Homebrew Manual Antenna Tuner/Matcher With Lots of Headroom From Jim Heath W6LG Ham Radio Elmer

Using some old components left over from prior projects, Jim W6LG builds a manual antenna.
The Patreon Link: patreon.com/JimW6LG

[@d3w4yn3]

So glad to see you posting!!! Praying for your health, and glad to still be learning from you!!!

[@lynnbailey1948]

Thanks Jim ... always enjoy your videos .... de K5AVJ (since 1960)

[@Adui13]

Thank you! Finally, a schematic and explanation that includes component values.

[@3henry214]

Many times, even though I could buy a ready made product, I still prefer to "roll my own", even if it end up at a greater cost. There is nothing more satisfying than constructing something with your own hands, where you have sole control on the component and build quality. Thanks for the video, and best wishes for your continued improving health... you're looking good! 73 de KN6VMK

[@happyhome41]

Beautiful work - as always. A wonderful inspiration. Thank you !

[@Graeme_Lastname]

From my experience I can only say get rid of the shorted turns. Just leave the end of the coil floating.
Shorted turns are a no no! Keep well m8. 🇦🇺👍🖖

[@greasydot]

Hello Jim. Its great to see you. I also enjoy building my own equipment and for other people. I have built various types tunners using tapped coils instead of the roller to reduce cost. More time consuming but i use my metal lathe to thread fiberglass mortar tubes and also wind the coils. I also make something similar to a wolf river coil the same way.

[@robincross4625]

Jim, you look sooo much better. I hope that your health is as improved. The tuner looks great!!

[@DearNoobs]

Another great video jim, Thanks for sharing. Hope you're well ! 73s

[@Kevin_KC0SHO]

Thanks Jim, these type of videos are very interesting to me.

[@jodileslie6867]

Looking forward to part two. Thanks!

[@richarde735]

you look and sound great Jim!!! I hope you’re feeling well!!!

[@WECB640]

Jim, the roller inductor in your tuner is EXACTLY the same as what I have in my older version of the AT1500BAL from Palstar. Keep an eye on the actuall roller inside the coil. The fingers often break off after years of use. You've got a very stout tuner there! Bravo. 73 OM

[@thomaspressy3410]

nice to see you on here jim great video i have always used a manual antenna tuner im thinking about building my own the information you gave on your home brew antenna tuner inspires me even more to build my own ...73....from thomas

[@rickbattle5706]

Great video. Glad to see you looking good. Hang in there and all the best. KB3NG

[@jluke6861]

Thank you for your great video.

[@carolmartin7042]

Thank you, Jim. Have a great week and Godspeed. N0QFT

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Great video Jim. Hope you are feeling better. 73 Joe

[@g0fvt]

Well done Jim, I built a similar T-match about 40 years ago, although mine does not have the same pate spacing in the capacitors. It has done sterling service but it does have the issue of no reduction drives on the capacitors and the roller sometimes needing a nudge one way or the other. I did not build in a bypass path but fitted a number of antenna ports so I have 4 available without the tuner and another 4 via the tuner. More recently I have bought an older commercially made tuner, it uses the SPC configuration but uses a series of relays to change the RF path.
It has some merit, if I switch off the power supply for instance the relays can route my radio to a dummy load for example. For a tuner rated at 3kW the relays seem very skimpy but I have not destroyed any of them yet. I completely understand the temptation to use relays, but you will need a pair of the ones pictured if you go that path and also need to supply the relay coil voltage to them. At times it can be a nuisance, most of my radios are mains powered, my amplifiers are and it does seem daft to provide DC just for the relays in a manual tuner. FWIW for HF use with "moderate" mismatches you might find it surprising how much much abuse a standard DPDT open frame relay will take. Many years ago I built a MOSFET mobile amplifier for 2m, I used a 3 pole double throw relay in that to switch both legs of the RF path and the bias supply, while I would never advise anyone to do it like that it worked fine, no instability or issues at all.
Great to see you making videos, really enjoy your content, 73

[@alanjames4526]

Hi, Jim. Very nice video on building an amplifier. Keep your videos coming! Alan KZ6B

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Jim

[@timgoad5750]

Keep the videos coming.

[@c.a.r.s.carsandrelevantspecs]

Thanks for another excellent video! ~ 73

[@oobihdahboobeeboppah]

Jim, you look better and hope you're actually feeling better too. I enjoyed your build but think I'll stick with auto tuners, at the feed point, but I have a manual tuner as a spare.

[@jeffdyer2393]

Jim that's a great looking tuner. I like using twin lead could you show on your schematic how to do this. Thanks always nice to learn from a master.

[@novartec]

Thanks for the great video Jim, what are the steps to manual tuning, I think I heard the inductor first then the caps, does it matter which one first?

[@MACE1-1]

I have to think an arduino and OLED/LCD screen may just fit nice in that case for a meter...