microHAM SMORF User Manual

microHAM © 2015 All rights reserved
SMΩRF
RF VECTOR
SIGNAL METER
microHAM
fax: +421 2 4594 5100 e-mail: support@microham.com homepage: www.microham.com
8 April, 2016
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
1. FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS ................................................................................................... 4
2. IMPORTANT WARNINGS .......................................................................................................... 5
3. HARDWARE DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................... 5
Front Panel ..........................................................................................................................6
Rear Panel ........................................................................................................................... 7
4. INSTALLATION .......................................................................................................................... 8
5. OPERATION …........................................................................................................................... 9
Sensor Selection ................................................................................................................. 9
Bar Graphs Scales and Ranges........................................................................................... 9
6. SCREEN …............................................................................................................................... 11
SCREEN: Status Bar ........................................................................................................ 11
SCREEN: Edit Mode ........................................................................................................ 12
SCREEN: Two Point Measurements ................................................................................ 12
SCREEN: Bar Graph Functions ....................................................................................... 13
SCREEN: Bar Graph Settings ........................................................................................... 14
SCREEN: Tone Generator ................................................................................................16
SCREEN: Screens Menu ..................................................................................................18
7. SINGLE SENSOR SCREEN TEMPLATES ............................................................................... 20
STANDARD Screen .......................................................................................................... 20
LARGE Screen ................................................................................................................. 21
PSK Screen ...................................................................................................................... 22
TUNE Screen .................................................................................................................... 23
TECHNICAL Screen ........................................................................................................ 24
OSCILLOSCOPE Screen .................................................................................................. 26
SPECTRUM Screen ......................................................................................................... 29
AUTO Mode ..................................................................................................................... 31
8. DUAL SENSORS SCREEN TEMPLATES ................................................................................ 31
2TX Screen ....................................................................................................................... 32
PA Screen …..................................................................................................................... 33
4IN Screen ........................................................................................................................ 35
9. MAIN MENU .…........................................................................................................................ 37
10. SYSTEM MENU ....................................................................................................................... 37
METER MODE ................................................................................................................... 38
Miscellaneous Settings ....................................................................................................... 40
Brightness Settings .......................................................................................................... 41
LAN Settings ..................................................................................................................... 42
Power Saving .....................................................................................................................43
Time and Date .................................................................................................................. 45
Backup and Restore .......................................................................................................... 46
Screens Management ........................................................................................................47
11. SENSOR 1 MENU ..................................................................................................................... 49
Sensor Details .................................................................................................................... 49
Sensor Cables Table ........................................................................................................ 49
Sensor Cables Calibration ................................................................................................. 51
100% Power Levels ............................................................................................................ 51
Antenna Cables ................................................................................................................ 52
Miscellaneous .................................................................................................................. 54
Copy Settings .................................................................................................................... 55
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12. ALARM 1 MENU ....................................................................................................................... 56
Alarms Handling and Operation .........................................................................................56
Alarm Settings .................................................................................................................... 57
SWR Alarm ...................................................................................................................... 60
LOW POWER Alarm ........................................................................................................ 61
HIGH POWER Alarm ........................................................................................................ 62
PSK IMD Alarm ..................................................................................................................62
ARCING Alarm ................................................................................................................... 63
13. DATA STRUCTURE DIAGRAM ................................................................................................. 64
14. SENSORS ….............................................................................................................................. 65
15. REMOTE CONTROL ….............................................................................................................. 66
HTTP Server ….................................................................................................................. 66
VNC Server …..................................................................................................................... 68
Remote Control Application ................................................................................................ 69
16. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION …...............................................................................................71
17. PACKAGE CONTENT …............................................................................................................ 75
18. WARRANTY …........................................................................................................................... 75
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ........................................................................................ 76
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1 – FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
SMΩRF™ is unique metering instrument, the most powerful and accurate, in-line vector RF power meter to date with accuracy rivaling the professional instruments. Has tons of extra features, and very high level of user customization to fit every hamshack, every operator's needs.
SMΩRF™ connects to RF signal by remote sensor (coupler), available in several models for power levels from miliwatts up to 12kW and frequencies up to 500MHz. HF + 6m sensors provide sample of passing current (I) and voltage (U) on its LOAD port. VHF and UHF sensors provide sample of forward (FWD) and reflected (REF) power to meter. The meter can simultaneously measure two independent signals from any two sensors and shows measurement results on its front panel or computer.
Main features:
Operating frequency from 1.8 – 500MHz.
Signed phase measurement.
Two points of measurement, at the sensor point and at the antenna point.
Phase measurement between sensors.*
Real time temperature compensation in meter and sensor.
Dual, high speed, three color, user adjustable auto-ranging LED bar graphs with configurable peak hold.
Every meter and every sensor individually factory calibrated for best accuracy. Temperature controlled,
computer automatized calibration setup makes over 10,000 calibration points in each meter and over 100 points in each sensor. Calibrated per port for level, frequency, phase, and temperature.
Very wide viewing angle, sunlight readable, high contrast graphics OLED display.
Multiple, user configurable display screens for powers, impedance, waveform, spectrum, PSK, SO2R …
User configurable alarms in three importance levels (warning, alarm, fault) for two power ranges on per
sensor, per band basis for SWR, Low Power and High Power alerts.
Connectivity:
Internet enabled, native IEEE 802.3 Ethernet port for remote connectivity.
Internal web server for simple access from the computer browser for status checking, maintenance and
firmware updates, no drivers, no specialized software installation.
TCP port for high speed remote control applications, open protocol.
High purity, DDS based test signal generator (single/dual tone, noise) for linearity and bandwidth tests.
iLINK port for simplified connection to our interfaces.
Two keying, pass thru ports and RS232 serial port for legacy connections.
Well featured Auxiliary port for future expansions (wall mount 7 segment LED displays, analog meter).
Other features:
Internal speaker for audible alerts.
Internet synchronized real time clock.
Ambient light sensor for display and led bars brightness control.
Free Remote Control application for Windows and OS-X.
