User manual LDG ELECTRONICS AT-100PRO

[. . . ] AT-100Pro Automatic Antenna Tuner Manual Version 1. 0 Fa LDG Electronics 1445 Parran Road, PO Box 48 St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA Phone: 410-586-2177 Fax: 410586-8475 ldg@ldgelectronics. com www. ldgelectronics. com LDG AT-100Pro Automatic Antenna Tuner Table of Contents Introduction Jumpstart, or "Real hams don't read manuals!" Specifications An important word about power levels Getting To Know Your AT-100Pro Installation Operation Basic operation Tuning Advanced Operation Operation with an LDG radio interface: Application Notes Mobile operation When to use Auto mode When to use Peak mode When to turn the LEDs off RF Noise MARS/CAP coverage Error indications Theory Of Operation Some basic ideas about impedance Transmitters, transmission lines, antennas and impedance The LDG AT-100Pro A word about tuning etiquette Care and Maintenance Technical Support Warranty and Service Firmware upgrades Feedback 3 3 4 4 5 7 8 8 12 14 14 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 20 21 21 21 21 22 22 2 Introduction Congratulations on selecting the LDG AT-100Pro tuner. The AT-100Pro provides fully automatic, any mode antenna tuning across the entire HF range plus 6 meters for less than the cost of some manual tuners. It will tune dipoles, verticals, Yagis or virtually any coax-fed antenna. [. . . ] The tuner will automatically "wake up" the next time you start a tuning cycle, when RF is present, a button is pressed or when an automatic tuning cycle is required, if this option is selected. The latching relays will hold the tuned configuration indefinitely, even when you unplug the power cable or turn off the transceiver powering the tuner. Advanced Operation Manual adjustments In rare cases, it may be desirable to manually adjust the match after a tuning cycle. This will happen most often with antennas that are far from resonance at the operating frequency. The C Up, C Dn, L Up and L Dn buttons increase and decrease capacitance and inductance, respectively. Momentarily press any of these buttons to see the present setting; the value is indicated on the display (C on the upper display, L on the lower), left-justified (that is, the lowest order relay is shown on the left). To changes these values, press repeatedly or hold any of these buttons; you will see the value change. Then, key your transmitter to observe the achieved SWR on the SWR meter. You can also manually change C and L as you transmit, observing the SWR on the meter; however, the C and L values are not displayed in this case. After manually adjusting the match, you can manually store the tuning parameters for the present frequency; press the Func button, then the Tune button. The parameters are stored for later recall, replacing any previously saved parameters for that frequency. Frankly, you won't use the manual adjustments very much; your AT-100Pro is very, very good at finding a match. These functions are included only to provide you with the maximum utility and flexibility. Status Query You can query the status of most settings by pressing and holding the Func button while pressing the relevant setting button. For example, to check the power scale of the PWR meter, press and hold the Func key while pressing the L Up button. The PWR meter will indicate the present scale setting without changing it. Other status queries include: · · · · · Ant: Presently selected antenna C Up: Present PWR meter mode C Dn: Present tune mode (Auto or Semi) L Up: Present PWR meter scale L Dn: Present Auto Tune threshold Operation with an LDG radio interface: Operation with an optional LDG radio interface is even simpler. With the interface installed on an Alinco, Icom or Kenwood radio as noted, simply press the Tuner or AT button on the radio; for Yaesu radios, press the Tune button on the tuner to begin an automatic tuning cycle. The radio will automatically transmit a 10 watt carrier, and begin a AT-100Pro tuning cycle. Memory settings will be used if available, otherwise a full tuning cycle will run. When the tuning cycle ends, the radio will revert to its previous mode and power level. 14 Button Primary Function Secondary Function Status Check (Func Power-Up (Func + Button) Hold + Button) Function Tune Manual Tune (Long) Auto Tune (Medium) Bypass (Short) Manually Store Tuning Parameters Present Relay Settings NA Ant Switch between Ant 1 and Ant 2 connectors on back panel Manually increase capacitance Toggle Hi-Lo Impedance Present Antenna [Ant 1] LEDs On/Off C Up Toggle Power meter Peak/Average Present PWR Meter Mode [Avg] Present Mode (Auto or Semi) [Auto] Present PWR Meter Scale [125 Watts] Present Auto Tune Threshold [2. 0] NA C Dn Manually decrease capacitance Set Auto/Manual Mode NA L Up Manually increase inductance Set PWR Meter Scale NA L Dn Manually decrease inductance Select Alternative Functions For Other Buttons Set Auto Tuning Threshold SWR NA Func Func+ Ant+ Tune NA NA Version Number NA NA NA All Reset AT-100Pro Command Reference [Default settings in brackets] Peak/Avg Mtr Mode NA 12/125 Watts Mtr Scale NA Func + Key Func C Up L Up Man Store Rly Settings NA Func Hold + Key Hold on Power Up Hold on power-up for All Reset Hi/Lo Imp Sel Ant LEDs On/Off Auto/Man Tune Mode NA Auto Thresh. NA Tune Ant C Dn L Dn 15 Application Notes Mobile operation The AT-100Pro is perfectly suited to mobile operation. [. . . ] Care and Maintenance Your AT-100Pro tuner is essentially maintenance-free; just be sure to observe the power limits discussed in this manual. The outer case may be cleaned as needed with a soft cloth slightly dampened in household cleaning solution. As with any modern electronic device, your AT100Pro can be damaged by temperature extremes, water, impact or static discharge. LDG strongly recommends that you use a good quality, properly installed lightning arrestor in the antenna lead. [. . . ]