MFJ MFJ-929 User Manual

Compact IntelliTuner

Automatic Antenna Tuner

Model MFJ-929

CAUTION: Read All Instructions Before Operating Equipment

VERSION 0B

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

MFJ ENTERPRISES, INC.

300 Industrial Park Road Starkville, MS 39759 USA

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

MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Contents

THE BASICS

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

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

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

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

Front Panel....................................................................................................................................... 4

LCD Contrast Control......................................................................................................... 4

LCD Display ....................................................................................................................... 4

ANT Button ........................................................................................................................ 4

MODE Button.....................................................................................................................4

C-UP and C-DN Buttons .................................................................................................... 4

L-UP and L-DN Buttons..................................................................................................... 5

TUNE Button...................................................................................................................... 5

Automatic/Semi-Automatic Tuning Mode ............................................................ 5

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

Back Panel ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Power .................................................................................................................................. 7

Radio Interface.................................................................................................................... 7

Transmitter........................................................................................................................ 10

Antenna 2.......................................................................................................................... 10

Antenna 1.......................................................................................................................... 10

Ground .............................................................................................................................. 10

Wire .................................................................................................................................. 10

Installation ..................................................................................................................................... 10

THE MENUS

Main Mode Menus......................................................................................................................... 11

Digital Wattmeter Menu ................................................................................................... 11

Power Bar Meter Menu..................................................................................................... 11

SWR Bar Meter Menu ...................................................................................................... 12

L-Network Menu .............................................................................................................. 12

Tuner Indicators............................................................................................................................. 13

Antenna............................................................................................................................. 13

Radio Interface.................................................................................................................. 13

IntelliTune......................................................................................................................... 13

Memory............................................................................................................................. 13

LC Limit ........................................................................................................................... 13

Auto Range ....................................................................................................................... 14

Auto/Semi ......................................................................................................................... 14

StickyTune........................................................................................................................ 14

Setup Mode Menus ........................................................................................................................ 15

Target SWR Menu ............................................................................................................ 15

Auto Tune SWR Menu ..................................................................................................... 15

MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Meter Range Menu ........................................................................................................... 15

Peak Hold Menu ............................................................................................................... 15

Memory Menu .................................................................................................................. 16

IntelliTune Menu ..............................................................................................................16

SWR Beep Menu .............................................................................................................. 17

Beep Menu........................................................................................................................ 17

Refresh Menu.................................................................................................................... 17

Radio Interface Menu ....................................................................................................... 17

LC Limit Menu ................................................................................................................. 17

OPERATION

Manual Tuning............................................................................................................................... 18

Morse Code and Beeps ..................................................................................................................18

Foldback Circuit ............................................................................................................................ 19

Grounding Hints ............................................................................................................................ 20

Antenna System Hints.................................................................................................................... 20

Location ............................................................................................................................ 20

Matching Problems ........................................................................................................... 20

APPENDICES

Resetting the Tuner........................................................................................................................ 22

Factory Defaults................................................................................................................ 22

Disable Radio Interface .................................................................................................... 23

Delete Entire Antenna Memory ........................................................................................ 23

Delete Antenna Memory Bank .........................................................................................23

Total Reset ........................................................................................................................ 23

Self Test ......................................................................................................................................... 24

Power-Down Circuit Test .............................................................................................................. 25

Relay Test ...................................................................................................................................... 25

SWR Bridge Calibration ................................................................................................................ 25

Frequency Counter Calibration...................................................................................................... 26

In Case of Difficulty ......................................................................................................................27

Technical Assistance...................................................................................................................... 27

List of Accessories......................................................................................................................... 27

Circuit Block Diagram................................................................................................................... 28

FIGURES

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

Figure 2. MFJ-929 Front Panel....................................................................................................... 4

Figure 3. Mode Button Flow Chart and Button Action .................................................................. 6

Figure 4. MFJ-929 Back Panel .......................................................................................................7

Figure 5. Rado Interface Connector................................................................................................ 7

Figure 6. Alinco Interface Cable..................................................................................................... 8

Figure 7. Icom Interface Cable .......................................................................................................8

Figure 8. Kenwood Interface Cable ................................................................................................ 9

Figure 9. Yaesu Interface Cable (FT-100, FT-817, FT-857, FT-897) ............................................ 9