EMI shielded, aluminum die cast enclosure.
Internal processing highlights:
210 MIPS, 32bit floating point Cortex M4 DSP processor for extremely fast updates and accurate
calculation of complex functions.
hi-grade, parallel 16bit ADC, sampled at 125ksps.
24bit DAC at 160ksps for signal generator.
* Both sensors are of the same type (U/I or FWD/REF), connected by the same length leads and operating at the same frequency.
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2 - IMPORTANT WARNINGS
ALWAYS check the polarity of the 13.8 V power supply
before you connect it to the meter.
If you use meter without sensors,
NEVER exceed 26dBm level to the meter's IN RF ports.
If you use some accessory injecting DC power to the coaxial cable,
connect it ALWAYS behind the LOAD port of any CHF sensor.
DO NOT connect OUT ports to inductive, AC or >24VDC loads.
DO NOT place meter on hot surfaces.
DO NOT touch the sensor under RF power.
ALWAYS backup your settings prior firmware update.
3 - HARDWARE DESCRIPTION
SMΩRF system consists of two parts, sensor and meter.
Sensor is a box, inserted in transmission line (coaxial cable) between source of power (transceiver or power
amplifier) and the load (antenna). Depending on used sensor, it provides sample of current (I) and voltage (U) on transmission line, or forward (FWD) and reflected (REF) power sample. All HF sensors are U/I type with current and voltage transformers inside. All VHF/UHF sensors are FWD/REF type directional couplers. All sensors have internal micro-controller and EEPROM memory for calibration data storage. Micro-controller measures internal temperature of the coupler and provides these data on request to the meter.
Meter connects to sensor's sample outputs, and measures their magnitude and phase at a rate of 125,000 samples per second as well as internal and sensor temperature. Captured data are than corrected by four dimensional calibration tables taken during individual calibration for magnitude, phase, frequency and temperature for both sensor and meter. Meter then further processes the captured data. For some type of measurements where high data rate is required (alarms, oscilloscope and spectrum screens), raw data are used. For measurements where stability and smoothness is more important, data are additionally filtered in various IIR or FIR filters according to their nature. Computed results are than provided on meter's front panel or computer screen through Ethernet port. Thanks to powerful DSP CPU in the meter and optimized code, meter is capable to do all above tasks in real time and at the same time provide DDS based tone generator output for some kind of specific measurements.
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Front Panel
1. TOP BAR GRAPH
2. BOTTOM BAR GRAPH
3. TOP BAR GRAPH SCALE INDICATOR
4. BOTTOM BAR GRAPH SCALE INDICATOR
5. BAR GRAPH SCALE RANGE INDICATOR
green color indicates top bar graph range red color indicates bottom bar graph range yellow color indicates same range for both bar graphs
6. ALARM INDICATORS
green color indicates warning red color indicates alarm flashing red color indicates fault
7. SENSOR INDICATORS
8. MAIN DISPLAY
9. LEFT ← SCREEN ROTATION BUTTON
button serves as left navigation button in EDIT mode and MENU system
10. RIGHT → SCREEN ROTATION BUTTON
button serves as right navigation button in EDIT mode and MENU system
11. EDIT/MENU BUTTON
short press enters EDIT mode and allows editing outlined fields on current screen pressing and holding for one second enters MENU system of the meter
12. SENSOR 1 BUTTON
when pushed briefly together with SENSOR 2 button, meter switches to the AUTO mode and automatically
focuses to the first sensor passing sensing nonzero power
when pushed and held together with SENSOR 2 for one second, meter switches to the DUAL mode and displays
special screens designed for two sensors measurements
button serves as up navigation button in MENU system.
13. SENSOR 2 BUTTON
when pushed briefly together with SENSOR 1 button, meter switches to the AUTO mode and automatically
focuses to the first sensor passing sensing nonzero power
when pushed and held together with SENSOR 1 for one second, meter switches to the DUAL mode and displays
special screens designed for two sensors measurements
button serves as down navigation button in MENU system
14. ROTARY KNOB
when rotated sets top bar graph range when pushed and rotated sets bottom bar graph range changes selected value in EDIT mode and MENU system when pushed in EDIT or MENU system, it pop ups short help for selected item during ALARM condition push snoozes or resets active alarm
15. AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR
measures ambient light for automatic brightness control of bar graphs and main display
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Rear Panel
1. SENSOR 1 FORWARD (FWD) or VOLTAGE (U) SAMPLE INPUT
FWD/U connection port of SENSOR 1 serves as INPUT 1 in 4 INPUT mode
2. SENSOR 1 REFLECTED (REF) or CURRENT (I) SAMPLE INPUT
REF/I connection port of SENSOR 1 serves as INPUT 2 in 4 INPUT mode
3. SENSOR 2 FORWARD (FWD) or VOLTAGE (U) SAMPLE INPUT
FWD/U connection port of SENSOR 2 serves as INPUT 3 in 4 INPUT mode
4. SENSOR 2 REFLECTED (REF) or CURRENT (I) SAMPLE INPUT
REF/I connection port of SENSOR 2 serves as INPUT 4 in 4 INPUT mode
5. PTT / INHIBIT IN1
configurable input coupled to SENSOR 1
6. PTT / INHIBIT OUT1
configurable output coupled to SENSOR 1
7. PTT / INHIBIT IN2
configurable input coupled to SENSOR 2
8. PTT / INHIBIT OUT2
configurable output coupled to SENSOR 2
9. TEST TONE
internal tone generator output, 4 pole 3.5mm jack
10. LAN
IEEE 802.3 Ethernet port
11. AUX
Accessory port
12. iLINK
first iLINK port for connection to iLINK enabled microHAM devices
13. iLINK
second iLINK port for connection to iLINK enabled microHAM devices
14. SERIAL
RS232 port for general low speed connectivity
15. DC 13.8V
power input, max. 16V, center positive, shell negative
16. POWER SWITCH
17. GROUNDING SCREW
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4 – INSTALLATION
1. Connect sensor to the meter
Connect U or FWD sample output of the sensor to the meter's SENSOR 1 – U/FWD input using
supplied SMA – SMA cable. It isn't important which one of two supplied SMA – SMA cables you use, but keep the calibration certificate of the cable and mark it to reflect the connection (SENSOR #SN/U). Later you can enter calibration table of the cable from the certificate sheet to the meter memory in SENSOR MENU. It will slightly improve metering accuracy but you will need to pair calibration table to the cable, each is individually calibrated in the factory.
