I’ve received no less than three inquiries this weekend from readers who are seeking advice about purchasing a portable external ATU to pair with their Icom IC-705 transceiver.
Fortunately, there are few options on the market and I believe there is no “right” one because choices are really based on operator preferences.
I’ll do my best to sum up my thoughts below based on the three ATUs I regularly employ and what we know so far about the AH-705 ATU from Icom.
Keep in mind this list will not include some excellent options from LDG, MFJ, and other companies simply because I haven’t used them in the field. Please feel free to add your comments if you have experience with other good options.
Mat-Tuner mAT-705 Plus
The Mat-Tuner mAT-705 Plus is the first external ATU on the market that directly pairs with the Icom IC-705 via a control cable.
Note that I had issues with the first iteration of the mAT-705 and could not recommend it.
The latest iteration–the mAT-705 Plus–is the ATU I can recommend.
Be careful if purchasing an mAT-705 used as you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the Plus version. The Plus version has a USB-C charging port on the front panel (seen in the photo above)–the original mAT-705 does not (it uses replaceable 9V cells).
Pros:
- Perfectly pairs with the IC-705 for full CAT control
- Wide tuning range
- Tuning is fast and relatively quiet
- Numerous memories making repeat matching rapid
- Internal rechargeable battery
- Rugged chassis
Cons:
- Cannot be paired with other radios without modification (not recommended by the manufacturer)
- At $220 US, it’s not the cheapest option
- Because the IC-705 relies on CAT control for operation, if you leave the control cable at home or on a park bench, you will not be able to operate the ATU. (Pro)Fortunately, the CAT cable is a simple 3 conductor 1/8″ stereo patch cable.
- Not weather-proof
Click here to see the AH-705 Plus in action and read a deeper review.
Summary: If you’re looking for an ATU to take full advantage of IC-705 CAT control, the mAT-705 Plus is a great option. The only significant disadvantage of this ATU is the fact that it only pairs with the IC-705 (or possibly other Icom transceivers with similar CAT control). In other words, you can’t pair it with other QRP transceivers you might own.
Click here to check out the mAT-705 Plus at Vibroplex, DX Engineering, Wimo, and Mat-Tuner.
Elecraft T1
The Elecraft T1 has been on the market for at least 16 years and is one of the most popular portable antenna tuners on the market.
Elecraft offers the T1 in kit form ($159.95) and factory assembled/tested ($189.95).
The Elecraft T1 has a CAT control port that has been used with the FT-817 in the past. Elecraft recently announced that they will also produce an IC-705 CAT cable that will allow full pairing with the IC-705 transceiver (much like the mAT-705 Plus above).
To be clear, though, the T1 doesn’t need a control cable to function: simply press the TUNEe button for one second, then key your transceiver.
Pros:
- Very wide tuning range
- Soon it will have an IC-705 CAT connection cable option
- Uses common 9V battery that is easy to replace in the field. (Con) Not internally-rechargeable like the mAT-705 Plus.
- One of the most compact automatic ATUs on the market
- Pairs with any 0.5-W to 20-W transceiver covering the 160-6 meter bands
- FT-817 Remote-Control Option
Cons:
- Front panel buttons need protection while in your pack to prevent accidental pressing that will deplete the battery. I 3D-printed this simple cover that works brilliantly.
- Not weather-proof
Summary: The Elecraft T1 is my personal favorite. Since the T1 pairs with any QRP transceiver, I love the flexibility. The T1 has also been on the market for ages and is a solid, safe choice–we know longevity is benchmark. I’ve never been in a situation where the T1 couldn’t find a reasonable match.
I will certainly test the new IC-705 control cable option when it is released in the near future–stay tuned.
Click here to check out the T1 at Elecraft.
Icom AH-705
Disclosure: I have not tested the AH-705 yet, but Icom plans to send me one on loan for review once available in North America.
We do know a bit about the AH-705 because Icom has published details/specifications and some users in Japan have already received units from the first production run.
