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ACOM600S
OPERATING MANUAL
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Acom ACOM600S OPERATING MANUAL

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HF + 6 m LINEAR AMPLIFIER
ACOM600S
OPERATING MANUAL
Outstanding HF Power Products
Table of Contents
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................3
2. INSTALLATION .............................................................................................................6
2-2. Amplier location selection; cooling. ............................................................................6
2-4. Installing options and connecting to external devices
(transceiver, computer etc) ........................................................................................10
3. INITIAL POWER ON AND SETTING INTO OPERATION ...........................................12
3-2. Front panel - controls and indication...........................................................................13
3-3. Initial turning on – activation of the main power supply .............................................13
4. OPERATION WITH THE AMPLIFIER ..........................................................................21
4-1. Change of modes RX / TX and Operate / Stand-by; option
4-6. Automatic protection system ......................................................................................24
5. MENUS – USEFUL INSTRUMENTS AND OPTIONS .................................................26
5-3. Menu “Selection of CAT/AUX interface” – CAT/AUX SETTINGS ..............................28
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6. REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL ..................................................................33
7. MAINTENANCE ...........................................................................................................34
7-3. Simplied schematic diagram; theory of operation ....................................................35
8. SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................40
9. DISCLAIMER of LIABILITY ........................................................................................42
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. Inroduction and description
This manual describes the installation, operation, and maintenance of the HF+6m solid-state
linear power amplier ACOM 600S.
ACOM 600S is a state-of-the art linear amplier which covers all amateur bands from 1.8
through 54MHz and provides more than 600 W output power (PEP or continuous carrier)
with less than 30W of drive. The working parameters of the amplier are indicated on a multi­functional, high resolution color display. The amplier control is performed with only six buttons
from the front panel, directly by CAT interface from the transceiver or remotely – by RS232 interface.
1-2. Owner assistance
If technical or operating assistance is needed, please contact your local dealer rst. In the
unlikely event you need further information, you may get in touch with ACOM as follows: fax: + 359 2 920 96 56, telephone +359 2 920 97 80, e-mail: acom@acom-bg.com, acom@mail.
orbitel.bg or by mail to: blvd. Nikola Mushanov 151, 1330 Soa, Bulgaria. The ACOM Internet
page is: www.acom-bg.com.
1-3. Equipment supplied and options
The amplier is supplied in single box, which includes:
- the amplier ACOM 600S;
- this manual with a CE declaration of compliance;
- four pieces of spare fuses;
Directly from ACOM or from your dealer you can also buy some of the following options:
- CAT interface cables for connecting the supported transceiver models (please specify
the wanted one);
1-4. Features
• 5“ (108x65mm) high resolution color display, 800x480 pixels, and 24-bits colors.
• The nal stage uses eld effect (MOSFET) transistors type MRFE6VP6300H, which,
according to their manufacturer - Freescale Semiconductor - are designed to withstand high mismatch (SWR) at the output and are intended for operation in aerospace, industrial, mobile, and radio broadcast applications.
• Compatible with all transceiver models available on the market - does not need any
special signals: „ground on transmit“ (PTT) and 30W of RF drive power is sufcient.
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• Broadband input circuit providing a perfect transceiver load with SWR below 1.2:1 (typically 1.1:1), without retuning throughout the whole frequency range from 1.8 to 54MHz.
• The overall operation of ACOM 600S is extremely simplied: the screen menus are
intuitive and easy to follow and no special skill is required from the operator when changing frequency bands.
• Possibility of automatic control – when connected to a transceiver with a CAT interface,
the amplier monitors constantly, duly follows the operating frequency, and changes
the bands accordingly.
• Even if not connected with CAT interface, the amplier monitors the frequency of the
input signal through the built-in frequency counter and automatically switches over the bands.
• Remotely controlled by RS232 interface.
• Takes care of itself during operation due to the continuously working protection circuits
in all modes.
• The operator can monitor digitally more than 10 parameters concerning the working
regime of the amplier.
• Easy maintenance – detailed data (55 parameters) about each of the last 28 hard-fault
protection trips is stored in the amplier’s nonvolatile memory.
• Convenient for expeditions and eld operation: extremely compact and light construction, extended mains voltage range 93-265VAC and 170-265VAC through changing only
the main fuses - no internal switching), limited inrush current and purely sinusoidal
consumed mains current, automatic Power Factor Correction (PFC) – all signicant
parameters in operation from unstable mains, generators etc. features achieved thanks to the built-in switching-mode power supply (SMPS).
• Perfect electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) both with the highly sensitive as well as
with the powerful appliances in the radio station (receivers, computers, more ampliers)
exceeding the standard EMC requirements due to the use of PFC and the built-in
additional radio-frequency lters.
1-5. Safety considerations, explicit denitions
The linear amplier ACOM 600S is a device. Class I of protection against electric shock, i.e.
the third grounding lead of its mains cord (colored yellow with two green stripes) and the
grounding stud on the rear panel, marked GND (Fig. 2-1), must be connected to the grounding
system of the shack for safe operation.
The ACOM 600S amplier is designed to meet international safety standards and complies
with CE safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements, as well as FCC regulations.
This operating manual contains an assortment of precautions, indications for cautions, and warnings that MUST BE FOLLOWED by the user to ensure safe operation and always maintain
the ACOM 600S amplier in a safe working condition.
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PRECAUTIONS:
The EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS described below apply to this operating manual:
W A R N I N G notes call attention to a procedure which, if not correctly performed,
could result in personal injury, re hazard or electric shock or lightning.
C A U T I O N notes call attention to a procedure which, if not correctly performed,
could result in equipment damage, not only in the ACOM 600S amplier.
N O T E notes call attention to a procedure which, if not correctly performed, could
result in inconvenience.
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE!
The mains power voltage plus a high DC voltage up to 500V inside the ACOM 600S amplier are LETHAL! For your safety, pull the amplier power plug out of the mains wall outlet and WAIT AT LEAST three minutes EACH TIME BEFORE you remove the cover of the
amplier.
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE!
NEVER ALLOW, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, to push anything into holes in the case - this will cause ELECTRIC SHOCk! Never touch an antenna or antenna
isolators during transmission or tuning - this may result in an electric shock or burn. Never expose the amplier
to rain, snow or any liquids. Avoid placing the amplier in excessively dusty environments or in direct sunlight. DO NOT OBSTRUCT COOLING AIR movement areas.
W A R N I N G
Do not undertake your own repairs or changes in hardware or rmware of your ACOM 600S amplier. Doing so will endanger your or others‘ health or life or damage the amplier and the equipment connected to it. Such repairs or changes are not covered by warranty
and may void the warranty. The manufacturer is not
liable for any such repairs or changes. Any such repairs or changes are strictly the responsibility of the person or persons engaging therein.
C A U T I O N
To avoid damage (not covered by the warranty) please read the INSTALLATION - Section 2 of this operating manual carefully. If you have any doubts or questions regarding the installation, operation or safety of the ACOM 600S amplier, please consult your dealer immediately.
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2. INSTALLATION
2-1. Unpacking and Initial Inspection
C A U T I O N
Before you start any work on installing the ACOM 600S
amplier, please thoroughly read through this manual. First
carefully inspect the shipped carton and Its contents as described below for anything missing from the set (S. 1-3) or mechanical damages. If anything is missing or is obviously damaged (scratched, bent, smashed or something is rattling inside or moving freely when turning over, notify immediately your dealer! The delay may Infringe the warranty conditions of the carrier.
N O T E
Keep the original packing for possible future transportation.
Take out and inspect carefully the contents of the cardboard carton for possible transportation
damages. On the amplier check the chassis, the front panel, the display and the buttons
below it and on the rear panel – all connectors, the main power switch, the fuses, and the integrity of the power cable - especially at the area where it comes out from the panel.
Check in the same way the options if such have been ordered.
2-2. Amplier location selection; cooling.
Locate the amplier close to the place where it will be used. You will need an easy access to
the rear panel for connecting cables, and of course, to the buttons and the screen on the front
panel of the amplier.
The ACOM 600S operates with forced air cooling. Locate the amplier so that there are no objects or devices closer than 10cm (4”). At an ambient temperature of 40ºC (104ºF) the exhaust air can reach 65ºC (150ºF), this is why if nearby items are sensitive to heating from
outside or use forced air cooling, increase the distances accordingly.
C A U T I O N
Do not leave free papers, cloth or other light materials
around and under the amplier. They may be drawn in by
the cooling air stream and block some ventilation apertures.
Thus the amplier will get easily and frequently overheated
which may age prematurely the materials in its construction and lead to damages, not covered by the warranty.
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2-3. Connecting the amplier within the shack
W A R N I N G
Before you connect the amplier to external grounding, you should advise with a licensed electrician and check­up whether such kind of connection is allowed by the
national and local electrical code, safety rules, and
regulations in force. Simultaneous connection to the earth grounding and bonding may be inadmissible or
may fall under special requirements in some countries!
W A R N I N G
Never use the gas installation tubing as grounding.
This can cause an EXPLOSION!
W A R N I N G
Do not use the steam-heating or water-supply network tubing as grounding! Thus, you may involuntarily expose to dangerous voltage not only yourself but also other people using the same installation.
C A U T I O N
Have in mind that the grounding installation will have to withstand emergency currents above 15A with minimal voltage drop on it thus it may be necessary to improve its conductivity using heavier leads and lower-resistive grounding path. The grounding lead should be at least 4mm2 (AWG 11 or SWG 13).
For details and recommendation on the grounding and RF counterpoise system concerning the electromagnetic compatibility see also S. 3-6(g).
a) GND stud - external grounding connection of the amplier. After having made strictly all
check-ups described above, rst connect the grounding stud of the amplier (located on the rear panel and marked GND – Fig. 2-1) to the grounding system of the shack.
b) KEY-IN jack - amplier input for receive/transmit control from the transceiver.
The transceiver switches the amplier from receive mode into transmit mode (RX/TX) via grounding of the KEY-IN input.
