Manual Antenna Tuners for Ham Radio

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Great video, Ape. This is a superb didactic illustration of the role, function and use of a tuner --the ATU merely being a machine-driven optimized version--in an antenna system!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Frank, glad you liked the video! Thanks for checking it out.

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Great video. It's cool seeing the changes occur, as you make the adjustments in the tuner. It also gives you an appreciation for how complex tuning adjustments can be.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching FEP, these older style tuners are pretty cool.

[@DellFargus]

I have been thinking about building a new antenna, and decided that I want to run a double zepp through the balun built into my MFJ -949. This video has me now convinced that I want to do this because it took the "sorcery" away from how the tuner operates.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That's awesome Dell, thanks for watching!

[@rickb.6068]

That looks alot like my MFJ-949e inside. It's simple and works great. Thanks for the detailed review, you explained things much better than the instructions.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Rick, glad you like it!

[@gaptastic]

I love fixed width character sets. It just makes sense. Everything lines up perfectly.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Who doesn’t?

[@KG5IF]

I have a MFJ-901B and it works great for a 100 watts or less. Uses it many times for qrp. As stated in the video don't hot switch it while transmitting.

[@TheSmokinApe]

These are solid little units, thanks for watching 👍

[@DorkPrince]

9:00 this explains something I've observed with my 949E, thank you for that simple explanation. I was looking for a video like this before but family life and job life took me away from research... Matt not be the same model I picked up (the 949E has a dual-needle meter) but it's obviously the same basic design...

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey DP, glad to hear the video was helpful 👍

[@AlanElBee]

Nice video, Ape. Thanks for showing practical use of a NanoVNA, it's great to see the visual representation of adjustments. Cheers, K7KS

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Alan, glad you liked it 👍

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Good intro to tuners and the follow up with VNA and computer was a great demonstration. Thanks Ape! 👍👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Ace, glad you liked it 👍

[@SummitBidTech]

Nicely explained and great use of the nanoVNA. I have a Heathkit SA-2060A manual antenna tuner that I built way back in the 80’s. It’s way bigger (it will handle 2KW) but its internal circuitry is very similar except that it has a roller inductor. I haven’t used it since the 1990s and I can’t wait to hook it up to the NanoVNA and get it back online!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Those roller inductors are nice, sounds like a sweet tuner 👍

[@markhuisinga1698]

I just bought a used yaesu ft-817nd and an ldg auto tuner. I also found the CQHAM TB-BOX. It's a manual tuner and power bank built together to fit the 817. Honestly I am more excited about how the TB-BOX integrates with the radio than I am about the LTG. I am also interested in the simplicity of the manual tuner hence the reason I looked up your video. Great video explaining everything and showing exactly how it works. Thank you.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Mark, good luck with the gear and thanks for watching 👍

[@almcrorie4132]

thanks for the review, I have and use the MFJ-949E, no auto-tuner here, it has served me well, only slight disadvantage to a tuner like this is that you require an SWR meter in between it and the radio, I do like the built-in SWR meter, al ve3gam

[@TheSmokinApe]

Agreed, a built in meter would be sweet too!

[@HOAHamRadio]

It's on my list to learn how to use a manual tuner...thanks for the explanation.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out HOA, was a fun video to make.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Thanks Ape! My CW Elmer is going to walk me through this when I get home! Almost don't need it! Thanks boss, Brandon.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Brandon, glad it was helpful!

[@lovinglife3675]

Once again Ape ! great tutorial ... you make sense and deliver in an easy to understand format. Kudos and keep up great work mate 🙏

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks LL, glad it was helpful 👍

[@FloridaRadioMan]

I have an 901 Versa tuner that is a tan and wood grain in color. I wish it had a date one it but I actually have it on my rig right now and it’s a jam up tuner. I hope to get another for my /p rig.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I used to love when electronics were in fake wood cases 👍.

[@marcdowns8347]

Great educational video. I need to make more use of the Nano VNA that I have been. Thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Marc, glad you liked it 👍

[@DonzLockz]

A nice piece of kit. Old school cool design that stands the test of time. Great to see live results from the nanovna too.👍🤓

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Don, glad you liked it!

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

Top notch video, Ape! Thanks for posting this.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it Mike 👍

[@mikebavoso26]

This guy is great. Very good video.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Mike, glad you liked it 👍

[@stevegordon2869]

Great for g5rv antennas and many others.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sure is, thanks Steve!

[@KM4ACK]

Educational as always. Thanks Ape.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Jason, appreciate you stopping by!

