What Is an Antenna Tuner?
An antenna tuner is a device that connects a transmitter or receiver to an antenna.
Its primary function is to align the impedance of the transmitter or receiver with that of the antenna, thereby optimizing power transmission efficiency. Ideally, the antenna’s impedance would perfectly match the transmitter or receiver’s impedance. However, in practical scenarios, antenna impedance can vary with frequency and design, making the use of an antenna tuner essential.
Antenna tuners come in two varieties: manual and automatic. Manual tuners require manual adjustment of impedance and are generally compact, lightweight, and cost-effective. Automatic tuners, while more convenient due to their ability to adjust impedance automatically, are typically more expensive and bulkier than their manual counterparts.