ATU-10 From Banggood...But is it any Good?

[@Aimsport-video]

As your excellent 818 video demonstrated, the ATU-10 deserves a second look, especially with latest firmware. Duly warned by this video I got one anyway. Reading the changelog prompted an immediate firmware update and ATU-10 performance has been stellar. A truly portable problem solver.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Was a fun review...guessing you'll go a different direction. FYI: Your videos were still pixilating on my tablet, but I did a KZbin update and you look great now. Thanks again for your work to produce cool ham content.

[@JayN4GO]

Tnx for the review mike.

[@hamradiotube]

My pleasure!

[@dougdaniels]

Thanks Mike. My theory is, whether you would buy it or not, a review is valuable knowledge to compare against other products for quality and price point so you can make a better decision.

[@barrykery1175]

I just ordered one and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Great, now I have to take it apart and fix the display. It does look like a neat little ATU. I like the idea that one does not have to go into the function mode on the 705 to get the ATU to go into the tune mode. I only use resonant antennas and need the ATU for the top of the 40 meter band. I hope it fits my needs. Size matters and this is one of the smallest ATU I saw on the market, hence the reason I ordered one. The Elecraft T1 was my first choice but can't get one, back ordered. Thanks for posting the interesting video. I do have to say, the price is right, under 100 bucks. Barry, KU3X

[@barrykery1175]

Follow up: My ATU-10 arrived two days ago. My display was OK, not loose but I was prepared to fix same if needed. Like your ATU-10, all hardware was hand tight, I tightened same. I did not expect it to match really bad issues, but mine seemed to do a good job on all of my antennas. I tried it with and without the interface cable connected to my IC705. Since I don't need an ATU on all of my antennas, I wanted to have total control over the ATU-10 so i chose to not use the interface cable. When turner is turned off, it goes to bypass and this is great. When I need it I just turn it on. When I touch the dash key on my paddles, the ATU-10 goes to work and finds a match in less than 5 seconds. Can't beat that. When I had the interface cable connected, it lost communications a few times. I'll go back and review my settings later. I wanted an Elecraft T1 ATU but can't get one. Now that I have this at less than half the price and it does the same job, this is a keeper and no need for the T1. It took three weeks to arrive here from China? I think it came from China? I put a complete review of the ATU-10 on my web page under the IC705 page. Barry, KU3X

[@W5NEH]

Great video Mike, thanks for taking a risk for us all and using your equipment to test. I would have used a friends LOL just kidding

[@agentcovert]

Glad you jumped on the grenade for us again..lol

[@bridgettemurray1300]

Hey Mike, the protector and handles on the 705, are they a 3d print or commercial job, thanks, 73

[@kd5you1]

I've noticed that some auto tuners won't necessarily search for the best SWR, but the first value under 2.0 to 1. 20 meters seemed to look better when the tuner had tuned 30 meters first, but worse when 6 or 10 was tuned before 20.

[@hkmp5s]

I'm disappointed it won't tune 80. I was looking forward to getting some advice on treating my Gout.

[@hamradiotube]

I’m disappointed it didn’t tune anything as well as it should have.

[@hkmp5s]

@@hamradiotube My brother has a similar tuner and his works great.

[@KLCKLC-vi6fd]

Mike the LCD screen just sticks into the case front I would not super glue it into the front panel I would use some tape to hold it into the front panel, so if need be, you might need to disassemble it again, you can just re-tape it as many times as necessary. 73 Kevin

[@eddy2561]

Thanks for the review, vy informative......I bought my Chinese tuner from Amazon and played with mine for about a week then sent back for 100% refund. My unit would not reliability tune with transmit power under 5 watts and this is stated in the product description....my qRP rig does 5 watts or less, so this tuner is useless to my needs. I was disappointed, but thankfully I got my money back immediately. Back to my good ol' MFJ manual tuner which works flawlessly ... 73/K6SDW

[@hamradiotube]

I've never met an MFJ tuner I didn't like. I have 3 of them and they all work great!

[@dangermandave67]

If you don't have a radio that puts out a FM carrier or that has a tune button, can you just key CW to generate some RF output that this tuner can use?

[@hamradiotube]

absolutely.

[@jimthvac100]

I was thinking you could use some hot glue to hold down the display.

[@ChrisCookTech]

Hey Mike! Looks like you finally found the source of RFI at your place?

[@hamradiotube]

I found the source a long time ago. Then the electric company came out and found 2 more. Still haven't fixed it yet.

[@K8RFT]

It's an "open source" design, freely available to anyone. (Not trademarked or copy righted.) So it's legitimate, not a 'clone'.

