Capacitors are added to match the feeder to the antenna.

What you describe as an, "antenna tuner" actually matches the
TX to the feeder.

(Slightly more than that, in reality, because what is on the feeder
at the TX end depends on what is connected to the feeder at the
antenna end. However, one thing that the device know traditionally
as the antenna tuner doesn't do, is to tune the antenna!)

wrote in message
ups.com...
What is the reason a capacitor is added to a shunt fed antenna. Most
importantly why don't we just use an antenna tuner? Is there really a
big difference...Thank you
Mike

REF: Hamstick 10,20,40 meter