How to use an automatic antenna tuner with a Yaesu FT-891 (LDG Z11 Pro II) - Ham Radio Q&A
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 เม.ย. 2021
- How to use an automatic antenna tuner with the Yaesu FT-891. In this video I show you the steps to set up and configure the LDG Z11 Pro II auto tuner with the Yaesu FT-891 portable HF transceiver.
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The Yaesu FT-891 is a very popular transceiver for portable operation, it offers 100 watts of power in a very small package. But it lacks a built in tuner. Some may find that a deal breaker but I really think that’s ok as it allows you to pick and choose an appropriate tuner for your needs. And that's what I did with the LDG Z11 Pro II. The LDG Z11 Pro 2 is a low cost, small automatic tuner that is ideal for mobile, base, or portable use. This tuner will do up to 125 watts sideband and about 30 watts digital. LDG calls this their zero power, which means in the standby mode it draws a negligible amount of power.
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Just bought an 891 and a Z11. Perfect timing that this popped up! 73
Absolutely phenomenal explanation of the FT-891 integration with the LDG Z11 Pro II !!! I just picked up the radio and tuner. Was a breeze to setup and get on the air for a quick test. Also, I took your advice and soldered a 9V connection to power the Z-11 PRO. Thanks KB9VBR!!!
Would love to see more Yaesu 891 videos. Thanks for sharing!
I have the FT-891 with the FC-50 out of vanity and also because I am able to tie the two together with the mounting brackets as one unit. Probably spent more than I needed, but love the ATU combination when I am out working portable. 73, KJ7FEE
Only 2 downsides to the Yaesu tuner..the cost and it is only a 3 to1 tuner..The LDG does a 10 to 1..Gives you a lot more doe the money..Just my 2cents
LOL,,, Well Mike I never thought a video on you tube would save me twice,,,, bet yours did for sure. It was my own lack of knowing my tuner and not spending enough time getting to know it. I have the LDG AT-200 Pro II and I absolutely love it. This video helped me a couple months ago when I first got on HF and because I did a reset on my radio today actually trying to learn some setting on the Yaesu FT-891. Needless to say when I did a factory reset my tuner no longer worked lol. Well Wala! KB9VBR to the rescue. I did a general search for LDG Auto Tuner will not tune up and this video came up again. I was laughing at myself as soon as you showed the menu for setting the tuner select to Lamp. Oops my bad; so thank you again for your great, easy to understand (at my level) videos. People like you are a valuable asset to this amazing hobby and I appreciate what you do to help us out here in the Ham Community. God Bless and keep on doing what you do. KI5DAY,, Allen in Oklahoma!
Thank you Mike for the info on the LDG Z11 tuner, a great "how-to" video.
Great video Michael. I use the FT-891 and the same LDG tuner for mu portable operations. Absolutely excellent combo. 73, K4UVX
Good info as always. By the way the 2 Meter Folded J-Pole that you sent to Texas several months ago is working fantastic.
Great combo. I use it in portable operations.
I have really enjoyed your videos and they have been very helpful. I hope to catch a qso with you soon. It would be great to have you in my QRZlogbook which I do support QRZ by the way as those who use it should.
The LDG Z11Pro autotuner is a great tuner no questions. I use it with my old Kenwood TS140S and it works fine. I have found one issue with it I'd like to point out to anyone wanting to buy it. It has an autotune mode which will tune the antenna automatically when switching bands without having to touch the tuner. When in this mode, I've had situations in which the tuner would tune down to 1:1 but will start retuning during a QSO. Also when in this mode, it seems sensitive to any RF near it. For example, one evening I was watching a digital pileup and picked up a 2meter HT and called a friend I heard on the repeater. The HT was on battery power using a rubber duck and when I keyed up, the tuner started tuning. The HT was not connected to the tuner or antenna at all, yet the LDG started tuning. The way around this is the semiautomatic mode which the tuner will only tune when the tune button is pressed. Once I put it in this mode, the problem went away. Other than that, it's a great tuner.
I've had the tuner do the same thing. Almost always in the field and on the lower bands. I usually chalked it up to the variability that sometimes happens with field antennas. If its wanting to retune, I'll pull the battery connection so the tuner stays on that same spot.
Thank you, this video helped me with my exact same set up!
Thanks for your videos and knowledge.
I have the old Z-11 Pro. Smart choice on the 9 volt external power. I like the internal battery setup on the Pro II, but would forget about the batteries (heavier) that would surely be oozing crud by the time I checked them. Plus, unscrewing those little screws in the cold while on a POTA event wouldn't be much fun!
Great video, thanks!
