SGC SG-230 Operating Manual

SG-230

®

S m a r t u n e r

Microprocessor Controlled Automatic Antenna Coupler

Installation and Operations Manual

Getting the most from every watt of HF-SSB Power

Globally, HF-SSB has literally changed the world. For a minimal investment, it has allowed millions of people - often in
amazingly remote settings, often in emergency conditions - to reliably bounce clear voice and data signals across a state,
across a continent, over an ocean, or around the world. Without satellites, relay stations, cellular nets, stadium sized anten­nas or huge user fees. Just some fine equipment, a smart operator and nature's own ionosphere make this possible.

For nearly 30 years, the perfection of HF SSB has been the focus and the life of our company. Our efforts have not gone
unnoticed. Today, SGC is a prominent choice of leading corporations, governments, relief agencies, paramilitary organiza-

tions, mariners, aviators, explorers, and
scientists - all over the world. They trust
our engineering and they value our expe­rience.

A vital part of our company's strate­gy centers around new product develop­ment, with an emphasis on providing
quality equipment which remains rugged,
reliable and competitively priced. We are
focused on providing customer service of
the highest standard. Our commitment is
to product training and comprehensive
after sales support. Today, SGC is recog-

nized as a world class designer and manufacturer of HF SSB communications products.

At SGC we build communications power tools. Next generation HF-SSB radios, antennas, amplifiers and coupler sys­tems that squeeze more range and clarity out of every watt of HF SSB communications power, are the technology and innova­tions that have helped SGC emerge as a cutting edge player in the expanding world of HF-SSB.

Actually, SGC was the first company to perfect and mass produce solid-state HF SSB radios, almost 30 years ago.
Today, our focus is an ever higher level of HF SSB refinement and performance. All focused on creating HF SSB voice and
data communications systems that are so user friendly
and so powerful, they allow every SGC user to easily
lock in the world.

Pierre B. Goral, President

SMARTUNER MANUAL

SG-230

SMARTUNER

ANTENNA

COUPLER

Installation and Operations Manual

Revised: November 2000

Caution:

and all pertinent sections of this manual prior to operating your
Smartuner for the first time. This unit will provide outstanding
service if you follow the detailed recommendations within this
manual.

Carefully read the “Quick Start” on the following page

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SMARTUNER MANUAL ii

)

Quick Start Guide

To quickly install your antenna coupler you will need the following:

1. An HF radio with 10 to 150 watts output.

2. An HF antenna with a single wire feed (not coax fed).
Minimum length of 8 feet (to 3.5 MHz) or 23 feet (1.8 MHz).

3. A good ground or counterpoise for the antenna and coupler

4. +12 VDC and ground for the coupler.

5. An LED or other indicating device. (Optional)

Connections:

Connect the Smartuner as shown in the following diagram:

TO TRANSMITTER (10-200 w

Single wire

Black: DC Ground

AN TEN NA

GROUND (Counterpoise)

Red: +12 VDC coupler power

Red/ White: Optional SmartLock lock/ reset line. (+12 VDC locks,
momentary ground reset s)

Black/ White: Optional remote tuned indicator. Goes low when coupler is tuned

Operation:

1. Turn on Radio. Apply 12 VDC power to the coupler.

2. As power is applied, coupler should make one "click" sound.

3. Coupler should come up in the bypass (untuned) state.

4. To tune, speak normally, whistle or use CW.

5. Tuning should be done at full power. Clicking is heard.

6. When tuned, clicking stops and Black/White wire goes low.

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SMARTUNER MANUAL iii

Table of Contents

Quick Start Guide .......................................................................................................ii

