I have the TYT TH-8900 Quad Band Radio. What is a good tuner to use for this unit?
to be honest, I’ve never seen a commercial HF to UHF tuner? Most people I think either use quadband antennas, or some kind of antenna switch. If you do that, there’s little need for a tuner. Maybe if the 10m and 50MHz antennas are a bit random? What antennas do you need to tune?
I am looking to use a Chameleon CHA LEFS with 10-meter capability, but I may buy or build a 10-meter dipole instead.
I am considering the Diamond CR8700A and just mounting it in my attic.
[quote=“Redhammer76, post:4, topic:12498”]Not sure what that antenna is? the 8900 is a mobile one, but the fibreglass shroud base versions are pretty good. Well, they load up fine and are pretty good on 50MHz up, but a bit ineffective at 10m (11m) as the overall length - less than 1200mm is quite short. They don’t need a tuner which is good.
Sorry, that is the CR8900A. I didn’t pay attention to the mistyped number. I think I will order a monoband dipole for 10 meters or maybe build one. I am trying not to purchase a tuner until I get a regular base radio. This one is temporary to get a lit more power output than my 5-watt HT.
Tuners for commercial antennas tend to be a bit pointless, quad band antennas are designed to be a proper match at their design frequencies. A tuner is not required.
I treat an antenna turner as a means of assuring that the HF radio’s transmitter section is “seeing” 50 ohms. The antenna connections and fittings from the tuner’s output connection to the antenna and the antenna itself is a different story. To evaluate that section I use a VNA (virtual network analyzer).
A VNA can be about $50. There are many web sites that could be useful in using this very helpful device. It is important that the antenna, antenna coax and coax fittings are included during the SWR tests. Achieving 50 ohms from the tuner output to the antenna will result in improved range and could eliminate the need for the tuner.