Connect I or REF sample output of the sensor to the meter's SENSOR 1 – I/REF input using second
SMA – SMA cable. Again, keep the calibration certificate of the cable and mark it to reflect the connection (SENSOR #SN/I).
If you are connecting the second sensor,
use SENSOR 2 ports on meter in the same manner as for SENSOR 1 above.
2. Connect sensor to the transceiver and the
antenna
Connect antenna port of your transceiver
or power amplifier to the sensor's TX port.
Connect your antenna to the LOAD port
of the sensor.
3. Connect meter to the transceiver or
microHAM interface
Connect supplied miniDIN6 – miniDIN6
cable from iLINK port of the meter to the iLINK port on microHAM interface. If you have multiple microHAM interfaces and you are unsure where to connect iLINK port, please refer to METER MODE chapter for more details.
If you don't have our interface, or you have interface without iLINK port, please refer to ALARM
SETTINGS chapter for more details. This connection is not necessary for SMΩRF functionality, but when used, SMΩRF can protect your TX chain using internal ALARMs.
4. Connect power to the meter
Connect 13.8V DC power supply to the DC power jack of the meter. DC power jack is standard
2.1/5.5 mm power jack, use supplied plug if you haven't one.
Observe the polarity!!! Center is positive (+), shell is negative (-).
Use well regulated and filtered power supply capable to provide 1.3A.
Connect grounding lead from your central grounding point in the shack to the ground terminal screw
on the meter.
5. Turn power On
Flip the power switch on the rear panel.
After power up, meter checks for presence of sensors on its inputs. When the meter finds a new
sensor, it copies calibration data from the sensor's memory to the meter's memory. Each sensor has built in a large calibration table, transfer of these data to meter may take several minutes. Be patient and don't worry, it is just a one time procedure and happens only on the very first connection to the new sensor. When done, meter will automatically switch to one of the metering screens.
6. Select metering mode
Press and hold MENU button for a second. Using ← / → buttons select SYSTEM MENU. Press
briefly MENU to enter. Select METER MODE. Press briefly MENU to enter.
If you are connecting second sensor or both sensors at the same time, please refer to METER
MODE chapter to understand what metering mode means and does in order to use correct one for your purpose. Otherwise select SINGLE RADIO / SINGLE SENSOR mode by rotary knob. Press MENU briefly to register.
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5 – OPERATION
Operating SMΩRF is easy and intuitive, but to use it effectively and to maximal pleasure, it is important to understand its structure and relationship between data and settings.
SENSOR SELECTION
First basic selection on SMΩRF is a SENSOR focus. If you have only one SENSOR, it is just the matter of pressing bottom SENSOR 1 button [12]. Press bottom SENSOR 1 button briefly to change focus to that sensor. When SENSOR 1 is selected, red SENSOR 1 indicator [7] is steadily lit.
If SMΩRF has both sensors installed, there are more options. For manual selection of the sensor press SENSOR 1 [12] or SENSOR 2 [13] button. SENSOR 2 focus is indicated by green SENSOR 2 [7] indicator.
When SENSOR 1 and SENSOR 2 buttons are pressed briefly together, meter switches to AUTO mode. In AUTO mode, meter switches focus automatically to the first sensor which detects power. Activated AUTO mode is indicated by gently flashing SENSOR 1 or SENSOR 2 indicator [7]. AUTO mode is useful for multiband HF+VHF/UHF transceivers where meter automatically switches between sensors according to operating band (HF vs VHF or UHF). For SO2R contesting setups where only one transceiver transmits at a time, AUTO mode is invaluable.
When SENSOR 1 button and SENSOR 2 buttons are pushed and held together for one second, meter switches to DUAL mode. When meter switches to the DUAL mode, it provides measurement results of both sensors at the same time.
Please note, AUTO mode and DUAL mode availability depends on selected METER MODE. It will be described in details later, just to not panic if you can't do it right now :-) .
BAR GRAPHS SCALES and RANGES
Bar graphs in SMΩRF are well featured and deeply customized indicators capable of displaying much more than just power or SWR. The selection of what is actually shown on the bar graph - one of available power readings (forward, reflected, delivered, all these variants at antenna) or parts of the complex impedance or SWR - can be quickly set in SCREEN EDIT mode (described below). Full functionality and settings of bar graphs will be described in separate BAR GRAPHS SETTINGS chapter, here, handling of scales and ranges is described.
At the very beginning one important note to remember. Information presented on bar graphs are always related to one sensor, either SENSOR 1 or SENSOR 2 according to the SENSOR selection (see above). In DUAL mode, it is possible to select whether the bar graph shows data of SENSOR 1 or SENSOR 2 individually but both bar graphs show data of one sensor. Remote Control application on computer shows four (4) bar graphs in DUAL mode.
Both TOP BAR [1] and BOTTOM BAR [2] has its own POWER reading scale. There are three (3) linear scales for each in 10/20/50 full scale divisions, and five RANGE multipliers: x0.1, x1, x10, x100, x1000. Last x1000
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multiplier is indicated by flashing x100 indicator. Bottom power reading scale is shortened to half. Final value is given by multiplying indicated value on the current scale by RANGE multiplier.
Current scale on TOP bar is indicated by one of SCALE indicators [3], and current RANGE is indicated by one of RANGE indicators [5]. BOTTOM bar scale is indicated by its own SCALE [4] and RANGE indicator [5]. While scale indicators for top and bottom bar are separate, range indicators are shared and differentiated by color. TOP bar uses GREEN range indicator, BOTTOM bar RED indicator. When RANGE multiplier for both bars is the same (rare but may happen), RANGE indicator is YELLOW.
