IC-7100 from A to Z #11 Connecting an external antenna tuner

[@littlejohnny4470]

I have the IT-100 by LDG and now that you showed us how to use the PTT tune, I really like it! And by the way, a HUGE THANK YOU for taking the time to create the other videos on the IC-7100!! You saved me a lot of reading and aggravation from trying to understand how to use all the features of the IC-7100!! Thank you so much!!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad they’re helpful.

[@Photomanguru]

Just picked up my 7100 and already have an MFJ 939B with Icom cable so this got me up and running confidently and quickly, thank you so much!

[@billmccane2119]

I want to thank you for the work you are doing on the IC-7100. I have been a ham for a long time (1976) but since having a stroke have found my radio very hard to use. I purchased the IC-7100 hoping it would be simple enough for me to use. So far I think it may meet my needs. So far I am basically exchanging my call (W0DWS) with DX stations. I am hoping to learn more so that I can do more with the rig.

[@arthurwright8827]

I’m studying to take my technician and general exams at the end of the month, I was searching for a first radio that was both entry level and able to take care of all the frequencies my new tech and general licenses could use to full advantage. I had settled on the ic 7100 and searched KZbin for info and lo and behold I found this set of videos that is literally going to go through every facet of this radio so that I’ll be way ahead of the curve on using my new rig when I get it. To me that’s invaluable information that I never dreamed would be available.. I really appreciate the time and effort that’s put into these videos. Thanks!

[@bopo73]

Got my first autotuner at hamfest!!! Didn't work, even after reading the directions...came here and it is up and running!!!! Thanks!

[@VaHokieYT]

Tom, the IC-7100 is my regular radio that I use every day and was my first HF radio. I used your series to get me going on this radio and have come back here several times for reference. But the other day this happened: I turned on my radio and the LDG IT-100 would not power up. I had a bad cable and tried to replace the pins in the molex connector on the cable and was unsuccessful. All I succeeded in doing was blowing the 5 amp fuse on the radio. Replaced the fuse, ordered a new cable and installed it and nothing. Tested the output from the radio through the cable on pins 3 and 4 on the molex end and on pins 1 and 4 on the round DIN connector and got 13+ volts. Now I figured my tuner was bad. So I bought a new tuner, hooked everything up and same thing. Tuner won't power up. At this point, I'm out of my depth. I know that there is "start" on pin 5 and "key" on pin 6 but I have no idea how to test it, much less fix it. I'm afraid that when I blew that fuse I killed something else. Advice please. Should I send my radio in for repair?

[@armallya]

A well made video, thank you for describing how to use a tuner with the 7100

[@derekthwaytes4689]

very useful I have icom746 and a mat180 auto tuner, and now willing to make use of the mat180 instead of the internal tuner thanks g1gdb

[@reinoutvlastra2905]

Thanks for the video. Testing now with IT-100 of LDG, AT150 from ICOM and AT130 from icom

[@HamRadioA2Z]

That’s great. Please post a comment with how the testing goes.

[@thebehnbrothers]

Just got my 939I.. Thanks for the video.. perfect ! !

[@joeyperez8581]

Outstanding, be blessed.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thank you kindly

[@robertcummings6291]

Appreciate the videos Tom!

[@K4SRF]

This is the same setup as I have, and yes, the setup is quick and easy. One thing I would add is that an antenna tuner doesn't actually "tune" the antenna, (for those who aren't aware,) but just "tricks" the radio into believing that there is match between the antenna and radio. Nothing beats a resonant antenna.

[@randlecarr3257]

So helpful!

[@armallya]

Just a note, when you use a LDG tuner with the cable that carries the power to the tuner from the radio. So when you turn on the radio the tuner also powers up. You cannot turn on the tuner separately.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks Arvind. Yes, that's true with the LDG. So just need to make sure it is plugged in before turning on the radio. (Generally a good idea when connecting or disconnecting any accessories)

[@ronmolihan5503]

Thanks Tom.AB8MV

[@Winstonsdad1956]

I have learned a lot about my 7100 from your videos. Have you done one or can you do a video on linear amplifiers for the 7100? I am thinking it would be nice to have a few more watts output. Thoughts? Thanks for the videos!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Steve. Thanks for the comment. I’m glad you’re finding the videos helpful. I haven’t done any videos on connecting an amp. The main reason for this is that I don’t have one. I’ve been a ham for 46 years and I’ve always run barefoot. Of course, a video on connecting an amp would give me an excuse to buy one... 73, Tom

[@amy55407]

I was just wishing for this video and there it was! But I have a question. The MFJ-939 manual says "Always tune with low power (2-20 watts). Apply maximum power only after tuning up". Near the end of the video you said the radio automatically puts out 10 watts while tuning. That would make things much simpler. Thanks for all your great videos.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Amy. Thanks for the kind words. The statement at the end is correct. When the MFJ939 is connected to the IC-7100 through the external tuner connector on the radio, it automatically lowers the power to around 10 watts when press the TUNER/CALL button to start a tuning sequence. It works the same way if you press the Tune button on the front of the tuner.

[@amy55407]

@@HamRadioA2Z Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and reply to questions. FYI, Ham Radio Concepts has an interesting video on how to check SWR on the ic-7100 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4XKmmV3eM1mhKc.

