The new AT-1000 tuner was designed for 1 kw rather than the full gallon to
keep costs down while appealing to the largest segment of the amp market
(the under-$1k amp purchaser). There are a lot of 500w to 800w amps out
there, and there are a lot of these amps being purchased by new hams who
don't already have a high power tuner. Evidently, the cost to make an
autotuner that could handle full legal power plus (need a safety margin)
would be a LOT more than that to make an amp rated at 1kw with a little
buffer built in.
I understand this reasoning... but I don't know if I agree with it. I'm the
type of person who likes to buy things once and doesn't mind paying a little
more for the top-of-the-line. However, based upon my experiences with
owning a specialty retail shop (firearms) I will admit that my views on
purchasing items don't reflect the majority opinion (although they DO
reflect the INFORMED opinion!).
I wish LDG success and hope that fantastic sales along with a clamor from
customers will cause them to introduce a full gallon autotuner.
- jgc
John Clifford KD7KGX
Heathkit HW-9 WARC/HFT-9/HM-9
Elecraft K2 #1678 /KSB2/KIO2/KBT2/KAT2/KNB2/KAF2/KPA100
Ten-Tec Omni VI/Opt1
Alinco DR-605TQ
Icom T90A
email: kd7kgx@arrl.net
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