Yep, Alpha had a couple prototypes when I was there.  I was tinking 
about the ppalstar, but may wait a while.
73
Butch
WA0VJR
Node 3148
Wallace, ks.


On Wed, 16 Oct 2013, Alan R. 
Downing wrote:

> The best automatic tuner will be the Alpha 4040 when it comes on the market.
> It is pricy, but it is another example of "you get what you pay for."  The
> Palstar HF-auto is good, but it isn't in the same league as the Alpha when
> it is available.
>
> 73
>
>
> Alan R. Downing
> Phoenix, AZ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of eric oyen
> Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 4:19 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: tuning an antenna tuner using a noise bridge.
>
> well,
> those auto tuners may be convenient, but they do have limitations. =
> Sometimes they can't tune an adverse load because they don't have the =
> range of values required. That is one of the nice things about a manual =
> tuner, the ranges of both inductors and capacitors are variable (and =
> linear) A manual tuner doesn't require power to operate and lastly, =
> humans can intuit a setting that a machine would ignore.
> Besides, there are times when an auto tuner will completely fail (due =
> to dead power source, lightning strike or bad parts). Manual tuners =
> often don't fail unless subject to lightning.
>
> -eric
>
> On Oct 16, 2013, at 2:09 PM, Howard, W A 9 Y B W wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>> =20
>> MFJ does sell a noise bridge under their name and under the Vectronics =
> name.
>> =20
>> The MFJ model is the 212 MatchMaker
>> The Vectronics Model is the: VEC-512 Tuner,
>> Tuner Aid.
>> =20
>> Price for either, $100.
>> =20
>> I have both of these items and they are identical except the name MFJ =
> or=20
>> Vectronics.
>> =20
>> As of a few months ago, both of these items were still available.
>> =20
>> With the advent of the automatic tuners, it is possible these will be=20=
>
>> discontinued as there may be few manual tuners made in the future.  Of=20=
>
>> course, there is still vintage tuners still around.
>> =20
>> I would suggest that if anyone thinks they may have a use for these =
> items,=20
>> buy 1 or 2 while they are still available.
>> =20
>> Often, we think, "I'll get one later", well, later is often too late!
>> =20
>> 73
>> =20
>> Howard #3
>> =20
>> ----- Original Message -----=20
>> From: "eric oyen" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 2:19 PM
>> Subject: tuning an antenna tuner using a noise bridge.
>> =20
>> =20
>>> ok,
>>> I have one of these devices (an antenna noise tuner). its called a =3D
>>> Palomar tuner-tuner (no longer made from what I hear).
>>> this device sits between your antenna tuner and the radio.=3D20
>>> =20
>>> The basics: you use the noise bridge to tune the antenna tuner to =3D
>>> minimum noise (the quieter, the closer to resonance you are).
>>> =20
>>> How I do it:
>>> 1. tune to the desired frequency in AM mode
>>> 2. turn on attenuator or reduce RF gain to 50%
>>> 3. turn on the noise device
>>> 4. adjust inductor for closest band (setting a or b for 10 meters, =
> etc.)
>>> 5. adjust input capacitor for lowest noise
>>> 6. adjust antenna capacitor for lowest noise.
>>> 7. repeat steps 5 and 6 until noise is reduced to almost nil (or as =
> lo =3D
>>> as you can get it)
>>> 8. turn off device, turn up RF gain and set desired mode.
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> =20
>>> I use the palomar tuner-tuner to retune my antenna for optimal =3D
>>> efficiency on any band. I also record the settings so that I can get =
> =3D
>>> close the next time (reduces tuning time).
>>> =20
>>> Unfortunately, the tuner-tuner unit is no longer manufactured. I wish =
> =3D
>>> that MFJ would make something similar.=3D20
>>> =20
>>> This is the cheap alternative to an expensive auto-tuner for your HF =
> =3D
>>> radio. It also has the advantage of allowing you to tune the antenna =
> =3D
>>> without having to key the transmitter (thus causing unintended =3D
>>> interference) and saving wear and tear on the finals of your radio.
>>> The reason I use AM to listen is that it gives the best noise figure, =
> =3D
>>> thus making it easier to find the resonance dip.
>>> =20
>>> anyway, there is my tutorial for using a noise bridge to tune an =
> antenna =3D
>>> with a tuner.
>>> =20
>>> DE N7zzt - eric.=3D=20
>
>