1.0 General Information............................................................................................. 1

1.1 Experience Levels of Users .......................................................................1

1.2 What Is an Antenna Coupler?..................................................................1

1.3 Overall Description.................................................................................... 3

1.4 Coupler Network Configuration.............................................................4

1.5 Operation Indicators..................................................................................4

1.6 Mechanical Design.....................................................................................5

1.6.1 Marine Mounting........................................................................ 6

1.6.2 Desert and High Temperature Installations............................7

1.6.3 Extremely Cold Temperature Installations............................. 7

1.7 Remote Installations...................................................................................7

1.8 Upgrade Sequence......................................................................................8

2.0 Specifications.........................................................................................................8

2.1 Accessories..................................................................................................9

2.2 Recommended Antennas..........................................................................9

3.0 Parts and Technical Support............................................................................... 9

3.1 Parts Furnished...........................................................................................9

3.2 User Supplied Items...................................................................................10

3.3 Technical Support.......................................................................................11

4.0 Antenna Types....................................................................................................... 11

4.1 Antenna Selection.......................................................................................11

4.3 Longwire Antenna.....................................................................................12

4.4 Backstay Antennas.....................................................................................12

4.5 Typical Installations...................................................................................12

4.5.1 Jeep installation ...........................................................................12

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SMARTUNER MANUAL iv

4.5.2 Vehicle installation......................................................................13

4.5.3 Motor Vessel installation............................................................14

4.5.4 Base installation...........................................................................14

4.5.5 Base installation with ground wire radials..............................15

4.5.6 Base dipole....................................................................................16

4.5.7 Base Quadra Loop....................................................................... 16

4.5.8 Delta Loop....................................................................................17

4.5.9 Vessel Groundless Loop.............................................................18

4.5.10 Vessel insulated backstay.........................................................19

4.6 Apartment Loop Antenna.........................................................................19

4.7 Recreational Vehicle (RV) Antennas .......................................................20

4.8 Aircraft Antennas....................................................................................... 21

4.9 Low Profile, Hidden...................................................................................22

4.10 Emergency Antennas...............................................................................24

4.10.1 Kite Antenna..............................................................................24

4.10.2 Tactical Installations..................................................................25

4.11 Five Golden Rules of HF Installation………………………………….26

5.0 General Notes on Antennas ................................................................................27

5.1 Steps to Antenna Installation....................................................................28

5.2 Antenna Location.......................................................................................28

5.3 Ground Systems—General .......................................................................29

5.3.1 Vehicle Grounds..........................................................................29

5.3.2 Marine Grounds..........................................................................30

5.3.3 Base Station Grounds.................................................................. 31

5.4 Corrosion.....................................................................................................32

5.5 Antenna Coupler Mounting..................................................................... 32

5.6 Antenna Connection..................................................................................32

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SMARTUNER MANUAL v

6.0 Installation Procedures.........................................................................................33

6.1 Installation with SG-2000.......................................................................... 33

6.2 Installation on all Radios...........................................................................33

6.3 Smartlock Installation................................................................................ 34

6.4 Weatherdeck Mounting.............................................................................35

6.5 Electrical Checkout.....................................................................................35

6.6 Do-It-Yourself Light-Bulb Dummy Load……………………………….36

7.0 Coupler Configuration......................................................................................... 38

7.1 Schematic Diagrams................................................................................... 38

7.2 Tuning Process............................................................................................ 39

7.3 Impedance Detector...................................................................................39

7.4 VSWR Detector...........................................................................................39

7.5 Phase Detector ............................................................................................40

7.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU).................................................................40

7.7 Initialization................................................................................................40

8.0 Tuning Processes and Options........................................................................... 41

8.1 Program Description..................................................................................42

8.2 Tuning Paths...............................................................................................43

9.0 Smartlock Operation.............................................................................................46

9.1 Tune, Tune Lock, and Reset......................................................................46

9.2 Smartlock Notes..........................................................................................46

10.0 Receiving Antenna
Systems…………………………………………………...47

11.0 Troubleshooting the SMARTUNER................................................................47

11.1 Ground Faults...........................................................................................48

11.2 Antenna Faults.......................................................................................... 49

11.3 Transmitter Faults....................................................................................50

11.4 A Final Pointer on Troubleshooting......................................................50

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SMARTUNER MANUAL vi

12.0 Further Reading…………………………………………………………………51

SUBJECT INDEX......................................................................................................... 52