Connect a shielded cable from the respective control output of your transceiver, providing
“ground on transmit” (PTT), to the KEY-IN input on the amplier rear panel (RCA PHONO jack socket – Fig. 2-1). Use a standard “RCA PHONO” jack plug for connection to the amplier.
The manufacturers of transceivers give different names to this output, for example: TX-GND, SEND, T/R LINE, RELAY, PTT, and others. At some transceivers “ground on transmit” output
should be activated by a software command, a menu or via changing a switch on the rear panel or inside the transceiver. See instructions in the manual of your transceiver.
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C A U T I O N
Before connecting the KEY-IN input verify the electrical specications of the transceiver control output (from its
own manual) to make sure of their compatability. The signal voltage applied by the amplier KEY-IN jack to the transceiver control output “ground on transmit” does not exceed +12.6V against ground and its closed-circuit current is below 6mA. See also S. 8-2(a).
N O T E
Your amplier will not work if the KEY-IN input is not
connected correctly. If you experience any difculty consult your dealer.
Fig. 2-1 Rear panel connections
c) KEY-OUT jack - transmit-enabling control output from amplier to the transceiver.
The KEY-OUT jack on the rear panel provides an additional control signal from amplier toward
transceiver. It can be used for improving reliability of the receive/transmit (RX/TX) switching.
When the amplier is not powered up, KEY-OUT is connected internally to KEY-IN through the contacts of a relay inside the amplier, thus always enabling transceiver transmission. Also, in Stand-by mode KEY OUT unconditionally follows the state of the KEY-IN input. When in Operate mode however, KEY-OUT follows KEY- IN only when all conditions for safe transmission have been found OK by the amplier control circuit. At detection of any risk, transmission is quickly disabled by means of opening the KEY-OUT circuit constrainedly.
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C A U T I O N
KEY-OUT is a low-powered output, this is why make sure that the signal voltage coming to it from the respective transceiver connection does not exceed 50VDC (open circuit) and that its closed-circuit current is below 20mA.
If your transceiver has a suitable input, which disables transmission unless it is grounded
externally, we recommend that you connect it to the KEY-OUT jack of the amplier. Use
shielded cable terminated with а standard “RCA PHONO” jack plug.
The manufacturers of transceivers give different names to this transceiver input, for example:
TX-INHIBIT, MUTE, LINEAR, and others. Check the manual of your transceiver. Approach
your dealer for details. If your transceiver has no such input, do not worry – ACOM 600S will
operate normally without it as well – then KEY-OUT jack can remain not connected.
d) RF INPUT – should be connected to the antenna input/output of the
transceiver.
Connect a 50-Ohm coaxial cable with a connector type PL-259 from the transceiver output
(antenna jack) to the RF INPUT jack on the rear panel of the amplier.
N O T E
When operating with the amplier, do not turn on the transceiver built-in antenna tuner (if present).
e) RF OUTPUT – should be connected to the antenna, antenna switch or tuner.
Connect a 50-Ohm coaxial cable with a connector type PL-259 from RF OUTPUT on the rear
amplier panel to the antenna switch, tuner or antenna intended for the respective frequency
band.
C A U T I O N
If you use an amplier for the rst time in your shack, pay serious attention to the size of coaxial cable from your amplier output to the antenna. The cable must be capable of handling the increased power safely, particularly on the 10m and 6m bands. This warning refers equally to the antenna switch, tuner, and the whole antenna system, for example, for multi-band antennas with resonance circuits (traps etc).
We recommend that you use coaxial cable sized as a minimum similarly to the following types:
RG8x, RG8MINI, RK50-4-11, RK50-4-13 or better still - RG213 or RK50-7-11. Consult your
local supplier of coaxial cables to make the right choice.
f) Preparation of the mains outlet for the amplier, requirements for the installation
and the mains voltage.
C A U T I O N
Before connecting your amplier to the mains, check-up
with a licensed electrician if it is properly wired and if your mains is adequate for the current which the amplier can consume at an emergency (up to10A from 200/240VAC
mains and up to 15A from 100/120VAC mains). Also, make
sure that the grounding lead is connected properly in the
wall mains outlet intended for the amplier. If subsequently you connect the amplier to a different outlet, make sure
about it as well.
It is preferable for the amplier to use the closest mains outlet. Make sure that the respective
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fuses, the voltage, and the frequency of your power mains match the ACOM 600S amplier specications (see S. 8-1(g)).
g) Mains cord – installation of mains plug and main fuses suitable for your nominal mains
voltage.
C A U T I O N
If your amplier has only one mounted mains fuse (Fig. 2-1
/ S. 7-2), it is suitable ONLY for power mains networks of the type 0-220/240VAC, which are standard in the EU.
C A U T I O N
Make sure you check whether the main fuses installed in your amplier correspond to your mains nominal voltage and if necessary replace them as described in Section 7-2!
Because of differences among standards in the different countries, the mains plug is supplied and mounted by your dealer. He connects a standard mains plug for device Class I of protection against electric shock corresponding to the national and local electrical code, safety rules, and regulations in force in your country.
C A U T I O N
The lead colored in yellow with two green stripes in the mains cord is the grounding, while the blue and brown
leads are active. When the amplier is only tted with one
mains fuse, then the fuse is connected in series with the brown lead, which must be the active.
If you have any doubt if the mains-cord leads are connected correctly in your mains plug, please consult your dealer immediately. Using a licensed electrician, the user must implement
the checks mentioned above each time the amplier is to be connected to a mains network
outside the country in which it was purchased.
2-4. Installing options and connecting to external devices (transceiver, computer
etc)
a) CAT/AUX interface - connecting and operation with various transceiver models (see
table 2-1 below and the respective menu in S. 5-3 and Fig. 5-3).
Most of the modern transceivers that provide output data of their working frequency by a
serial or parallel port or as an analogue signal (0 to 8V depending on the frequency) can be connected to the CAT/AUX interface connector of ACOM 600S. This will allow the amplier to
follow the changes of the frequency bands automatically and without any transmission, while the operator is operating with the transceiver.
For control of the amplier through the CAT/AUX interface you need a special cable between the transceiver and CAT/AUX connector (type HD-15) on the rear panel of the amplier – Fig. 2-1. Such a cable can be supplied as an option along with the amplier or you can buy it from
your dealer additionally, but you can assemble it yourself as well, using information from table
2-1 and your transceiver’s manual.
Schematics of cables for connecting to many transceiver models are readily available on the ACOM Internet page (S. 1-2).
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Table 2-1 shows the signals and the pin out of the CAT/AUX connector - rear panel of the
amplier.
Table 2-1
CAT/AUX
interface
PIN NO.
PIN NAME DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATIONS
1 RxD Received Data TTL input 2 RxD Received Data RS232 input 3 TxD Transmitted Data RS232 output 4 TxD Transmitted Data TTL output 5 GND Ground 0 Volt
6
BAND
voltage
Analogue input 0 to +8V
7 B. data 0 Bit 0 TTL input 8 B. data 1 Bit 1 TTL input 9 B. data 2 Bit 2 TTL input
Rear panel
view
11 ON RMT Remote Pwr On
12
Debug
mode
CPU only Power
Input
+4.5 to +15V / 3mAmax
1 to 2 seconds pulse
+8 to + 15V / 0.4A
Rx/Tx control input
10 B. data 3 Bit 3 TTL input
13 kEY-IN Transmit Request
Less than +12.6V
Less than 6mA
14 kEY-OUT Transmit Enable
O.C. output, 0 to +50V
20mA maximum
15 GND Ground 0 Volt
N O T E
Due to the variety of existing CAT protocols for different
transceivers, the amplier response may be different for
some transceiver models, as described below.
- Some older transceivers employ a rather slow protocol or send frequency data with a
delay of several seconds – then the amplier response will be delayed respectively;
- In some cases, when the transceiver is powered on after the amplier, you may need to press and hold up for one second the button BAND of the amplier, up or down (Fig. 3-2), to make the transceiver inform the amplier about its frequency; in other
occasions, the transceiver transmits its frequency only on changes and you may need to move slightly the main frequency dial knob or change it in another way in order to
announce it to the amplier after an initial power turn on;
- in “split” operation, not all transceivers provide frequency data of VFO A and VFO B correctly; if your receive and transmit frequencies fall in different frequency bands (Cross Band Operation) and the amplier unnecessarily switches between them at
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each transition receive/transmit (RX/TX), you may deactivate the amplier’s CAT/AUX interface control while operating “split” (S. 5-3 and Fig. 5-3).
b) RS232 Interface. Table 2-2 shows signals and pin out of the RS232 connector on the
rear panel of the amplier.
This connector can remain unconnected until you decide to use the amplier with remote
control.
Table 2-2
RS 232 interface
PIN NO.
PIN
NAME
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATIONS
1 - Not connected ­2 TxD Transmitted Data RS232 level output 3 RxD Received Data RS232 level input 4 - Not connected ­5 GND Ground 0 Volt 6 DSR Data Set Ready RS232 level input 7 - Not connected -
Rear panel view
8 CTS Clear To Send RS232 level input
9 - Not connected -
3. INITIAL POWER ON AND SETTING INTO OPERATION
C A U T I O N
Do not turn on the amplier for at least two hours after it
is unpacked and installed in its operating position. Pay
particular attention whenever the amplier is moved from
a very cold place to a very warm one because unseen condensation may develop and this could result in damage
to the high voltage circuits of the amplier. Under these circumstanves, do not turn on the amplier for at least 4
hours. A similar effect could occur following a rapid warming of the room, such as winter use of a powerful electric heater.
After having mounted and connected the amplier according to the instructions in Section 2 INSTALLATION and have followed all requirements, check whether mains switch on the rear panel is in turned-off position – in Fig. 2-1 the rocker of the POWER ON switch must be protruding from the side of the “ON” inscription. Afterwards insert the mains plug of the amplier into the mains outlet prepared for it. For now the amplier remains turned off.
3-1. Low-energy (waiting) mode of the power supply
Now you can put the mains switch on the rear panel in a turned-on position, pushing its rocker so that it sinks from the side of the “ON” inscription (Fig. 2-1). This will activate only the low­energy (waiting) mode of the power supply and will illuminate the red LED above button ON/
OFF on the front panel, while the main power supply is still inactive and the display is dark.
