"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
6
wrote:
If the only antennas we have are trapped verticals,
tribanders or dipoles/inverted vees cut for the band to
be used, we might get away with not having to use a
tuner at all. Still there are likely to be frequencies
significantly removed from the antenna's resonant
frequency where one might need a tuner to enable the
transmitter to make full power. We aren't likely to
need a wide range tuner for those times. A simple
T-match will likely enable us to find a combination of
settings which will present a low VSWR to the
transmitter. The main alternative is to have a variety
of antennas which present a VSWR of under 2:1 to a
transmitter.
That brings up a related issue. Lots of Hams today are
restricted to one antenna, yet they would like all band
operation. I think it would be a great idea for a
manufacturer to have a transciever that included a tuner
right in the rig itself.
- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -
They do exist, although being primarily interested in VHF/UHF operation
(we only recently had the morse requirement for HF dropped over here in
the UK, but that's another topic..!!) I've had little experience of them.
I do remember vividly using a Drake commercial HF transceiver (I think it
came out of a ship's radio room) back in the late 80's at a special event
station that had this feature, you could operate on any band without any
form of tuning at all, although of course how much power would get out on
a really bad antenna is debatable ;-)
Of course if you've enough money, there are those antennas that tune
themselves. A friend has a 3-element beam that is computer controlled; as
you tune across the bands, the elements automatically adjust themselves to
the correct length..! I don't recall the make/model, but it is of American
origin, does anyone know of it..?
73 Ivor G6URP