Figure 10. Yaesu Interface Cable (FT-847) .................................................................................... 9

MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Figure 11. Power Bar Meter (High Range)................................................................................... 12

Figure 12. Power Bar Meter (Low Range) ................................................................................... 12

Figure 13. SWR Bar Meter ........................................................................................................... 12

Figure 14. Main Mode Menus Display ......................................................................................... 13

Figure 15. Tuner Indicators........................................................................................................... 14

Figure 16. Power-On Operations .................................................................................................. 22

Figure 17. MFJ-929 Circuit Block Diagram................................................................................. 28

TABLES

Table 1. Memory Resolution ........................................................................................................16

Table 2. Tuner Beeps .................................................................................................................... 19

Table 3. Failure Messages............................................................................................................. 24

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MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

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MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

The Basics

Introduction

The MFJ-929 IntelliTuner

The MFJ-929 is a comprehensive automatic antenna tuning center with SWR/wattmeter, antenna switch for two antennas.

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

four banks of 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, backlight LCD display, 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. Each of two antenna selections 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 target SWR can be set at 1.0 through 2.0. The minimum power to tune is approximately two watts. You can manually tune where you can’t transmit (for listening out of ham bands).

All MFJ’s IntelliTuners

Icom AH-3 and AH-4 tuners, Kenwood AT-300 tuner, Yaesu FC-30 tuner, and certain Yaesu radios with CAT system. Optional interface cables MFJ-5114A (for Alinco), MFJ-5114I (for Icom), MFJ-5114K (for Kenwood), and MFJ-5114Y, MFJ-5114Y2 and MFJ-5124Y3 (for Yaesu) are available from MFJ Enterprises, Inc.

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

support radio tuner interfaces that are compatible with Alinco EDX-2 tuner,

checks its memory to see if you have operated

algorithms give you fast automatic

memories. Each of the two antennas has

MFJ-929 Compact 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 per antenna with over 2500 memories per bank

• Highly efficient switching L-network matching circuit

• 1.8 to 30 MHz continuous frequency coverage

• Adjustable target SWR 1.0 to 2.0

• Adjustable SWR threshold 0.5 to 1.5

• Multifunction backlit LCD display with contrast control

• Numeric readings for SWR, forward and reflected power

• Bar meters for SWR, forward and reflected power with range options

• Audio SWR meter

• Built-in frequency counter

• Built-in radio interface circuitry for compatible radios

• Built-in bias tee

• Two SO-239 coax fed antenna connectors

• Connector for random wire or single wire antennas

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

• Frequency counter accuracy: ±1 kHz across HF bands

•

Frequency counter range: up to 50 MHz

• 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: 850 milli-amp or less

• Dimensions (approx.): 6.5 × 2.8 × 7.5 in. (165 × 71 × 191 mm) (width/height/depth)

not including connectors

• Weight (approx.): 2.4 lb (1.09 kg)

† Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

MFJ-929 Compact 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 rear 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 MFJ-929 to a 12-15 VDC voltage source capable of supplying at least 850 milli-amps.

2. Connect your transmitter to the TRANSMITTER connector using a 50-ohm coaxial cable.

3. Connect your coax-fed antenna to the ANTENNA 1 connector using a 50-ohm coaxial cable, or connect your random wire to the WIRE binding post.

4. Connect your ground connection to the GROUND post.

5. Press the [POWER] button to turn on the MFJ-929 tuner.

6. Press the [ANT] button momentarily until a small “1” appears on line one of the display. This selects antenna 1 and is indicated with one beep.

7. Key your transmitter to output a carrier of 10 watts CW, FM or AM.

8. Press and hold the [TUNE] button on the MFJ-929 for one second to start the automatic tuning process. When completed, check to ensure an SWR of 2.0 or less before increasing RF power.

9. 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.

Note: When the tuner power is OFF, the tuner is in bypass mode and RF from the transmitter goes

directly to the antenna (ANTENNA 1) with no matching. When the tuner power is ON, pressing [C-DN] and [L-DN] simultaneously or pressing [TUNE] quickly places the tuner in bypass mode (zero inductance and zero capacitance) and indicates by one beep.

Antenna 1

Transmitter MFJ-929

50-ohm Coax

RF Ground 12 VD

ntenna 2

Figure 1. Installation Block Diagram.

MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Front Panel

SWR

ANT

C-UP L-UP

TUNE

14.100MHz 1.1 FWD=100 REF=0.5

SWR PWR

11.2

0 25 50 75 100

MFJ IntelliTuner

AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER

200 Watts SSB / CW

1.5

MODE

200

C-DN L-DN

MODEL

MFJ-929

Figure 2. MFJ-929 Front Panel.

• LCD Contrast Control: A trimpot control that adjusts the contrast of the LCD display. Use a small

flat blade screwdriver, insert into the small hole on the left of the display, and turn clockwise to increase contrast.

• LCD Display: A 2-line by 16-character alphanumeric display. It displays the tuner’s various menus

and status. The display contrast can be adjusted by the LCD contrast control on the front panel. Below the display are the SWR and power bar meter scales. Refer to Figures 14 and 15 for descriptions of the various displayed information.

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

releasing. Press [ANT] quickly (less than one second) to select the antenna to tune. Press button to

toggle between Antenna 1 and Antenna 2. The Antenna indicator on the main display indicates the

selected antenna. A single-wire antenna is, by default, Antenna 1.

Press and hold [ANT] for one second to cycle among the four memory banks of the current antenna. The selected bank is indicated by a series of short beeps, where one beep indicates bank A, two beeps indicate bank B, three beeps indicate bank C, four beeps indicate bank D, and five beeps indicate antenna memory is OFF. The Memory indicator on the main display also indicates the selected bank.

Pressing the [ANT] button will switch the antenna or bank only when there is no RF power; also, the

tuner setting for the selected antenna or bank, if available, is instantly restored from memory when enabled.

• MODE Button: Time-sensitive and used to navigate through the various main menus and to enter or

exit the setup menus.

• C-UP and C-DN Buttons: Used to manually increase or decrease the capacitance of the L-network

matching circuit. The capacitance range is 0 to 3961 pF (picofarads). The upper limit of capacitance, dependent on frequency, is used to limit the maximum voltage and current across the tuner’s components. This limit can be removed in the LC Limit setup menu, but is not recommended.

POWER

MFJ-929 Compact IntelliTuner Automatic Antenna Tuner Instruction Manual

Note: Pressing [C-UP] and [C-DN] simultaneously toggles the capacitor between the input

and output sides of the L-network. One beep when the capacitor is on the antenna side. Two beeps when the capacitor is on the transmitter side.

• L-UP and L-DN Buttons: Used to manually increase or decrease the inductance of the L-network

matching circuit. The inductance range is 0 to 24.86 μH (microhenries). The upper limit of inductance, dependent on frequency, is used to limit the maximum voltage and current across the tuner’s components. This limit can be removed in the LC Limit setup menu, but is not recommended.

Note: Pressing [C-DN] and [L-DN] (both DOWN buttons) simultaneously places the tuner in

bypass mode. One beep sounds to indicate bypass mode. RF from the transmitter goes directly to the antenna with no matching.

• 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 beep 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 beeps.

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, pressing [TUNE] will fine-tune the match for a lower SWR, if possible.

“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. When

enabled, a bar appears on top of the Auto/Semi indicator, and 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. One beep indicates on and two beeps indicate off.

Automatic/Semi-Automatic Tuning Mode

Pressing [TUNE] and [ANT] simultaneously toggles between automatic and semi-automatic tuning mode. In automatic mode, the tuning routine is automatically started when at least two watts of power is applied and the SWR is a preset amount above the preset target SWR. In semi-automatic mode, the tuning routine starts only when the [TUNE] button is pressed for 0.5 to 2 seconds. The Auto/Semi indicator on the main display indicates the selected mode. Refer to Figures 14 and 15 for the on-screen Auto/Semi indicator.

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.

• POWER Button: Used to turn the power on and off. When the power is off, the tuner is placed in

bypass mode and Antenna 1 is selected. When turning on the power, the tuner automatically restores all previous settings and displays the target SWR on the main screen.

WARNING: Do not turn the power on and off rapidly, otherwise the tuning setting

memory can be corrupted and the unit will have to be reset to factory defaults.

Note: When the tuner power is OFF, the tuner is in bypass mode and RF from the transmitter

goes directly to the antenna (ANTENNA 1) with no matching.

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