[@donaldsmith3048]

Good video! I have trouble hearing you sometimes. I have a MFJ-949E. It has a power meter, SWR meter, Dummy Load, and antenna switch Plus everything in that tuner.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Donald, glad you liked the video and I appreciate the feedback. That 949e is a sweet tuner for sure 👍

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Good info Ape, this reminds me of a small heathkit tuner I have

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Chuck, it was a pretty fun video to make and this tuner seems pretty solid 👍

[@BargainBasementHamRadio]

Awesome video and explanation! I have a Versa Tuner II (MFJ-941E) that I feel the need to connect to my Nano VNA and...play around! Be well and stay safe Ape.

[@Ron_C]

Ditto to what ^^^ this guy said. lol!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Ron, thanks for checking out the video. These older style tuners seem pretty solid and we fun to use.

[@TheSmokinApe]

lol

[@keylanoslokj1806]

Can you please explain what those symbols on the inductance dimmer are? And how they help

[@TheSmokinApe]

They are just letters so you know where you set it

[@dovetomarc]

Great video! TU Quick Question: Do Z Match Tuners work the same way? Do they have a Capacitor and Inductor? 73

[@spysweeper]

I like your style! Going down to the nitty gritty! I wish you could go more into the Smith Chart but I understand that it is audience dependent! So you have tuned your antenna on both the Smith and SWR views in NanoSaver? What happens if you connect the Antenna line on the S21 port? Is that even applicable thinking that you can tune the entire system with the antenna inline??

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey SS, I did a video on Smith Charts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baS6gKealqyEndU. hope that helps 👍

[@DorkPrince]

Finally was able to be left alone long enough to finish watching I never understood how to plot smith charts manually or how to make the calculations but clearly there's no magic to them and they shouldn't drive people batty. I just need to take the time to learn them, but I would like to see how the different adjustments affect that chart specifically. If I ever pick up a nano I'll be able to do that for myself. This is a good primer on what these tuners do, though. Question: is my understanding correct? Tuning the antenna with a tuner only makes the antenna "look better" to the transmitter. Correct or incorrect? I mean, a ten foot long wire isn't actually made resonant itself, so how can it send radio waves out any better? I think it doesn't. Does the tuner just re-reflect the reflected power back to the antenna? I wonder if that can affect radiation pattern any at all. Anyway, thank you for this informative video!

[@Siskiyous6]

Great video Ape, how wonderful it would be to have a tuner with a single purpose output showing that sweep at all times.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That would be nice, thanks for watching LC!

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Well, explained thanks! You mentioned 450 ohm window line. Would this tune up 600 ohm ladder line?

[@TheSmokinApe]

It should no problem.

[@darylcheshire1618]

noob question that I’ve been afraid to ask. If I place an antenna tuner on an end fed random wire, should the 9:1 unun be at the feed point as usual? Or does the antenna tuner replace it? You said a 4:1 unun is part of the antenna tuner, does this obliviate the need for the 9:1 unun?

[@TheSmokinApe]

The tuners should be at the radio output and the 9:1 at the antenna feedpoint. The 4:1 in the tuner is used for connecting antennas fed with twinline and not coax.

[@darylcheshire1618]

@@TheSmokinApe thank you for the reply.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@darylcheshire1618 thanks for watching 🍻

[@Ezzell_]

What would those variable capacitors cost if one could order them?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’d guess 40-60$

[@DominicMazoch]

Will not don6m at all?

[@user-vw6ej7ib5c]

I am sure that you did a fine job in your explanation, but the frustrating part is as a newbie, it just gets more complicated . Now, it seems I need an antenna.Analyzer as well. I was wanting this to be basic. And not complicated, but i'm having trouble with that. How do I use the tuner properly without an analyzer??

[@TheSmokinApe]

I just used the analyzer to help folks visualize, it’s not necessary but you do need an SWR meter either in the radio or between the radio and tuner. Once you find the right settings write them down so it’s easier next time 👍

[@eliezercohen2205]

Hey ape can I use a tuner in place of a balun/unun for antenna matching (e.g. 49:1 for efhw or 9:1 for efrw). Thanks for the tuner deep dive!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I don't think there are many tuners that would cover a 49:1 miss match, I'd use the transformer...

[@eliezercohen2205]

Oh ok so that makes sense. If the tuner can cover my range of mismatch use the tuner otherwise use a dedicated transformer. On that note if I might add that a tuner won't act as a choke for CMC (unless there is a built in balun) and a transformer could help to lower the impedance mismatch enough to allow the tuner to do the rest ( if a tuner is still needed....). Tell me if I'm wrong and thank you for the awesome content

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, use a dedicated choke, I have one at the antenna feedpoint and at the tuner 👍

[@eliezercohen2205]

Awesome thank you

[@smith0426]

Is it true that an antenna tuners only benefit is to protect your radio from reflected power, and that they can't actually improve the strength of the signal radiated by an antenna?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Kinda. When you use a tuner at the coax feed point you are matching the radio to the antenna system, transmission line and antenna. When your signal hits the antenna you still have the mismatch between the coax and antenna which will reflect back down the transmission line. You will get loss, due to the coax with each reflection, the reflections persist until the power is used or lost.

