MFJ MFJ-927 User Manual

Model MFJ-927

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

VERSION 1A

CAUTION: Read All Instructions Before Operating Equipment

MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC.

300 Industrial Park Road

Starkville, MS 39759 USA

Tel: 662-323-5869 Fax: 662-323-6551

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

DISCLAIMER

Information in this manual is designed for user purposes only and is not intended to supersede

information contained in customer regulations, technical manuals/documents, positional handbooks, or

other official publications. The copy of this manual provided to the customer will not be updated to

reflect current data.

Customers using this manual should report errors or omissions, recommendations for improvements, or other comments to MFJ Enterprises, 300 Industrial Park Road, Starkville, MS 39759. Phone: (662) 3235869; FAX: (662) 323-6551. Business hours: M-F 8-4:30 CST.

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Contents

THE BASICS

Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1

Features............................................................................................................................................ 2

Specifications................................................................................................................................... 2

Fast Start .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Internal Components........................................................................................................................ 4

SWR LED........................................................................................................................... 4

TUNE LED ......................................................................................................................... 4

TUNE Button...................................................................................................................... 4

Automatic/Semi-Automatic Tuning Mode ............................................................ 4

ANT Button ........................................................................................................................ 5

POWER Button................................................................................................................... 5

Connections ..................................................................................................................................... 5

Transmitter.......................................................................................................................... 5

Antenna............................................................................................................................... 5

Ground ................................................................................................................................ 5

Wire .................................................................................................................................... 5

Installation ....................................................................................................................................... 6

MISCELLANEOUS

Antenna Memory ............................................................................................................................. 7

IntelliTune

LC Limits......................................................................................................................................... 7

Morse Code and Flashes .................................................................................................................. 8

Foldback Circuit .............................................................................................................................. 8

Grounding Hints .............................................................................................................................. 9

Antenna System Hints...................................................................................................................... 9

APPENDICES

Resetting the Tuner........................................................................................................................ 11

Algorithm .................................................................................................................. 7

Location .............................................................................................................................. 9

Matching Problems ............................................................................................................. 9

Factory Defaults................................................................................................................ 11

Delete Entire Antenna Memory ........................................................................................ 12

Delete Antenna Memory Bank .........................................................................................12

Total Reset ........................................................................................................................ 12

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Self Test ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Power-Down Circuit Test .............................................................................................................. 14

Relay Test ...................................................................................................................................... 14

Frequency Counter Calibration...................................................................................................... 15

SWR Bridge Calibration ................................................................................................................ 15

In Case of Difficulty ......................................................................................................................16

Technical Assistance...................................................................................................................... 17

List of Accessories......................................................................................................................... 17

Limited Warranty........................................................................................................................... 19

FIGURES

Figure 1. Installation Block Diagram.............................................................................................. 3

Figure 2. Power-On Operations .................................................................................................... 11

TABLES

Table 1. Memory Resolution ..........................................................................................................7

Table 2. Tuner Flashes.................................................................................................................... 8

Table 3. Failure Messages............................................................................................................. 13

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

The Basics

Introduction

The MFJ-927 IntelliTuner MFJ's exclusive InstantRecall tuning with more than 20,000 non-volatile VirtualAntenna

memory; each memory bank has over 2500 non-volatile memories for tuner settings.

The tuner includes a highly efficient switching L-network with wide matching capability, 1.8 to 30 MHz coverage, a radio interface port, and heavy-duty 10 amp/1000 volt relays. It is rated at 200 watts SSB/CW.

A maximum of 256 values of inductance and 256 values of capacitance are available. With the capacitance switched between the input and output side, this provides a total of 131,072 L/C tuning combinations. The nominal tuning ranges are 0 to 24 μH and 0 to 3900 pF.

All MFJ IntelliTuners

SWR and remember the frequency and tuner settings, safely stored in non-volatile memory. The next time you operate on that frequency (or close to it) and antenna, these tuner settings are instantly restored and you’re ready to operate in milliseconds. The antenna has four banks of memory, which can learn and remember more than 2500 frequencies and tuner settings per bank.

When you key your transmitter, MFJ’s InstantRecall

that frequency before. If so, tuning is instantaneous and you’re ready to operate. If not, MFJ’s

IntelliTune

algorithm (based on MFJ’s famous SWR Analyzer technology) kicks in. It measures the complex impedance of your antenna. Next, it calculates the components it needs and instantly snaps them in. Finally, it fine-tunes to minimize SWR, and you’re ready to operate--all in a fraction of a second.

If the antenna impedance is not within the tuner’s measurement range, MFJ’s AdaptiveSearch

algorithm goes into action. Frequency is measured and relevant components values are determined. Only those values are searched for fast tuning. If it still cannot find a match, the search is performed again using a different search pattern.

The tuners enter a “sleep” mode when idle and when no transmit signal is present, turning off the microprocessor clock to avoid the generation of spurious signals.

lets you rapidly tune any antenna automatically: unbalanced or single-wire.

