AT-100PRO OPERATIONS MANUAL MANUAL REV B
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LDG AT-100Pro
100W Automatic
Antenna Tuner
LDG Electronics
1445 Parran Road
St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA
Phone: 410-586-2177
Fax: 410-586-8475
ldg@ldgelectronics.com
www.ldgelectronics.com
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Table Of Contents
Introduction 3
Jumpstart, or “Real hams don!t read manuals!” 3
Specifications 4
An Important Word About Power Levels 4
Important Safety Warning 4
Getting to know your AT-100Pro 5
Front Panel: 5
Back Panel: 6
Installation 7
Basic Operation 9
Using the Front Panel Buttons 9
Startup Options 9
User Configuration Options 10
Transmitting and Receiving 12
Tuning 13
Basic Tuning Operation 13
Manual Memory Tune 13
Manual Full Tune 14
Bypass Mode 14
Error Indication 15
Advanced Operation 15
Manual Inductor/Capacitor Adjustments 15
High/Low Relay Adjustment 16
Manual Memory Store 16
Status Check 16
Application Notes 17
Mobile Operation 17
Conserving Power When Operating on Batteries 18
Internally Generated RF Noise 18
MARS/CAP Coverage 18
Theory of Operation 18
Some basic ideas about impedance 18
Transmitters, transmission lines, antennas, and impedance 19
The LDG AT-100Pro 20
Quick Reference 22
A Word About Tuning Etiquette 22
Care and Maintenance 23
Technical Support 23
Two-Year Transferrable Warranty 23
Out Of Warranty Service 23
Returning Your Product For Service 24
Product Feedback 24
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INTRODUCTION
LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories in St.
Leonard, Maryland, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative automatic
tuners and related products for every amateur need.
Congratulations on selecting the LDG Electronics AT-100Pro 100-watt automatic tuner. The AT100Pro provides fully- and semi-automatic antenna tuning across the entire HF spectrum plus 6 meters, at
power levels up to 125 watts. It will tune dipoles, verticals, Yagis, or virtually any coax-fed antenna. It
will match an amazing range of antennas and impedances, far greater than some tuners you may have
considered, including the built-in tuners on many transceivers.
The AT-100Pro uses latching relays and other power-saving techniques to consume very little power
when not tuning, making it suitable for battery-powered operation.
JUMPSTART, OR “REAL HAMS DON’T READ MANUALS!”
Ok, but at least read this one section before operating the AT-100Pro:
1. Connect the supplied 50-ohm coax jumper cable from the antenna jack on your transceiver to the TX
jack on the back of the AT-100Pro.
2. Connect your antenna’s 50-ohm coax feedline to the ANT 1 jack on the rear of the AT-100Pro.
3. Connect the supplied DC coax cable to the jack marked 12 VDC. Connect this cable to a DC source
between 11 and 16 volts DC, 500 mA. The jack center tip is positive.
4. Power up the transceiver, and select the desired operating frequency and mode.
5. Begin transmitting, any mode1.
6. When the tuning cycle completes, you’re ready to operate!
1 In SSB mode, simply speak into the microphone while transmitting. Tuning may be performed at up to 125 watts of input power, provided that the transceiver employs a “roll-
back” circuit to protect it from high SWR. For transceivers without roll-back circuits, power should be limited to 25 watts when tuning, to avoid damage to the transmitter or tuner.
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SPECIFICATIONS
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1.0 to 125 watt power range (SSB and CW), 100W on 6M.
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Latching relays for ultra low power operation.
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Over 4,000 memories for instantaneous band changing.
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Built-in 2-port antenna switch, with 2,000 memories each.
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Tuning time 0.2 to 2.5 seconds full tune, 0.2 seconds memory tune.
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1.8 to 54.0 MHz coverage. Built-in frequency sensor.
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Tunes 6 to 1,000 ohm loads (16 to 150 on 6m), 6 to 4,000 ohms with optional 4:1 balun.
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LED bargraph displays power level, SWR, and status.
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User-selectable operating parameters: Auto/Semi, 125/12.5 watt scale, and more.
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Radio interfaces for ICOM and Yaesu radios included.
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Power requirements: 11 to 16 VDC @ 500mA max. 7mA when idle.
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Dimensions: 7.5” x 5.5” x 2.0”. Weight 1.5 pounds.
AN IMPORTANT WORD ABOUT POWER LEVELS
The AT-100Pro is rated at 125 watts maximum power input at most. Many ham transmitters and
transceivers, and virtually all amplifiers, output well over 125 watts. Power levels that significantly
exceed specifications will definitely damage or destroy your AT-100Pro. If the tuner fails during
overload, it could also damage your transmitter or transceiver. Be sure to observe the specified power
limitations.
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING
Never install antennas or transmission lines over or near power lines. You can be seriously
injured or killed if any part of the antenna, support, or transmission line touches a power line.
