LDG Z-11pro Autotuner
I got my first autotuner today - an LDG Z-11pro! The other tuners I have are manual. I have an MFJ 971 and a Palstar AT1500CV (replaced with the AT2K).
The reason I got the Z-11pro is I wanted to have a compact autotuner. I use the FT-857D as my portable radio and the small LDG tuners match the small size of the FT-857D quite nicely. I usually use my MFJ-971 when I need a portable tuner, but I wanted to get an autotuner to try. After all, they are easier to use. It was a toss up between the Z-100pro and the Z-11pro, but in the end I went with the Z-11pro.
I have a few friends that have the now-discontinued Z-100 and they work great. One of them mounted the tuner in a weather proof box up on a tower, KC8JPZ. I wrote a post about this. He has a youtube video that shows the box and all (click on the post link and the video is linked in there). The tuners are fantastic.
As for my Z-11pro - I bought it because it has more features. I wanted the manual tuning capability (you can adjust the capacitance and inductance up and down from the front panel as well as change the programming). However, when I plugged it in to the station I got a big surprise - the tuning sequence can be initiated automatically, no button pushing at all! What it does is it senses the SWR. If it is above a pre-set level (you can set it for 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, and 3:1) the tuner will automatically initiate the tuning sequence to bring the SWR back down! I figured I had to initiate the tuning sequence by pushing a button (which you can still set the unit to do), but I had no idea it was SWR activated also!
After reading up on the Z-100pro and Z-11pro I think the Z-11pro is the only one that senses the SWR. Both tuners can interface with popular Icom and Yaesu radios (and the interface cables are included with the Z-11pro) to make use of the OEM tuning interface. Icom and Yaesu both have optional tuners that work with their radios by pushing a button on the front panel. LDG made use of these features and the same buttons work their tuners. Though, with the SWR sensing on the Z-11pro even those radio buttons and interfaces aren't needed!
So far I really like my tuner. It is able to find a match on all bands except 160 on my random wire antenna. The Palstar tuner I have has trouble with this band too, so I can't expect the light weight Z-11pro to do any better there. The Palstar tuner is my station tuner so that's where it will stay. I will use the Z-11pro for all my portable work. Though I do want to try it out in my truck with my 102" whip as an all-band 40-6m antenna (sort of like the Icom AH-4 tuner and AH-2b antenna, only at about 1/5 the cost). I have a full-size screwdriver antenna but the tuner would be something fun to play with.
The only complaint I have is this tuner is LOUD! I was very surprised with how much slapping goes on when you initiate the tuning sequence. If it has to hunt for a match the tuner goes through a gazillion capacitor and inductor combinations, all switched with mechanical relays, to find a match. If you aren't expecting it, like I wasn't, it surprises you!
Not to put down the LDG tuners (they are really good quality products) but the Z-11pro sounds like one of the MFJ autotuners. Though, it might be that all autotuners of this style do the same thing since they have to use relays to switch the capacitors and inductors.
One autotuner that I know is different is the Palstar AT-AUTO. This one doesn't use relays to switch fixed value capacitors and inductors. It uses stepper motors to turn variable capacitors and inductors - just like the manual tuners, only motor driven (and with a brain behind it).
In any event, for a small, light weight, versatile tuner the Z-11pro is a really good option. It sure beats the pants off any tuner built in to many of the popular radios (like my Kenwood TS-2000). It has a full 10:1 SWR matching range (not 3:1), has a fully automatic mode that is SWR-sensitive (no button pushing!), and is manually adjustable on top of it all. Buy one - you won't regret it.
Edit: 12/25
This tuner is AMAZING! I ran through all the bands with my random wire antenna and now every tune setting is programmed in to the Z-11pro. The tuner literally tunes to whatever band I move to as soon as I key up. One click and its THERE. In my comment above about the racket the relays make when it is doing it's initial tune it is most definitely annoying. However, once that cycle has been done on whatever operating frequency and whatever antenna you decide to use the tuner never has to "tune" again. The setting is in memory and when you go to key up on that antenna and frequency again the tuner goes right to it - no twiddling knobs and watching the SWR meter. Its just THERE. Plain and simple!
I put the FT-857D in the shack for some testing. I still haven't figured out how to interface the rig with the tuner. I have it all hooked up but the only tune function that works through the rig's tune mode is when I push the tune button on the tuner. The tune button on the radio doesn't kick the sequence on (and I have menu #85 set to TUNER). Weird. I'll keep working on it, not that I need it though.
Maybe I should go get one of the bigger LDG autotuners for the shack.. Hmm, an AT-200pro would be nice as it will handle 200 watt radios. Or, an AT-1000pro if I wanted to run some power. Though, considering my Palstar will take the legal limit I don't really need another big rig tuner. The ease of use of this Z-11pro is getting to me.
