Autotune HF Aerial
Submitted: Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 22:16
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Member - Tezza Qld
Hi All
I would like to upgrade my HF aerial from a tap whip to an autotune.I am currently running a codan 8525 with selcall.
Whilst looking at the 9350 aerial I saw on Lake Macquarrie Communications web site an autotune called Smartune SATO1.
From reading their site this is also the aerial supplied with there
Icom HF package. Seems to be made in the good old USofA.
Has anyone used this type of autotune or heard any
feedback
of this unit They are priced at $879-00 which is cheaper than
a new codan, around $1250-00, but a refurbished 9350 is between $800- $900 which is probably reasonable.
The thing that I liked about the SATO1 was the size. Small , flat
and easily mounted in the cab of my ute.
Any comments would be appreciated
Thank You in advance
Cheers Teza
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 23:02
Friday, Jun 05, 2009 at 23:02
Look on Ebay a s/hand one could be as low as $300 -$400 just look for a REV C D or E which is the latest model.
A's and B's tended to cut out the plastic drive in the tuning part.
AnswerID:
368654
Reply By: Member - Footloose - Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 12:10
Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 12:10
Auto tunes and aerial tuners are two different beasts for two different applications. Although they can be used to achieve the same end, one is much more efficient than the other.
The auto tunes radiate from the tuner as well as the radiating element.
The smartuners only radiate from whatever is stuck on the end of them. This may or may not make an efficient radiator, and are usually of more use with a long bit of wire rather than a short rod.
AnswerID:
368693
Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 12:40
Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 12:40
Thanks for that info. After doing some more research I find the smartune seem popular with marine applications in yauchts.
Might invest in a 9350 Autotune and some good quality earth straps.
Many Thanks
Teza
FollowupID:
636212
Reply By: Member -Signman - Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 18:29
Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 18:29
How many channels do you use (with the 8525)??
Is the tapped antenna working OK??
Why go to the Autotune??
In my experience- a good tapped antenna gives better results than an Autotune.
AnswerID:
368734
Follow Up By: Member - Tezza Qld - Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 19:43
Saturday, Jun 06, 2009 at 19:43
Hi Signman
Usually only use VKS channels 1or2 but have just joined the
hf Radio club and put thier channels into the radio Have a 16 tap whip with all vks ,most rfds and some
hf radio club channels. I can use hf radios main frequency, 7899, through the 8022 tap by using a wander lead 1mt longer than usaul and have most other taps very close to their other frequencies. I just was't sure if I would do any damage to my radio by transmitting just off the required frequency hence my thoughts about the autotune. I seem to get very good reception through the tap whip especially since I fitted a heavy gauge earth wire to the base of the aerial.
If I could be sure that I wouldnt do damage transmitting on frequencies close to the tap frequency [ most are only 150 to 280 or so off the disired setting]
then I would stay with the tap whip aerial.
Thanks for your reply
Cheers
Teza
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