INSTRUCTION MANUAL
HF AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER
AT-140
FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing the AT-140 HF AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER.
The AT-140 is designed, primarily for use with Icom HF transceivers.
Refer to your HF transceiver instruction manual for operation. If you have any questions, contact your dealer.
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely before using the AT-140.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL. This instruction manual contains important safety and installation instructions.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
Word |
Definition |
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RWARNING Personal injury, fire hazard or electric shock may occur.
CAUTION Equipment damage may occur.
If disregarded, inconvenience only. No NOTE personal injury, fire hazard or electric
shock.
PRECAUTIONS
RDANGER HIGH VOLTAGE! NEVER touch the antenna terminal, ground terminal, antenna or counterpoise while transmitting. Place the AT-140, antenna and counterpoise in positions where no one can touch them.
NEVER use without a ground connection.
NEVER transmit during internal adjustment. This may cause an electric shock.
USE the ground terminal for ground connection. The mounting plate is not connected internally.
Ground terminal
Mounting plate
DO NOT operate your HF marine transceiver without running the boat’s engine.
AVOID using the AT-140 in areas where the temperature is below –30°C (–22°F) or above +60°C (+140°F).
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
The following accessories are supplied with the AT-140.
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Qty. |
q U-bolts ……………………………………………… |
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2 |
w U-bolt plates ………………………………………… |
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e Flat washers (M6 large) …………………………… |
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r Flat washers (M6 small) …………………………… |
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t Spring washers (M6) ……………………………… |
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y Nuts (M6) …………………………………………… |
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u Hex head bolts (M6× 50) …………………………… |
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i Self-tapping screws (A0 6× |
30) …………………… |
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o Weatherproof cap…………………………………… |
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!06-pin connector……………………………………… |
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!1Connector pins ……………………………………… |
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!2Ground cable (OPC-412) |
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Icom, Icom Inc. and the are registered trademarks of Icom Incorporated (Japan) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Russia and/or other countries.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
The following parts are additionally required for installation, but are not supplied with the AT-140. Purchase these parts locally.
qAWG 14× 4-conductor shielded cable
*Icom offers an optional OPC-1147 CONTROL CABLE. Length: 10 m; 32.8 feet
w 50 Ω coaxial cable e PL-259 connectors
FEATURES
Matches all bands
The AT-140 matches any frequency on every HF marine band. For example, the tuner matches a 7 m; 23 ft long-wire antenna across 1.6–30 MHz.
Full automatic tuning
Just push the [TUNE] switch on the transceiver, and the AT-140 adjusts immediately to the minimum SWR of any frequency on any HF marine band.
HF operation on any size ship
The AT-140 allows you HF operation where antenna element length is restricted due to space.
Weather resistant
The AT-140 is housed in a durable, completely weather resistant ASA case with a rubber gasket. The antenna tuner can be conveniently installed both on the deck or in the cabin near the antenna element.
Simple installation
Installation is simple. Just connect the control and antenna cables. You never need to open the cover.
45 memories for shorter tuning time
To decrease the tune-up time, the AT-140 automatically stores the matching conditions for up to 45 frequencies. Re-tuning for a memorized frequency takes approx. 1 sec.
Super capacitor for memory backup
Even if the AT-140 is not used for approx. 1 week, the built-in super capacitor backs up contents of the 45 memories.
Low power tune up
The AT-140 emits low output power during tuning. This feature reduces the possibility of causing interference to other stations.
Tuner through function
The tuner through function is built into the AT-140. This function helps improve receiver gain, depending on the antenna element length used, and operating frequency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD …………………………………………… i IMPORTANT …………………………………………… i EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ……………………………… i PRECAUTIONS ……………………………………… i SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES ………………………… i MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ………………………… ii FEATURES …………………………………………… ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………… ii 1 ANTENNA SYSTEM …………………………… 1–2
■ Antenna for ship ………………………………… |
1 |
■ Antenna for land operation ……………………… |
1 |
■ Coaxial cable …………………………………… |
2 |
■ Ground and counterpoise ……………………… |
2 |
2 INSTALLATIONS ………………………………… 3–5 |
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■ lnstallation outline………………………………… |
3 |
■ Control cable……………………………………… |
3 |
■ PL-259 connector………………………………… |
4 |
■ Mounting ………………………………………… |
4 |
■ Cable connections ……………………………… |
5 |
3 CONTROL CABLE SIGNALS ………………… 6–7 |
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■ Terminal information …………………………… |
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■ Transceiver setting ……………………………… |
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4 UNIT DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS
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■ Unit description…………………………………… |
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■ Specifications …………………………………… |
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ii
1 ANTENNA SYSTEM
■ Antenna for ship
Required antenna element length
Required antenna element length to achieve full performance varies according to the lowest frequency:
The lowest frequency |
Required antenna element length |
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1.6 MHz band |
7 m; 23.0 feet or longer |
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4 MHz band |
3 m; 9.8 feet or longer |
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The longer the antenna element, the better the antenna efficiency.
Undesirable antenna element lengths
AVOID multiples of 1⁄2λ (half wavelength) for antenna element lengths, since tuning becomes difficult.
L : Antenna element length to be avoided [m] f : Operating frequency [MHz]
n : Natural number (n = 1, 2, 3, ...)
L = 300 × |
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× n |
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[Example]
At an operating frequency of 16 MHz, avoid the following antenna element lengths:
L = |
300 |
× |
1 |
× n |
9.4, 18.8, ... |
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16 |
2 |
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1 m |
39 inches |
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For example, if 15 m is selected for an antenna element length, you have no problem in the 1.6–25 MHz marine bands range.
Insulator
Backstay operates as a long-wire antenna.
Insulator
Whip antenna
NOTE: Keep antennas as far away from other objects as possible, especially metal objects.
■ Antenna for land operation
In some countries, HF transceivers can be used for land mobile operation. Ask your Icom Dealer for details, since the radio law varies according to each country.
For land mobile operation on 4 MHz and above, an optional AH-2b ANTENNA ELEMENT is available. The AH-2b includes a sturdy tow hook mount system for holding a 2.5 m; 8.2 feet stainless steel antenna element plus all the necessary hardware.
AH-2b
Refer to the AH-2b instruction manual for the AH-2b and AT-140 installation to your vehicle. Ask your Icom Dealer for details.
Connect a suitable antenna element for a base station. To achieve full performance, refer to “Required antenna element length” above.
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