How Good is the IC-7300 Internal Tuner? (

Lee, KA5NHU, watched Ask Dave Episode #391 and has a question. Could you use the internal tuner inside the IC-7300 or should you use an external tuner with the Icom? Is the extra expense worth it?
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[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

Good point about not having dual tuners. Thank you for all your fascinating/educational episodes.

[@davidvelen9835]

Hello Dave another great video. I have an Icom 746PRO with an an internal tuner that I do not use. I do use an external TEN TEC model 238, I am able to tune my home brew inverted V 40 meter antenna to 1:1 without any difficulties and work the world on 40 meters. 73's David W5DPV.

[@1shARyn3]

I had to relocate my shack for XMAS (space conflict with tree) and hooked my 7300 onto a makeshift attic dipole. My VNA read the SWR at 3.04 : 1 and the 7300 refused to tune it. Physically tuning the antenna below 3:1 and the radio tuned it very easily to (what the radio said was) 1.0:1

[@kevingary7018]

To make my 80/10 end fed antenna fit into my small garden, I made a lot of sharp bends in the antenna wire; on all sides of my antenna wire there are nearby buildings - I never been able to trim the wire and get a good SWR. Currently, I am using the ICOM 7300 with an Elecraft 500 watt power combo. I can tune automatically or manually, and the amp is practically fool proof. All I need is mother nature's cooperation to give me the right propagation.

[@robertjeffery3237]

Mr. Casler, the IC-7300 will tune 10:1 IF it is set to emergency mode and the power is reduced below 50%.

[@624radicalham]

It will also throttle back it's power to 50 percent when SWR protection kicks in even without emergency mode lol

[@sylviacoliva1]

Thanks!

[@DK5ONV]

The internal Tuner of the IC-7300 is just as good as the Operator is. I did the Wide Range Modification on mine but in most cases of being in need of using an antenna tuner, if I then I am using an external manual tune. Thx for the Video Dave. 73 de Your Friend Uncle Guenter

[@DominicMazoch]

The IC746pro and 703+ are 3:1 internal. Have MFJ 969, lobe it. But one tuner at a time.

[@frasermderry]

Hi, Dave. I must respectfully disagree with your statement that the internal tuner on the IC-7300 will "fight with" an external tuner. This is incorrect. A tuner that interfaces properly with the IC-7300, such as the MFJ 939I, will actually extend the range of the 7300's internal tuner. I own both of these and when properly wired, tuning an antenna THROUGH the 7300/939 combination is done using the TUNE button on the 7300. They DO NOT fight with each other, they work together to tune up to 16:1 or greater. I enjoy your YT videos, but I simply had to correct your statement on internal vs external tuners. They do work together when the proper devices are connected together. Respectfully, M.

[@frasermderry]

I also have an IC-706MKIIG and LDG Z-100 Plus combo and they work together in exactly the same manner. Tuning is activated using the TUNE button on the 706.

[@vk3zen-rfdesign980]

@@frasermderry the 706 does not have an internal tuner...it has a means of triggering an external tuner automatically but by itself the 706 cant tune anything.

[@frasermderry]

@@vk3zen-rfdesign980 You are correct, I forgot to remember that distinction. Thx!

[@gahvno]

Exactly! That's very similar to the setup I have and if you use the appropriate cable with your 7300 to the tuner they work as a team and I've had excellent functionality that way. Note* I think that perhaps what Dave is referring to is when you leave your tuner on the 7300 active and then try to use it in conjunction with an external tuner that is not specifically designed for the icon unit. That would be a no-no.

[@kennethherd8850]

The Yaesu 991A states it will not memorize any ATU settings above 3:1 so I would assume it has basically the same range of tuning as the 7300. The 3:1 is to protect the radio form damage so anyone trying to push any radio beyond that would be risking their finals. I do have the President Lincoln 2 plus which will actually stop transmitting if it detects high SWR's. Not sure why the higher priced radios do not have that feature?

[@robertmeyer4744]

The ICOM 7300 has a external tuner jack on the back. if you get a compatible tuner the tune button will work the external tuner and Tahy won't fight each outher. also the 7300 has a emergency tuner mode dropping power to 50% max and will tune over 3:1 SWR. in menu settings under extra settings there is a emergency tuner option. check that puss reset button . un check to return to normal then reset. this works with 9:1 random wire dipoles . I have a AL 572 tube amp and on some bands like 12,17 meters the input SWR to the amp is 2:1 and I use the radio internal tuner to tune that. then a tuner if needed on antenna side of amp. this is a exception to 2 tuners. my antenna is good on 12/17 meters so only tuner to amp needed. 73's

[@johndavis3615]

If our SWR is so bad the internal tuner can't resolve it, it's TIME TO CONSIDER rethinking our antenna systems, mybe adding another 50 ohm antenna for the band(s) the tuner can't resolve.