Any selected power type for top and/or bottom bar graph is always shown in W [Watt] units. When bar shows POWER, both bars can have independently defined four (4) power ranges, and for each power range one of three (3) available colors can be assigned, for each band, each screen separately. These ranges and not related to scale ranges described above, they may start and end anywhere from 0W up to maximal power. Advantage of colored ranges is readability. When you set for example 50-100W range to be shown in red color, power from 50-100W will always be shown in red color, regardless of scale range (it doesn't matter if you are in 100W scale or 2000W scale). In this way you can make some nicely visible important power areas like optimal driving power for amplifier, maximal power to certain antenna etc ...
When bottom bar [2] shows SWR instead of reflected power, it is indicated by YELLOW SWR scale indicator [4]. SWR has its own, specialized scale divided to four (4) linear sub-scales in order to achieve fast, simple and precise readout. SWR from 1.0 to 3.0 - the most important section - has linear division of 0.05 per bar segment. It takes 80% of the bar length. SWR from 3.0 to 4.0 has division of 0.2 per segment, from 4.0 to 7.0 division 1 per segment, while SWR 7 segment is lit when SWR is up to 10. Last but one shows SWR from 10 to 15, last one everything higher than 15. Same as for the power, also for SWR four (4) custom color ranges can be defined in the BOTTOM BAR MENU, on per band basis, settings follow the same segmented scale, but this time in a same division and ranges as are defined SWR sub-scales.
When bars are configured to show parts of Complex Impedance, the two scales printed in between the two LED bars are used. Scale above the central line applies to the top bar graph and shows Resistance R or Absolute value of Impedance |Z| in 0 - 100Ω range. Scale below the central line applies to the bottom bar graph and
shows Reactance X or Phase angle Φ in -100 to +100Ω or -100 to +100º range.
Bar graphs can operate in MANUAL or AUTO RANGE mode. ROTARY KNOB [14] is used to select the mode and to select range in MANUAL mode. When rotated in CW direction it changes range from the lowest (least sensitive) to the highest respectively. When rotated in CCW direction, very last CCW position is AUTO RANGE. In AUTO RANGE mode meter switches range upward immediately but down-ranges with timeout. BARS DOWNRANGING timeout is adjustable in SYSTEM MENU | MISCELLANEOUS if you don't like the default value.
When rotary knob is depressed and rotated, it changes ranges for bottom bar in a same manner as for top bar.
In MANUAL mode it is possible to overload current range. Overloaded range is indicated by fast flashing SCALE indicator [3]. Each range allows 2% overload without overload indication. Since bar graphs are software driven, there is no damage even if they are hugely overloaded for a long time, don't worry if it happens.
Last but one CCW range position of the rotary knob is percentage (%) range. When enabled, it is indicated by % RANGE indicator [5]. This range is useful for instant checking if everything is as should be, because 100% power level is always full deflection on linear scale without any range switching. 100% power levels can be precisely set on per sensor, per band basis in SENSOR MENU according to your specific requirements or available power. 100% power level value is also used in TUNE SCREEN, optimized SCREEN for tuning manual Power Amplifiers or Antenna Tuners.
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6 – SCREENS
SMΩRF provides measurement results in form of SCREENs. Every SCREEN is a group of measurements and settings for Main display [8], Bar Graphs [1],[2], Alarms [6] and Tone Generator. Up to 16 screens can be associated to each of SENSOR1 and SENSOR2, separately. The dedicated top [9] / [10] buttons switch between SCREENs of one sensor. Each SCREEN in the sequence can be turned on or off in the SYSTEM MENU | SCREENS MANAGEMENT MENU.
Internally, SCREENs are built on layout templates. The template defines, how the measurement results are presented on main display [8], if they are displayed numerically (classic digital wattmeter appearance) or also graphically (oscilloscope, spectrum or PSK screens). There are several built in templates covering most of situations user can face during regular operation, contesting as well as experimenting on antennas, amplifiers or matching networks.
Bottom line:
Main Display template (including all related settings) + Bar Graphs (including all their settings) + Alarms (individually enabled/disabled) + Tone Generator (including all its settings) forms one SCREEN.
STATUS BAR
On top of each screen, status indicators and bar graphs function choice (or current antenna cable choice) is shown.
1. Frequency validity
Using the calibration data, each measured sample undergoes an adjustment procedure, which needs
to know the frequency of incoming signal, therefore is important to see it on all the time. If measured signal is very low in power, it may happen that the signal is too weak to measure its frequency, while its amplitude is still well measurable to show the power. In this case the F indicator is off and meter uses last measured frequency.
If SMΩRF is connected and coupled to microHAM device over iLINK port (MKII, MK2R+, SM, SMD),
it receives exact operating frequency from this device even if transceiver is not transmitting. Coupling is set on a coupled device and on the SMΩRF is coupling indicated by i indicator. When indicator lit in half brightness, SMΩRF confirms frequency reception. When is fully illuminated, SMΩRF confirms transmit status update from a coupled device.
2. LAN port status
Indicates Ethernet port state and connection status.
When off, SMΩRF is not connected to LAN
When lit in half brightness, SMΩRF is physically connected to LAN but there is no active connection
from a computer.
When is fully illuminated, LAN port is opened by remote device or computer.
3. Serial port status
When lit, serial port transfers data.
4. T-BAR: Top Bar Graph data or ANT-S1/ANT-S2: Selected Antenna Cable
Shows what data are shown on TOP Bar graph.
Shows antenna cable selected for current frequency band for SENSOR1/SENSOR2
5. B-BAR: Bottom Bar Graph data or ANT-S1/ANT-S2: Selected Antenna Cable
Shows what data are shown on BOTTOM Bar Graph.
