| Radios just keep getting better and
better. Back in the day, a 6146 backed by a VFO was a big deal. Now,
radios are basically computers with an RF stage or two. The new Icom
IC-7000 is the latest amazing rig to combine all-band, all-mode DSP
operation in a box smaller than some microphones come in, and with a
color screen to boot! They got so much right on this fantastic rig, you
just have to wonder how they could have gone so wrong with the antenna
tuner.
Icom's AT-180 tuner matches an SWR of only 3:1 at most (2.5:1 on 6
meters)! This limits you to antennas that are pretty much resonant
to start with; droopy dipoles and wet-noodle verticals on Field Day
are out of the question with the AT-180. And, the AT-180 has only 70
memories. That's just 7 or 8 memories per band; heck, there's more
RV and county hunter nets than that, never mind DX calling
frequencies and SSTV watering holes.
Once again, LDG comes to the rescue. The IT-100 is the ideal tuner
for your shiny new IC-7000. First, it matches up to 10:1 SWR (3:1 on
6 meters), so just about anything you can feed with coax is good to
go. And, it has 2,000 (not a typo; that's 2,000!) memories, enough
for every Dxpedition, RTTY spot and radio buddy you've got, and then
some. Just hit the tune button on the radio, and your IT-100 will
set tuner parameters in less than a second if you've been there
before. If not, it kicks off a full tuning cycle that will be over
in about 3 seconds. Don't need the tuner just now? Then just tap the
Tune button briefly, and the tuner goes into bypass. Press it again
to bring the tuner back on line -- it's just that simple.
The IT-100 is just 6.5" long, 6.5" deep and 1.5" tall. It weighs
only 1.5 pounds, and gets its DC power directly from the radio; no
separate power supply needed. The IT-100 works with any Icom radio
that supports AH-3 or AH-4 Icom antennas. This currently includes
the IC-7000, IC-706MkIIG, IC-718, IC-746 and IC-756ProIII and
others.
The IT-100 comes fully assembled, aligned and ready to use. The
package includes a 14" radio interface cable and a 14" coax jumper;
you're ready to operate right out of the box.
Oh, and one other thing: the LDG IT-100 costs about half as much as
the AT-180. So, let's review: much wider matching range, thousands
more memories and LDG's famous 2 year warranty, all at half the
price. The IT-100 is clearly the tuner of choice for your Icom
radio; order yours today. |
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