73,
Brett
Great tutorial for customization! Thank you friend!
Great video - Thnak you Michael. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for all these great videos!!!!!
Thanks for the video. It was very helpful
Michael, great job on the video. Very informative. 73, K9RGB
Thanks Michael. I have this exact setup.
Michael, just got a Z11ProII for my FT-891. I discovered that you can set the radio’s 16-03 HF PWR down (I set mine to 10w) so when it sends out the CW carrier upon tuning, it’s hopefully not as hard on the finals as the 25-50w it uses when the 891’s factory default setting of 100w is used. I checked that this was happening with the power out meter. Thanks for the great video and turning me on to the LDG!
I do the same thing, I keep the HF power relatively low and switch to RTTY mode when I'm tuning.
Thank you for the video!
Thank you, I can now hear 40m FT8 on USB (Upper Side Band), and see them being decoded in WSJT-8!
I watch your video’s and have learned a lot about the ft 891 thank you 73 KO4PF
Thank you very much for great overview of basic functions. I appreciate the information.
Michael…I would like to see a video about the advanced (fine tuning) features of the Z11plus
Reviewed your setup for the LDG z11pro ii. Unfortunately I could not get my ft-891 to tune. So I tried your suggestion of tuning in AM without the cable. Tuned just as expected. Tried the tuner with my ft 857d and had the same issue. I either have a bad cable from the tuner (its new) or the LDG tuner has a bad port. Plan to call the vendor where I bought the tuner (also new) and see what they suggest. Glad I found your setup or I would not have tried the work around. Thanks for posting. Andrew
Thank you!
Popular combination...I have the same. Great setup so far. To power the LDG, I picked up an 8 AA battery holder from Digi-Key and mated it with a 2.5mm connector I had around. I like your 9v solution. Cheers and 73
The external AA pack is a good idea. The downside of using a 9v battery is that it doesn't last very long. I usually get about 6 portable activities on a battery before it dies.
Great video. For those new to portable ops, some advice: Lean toward resonant antennas. Most of your activations will be on 20/30/40m. Save yourself a lot of time and money and just get a Sotabeams Bandhopper. A balanced, resonant dipole will give you the best results and you won't need as much power, gear and bulk.
Morning, first thing thanks for all your help, with everything. My question is this, I have the FT-891 and the ATAS-120 I'd like to see how to set up the tuner with this radio.
Hey Michael, I just received my LDG 100 tuner and moved the Z11 Pro to my Go Box for use with my (new to me) 891. 👍🏻
I’ve been scouring the manual for steering TX power. It would be great if you can do a video on these transmit settings fir AM, Data and SSB on the FT 891. Joe KI5IQE
Thanks for the video, very informative. I just got my first HF rig, a lightly used Icom 7100 and this same tuner. I believe they are compatible, but was wondering if you have ever done a video or know of any resources describing how this tuner and the 7100 interface?
I have an FT-891 and LDG Z-100 Plus tuner. I can't tell if the tuner is inline or bypassing by looking at it. Sometimes the 891 says "HIGH SWR" after changing bands or antennas. Then pushing the TUNE button switches it in or out. Holding the TUNE button drops the power to 5 watts and starts a matching cycle. I had to add a switch in series with the internal AA cells to stop discharging them when not in use.
An excellent video on this rig and auto-tuner. You explained it well and I am sold that I could make this tuner work too. K4PYA
Did you add that internal AA battery tray in the LDG?
I noticed when you opened the LDG, it had AA battery bays, would I be able to use that instead of the homemade 9v setup you have?
Other than the obvious, what are the different features of the LDG AT-100Proll Autotuner and the LDG Z11 Pro ll? I have the AT-100Proll Autotuner and just was wondering. The only difference I think is that I have two antenna inputs. Would a 9 volt battery run my tuner and is the tuner drawing power after a tune? If I use antenna 2 input then I have the antenna 2 led illuminated. Thanks for any info de N3OJL.
I just wish you could split that control cable so that the radio could communicate with the tuner but the ABCD data could still be sent to another device like an antenna switcher or band pass filter system.
Thank you for the review and how-to. As of today, would you still purchase this LDG model, or is there a better/preferred alternative for a similar size or smaller AT? Thanks in advance.
I'm still using my LDG tuner would would recommend it to someone looking for a good auto tuner for their FT-891. But I have heard some good things about MAT Tuners, especially the MAT30. I have not tried that model, though.
I have an 891 with an LDG z-100plus attached. I got the setting all set up thanks to this video.. One questing I have is, if I want to us the 891 with out the tuner do I need to reset everything to factory? Thanks KE8RHS
Hi Michael, does your bypass work fine? If I press quickly (I tried different speeds) it doesn’t enable bypass. Thanks.
is this cable from radio to ldg a special cable u have to buy???
