Many thanks to Joshua (KO4AWH) who shares the following guest post:
UPDATE: Please check out Joshua’s most recent review after updating the ATU-10 with new firmware. The results have improved dramatically.
ATU-10 Random Wire Testing
by Joshua (KO4AWH)
I had a bit of time to do some field tests and I recently acquired an ATU-10. So I jumped right in and did some ATU-10 Random Wire Testing. The testing was completed with a Tufteln 9:1 QRP Antenna configured with an elevated feed point sloper and a counterpoise hanging straight down. The coax feed was RG316 17′ with the ATU at the radio with a short jumper. Several different radiator lengths are used as mentioned below. The ATU-10 was sourced from newdiytech.com, price was $120.24 shipped to me in GA USA, Ordered June 25, delivered July 8th.
A quick list of ATU-10 Features:
- 0.91″ OLED Display that shows Power, SWR and internal battery remaining.
- USB-C Rechargeable LiPo 1.7Ah
- Grounding Lug
- Bypass Mode (When I set to this mode however it would tune anyways)
- Latching Relays (No power needed to keep in position. Hold tune with ATU off)
- Input port for communication with IC705 (and potentially others)
- 7 Inductors, 7 capacitors
- (Elecraft QRP)
- C array, pF 10, 20, 39, 82, 160, 330, 660
- L array, uH 0.05, 0.11, 0.22, 0.45, 0.95, 1.9, 3.8
- ATU-10
- C array, pF 22, 47, 100, 220, 470, 1000, 2220
- L array, uH 0.1, 0.22, 0.45, 1.0, 2.2, 4.5, 10.0
- (Elecraft QRP)
- USB-C firmware update (ATU shows up as a drive, simply copy the new firmware file to the device and it will automatically update)
- Weight 232g (8.1oz)
- Tufteln Case adds 23g (.8oz) for a Total of 255g (8.9oz)
- Compared to the T1 with cover for a total weight of 187g (6.5oz)
SWR measured with a RigExpert RigStick 320, Lab599 Discovery TX-500 and the ATU-10
The test process was to first check the SWR on the antenna with no tuner. SWR values recorded from the TX500 and RigExpert Stick 320. Values recorded in the 2 columns under the “No Tuner” section. This was completed for each of the Bands listed in the table rows (see below). SWR values were the lowest in the band range for all recorded numbers. Continue reading Joshua tests the ATU-10 portable automatic antenna tuner