I missed the manual tuner part...Originally Posted by WB2WIK
What would the tuner be for? If you can adjust the vertical for resonance (should be around 31-32' or so) you shouldn't need a tuner for 40m, and not for 15m either.
If you want to try to use it on "other bands," that might work with a tuner but having a manual tuner outside at the base of the antenna will get old quickly. Lots of running in and out. I'd go nuts.
In your position I'd sell the tuner and with that money buy a multiband vertical that doesn't need one. But that's just me.
Unfortunately, I believe the bandwidth on a short-ish trap vertical is pretty narrow on 80m - so he'd end up having to tune it if he wants to work CW and Phone anyway.
He wants 80m.
He could top load for that, or have an inverted L, with an extension he can clip back at the base when he wants 40/15.
He could also simply buy or build an 80m trap for the top - which would give him an easy 80/40/15 and maybe even 30m.
He could also *buy* the SteppIR vertical, or any host of other solutions.
I was trying to answer his question directly.
Agree, running outside to manually tune or adjust every time you switch bands gets old. I've done it.