If resonance is defined as when the capacitive and inductive reactances have been adjusted to zero or very close too
And the tuner does just this then the system has electricity been tuned to resonance by the tuner
Great video. I was wondering how do you ground the Antenna Tuner when you are operating it outside?
I don't. Grounding isn't necessary for portable operation. Here's a livestream excerpt that goes into more detail: th-cam.com/video/evvtr1TjBls/w-d-xo.html
Can you help me? I have a homebrew 80 meter full wave loop antenna fed to an MFJ-993B Automatic tuner with 400 ohm ladder line. I have an FT-891 Transceiver. On the back of the MFJ tuner there is a port called Radio Interface. How does that connect my FT-891? Thanks!
Does that tuner have ferrite inductor? I hear they are less efficient than air coil.
Hi, nice video, as always. Are you sure the tuner causes radio to reduce it's power? If I switch the meter to PWR and initiate a tune on the LDG, it still shows 100W out.
This was my question as well.
I have just posted this same question here
Hi Michael:
I just picked up the LDJ Z11 Pro II for my 891. HRO Atlanta didn't have the cable in stock. My question is how are you getting your 891 to output RF for the LDG to sense the SWR. My FT891 will not transmit when the SWR is high. I'm experiencing the same issue with the New SDC-105 screwdriver antenna controller for my little Tarheel 2.with the 891. It also needs RF to read the frequency to move the controller. If I switch bands the SWR is too high and the 891 gives a High SWR and doesn't transmit.
Thanks for the video. I hope to log you in a Park to Park. I have you in the log while I was hunting. 73 NM3J Nick
Great review on this tuner. I will be ordering one based on your review. Thank you. 73, KE8NQL
Is your Yaesu 891 just for POTA or do you use it for a base station. Can you review the radio a little. Iam new and trying to pick between the 891 or the 991A.
I used the FT-891 in the shack for about as year as I transitioned from the Icom IC-718 to my current shack transceiver, the FTdx-3000d. Now it pretty much is my portable rig for outdoor adventure. I think the key difference between the FT-891 and the FT-991A, other than size, is that the 991A has VHF/UHF, System Fusion, sound card, and a built in tuner. For HF, the transmit and receive quality between the two are quite similar, the 991A may be a bit more sensitive. The 991A has more function buttons which makes operating a bit easier, although once you learn the 891's menu system, you can make changes quick enough. I think if you are looking for something to use inside only, then I'd seriously consider the 991. If you think you are going to work outdoors, then consider the 891 as it will function well both inside and out. One final note, the 891 may be a bit cheaper, but you will want to add an external tuner to it so you can use a wider range of antennas. That will close the price gap a bit between the two radios.
My exact setup. Would like any additional information about it. Thanks
Here's a video of my complete portable HF kit: th-cam.com/video/Ag3Z3295cN0/w-d-xo.html
The MFJ 939y is easy to use. You use the timer button on the 891 not the tuner.. The radio does the tuning. Good video.
Tuner.
I think that's a key difference between the MFJ and LDG tuners, the MFJ uses the tuner button on the transceiver and the LDG does not. I don't think one is better than the other in that regards as to get to the tune button on the FT-891 you have to dig through a menu (although you can program one of your front buttons for the tune activity).
Michael, I have the Chameleon Plus Iron Loop. Will I have to tune this antenna as well?
You shouldn't need a tuner with a magnetic loop antenna. Those antennas have an integrated air-capacitor and tuning knob to achieve the correct impedance.
With the radio interface does the tuner button on the radio work? I have the MFJ 939 and that is the way that tuner works.
I think that's a key difference between the MFJ and LDG tuners, the MFJ uses the tuner button on the transceiver and the LDG does not. I don't think one is better than the other in that regards as to get to the tune button on the FT-891 you have to dig through a menu (although you can program one of your front buttons for the tune activity).
I have one of the buttons programmed. For some reason the MFJ’s seem to tune faster.
I like having both a manual and autotuner BUT if one only had money for one right now (I'm ordering the FT891 soon unless I stumble across an Estate deal on say a good working legacy radio in the next two weeks for a starter then backup rig in the next two weeks.) Should I just buy the manual tuner and which one do 9ou recommend?
I think you should start with a manual tuner; they are more versatile. They will match a larger range, handle more power, and work with balanced and unbalanced feed lines. The MFJ line of tuners are good, like the 941, 945, or 949. You can usually pick one up at an estate or hamfest relatively cheap. I wouldn't be afraid to buy one used- as long as it doesn't smell like smoke or burnt electronics, it will work.