Shows antenna cable selected for current frequency band for SENSOR1/SENSOR2
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EDIT MODE
Built in SCREENs can be very easily customized in real time, cloned for the same layout but different parameters, copied between sensors etc. As was written above, to each sensor up to 16 screens can be associated, doesn't matter if they are built in, customized or cloned. You can have the same screen cloned with same settings for main display because you like the template but you need different settings for bar graphs (for example because you want slower movement on SSB) or for whatever reason.
To enter EDIT mode push briefly EDIT button [11]. To exit EDIT MODE push briefly EDIT button again.
In EDIT mode main display [8] shows some fields outlined. Outlined fields are parameters that can be changed, customized. Basic and globally applicable golden rule is: “What is outlined, it can be changed”. Outline around the parameter which fades in and out means that the parameter is selected and can be changed by Rotary Knob. To move selection between parameters use ← and → SCREEN buttons.
Built-in HELP
If you are unsure what some parameter means, push the rotary knob for short help. By rotating knob while you are in the help window, you can scroll between all available choices and read at the same time what it means or does. Push the knob or EDIT button to register new choice and exit from help window.
We've put a lot of effort to make short help available for virtually every item possible to change. Once you read this manual completely, built-in help system should refresh your memory and make you able to set what you want without reaching for this manual again. Hope you find the built-in help useful.
TWO POINT MEASUREMENTS, TX and ANT subscripts, - REF
When you look at most of SCREENs you certainly wonder what these TX and ANT subscripted suffixes means. They present another unique feature of the SMΩRF called “two point measurement”. Thanks to the calibration correction, SMΩRF provides very accurate measurements related to the outer plane of the LOAD connector at the sensor. This point is in SMΩRF language called TX Feed Point and data measured at this point are shown with TX suffix after the data type, like FWDTX for the forward power or SWRTX for Standing Wave Ratio. Having measured all data at the TX Feed Point, SMΩRF can mathematically work out powers and transmission line parameters at the end of the cable where cable connects your antenna and show what happens there, how much power is actually radiated. This point is called ANT Feed Point and data at this point are shown with ANT suffix after the data type, like FWD data are calculated rather than measured, SMΩRF includes precise models of over 30 commonly used coaxial cables to choose from. Accuracy of provided results is directly related to the manufacturing differences of the cable to its specification, accuracy of the user entered cable length and accuracy of the TX feed point measurements. Good cable matches specifications within 5% according to cable manufacturer claims, how accurately you measure and enter physical cable length is up to you. The SENSOR MENU - ANTENNA CABLES chapter deals with antenna cables in more detail. Please note, by default SMΩRF uses lossless 50Ω cable model for all ANT Feed Points to avoid any confusion while you aren't familiar with this feature. It doesn't matter if you choose TX or ANT Feed Point until you edit ANTENNA CABLES table. Till than result will be the same, providing values of TX Feed point in both cases.
for the forward power or SWR
ANT
for Standing Wave Ratio. Although these
ANT
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-REF
Another suffix used in provided measurements is superscripted -REF as in FWD
TX
-REF abbreviation appears only after forward power (FWD) and stands for delivered power, power which was transferred to the cable or to the antenna, cleared of reflected power.
FWD FWD
-REF
= (Forward Power – Reflected Power) ; delivered power to the coaxial cable connecting antenna
TX
-REF
= (Forward Power – Reflected Power) ; actual delivered power to the antenna
ANT
BAR GRAPHS FUNCTIONS
How bar graphs scales and ranges work was already explained, now we look at bar graphs functions and settings. While settings for top and bottom bar graph are almost identical, function sets available for each are much different. Please note, bar graph function and settings are remembered separately for each SENSOR and each SCREEN. It means that you can have different bar graph behavior for every screen or screen copy. Anyway, when you are happy with new settings and you want to just clone them to another screen or sensor you can copy bar graph settings in SYSTEM MENU – SCREEN MANAGEMENT (described later).
To change function of the bar graph you have to enter EDIT mode and select field (parameter) right next to T-BAR: or B-BAR: icon in top STATUS bar, depends on if you want to change top or bottom bar function. When parameter is selected, you can change function by rotating the knob.
TOP BAR GRAPH FUNCTIONS
1. FWD
Peak envelope forward power minus reflected power (delivered power) at the TX feed point.
2. FWD
Average forward power minus reflected power (delivered power) at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
– TX – PK
-REF
– TX – AVG
-REF
3. FWD – TX – PK
Peak envelope forward power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
4. FWD – TX – AVG
Average forward power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
5. FWD
Peak envelope forward power minus reflected power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
6. FWD
Average forward power minus reflected power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
– ANT – PK
-REF
– ANT – AVG
-REF
7. FWD – ANT – PK
Peak envelope forward power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
8. FWD – ANT – AVG
Average forward power Power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
9. Z – TX – R
Real part of rectangular coordinates complex impedance at the TX (Sensor) point.
10. Z – TX – |Z|
Absolute value of polar coordinates complex impedance at the TX (Sensor) point.
11. Z – ANT – R
Real part of rectangular coordinates complex impedance at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
12. Z – ANT – |Z|
Absolute value of polar coordinates complex impedance at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
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BOTTOM BAR GRAPH FUNCTIONS
1. SWR – TX
Standing Wave Ratio at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
2. SWR – ANT
Standing Wave Ratio at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
3. REF – TX – PK
Peak envelope reflected power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
4. REF – TX – AVG
Average reflected power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
5. REF – ANT – PK
Peak envelope reflected power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
6. REF – ANT – AVG
Average reflected power power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
7. Z – TX – X
Imaginary part of rectangular coordinates complex impedance at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
8. Z – ANT – X
Imaginary part of rectangular coordinates complex impedance at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
9. Z – TX – Φ
Phase value of polar coordinates complex impedance at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
10. Z – ANT – Φ
Phase value of polar coordinates complex impedance at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
11. Z – TX – R + jX
Dual display of rectangular coordinates complex impedance.
R (green) + jX (red) at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
12. Z – ANT – R + jX
Dual display of rectangular coordinates complex impedance.