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 1

1.0 General Information

The Smartuner™ reputation has grown to legend status because it is simple to use and a
highly reliable piece of electronic equipment. A SMARTUNER will provide maximum
transfer of radio energy from any HF transmitter to any end-fed HF antenna within the
frequency and power limits of its specifications. The SMARTUNER builds upon the
renowned reputation of the SG-230 by adding many advanced features, among them: a
new, highly technological microcontroller that has built in A/D functio ns, non-volatile
memory, and serial communications capabilities.

This document is designed to guide the SMARTUNER user through installation and
operation of the unit. This document will also recommend various steps that may be
undertaken in the field to provide correct operation of the SMARTUNER should
difficulty be encountered. Smartuners are extraordinarily reliable. But you should be
aware that there are scores of fine points to any HF installation that are easily
overlooked and may cause difficulty. Our goal in this manual is to help you quickly
obtain the best possible performance from your HF radio installation. By reading this
manual carefully, you can avoid most of the pitfalls that can degrade the performance
of your HF system.

1.1 Experience Levels of Users

The Smartuner may be installed successfully by anyone with the help of this manual.
However, if you ar e inexperienced in HF radio installation and o peration, do not be shy
about seeking advice from people with more experience than yourself. They will help
you achieve good results quickly and with minimum frustration. Even the most
experienced professional HF users will occasionally run into difficulty.

Regardless of the level of your experience, SGC stands ready to offer you installation
suggestions and help you resolve any aspect of Smartuner operation that is not entirely
satisfactory. If you have a specific question, please send us an email or fax at our
Bellevue, WA headquarters on the bottom of this page. If you require telephone
assistance, please call us between 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time.

1.2 What Is an Antenna Coupler

Antenna “couplers” are placed at the antenna and precisely match conditions of the
antenna to the feed line. Antenna “tuners,” on the other hand, are generally located at
the transmitter output at the radio end of the coaxial feed line. Do not be confused by
the term “coupler” or “tuner.”

• A tuner placed at the transmitter fools a transmitter into working correctly.

• A coupler installed at the antenna eliminates feed line losses by providing a

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 2

proper match of the antenna to the feed line. The Smartuner is a true antenna
coupler.

The several key points, which we will emphasize throughout this manual, will result in
the best possible operation of your Smartuner. These include:

• The coupler must be located at the antenna.

• No coax may be connected to the coupler output.

• The coupler must have clean +12 VDC power supplied to it.

• The ground system must always be larger than the antenna.

• The antenna wire should be of the largest gauge practical.

• Capacitance at the coupler output must be minimal.

• The antenna should be of sufficient length for your lowest operating
frequency.

Strictly observing these basic rules will insure good operations under the widest range
of conditions.

This manual should be thoroughly studied if you plan t o have the best possible signal
and most reliable operation of your HF system.

Please make note of the following information for your records:

Date unit was purchased:

Dealer from whom purchased:

Date installed:

Type of antenna used:

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 3

R

)

(

1.3 Overall Description

The SMARTUNER is a general-purpose coupler that can operate with any type of radio
and almost any type of antenna configuration. The coupler network con-figuration is of
a pi or L type; sensors continually monitor the state of the tuning and relay this
information to the processor.

The initial (first time) tuning may take several milliseconds to a few seconds de-pending
on the complexity of the tuning process for a specific antenna configuration. After
tuning the first time for a specific frequency and antenna, this information is entered in
the non-volatile computer memory that will store up to 170 tuning solutions.

When the same conditions are encountered again, re-tuning is accomplished within 20
milliseconds by recalling the information from the non-volatile memory. Special
software has been designed by SGC to allow accurate and fine-tuning of the coupler.