Thanks...I really don't mind fine tuning it by hand. Like the extra power capacity. Not to mention, save some $$$.
Do its relays draw current to hold the position after tunned, or are they permanent magnets?
The LDG tuners are designed so that once a tune is achieved, power is no longer needed at the relays.
If I want to use a balanced feedline with this tuner, can I simply connect a coax to the Z11 and then run to a 1:1 balun? Or connect a short coax, remove the shielding, and connect the mesh and wire directly to the balanced line? Thanks for any help
You could remove the shielding and directly connect a piece of coax to your ladder line, but in doing so you will introduce common mode currents into the tuner. The better solution is to use a 1:1 current balun to transition between ladder line and coax. LDG makes some inexpensive baluns that will allow you to connect balanced feed line to their tuners.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Thank you for the response. In an amazingly lucky coincidence, I stumbled through a few options before ending up on the exact one you recommended, and managed almost perfect resonance. Additionally, I ordered an MFJ 971 tuner. I had given up on this option because almost every vendor was reporting Sept delivery for many MFJ products. I ordered direct from MFJ and site says I'll have it in less than a week, so I will have another option...hopefully. Thanks for your response and everything I have learned from your videos....as a relatively new operator, they are an amazing wealth of information.
I have used the LDG Z11Pro autotuner with balanced line(RS TV Twinlead) and it worked well. What I did was I used an external balun connected to the tuner with a short coax. External baluns are available both from LDG and MFJ. I like the LDG Z11pro, it tunes just about anything and if it doesn't find 1:1 SWR on it's own, you can tweak it with the buttons on the front.
Hello, I got a FT-891 and Z-100 Plus Tuner, trying to setup like you mention in this video, and I can't. When I put the radio in Tuner Select and option LAMP star to transmit the power, like a push the PTT and the red light is ON, the only way to stop this is turn off the radio. LAMP option is not warking, thanks for your comments.
Gabriel *TI4GO*
Is the cable you are using to connect the tuner to the radio an LDG tuner cable? If so, the red connector goes to the radio and the black to the tuner.
Having just received my new 891 I was thinking this or yeasu's FC-50?
The FC-50 is matched to the 891, so it is an excellent choice. It will do well. The only difference is cost.
Hi Michael, on one of your videos you showed how to get audio on both sides of your headphones, I can't seem to find that video. Can you point me to that info? Thanks, love the videos.
Here's the video about the headphones: th-cam.com/video/9fnWXtqSDnA/w-d-xo.html
@@KB9VBRAntennas Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for!
When I bought the 891 I ordered the FC50, why did you go with the LDG? The FC50 seems so much faster and easier.
Mostly the price. The LDG tuner is about half the cost of the FC50.
Ok so my LDG Pro II auto tuner on my Yaesu FY-891 quit tuning properly. I don’t if I did something to throw it off or not. I unplugged and replugged in auto tuner. Rechecked radio settings and yes had tuner set to Lamp for tuner. Ok so here is my question. Other people tune on AM or CW mode. You were tuning on this video in LSB mode. Is it ok to tune in LSB/SSB, as you said the radio automatically tunes in CW mode? I do have the proper control cable for the Yaesu radio. I do have data and center power settings low as noted.
I have the same results as jyunte... the tuning cycle does not reduce the FT-891 power. Is there a Menu setting I need to change to have the power reduced while tuning? 73, Ed ad7gr
Menu number 16-03 sets the HF power for tuner/CW/FM operation and menu number 16-06 for 6 meter tuner/CW/FM operation.
73, John, N1WOM
i like this radio a lot but at the same time it makes me so made some times lol
Great video, Michael. The power cord that comes with the LDG Z11 Pro lol, can I leave it long or shorten it for a 9 volt battery?
I left the power cord alone and got a 9 volt battery connector and added a plug on the end for the power connection. These are the plugs I used: amzn.to/3AW7edN
Thanks, Michael!! I enjoy your vids.
By the way, I just bought the LDG to go with my FT891 because of your video.
Will this work with the LDG Z100A? I will using the LDG IC-108 interface cable once it arrives. I can't find any info on this set up for a FT-891.
Thanks KO4MWD
Unfortunately it won't. The Z100A is designed specifically for Icoms with the AH-4 tuner interface. I'm not sure if you could hack the interface to use with other rigs or if the tuner will automatically tune for you if it encounters a high SWR.
