Many thanks to Richard (M0RGM) who writes:
Hi Thomas,
Hope this email finds you well, and thanks for all the recent blog updates and videos.
Like many other QRP ops we sometimes need an ATU or matching unit. For a while I’ve been looking for a small compact unit for use with my QCX-mini, MTR-3B and TX-500. I was sorely tempted by the Emtech ZM2, but they are quite expensive over here in England, especially as I’m awaiting delivery of a Venus SW-3B!
After much research I stumbled on the Phoenix Transmatch sold by Kanga Products. Paul, the proprietor, sells quite a range of quality QRP goodies. Having purchased the assembled device (work gets in the way of construction these days), I can say that this is a really good lightweight model that suits my purposes fully. No, it doesn’t have the tuning range of the ZM2, but I rather hope my antennas are not too far out of resonance!
For size comparison, see the attached photo taken whilst playing in the sunshine….
For anyone interested, the web details can be found at https://www.kanga-products.co.uk/ourshop/cat_1750054-QRP-ATUs.html
I have no connection with Kanga other than being a satisfied customer!
Regards,
Richard M0RGM
Thank you for sharing this, Richard. I love the size of Phoenix Tranzmatch–I was not familiar with it. It would be a great additon to pretty much any field kit. I see you also have the N6ARA paddles–I think they’re great!
It also sounds like you, too, have a QRP radio addiction. I hope you realize there’s no cure, so don’t fight it! 🙂
Thanks again for sharing this, Richard.Â
Link does not work.
Which link, John? All in this post appear to work.
Both the link in 2nd paragraph and the one under the photo worked find, both went to same page.
Thanks, tuner does look good.
73, ron, n9ee/r
Thanks for the Kanga link. He has some interesting stuff for sell.
Great, that´s what i´m looking for my QCX too.
I orderd one!
Andre
these, and the makers other kits are sold on ebay, and their own website.
Thanks to Richard for his short review and Thomas for passing along! What sweet little tuners….
I just love these little QRP kits. I’m going to order either the desktop or the pocket transmatch.
72
Brent VA3YG
Wonderful, thanks for the info Richard and thank you Thomas for this venue. I use a ZM2, it was given to me when I ventured into the world of QRP……
73
wb8yxf
The Kanga Pocket transmatch is excellent. It tunes extremely sharp and the LED is very bright. You just can’t beat the size. Paul the owner is very responsive and helpul….so much so that he recently responded to a question I sent him while he was lying in a hospital bed!
(From my HAM review)
I’ve had mine for only a few days. I purchased it from Kanga in the UK. I needed a small, simple manual tuner to go with my QRP /P CW transceivers.
I connected a 40-foot sloping wire antenna and two 16-foot counterpoise radials to the Pocket Transmatch. I tested on 80-10 meters + WARC, using a RigExpert 1400 and had no problems tuning any band with this antenna.
Next, I tuned up on 40,30,20 and 17m – this time using a Penntek TR35 transceiver at 5 watts using the same antenna. The LED “SWR null” display was a great tuning aid. I learned that peaking the two controls FIRST for the most background noise in the receiver helps speed up tuning (less time spent transmitting carriers). I re-checked the tuner settings using my antenna analyzer, and saw that the LED method of tuning for low SWR is reliable (I won’t need to bring my antenna analyzer along on QRP outings!).
This ATU is not a no-name clone from China. It is made in the UK, has documentation, and the owner answered my email questions. It is available in kit or pre-built form; I ordered the pre-built. Kanga offers another ATU kit, shack accessory kits and kits for the beginner.
The Phoenix Pocket QRP Transmatch will become a part of my QRP/Portable go kit. I hope to get on the air soon, and try out various doublets, verticals and random wires.