™

For software description, refer to the MicroTune

SG-230 SMARTUNE

side view)

section of the manual.

To Tra nsmitter

PL-259

Wire antenna

Large Ground or counterpoise system

DIAGRAM OF SMARTUNER INSTALLATION

9 feet (2.8 mtr

Blk - Gr ound

Red +12 VD C

Red/ Wht - SmartLock
control line

Blk/ W ht - Remote
Tuned Indicator

If antenna or transmitter conditions have changed since the information was stored in
memory, the coupler retunes and a new tuning solution is achieved. This new
information is stored to memory for future reference. The Smartuner will always look
for the best possible tuning solution and will impr ove existing tuning solutions whenever
possible.

The SMARTUNER may be bypassed and your antenna used as a broadband receiving
antenna. To do this, turn off the power to the coupler for two seconds and then turn it
back on, or simply press the reset button on the SmartLock. In this situation, the coupler
is reset to stand-by waiting for the first RF power to be transmitted before providing a
tuning solution. In the stand-by mode, the antenna bypasses tuning elements and
connects the antenna directly to the receiver with no tuning elements engaged. This
allows for receiving signals throughout the HF range.

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 4

The coupler will cease to operate normally if input voltage drops below 10.5v DC. This
situation may occur if a marginal battery is used or if you are transmitting at high
power with an inadequate po wer supply or batte ry. Batteries must be fully char ged for
proper operation. Large gauge wiring to the transmitter and coupler must be used to
avoid retuning.

If broadband operation is required during scanning operations, jumper JP-1 on the
printed circuit board inside the coupler may be set to the “YES” mode. This will bypass
tuning elements on receive. Jumper JP-1 is located near U1.

In some cases, it may be desirable to re-tune the coupler and bypass the memory
information. If yo u wish to bypass t he r ecalled tuning solut io ns, place jumper JP-2, also
located near U1, to the “NO” position.

1.4 Coupler Network Configuration

The coupler network configuration is designed with 64 different input capacitor v alues,
32 output capacitor values, and 256 inductor values, thus providing about a half million
different pi or L configurations. The coupler requires an input of 3 to 200 watts to
operate. The unit operates on +12 VDC and can be optionally supplied to operate at +24
VDC. The +24 VDC option may be installed in the field. Please contact your dealer or
SGC and order Part Number 54-52.

1.5 OPERATION INDICATORS

Operational status of the coupler and the onboard computer’s tuning decisions is
displayed by five LEDs, which are located on the main printed circuit board (PCB).
These indicators are only visible when the cover of the coupler is removed. These five
LEDs are not designed to be interpreted by other than factory and trained service
personnel.

CAUTION: Dangerous high voltages exist inside the Smartuner

when it is operated with an HF transmitter. High RF voltages in excess
of 10kv may be expected in normal operation of this unit. In addition
to shock hazard, these RF voltages may produce burns that are very
painful if you come in contact with exposed components. Therefore,
DO NOT operate without the cover secured in place unless you are a
well experienced radio technician or engineer.

As a matter of good installation and engineering practice, exposed
metal antenna elements should be located in such a manner as to
prevent accidental contact with people (especially young children),
pets, and small animals.

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 5

1.6 Mechanical Design

The SMARTUNER is supplied in a weatherproof case with two mounting brackets. RF
and DC power are supplied to the unit through the same cable. This special cable
consists of a 50-ohm coaxial cable and four conductors. The four conductor wires are
for the ground, the positive power lead, the optional SmartLock control, and optional
LED indicator.

The SMARTUNER antenna coupler’s weatherproof case is designed to withstand the
environmental conditions encountered aboard ship when mounted on the
weatherdecks. The internal construction is designed to withstand the shock and
vibration of marine service. Corrosion-resistant hardware and passive alloys are
employed throughout.

We do not recommend o pening the SMARTUNER case unless it is necessary. For 99%
of installations, the factory settings for jumpers will be correct. Should you have
occasion to open the case, use care to ensur e the gasket that seals the unit is relocated
properly to maintain watertight integrity of the unit.