R (green) + jX (red) at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
13. Z – TX – |Z|Φ
Dual display of polar coordinates complex impedance.
|Z| (green) Φ (red) at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
14. Z – ANT – |Z|Φ
Dual display of polar coordinates complex impedance.
|Z| (green) Φ (red) at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
BAR GRAPHS SETTINGS
To change bar graph settings you have to enter TOP LED BAR or BOTTOM LED BAR menu. We haven't described MENU system yet, but these two MENU items have shortcuts from the main display screen, so we can do it a bit later. To enter in by shortcut, you have to go to the EDIT mode by pushing briefly EDIT button and selecting T-BAR: or B-BAR: icon in STATUS bar. When icon is selected push EDIT button again and you will be directly moved to the TOP or the BOTTOM LED BAR MENU, depends if you have pushed EDIT button on T­BAR: or B-BAR: icon respectively.
Bar graph settings for top and bottom bar graph are same, only difference is that bottom bar graph has additional settings for SWR colors.
1. MODE
Changes bar graph drawing mode. DOT draws just one segment of actual value, BAR draws all
segments from left up to actual value.
2. AVG ATTACK/DECAY
Sets averaging time constants used for average values (AVG).
Range: 0 – 2000ms, Step: 10ms.
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3. PK ATTACK
Sets attack time used for peak values (PK).
Range: 0 – 200ms, Step: 1ms.
4. PK DECAY
Sets decay time used for peak values (PK).
Range: 0 – 200ms, Step: 1ms.
5. PEAK HOLD
Turns ON/OFF peak hold function. When enabled, peak value is held on its position as one segment.
Higher peak value resets lower peak value.
6. HOLD TIME
Sets how long the peak segment will be lit on its position. Occurrence of higher peak value during the
hold will restart this time. Range: 0 – 20s, Step: 100ms.
7. P-H DECAY
Sets decay time for peak-hold segment.
Range: 0 – 20s, Step: 100ms.
8. EDIT POWER COLOR TABLE
Defines four (4) custom power ranges and colors on per band basis.
Example:
BAND COLOR POWER COLOR POWER COLOR POWER COLOR
160m GRN 8W YEL 10W GRN 40W RED
10. EDIT SWR COLOR TABLE
Defines four (4) custom SWR ranges and colors on per band basis.
Applicable to bottom bar graph only. Example:
BAND COLOR POWER COLOR POWER COLOR POWER COLOR
160m GRN 1.50 YEL 2.00 RED 3.00 RED
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MENU SYSTEM - INTRODUCTION
In above chapter we mentioned MENU system. To edit all parameters, tables and functions, SMΩRF has extensive, still easy to understand MENU system. MENU system has a tree structure always starting from the root MAIN MENU, having separate branches for global settings - SYSTEM MENU, sensor related settings ­SENSOR 1, 2 MENU, alarms settings for each sensor - ALARM 1, 2 MENU and four (4) MENU items for each SCREEN: TOP LED BAR, BOTTOM LED BAR, SCREEN MENU and TONE GENERATOR.
Push and hold for one second MENU button [11] to enter into root MAIN MENU tree. MENU system has auto­exit, it means that to exit MENU you have to pass through any branch of the MENU tree by repeatedly briefly pressing MENU button, until reaching the end of the given branch-chain and returning to the main SCREEN.
In BAR GRAPH SETTINGS chapter we have described TOP LED BAR MENU and BOTTOM LED BAR MENU. Now we are going to take a look at last two MENU items coupled to the SCREEN, and it is TONE GENERATOR and SCREEN MENU.
TONE GENERATOR
Tone generator can be considered as an independent instrument built-in the SMΩRF. It can be used independently and simultaneously with other SMΩRF functions for many different measurements on transceiver and power amplifier. Since Tone Generator is a part of the SCREEN, it remembers its settings for each SCREEN separately.
Output can be set to generate single sine wave and two tone signal from 150Hz up to 10kHz in 1Hz resolution, white and pink noise, and amplitude or frequency sweep. Generated output signal works in continuous or single shot mode with adjustable time duration.
Transformer isolated output is compatible with both balanced and unbalanced microphone inputs, output level is adjustable over 100dB range in peak-to-peak volts. Output jack contains also open collector PTT keying output, always active when generator generates some signal. Audio PTT output has large, fixed 100ms lead time to prevent any kind of hot switching.
Internally generator works on DDS principle in 32-bit precision, using 214 long sample look-up table for quarter period of the sine waveform. Output is sent to the differential 24bit D/A converter clocked at 160ksps rate.
TONE GENERATOR SETTINGS
1. OUTPUT
START/STOP choice enables or disables generator output. When generator is in the SINGLE shot
mode, output is automatically disabled when generation TIME expires.
2. SIGNAL
SINGLE TONE generates single, sine wave tone of the frequency defined in FREQ.1 field and of
amplitude defined in LEVEL1 field.
DUAL TONE generates dual tone. FREQ.1 and LEVEL 1 fields defines frequency and amplitude of
the first tone, FREQ. 2 and LEVEL 2 fields defines frequency and amplitude of the second tone.
WHITE NOISE generates white noise signal of LEVEL 1 amplitude.
PINK NOISE generates pink noise signal of LEVEL 1 amplitude.
AMPLITUDE SWEEP generates amplitude sweep with linear or logarithmic response according to
the SCALE field definition and of frequency defined in FREQ. 1 field. Amplitude is swept from the LEVEL 1 to the LEVEL 2, duration is defined in the TIME filed.
FREQUENCY SWEEP generates sweep in frequency with linear or logarithmic response according
to the SCALE field definition and of amplitude defined in LEVEL 1 field. Frequency is swept from the
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FREQ. 1 to the FREQ. 2, duration is defined in the TIME field.
3. MODE
SINGLE/CONTINUOUS.
If CONTINUOUS, generator generates output signal until stopped manually. If SINGLE, generator generates output only for time specified in the TIME field, then stops automatically.
4. TIME
Specifies duration of the output signal generation for the single shot mode, and specifies the ramp
time/repetition rate of sweeps. Range: 10 – 9900ms, Step: 10/100ms.
