Note
The Z-817 20-watt automatic tuner is designed for QRP operation. While the tuner works well with any radio with a maximum power of 20 watts, it offers enhanced features when coupled with the Yaesu FT-817 QRP transceiver.
The Z-817 provides semi-automatic antenna tuning across the entire HF spectrum plus 6 meters, at power levels up to 20 watts. It will tune dipoles, verticals, Yagis, or virtually any coax-fed antenna. It will match an wide range of antennas and impedances.
The Z-817 is similar to previous LDG tuners, but is specially engineered to integrate with the Yaesu FT-817 QRP HF radio. The Z-817 connects to the CAT port on the back of the radio. The CAT interface allows an external device such as a PC or the Z-817 to control the FT-817 by sending it serial commands. The Z-817 takes advantage of this
interface to simplify the tuning process -- one button push is all that is needed in order to switch the radio to PKT mode, reduce output power, transmit a carrier, measure the transmit frequency, and then restore the radio to its previous mode and power level.
The Z-817 will also function as a general-purpose QRP antenna tuner with other radios. Manual operation will be required in this case.
The tuner is powered by internal batteries, so there is no power cable is required. Latching relays are used, so the Z-817 consumes no power when not tuning. Batteries will last about a year under average use.
While LDG has refined the internal components and firmware over time, the core design and Z-817 model designation have stayed consistent since that 2010 launch.
Specifications
– 0.1 to 20 watts SSB, CW, and digital modes.
– Latching relays for ultra low power operation.
– 2,000 memories for instantaneous frequency and band changing (when used with FT-817 radio. 200 memories otherwise.)
– Works with any transceiver with maximum 20 watts power rating.
– Pass-thru CAT port allows Z-817 to control the FT-817 over the CAT bus while still allowing a host PC to also control the radio.
– 1.8 to 54.0 MHz coverage. Frequency for memory storage is read from the radio via CAT.
– Tunes 6 to 600 ohm loads (16 to 150 on 6M), 24 to 2400 ohms with optional 4:1 Balun.
– For Dipoles, Verticals, Vees, Beams or any Coax Fed Antenna.
– Optional external Balun allows tuning of random length, long wire or ladder line fed antennas.
Power requirements: (4) 1.5V AA (Alkaline recommended)
