Hi Samantha. ?
?
Not quite the original posted situation I think but yes this is a regular peril where some auto ATUs and their ?‘just try all the possibilities’ first stage algorithms meet ‘running at the limits with limited or no SWR protection’ radios
?
If the auto ATU range can match 10:1 SWR to 1:1 it can also make a 1:1 load look like 10:1 at the rig. ? ?
By contrast my beacon antenna ( fed directly NOT via ATU ) came down in the garden after high wind but was still only presenting 3:1 to the rig which waited patiently to be noticed/rescued (still working) next day. ??
Where I have to use an auto ATU on these rigs it’s a ‘latching relay’ type so I tune it using another rig or via a 3dB attenuator ?and then turn it off to lock the setting.
?
A QRP auto ATU with a less brutal tuning cycle and automatic input attenuator on tune would still be a good addition to the QRP labs line up?
?
?
Bruce Akhurst