[@daviddouglass8934]

Pretty similar to how mine works, down to the screen alignment. Basically it works as long you don’t want to tune anything too extreme. It is a third the price of the matching icon tuner, which should be remembered. Mine will tune a 5m whip from 40-10m ok!

[@hamradiotube]

I think that goes against the whole concept of an external tuner. They should be able to tune all kinds of crazy matches. It's not even like I was using some weird antenna either. This thing is just hot garbage.

[@daviddouglass8934]

@@hamradiotube if it cost $200-300 I would agree, but the question is whether it’s worth

[@dannystephens7246]

A ground wire and a long wire antenna it would probably work well on the 40 or 30m bands as a touch up tuner with a pixie or RockMite.

[@W1ZY]

Agreed.

[@jamesraykenney]

I did not notice if you ever connected anything to the ground lug... Is it possible that that would have made a difference? I cannot match anything without the counterpoise.

[@hamradiotube]

Anything is possible I suppose, but I had 3 counterpoise wires on the antenna. I took them off and that made very little difference. Every other tuner I have has no problem tuning this antenna. This tuner is just garbage.

[@W1ZY]

The answer is yes. Always use counterpoise wires--connected to a short ground rod, if possible--when voltage feeding any antenna. You can also use a parallel tuned circuit and tap off the coil at the 50 Ohm point. This tuner probably did not work well because the coax was the main counterpoise.

[@patrob1258]

PU10WL found some problems with the sensing diodes in this tuners big brother, the ATU-100, that were more apparent in the lower bands, 160 and 80. They might also be playing a part in the instability of the ATU-10. Might be worth investigating. De G1PLB

[@jakelarson9935]

There's a 100W version on banggood for $80 that would pair very well with a MX-P50M amplifier! Might have to snag one for mine. As long as you're cool with doing some mods and fixing stuff these cheap components can work very well. Shoot I'd pay $80 just for a 150W watt meter even if it's a little off.

[@jakelarson9935]

Actually that's the "PRO" version I was looking at. There's another 100W one for $32. And it specifically states "Power measurement accuracy: 10%" so that all adds up. Totally fine for the price.

[@DellFargus]

Did it come with a fortune cookie?

[@hamradiotube]

Now that would have been something!

[@EdwardGriffin]

Does it have memories or is it a full tune cycle each time? Do the tuning bits stay tuned to the last freq when you power it off? Speaking for myself, I'd buy a used LDG tuner instead of this new if I was highly price conscious.

[@eddy2561]

Good plan, the LDG much better ATU

[@hamradiotube]

It's full tune each time.

[@la7yka]

Beside the price point. Do you think the LDG Z-817 is a better tuner than this one?

[@madcarew5168]

Built mine for 817,with alterations for 5w on github. Works fine and I'm no expert with electronics but if I can build it anyone can!! 73 cheers.

[@RodMurray]

Can you take this one step further and test it with an FT-818 or another radio without the jack connected?

[@rodmurrayVA3MZD]

I've just got my FT-818 back from repair at Yeasu and am now putting my new Bangood AT-10 through the paces. It's working great for me. Formerly I used an MFJ-16010 manual tuner which got me close enough most of the time, but with the AT-10 I can nail the match, see how many watts are getting out and what parts of a band are better than others for my Nelson 9:1 41' EFRW. I'm kind of liking this! Except for the fact that for 6m I'll have to switch it out once a week for a regional 6m Net, I'm staying with the AT-10!

[@RodMurray]

I’ve used the tuner now for 7 months and except for a few glitches which I discovered are related to the connectors I was using, it works consistently well. As mentioned, I have a 9:1 EFRW Nelson with 41’ radiator and the ATU-10 matches with about the same results as what Mike showed in his video. It varies throughout the day. 20m is the most challenging, with matches in the 1.65-1.7 range. Still workable. With my 9:1 TufteIn 9:1 I the field I get even better results. I got a great deal on my AT-10 so I’m pleased.

[@gravestonemyth]

I have one, and it’s about the same. I have found the Chinese toroid cores to be far from spec. I ordered an ATU100 kit and it worked pretty well. Then I ordered another and the iron cores were absolute garbage. I’ll bet I can fix the ATU10 by replacing the inductors with locally-sourced toroids.

[@hamradiotube]

I fixed it by boxing it up and throwing it in the closet lol! But good advise none the less. Not worth the effort for me.

[@gravestonemyth]

@@hamradiotube I just updated mine to version 1.5 and it does a far better job getting a match. The update procedure is stupid-easy.

[@hamradiotube]

@@gravestonemyth oh very cool. Mines just been sitting in the closet collecting dust. I’ll have to get it out and try to update it.