These LDG tuners really are that good - you won't be disappointed!
The reason I got the Z-11pro is I wanted to have a compact autotuner. I use the FT-857D as my portable radio and the small LDG tuners match the small size of the FT-857D quite nicely. I usually use my MFJ-971 when I need a portable tuner, but I wanted to get an autotuner to try. After all, they are easier to use. It was a toss up between the Z-100pro and the Z-11pro, but in the end I went with the Z-11pro.
I have a few friends that have the now-discontinued Z-100 and they work great. One of them mounted the tuner in a weather proof box up on a tower, KC8JPZ. I wrote a post about this. He has a youtube video that shows the box and all (click on the post link and the video is linked in there). The tuners are fantastic.
As for my Z-11pro - I bought it because it has more features. I wanted the manual tuning capability (you can adjust the capacitance and inductance up and down from the front panel as well as change the programming). However, when I plugged it in to the station I got a big surprise - the tuning sequence can be initiated automatically, no button pushing at all! What it does is it senses the SWR. If it is above a pre-set level (you can set it for 1.5, 1.7, 2, 2.5, and 3:1) the tuner will automatically initiate the tuning sequence to bring the SWR back down! I figured I had to initiate the tuning sequence by pushing a button (which you can still set the unit to do), but I had no idea it was SWR activated also!
After reading up on the Z-100pro and Z-11pro I think the Z-11pro is the only one that senses the SWR. Both tuners can interface with popular Icom and Yaesu radios (and the interface cables are included with the Z-11pro) to make use of the OEM tuning interface. Icom and Yaesu both have optional tuners that work with their radios by pushing a button on the front panel. LDG made use of these features and the same buttons work their tuners. Though, with the SWR sensing on the Z-11pro even those radio buttons and interfaces aren't needed!
So far I really like my tuner. It is able to find a match on all bands except 160 on my random wire antenna. The Palstar tuner I have has trouble with this band too, so I can't expect the light weight Z-11pro to do any better there. The Palstar tuner is my station tuner so that's where it will stay. I will use the Z-11pro for all my portable work. Though I do want to try it out in my truck with my 102" whip as an all-band 40-6m antenna (sort of like the Icom AH-4 tuner and AH-2b antenna, only at about 1/5 the cost). I have a full-size screwdriver antenna but the tuner would be something fun to play with.
The only complaint I have is this tuner is LOUD! I was very surprised with how much slapping goes on when you initiate the tuning sequence. If it has to hunt for a match the tuner goes through a gazillion capacitor and inductor combinations, all switched with mechanical relays, to find a match. If you aren't expecting it, like I wasn't, it surprises you!
Not to put down the LDG tuners (they are really good quality products) but the Z-11pro sounds like one of the MFJ autotuners. Though, it might be that all autotuners of this style do the same thing since they have to use relays to switch the capacitors and inductors.
One autotuner that I know is different is the Palstar AT-AUTO. This one doesn't use relays to switch fixed value capacitors and inductors. It uses stepper motors to turn variable capacitors and inductors - just like the manual tuners, only motor driven (and with a brain behind it).
In any event, for a small, light weight, versatile tuner the Z-11pro is a really good option. It sure beats the pants off any tuner built in to many of the popular radios (like my Kenwood TS-2000). It has a full 10:1 SWR matching range (not 3:1), has a fully automatic mode that is SWR-sensitive (no button pushing!), and is manually adjustable on top of it all. Buy one - you won't regret it.
Edit: 12/25
This tuner is AMAZING! I ran through all the bands with my random wire antenna and now every tune setting is programmed in to the Z-11pro. The tuner literally tunes to whatever band I move to as soon as I key up. One click and its THERE. In my comment above about the racket the relays make when it is doing it's initial tune it is most definitely annoying. However, once that cycle has been done on whatever operating frequency and whatever antenna you decide to use the tuner never has to "tune" again. The setting is in memory and when you go to key up on that antenna and frequency again the tuner goes right to it - no twiddling knobs and watching the SWR meter. Its just THERE. Plain and simple!
I put the FT-857D in the shack for some testing. I still haven't figured out how to interface the rig with the tuner. I have it all hooked up but the only tune function that works through the rig's tune mode is when I push the tune button on the tuner. The tune button on the radio doesn't kick the sequence on (and I have menu #85 set to TUNER). Weird. I'll keep working on it, not that I need it though.
Maybe I should go get one of the bigger LDG autotuners for the shack.. Hmm, an AT-200pro would be nice as it will handle 200 watt radios. Or, an AT-1000pro if I wanted to run some power. Though, considering my Palstar will take the legal limit I don't really need another big rig tuner. The ease of use of this Z-11pro is getting to me.
These LDG tuners really are that good - you won't be disappointed!
posted by Steve at
4:44 PM
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