I find the auto-tuners in the rigs introduce some loss.  I don't get the 
same output power as I do going through a manual tuner, it is down by about 
10 percent.

Also, Tom, there is no way to run your amp through the built-in tuner on 
your 480SAT, so you can't vaporize it.  Your tuner has to be the last thing 
before your antenna, so the amplifier sees a good SWR as well.

I can't comment on the range of the auto-tuner on the 480, the old Kenwood 
870 used to have a wider range auto-tuner than the newer rigs have.

Steve, K8SP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 9:16 PM
Subject: Re: Looking for a blind friendly antenna tuner?


>    With all due respect, I agree with what Howard is saying here.
>
> I have found the auto-tuner in the TS480 to be very forgiving.
>
> I do use a manual tuner as well, but only when using my Ameritron Al811H
> amplifier, since the auto-tuner in the TS480 would probably be vaporized
> with the higher power level.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Howard Kaufman" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 9:14 PM
> Subject: Re: Looking for a blind friendly antenna tuner?
>
>
> What does a signal to noise ratio have to do with a tuner?
> The tuner in the 480 will tune anything under 8-1.  They have no idea what
> they are talking about!