Ham Radio: LDG RT 100 Tuner in ATAS mode

Putting my LDG RT100 tuner through its paces for the first time, and I am impressed by how it couples with my FT891 in ATAS mode. See what you think?
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[@socallars3748]

Holy cow...I've been dragging the LDG bias-t box everywhere I go, assuming I needed it to power my RT100! I had no idea the FT-891 already sent 12v down the line to power the tuner. It should have been obvious to me, as it's setup to power the ATAS antenna! Oh well, better late than never. Thanks for the info, Tim. That's one less box, one less power cable and one less coax jumper I need to bring out into the field.

[@timg5tm941]

Great stuff!!

[@BretChilcott]

Tim, thank you for your contribution to amateaur radio. Your videos are very helpful. 73, BretC/AC0AE

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Bret! 73

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Thanks for sharing Tim. I'm a big fan of ATU's at the feedpoint. Very little downside as long as you remember the fundamentals 👍

[@timg5tm941]

100% agree Colin 73

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Tim,
ATAS mode sure makes antenna tuning easy. Happy Easter to you and the family. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@timg5tm941]

You too Don. Take care friend

[@cathrynm]

Nice video. I recently put an RT-100 on my trap dipole and FT-710, and so far it seems to be working pretty good. 12M is a good band for this because I don't care enough to put up something resonant for that band, but nice to use it now and then.

[@timg5tm941]

If it allows you some flexibility then all good!

[@theosavidis2330]

I like the set up Tim. 👍😉

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks!

[@AmateurRadioUK]

Thanks for that Tim. I didn't know that you could squirt bias-T power out the back of the radio to the tuner like that! I always thought that you had to have the separate power supply.
The FT-857D is apparently compatible with the ATAS, so I'm guessing that this would probably also work with my FT857D.

[@timg5tm941]

Yep should work in Atas mode James 73

[@Davidm-M0TPT]

Great setup Tim no faffing around happy days :)

[@timg5tm941]

Cheers Dave! I’m just lazy! 73

[@KD9ZHF]

faffing? stateside here.

[@nekotherion7317]

Neat setup. I've been thinking of doing a diy atas so if I get it working optimally will have to see how it does. Ft100 here

[@timg5tm941]

Worth a go!

[@videossimon4288]

I have had the same setup for a couple of years

[@timg5tm941]

Works well for you I hope. 73

[@rogerlafrance6355]

Short of a full dipole a remote ATU, is the best solution and not that expensive considering all the other bits one can buy and still have to trim the antenna. Airliners have ATU's in the tail section to tune the antenna built into the vertical stabilizer and ships have them remote to match stays and such.

[@timg5tm941]

Good points

[@johnnorth9355]

Good stuff - these ATU's mean make mobile operations a cinch whatever the compromise on antennas that you have to make .Hoping to get a G90 however which will make it redundant with it's own internal tuner.

[@timg5tm941]

True but the nearer you tune the vertical to the feed point the less loss from the coax mid match

[@davem0udb]

Interesting video Tim, I’ve been looking for a remote tuner, this looks like it will fit the bill with my ft-897

[@timg5tm941]

Yep should work on Atas mode. Ok up to 125 watts peak

[@KD9ZHF]

I bet I could do this with my FT-710 too then too, right?

[@503Nick]

Nicely done. What antenna are you using on the vehicle? Sorry if I missed it in the video

[@timg5tm941]

Hi there, I’m using a 9 foot tank whip (1/4 wave on 27mhz).

[@chrisbartlett6022]

That is interesting. I have an 857 and an ATAS antenna and have run the rig happily that way. However if this will enable me to easily use a better antenna it will be interesting. Currently is I use an end fed or anything /P I am using an MFJ 939. This might well be easier. Be interested in what antenna you are using. Thanks for the info Tim.

[@timg5tm941]

Ah yes to be revealed! 73

[@chrisbartlett6022]

@@timg5tm941 VERY interested to see how this develops Tim.

[@chrisbartlett6022]

@@timg5tm941 Of course you could be parked next to a huge Tower, out of shot 🙂

[@reedreamer9518]

What antenna are you tuning with that LDG-100?

[@oew586]

I used the same configuration; allways on SSB and 100W - the tuner did all the rest for me (power and mode)

[@timg5tm941]

Absolutely 👍

[@Mark300win]

Would mfj993brt work in car/truck mobile setup? It tunes a radiator wire not a regular coax like this one so i’m sure if extending the radiator inside would be ideal :/

[@timg5tm941]

Try it!

[@jampskan5690]

Why would you need a tuner if you have the ATAS? Doesn't it communicate with the radio and adjust for best SWR? I was thinking about getting that antenna, but haven't really deep dived into it yet.

[@timg5tm941]

It’s instead of an atas. My view is you can use the tuner for loads of other applications too. But buy an Atas and that’s all you can do with it. As this tuner allows the Atas function to act as a bias tee it has that flexibility. As well as not needing any additional power source to function.

[@joekrepps]

For what it’s worth, an ATU will tune faster than the ATAS because it’s electronic not mechanical. For example going from 40m to 10m with the ATAS “takes a while”.
Also, an ATU will store the settings for 100 or more frequencies. If you tuned it for 7.025 and 28.300, it would take about 2 seconds to go either way.
I’ve been using an ATAS with my 891 for a year and I often wonder if there’s a better option. I operate 20m-10m almost 100%. I’d have less money with an ATU plus a 3m whip than an ATAS in 2023 money. (My ATAS gets “confused”if I go to 40m and back, resetting itself in the process-annoying!) 73’s all around! 😊 WB3CFN

[@radioastra]

Interesting combo setup... Thinking in a nvis mobile configuration for emcomm. 73 de Chris EA4UC.

[@timg5tm941]

Nice!