ATU and Random wire?

[Gemini4]

I'm currently thinking of buying an ATU..is it right what I've been told that there is no need for a SWR meter once the ATU
is attached?.

[owza]

If the ATU gives an indication it's matched, you could possibly get away with it.

For example my LDG Z100 has a green light indicating a SWR of 1.0 to 1.5.

You would have to trust the ATU on this. I must admit once my ATU reads green it's not very often I check.
The SWR meter on my FT857 is not great anyway.

Does your transveiver 'fold-back' when presented with a high SWR? This could be important, if you
forget to tune-up!

[Gemini4]

I don't really know ozwa..but I only use about 10 watts.

[thedeerhunter270]

I'm currently thinking of buying an ATU..is it right what I've been told that there is no need for a SWR meter once the ATU
is attached?.

No, you'll still need an SWR meter to see if the ATU has got the right match from the antenna to the transceiver. Some ATU's have built-in SWR meter. But at the end of the day, you'll need some way of checking the match. An ATU should be called a 'matching unit', as it doesn't tune the antenna.

[Gemini4]

Right I'll look for an ATU with a built in SWR meter too then..thanks.

[Admiral]

An Antenna Tuning Unit doesn't tune an antenna?

Thank goodness for Wikipedia.

[Maple]

An ATU should be called a 'matching unit', as it doesn't tune the antenna.

Full ack.

[GW0DIV]

The "Standing up for standing waves" video should be mandatory!! Perhaps the people will stop trying to grossly simplify what an antenna system is and what it's component part do, and don't do!!