Antuner AT-100M Pro Antenna Tuner - Honest Review and Setup Guide

[@rudyvasquez3694]

First time posting.. a few weeks ago I was reviewing nano vna ..I’ve gotten it now and use it for many things.. follow ur vids for directions. This weekend I ordered this exact tuner to use for pack radios etc. and I find you just posted up this video. I’m even more happy with my decision. Nothing more from me, I appreciate the information you provide.. and then you worked in the nano vna with the tuner and I was big grinning ! Thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@rudyvasquez3694 well, howdy Rudy…. Keep the comments coming. Glad you like the videos and thanks for watching 👍

[@don_n5skt]

Thanks Ape. I have one of these that I have used with the Hermes. I believe I show it in a video. Not the pro version but I have had no issues with it and the micro PA50. Liked it so much, I bought 2 of them.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I think it’s a decent tuner for sure 👍

[@CARL557511]

You know it is so amazing what is being made now when it comes to ham radio!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s really changed the hobby. Thanks for watching Carl 👍

[@KS0JD]

Thanks for the video Ape. Looks like it might be a fine addition to my tuner farm! but I could say "I don't need no tuner! I only use resonant antennas!" Thanks for the video Ape! 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

lol @ tuner farm!

[@mcgrath16511]

I purchased this version several months ago and I am actually impressed at how well it works.. like leaving it in auto and just let it do its thing!! Nice review.. never though to use the VNA to run it through it's paces!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, I kinda like this tuner. Thanks for watching McGrath 👍

[@blugoose86]

This is a test that I still have to perform on both of my DYI tuners. Of course I haven't put them on the air yet either. Gives me something to do tomorrow. Thanks Ape,

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@blugoose86 Haha, glad to keep you busy BlueGoose. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Mary-wk6of]

Thank you so much The Smokin Ape! Excellent review☺️

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Mary 👍

[@Swamp-Fox]

I recently had opportunity to try a similar tuner (ATU QRP-40 EXT 1.8-55MHZ 40W). It actually worked well! Nice review Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey SF, glad to hear it worked out for you. Thanks for watching

[@kchaney56]

I bought two of them but I did not get that paper work that you showed. Glad I watched this, found it online and downloaded. Great review.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@kchaney56]

@@TheSmokinApe Just got mine working. 😀

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome 👍

[@calbrabandt5967]

I have two of Antuner ATUs--one Pro and one non-Pro. I've seen the problem you had at 9:07 in the video with my QMX and tr(u)SDX QRP rigs (no PA and I've only used my Antuner ATUs for QRP). I think the problem is caused by imperfect SWR sensing, which occurs not only in this device but is common in many devices. As power is increased, the sensed and reported SWR tends to increase. In full automatic tuning mode, this can cause the ATU to re-tune after power is increased,. Some of the L/C values briefly selected by the Antuner during the "extra" tune at higher power can trip protection in the PA or transmitter (or worse) during the intervals of elevated SWR while the Antuner is searching for a better match. The likelihood of an "extra" tune occurring depends on the Menu item #4, TUNE AUTOSWR, setting. My solution is to use what I call "semi-automatic mode", where the ATU finds a match automatically, but only when the operator commands it to do so. Change menu item #2, "TUNE AUTO" to "NO" to use this mode and I think your problem will be solved. When set to "NO" a tune will occur only when the operator presses the front panel button until a brief beep is first heard, then the Antuner will display "PSE TX" and the transmitter can be keyed (preferably at reduced power) to initiate the tune. Transmit until the tune completes. The Antuner should do a very good job of finding a match and I've never seen a case that produced an inadequate result. (The Antuner is very fast and usually produces lower SWRs than my LDG ATUs.) If you want to be very picky, manual mode can often be used to improve the SWR by a few hundredths after it auto tunes but there's really no reason to spend the extra time "fine tuning" for a few hundredths. Manual mode not as easy a using the multiple buttons on an LDG ATxxxxPro series of ATUs but it can be done fairly quickly with the Antuner after some practice.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Great info, thank you 🙏

[@theroguetomato5362]

I would have liked to see you try it with 100W, since it's rated for that.