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3-2. Front panel - controls and indication
a) ON/OFF button – serves for manual (local) start up of the power supply from low-energy
(waiting) mode of the power supply (S. 3-1) into working mode, i.e. for activating of the
main power supply and starting operation with the amplier. The same button is used
also for main power supply deactivation – return into the low-energy (waiting) mode of
the power supply at ceasing operation with amplier.
b) LED indicator above the ON/FF button. The red LED indicator glowing above the ON/
OFF button at a dark display shows that mains voltage is fed from the plug, the POWER
ON switch on the rear panel (Fig 2-1) is in a turned-on position, but the power supply
is in its low-energy (waiting) mode (S. 3-1). In this mode activation of the main power
supply is expected to start operation with the amplier.
Fig. 3-1 Front panel
During operation with the amplier the display is illuminated and the red LED above the ON/
OFF button indicates the button location which can be very useful in case of fast switching off in poor light conditions.
c) Keyboard with 6 buttons for manual (local) control of the amplier. The function of each
button is prompted on the display above it. Depending on the menu displayed, the buttons may have different functions.
d) The color display shows all the relevant information about the status of the amplier.
3-3. Initial turning on – activation of the main power supply
In order to activate the main power supply at starting amplier operation, press and hold on the ON/OFF button on the front panel for one or two seconds - аbout three seconds later the display will ash and show the basic screen showing the amplier status and operation - Fig.
3-2.
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After turning on, the amplier stands in Stand-by or Operate mode – it depends on whether the AUTO OPERATE option has been activated – see S. 5-4 USER PREFERENCES.
3-4. Basic screen
There are 9 information areas on the basic screen as follows:
a) Information area for the frequency band – the borders of the currently selected BAND
are displayed.
If at start up of the amplier there is no information about the operating frequency (neither
the CAT/AUX nor the RS232 interface is connected), ACOM 600S will switch to the last used frequency.
Fig. 3-2 Basic screen
b) Information area for measurements or alarm messages.
Any two operator-chosen parameters will be normally displayed in this area on black background
– see the list in S. 5-1 Measurements in the amplier – AMP MEASURE.
The alarm messages (either type WARNING or SOFT FAULT) appear with black font on yellow background on the area for measurements and are ashing frequently in order to attract the operator’s attention (Fig. 4-1).
The WARNING type of messages appear only temporarily (for about three seconds), afterwards
the indication of the measurements is restored automatically (S. 4-6(a)).
14
The SOFT FAULT type of messages appear in the same eld (on the area for measurements)
however they remain and persist on the screen until the AUTO OPERATE time is elapsed (S.4­1(c)) or until the operator presses any button, then the measurements indication is restored, too.
c) Indicator for the working mode - OPR, STB or AUTO OPER (S. 4-1).
d) Indicator RX/TX reects the state of the request for transmit (KEY-IN input). The RX
indication is green and the TX is red. When a request is present but it could not be
performed for any reason, the respective indicator RX or TX is ashing frequently.
e) Bar-graph and digital indicator for forward power at the output. Reads the power fed
from the amplier to the antenna.
f) Bar-graph and digital indicator for output reected power. Entering the red zone is
inadmissible.
g) Bar-graph and digital indicator for temperature of the nal stage. Entering the red area
is inadmissible.
h) Information label for activated CAT/AUX interface. When CAT/AUX is deactivated, this
label is shaded.
i) Information label for activated REMOTE CONTROL – ashes after feeding one or
more commands by the RS232 interface. Dies out (remains shaded) after feeding one or more manual (local) commands from the buttons or by the CAT/AUX interface from the transceiver.
3-5. Control system – buttons and menus
a) The OPR/STB and the BAND (up and down) buttons are used for manual (local)
control of the amplier in the basic screen (Fig. 3-2):
- the left-most button – OPR/STB is for alternative switching of the amplier mode between Operate and Stand-by;
- the next two buttons – BAND up and down arrows – serve for manual change of the frequency bands in ascending or descending order; pressing and holding on either up
or down arrow for one second will refresh the information about the operating frequency
on the CAT/AUX INTERFACE;
b) The right-most button – MENU (Fig. 3-2) – serves for access to the list of menus.
All necessary instruments, as well as the control and service options of the amplier are
structured in six menus. Each of them has only one hierarchical level (menu depth) – Section
5 and Fig. 5. This simplied structure gives the operator maximum clarity and possibility of
easy navigation. More handiness is provided by the uniform approach to the different menus:
- in each screen (the menu list and all tools in them) the left-most button is always HELP
and the right-most – always EXIT;
- the HELP button can be used at any time for obtaining of auxiliary information concerning
15
the currently activated screen (context sensitive help);
- the currently chosen menu title (for example AMP MEASURE) is always present at the
top of the menu;
- the EXIT button can be used at any time to leave the currently used menu or the menu
list for possibly easiest and fastest “return” to the basic screen (Fig. 3-2).
For more details on the control system and use of the menus see Section 5. MENUS – USEFUL INSTRUMENTS AND OPTIONS.
3-6. Test transmission
To make sure that you have installed the amplier correctly, before you put it in operation,
make a test transmission as described below. Repeat these tests for each new band and antenna, as well as after installing a new or repaired antenna, antenna switch, tuner, and / or connecting cables.
a) Check of RF by-pass path at non-driven amplier.
For this check the amplier must be completely installed and connected withing the shack
according to Section 2, but not powered by the mains, i.e. the mains power plug must be pulled
out from the mains outlet or the POWER ON switch on the rear panel must be in turned off position. In any case the LED above ON/OFF button must be dark for this test.
First, check if the transceiver reception is normal. If you observe a signicant worsening of reception, search for the problem rst in the coaxial connections to the amplier (S. 2-3(d),(e)).
If reception is normal, prepare the transceiver as follows:
- select a continuous carrier mode (CW, RTTY, FM);
- switch the microphone off (decrease the mic gain), ban the FSK respectively;
- reduce the output power control to a minimum;
- select a suitable indication so that you can watch the RF power and SWR at the
transceiver output;
- if the transceiver has an incorporated antenna tuner – switch it off.
Now in receive mode select a frequency which is not occupied at the moment and press shortly
the transmit actuator (the PTT or the TX key) while observing the output power and the SWR indicators. If the power or the SWR at the transceiver output are too high (over 5W or SWR over 2:1) immediately release the actuator and search for the reason as follows:
- check again whether the output control is set at minimum;
- check whether the frequency on which you are transmitting is within the operating
range of the selected antenna;
- check the good working order of the connecting coaxial cables, connectors, and feed
16
lines from the transceiver antenna jack through the amplier, the antenna switch or external tuner (if there is one) to the BALUN transformer, and the antenna itself (S.
2-3(e)).
In case of difculty use antenna measurement instruments or contact your dealer.
If the power and SWR are as expected, then go transmitting again and while watching the power and the SWR indicators, increase transceiver power gradually from minimum to maximum (but
not more than 200W, in order not to overload the RF by-pass circuit of the amplier).
If SWR remains below 2:1 (preferably below 1.5:1) at the last test, decrease the power from the transceiver to minimum again and continue with the next check. Otherwise you will have to make corrections on the antenna and / or feed-line matching or use an external tuner for this
antenna. The tuner should handle the maximum output power of the amplier (S. 8-1(b)) at the
respective antenna SWR.
b) Check in Stand-by mode.
After a successful check-up with non-powered amplier, item (a), turn it on and run it to the
basic screen, as described in Sections 3-1 to 3-4 (Fig. 3-2).
For this check it is necessary that the amplier is in the Stand-by mode. If the AUTO OPER option has been activated at any previous switching on of the amplier, it will automatically start
in the AUTO OPER mode (Fig. 3-2 and S. 5-4) immediately after turning power on. In such a
case, press once the OPR/STB button to return the amplier manually to the Stand-by mode.
In this state repeat the receive and transmit tests with the transceiver through the amplier
RF by-pass path, as it was described in the preceding item (a). During these tests note also whether the bar-graphs and digital indicators for forward and reected power in the basic screen (S. 3.4(e),(f)) show respective RF power presence. If the reected power exceeds the forward power, verify that you have not interchanged involuntarily the input and output coaxial
cables to the amplier (S. 2-3(d),(e)).
N O T E
The power indication is optimized around the 600W level and normally it is unreliable below 50W.
c) Entering Operate mode.
After a successful check in Stand-by mode, item (b), while you are in the basic screen, press
the MENU button. From the list select menu AMP MEASURE (Fig. 5-1). In the left-side of the screen select PA DC VOLTAGE and in the right-side – PA DC CURRENT (use the ITEM1 or
ITEM2 buttons to scroll the list if needed). Press twice the rightmost EXIT button to return to the basic screen. The two selected parameters – PA DC VOLTAGE and PA DC CURRENT - will be indicated in the basic screen as well – S. 3-4(b). In Stand-by mode they must be zero.
Now press the OPR/STB button to put manually the amplier in Operate mode (S. 3-2 and Fig. 3-2). The OPER or the AUTO OPER indicator must ash and the indicator RX/TX must remain in condition RX. Besides this, PA DC VOLTAGE must become 48-52V while PA DC CURRENT
must remain zero.
At entering the Operate mode the receiving of the transceiver should not suffer. If it worsens
17
and together with this the indicator RX changes into TX and any current appears on the drain
(PA DC CURRENT) although the transceiver is in the receive mode, check if they normalize at
return to the Stand-by mode.
If the problem occurs only at transition into the Operate mode and disappears at return to
Stand-by, check the control cable connected to the KEY-IN input – S. 2-3(b) – it is possible that
the conductor is shorted to the shield (ground) or the connection to the transceiver is wrong,
thus wrongly requesting transmit mode toward the amplier during transceiver reception.
d) Check of the RX/TX switching and the amplier idling current without RF power.
Put the transceiver in such a mode that at pressed PTT or TX button a transmit request is
applied to the amplier but with no RF power on the transceiver output. For example, select
SSB mode with microphone gain control reduced to zero or CW mode with Morse key up to
avoid any RF power while requesting transmit mode to the amplier by pressing the PTT or the TX button (do not use automatic CW keyer or VOX).
