LDG Z-100 User guide

Z-100

Automatic Antenna Tuner

Manual Version 1.0

LDG Electronics

1445 Parran Road, PO Box 48

St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

[e-mail] www.ldgelectronics.com

LDG Z-100 Automatic Antenna Tuner

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Jumpstart, or “Real hams don’t read manuals!” 2

Features 3

Specifications 3

Getting to know your Z-100 3

Installation 5

An important word about power levels: 6

Operating Instructions 8

Full Tuning Cycle (Long press) 8

Memory Tuning Cycle (Medium press) 8

Off Mode 9

Theory of Operation 10

Some basic ideas about impedance 10

Transmitters, transmission lines, antennas and impedance 10

The LDG Z-100 12

A word about tuning etiquette 12

Trouble shooting tips 12

Care and Maintenance 13

Technical Support 13

Warranty and Service 13

1

Introduction

Congratulations on selecting the LDG Z-100 tuner. The Z-100 provides fully automatic antenna
tuning across the entire HF range for less than the cost of many manual tuners. 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 other tuners you may have considered. Also, it
consumes very little power making it ideal for battery-powered operations.

LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories near
the nation’s capitol, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative
automatic tuners and related products for every amateur need.

Jumpstart, or “Real hams don’t read manuals!”

Ok, but at least read this one section before you transmit:

1. Connect your Z-100 to a source of 7 - 18 volts DC @ 300mA via the 2.5 by 5.5 mm
power jack on the back (center positive).

2. Connect the antenna jack on your transceiver to the Transmitter jack on your Z-100
tuner using an RG-8X coaxial cable jumper.

3. Connect your antenna coax lead to the Antenna jack on the back of your Z-100.

4. Power up your transceiver and select the desired operating frequency.

5. Select AM, FM, CW or PKT mode, then key down to transmit a carrier

1

.

6. Press and hold the Tune button on the front panel of your Z-100 until the red LED
comes on, then release; a tuning cycle will start and the red LED will come on.

7. Wait for the tuning cycle to end (red LED goes out, 1 – 6 seconds), and then unkey.

8. Reset your transceiver to your desired operating mode.

9. You’re ready to transmit.

1

You can tune while transmitting up to 125 watts if your transceiver has a “roll-back circuit” to protect it

from high SWR. If it does not have a roll-back circuit, limit power when tuning to 10 watts.

2

Features

• Automatically matches antennas from 6 – 800 ohms impedance, or a 10:1 SWR

• Can be powered by a pair of 9 volt transistor radio batteries in series, providing hundreds

of tuning cycles

• Very low current consumption: 300 mA during turning, nearly zero current (effectively
off) when not tuning. Your Z-100 is ideal for battery-powered operations.

• Uses latching relays, retains tuned setting indefinitely even when power is completely
removed

• Tunes from memory in less than one half second. A full tune will take from 1 to 6
seconds.

Specifications

• Microprocessor controlled, switched L tuning network

• 200 tune memories for almost instant return to previously tuned frequencies

• Antenna impedance: 6 to 800 Ohms (approximately 10:1 SWR, 3:1 on 6 meters)

• Continuous coverage 1.8 to 54 MHz

• Power range: 0.1 - 125 watts, 50 watts on 6 meters.

• Latching Relays hold tuned setting indefinitely, even when power is removed

• Tunes nearly any coax fed antenna. Use optional Balun for long wires.

• Triple function tune control button

• Tuning time: 1 to 6 seconds, 3 average (0.1 second minimum in memory mode)

• DC power requirements: 7 to 18 volts DC @ 300 mA during tune

• Enclosure sizes: 5” x 5” x 1.5”

• Weight: 14 ounces

Getting to know your Z-100

Your Z-100 is a quality, precision instrument that will give you many years of outstanding
service; take a few minutes to get to know it.

Your Z-100 can be used with any transceiver or transmitter with coax output operating in the HF
range at no more than 125 watts output.

There is only one front panel control: the Tune button. This button begins a tuning cycle, and also
places the tuner in “bypass” mode; see operating instructions. Two front panel LEDs indicate
tuner activity and SWR.

There is no “Off” button. After tuning, your Z-100 automatically enters a “deep sleep” state in
which it draws nearly zero current, effectively off. Your Z-100 will automatically wake up the
next time you start a tuning cycle. Your Z-100 employs latching relays, which hold the tuned
setting indefinitely, even when DC power is completely removed.

3