Antenna Matchboxes

[ Antenna Tuners ]

NOTE:  My web is about my experience, not speculation.  I am old-school and prefer manual antenna matchboxes over automatic tuners.  These pages are mostly about manual tuners.

TYPICAL ANTENNA MATCHBOX QUESTIONS and TOPICS:

WHAT IS AN ANTENNA MATCHBOX ?

An antenna matchbox is a device used in the antenna line for the purpose of matching two different impedances to each other. It is typically used for matching a transmitter (or transceiver) whose impedance is 50 Ohms, to an antenna system (antenna plus transmission line) whose impedance is not 50 Ohms.

 

Ultimately its job is to transfer as much power to the antenna as possible.


Unfortunately it doesn't alway work that way.

 

 

The antenna matchbox may be built into the radio, or be in a separate box.

  • The advantage of having it inside the transceiver is, you have everything in one box.
  • The advantage of having an external matchbox is, it can be larger, use larger components, and therefore match a broader impedance range.  You can also use it with other transceivers.

 

Other names for the antenna matchbox:

  • Antenna Tuner
  • Antenna Coupler
  • Antenna Tuning Unit
  • Or simply ATU 

 

 What is the difference in all of these?

 

 See the next page...


 

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