At pressing the PTT or the TX button without RF drive at the amplier input, the green label “RX” on the basic screen must become red “TX”. Note that the indicator reects the TX request and not its performance. Neither forward, nor reected power must appear at the output.
If at pressing the PTT or the TX button and without RF drive at the amplier input any indication
of RF power at the output still appears, it might be due to self-oscillation or it may be externally induced by co-sited powerful transmitters. If you suspect self oscillation, check-up the coaxial
cables to the input and output of the amplier, in particular the contact of their shields to the
coaxial connectors (S. 2-3(d),(e)). To check for externally induced RF power (especially if the
reected power is higher than the forward power) connect the antenna to a dummy load via an
external RF wattmeter - it should read zero RF power.
e) Test transmission.
In the basic screen (Fig. 3-2) check whether the currently selected frequency band of the
amplier and the transceiver frequency match the antenna band. If needed (when the CAT/ AUX interface between the amplier and the transceiver is not connected), use BAND buttons (up and down) of the amplier to switch to the desired frequency band manually.
In order to continue with the test transmission, prepare the transceiver mode in the same way
as it was done in item (a) above: with continuous carrier mode and minimum power. Now in the
Operate / RX mode choose a frequency which is presently not occupied and press the actuator
for transmit (PTT) briey, while watching the following indicators of the amplier:
- RX mode must be changed to TX;
- the reected power must be below 20W;
- the forward power must be between 20 and 150W with minimum drive power from the transceiver (between 1 and 5W expected with the power control set at minimum);
- PA DC VOLTAGE must be within 48-52V;
- PA DC CURRENT must be between 1 and 8A (depending on the transceiver power with its power control set at minimum).
If the above test goes normally, push briey the transmit actuator (PTT) once again, this time
18
watching the transceiver SWR indicator (i.e. the input SWR of the amplier) – it must be below
1.2:1.
f) Setting of drive level and typical operation.
After the successful passing of tests (a) to (e), in the same mode with continuous carrier and minimum power, press the transmit actuator (PTT) for several seconds, observing the forward
and reected power at the output, as well as the direct current drawn by the nal stage – PA DC CURRENT. Increase the drive power gradually – from minimum until the forward power at the amplier output reaches 600W. Observe at the same time that none of the indicators of the amplier or the transceiver enters the colored alarm areas.
Reaching 600W forward power, check-up the following parameters (continuous carrier operation):
- the reected power must not exceed 70W (for SWR 2:1) or better still to be below 25W
(for SWR 1.5:1);
- PA DC CURRENT must be between 20 and 26A; it is normal that the current varies within these limits at changing of the operating frequency and the antenna impedance;
- PA DC VOLTAGE must be within 48 – 52V;
- the SWR indication of the transceiver must be below 1.2:1.
Enter menu MEASURE and check-up additionally:
- the drive power from the transceiver must be between 20 and 30W;
- PA BIAS must be between 2.5 and 2.9V (typically 2.8V);
- PA TEMPERATURE must be between the ambient and 80ºC (176ºF) depending on the power level and the duration of transmission.
When possible, listen to the quality of the amplied signal using a monitoring receiver or ask some regular correspondents for signal evaluation and comparison with and without amplier.
g) Elimination of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems.
If you use an amplier for the rst time in your shack, you may need to make some improvements in the set-up. It is possible you might nd tingling from metallic objects due to the stronger radiated RF eld. It could affect the operation of your station or systems outside it, if the
latter are too sensitive – typical examples are the microphone, the Morse keyer, the computer keyboard / mouse, as well as domestic radio / TV receivers, Hi-Fi, intercom or telephone setups and others.
For instance, induction of RF currents into the microphone, Morse keyer or computer keyboard,
may lead to rough distortions in the peaks or self-oscillation in SSB mode, “sticking” or breaking
off the dots or dashes from the Morse keyer, or garbles on the computer screen, coming from the keyboard or mouse. For the elimination of similar problems we recommend that you take the following general measures:
19
- minimize the radiation from the feed lines by reducing the common mode currents in
them; improve the balance of the antennas themselves and how they are fed;
- in case you use asymmetric antennas (GP and similar) install as many radials as practical (a more developed counterpoise system);
- ground the coaxial cable shield additionally on at least one spot between the antenna
and the shack or if it is possible run the greater part of the feed line under ground;
- add current BALUN transformers in the coaxial feeders at the antenna itself, as well as at the feeder entering the building (although this may seem unnecessary at GP);
- take away as far as possible (also by height) the radiating elements of the antennas
from the premises where the affected apparatus is located; in this sense, asymmetrical
antennas without a feeder (type Long Wire, simple Windom, and other similar) may cause more interference because their radiating element begins immediately from the
shack (it is the feeder itself);
- if the use of asymmetrical directly fed “wire” antennas is inevitable, use mainly half wave or half wave multiple – they have a high input impedance, operate respectively
with a small current in the feed point, and in the grounding of the shack; thus you can reduce the strength of the disturbing RF elds in the whole more than 10 times (at the
same radiated power) compared to the case with quarter-wave and multiple to quarter­wave antennas of this class – you should avoid them because they have a low input impedance and operate with a large RF current in the grounding system and in the
power supply network respectively, i.e. they create stronger disturbances (RFI);
- improve the RF grounding system: use the shortest and widest possible metal strips for
the connections to ground and between the different gear in the shack; connect one or
more counterpoises (sized for the problematic band) to the feeder shield at the point, where it enters the building, and the same point - with the possibly shortest and widest connections - to the grounding system: this is a very efcient measure, in particular if
the shack is located on a high oor above ground;
- to reduce the RF impedance of the grounding connections sheet metal strips instead
of exible braids are preferred;
- thread ferrite beads with medium permeability (800-4000) over the power cord,
the feeder and the signal cables leading to the affected devices (TV etc); there are suitable “split” ferrites on the market for this purpose with different sizes, shapes and
parameters, inserted in locking plastic shells, which do not need to be threaded through
the connectors on the cable ends and are simply put and locked over it; besides the
size, consider the frequency range in which the offered ferrites are effective – normally they are optimized for suppression of interferences on HF (with larger permeability),
with medium permeability for HF-VHF or with low permeability - only the VHF range. The latter are ineffective for HF;
- whenever possible use shielded cables and ground their shields at both ends;
- screen (at least partly) the disturbed apparatus, for example, put under the keyboard, the mouse, the desk microphone or the Morse keyer a large metal sheet, connected to
the grounding system of the shack;
20
- the addition of even quite simple low pass L/C or R/C lters directly to the disturbed inputs or outputs of the apparatus is very effective, provided it is practically applicable.
Last but not least, have in mind that the benet of the above measures is two-fold. Firstly - they reduce the interferences from your transmissions to the ambient environment and secondly
- they reduce the background noise oor for your reception. Practically, with no great efforts, implementing the above measures, you can reduce the background noise oor with one or
more S-units across the different bands. This will allow you not to miss weaker stations, which will hear you because of your increased transmission power.
4. OPERATION WITH THE AMPLIFIER
4-1. Change of modes RX / TX and Operate / Stand-by; option AUTO
OPERATE
a) In Stand-by mode, as well as with un-powered amplier, receiving and transmitting
with the transceiver is implemented via RF by-pass between RF INPUT and RF OUTPUT of the amplier. At transmission in Stand-by, RF power of the transceiver is not amplied by the amplier, the control KEY-IN input does not inuence over its operation, and the KEY-OUT output (S. 2-3(c)) follows the state of the KEY-IN
input unconditionally.
b) In Operate mode the nal stage of the amplier is powered and it is fully functioning;
the receive-transmit (RX / TX) direction is controlled by the KEY-IN input:
- at open KEY-IN (Operate/RX mode), the transceiver receives the signals from the antenna through the same RF by-pass path between RF INPUT and RF OUTPUT through which receiving is done with amplier turned off or in Stand-by mode;
- at grounded KEY-IN (Operate/TX mode) the amplier input relay connects the RF INPUT connector (drive from the transceiver) toward the nal stage input and the output relay feeds the amplied signal from the nal stage output to the antenna through the
RF OUTPUT connector.
C A U T I O N
In order to provide time for the relays and the nal stage in the amplier to switch safely from receive to transmit,
the transceiver should provide a dead time i.e. must “notify” the amplier in due time grounding its control KEY-IN input not later than 10ms before feeding drive power toward
the amplier RF input. Otherwise, the “HOT SWITCHING ATTEMPT” protection will trip.
In Operate mode the KEY-OUT output (S. 2-3(c)) follows the state of the KEY-IN input only after all conditions for safe transmission have been satised and found OK by the amplier control unit. The KEY-OUT output duly disables transmission, if this is inadmissible or there is a potential risk for the amplier or the transceiver.
The two modes - Operate and Stand-by - may alternatively be changed in three different,
21
independent ways as described below:
- manually (locally) – by successive pressing the OPR/STB button – Fig. 3-2;
- remote control – through the respective command “OPR” or “STB”, received through
the serial RS232 Interface;
- automatic control – if the AUTO OPERATE option is activated – see next item and S. 5-4(b).
N O T E
Access to the Operate mode can be banned in the menu AMP SERVICE, the OPERATE ACCESS option (S. 5-2 and Fig. 5-2). The ban is universal.
c) AUTO OPERATE option - can be activated or deactivated by the operator in the
USER PREFERENCES menu – S. 5-4 and Fig. 5-4 - or through remote commands
by the RS232 interface.
When the AUTO OPERATE option is deactivated, the two modes Operate and Stand-by can be changed alternatively via the OPR/STB button or by commands OPR and STB by the RS232
interface. Besides this, at a protection trip of the type SOFT FAULT, the amplier returns to and
remains in Stand-by mode, waiting for external intervention. For restoring of the operation, the operator must press the OPR/STB button manually or to feed remote command OPR by the RS232 interface.