[@user-id1wf1pm7n]

Bardzo dobra skrzynka . Stroi szybko i ładnie. Bateria starcza na kilka godzin. Polecam gorąco.

[@scottpayne33]

It will be a great first giveaway for your 50,000 subs live stream.

[@hamradiotube]

I don't know if I'd use the word "great".

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lol. Hot glue that screen down!

[@hamradiotube]

Hot glue?? I will never use hot glue! I hate that stuff. I'd use bubble gum first!

[@KLCKLC-vi6fd]

PS: tuners should be called impedance matching devices because they do not tune the antenna. they just give you an impedance match between the radio and antenna QSL. 73 Kevin!!

[@hamradiotube]

OMG here's the ham radio police. Literally everyone in the world knows this. I didn't come up with the name, but that's what we call them. Including you. In your video.

[@Transmissions]

😂😂😂

[@scottpayne33]

" some people"

[@kd4kzz]

Aw Kevin are you married to Karen?

[@Lastaii]

@@hamradiotube You seem to have attracted the sad hams! Good review none the less :)

[@keathrhymer5449]

this one looks like that one you have Automatic Antenna Tuner, HY100 HAM Radio Antenna Tuner, 1.8-30Mhz Tuner with Large Display for Tuning Radio (100W)Automatic Antenna Tuner, HY100 HAM Radio Antenna Tuner, 1.8-30Mhz Tuner with Large Display for Tuning Radio (100W) it has dc cable to go to my power supply

[@Andy2e0ree]

One thing if you program the tuner from 10 to 100 it will work quite happy

[@hamradiotube]

huh???

[@batica81]

@@hamradiotube Supposedly it is the same device as ATU-100 So you can change between the two only by firmware update (not even needed to redo the transformer). I got the atu-100 and a pic programmer but haven't tried turning it into atu-10 yet.

[@Andy2e0ree]

@@batica81 it is so easy you do not need a Firmware update all you need to do is go in the code and charge from 5watt tune to 10watts and max to 120 watts and now it’s the ATU 100 .if you have a ATU 100 just charge the code to start tune from 10 watts to 4 watts and max 20 watts and you will have the same as Mike got or just change the 10 watts in the ATU 100 to 4 watts and the ATU 100 will do fall qrp and 100 watts if you need any more info just contact me De 2e0ree

[@redman840]

I have my doubts about their quality control.With a company name like that,it seems more appropriate for a brothel.

[@hamradiotube]

You shouldn't have any doubts at all. They don't have quality control. I'm positive of that.

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

I just tried to look it up on Banggood. The ATU-10 is missing, can't find it. They ATU-100 is there for $79.99 and it handles 100 watts. They sent you junk. If they did carry it, they don't anymore.

[@eddy2561]

Amazon sells a list of different brands I'm sure all based on the same design. I bought mine from Amazon and it was very easy to return for a refund........73

[@hamradiotube]

Prob for the better.

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

@@eddy2561 Did you returned it because it didn't work?

[@eddy2561]

@@ronwolenski-n8wcr It wouldn't tune reliability below 5 watts which is about the output of my qRP rig. My old MFJ manual tuner works FB

[@TingILi]

I got the low batt issue that it cannot charge ... any idea ... OM?? Do not waste money.

[@agentcovert]

Probably just change the batteries for new 18650 batteries..

[@LarryGagnon]

You cannot expect any auto tuner to match a 41' wire on either 160 or 80m. A 41' wire is 12.5m long, hence is not even half wavelength on the 30m band.

[@hamradiotube]

Sure you can. I have tuners that will do it. Even made a video of it. This will take you right to the tuning. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip_ChYalfJWIo80si=tBBMyGK2xXuDecsE&t=411 This is the PackTenna 9:1 with 41' of wire. If you go back a little in the video you can see it even tuned up 160 meters a little bit. Of course it's not going to be very efficient, but tuners can do some pretty amazing things. I actually did a firmware update on the ATU-10 and it's a lot better than in this review. Also, just for giggles, I tuned up a 2 meter Signal Stick antenna with my Xiegu G90 on 20 meters with no radials the other day! That thing will tune just about anything you throw at it! Even heard some DX stations. You never stop learning when you never stop trying. If we get stuck listening to people who say you can't, we'll never progress.

[@1958johndeere620]

I won't talk about where its from, but the quality seems to match where its from. That being said, I won't mention the quality of products from that place.

[@hamradiotube]

I see what you did there

[@glenng.8254]

ditto

[@neubert500]

Now you are getting scary, I was watching and wondered "What does it do on 6 meters?" then you immediately tried 6 meters! What am I thinking now?

