I've had one of these units for a few years now, and love it to bits. It really works very well indeed. I use it at home and in the field. 73's from South Africa.
I bought the MFJ version when I heard they were closing up shop, but I've never taken it out of the package. The ICOM 7300 is always able to match things up nicely.
I have a Capco SPC300 ATU which will match anything to anything. The Capco is built like a tank but has no metering. I therefore built a Brune bridge with forward and reverse power meters and connected it between the rig and the Capco ATU. I also installed a 1 to 1 current balun in the Capco for feeding balanced feeder and it works superbly.
It looks to be a very good unit indeed. Thank you for demonstrating it. The only downside is the 300 Watts. I bought a very nice MFJ 300W tuner and when I later wanted to use 600W, I had to buy more capable tuner. Unless the ham is absolutely certain he/she will NEVER want to run higher power, they should just start with a Palstar AT2K or similar and be done. That's what I wish I had done to begin with. I suppose this comment is more in the financial column than the radio column but I suspect a lot of CAT-300 buyers will end-up buying an AT2K or similar at some point.
When you are on PEP both fwd & ref should both be PEP to get the cross SWR right. That way you can leave the av/pep switch in whatever is your preferred position & still get a valid SWR reading.
Thanks Peter for another interesting video.. I always enjoy watching your channel. The ATU seems quite robust. I agree with you that the caps in the unit look well able to handle the stated power...
This is a solid tuner I just wish they didn’t use the fluorescent coating on the meter face.. makes it extremely difficult to see for me although it has settled a bit since it was new, otherwise I love it!
The lack of an accommodation for twin lead is a deal breaker for me. For the money I shouldn't have to add another piece of kit to use the doublet, which is the most logical multi band antenna.
Very nice instrument, I've had an MFJ 949c for as long as i can remember - that i bought used way back then( late 1980s?) This reminds me of my trusty 949e . I would imagine that this Comet should last as long. Glad that some companies are stepping up to fill the vacuum left by MFJ.
Any idea what size (physical dimensions) the coaxial power plug needs to be? This would be the plug that fits the jack that provides power to the meters light? No one appears to know the spec for the plug.
These Aerial matching units appear to be very good. I have an old MFJ manual which appeared to tune anything, until the Grey smoke escaped from the plastic coil former. So at 100 Watts into a bad non resonant Aerial, you can easily waste 75% or more of your power in the coils. Then I learned how to cut and install resonant dipoles and a 1 to 1 balun for the reactance. Unfortunately we get a lot of Winds in rural Lincolnshire, which tends to wreak havoc... Happy times, 73 G1ZQC.
Thanks for sharing. A non resonant antenna has virtually no effect on ATU power transfer. Most of the loss is in the feeder and antenna radiation efficiency.
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I've had one of these units for a few years now, and love it to bits. It really works very well indeed. I use it at home and in the field. 73's from South Africa.
Thank you for the review. Reflected power indicator needle needs to be calibrated on that unit.
Yes it does. I noticed it after the video was published !
I bought the MFJ version when I heard they were closing up shop, but I've never taken it out of the package. The ICOM 7300 is always able to match things up nicely.
This looks well made.
I have a Capco SPC300 ATU which will match anything to anything. The Capco is built like a tank but has no metering. I therefore built a Brune bridge with forward and reverse power meters and connected it between the rig and the Capco ATU. I also installed a 1 to 1 current balun in the Capco for feeding balanced feeder and it works superbly.
Yes I remember the Capco. The designer was quite a character!
Added comment.. manual tuning units can be adjusted with a noise bridge or vna instead of risking your finals or annoying other users..
Thanks for the review. We'll all miss MFJ! But I'll have to give a look at Comet products.
It looks to be a very good unit indeed. Thank you for demonstrating it. The only downside is the 300 Watts. I bought a very nice MFJ 300W tuner and when I later wanted to use 600W, I had to buy more capable tuner. Unless the ham is absolutely certain he/she will NEVER want to run higher power, they should just start with a Palstar AT2K or similar and be done. That's what I wish I had done to begin with. I suppose this comment is more in the financial column than the radio column but I suspect a lot of CAT-300 buyers will end-up buying an AT2K or similar at some point.
