User manual LDG ELECTRONICS AT-200PRO

[. . . ] AT-200Pro Automatic Antenna Tuner Manual Version 1. 2 LDG Electronics 1445 Parran Road, PO Box 48 St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA Phone: 410-586-2177 Fax: 410-586-8475 ldg@ldgelectronics. com www. ldgelectronics. com Copyright © LDG Electronics 2006. All rights reserved. LDG AT-200Pro Automatic Antenna Tuner Introduction Jumpstart, or "Real hams don't read manuals!" Specifications An important word about power levels Getting To Know Your AT-200Pro Installation Operation Basic operation Tuning Auto and Semi-Auto Modes Memory Tuning Full Tuning Cycle (Long press) Memory Tuning Cycle (Medium press) Bypass mode (Short press) Power and SWR Indication Off Mode Advanced Operation Application Notes Mobile operation When to use Auto mode When to use Peak mode RF Noise MARS/CAP coverage Error indications Theory Of Operation Some basic ideas about impedance Transmitters, transmission lines, antennas and impedance The LDG AT-200Pro A word about tuning etiquette Care and Maintenance Technical Support Warranty and Service Firmware upgrades Feedback 3 3 4 4 5 7 8 8 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 19 19 20 22 22 22 22 22 23 2 Introduction Congratulations on selecting the LDG AT-200Pro tuner. The AT-200Pro provides fully automatic, any mode antenna tuning across the entire HF range plus 6 meters at power levels to 250 watts. [. . . ] If you are using a transmitter or transceiver with SWR rollback protection, you will see the forward power vary up and down quite a bit during a tuning cycle. During transmit, both forward power and SWR are displayed if this option is selected in the startup options. When no LEDs are lit on the SWR meter when RF is present, it means that the SWR is less than 1. 1. When the LED segment labeled 1. 1 is lit, it means that the SWR is between 1. 1 and 1. 3. Read each LED segment to mean "equal to or greater than the marked SWR, but less than the next higher marked SWR". Off Mode When any tuning cycle ends, the tuner automatically enters a "deep sleep" state in which it draws about 10 milliamps. 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. 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. Frankly, you won't use the manual adjustments very much; your AT-200Pro is very, very good at finding a match. These functions are included only to provide you with the maximum utility and flexibility. 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. 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 14 Button Primary Function Secondary Function Status Check (Func Power-Up (Func + Button) Hold + Button) Function Manually Store Tuning Parameters Tune Manual Tune (Long) Auto Tune (Medium) Bypass (Short) Switch between Ant 1 and Ant 2 connectors on back panel Manually increase capacitance Present Relay Settings NA Ant Toggle Hi-Lo Impedance Present Antenna [Ant 1] NA C Up Toggle Power meter Peak/Average Present PWR Meter Mode [Avg] Present Mode (Auto or Semi) [Auto] Present PWR Meter Scale [250 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 NA Set Auto Tuning Threshold SWR NA Func Func+ Ant+ Tune NA NA Version Number All Reset NA NA AT-200Pro Command Reference 15 NA NA Version Peak/Avg Mtr Mode NA 12/125 Watts Mtr Scale NA Func C Up L Up Man Store Rly Settings NA Power Hi/Lo Imp Sel Ant NA Auto/Man Tune Mode NA Auto Thresh. [. . . ] A word about tuning etiquette Be sure to use a vacant frequency to tune. However, do your best to avoid interfering with other hams as you tune. Your AT-200Pro's very short tuning cycle, as little as a fraction of a second, minimizes the impact of your tuning transmissions. Care and Maintenance Your AT-200Pro tuner is essentially maintenance-free; just be sure to observe the power limits discussed in this manual. [. . . ]