When AUTO OPERATE is active (S. 5-4), the amplier goes automatically to Operate mode
immediately after power on without waiting for an OPR command by the interface or pressing
the STB/OPR button by the operator. At a protection trip of the type SOFT FAULT, the amplier will rst go to Stand-by mode (same as at the deactivated option), but afterwards it will return
automatically to Operate mode after about 4 seconds without need of the operator to press
any button. Thus, the amplier will automatically seek to “support” Operate mode always when
this is admissible.
Anyway, even at activated AUTO OPERATE option, the operator can return to and remain in the Stand-by mode also manually – through the OPR/STB button or by STB command by the serial RS232 interface. This will suppress temporarily the AUTO OPERATE function and the
amplier will go to and remain in the Stand-by mode. The next pressing of the OPR/STB button or sending OPR command by the interface will turn the amplier in the Operate mode and will
restore the normal operation of the AUTO OPERATE option (provided this had been active before the command).
4-2. Band change, standard and expanded frequency coverage
When the amplier is connected to a transceiver with the CAT/AUX interface or to a computer with the RS232 interface, the change of the frequency bands (i.e. change of the amplier output lters) occurs automatically, following the operating frequency changes from the transceiver or
from the computer.
22
N O T E
In the Stand-by mode the change of bands through the
CAT/AUX interface is deactivated temporarily; It is restored
at returning to the Operate mode.
The RS232 band change commands operate continuously. If the amplier gets a band change
command during transmission, the transmission is blocked temporarily while the command is
being performed; the amplier operation is restored after the change of the low-pass lters for
the new band.
When the amplier is not connected to any interface, the band changes can be accomplished manually or again automatically – through the built-in frequency counter in the amplier.
Manual changes of the frequency bands can be done from the basic screen (Fig. 3-2) by the
BAND buttons – up and down. They can be done also in the Stand-by mode as well in the
Operate mode, but only at RX mode.
Automatic change of a frequency band via the built-in frequency counter of the amplier or
with CAT/AUX is performed only in the Operate mode. In the Stand-by mode the frequency changes are continuously followed (with the frequency counter – only during transceiver
transmissions) but are not performed physically by the low-pass lters. The latest frequency
change is performed at entering the Operate mode.
When you rely on an automatic change with the built-in frequency counter, you have to make
a one quite short “preliminary” transmission (100ms is enough - a CW dit, or s sound on
SSB) and leave a pause (also short) before the main transmission. During this pause the
amplier will change the band according to the new frequency without RF power, after which
the operator can continue his operation as usual.
If the new frequency is within the range admissible for the amplier but outside the currently selected band, the amplier control unit temporarily blocks transmission while the change of the harmonics lter for the respective new band lasts, after which the transmission continues
on the new frequency as usual.
If the new frequency is out of the range admissible for the amplier (S. 8-1(a)), the transmission
request is denied and the following fault message appears on the screen:
“FREQUENCY OUT OF RANGE”
The standard frequency bands within which all amplier parameters are guaranteed are listed
in S. 8-1(a)). Extension or changes of the bands could be negotiated with the manufacturer.
4-3. Change of antennas and operation with an external antenna tuner
At a band change or moving frequency from one to the other end of the band it may be necessary that you change the antenna and eventually retune the antenna tuner (unless your antenna is a multibander and / or is broadband enough).
At antenna SWR over 1.5:1, it is preferable that you use an external tuner. Usually the procedure for retuning the tuner requires a continuous carrier signal and small power. In such
a case, go to the STBY mode of the amplier and feed the power necessary for tuning from the
23
transceiver only. After you have retuned the antenna tuner on the new operating frequency or with the new antenna, return to the Operate mode and adjust again the drive power according to the operating mode used – S. 3-6(f)).
4-4. Cooling and fans operation; modes with increased heat loading
During operation in modes with increased heat loading (continuous carrier, RTTY, SSTV, some digital modes, and others), the amplier itself will monitor its temperature, automatically
increasing or decreasing fans speed depending on the loading and ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure etc.).
4-5. Monitoring the amplier operating regime
Because of the availability of a continuously operating protection system in the amplier (S. 4-6),
the operator is not required to monitor its regime regularly. However, whenever he wishes, he
can digitally measure the 11 most important parameters connected with the amplier operating
regime. Besides this, the operator can select two of them arbitrarily for indication also in the basic screen (Fig. 3-2, S. 5-1).
4-6. Automatic protection system
The control unit (S. 7-3(b)) keeps track with most amplier analogue and logic signals in all
modes. Monitored are, for example, the control signal receive/transmit, the output relay contact status and switching times, the RF drive frequency and drive power (the input power), the DC
current and the DC voltage on the drains of the nal transistors, the bias voltage of their
gates and the temperature of their heat sink, the temperature of the main components in the
power supply unit, the forward and reected power at the RF output, and others. Besides this,
monitored and assessed are some derivative parameters, such as the power gain, the SWR,
the heat power dissipated by the nal transistors dynamically etc.
If anything abnormal has been found out in an arbitrary moment, the amplier will assess the
risk of the situation and can use three levels of protection according to the problem nature and seriousness, as described in items (a) to (c) below. Every event is accompanied by a warning
text on the screen (Fig. 4-1), which is blinking to attract the operator’s attention. Besides this,
a sound signal is produced, whose volume, can be reduced by the operator if he so wishes –
menu “USER PREFERENCES” – Fig. 5-4.
24
Fig. 4-1 – Appearance of an alarm message
a) The rst protection level is the WARNING type. Only a warning message appears
on the screen accompanied by a sound signal, but without any physical reaction
from the amplier – Fig. 4-1. This occurs when some of the values monitored by the
control unit approach too close the threshold of tripping the respective protection. The transmission is not interrupted, but a message appears – for example “Drive
Power too High”, “Drain Current too High”, or another.
You can continue to transmit in these conditions, but you also have to take some measures,
for example, to reduce a little the drive power from the transceiver, because the respective
protection trip will be too close. The warnings for the rst level remain on the screen for at least
three seconds so that they can be read through and they disappear by themselves after the reason has dropped off.
b) The second protection level is the SOFT FAULT type – it trips at crossing the
threshold of some protection, as long as it had not been fatal (then the third level trips – see item (c) below).
At the second level (SOFT FAULT) the amplier itself does not turn off fully but only returns into Stand-by mode for four seconds or permanently - depending on whether the “AUTO OPERATE”
option had been activated. Return into Stand-by mode is accompanied with the respective
message on the screen, for example “Excessive Reected Power”, “Excessive Drain Current”,
and others, as well as with a sound signal (unless its volume had not been decreased to zero – S. 5-4).
Unlike those for a WARNING, the SOFT FAULT messages remain on the screen and persist
until the operator presses any button (including the two unused in the basic screen) - thus it is understood that he has read the message - or until the AUTO-OPERATE function returns automatically the OPERATE mode if the option is active – S. 5-4.
SOFT FAULTs presume performing fast and simple correcting actions by the operator, such as, for example, reducing the drive power, improving of load SWR through retuning of the antenna tuner, selection of another antenna, another frequency etc.
c) The third and most serious protection level is the HARD FAULT type, which turns
off the amplier automatically to avoid possible further damages.
At tripping the third level of protection, the amplier turns off its main power supply automatically,
stores all data about the fault in its nonvolatile memory, the front panel screen blanks and a
specic sound signal is emitted (namely a series of Morse letters F, which continues until the
control unit still has residual energy).
If it is not obvious due to what reason the protection has tripped, you can try to turn on the
amplier again. If the amplier allows turning on after the fault, the display will be lit but instead
of the basic screen, a fault message will appear with information about the reason for the latest
automatic turning off (for example, overheating of the power supply unit or of the nal stage
and others).
After pressing any button, the fault message will disappear; the display will show the basic screen – Fig. 3-2, and if there are no current problems (for example, the overheated unit has
already cooled down), the amplier operation will restore. If any problem is being found out
again, a new message will appear on the screen, or the protection will trip again immediately, after the attempt.
If the problem persists, refer to your dealer – S. 1-2.
25
At each “HARD FAULT” turning off in the nonvolatile memory of the amplier is stored data concerning its control and values, the problem occurrence time, and others. Your dealer or his service may ask you to read through this data (by RS232 interface or from the amplier screen) and store it in a computer le – see menu FAULTS LOG, Sections 5-5 and 7-4.
5. MENUS – USEFUL INSTRUMENTS AND OPTIONS
From the basic screen (Fig. 3-2), pressing of the same-name MENU button (the rightmost), the list with the six menus appears (Fig. 5). Each of them can be selected by means of buttons
ITEM (up and down) and SELECT. Each menu contains one group of topically related “items” – these are some useful instruments and options for control and operation of the amplier – Fig.
5-1 to FIg. 5-6.
Fig. 5 - MENU SELECTION
The items in each menu are selected and controlled by the same six buttons as in the menu, but on the display above them appear inscriptions for their new functions. Through activation
and deactivation of the options in the menu, the operator can adapt the amplier to the set up and the specics of his shack, in order to maximize its potential.
Service operations can be performed in the AMP MEASURE and the AMP SERVICE menus:
measurements, functional and parametric tests, as well as reading the faults log from the nonvolatile memory (if such have been registered during operation) etc.
5-1. Menu “Measurements in the amplier” – AMP MEASURE
The menu AMP MEASURE (Fig. 5-1) is accessible from the MENU SELECTION screen (Fig. 5) in all modes. It is possible to measure digitally 11 parameters in it, characterizing the amplier
operator.
26
Fig. 5-1 Menu “Measurements in the amplier” – AMP MEASURE
Two identical lists appear on the left and the right halves of the screen, each one having the 11 parameters, whose values are refreshed continuously.
An arbitrary parameter can be selected in each screen half. Using buttons ITEM1 and ITEM2 (up and down) select the desired item (parameter) – it will be marked with color. Upon reaching either the top or bottom edge of any half-screen, further movement in the same direction will cause the screen to scroll up or down, respectively, so you can reach all the items in the list. The two marked parameters will be indicated continuously in the digital measurements area on the basic screen (S. 3-2(b), Fig. 3-2) - after leaving this menu (EXIT button).