[@frostgfx]

Tom: I knew a pregnant piano tuner a long time ago. hi hi.

[@stevenhaney575]

So what kind of antenna(s) do you use when your mobile? Do you use two antennas one when you're moving and one for stationary? KD2OSR 73s

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Currently I’m using a a Wolfe River Coil SB1000 coil - www.wolfrivercoils.com/SB1000.html along with a roughly 4-1/2 ft. SS whip. It cutoff a 102” CB whip. I was using the whip full length for a while, but I could not tune 10M or 12M very well with it. I have the antenna connected to an MFJ-939 tuner. You can easily use the SB1000 to tune to

[@dancoursey5447]

That is where did you get the short Coax jumper cable??? Thanks.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Dan. I’m pretty sure I picked up that one at a hamfest. I usually shop for that type of stuff at hamfests. You can order short coax jumpers from all of the major amateur radio suppliers- DX Engineering, GigaParts, HRO, etc. You can also find them on Amazon. I would suggest getting RG8X instead of RG-58 cable. It is typically a little better quality and has a larger center conductor. There’s no need to go with RG-8 type cables unless you’re running full legal power.

[@amymaechler6061]

When having the power supplied thru the radio to the tuner, is that power always there, you say the power has to be on before the radio so i guess this would be the case?

[@scottbryant6033]

I just got my new 7100 and I have an LDG z100 auto tuner hooked up to it. The radio does not cycle the tuner when pushing the tuner button on the control panel, nor will it cycle when depressing the PTT on the microphone. The tuner settings on the radio are set to utilize the PTT for tuning, however, doing so actually bypasses the auto tuner. Instead, I have to push the button on the tuner for it to cycle. I have power to the tuner, so I know it’s not a power issue but likely a radio setting. Any suggestions? Great videos, by the way!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Scott. Thank you for the kind words. I don’t know of any settings to enable or disable the Tune button. One thing that has caught me with the 7100 a few times is that the radio only tries to detect the presence of the tuner on power-up. I know the LDG Z series tuners draw almost no power when in stand by. I wonder if that affects the radio’s ability to detect it?

[@dancoursey5447]

Where did you get the short jumper cable????

[@kd5you1]

I'm not sure if the 7100 has the same problem as the 7000, but on the 7000 the MJF external tuners prevent the fan from running. The fan will come on only when the radio is excessively hot.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi John. I am not aware of this being an issue with the 7100, but I have not really paid close attention to the fan in my setup. I will make it a point to pay attention to the fan when using the tuner.

[@kd5you1]

@@HamRadioA2Z Ok I hope Icom fixed that issue in the 7100. I never heard of this issue in any other Icom transceivers so hopefully you won't have any overheat issues. I had to send mine in twice to have the finals replaced. Now I am going to use only the AH-4 antenna tuner.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Great video i really liked thanks 73 from kb2uew

[@rodgerkaskhamsr6600]

will the tuner you used in this video work with a ATSA 120A antenna?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Rodger. No, if you’re referring to the Yaesu ATAS 120A, that is a motorized, self tuning antenna. That antenna is basically the antenna and tuner all in one. It is Yaesu’s version of a “screwdriver antenna”. If you do a Google search on that term you’ll find a bunch of articles, brands and plans. The ATAS 120A is specifically made to work with Yaesu radios.

[@tonyj5712]

I have the same rig except I have a mfj 929, it seems like everything is working like yours, but notice that when you key up as well as mine the S meter doesn’t really show movement when talking, is this normal? It tunes quickly.

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Tony. In the video, I had the meter set to SWR. So if my SWR is 1:1 or close to it, the meter shouldn't be moving when I transmit. If I had selected PO (Power) or the ALC meter, then you would have seen some movement.

[@LimonEllie]

I have an LDG auto tuner connected to my 7100. The tune button on the radio seems to be disabled, why would that be?

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Hi Elly, There are no setting changes for the tuner on the 7100. One thing I can think of is the power on sequence. With the 7100, the tuner has to be present when the radio powers up. If the radio is powered on and you plug the tuner in while it is on, the radio won’t recognize the tuner. Other than that, maybe an intermittent or bad connection on one of the 4 pins in that tuner connector or the LDG connector at the other end. Let us know what you find. 73, Tom

[@farmerwayne1404]

U can tune a piano. U can tune a guitar. But u can never tuna fish!🐟

[@amlxc5]

Very useful video. But you get a thumbs down for the clickbait thumbnail (out of principle). Don't show me the AH-4 on the thumbnail and then just mention it in passing.

[@kd5you1]

The connections are the same except that the AH-4 works with wire antennas only.

[@arthurwright8827]

I’m studying to take my technician and general exams at the end of the month, I was searching for a first radio that was both entry level and able to take care of all the frequencies my new tech and general licenses could use to full advantage. I had settled on the ic 7100 and searched KZbin for info and lo and behold I found this set of videos that is literally going to go through every facet of this radio so that I’ll be way ahead of the curve on using my new rig when I get it. To me that’s invaluable information that I never dreamed would be available.. I really appreciate the time and effort that’s put into these videos. Thanks!

[@HamRadioA2Z]

Thanks for the kind words Arthur. Good luck with your exams. I’ll look forward to a QSO with you when you get your ticket. 73, Tom