[@smith0426]

@@TheSmokinApe Thanks for the reply, that makes sense, I think. But what if you could place the tuner directly at the antenna, so that the output from it didn't go through the impedance mismatched coax? It seems like then, by impedance matching to the antenna, you could avoid much reflection and actually get more radiated signal. I haven't found anyone who has actually tested this though!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@smith0426 they actually do put remote tuners at the antenna for this reason, obviously it’s a more complex configuration. Also, folks will build passive matching networks for mounting at the antenna. Most hams however choose to match / tune in the shack which is easier.

[@johnbauman4005]

Really enjoyable, Ape! You are having too much fun! Are you an electrical engineer? Is there an Ape bio or resumé laying around somewhere? Your videos are really, really good! Thanks and ATB! 73, John - KK7JBZ

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks John, glad that you like the videos. I'm just an IT person.

[@trig6712]

Many thanks ,have one ,excellent

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching Trig!

[@DominicMazoch]

I think this is one of the first products MFJ imported

[@matthew.tamasco]

I see your tuner has the flaking paint on the bottom front too. If MFJ reads this, fix that part of the manufacturing process. I had paint chips falling onto my radio display.

[@kg5pte]

Just researching that for my Icom 7300 and MFJ 993B Auto tuner. MFJ said I need a MFJ 5124i Tuner cable. What does this cable do.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It provided power and CAT control from the radio to the tuner.

[@kg5pte]

@@TheSmokinApe Ok understood. Thanks.

[@kg5pte]

@@TheSmokinApe Ok I just got my cable in from HRO. Question How does it plug into the radio and tuner ? I got no instructions ? The molex (white) power plug the barrel power plug and audio jack. I could not find a youtube video on this subject. I would apreciate your help. Say I got it figured out. This is cool. When you turn the radio on. Then turn the tuner on. You set the power for ten watts. go to AM mode. Choose your HF frequency and the radio and tuner does the tuning automatically.

[@DorkPrince]

6:18 dot-matrix? I'd have said typewriter.

[@Starfightermercurius]

This unit did not work for me. Running an indoor loop antenna, my rig's max 3:1 ratio internal tuner handled all bands from 80 to 10 with tuned SWR well below 1.5:1. Placed a MFJ-1026 noise canceller in-line to kill a QRM problem, but this MFJ unit doesn't allow the use of the rig internal tuner without frying the noise canceller, forcing me to use an external tuner. Tried the 901B over the course of a few months, and despite it's reputation for being able to tune up a wet noodle, it killed my power out across all bands, and the SWR never went below 2.5:1. Tried a wide variety of tuner settings and different coax jumpers at various lengths - newly purchased LMR-400 - to see if that voodoo would help to no avail. Needless to say, my 901B is up for sale 😑

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry to hear that John, that sucks...

[@wrenchmonkey3920]

hey I have that one. On an Icom 706iig

[@TheSmokinApe]

Awesome, apparently they are all over the place 👍

[@DominicMazoch]

I have the MFJ 969 matcher. Take what is here and put it on droids.

[@DominicMazoch]

I think you need to tell people you are changing the electrical characteristics of the antenna, but not it's length.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Fair enough

[@mikemercury3656]

Whose interested in the knobs, get on with it.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked the video, thanks for watching champ!

[@mihovillmisha9885]

Who needs a tuner? I had kenwood 520se and swr meter and nothing else and vertical gp antenas and many dxes worked with it. Cut the antena wright and swr 1:1,1 or so.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

COIL INDUCTOR

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s a neat setup. Thanks for watching Jerome

[@ZzedZed]

silly man got it WRONG !! WRONG !! WRONG !!

[@maxastuto]

I good video many compliments, i should i buy a manual tuner for my 20 watt max hf radio. I am undecided between the MFJ 901 model and the MFJ 902 model. The 901 tunes up to 160m (1.8) Mhz while the 902 has 6 Meters (which I don't care about) but starts from 80 m ie 3.6 Mhz. The 901 has the coil in the air, the 902 has coils wound in 3 toroids. What's the difference? Which do you recommend to buy between 901 and 902? I am inclined to buy the 901. Could you tell me how to make the bridge? I saw in a forum that they mount a switch which is certainly an alternative to the jumper. But what specifically is the jumper switch for?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I really like this 901 and it's been around for a long time, so its a well know and used design. I am not sure what you mean by switch bridge.

[@maxastuto]

@@TheSmokinApetahns for your respons. I would like to know what is the jumper that is made between the wire connector and the coaxial. You talk about it in the video when you describe the connectors of the balanced line and the wire connector