I appreciate your videos, Mr. Waters.
When you are on PEP both fwd & ref should both be PEP to get the cross SWR right. That way you can leave the av/pep switch in whatever is your preferred position & still get a valid SWR reading.
Thanks Peter for another interesting video.. I always enjoy watching your channel. The ATU seems quite robust. I agree with you that the caps in the unit look well able to handle the stated power...
Thanks 👍
Tks for the demo .
Another reason for the inductor selector being split in the 80m and 160m bands is the Japanese band plan is separated there.
well done Comet, that looks like a great-looking Matcher, MFJ were always a bit tatty looking.thank you Peters,
Yes a nice unit.
This is a solid tuner I just wish they didn’t use the fluorescent coating on the meter face.. makes it extremely difficult to see for me although it has settled a bit since it was new, otherwise I love it!
Yes, I have an eye problem but I coped. I know what you mean.
The lack of an accommodation for twin lead is a deal breaker for me. For the money I shouldn't have to add another piece of kit to use the doublet, which is the most logical multi band antenna.
Very nice instrument, I've had an MFJ 949c for as long as i can remember - that i bought used way back then( late 1980s?) This reminds me of my trusty 949e . I would imagine that this Comet should last as long. Glad that some companies are stepping up to fill the vacuum left by MFJ.
A roller inductor version with built in balun would sell well
Any idea what size (physical dimensions) the coaxial power plug needs to be? This would be the plug that fits the jack that provides power to the meters light? No one appears to know the spec for the plug.
looks like the REF needle needs zeroing
Yep agreed.
Got one there Great 73
The thick meter bezel somehow makes it look dated but probably helps to protect the meter face.
It would be good if the needle didn't stick. Wouldn't trust it.
Thank You
Comet products as you know Peter are of a much higher quality, well worth the money.
Agreed.
Is that why the needle is sticking?
Certainly I share your enthusiasm for this product Peter so thank-you so much for showcasing this delightful unit.
My pleasure!
Good video I have the mfj turner
These Aerial matching units appear to be very good. I have an old MFJ manual which appeared to tune anything, until the Grey smoke escaped from the plastic coil former.
So at 100 Watts into a bad non resonant Aerial, you can easily waste 75% or more of your power in the coils.
Then I learned how to cut and install resonant dipoles and a 1 to 1 balun for the reactance.
Unfortunately we get a lot of Winds in rural Lincolnshire, which tends to wreak havoc...
Happy times, 73 G1ZQC.
Thanks for sharing. A non resonant antenna has virtually no effect on ATU power transfer. Most of the loss is in the feeder and antenna radiation efficiency.
Yes but the power has to go somewhere, so is distributed within the ATU as heat.
Hi Peter, I'm after a balanced Z match can you recommend one that's ok and doesn't cost a fortune. And covers from top band upwards.
I have always gone the balun route. Your best bet is a used unit like KW match.
I wonder where you would set the inductor switch for 60 meters operation?
Probably 7MHz but I didn’t check that band.
Lay-Out is nearly the same as my golden oldie Daiwa 419…
Interesting.
Have the same Daiwa, it works like a charm👍
Do you need to switch off the internal tuner before you use it please?
You can but some radios like certain icoms say not to, I bypass to an external for a decade and never smoked a radio so .....
Yes of course you would 👍
Just a heads-up: Your link label describes a "Comet CAT-400"
Thanks will update it.
@@watersstanton 😉
Very good instrument for sure. 73
MFJ made fine beginner projects. You just had to strip out the components and make a real bit of kit out of the chassis.
Put the counterpoise on the antenna not the tuner
No no no! If you connect an end fed wire to this tuner you MUST. connect the counterpoise as I indicated.
@watersstanton why would you encourage rf into shack
I love your videos are they a way to ask you a question kk4ekk Tennessee USA
If it is about the video you can ask on this channel.
Wouldn't trust that meter with a sticking needle.
Are you confusing “sticking” with PEP hold feature?
Not roller inductor
Correct.
Ok my mate .from new Zealand Zl1gam on 20 metres 80 and 40.
No bypass tho so not as useful as the mfj
HUH? It's called the On/Off button.
There is bypass.
The British don't get excited