mAT 705 tuner for the Icom 705 Transceiver Review

Kind of a review...Some video of the mAT-705plus in action. I've used this tuner for about a year off and on. It tunes well, connects no problem to the IC-705 and tunes just about everything I throw at it. I like it's size and weight and it's smooth, quiet tuning. I don't like that the internal batteries don't last very long between charges. This would be a problem for long camping trips unless you have a means to charge it in the field. You could bring extra batteries, but opening up the tuner in the field is not anywhere near as simple as, say, changing the 9v on the Elecraft T1. You'd be taking out 8 small screws. I initially went with the LDG Z-100plus tuner because I could run it off of internal AA batteries or an external power source (like an external 9v). It lasts almost forever on the 8 AA batteries because it does not draw power when it's not tuning. It was less expensive. Finally, I can also use it for other radios. But it is bigger and bulkier and a bit "clunkier".
For Icom 705 use and if you don't operate for long in the field or can charge it, the mAT-705 is a great tuner to have. You should get 7 hours of operating time before you need to charge it.
SWR from tuning my ugly antenna in the backyard:
Band mAT-705 LDG Z-100
80 flat flat
40 1.3 1.1
30 1.1 1.4
20 1.4 1.1
17 1.3 2.3
15 1.6 1.3
10 2 1.4
in Canada you can get one at DXCanada.ca

[@Kinetic79]

Nice overview. Yes, this little MAT tuner looks similar to the size that the Chinese built (but apparently good quality) Antuner AT-100M is… and same thing-not latching relays (which is where most of your power is going-holding the relays actively in place while operating-not to the LEDs). It’s a good alternative to this one, I think. Run time seems to be about the same. I wonder if the latching relays are merely just more expensive to include, or if they really necessitate a larger enclosure.

[@ve3sif]

thanks. I do like the smoothness of the mAT tuner and the size is nice and compact. Not sure about the latching relays; the Z100 plus uses them and isn't more expensive than the mAT. If I had to choose, I would probably go with the LDG since I'm sometimes in the woods for a week at a time and don't need one more thing to keep charging :)

[@mikemkx4598]

Great video... A good comparison between the two... 73 Mike VE3MKX

[@ve3sif]

thanks, Mike.