[@TheSmokinApe]

There are some conditions to that 100w 👍

[@sq3lvdtomek247]

It's only rated for 100W and nothing more, only rated. Just try to use it with 100W power from the radio. 😂😂😂

[@d3w4yn3]

It seems like a cool little, easy-to-use tuner.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Dewayne. I think it would be pretty handy for portable stuff or if you were QRP from the shack. Thanks for watching 👍

[@ReefMimic]

Hope all is well. Love your reviews

[@TheSmokinApe]

That Reel, glad you like them 👍

[@hamradiopenpals]

Nice review.......much better than cat videos!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

LOL, Thanks for watching Paul 👍

[@AD6DMDennis]

Thanks for the review and demo

[@TheSmokinApe]

Howdy Dennis, thanks for watching Bro!

[@AdamSWL]

The cat videos are sponsored...aaaaarrrgh 😩 Great review as always Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

lol, thanks for watching Adam 👍

[@LanceVK6LK_AussieHam]

Hey Ape I’ve got one of these and when the relays are engaged it produces noise on the higher bands. Tested with an icom ic-705 and multi band vertical. Which is a shame because I really like it😢. Cheers Lance

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Lance, I’ll keep an eye out for that. Thanks man 👍

[@470smith]

Just making sure, you say out to antenna and in to the radio?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah

[@Hank_W6IR]

Could be some RF floating around that is causing the problem on 15. Maybe try separating the units to see.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Not a bad idea Hank 👍

[@Kinetic79]

You can ignore the “fix radio” function and just leave it at 100w. I found mine measures 1-5w QRP levels reasonably well at that setting. And as long as you set the auto tune trigger power appropriately, it’ll tune for a very low power transceiver.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info Kinetic, much appreciated 🍻

[@JimbobandJo]

Hi Ape. Thanks for the review. Was considering this tuner as I have the same setup. No doubt you are aware that in the latest firmware for the PA50+, the 15m and 30m functionality can be turned on and off. I believe it was added after the harmonic issue was discovered. Anyway, Cheers

[@TheSmokinApe]

I haven't seen the latest firmware update, if I am correct, I did the video on the harmonic issue with the latest firmware at the time. I don't think there were any other videos at that time, but I could be wrong. Either way, thanks for watching Jimbo 👍

[@JimbobandJo]

@@TheSmokinApe Yours is the only video I've seen. Seems another update came out a couple of months later that included the ability to drop 15/30 by some button presses. Your "How to" video to also helped me update the firmware yesterday.V2.8.6. Cheers. Ian

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@JimbobandJo I guess I need to find the FW. Thanks Ian 👍

[@hughpatterson1480]

Great video! I have a ATU 100 and it works wonderfully. However, I know other people who have had terrible problems with them. One of the problems I see is quality control with these tuners. This tuner looked great but, I'm a little concerned with the issue at 21 MHz. That's my new favorite frequency (this week). Still, I suspect I'll pick one. Thanks for a great video. I always learn something when I watch your videos...73...KN6KNB

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching Hugh, glad you liked it 👍

[@DonzLockz]

Great little tuner.👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

It does the job 🍻

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

That's so cute!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@mewrongwayKOCXF haha 🤣

[@DCDura]

How long does the charge last? Once tuned, can you power off the device?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I don’t remember but I think I covered it in the video 👍

[@MrMudsHamRadioRadioTime]

What you read the manual? You are this close to losing your man card 😂😂😂. Great vid!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@MrMudsHamRadioRadioTime I only read the manual so I can complain about it 🍻

[@stevec5000]

We have one of the original ATU-100 models from Amazon but they used connectors with metric threads and the cables won't fit so we can't connect the antenna to the unit until the connectors are removed and have the threads fixed by running a die over them which is very annoying.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Ugh, that sucks

[@kevinc9416]

How do I use this tuner to tune my antenna height for proper SWR? Newbee here….