The AH-705 is Icom’s custom ATU designed to perfectly pair with the Icom IC-705 via control cable. If you want an all-Icom setup, this is it.
Pricing in US dollars is TBD at time of posting, but the announced retail price is $350 .
Pros:
- Perfectly pairs with the IC-705
- Wide tuning range
- 2-way power sources using alkaline batteries (2 x AA cells) or external 13.8 V DC
- IP54 dust-protection and water resistance construction
- Could (potentially–?) be permanently mounted outdoors at the antenna feed point as a dedicated remote tuner
Cons:
- In terms of overall size, the AH-705 appears to be the largest of the portable ATUs mentioned here
- It doesn’t appear AA batteries can be recharged internally
- The AH-705 may (we don’t know yet) only work with the IC-705 and possibly similar Icom models
- The maximum power handling of the AH-705 is 10 watts–if you use other transceivers (if that is even possible) you would have to be extremely careful with power settings.
- The AH-705 is pricey if the actual retail price ends up being near the projected $350 mark. Hopefully, it’ll be much less than this.
- Like the mAT-705 Plus, the AH-705 will require a control cable for operation. (Pro) Of course this means it pairs perfectly with the IC-705 and can follow frequency changes without RF sensing.
Summary: Keep in mind, I have not tested the AH-705 yet, so this is only based on announced specifications.
The strongest selling point for the AH-705? Since the AH-705 is designed to be dust and weather resistant, it could be mounted at the antenna feed point. At home, perhaps it could act like an externally-mounted, remotely-controlled antenna tuner. I’m not sure what the maximum length of the control cable could be, but Icom Japan even lists a 16 foot control cable as an accessory. Of course, you would still need to follow Icom’s guidance about protecting the antenna, transmitter and control cable connection points.
The biggest negative to me is the size. Just check out how large it is compared to the IC-705 in this video. It’s still very portable, but the other ATU options above are much smaller.
Still: if the AH-705 is great at matching antennas and the price ends up falling below the $300 point, I’m sure it’ll be a very popular ATU.
For more information about the AH-705, check out the product page on Icom Japan’s website. I will test a loaner AH-705 in the field this year.
Emtech ZM-2
Another option often overlooked are portable manual antenna tuners. I’m a big fan of the Emtech ZM-2 which is offered both in kit ($62.50) and factory assembled/tested form ($87.50).
It is a manual tuner, so requires manual input to find a match. While it’s not as easy as push-button tuning, it isn’t complicated either.
Here’s my routine:
- I set the top right switch to “GROUND” if using coax feed line and “LINK” if using a balanced line.
- Set the added capacitance switch “ADD” to “0”
- Set the TUNE/OPERATE switch to OPERATE
- I set both capacitors to middle positions (6 on the scale)
- Tune to AM or SSB and listen to the noise floor as I tune the variable capacitors to maximize the noise level. I typically start with the left capacitor, maximize it, then maximize the right capacitor
- If the antenna is particularly challenging, I might add 250 or 500PF via the ADD switch
- Set the TUNE/OPERATE switch to TUNE
- In CW mode, I key down and make fine tuning adjustments with the variable capacitors to make the red tuning LED turn off (high SWR makes the red LED illuminate)
- Set the TUNE/OPERATE switch to OPERATE and hop on the air! (Often, I’ll double-check the SWR on my transceiver).
This sounds complicated, but once you’ve done it even two or three times, it becomes routine. I’ve yet to find a wire antenna the ZM-2 can’t match–it’s a very capable tuner.
Pros:
- The most affordable option listed here
- Very wide matching range
- Portable and very lightweight
- Requires no batteries for operation
- Mechanically simple
- Reliable
Cons:
- Although not complicated, there is a small learning curve involved
- Each time you change bands, you will need to manually re-tune the ZM-2
- Not as fast and hassle-free as an automatic ATU
- Not weather-proof
Summary: I carry the ZM-2 with me even if I plan to use an automatic portable antenna tuner. If my auto ATU loses power for some reason, the ZM-2 will always rescue me. Plus, it’s just as capable of making tough matches as the ATUs above.