5-2. Menu “Service functions in the amplier” – AMP SERVICE.
The amplier service menu (Fig. 5-2) is accessible from the MENU SELECTION screen (Fig.
5) only during reception (RX mode).
C A U T I O N
The AMP SERVICE menu is used for check and adjustment of the zero-signal (idling) drain current of the nal transistors and for tests of some functions and circuits in the amplier during repair. We recommend thеsе procedures are carried
out only by a trained service technician!
With the ITEM buttons (up and down) the necessary service function is selected – it is colored.
With the SELECT buttons (left or right) the selected function or test item is turned ON or OFF.
The inactive functions are grey and the active - red. At leaving a function, its parameters are turned off and deactivated automatically. Pressing the EXIT button all service functions (except
for the OPERATE ACCESS) are turned off (deactivated), menu AMP SERVICE is abandoned,
27
and the MENU SELECTION screen comes back (Fig. 5). At another pressing of the EXIT
button, the basic screen returns (Fig. 3-2).
Fig. 5.2 Menu “Service functions in the amplier” – AMP SERVICE
Blocking access to the Operate mode can be controlled using the OPERATE ACCESS option.
When the amplier is locked (LOCK is selected), it remains in the Stand-by mode and cannot be turned to Operate mode by random actions unless unlocked by the selection of UNLOCK
before that. Passwords are not used - only simple protection is envisaged against possible child actions, or involuntary switching to Operate mode. While locked, an attempt for entering Operate mode will trigger a reminder:
“OPERATE MODE IS LOCKED”
The status of the OPERATE ACCESS option can be changed manually as well as with remote commands by the RS232 interface.
5-3. Menu “Selection of CAT/AUX interface” – CAT/AUX SETTINGS
The type and parameters of the CAT/AUX interface for your transceiver are assigned here. If your transceiver has no CAT interface control, nor parallel or analogue voltage output (BCD /
VOLTAGE BAND DATA), you should select [OFF] at the uppermost row which will disable the amplier CAT/AUX interface.
The manual selection of CAT/AUX interface (CAT/AUX SETTINGS) is accessible only during
reception – Fig. 5 and 5-3. After entering the menu, with the ITEM buttons (up and down) the operator can mark the group of parameters which he will set (top to bottom, as listed on the screen). The selected group is marked with color. Afterwards with the SELECT buttons (left or right) the desired parameter is set – it is enclosed within square brackets.
First choose the type of interface: Serial (RS232 or TTL levels), Parallel (BCD band data) or
VOLTAGE (analogue band data).
28
Choosing a serial interface requires additional settings according to the transceiver model. The different transceiver brands and models have a great variety of controls and settings of
their CAT/AUX interfaces. For maximum exibility and clarity, they are divided into several
groups - 1 to 5. In order to select the command set and protocol parameters (BAUD RATE,
BYTE SPACING, and POLLING TIME) suitable for your transceiver, see the attached to this
manual list of brands and models.
If your transceiver is not presented in the published list, it could still be connected with CAT/ AUX to the ACOM 600S if its commands set and protocol are compatible with those proposed
in the CAT/AUX SETTINGS menu. If needed, consult your dealer.
Fig. 5-3 Menu “Selection of CAT/AUX interface” – CAT/AUX SETTINGS
At leaving the menu (by pressing the EXIT button), the parameters enclosed currently within square brackets remain selected (become effective).
5-4. Menu “USER PREFERENCES”
Here the operator can adjust some secondary (minor) functions of the amplier according to
his personal preferences.
29
Fig. 5-4 – Menu USER PREFERENCES
In order to select the user preference which has to be changed, rst with the ITEM buttons
(up and down) position the large colored window. Afterwards with the SELECT buttons (left or right) position the marker onto the desired value – Fig. 5-4.
a) AUTOMATIC MENU EXIT.
To activate or deactivate the option, rst select menu USER PREFERENCES (S. 5-4 and Fig. 5-4) and position the large colored window upon the AUTOMATIC MENU EXIT option with the ITEM buttons (up and down). Select ON or OFF with the SELECT buttons (left or right). Finally, exit the menu with the EXIT button – this will activate the currently selected state ON or OFF.
When the option is activated (ON), the amplier exits the currently selected menu if no button
has been pressed for more than 5 minutes.
If the option is deactivated (OFF), the amplier remains in the currently selected menu until operator’s intervention.
b) Activation and deactivation of option AUTO OPERATE.
The AUTO OPERATE option can be activated manually, as well as by remote commands on the RS232 interface.
To control it manually, rst select the USER PREFERENCES menu (S. 5-4 and Fig. 5-4) and
in it – the AUTO OPERATE option by means of the ITEM buttons (up and down).
The option is activated or deactivated by selecting ON or OFF through the SELECT buttons
(left or right). Finally, exit the menu by pressing the EXIT button – the currently selected value will be accepted.
30
For the role and functioning of the AUTO OPERATE option see Sections 3-3, 4-1(c), and 4-6(b).
c) CALL SIGN edit.
To compose an arbitrary text (for instance the operator’s call sign), after the row CALL SIGN is
selected with the ITEM button, the small pointer must be set with the SELECT button (right) on the position you wish to be edited. Afterwards, again with the ITEM button, the symbol for this position is changed – they appear one after another in the order of the ASCII code. Then with SELECT (right) the next symbol for editing is selected etc. Finally, again with SELECT (left) the small pointer returns backwards until it comes out of the cells for editing and only then with ITEM can be selected another row (user preference). When the EXIT button is pressed the
edited values are memorized. The call sign entered will appear only in the amplier Fault Log
and will not be displayed at the start up.
The other preference items need no explanation.
5-5. Reading the FAULTS LOG
When selected from the menus list (Fig. 5), the FAULTS LOG function provides a possibility to read and/or download the information from the nonvolatile memory of the amplier, registered at the last 28 automatic protection trips of the type “serious failure” (HARD FAULT - S. 4-6(c)). The information can be read or pictures can be taken from the amplier display, or more comfortably – it can be downloaded and archived in a plain-text format le through the RS232 interface and a computer using a standard terminal emulating program (TTY). The RS232 protocol is: 9600, 8 N 1 (9600bit/s, 8 information bits, no parity check, 1 stop bit).
An example view of the screen is shown in Fig. 5-5.
In the le title individual information about the amplier and the options is given: model, user call sign, serial number, revisions of the hardware, the rmware, and the boot loader, number
of worked hours, availability and model of an automatic antenna tuner and/or antenna selector.
Further on, for each of the stored faults hexadecimally coded information is given about the
values of the 55 monitored parameters, concerning the regime and the state of the amplier,
including: the number of worked hours, the operating frequency, the parameter which has
caused the protection trip, the regime in which the amplier has been in, as well as the values
of all analogous and logic inputs and outputs of the control unit at the time of the event.
31
Fig. 5-5 Function FAULTS LOG
Pressing the button FILE, the data can be downloaded in a plain text format through the built-in RS232 interface - see S. 7-4 for details.
5-6. Menu “RESTORE DEFAULT SETTINGS”
The factory default settings for the user preferences and some other data can be reset here.
While selecting the menu (Fig. 5-6) the bottom part of the screen is empty (no warning). The colored window is moved with the ITEM buttons (up or down) to select the position for which you want to restore the default settings.
All proposed actions initially are set on “NO” for all positions and nothing happens at re­conrming “NO” (i.e. pressing the ACTION - right arrow button). At pressing EXIT this menu is left without changing anything and the control goes back to the MENU SELECTION screen
(Fig. 5).
At rst pressing of the ACTION - left button, “YES” for the selected row is proposed and at the
bottom of the display a warning text appears about the action that would be implemented after
conrming it. At this stage, the operator still has the opportunity to quit the execution of the prepared action - he can press either the ACTION - right (NO) or the EXIT button.
The time for conrmation of the prepared action (by selecting “YES”) is limited to 60 seconds in this state regardless of the current status of the AUTOMATIC MENU EXIT option (S. 5-4(a)). If nothing is pressed within 60 seconds, “ NO “ (ACTION - right) is automatically
selected.
32
In order to conrm the selected action the operator must press the ACTION - left (YES) button once more. After its implementation the control returns to the MENU SELECTION screen - Fig.
5. If instead the ACTION - right (NO) button is pressed, the selection “NO” is selected again,
and the control does not leave the current position. At pressing the EXIT button in this position, the control leaves this menu without changing anything and returns in the previous window
(the MENU SELECTION screen – Fig. 5). At repeated pressing the EXIT button, it returns to the basic screen of the amplier (Fig. 3-2).
Fig. 5-6 Menu : RESTORE DEFAULT SETTINGS
6. REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL
6-1. General information
Remote monitoring and control can be done with a computer connected to the RS232 interface
of the amplier. This can control and monitor the main amplier functions as follows:
- activation (turn on) of the main power supply from the Low Energy (waiting) mode
through simultaneous activation of the RTS and the DTR signals;
- deactivation (turn off) of the main power supply and return to the Low Energy (waiting)
mode using a serial command OFF;
- change of the Operate / Stand-by mode; this and next serial commands are accessible only when the main power supply is running;
- change of the receive / transmit (RX/TX) mode;
- change of the operating frequency (BAND);
- upgrade of the rmware;
33
- change, activation, and deactivation of some options, such as AUTO OPERATE,
OPERATE ACCESS, the temperature scale unit ºC/ºF;
- reading the FAULTS LOG, and others.
6-2. Commands set
Details of the RS232 interface and a full list of commands, as well as the protocol and rules for
using them for amplier control are available on www.acom-bg.com.
7. MAINTENANCE
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE!
The mains line voltage plus a high DC voltage up to 500V inside the ACOM 600S amplier are LETHAL! For your safety, pull the amplier power plug out of the mains wall outlet and WAIT AT LEAST three minutes EACH TIME BEFORE servicing the amplier!
7-1. Periodic maintenance; general checks and cleaning
a) Periodically (but not less than once per year) check the connection reliability, contacts
cleanliness and the tightening of all connectors, in particular the coaxial ones – including their outer conductors.
