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K2 remote antenna tuner question

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R Thompson

K2 remote antenna tuner question

I'm shopping for a remote antenna tuner that will work well with my
K2/10. At the moment I'm favouring the LDG Z11ProII and building a
weather proof container to put it in. The LDG draws little current and
may be battery powered. SGC make outdoor tuners and they have a wide
temperature operating range, down to -35C. However they need external
power.

Customer service is important to me, as is reliability.

Recommendations?

Ron VE8RT

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 remote antenna tuner question

The Elecraft T-1 tuner if you need an external tuner that will work with
many transceivers.
If you willl only be using it with the K2/10, I highly recommend the
Elecraft KAT2. It will remember the settings for 2 antennas per band
and works seamlessly with the K2.

If your need is for a remote tuner that can be located at the antenna
feedpoint, then the LDG or other similar tuners are the best choice.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/8/2012 10:02 PM, R Thompson wrote:

> I'm shopping for a remote antenna tuner that will work well with my
> K2/10. At the moment I'm favouring the LDG Z11ProII and building a
> weather proof container to put it in. The LDG draws little current and
> may be battery powered. SGC make outdoor tuners and they have a wide
> temperature operating range, down to -35C. However they need external
> power.
>
> Customer service is important to me, as is reliability.
>
> Recommendations?
>
> Ron VE8RT
>
>

Rose

K2 remote antenna tuner question

In reply to this post by R Thompson

Hi Ron,

I tried an LDG tuner operated remotely in an enclosure at the base of a
125'
tower with 120 radials. It was powered with a local 115VAC - 12VDCPS.

I had two failures, and even though LDG fixed the tuner under warranty,
I gave up and sold it. They couldn't ... or wouldn't ... tell me the cause
of the failures. Before I purchased the tuner I asked them about low
temperature survival and the said they had no idea. I'm in Montana
where the temperatures can reach -40F, and the tower can attract
quite a static charge from blowing snow.

Take your pick for the cause of the failures. (;-)

I had a friend with an SGC tuner that worked well. If you go the SGC
route, take careful note of the power rating. That's why I didn't buy an
SGC.

73!

Ken Kopp - K0PP
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Mike WA8BXN

Re: K2 remote antenna tuner question

In reply to this post by R Thompson

Hi Ron,

I have a couple of those LDG tuners and like them. I have no experience with
the SGC tuners.

I did have a problem with the LDG tuner in single digit F temps, but the
winter has been mild here and that was only one night. I think I could
easily run an extension cord out to where the tuner enclosure is (a plastic
mailbox) and put a 100 watt light bulb in it to turn on when it gets cold.

With a little extra work you can run power to the LDG tuner via the coax.
Probably the same could be done with the SGC tuner.

73 - Mike WA8BXN

-------Original Message-------

From: R Thompson
Date: 2/8/2012 10:10:57 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 remote antenna tuner question

I'm shopping for a remote antenna tuner that will work well with my
K2/10. At the moment I'm favouring the LDG Z11ProII and building a
Weather proof container to put it in. The LDG draws little current and
May be battery powered. SGC make outdoor tuners and they have a wide
Temperature operating range, down to -35C. However they need external
Power.

Customer service is important to me, as is reliability.

Recommendations?

Ron VE8RT

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R Thompson

Re: K2 remote antenna tuner question

Thanks Mike,

the low temperature operation, if its mounted outside, would be a
problem. We've had an exceptionally mild winter here, but mild for us
is still below zero F during the day and quite a bit cooler at night
(when I'd be home to operate).

Ron VE8RT

On Wed, 2012-02-08 at 22:32 -0500, Mike WA8BXN wrote:

> Hi Ron,
>
> I have a couple of those LDG tuners and like them. I have no experience with
> the SGC tuners.
>
> I did have a problem with the LDG tuner in single digit F temps, but the
> winter has been mild here and that was only one night. I think I could
> easily run an extension cord out to where the tuner enclosure is (a plastic
> mailbox) and put a 100 watt light bulb in it to turn on when it gets cold.
>
> With a little extra work you can run power to the LDG tuner via the coax.
> Probably the same could be done with the SGC tuner.
>
> 73 - Mike WA8BXN
>
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: R Thompson
> Date: 2/8/2012 10:10:57 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 remote antenna tuner question
>
> I'm shopping for a remote antenna tuner that will work well with my
> K2/10. At the moment I'm favouring the LDG Z11ProII and building a
> Weather proof container to put it in. The LDG draws little current and
> May be battery powered. SGC make outdoor tuners and they have a wide
> Temperature operating range, down to -35C. However they need external
> Power.
>
> Customer service is important to me, as is reliability.
>
> Recommendations?
>
> Ron VE8RT
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Bill K9YEQ

Re: K2 remote antenna tuner question

In reply to this post by R Thompson

I have been using MFJ tuners remotely for several years without too many problems. I believe any remote tuner released by Elecraft will be superior. The world of tuners has lots of opportunity, IMO, to improve remote use. I currently use MFJ 998 siting in a patio box ~ 75' from the house in NE WI. I leave it on 24 x 7. I do not have any control but power. I use low power to tune and have to change antennas and/or frequency if conditions change and the SWR isn't what I consider low enough for turning on my amp. Thus the need for a better device with minimal to no controls.

Bill
K9YEQ

R Thompson <[hidden email]> wrote:

Thanks Mike,

the low temperature operation, if its mounted outside, would be a
problem. We've had an exceptionally mild winter here, but mild for us
is still below zero F during the day and quite a bit cooler at night
(when I'd be home to operate).

Ron VE8RT

On Wed, 2012-02-08 at 22:32 -0500, Mike WA8BXN wrote:

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R Thompson

Re: K2 remote antenna tuner question

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

The feedback here has been a great help. And input from the list
members who also operate with similar winter conditions to ours is very
helpful.

Before I spend any money on something new I must ask. Does Elecraft
have anything on the drawing board that will work with non-Elecraft
radios and that could be installed remotely?

I would have considered using the KAT-100 if it could have been used
with my non-Elecraft radios, some of which exceed the power limits of
the T-1

Ron VE8RT

On Wed, 2012-02-08 at 22:21 -0500, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> The Elecraft T-1 tuner if you need an external tuner that will work with
> many transceivers.
> If you willl only be using it with the K2/10, I highly recommend the
> Elecraft KAT2. It will remember the settings for 2 antennas per band
> and works seamlessly with the K2.
>
> If your need is for a remote tuner that can be located at the antenna
> feedpoint, then the LDG or other similar tuners are the best choice.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/8/2012 10:02 PM, R Thompson wrote:
> > I'm shopping for a remote antenna tuner that will work well with my
> > K2/10. At the moment I'm favouring the LDG Z11ProII and building a
> > weather proof container to put it in. The LDG draws little current and
> > may be battery powered. SGC make outdoor tuners and they have a wide
> > temperature operating range, down to -35C. However they need external
> > power.
> >
> > Customer service is important to me, as is reliability.
> >
> > Recommendations?
> >
> > Ron VE8RT
> >
> >