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Group, I'm not set up to construct from scratch, or build kits. So, I'm looking for suggestions on SMALL auto or manual antenna tuners to work with the QMX and QMX+? ? (I'm aware of the Elecraft auto ATU, Kanga ATU and Emtech ZM2 Z-match).? The ATU will be used with random wires or doublets over multiple bands.
Thanks & 73 Jay W6CJ
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Jay W6CJ wrote… I'm looking for suggestions on SMALL auto or manual antenna tuners to work with the QMX and QMX+ Look on Amazon, Ali Express TEMU etc for Z-Match Tuner. It has a resistive bridge / Tayloe type SWR indicator so in tune mode, the radio doesn’t see a worse than 2:1 march, and seems to work OK. It has settings for low and high impedance. e.g.
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I said… the radio doesn’t see a worse than 2:1 march… Of course, that should’ve been no worse than a 2:1 match. I use it mostly with a 9:1 UN-UN and an end-fed antenna. -- 73 Keith VE7GDH
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Hi Jay,
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I have successfully used with my QMX+.? I add an external homebrew 1:1 current balun to feed ladder line.
One caveat with auto tuners is that during the search cycle for a match they can present high SWRs that can damage your BS170 finals.
Additionally, the QMX's low power output in SWR Tune mode may be insufficient for the auto tune function of some auto tuners.
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73, Carol KP4MD
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QMX+ does not work with ATU-100. QMX+ goes into alarm during automatic setup. ATU-100 with reduced transmission power will not tune automatically.
QDX and ATU-100 work together.
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I ordered an ATU kit from Amazon but I'm also getting a manual tuner with my other HF rig. I came here to ask, how exactly do you use one of these?
Hi Jay,
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I have successfully used with my QMX+.? I add an external homebrew 1:1 current balun to feed ladder line.
One caveat with auto tuners is that during the search cycle for a match they can present high SWRs that can damage your BS170 finals.
Additionally, the QMX's low power output in SWR Tune mode may be insufficient for the auto tune function of some auto tuners.
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73, Carol KP4MD
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Can you tune manually with the atu-100? Why would it work with qdx but not QMX?
QMX+ does not work with ATU-100. QMX+ goes into alarm during automatic setup. ATU-100 with reduced transmission power will not tune automatically.
QDX and ATU-100 work together.
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I have a BLT+ from Pacific Antenna
I haven't yet used it with my QMX but have no reason to believe it won't work. I currently use resonant bands on an EFHW.
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On Mon, Feb 17, 2025 at 11:03 AM, Keith VE7GDH wrote:
Look on Amazon, Ali Express TEMU etc for Z-Match Tuner. It has a resistive bridge / Tayloe type SWR indicator so in tune mode, the radio doesn’t see a worse than 2:1 march, and seems to work OK. It has settings for low and high impedance. e.g.
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I just built that same tuner from a kit. I really like it.?
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AFAIK, the ATU-100 can't tune manually.?
The QDX works with it because it can't lower its power output and it doesn't have any way to protect its finals. If you turn all the protections off on the QMX and tune at full power, it will tune also.?
However, you really shouldn't use the auto tuner with either one at full power, as the high SWRs during tuning are likely to eventually damage both of them.?
If you want to use an automatic tuner, you need one that will tune at low power (1-2 W) and use the tune mode on the QMX or a resistive bridge between the QDX/QMX and the tuner. Or use a manual tuner with a resistive bridge you can switch in and out.?
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73, Dan? NM3A
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I have an atu100 which has been modified with the atu10 "low power mod". It triggers and tries to tune but even with QMX+? SWR set to 6 it will only work on a couple of bands without tripping QMX+ "S" warning. I'm using my old mfj945c manual tuner until I get something better.
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QMX+ does not work with ATU-100. QMX+ goes into alarm during automatic setup. ATU-100 with reduced transmission power will not tune automatically.
QDX and ATU-100 work together.
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Interesting, I guess I will just use the auto tuner with the Kenwood 450s I am getting. And the manual tuner that comes with the Kenwood with my QMX ?.
I have an atu100 which has been modified with the atu10 "low power mod". It triggers and tries to tune but even with QMX+? SWR set to 6 it will only work on a couple of bands without tripping QMX+ "S" warning. I'm using my old mfj945c manual tuner until I get something better.