5. SCALE
Sets LINEAR or LOGARITHMIC response characteristic for sweeps.
6. FREQ. 1
Specifies frequency for the first tone or starting frequency for the frequency sweep.
Range: 150Hz – 9999Hz, Step: 1Hz.
7. FREQ. 2
Specifies frequency for the second tone or final frequency for the frequency sweep.
Range: 150Hz – 9999Hz, Step: 1Hz.
8. LEVEL 1
Specifies amplitude for the first tone or starting signal level for the amplitude sweep.
Range: 1μV – 130mVp-p, Step: 1
9. LEVEL 2
Specifies amplitude for the second tone or final signal level for the amplitude sweep.
Range: 1μV – 130mVp-p, Step: 1
10. MONITOR
Enables and sets monitoring level of signal generator output through internal speaker.
Please note, if you do require extreme output signal purity, keep it OFF.
CONNECTING TONE OUTPUT TO THE TRANSCEIVER
Tone generator output is located at the rear panel, at the TEST TONE jack. Its output is designed to be directly connected to the microphone jack of all common transceivers, however, user is supposed to build own cable according to following instructions. Jack is 3.5mm, 4 pole type. Audio uses two poles for microphone signal and microphone ground. PTT uses another two poles for PTT and PTT ground. PTT ground is internally connected to the system ground of the meter, audio ground is isolated. Use shielded cable and chart below, shield has to be used for PTT ground (PTT GND).
Microphone pin index A B X Y Signal name PTT PTT
GND
MIC MIC
GND
Mobile Icom (RJ45 jack microphone) 4 7 6 5 Desktop Icom (Foster 8 jack microphone) 5 6 1 7 Kenwood TS-480 (RJ45 jack microphone) 5 4 3 6 Kenwood & Elecraft (Foster 8 jack microphone) 2 8 1 7 Mobile Yaesu (RJ45 jack microphone) 6 7 5 4 Desktop Yaesu, TenTec (Foster 8 jack microphone) 6 5 8 7 TenTec (Foster 4 jack microphone) 3 4 1 2
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SCREEN MENU
This menu serves for setting up the SCREEN to meet user requirements. SCREEN Menu contains data which are the same (but independently adjustable) for each SCREEN, as well as data specific to particular SCREEN e.g. trigger source for Oscilloscope screen or display type for Spectrum screen. These specific data will be explained in individual SCREEN TEMPLATE chapters, here we describe common settings for all screens.
1. AVG ATTACK/DECAY
Sets averaging time constants used for average values (AVG).
Range: 0 – 2000ms, Step: 10ms.
2. UPDATE
Sets update rate of numerical AVG values.
Range: 0 – 1000ms, Step: 10ms
3. PEAK HOLD
Sets for how long the peak value is kept displayed till resets to new, lower peak value. Higher peak
value overwrites old peak value immediately.
4. TUNE JUMP
Enables or disables automatic switching to TUNE screen when SMΩRF detects tuning signal. When
this function is enabled, SMΩRF inspects incoming signal waveform and if waveform matches defined criteria for “tuning detection” automatically jumps to the TUNE screen. When tuning signal disappears (waveform changes character), screen returns back from TUNE to original screen.
Special ability of the SMΩRF is to suppress power overshoots. These overshoots can be caused by poor power supply regulation and ALC. Virtually every transceiver generates overshoots at the beginning of transmission until ALC loop stabilizes (hundreds μs up to several ms). Exact time and amplitude of overshoots can be easily measured on the Oscilloscope screen (described later).
Oscilloscope screen showing ALC overshot on initial
dot of CW signal (“bump” on leading edge).
SMΩRF has very fast measurement and reliably captures every overshoot with multiple samples. Once you are aware that this happens, it can be annoying to see “bumped” peak and peak hold values on regular basis every time ALC loop timeouts and transceiver generates new overshoot. To help with this problem, SMΩRF allows to turn on filter to SUPPRESS OVERSHOOTS.
5. SUPPRESS OVERSHOOTS
YES enables overshoot suppressing filter. This function is not generally applicable to all screens
when enabled. Advanced metering screens like the Oscilloscope or the Spectrum screens intentionally do not suppress overshoots. Also please note, that suppression filter will have impact to peak reading amplitude of SSB signals, where peaks of short duration are normal. Therefore for SSB screens is recommended to turn suppression off (NO).
6. TIME
Sets time used by overshoot suppressing filter. Exact value is specific to every transceiver and can
be measured on the Oscilloscope screen. Good value to start with is 2ms.
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SCREEN ALARMS
Alarms settings and adjustments will be described in details in separate chapters, but now it is necessary to put in some introduction.
SMΩRF has built-in five (5) type of user configurable alarms in three (3), “importance” levels. Each alarm “importance” level (Warning, Alarm, Fault) can be individually configured for related action (visibility, audibility and TX break) for two power levels on per sensor, per band basis.
There are three (3) commonly used alarms – SWR Alarm, High Power Alarm, and Low Power Alarm and two advanced alarms – PSK IMD alarm and ARCING alarm. While Alarms settings are individual for each sensor, their settings apply to all sensor's SCREENs.
SCREEN MENU allows further setting, individually enable or disable each level of main three alarms (SWR, Hi­Power, Lo-Power) on per screen basis. For example, in this way you can disable Warning and Alarm level keeping just Faults of SWR or Low Power alarms in specific measurement screens (oscilloscope) or entirely disable Low Power alarm for PSK screen, etc etc … as you wish to best fit to your needs.
To enable (YES) or disable (NO) particular importance level of the alarm, select required cell in the table and turn the knob.
WARNING ALARM FAULT
SWR NO YES YES
Hi-POWER NO YES YES
Lo-POWER NO NO YES
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7 - SINGLE SENSOR SCREEN TEMPLATES
In following chapters we are going to describe single sensor SCREEN templates, their purpose of use, settings and available functions.
