Best Antenna Tuner for Icom 718?

[keliandstu]

Hi,

I'm about to purchase an Icom 718 and was planning to use the SGC230 antenna tuner as recommended by quite a few cruisers we've met on the water. My local Ham shop in Vancouver have recently changed their recommendation from the SGC to the LDG IT100. It's about $180 compared to $500 for the SGC, but I don't want to save $300 only to discover that I've got a less effective system.

Does anyone have experience of the LDG? The review on eHam.net seems fine, but it's the particulars of using it in a marine environment that I'd appreciate some advice on.

Thanks.

[kiwiradical]

Either will do the job, the SGC230 is waterproof and ideal for a marine environment, the LDGIT100 doesn't have any particular extra protection for a marine environment, and is designed really for ham/land use.

One other potential issue, as the SGC230 is waterproof it can often be mounted much closer to the actual antenna, which is better, the LDG needs to be well out of any danger of moisture or getting wet.

You pays your money and you takes your choice! I know which one I'd prefer to rely on for radio use in an emergency.........

However, budgets being budgets, many cruisers use ham tuners without problems, but it's not a generally recommended action.