Antenna Matchboxes

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.

<>  WHAT IS AN ANTENNA MATCHBOX ?    (on this page, below:)

<>  WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTENNA MATCHBOX AND ANTENNA TUNER?

<>  WHEN DO WE NEED TO USE AN ANTENNA MATCHBOX?

<>  MATCH BOX POWER LOSSES?

<>  THE "PERFECT" MATCHBOX?

<>  WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TYPES OF ANTENNA MATCHBOXES?

<>  WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?  - SYMMETRICAL?  - ASYMMETRICAL?

<>  ASYMMETRICAL MATCHBOXES:  (Unbalanced Matchbox)

<>  SYMMETRICAL MATCHBOXES:  (Balanced Matchbox)

<>  WHICH ONE SHOULD I USE ?  (not yet finished - sri)

<>  ANTENNA MATCHBOX POWER RATINGS?

<>  MATCHBOX SHOOT-OUT:  (Based on ARRL Test Reports)

<>  MATCHBOX DO's AND DON'Ts

<>  HOW TO KILL A MATCHBOX:

<>  MFJ  MATCHBOXES

<>  MATCHBOX SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

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:

 What is the difference in all of these?

 See the next page...

(NEXT PAGE:  ANTENNA MATCHBOX OR ANTENNA TUNER ? >>> )