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@kevinc9416 you really should use an analyzer for that. If you use this you would need to test the swr are various frequencies and then graph that out to tell of the antenna is long or short, adjust the antenna and repeat until tuned

[@toybuns775]

My made in the USA LDG tuner was twice as expensive, needs a cable and a power supply. The Chinese are beating us but let’s not ban cell phones in the classroom! We’re doomed

[@TheSmokinApe]

Cell phones in the classroom is terrible.

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Once I had a starting DT (later in NFL) who was living in his celly during my lectures. I asked one of the ladies sitting near him if they had his cell # and she did. Next class I out my cell on the lecture, anticipating his nice, I paused in my lecture and texted him: stop and look at me! He was shook but did. I said the the class as a whole: you know, Coach Dan Mullen is my neighbor. I’m s glad when he asks my how his players are doing in my classes. Never happened again, lol

[@NikoSan713]

Hello, what maximum impedance is the tuner capable of tuning please? 73' F4JPC

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe it was 10:1

[@NikoSan713]

@@TheSmokinApe Thank you

[@oldmanmarc9181]

How's it work with the Ares random wire?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I imagine it would work fine but I haven't tested it with the Ares.

[@jackmilchanowski2212]

Thanks Ape for all the informative videos! I need some help. I just purchased the ATM-100M ant tuner and a Micro PA50+ amp. Can you tell me the correct routing of my coax cables from rig, to tuner, to amp. No instructions came with the amp. 73 KG5FI

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Jack. It goes RADIO > AMP > TUNER > ANTENNA 👍

[@jackmilchanowski2212]

@@TheSmokinApe Thank you so very much for your very unexpected quick response. You are appreciated. 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@jackmilchanowski2212 🍻

[@bitemykrank1970]

@@TheSmokinApe I run mine as radio-tuner-amp-ant and it works fine, it tunes the amp as part of the circuit. I know it works, as the the amp adds .3 of a point to the SWR when I connect it inline. From the radio direct to antenna, I have 1.015, add the amp it goes up to to 1.3, hit the tuner and it comes down to 1.12. Also means I can run 250w into the air and not explodify the tuner frontend...

[@darkworon]

​@@bitemykrank1970 you can explodify your PA frontend because in such circuit it stays not tuned

[@abdennourbouras6243]

There are some reviews reporting that the maximum power it can handle is only 50W, not the advertised 100W. Can you confirm that, please?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I did cover that in the video.

[@Frank_K4FMH]

To be totally fair to the viewer, Ape, that wasn’t mentioned in the cat video so… lol

[@TheSmokinApe]

haha

[@Kinetic79]

The official specs are on the antuner site. It’s like any other tuner-you can blow it up with too much power-but it won’t necessarily fail when putting >50w through it on a band above 20m, if you need to make that rare DX. You can be more comfortable putting ~100w through it below 20m. I believe it’s usually designed to produce the loud error buzzer when you’re overdriving beyond where the designer was comfortable-but the official specs are exactly as 🦍 showed

[@abdennourbouras6243]

@@Kinetic79 thanks really appreciate your reply

[@loyannmunyan1174]

I ordered one but won’t ship until the 8th as it says out of stock sigh oh well to hot outside to play anyway

[@TheSmokinApe]

hopefully it gets there soon

[@Siskiyous6]

Does Banggood have an air fryer that does APRS?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes.

[@mrtechie6810]

I have it. No idea why it needs a battery. I use a 5V USB buck converter connected to my rig's 13.8V power supply.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, not really needed but could be handy for portable use 👍

[@mrtechie6810]

​@@TheSmokinApeif one has a weird HF xcvr with a built-in battery, I guess. All the mobile rigs run on 13.8V.

[@mrtechie6810]

I only get a match on 10-20-40-80. Any suggestion how to add 15m?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I wasn’t able to get a match on 15 with the amp but without it tuned 15 just fine.