Always follow this antenna safety rule: The distance to the nearest power line should be at least
twice the length of the longest antenna, transmission line, or support dimension.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR AT-100PRO
Your AT-100Pro is a quality, precision instrument that will give you many years of outstanding
service; take a few minutes to get to know it.
Front Panel:
The front panel of the AT-100Pro features seven push buttons and two LED bargraph scales:
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Func: Activates secondary function of other buttons.
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Ant: Selects the active antenna port (Ant1 or Ant2).
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C Up: Manually increase capacitance.
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C Dn: Manually decrease capacitance.
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L Up: Manually increase inductance.
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L Dn: Manually decrease inductance.
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Tune: Initiates memory or full tuning cycle. Momentary push places tuner in bypass.
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PWR Meter: Bargraph display indicates forward power in 0-12.5 and 0-125 watt ranges.
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SWR Meter: Bargraph display indicates SWR during tuning or transmission.
Each of the pushbuttons has the primary function listed above when pushed. Additionally, pressing
the FUNC button before pressing any other button will activate that button’s secondary function, labeled
beneath each button.
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Peak: Selects peak or average for the wattmeter display.
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Scale: Selects 125 or 12.5 watts full scale for the wattmeter display.
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Hi/LoZ: Manually selects Hi or Lo Z.
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Auto: Selects full Auto or Semi tuning mode.
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Thresh: Selects the SWR level that will start tuning when in Auto mode.
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Store: Stores the current tuner setting into memory for that frequency.
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There is no power button on the AT-100Pro. When the tuner is idle, it enters a low-power sleep mode,
drawing very little current. When the tuner detects a button press or an RF transmission, it “wakes up,”
ready to act.
Back Panel:
The rear panel of the AT-100Pro has six jacks.
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Ant 1: Connect a 50 ohm antenna coax feedline to this SO-239 connector.
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Ant 2: Connect a second 50 ohm antenna coax feedline to this SO-239 connector.
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Gnd (wing nut): Connect to the antenna system ground.
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Tx: Connect a 50 ohm jumper coax from this jack to the ANT jack on the rear of the transceiver.
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Radio: (optional) Connect the supplied radio interface cable to a supported ICOM or Yaesu radio.
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Power: Connect the supplied DC coaxial power cable to this connector, and connect to a source of 1116 VDC @ 500 mA. Center pin is positive.
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INSTALLATION
The AT-100Pro is intended for indoor use only; it is not water-resistant. If you use it outdoors, (Club
picnic outdoor barbecue, for example) you must protect it from rain. The AT-100Pro is designed for use
with coax-fed antennas. If use with longwires or ladder-line-fed antennas is desired, an external balun is
required. The LDG RBA-4:1 or RBA-1:1 is ideal, depending on the antenna and transmission line used.
Place the AT-100Pro in a convenient location near the transceiver. Always turn your radio off before
plugging or unplugging anything. The radio may be damaged if cables are connected or disconnected
while the power is on.
Connect the HF antenna jack on the transceiver to the TX jack on the back of the AT-100Plus, using
the supplied coax jumper cable, or a similar 50 ohm coax cable rated 125 watts or higher.
Connect a 50-ohm antenna feedline coax to the ANT 1 jack on the back of the AT-100Plus, and
optionally connect a second antenna feedline to the ANT 2 jack.
The AT-100Pro is designed to interface directly with many popular ICOM and Yaesu transceivers,
enabling one button tuning. In the case of ICOM radios, the supplied interface cable also powers the
tuner.
For ICOM radios supporting the AH-3 or AH-4 external tuner, connect the 4-pin Molex connector of
the supplied ICOM interface cable to the radio’s Tuner port. Then connect the 1/8” stereo plug on the
other end of the ICOM interface cable to the jack marked Radio on the rear of the AT-100Pro. Connect
the coaxial DC power plug of the ICOM interface cable to the 12 VDC Power jack.
For Yaesu FT-857 and FT-897, use the included Y-ACC cable and plug the red end marked Radio
into the transceiver’s ACC port. Plug the black end of the Y-ACC cable into the jack marked Radio on
the rear of the AT-100Pro.
Unless the AT-100Pro is being powered by the ICOM radio interface cable as above, you’ll also need
to plug in the supplied DC coaxial power cable. This cable has a 2.5x5.5mm coaxial plug on the end. Plug
the coaxial plug into the 12 VDC Power jack on the rear of the AT-100Pro, and connect the other end to a
DC power source between 11 and 16 volts DC, capable of supplying up to 500 mA.
Grounding the AT-100Pro tuner will enhance its performance and safety. LDG recommends that you
connect your tuner to a suitable ground. A common ground rod connected to buried radials is ideal, but a
single ground rod, a cold water pipe, or the screw that holds the cover on an AC outlet can provide a
serviceable ground. LDG strongly recommends the use of a properly installed, high quality lightning
arrestor on all antenna cables.
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