Check the integrity of the cables, in particular if they are lying on the oor. Check also if the
cables are secured well in the area where they come out of the connector body.
Pay particular attention to the mains plug and the wall outlet for it – if you have any doubts consult with an electrician.
Periodically check the SWR of the antennas and whether it is changing over time. Problems could occur more often in poor weather conditions – rain, snow, strong wind etc.
b) Periodically (more often in a dusty environment, but at least once per year) clean the
air lter without opening the amplier.
W A R N I N G
The air lter may be too dusty - be careful how you clean it so that you DO NOT INHALE (BREATHE IN)
neither spill the dust over! Wrap it, for instance, in a wet cloth before cleaning!
Use a Philips-1 screwdriver to remove the square lter cover from the rear panel center – see the four screws in Fig. 2-1. Remove the cover and take out gently the foam-like plastic lter. Clean up the lter and the cover carefully from dust, wash them with tap water and leave them
to dry up before you mount them back.
34
While the air lter is drying, clean the fan propeller and its body with a vacuum cleaner and
a soft brush. Clean also (as far as possible from outside without opening the amplier) all ventilation apertures on the cover and the chassis, including at the bottom. Finally, mount the
air lter in reverse order and screw in its four screws tightly.
C A U T I O N
Do not use solvents for cleaning – they can be dangerous to you, as well as to the coating or the amplier plastic parts.
In case of need, clean the outside amplier surfaces also without opening it. Use a soft piece of cotton cloth, slightly moistened with clean water.
7-2. Replacement of fuses
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE!
If replacement of fuses is necessary, rst pull out the amplier mains plug from the mains outlet and wait for
at least 3 minutes!
The main mains fuses of the amplier are located on the rear panel – Fig. 2-1. Your amplier may be tted with one or two main fuses – see S. 2-3(g).
The fuses must be of the fast type, European size 5x20mm, rated for 250VAC and a current
as follows:
C A U T I O N
The fuses must be rated for a current corresponding to your mains nominal voltage: 10А for operation from 100-120VAC mains voltage or 6.3А for operation from 200-240VAC. Use only standard fuses!
C A U T I O N
Never replace any fuses inside the amplier without special instructions from your dealer! Blown internal fuses can be a symptom of a more serious problem, which should be resolved beforehand. Unauthorized replacement of inside fuses infringes the warranty conditions!
7-3. Simplied schematic diagram; theory of operation
a) Power Amplier Module.
See Fig. 7-1 – ACOM 600S Simplied Schematic Diagram.
The “heart” of the power amplier module comprises two pieces of dual N-channel eld­effect (LDMOS) transistors (Q101-Q101A and Q102-Q102A) type MRFE6VP6300H. The
pair of transistors in each housing is paralleled, and the two housings operate in a push-pull
conguration with a common grounded source. In order to provide minimum intermodulation distortions (IMD), the transistors operate in а linear AB class.
35
The transistors manufacturer (Freescale Semiconductor) guaranties their endurance to mismatch with an arbitrary phase and SWR up to 65:1. Besides this, each device is capable to produce 300W (total 600W) RF power in a continuous carrier mode. These transistors have
excellent temperature conductivity which allows the amplier to operate in continuous carrier
mode with only 30% of their maximum allowed heat load. This guarantees the high reliability
of the amplier.
The input signal enters connector J403 (RF INPUT), passes through the contacts of the input
relay on the Wattmeter board (turned in transmit – upwards the schematic diagram) and through connectors J405 and J101, reaches the input attenuator ATT101 (10 dB). Besides
reducing the input signal level to the gates, the attenuator provides a signicant improvement
of the input SWR toward the transceiver.
From the attenuator output, the input signal is passed on to a balanced broadband matching circuit comprising the transformer T101 and several R-L-C networks which compensate the input capacitance of the transistors through the whole frequency range and provides two
driving voltages for the transistors gates with equal amplitude but 180º phase shift.
The balanced choke/transformer T102 in the power supply, through its two main windings
T102 and T102B feeds DC supply voltage +50V from Power Supply Unit (connectors J103 and
J104), to the drains of the transistors Q101 and Q102 (the Power Supply Unit is described in (c) below).
The choke/transformer T102 contains yet one – third winding – T102A, which serves for creation of a local negative feed back. Through the R-L-C networks R113-114, L105-106, and C115-116, it returns a small part of the output voltage toward the gates of the transistors, but in anti-phase.
It not only attens the amplier frequency response through the operating frequency range, but also guarantees the amplier parameters irrespective of possible transistor tolerances.
The signal amplied by the transistors Q101 and Q102 is transferred from their drains through
the matching transformers T103–T103B, balun transformer T104, and connector J102, through connector J301 toward the Filters unit input.
The Filters unit serves to provide the necessary harmonics and parasitic suppression in the output signal. It allows the signal of the main operating frequency to pass to its output (connector J302) and at the same time suppresses the signals with second and all higher
harmonic frequencies (which are normally generated by the nal transistors). For covering the whole operating frequency range, the Filters unit includes eight separate low-pass lters, one
of which is selected by switching of several relays, controlled by the Control unit (described in (b) below) depending on the current operating frequency band.
For a correct selection of the necessary lter, a small part of the input signal is diverted through
connectors J405 – J504 to be fed to the Control unit frequency counter input. According to the measured frequency or the commands coming through the CAT/AUX or the RS232 interfaces,
the Control unit selects the necessary lter through the relay-coils control signals fed via
connectors J503-J303.
From The Filters unit output (connector J302) and through connector J401, and the output
relay contacts (located on the Wattmeter PCB), the amplied and ltered signal reaches the amplier output - J402.
36
The Wattmeter unit is based on a bridge circuit which comprises the current transformer T401 and some other components (not shown in the block diagram). It measures the forward and the
reected power at the amplier output and feeds information to the Control unit for indication and development of the protection functions of the amplier.
The DC bias voltages for the gates of the nal transistors are produced by the “Bias control and Measurement” circuit.
b) The Control unit of the amplier is based on a digital signal processor (DSP) manufactured
by MICROCHIP. The Control unit implements the following functions:
- controls the operating modes: Stand-by, Operate/RX, Operate/TX etc.;
- measures and monitors the analogue and digital signals in the amplier;
- protects the amplier from overloading and the critical regimes at wrong operation or
abnormal ambient conditions;
- les in the amplier nonvolatile memory a log of the last 28 switching offs type “serious failure” (HARD FAULT) and the amplier parameters registered at the moment of faults rise. They can be visualized or downloaded in a plain-text format le by the operator’s wish;
- by means of the system interfaces the Control unit monitors the staus and controls
the operation of all modules in the amplier: display and keyboard, frequency counter,
wattmeter, power supply unit, FSK/ATU (for control of external Automatic Antenna Tuner
or Antenna Selector from ACOM – ready for a future development), Power Amplier Module (PAM), and low-pass lters unit (LPF).
The user interfaces of the Control unit allow connection with additional external devices:
- CAT/AUX interface for connection with various transceivers;
- RS232 interface for connection with computer or Remote Control Unit.
In order to facilitate the diagnostics of possible failure, after which the amplier modules should
not be powered before the failure has been repaired, a special regime is designed. By means of a low power DC external source only the Control unit can be powered, so that the data from
its nonvolatile memory can be downloaded and saved in a computer plain-text format le for further analysis and troubleshooting (the FAULTS LOG with the history of the last 28 protection
trips of the type HARD FAULT). See also Sections 4-6(c), 5-5, and 7-4.
c) Power Supply Unit
The main power switch (POWER ON) is located on the rear panel of the amplier. This
interrupts the mains cable right after the main fuses and cuts off supply to all internal circuits.
When switched ON it starts only an extra- low-power AC-DC converter providing the Low Energy (waiting) mode of the power supply with a negligible consumption (below 1VA). There are three different ways to activate the amplier from waiting in the working mode:
- locally (manually) – by pressing the “ON-OFF” button on the front panel (Fig. 3-1) for 1-2s;
37
- remotely - by applying a low-power DC pulse to the remote turn-on and turn-off line
“ON _RMT”: +4.5 to +15V DC towards ground for 1-2s – see S. 2-4(a); this line is brought to connector CAT/AUX pin 11 and its consumption does not exceed 3mA;
- remotely – by the serial RS232 interface – through the simultaneous activation of the RTS and DTR hand-shake signals for 1-2s (normally they do not overlap while they
serve for control of the serial data ows exchange).
Irrespective of how the amplier has been activated, this can be de-activated - returned to
the Low Energy (waiting) mode of the power supply - in any of the above three ways or using
the “OFF” serial command by the RS232 interface. At tripping a protection of the HARD FAULT type, the amplier is self-protected, returning to the same Low Energy (waiting) mode
of the power supply and only the extra-low-power AC-DC converter remains running with a
consumption below 1VA.
The main Power Supply Unit (PSU) consists of two main assemblies:
- a rectier and switching mode stage, not insulated from the mains; they provide a
preliminary regulation at 390V and power factor correction (PFC); the latter serves to
minimize the mains-frequency harmonics currents, thus ensuring a high power factor of the consumed current, and also limiting the start-up mains current during shifting of
the amplier to the operating mode;
- mains-separated switching mode converter “390/50V” which supplies the power amplier module with +50V, insulated from the mains and regulated DC voltage; this is the main power supply of the amplier and is protected against excessive consumption over 1200W; this is controllable ON and OFF by a logic signal from the Control unit in the amplier Operate and Stand-by modes respectively.
In addition to the low-power and the main (+50V/1200W) power supplies, the PSU produces
also three auxiliary voltages:
- +13V DC voltage (non-insulated from the mains) for PS unit’s own needs: primary
turning on and supporting the “PFC control” assembly in the Power Supply unit;
- +5V regulated DC voltage, insulated from the mains: for power supply of the Control unit, the low-power circuits in the Power amplier module, Filters, and Wattmeter units of the amplier;
- +26V regulated DC voltage, insulated from the mains: this is the operating voltage for the relays coils, fans, and other low-power circuits in the amplier.