[@mrtechie6810]

​@@TheSmokinApemy antenna isn't built for 15m. It's a wire connected directly to the antenna tuner. There is also a counterpoise wire.

[@Kinetic79]

With this pro version (and *possibly* very recent non-pro version units), you can enable manual tuning. The UI is all driven by one button, so you just have to be patient as you dial it in. Usually it’s not necessary to switch to manual, but occasionally there’s a weird reactance situation that causes the auto tune function to have difficult with a particular frequency range on a particular antenna. I think it remembers the manual setting, when reverting back to auto. So, you may find that it will work for you on a band that’s giving you trouble, if you zhoozh it a little. 😊 I recommend these Antuner devices, as they’re a great value for the quality and functionality. Note: relays do not latch, so power is required to hold your tune. You can supplement the internal battery with USB power (like a basic portable battery bank), if you’re going to be out more than 8-10 hours or so.

[@K5JHP-John]

Do you think this will work well an ft-891?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It would, just be mindful of the watts 👍

[@sq3lvdtomek247]

Ft 891 has a perfect dedicated tuner that is really fast. This chineese AT is a piece of junk comparing to Yaesu tuner. If You decided to buy 891 do not try to save buying junk. 73 🙂

[@jwilly5336]

Ape what you are seeing is what I see on 15 with this set up.

[@TheSmokinApe]

WHat are you seeing?

[@BryanDaniel42]

seems like a good option for the Yaesu FT891

[@TheSmokinApe]

It could be 👍

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Practical little tuner.. the CW feature is strange. Have you seen the guts yet?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I haven’t popped it apart yet 🤔

[@TrevHolland]

Ape clearly doesn't watch cat videos. They've been sponsored for years!

[@TheSmokinApe]

LOL

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Yep, Ape, since a majority of license Ham operators are military veterans, cat videos and ham radio is how we self treat ourselves for our PTSD’s. Plus they to give us our calm and steady voices over the air. You think I could be the top Emergency Disaster Communicator in the country without my two cats that I could fit into the palm of one hand and bottle feed in the lobby of the Windward VA hospital in front of all those high risk for suicide military veterans, I think not. I’d rather be a cat owner, watching cat videos instead of being a statistic… WH6DWF “The only ham operator in the world to hold an Emergency EmComm Net for an Inbound Nuclear Missile Attack by North Korea on January 13,2018 and I survived.”😮

[@TheSmokinApe]

I have no problem with cats or people who like them, I just know that cat videos are less triggering than a sponsored video...

[@daniell8387]

If they sold it as a kit for $50 I'd be interested

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@daniell8387 I haven’t seen this one as a kit

[@daniell8387]

@@TheSmokinApe They're missing an opportunity, it looks like a fun thing to build.

[@jomf8929]

These things are junk. The tuner isn’t finding a correct match on 15 at normal power. Low power is masking the true swr and the swr sensor in the tuner isn’t working / calibrated / etc. The range on 80M is inadequate too. A $25 manual tuner will run circles around this in practical terms. Plus no batteries !!! If that’s into a dummy load it shows tue poor range of this tuner.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the comment Jomf, it was tested against an antenna in the video.

[@jomf8929]

@@TheSmokinApe Wonder if the amp has a harmonic filter issue (not working) that is causing the swr sensor to get confused on 15M. A harmonic is tricking the swr reflected power sensor. It’s possible. Pls test at 100 w and test with another hf radio at 100W to see what it does !! It could also be common mode on the antenna . Or a faulty tuner. Good video. Keep exploring.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@jomf8929 you might be on to something, I did a video on the amp and it had some harmonic issues

[@laszlokovacs8827]

Which $25 manual tuner that handles 100 watts would you recommend?

[@jomf8929]

@@laszlokovacs8827 get a used one. I like the old MFJ-900 or 901. A 941 or 949 is great but cost a bit more An old Denton junior monitor is good too. Also the mfj16101 works fine for 100w or less. They’re great for portable use.