FTDX10 SWR Problem

 FTDX10 SWR Problem - LDG AT-600Pro Cushcraft R6000 vertical antenna

Here is my station set up FTDX10 LDG AT-600Proll and a Cushcraft R6000 vertical.antenna. On all bands, but 20 my SWR is bellow 3.1:1. But on 20 m across the whole band it is a 5.1:1 but even at 5.1:1 the tuner will tune it down to a flat SWR which to me makes no sense. Tuner will not handle anything over 3.1:1 so I'm confused, and he suggestions would be appreciated. I double checked all dimensions

 

 

1. You have a faulty antenna. When the antenna is set up properly, you won't need a tuner at all.

2. If you are using the LDG tuner, you must never use the internal tuner in the radio. If you want to use the internal tuner, then take the LDG completely out of line and put it in the cupboard.

Not surprised at all.  The LDG 600 ATPro will tune an antenna from 10:1 on down.   In contrast, the rig’s internal tuner will only handle <= 3:1.  Just set the rig tuner to EXT to disable the rig internal tuner circuit.     Technically, that’s all you need as long as you remember to manually cut rig output to 10 watts before initiating tuning.   If you like, you can buy or make the accessory cable between rig and tuner that drops rig power to 10 watts (first press) before tuning commences.  

Quite a few posts here on how to make your own rig to tuner cable.   Lots of confusion, and it’s hard to blame folks.  Although hugely counterintuitive,

the tuner cable cable actually uses the 10 pin DIN amplifier port going to a two pin audio plug that goes to the tuner - not the 8 pin tuner port!   Look for the posts that show the actual ten pin diagram wiring.   I ordered an eight pin DIN before discovering this. 

The tuners being discussed use a large group of relays to switch capacitance and inductance in and out of the LC tuning circuit to arrive at a suitable match.  Running the outboard tuner in "Tune" mode with full transmit power will cause the relay contacts to arc as it switches the various components in and out of the circuit.  It is really hard on the relay contacts to switch under power like that....and 10 times worse if you are doing it with a linear amplifier online at the same time. 

The internal tuner, when used, automatically adjusts the transmitter's power level to about 5 to 10 watts when you hit the transmitter's "TUNE" button, regardless of what power setting you have dialed in on the front panel.  Again, this is done to save the relay contacts. 

A properly configured external antenna tuner setup, if used with a power amplifier, will have the amp's PTT keyline routed through it also, so the amp will NOT be putting out power when the tuner is searching for a suitable SWR. 

the FTdx10 internal tuner will not handle over 3.1:1. The LDG tuner will handle up to 10:1.