[@redinator9896]

An adjustable reactive/resistive dummy load would be very fun!

[@rogerlafrance6355]

Also, coax on the order of quarter wave more or less tend to act as transformers converting high impedance into low or something in between. Coax should be kept well under an eight wave when using heavy tuneing unless you design for a tuned feeder.

[@boatingfisherdude]

under 8 wavelengths?

[@rogerlafrance6355]

@@boatingfisherdude 1/8 electrical wave.

[@charleswoods2996]

I discovered that the LDG AT-1000 ProII Autotuner works WAY better than the Icom 7300s internal tuner. And I'm disabled and living on SSDI (very low) fixed income, so those that claim "budget tight", well.. But otherwise the Icom 7300 is a great (sounding) radio and fun to play with, with all the features! KD8EFQ/73

[@davejensen8119]

Hi Dave - I'm excited about the Mercury AT, as I use my IC-7300 right now with the KM3KM Mercury IIIS amplifier. What a great setup. I'm beta testing that AT and SO excited for this to hit the market in 2nd quarter 2022. It is so much faster and efficient than built-in ICOM tuner.

[@charlesrs]

Thought I had wrecked my Icom 7300 by hooking it it to a ldg 600 pro II and pushing the tune button on the radio

[@furonwarrior]

Curious on what is the point of an internal tuner than if the radio can handle transmitting up to 3:1 SWR. To increase the life of the radio?

[@Pelnied]

The radio will see the high SWR and will reduce the output power to protect itself from punching itself in the face. So you might have it set to 100W but only see 50W coming out of the wattmeter in the forward direction, and tons of reflected power. If you get the SWR low enough (by using tuner or having a resonant antenna), the radio will go back to full power output.

[@thopkins2271]

Also note, that all of that reflected power is going back through your coax…and getting lost. A single db loss plus a 3:1 swr can mean that you’re only transmitting with like 66 watts from your 100 watt radio. But actually less with less than stellar coAx or a longer run of coax. It doesn’t just bounce back and forth and radiate eventually. A lot of it bounces back losing some…then towards the antenna losing some…then a portion bounces back again losing some…and so on and so on.

[@2brothersrobwillgaming212]

/WRUI213/ could you please show how to build a 12:1 balun for a 600 ohm feed line

[@nickl3872]

GOD BLESS

[@edward9337]

What are you referring to when you say, "Hello Auggies worldwide" at the beginning of each of your videos? What is an Auggie?

[@n5yiz]

Let me know when you find out. I'd like to know also.

[@n3roc]

I Wondered about Dave’s comment about an external tuner and the internal tuner “fighting each other.” Because I tuned my external tuner to about 2:1, then the internal tuner would work just fine and tune quickly. The rig is an FT-450D. And I have gotten a new MFJ antenna 993B antenna tuner that interfaces with the rig well and is definitely easier. However, I don’t know exactly what tuners fighting with each other means, but the rig and the old manual tuner seem no worse for wear?

[@bluestarindustrialarts7712]

External tuners are not that expensive and I would consider them essential gear. Just my .02

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I wonder how good the tuner was in this radio

[@martyglapa359]

Anyone here with a 7300 able to tune a 10M-80M non-resonant End Fed Long Wire across 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 40 and 80M?

[@w4mkh]

The way I have always understood it you are not really tuning anything. All you are doing is adjusting the impedance of the ATU in your radio so that the antenna, feedline and environment (the "system") match the 50 ohms your makes your radio happy. Nothing of your "system" is actually tuned. Am I right?

[@EricFullwood]

Yes

[@MrDaveaccord]

LDG 1000 Pro 2 is the way to go. Internal tuner is very limited.

[@KE5ZZO]

Answer book says 3-1 max or emergency 10-1. But it sucks and will always read swr over 3-1 that tge radio will fail-- always get an external tuner tge internal does not work!!!! Use an mfj -939 it will handle anything

[@daveN2MXX]

I love my 7300, but the internal tuner is very disappointing.

[@EricFullwood]

Tuners are good at creating heat.

[@EricFullwood]

Best thing I ever did was sell my 7300 and trade up to the KX3.

[@smartapeproductions2139]

Dunno if you figured out the bandwith to get to it and change it hold the filter on screen it should come up and you can agust it therer. Kg5cuo