Very efcient symmetrical L-C lters are placed at the input and output of the power supply
unit. They suppress the interferences in the radio frequency spectrum, providing perfect electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with both receivers and transmitters in the shack, exceeding the worldwide adopted standards. They also give the power supply an extra resistance against external interferences propagating along the power network.
38
7-4. Using the fault codes (signatures) for diagnostics
In the nonvolatile memory of the Control unit there is a room for the data of the last 28 protection
trips of the type “serious fault” (HARD FAULT) – see S. 4-6(c). These are the values of all logic and analogous signals, concerned to the regime and control of the amplier, as well as the time
when a problem has occurred (in worked hours), and others. The information can be presented
on the amplier screen or it can be downloaded and archived in a plain-text format le. See also the menu FAULTS LOG - S. 5-5.
The data can be downloaded from nonvolatile memory of the amplier through the built-in RS232 interface and stored in a computer le even when the amplier cannot or should not be
turned on after a serious fault – it is only needed to apply external power to the Control unit in either way as described below:
- through the connector for the CAT/AUX interface on the amplier rear panel; without
dismantling the amplier, on the “Debug mode” input (Table 2-1) a DC voltage between +8 and +15V towards ground is applied. The consumed current is up to 0.4A in this mode;
- if the Control board has already been removed from the amplier for another reason, it can be powered directly with +5V and the faults log also downloaded via the RS232 interface the consumption from +5V is the same: up to 0.4A.
In the FAULTS LOG reading mode (Fig. 5-5), the Control board automatically begins to transmit
the data from its nonvolatile memory through the RS232 interface. Depending on the number of fault events stored in the memory, the transmission may take between 0.5 and 12 seconds. A pause of 6 seconds follows the end of data transmission which resumes again. The data can be archived in a plain-text format through a computer using a standard program emulating a
terminal (TTY).
You can send the recorded le to your dealer or to ACOM accordingly. They could also provide
the necessary instructions, if you choose to decode the downloaded hexadecimal data by yourself.
7-5. Firmware updates
C A U T I O N
Before you change the built-in firmware version, check its compatibility with the revisions of the hardware and of the
boot loader in your amplier - see S. 5-5 for establishing the
proper version. If you have any doubts about the versions, please consult your dealer before you undertake any action.
When ACOM publishes a new version of the built-in rmware, the user can upload it in the amplier after he checks their compatibility – see the note above.
When compatibility is conrmed a return to an earlier version is also possible.
Changes of the built-in rmware are done through the RS232 interface of the amplier, following a special procedure, described in detail in a help le accompanying the respective version.
39
8. SPECIFICATIONS
8-1. Parameters
a) Standard frequency coverage (*):
1.800 - 2.000 MHz
3.500 - 4.000 MHz
7.000 - 7.300 MHz.
10.100 - 10.150 MHz
14.000 - 14.350 MHz
18.068 - 18.168 MHz
21.000 - 21.450 MHz
24.890 - 24.990 MHz
28.000 - 29.700 MHz
50.000 - 54.000 MHz
(*) Extensions or changes of the frequency coverage are possible on request.
b) Rated output power: 600W +/-0.5dB, PEP or continuous carrier, without mode limitation.
c) Intermodulation distortions (IMD3): better than 28dB (30dB typically) below the rated
PEP output.
d) Harmonic and parasitic emissions output suppression: better than 60dB (65dB typically).
e) Input and output impedances:
- nominal value: 50 Ohm unbalanced, UHF (SO239) type connectors;
- input circuit: broadband, SWR below 1.2:1 (1.1:1 typically); 1.8 – 54 MHz continuous
range without retuning or switching;
- RF by-pass path SWR - below 1.1:1, 1.8-54 MHz;
- admissible SWR at the output load (the antenna): up to 3:1 with proportional power
reduction and up to 1.5:1 for full output power;
f) RF power gain: 14dB +/-1dB (typically 25W for 600W output power);
g) Mains power supply voltage: 93-265V;
h) Mains power consumption at full output power: 1500VA or less with a power factor of
0.95 or higher;
i) Mains power consumption in Low Energy (waiting) mode: less than 1VA;
j) Complies with EU safety regulations and electromagnetic compatibility standards, as
well as with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules;
40
k) Environment working conditions:
- temperature range: -10ºC to +40ºC (14ºF to 104ºF);
- relative air humidity: up to 95% @ 35ºC (95ºF);
l) Dimensions (projections not included) and weight, operating: (W x H x D) 330 x 165 x
380 mm (13 x 6.5 x 15 In); 12 kg (26.5 Lbs).
8-2. Functions
a) Receive / transmit control:
- KEY-IN input – type Phono (RCA) jack socket; voltage applied to the open transceiver
keying output: not exceeding +12.6V; current drawn by the the closed transceiver keying output: not exceeding 6mA;
- not obligatory KEY-OUT output – type Phono (RCA) jack socket; output resistance: not more than 120 Ohm; maximum admissible input voltage from the transceiver (across an open KEY-OUT output): +50V; maximum admissible current through a closed KEY­OUT output: 20mA;
- minimum dead time, necessary for safe amplier switching from receive to transmit: 10ms between transmit request at the KEY-IN input jack and the RF drive appearance at the RF INPUT connector.
b) Frequency control directly from CAT interface of the transceiver – connector CAT/AUX
(connector type DB-15).
c) Remote control through RS232 interface (connector type DB-9).
d) Remote turn on through simultaneous activation of the signals DSR/DTR and CTS/RTS
on the RS232 (type DB-9) connector.
e) Remote turn on / turn off line – “ON_RMT” input on the CAT/AUX (DB-15) connector; DC
voltage pulse: +4.5 to +15V DC towards ground for 1-2s; input current: 3mA maximum.
8-3. Storage and shipment
a) Environment conditions for storage and shipment:
- temperature range: -40ºC to +70ºC (-40ºF to 158ºF);
- relative air humidity: up to 75% @ 35ºC (95ºF);
- above sea-level: up to 12000m, including the luggage compartment of aircraft.
b) Dimensions and weight at transportation (max): (W x H x D) 480 x 290 x 450 mm (18.9
x 11.42 x 17.72 In); 14.5kg (32 Lbs).
41
9. DISCLAIMER of LIABILITY
All ACOM 600S specications and descriptions are based on the latest information available at the time of this document’s printing. As we always strive to constantly improve and update our products, ALL PRODUCT, PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND DATA ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE and ACOM reserves the right to make changes
and improvements at any time without further notice or obligation to notify any person or organization of such revisions or changes, made in order to improve the reliability, function, quality and design, and/or performance of the ACOM 600S. Further, this
Operating Manual is provided “as is” and ACOM shall not be liable for possible errors
contained herein.
ACOM Ltd.
Blvd. Nikola Mushanov 151 1330 Soa, Bulgaria
phone: +359 2 920 97 80 fax: +359 2 920 96 56 e-mail: acom@acom-bg.com acom@mail.orbitel.bg www.acom-bg.com
42
October 2016 Printed in Bulgaria
(PA INPUT)
(RF OUTPUT)
RF INPUT
SO 239A
RF OUTPUT
SO 239A
J101
Input Relay Output Relay
J403
(RF BYPASS)
R414
1M
J402
C407- 410
4x 10n/500V
SMA
J302
J401J405
T401
WATTMETER
J407J406
to CPU
to CPU
J405
SMA
FAN1
RFC
51uH
FAN 2
J105
FAN1
J106
FAN2
to wattmeter
AMPLIFIER
ATT 101 10dB
BIAS CONTROL AND MESURMENT
FILTER UNIT
J301
(PA OUTPUT)
to amplifier output
K303
6m LPF
12+10m LPF
17+ 15m LPF
K305
L310 620nH
K307 K308
C342
68pF
C443 68pF
C344 22pF
20m LPF
C345 100pF
C346
100pF
L311 530nH
C347 100pF
C348 150pF
30m LPF
K309
K310
40m LPF
K311
K312
80m LPF
K313
K314
2x10nF
2x10nF
C110 100nF
L105 200nH
C115
47pF R105 100
R106
2.2k
R107
2.2k
R108 100
C112 100nF
R109
3.3
R110
3.3
R111
3.3
R112
3.3
C116 47pF
L106 200nH
(FREQUENCY COUNTER)
R113
33
Q101 MRFE6VP6300H
Q102 MRFE6VP6300H
R114 33
. . .
C119- 123 5x100nF
T102
C124- 128
5x100nF
L108 4uH
L107 4uH
C129 180pF
J108
to CPU
C130- 133 4x100nF
T103
. .. .
C142- 145 4x100nF
C134- 137
4 x 2.2nF
C138-141 4 x 2.2nF
+50V
+50V
J102
BNC
T104
. .
J104
GND
J103
+50V
C109
R102 18
10nF
C10- 106
C101
10nF
T101
bias L
R101 18
L101 40nH
L103 30nH
. .
L104
L102 40nH
R103 18
30nH
R104 18
C107- 108
C111 10nF
. .
bias L
bias R
J109
+24V PSU
K306
K302K301
K304
J302
to wattmeter
LED
ON/ OFF BUTTON
POWER SUPPLY FILTER
J6
POWER LINE FILTER
J1 J 2
C1
2.2nF
..
!
C2
2.2nF
SW POWER ON
J5
to CPU
K315
J303
to CPU
J202
J3
J4
To Amplifier
J3 J4
+5V PSU TO CPU
J503 J509
LPF DRIVERS
MONITORING AND CONTROL
to Amplifierto Filter unit
PA MODULE
J507
DISPLAY AND
KEYBOARD
K316
DISPLAY
160m LPF
POWER SUPPLY
J201
J5
TO KBD
J1
TO DISPLAY
KEYBOARD
CAT
INTERFACE
RS232
INTERFACE
ETHERNET
AUDIO
LINE OUT
CPU
FSK- ATU
J505 J501 J502
to Wattmeter
J504
J506
WATTMETER F- COUNTER
POWER SUPPLY
CONTROL
to PSU to Power line fiter
SMA
to Wattmeter
to Wattmeter
F1 10A/ 250V
AC LINE CORD
F2 10A/ 250V
Fig. 7-1 ACOM 600S Simplied Schematic Diagram
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