I also love using the ZM-2 to match antennas for shortwave broadcast listening outside the ham bands.
Even if you buy an automatic ATU, I would still encourage you to buy a ZM-2 as a backup. It’s affordable, reliable, and very handy.
Click here to check out the Emtech ZM-2.
What are your favorite portable ATUs?
As I mentioned above, these choices are just a small selection of what’s actually available on the market. Please share your favorite portable ATUs and experience by leaving a comment!
Like Thomas mentioned the MAT-705 v1 was just bad news right out of the box. I had two of them and sent them both back to Vibroplex. I will say that if you can find one with bright LEDs that it will work fine. There was part of a run in the beginning that had really bright LEDs and the battery threshold was properly set and the light tubes should be fine. I don’t know of any that had the bright LEDs that had the stuck circuit board either. So if you can find someone selling one used at the right price just be sure to find out if the LEDs are really bright. All of the v1 will need opened to change the battery.
I really like using the Elecraft T1 with the little interface box that I built. The tuner works flawlessly with the IC-705. There are more options for an interface box for the T1 coming from a few sources but I’m not sure how quickly and what the quality will be.
It seems like just about any other tuner will work but you have to go through the gyrations of switching the radio to FM or CW which is a pain especially if you are using a long wire on some of the lower bands.
I have a Z100 Plus 705 sitting here brand new in the box. When I test it, I will send Thomas a review of it.
Curt
WU3U
Brilliant, Curt! I look forward to your thoughts on the Z100 Plus!
I don’t personally own one, but from the photos I’ve seen, the inside of the Mat-705+ is nothing to write home about either. They put the cheapest possible lithium cells inside. I would be very cautious about using that device with the cells that came in it.
CGJ-100Q – https://www.ebay.com/itm/CGJ-100Q-1-8-30MHz-Mini-Auto-Antenna-Tuner-0-91-OLED-For-Shortwave-Radio-pans-/284047123132
These RF-sensing tuners require zero control wires, and it’s based off the proven N7DDC ATU-100 design. There’s also an open internal battery header and enough room inside to put a 3.7v LiPO flat-pack. I charge my units after each outing, but they have never ran out of juice with the 3000mah batteries I put in them. These are likely the cheapest built option tuners available. I own both the QRP and 100W models and they both work great and are surprisingly small. The housing is adequate and seems sturdy. Some of the best little tuners on the market, if you ask me.
I just recently built a T1 kit and I was amazed at how well it worked. Definitely the tuner I would recommend.
I also carry a ZM-2 in my backpack for emergencies.
Nice pragmatic review.
It’s nice to see the battery-less, control cable-less ZM2 mentioned. I recently reworked a small SOTABEAMS EFHW tuner to make it 80 thru 10 to use with the 705 just in case.
I’ve been using my T1 with the 705 as effortlessly as it worked with everything else. I’m not sure that adding a control cable offers much advantage over the normal point and shoot operation, but look forward to your review of it when it happens.
I’m with you on that, Scott. I find that I want to reach for the T1 even if I have the mAT-705 Plus available too. I like the control cable, but it doesn’t offer serious functionality improvements for field radio use. If hooked to a shack antenna in a more permanent way, then yes, it would speed up band changes and additional tuning. For the field, though? I still find the T1 hard to beat. And I also love the ZM-2–it’s great at finding matches.
Cheers,
Thomas
I would like to know more about the Tuner select button on the IC-705 radio. There is nothing that I can find in either of the Icom user manuals, basic and advanced, nor is there anything in the Radioworld book. To find this function, you have to press Menu, Set, Function, Tuner, Tuner select. Help me, please!
https://sm7iun.se/station/ic705/
for two ideas… but yes, we need more info on how to get external tuners recognized by the 705 tune button…
for now i use my vs-3 for mode switching and ptt when tuning up for my loops (no tuner required)
Good luck getting a T1 at the moment.