, IntelliTuneTM and AdaptiveSearch

learn and remember. When you transmit, they automatically adjust for minimum

checks its memory to see if you have operated

algorithms give you fast automatic

memories. Your antenna has four banks of

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Features

• Automatically matches antennas from 6 to 1600 ohms impedance (SWR up to 32:1)

• Handles 200 watts SSB/CW

• Tune in less than 15 seconds, usually less than 5 seconds

• Over 20,000 non-volatile memories for tuner settings

• Four memory banks with over 2500 memories per bank

• Highly efficient switching L-network matching circuit

• 1.8 to 30 MHz continuous frequency coverage

• Built-in bias tee

• SO-239 coax fed antenna connector

• Connector for random wire or single wire antennas

• Included external bias tee for remote operation

Specifications

• Impedance matching range: 6 to 1600 ohms

• SWR matching range: up to 8:1 for < 50 ohms and up to 32:1 for > 50 ohms

• Minimum power for tuning: 2 watts

• Maximum power while tuning: 100 watts with foldback, 20 watts without foldback

• RF power limit: 200 watts SSB/CW

• Frequency range: 1.8 to 30 MHz continuous coverage

• Capacitance range: 0 to 3961 pF nominal (256 values)

• Inductance range: 0 to 24.86 μH nominal (256 values)

• Relay rating: 10 amp 1000 volts

• Relay electrical life: 100,000 operations

• Relay mechanical life: 10 million operations

• Memory endurance: 1 million erase/write cycles

• Memory data retention: > 200 years

• Power requirements: 12 - 15 volts DC, 2.1 × 5.5 mm coaxial plug, center pin positive

• Current consumption: 750 milli-amp or less

• Dimensions (approx.): 7.5 × 5.5 × 9.0 in. (width/height/depth)

• Weight (approx.): 3.0lb

† Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Fast Start

WARNING

● Never operate the tuner with its cover removed. Contact with the components inside the tuner while transmitting will result in painful RF burns.

● Locate the tuner so that the terminals are not accessible during operation. The single wire connection may have high voltage while transmitting.

● Disconnect all antennas from the tuner during lightning storms.

● Always tune with low power (about 10 watts). Apply maximum power only after tuning up.

● Never exceed tuner specifications.

● Do not transmit with a high SWR for extended periods of time.

1. Connect the transmitter to the “RF IN/OUT” coaxial connector on the MFJ-4116 Bias-Tee

using a 50-ohm coaxial cable. (See Figure 1) This is the RF signal input connector.

2. Connect a 12-15 VDC voltage source capable of supplying at least 750 milli-amps to the “DC IN\OUT” jack on the MFJ-4116 Bias-Tee. This is your DC voltage input connector.

3. Connect the “RF/DC OUT/IN” coaxial connector on the MFJ-4116 Bias-Tee to the

TRANSMITTER connector on the MFJ-927 Intellituner using 50-ohm coaxial cable. The MFJ-927 Intellituner will recover the RF and DC signals.

4. Connect your coax-fed antenna to the ANTENNA connector using a 50-ohm coaxial cable, or connect your random wire to the WIRE binding post.

5. Connect your ground connection to the GROUND post.

6. Key your transmitter to output a carrier of 10 watts CW, FM or AM. Using an external SWR/Wattmeter, check to ensure an SWR of 2.0 or less before increasing RF power.

7. You are ready to transmit.

Note: During the automatic tuning process, the tuner will make some noise. These are the relays

switching at a very fast pace and it is normal operation. Do not be alarmed.

12-15

VDC input

1.8-30 MHz RF

input

MFJ-4116

Bias Tee

Figure 1: MFJ-927 and MFJ-4116 Installation Block Diagram

Note: To use the Random WIRE binding post, make sure to remove the antenna, if any, from

the ANTENNA connector.

DC / RF

MFJ-927

Intellituner

ANTENNA

RANDOM WIRE

MFJ-927 Remote IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Internal Components

The MFJ-927 was designed for remote operation with no manual tuning required. The tuning process starts automatically when the transmitter is keyed with at least two watts of power regardless of the SWR. The unit will be set at the MFJ Factory, however, if something requires the unit to be removed from the box for calibration purposes, the following will guide you through the process.

• SWR LED: A green LED that illuminates when the SWR is 1.5 or less.

• TUNE LED: A red LED that illuminates when the automatic tuning is in progress.

• TUNE Button: Has three different functions based on the length of time you press and hold it before

releasing. Press [TUNE] quickly (less than 0.5 second) to bypass the tuner. One flash indicates bypass mode, where RF from the transmitter goes directly to the antenna with no matching. A second quick press toggles the tuner back to its last L/C setting, and the tuner responds with two flashes.

Press and hold [TUNE] for 0.5 to 2 seconds to start the automatic tuning process. The transmitter must be keyed first with at least two watts of power. When the SWR is already below the target SWR of 1.5, pressing [TUNE] will fine-tune the match for a lower SWR, if possible. When the automatic tuning is completed, a series of flashes indicates the tuned SWR where one flash indicates SWR of

1.5 or less, two flashes indicate SWR of 1.6 to 2.0, three flashes indicate SWR of 2.1 to 2.5, and four flashes indicate SWR of 2.6 to 3.0. For SWR above 3.0, “SWR” (di-di-dit di-dah-dah di-dah-dit) will be sent on CW.

“StickyTune” allows for one-handed tuning operation. Normal tuning requires keying the transmitter

with one hand and using the other hand to push the [TUNE] button to start the tuning process. To

toggle the StickyTune mode on and off, press and hold the [TUNE] button for two seconds. One

Flash indicates on and two Flashes indicate off. When enabled, the tuning process starts automatically when the transmitter is keyed with at least two watts of power regardless of the SWR.

This works in both automatic and semi-automatic modes. For remote operation, keep the StickyTune

mode on.

Automatic/Semi-Automatic Tuning Mode

Pressing [TUNE] and [ANT] simultaneously toggles between automatic and semi-automatic tuning mode. One Flash indicates automatic mode and two Flashes indicate semi-automatic mode. In automatic mode, the tuning routine is automatically started when at least two watts of power is applied and the SWR is greater than 2.5. In semi-automatic mode, the tuning routine starts only when the [TUNE] button is pressed for 0.5 to 2 seconds.

Note: During the tuning process, the tuner will make some noise. These are the relays

switching at a very fast pace and it is normal operation. Do not be alarmed.

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