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OK- The SWR unit in this, and some other tuners, is a Tayloe bridge. In the tune mode, you adjust for the dimmest LED indication = low SWR. Kanga UK has bridges and tuners with these bridges, also Emtech ZM2 here in the us. Watch how to tune one on youtube
73 Jay
I ordered an ATU kit from Amazon but I'm also getting a manual tuner with my other HF rig. I came here to ask, how exactly do you use one of these?
Hi Jay,
?
I have successfully used with my QMX+.? I add an external homebrew 1:1 current balun to feed ladder line.
One caveat with auto tuners is that during the search cycle for a match they can present high SWRs that can damage your BS170 finals.
Additionally, the QMX's low power output in SWR Tune mode may be insufficient for the auto tune function of some auto tuners.
?
73, Carol KP4MD
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As you asked about the AT-100....... ?An affordable auto tuner similar to the ATU-100, which includes manual tuning capability, is the Antuner AT-100M Pro. Automatic tuning is supported at very low power levels (functional with the SWR Measurement function within QMX's Hardware Tests menu), even <1w if specified in the device's menu. Antuner.com.?
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It's small and battery powered, but uses non-latching relays so it does require periodic charging. Manual tuning requires a bit of patience, because all of the menu functions are achieved with a single button.
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It's an interesting tuner, especially for the price, because it supports operation at the feed point with automatic re-tuning--which some people prefer to disable to avoid surprise moments of re-tuning that could stress the finals. Such a tuning cycle is possible with intermittent connections or high winds on your wire. I've not had it tune out of the blue on me, but you may want to choke the coax before the tuner, as high CMC can throw off SWR measurements on most any device.
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Garrett, pp5/KC3UNP
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I'll vouch for that. I used the Pacific Antenna Zmatch on their 40/30/20m rig. 73 Jay W6CJ
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Jay, I have had good luck with the N7DDC ATU-10. The QRP version of the ATU-100 on QDX, QMX, and QMX+
But buyer beware, they are not all created equal.
I bought mine on Amazon from the seller, "Brand: Malahit". 3 of them all work fine. No blown finals.
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I purchased one from another seller and the screen would eventually wig out to where you couldn't read it without powering down and back up.?
It auto tunes quite well, you can manually initiate a tuning cycle, and you can put it in bypass mode. The only drawback is that it tends to trip SWR protection in the QMXs, so I leave that feature turned off.
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Randy, N4OPI
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Hello,
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I have been using the Elecraft T1 since about 20 years on a daily basis. It tunes everything. Battery lasts 2 Years and there is an alarm, when you have to replace it. Until now, no problems. It just works without discussion, even with "bad" antennas.
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72 de Hajo dl1sdz
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Hajo DL1SDZ wrote… I have been using the Elecraft T1 since about 20 years on a daily basis. It tunes everything. I have one if those too. It tuned “everything” until it stopped working. It’s tiny… so small that it’s very good at hiding. If I can find it, I could do some digging and decide if I am going to try and fix it or just send it in. As much as I liked it, it probably wouldn’t work out very well on a QMX etc. radio. It survived years of portable use with an FT-817… until it didn’t. -- 73 Keith VE7GDH
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Another thumbs up for that ATU-10, though I probably got one of the lesser ones as it was only $30 last year from the seller I bought from (seems to be over $80 now).? It works fine though.? Technically mine's an ATU-10-0A which goes to 20w.? But it tunes down to .2w (though how well I have my doubts).? Only problem I've had with it is it doesn't hold a long charge and I've run out of juice several times, so they used an inferior battery.? I could change it, but, meh.
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What I'd like is a small manual tuner, like amazon: "z match antenna tuner", that one, $40ish, just smaller, like considerably smaller.? I like Emtech's ZM-2, I like qrp guys' Multi Z Tuner, I like 4 States qrp group 4S-Tuner, and there are others.? Problem is they're all a tad beefy for the kit I want to pack it in.? If anyone has a rec for a unit or kit or even a design that's the same idea just with a more compact layout so the case is half the size of these I'd be much appreciative.? It's amazing how much is inside the QMX case, and lugging around a tuner box that's almost twice as big as the radio and holds majority empty space is disappointing.
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Jay W6CJ
Carol KP4MD
Grant
Richard Dyer
Garrett kc3unp
Hajo Dezelski