[@kentwinrich6595]

LOL!!! I stopped watching when you were taking the nuts off of the BNCs, when you just needed to take out the screws and slide the board out

[@lmamakos]

You don't even need to slide it out. Just take the 4 screws (2 front, 2 back) on the top of the case and pop off the top clamshell, exposing the board. And then you can not have to disconnect/reconnect the ground terminal wire.

[@jeffreypetchharrison4363]

as mr duck says its .. qwap qwap .. jeff

[@DonzLockz]

thanks to try it out so we don't need to take a gamble. I saw similar ones but decided to save up a bit more for a better unit.🍻🤓

[@hamradiotube]

Glad I could help

[@vkradio1656]

Any review is a good review!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks

[@pd9rd]

It's not a device I would trust with complementing my radio :-) Thanks for testing Mike! 73

[@hamradiotube]

Me neither

[@mrjones6770]

wow better than mfj on arrival

[@hamradiotube]

I actually did a firmware update on this tuner a year or so ago and it works really well now. Much better than in this review. In fact, I mention it in tomorrows video. It's become a permanent fixture in my FT-818 go bag.

[@markihde4381]

I won't be trading off my Elecraft T1 for this.

[@alainzen7262]

my Elecraft T1 I have selled it because it too much complex with blinking leds . A real junk for me...

[@jimthvac100]

Thinking I would rather spend a little more and get something better like maybe the Hardrock amplifier with tuner option. Rather pay for something with solid good reviews. But thank you for reviewing this for us.

[@alklapaxida850]

NFI dude,,,

[@ubergeek318]

But will it do 11m

[@hamradiotube]

All day long

[@Andy2e0ree]

@@hamradiotube yer all day long it’s there to make the radio happy at 50ohm on all bands

[@gliderrider]

Well you saved me a $100

[@wb7ptr]

It is a Chinese clone. Not bad though.

[@hamradiotube]

I actually updated the firmware on the tuner a while after I shot this. It made it way better. I actually really like this tuner now.

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice..........................................

[@hamradiotube]

Very nice

[@kd8opi]

Omg, that’s how they pack their stuff? Dog food is better boxed. 🙄Save your pennies, get an Elecraft T1. You don’t have to buy this garbage, you can also get a cheap manual tuner from MFJ.

[@hamradiotube]

At least it made it??

[@kd8opi]

@@hamradiotube I guess. If an airplane crash lands at the airport you could say the same thing.

[@ai5dd]

I'm a connoisseur of premium Chinese garbage.

[@hamradiotube]

to be fair, not everything that comes out of China is hot garbage. But this one is.

[@ai5dd]

@@hamradiotube I agree, I do own a couple Baofeng HTs, not the best but they are the exception to the rule of counterfeit crap that is flooding the market.

[@royramdeen8864]

Lol... not going to say anything Mike ? Saving up my car wash money for a purchase..

[@hamradiotube]

Just don't purchase this one lol!

[@royramdeen8864]

@@hamradiotube With that geat review as always... I am staying away 😀

[@AdamosDad]

Stopped watching after you made the comment about anti-Chinese "garbage comments" then came back to see the junk come out of the box, laughed my ass off when you had to start fixing it right out of the pack. Spent a little time writing this comment and I'm gone.

[@threadripper979]

So, you're OK with fellow HAMs getting ripped off? Not sure that qualifies as a "garbage" comment, but I'm kind of disappointed.

[@Siskiyous6]

He showed it for what it is. We are all adults here. We know you do not get something for nothing.

[@DK5ONV]

Thx for taking the true Words right out of my Mouth. 💯🤘🙋‍♂

[@eddy2561]

Thread Ripper, K8MRD did an honest review and based on his review I would avoid this tuner. He left it up to the adult ham to make their own decision.

[@Taylor-KY3G]

It was an honest review, nothing he said could be taken as an endorsement.

[@hamradiotube]

Yep. That’s exactly what I said alright.

[@2E0XVX]

OMG, your trying to tune up on 160 with 41.5ft of wire...No wonder it struggles on anything above 20m. Also, a tuner reading don’t mean your arial is working!! .Using a 9;1, you need at least 66ft or 20meters minimum..

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah. It's called a test. And no, you certainly do not need at least 66' of wire. You would not want to use 66' of wire with a 9:1 as that is a resonant length which goes completely against the design of that transformer. 9:1's are designed to NOT be resonant on any band, thus the need of a tuner which helps make them multi banded. 66' would be a good length for a 49:1. Every antenna is a compromise. Here's some good reading on so called "random wire antennas" if you don't want to take my word for it. udel.edu/~mm/ham/randomWire/

[@hubcap4KHDRgameplay]

junk