It’s July 7th, 2023 and Elecraft is still out of stock. I spoke with them and they are still “working on getting them”. I’m not sure we will ever see them again. The Icom turner is SO BIG. I have seen other very negative reviews on eham for the mAT-705 Plus, so I am staying clear of that one. I think they may have really given the one they gave Thomas the white glove treatment before they sent it to him so he could provide a review with no problems.
Hi, Joy,
To my knowledge, the unit they sent me came directly from the first production run inventory of the 705 Plus. I suppose it’s possible they took one out and thoroughly tested it before I received it, but I doubt it. The first version of the mat-705 was a stinker.
I checked eHam and only found one review and it was 5 star. I was curious what other issues people have reported?
In my experience, the only real issue is that the mat-705 Plus’ battery will drain quickly when attached to the IC-705 permanently. Meaning, if you primarily use the IC-705 and the mat-705 plus in the shack, and you leave the ATU plugged into the IC-705 (with the control cable) then the mat-705 Plus’ battery may need charging again in less than 24 hours.
Since I only use my mat-705 Plus in the field, I never have this problem because it’s completely disconnected between uses. I charge mine maybe once per year.
The other thing I don’t like about the mat-705 plus is that it doesn’t pair with any radio other than the IC-705. I feel like that’s a shame.
You’re right: the Elecraft T1 is almost unobtainium at present. I’m sure they’ll eventually get production going again, but I believe they’re having difficulty securing parts. It’s a shame–it’s a fantastic ATU.
Cheers,
Thomas
The Mat Tuner looks reasonably priced and I like the fact that it does interface with the 705. But I hate buying an accessory that is so limited. I think I’ll end up with the Elecraft T1 ATU. I noticed that the price today (Jan 2022) is $259.95 assembled. No interface cable to the 705 is posted on their site yet. Guess I’ll have to give them a call.
Really good article.
Barry, KU3X
oh, and no mention of the ATU-10? it will give the Elecraft QRP tuner a run for the money… PCBs are now available, and you will find them everywhere, like the ATU-100 at the moment, on that s. american river… btw, i have used the LDG Z11 for more than two decades – it runs off two 9V in series… but it is larger than most… my current portable ATU is an ATU-100 w/an 8-cell AA packed glued on top – less than US$90 assembled!
Thank you so much for all the info you provide in your post and YouTube videos.
I have a question about the Emtech ZM-2 and the Elecraft T1. Will both of these tuners tune the Chameleon MPAS 2.0 antenna? Pretty sure the T1 will just wanted to see if you have used the Emtech ZM-2 with the MPAS. Thanks.
Hi, Josh,
You know: I need to try the 2.0 with my ZM-2, but I don’t think it would be an issue at all. The transformer that comes with the MPAS 2.0 makes matching on almost all bands quite easy. The ZM-2 can match a very wide range, too. It shouldn’t be an issue.
Cheers,
Thomas
Thank you for the reply. I actually ordered one pretty much right after I typed that message. With all the Google searching I’ve done I just really couldn’t find anyone using the MPAS 2.0 with a manual tuner. I figured it would be possible but just haven’t seen it or read about it. I used the MPAS yesterday with my MFJ-949E on 20 meters with no problems whatsoever.
Thank again,
Josh
ATU-10 now available at 1/2 cost of T1 and 1/3 cost of AH-705…
I read that you were concerned about the Elecraft T1’s buttons getting pushed in your pack. A quick tip – open the battery door and flip the battery around – it fits in there backwards and disconnected! This is how I carry mine!
Elecraft T1 Battery Tip
To prevent the battery from being draining with accidental button pushing while in your pack, flip the battery 180 degrees so the + & – terminals aren’t connected. Then flip the battery when you are ready to use the T1.
From the Elecraft K1 User Guide, Page 5 of 12:
https://ftp.elecraft.com/T1/Manuals%20Downloads/E740079%20T1%20owners%20man%20rev%20B.pdf
Storing the Battery for Transport
When packing the T1 for travel, remove the battery and re-install it flipped left-to-right, with the battery
terminals away from the contacts. This takes just a couple of seconds, and will prevent the T1 from getting
turned on inside a pack or suitcase.