@@KB9VBRAntennas thanks for getting back to me.
is there a tuner for yaesu ftm 300 dr or no need for a tuner on that radio...2 m , 70 cm and digital. TIA
There's no need for a tuner for VHF/UHF. The antennas you will use with that rig will either be resonant or have enough bandwidth to cover the entire band.
Can you use a 10-meter CB radio
Hmm...I deleted my earlier comment. I just bought the LDG Z11 ProII on Friday, Jan 14. My 891 PO meter does not appear to show any power rollback during tuning. And I also was not able to get the tuner to initiate tuning via a button press on the Z11proII front panel after the first time. Yes, I do have LAP selected, and I do have the the Yaesu accessory installed properly. I don't know if I am missing something, or the unit is faulty. I can tune if I transmit a carrier.
How will this compare to the Yaesu FC-50 AutoTuner?
The FC-50 is a matched tuner for the FT-891, so it is tightly integrated into the operation of the rig. The downside is that the FC-50 is limited to a 3:1 match, which may not be enough range for a non-resonant antenna. (The LDG tuner can do up to a 10:1 match)
Could anyone confirm that this tuner actually drops the output power from the radio when tuning? Seems like it just transmits on current settings. Thank you
Like all hams, I felt manuals are for confused dummies.
The first time I pressed the button that thing were nuts clicking for 30 seconds or so. Thought I broken it.
And of course, 5 minutes on TH-cam clears that up.
Still haven’t read the book but have used tuner for 3 years.
How long with that 9v battery provide power for the tuner? One day or more?
It depends on how much you use the tuner. The 9v battery usually lasts about 6 months for me.
Wonder what kind of tuner I need for 200w and positioned out in the garden away from the house.
I never get a good SWR on 20-meters with my FT-891 using various types of antennas, either with/or without an auto-tuner. What could be the problem?? Thank you.
It's hard to say without knowing more about your setup, your antennas, and how they are mounted. One piece of advice I can give you is if you not already doing so, is to use a common mode choke on your feed line. This will reduce the common mode currents on the shield of your coax, which is a contributer of high SWR.
New to your videos. Great by the way. Keep up the good !!!!! Work. Look forward to checking them all out. Marc. Kf4imv
I have both manual and auto tuners. I hear that with auto tuners, one can risk higher SWR destroying the finals while tuning. What is true or just misconception?
That is a possibility. Going through a full tune cycle with an auto tuner can present high SWR to the finals. Much like the process with a manual tuner, you should turn the power down during a full tune cycle.
Where would the power meter go?
Typically between the transceiver and the tuner. Then you can view the return power and make adjustments to the tuner, if necessary.
Good evening. I am just wondering if anyone is having issues with this setup on FT8? For some reason, with the accessory cable connected between the radio and tuner, the radio is wanting to drop transmit any time I try to tune or TX the radio. As soon as I remove the plug from the back of the radio, it does just fine. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem?
73 de N4JKD
"Manual tuners have air coils"
MFJ 902 raises head.
What about Yaesu auto tuners?
The Yaesu tuner works seamlessly with the FT-891 and it a great choice, albeit a little more expensive than the LDG.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks. I was wondering why you hadn't mentioned the Yaesu unit. Good to know.
@@billloveless6869 the ldg covers 10:1 mismatch while the yaesu covers 3:1 max. No brainer to go with ldg or mfj.
@@JayN4GO OK. That sense even to me, a newbie:) !
Check out the mAT-30 tuner for Yaesu radios at around $175.00.
I understood.
Built-in tuner - for fully automatic tuning of small(1:3) SWR. It always requires power and resets settings when turned off.
External - for adjusting hight SWR(1:10) by switching on the carrier. It is made on a relay with permanent magnets and requires power only at the time of tuning.
Manual - for huge SWR(>1:10), for random wire and non-resonant antennas. It does not require power, it allows you to adjust very precisely, but it takes time.
Michael, I'd like to ask. If I use an automatic tuner with a resonant antenna only to adjust the SWR at the edges of the band - how big will the losses in the tuner be in this case?
The tuner will aid in the energy transfer by presenting a proper match to the transceiver. But you aren't making the antenna more efficient. Some of the energy will be passed through, but most will be absorbed by the tuner. You really won't know how much unless you have power meters on both sides of the tuner.
@@KB9VBRAntennas One more question Michael. An optional 4:1 balun is available for the LDG Z11 Pro II, greatly increasing the impedance matching range. Have you encountered the fact that the standard range is not enough? Does it make sense to buy this option?
5:55 so you basically skipped the most important feature that makes it unique from other autotunes like LDG Z100Plus
I think Ive got to buy an ft-891.
I like mine very much. I think you'll enjoy having one as well!
How about a wiring diagram? I don't care about the guts.