STANDARD SCREEN
1
4
2
3
Standard screen is a general screen providing four (4) user configurable measurements. Each measurement is related to one of two points of measurements (TX or ANT), has its numerical value, UNIT and TYPE.
UNITS:
Standard screen supports three (3) configurable power units:
Watts [W]
Decibels referenced to 1mW [dBm]
Decibels referenced to 1W [dBW]
For example: 0dBm = 1mW, 50dBm = 100W, 53dBm = 200W, 60dBm = 1kW 0dBW = 1W, 20dBW = 100W, 23dBW = 200W, 30dBW = 1kW.
TYPE:
After the UNIT field, TYPE is displayed as subscript. SMΩRF supports four power types:
PK – Peak Envelope Power
AVG – Average Power. Averaging time is defined in the SCREEN MENU.
TPK – Total Peak Power. Maximal peak power achieved within one transmission cycle.
TAV – Total Average Power. Average power of one transmission cycle.
Available measurements:
1. FORWARD POWER
FWD
TX
-REF
Peak envelope forward power minus reflected power (delivered power) at the TX feed point.
FWD
ANT
-REF
Peak envelope forward power minus reflected power (delivered power) at the ANT feed point.
FWD
TX
Forward power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
FWD
ANT
Forward power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
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2. REFLECTED POWER
REF
TX
Reflected power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
REF
ANT
Reflected power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
3. REFLECTION
SWR
TX
Standing Wave Ratio at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
SWR
ANT
Standing Wave Ratio at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
RL
TX
Return Loss [dB] at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
RL
ANT
Return Loss [dB] at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
4. IMPEDANCE
IMP
TX
Rectangular coordinates R + jX complex impedance at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
IMP
TX
Polar coordinates |Z|Φ complex impedance at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
IMP
ANT
Rectangular coordinates R + jX complex impedance at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
IMP
ANT
Polar coordinates |Z|Φ complex impedance at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
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LARGE SCREEN
1
2
Large screen is a screen providing two (2) user configurable measurements when there is no need to monitor many parameters at once, rather have non-disturbing, transparent, fast and as large as possible readout of basic parameters. Good for contesting or as general screen for users preferring large digits.
Available measurements:
1. FORWARD
FWD
Peak envelope forward power minus reflected power (delivered power) at the TX feed point.
FWD
Peak envelope forward power minus reflected power (delivered power) at the ANT feed point.
FWD
Forward power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
FWD
Forward power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
TX
ANT
TX
ANT
-REF
-REF
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2. REFLECTION
REF
TX
Reflected power at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
REF
ANT
Reflected power at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
SWR
TX
Standing Wave Ratio at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
SWR
ANT
Standing Wave Ratio at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
RL
TX
Return Loss [dB] at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
RL
ANT
Return Loss [dB] at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
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PSK SCREEN
1
PSK screen is the specialized screen for PSK operating mode enthusiasts. It supports PSK in all speeds (31, 63, 128, 250, 500) providing numerical readout of IMD products together with waveform and spectrum displays.
Scope display shows vertically auto-ranged RF waveform monitor for fixed horizontal time, optimized for PSK speed. Spectrum display shows relative level of fundamental frequency and first three, odd order harmonics of the PSK signal in decibels as a difference to fundamental component. Level of these harmonics has main impact to the output signal purity. They are shown dimmed when their level is too low to be certain for IMD quantification (below dynamic range).
All measurements on this screen are related to the TX feed point. Forward power is fixed in Watt [W] units, type is adjustable. Reflections (1) can be set to SWR or REF power. Reflected power unit is fixed to Watt [W], using same type as forward power.
IMD and spectrum display is updated during IDLE cycles of the PSK transmission, during data transfer IMD measurement gets dimmed and spectrum display cleared. Below the scope display, verbally evaluated quality of the PSK signal (Q:) is located, for users not very familiar with IMD figures.
PSK screen has special SCREEN MENU setting for the PSK speed. It can be set to AUTO detection or one of available speeds (31.5, 63, 128 …). When speed is set to AUTO, update rate of IMD values has half the rate.
If you like PSK mode and you are interested in having clean signal, this screen will help you to adjust your driving level.
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TUNE SCREEN
3
1
1
5
2
TUNE screen is specialized screen helping to tune manual Power Amplifiers or Antenna Tuners. It provides two forward power readings (1), reflection measurement (2), ratio of current power to user adjustable 100% power level set in SENSOR MENU displayed in percents (3), tuning progress display (4) and instant tuning status indicator (5).
1. FORWARD POWER
BEST FWD PEAK shows maximal peak power in Watts [W] achieved from the start of tuning and is
equivalent to the Total Peak Power (TPK) power type. Resets on exit from TUNE screen (switch to another screen), either manual or automatic.
FWD PEAK shows instant peak power in Watts [W] and is equivalent to Peak Envelope Power (PK)
type.
2. REFLECTION
REF
Reflected power [W] at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
REF
Reflected power [W] at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
SWR
Standing Wave Ratio at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
SWR
Standing Wave Ratio at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
RL
Return Loss [dB] at the TX (Sensor) feed point.
RL
Return Loss [dB] at the ANT (Antenna) feed point.
TX
ANT
TX
ANT
TX
ANT
4
3. PERCENTAGE
Shows ratio of current power to 100% power level, in percents. In other words, it shows what is your
instant power compared to desired 100% power level you have set in SENSOR MENU. When it shows 100%, your output power is tuned exactly to where you want to be.
4. TUNING PROGRESS DISPLAY
Displays power level progress in time, slowly rolling from left to right, new values coming from the
right. Vertical scale is linear in Watts, range is set in % while dim line near the top shows 100% level. It serves as a progress bar and helps to quickly recognize if tuning peak you already had wasn't better than your current tuning peak.
5. INSTANT TUNING STATUS INDICATOR
Shows instant status of the tuning by well visible arrow.
Outlined DOWN ARROW means that instant peak power is decreasing.
Outlined UP ARROW indicates that instant power is rising, but its value is lower than the highest,
already achieved peak BEST FWD PEAK power.
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