever "blown up a Palstar AT4K on 160" that had it tuned properly. I use my AT4K from QRP to QRO and measuring the loss using my OHR WM-2 QRP wattmeter and K2 combo it has less than 2 miliwatts if you take the time to tweak it. I have 3 different 160m antennas and have never had a problem even with the most picky one to tune.

As with all things YMMV but at one time I did own an MFJ-989D it was a pig as far as lossy and felt like turning a rough jack when tuning. The Palstars are smooth as silk this is my second one.