RESOLVED (somewhat) Antenna Tuner Remote for my TS-480HX?

[WB4LCN]

SIDE NOTE: I recently came across a remote location - a 60 ft. telescoping tower on a 2000ft. mountain top. Power and Internet available. SCHWEEEEEEET! Also, I just purchased a Kenwood TS-480HX. I'm ready to build my remote/control station.

i would like to put up a multi-band antenna, but will need to use an automatic antenna tuner. Is there a tuner that would be recommended and will I be able to control the antenna tuner by remote?

Thanks!!

dave

[dj0qn]

Hi Dave,

Congratulations, sounds great!

Are you planning to use an amplifier? I found that the SPE Expert 2K is prefect for
such an operation. It has a built-in ATU and has 4 antenna outputs (and 2 rig inputs).
It solves the amp, switch and ATU problem in one device. It also uses a serial interface
that can be controlled via either the RemoteRig RRC's COM1 interface, or by using a
standard serial interface.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[WB4LCN]

Thanks Mitch. That's pretty steep for me right now. I see the 1k version and it's still a little too much for me right now. Maybe in the future.

So, there's no option for remote auto tuner?

dave

[dj0qn]

Hi Dave,

I meant the 1K version, not the 2K, that was a slip. The 2K is actually not usable in a
remote environment without a PC, since it uses only a USB port. So far, no one has
been able to get this to work with a USB server.

If you are planning to go barefoot, you probably would have been better off with the
480ATX instead of the HX. The built-in tuner would have done the job just ok. But I
guess that is too late.

Otherwise, maybe someone else has some suggestions.

73,
Mitch DJ0QN / K7DX

[sm2o]

I do not think there is remote controlled tuners.  But most automatic tunners is OK. I used a LDGPro200 to my TS-480HX and it worked perfect, it does not need any control cable between radio and tuner as it has a built in frequency counter, and it's very fast as it has several thousand memories in which it store the settings for each frequency segment.

73 de mike

[sv1elf]

Hi
I have a friend that use as remote tuner an antenna coupler in combination with ts-480 sat , as external tuner operation .
This antenna coupler is made in Greece but perhaps you can find something to work with Kenwood.
73 de sv1elf
George

[WB4LCN]

Thanks, All. That LDG option looks good. The new AT-ProII might fit the bill as something automatic/remote. I was told by a friend that if the antenna is close to resonant in the center of the band it will be easy to tune automatically. So, that's probably the direction I'll try. I will be looking at that 1K though.

dave

[VE6SH]

Dave

I have a Kenwood AT300 remote tuner available (I purchased it for my 480, but will now go the K3 route). Contact me off list if interested.

73

Tim VE6SH (ve6sh@rac.ca)

[HB9AZT]

I recommend the MFJ-998, excellent tuner in use at my public remote and works flawlessly with my acom2000, it's fully automatic and has a good protection devices.

73 de Mark, HB9AZT

[WB4LCN]

Thanks Tim and Mark. I've already bought an LDG AT-200ProII(2). The previous AT-200Pro didn't work with the TS-480HX, but they must have altered the circuitry to read 250 Watts as max. Now the TS-480HX works with the AT-200ProII (2).

Thank much!

dave