Although the SMARTUNER is built very solidly, it is good installation practice to
provide additional protection from the elements. SGC makes the following
recommendations:

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 6

1.6.1 Marine Mounting

The SMARTUNER should be located inside the house or under the aft lazaret on a
sailboat. On powerboats, the coupler may be mounted outside, but an addition
protective housing is recommended. The preferred installation if vertical is with the
standoff insulator pointing upward.

A stuffing gland for the RF and DC cables is pro vided on the lo wer edge o f the weather
housing, along with a 1/4-20 stainless steel ground stud. The antenna connects to the
ceramic insulator on the top of the weather housing.

The SMARTUNER may be mounted in any position including inverted without any
degradation of performance. If the coupler is to be exposed to long periods of high
vibration, such as aboard helicopters or tug boats, installation of the optional shock
mounting is recommended.

1.6.2 Desert and High Temperature Installations

The SMARTUNER may be used in very hot climates on a continuous basis if some
additional protection from direct sunlight is provided. The best protection for a mobile
installation is provided by the QMS (Quick Mounting System) that keeps the antenna
coupler outside of a vehicle. Temperatures inside a vehicle may exceed 212°F (100°C). If
a QMS is not used, it is desirable to keep the coupler in the shade if possible. Please
refer to the diagram in the following section.

1.6.3 Extremely Cold Temperature Installations

Your SMARTUNER will operate down to specified temperatures. We recommend
placing the SMARTUNER under some kind of housing other than the case to prevent
heavy build up of ice. If you are mounting on a tower in a hot or cold climate, a plastic
wastebasket (such as those made by Rubbermaid™) makes an excellent weather cove r
and costs only a few dollars.

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 7

Long wire antenna

Smartuner mounted inside a plastic waste
basket to protect it from extreme heat and
heavy icing. This type of enclosure is widely
available in all countries.

1.6.4 Warranty Note

It is important to have protection from the elements as common weather conditions can
reach beyond the capabilities of the coupler. Although the SG-230 coupler is fully
waterproof and was created to withstand normal weather conditions, warranty will be
voided if left exposed directly to extreme weather such as snow, rain, and ice or prolonged
sun exposure. Even in milder climates, direct and constant sunlight can exceed the safe
operating temperature and can shorten the lifespan of your coupler.

1.7 Remote Installations

The SMARTUNER is supplied with 9 feet of cable standar d. SGC has two standard lengt hs
of antenna extension cable available in the event you need to mount the cable farther than 9
feet from the transmitter. A 25-foot extension cable is available (SGC Part Number 54-65) as
is a 50-foot cable (SGC Part Number 54-66).

If you need to install the antenna coupler more than 50 feet from the transmitter site, up to
two extension cables may be used for a total of 75 or 100 feet. However, SGC does not
recommend installing the Smartuner more than 100 feet from the transmitter because two
losses must be considered.

• The first loss in long distance installations is normal attenuation of the radio signal
coming from the antenna to the radio via the coax. As you may be aware, the longer
the coaxial cable run, the higher the loss will be. The amount of loss is dependent on
frequency. At 2 MHz, the loss is approximately .5 dB, while at 30 MHz the loss in
100 feet of coaxial cable is over 2 dB. This means that a 100-watt transmitter would
actually deliver about 70 watts to the antenna after running through 100 feet of coax
at 30 MHz.

If you are seeking the utmost performance at 30 MHz and you cannot avoid a run of
100 feet, or longer, we recommend using a larger low loss type of coax such as RG-8

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 8

(foam dielectric) or Belden type 9943 coax. Both of these will reduce attenuation to
less than 1 dB per hundred feet. You should be aware that this heavier cable is less
easy to work and may be quite expensive.

• The second loss which must be co nsidered is the losses in the DC po wer and reset
control line. At any distance other than the 9-foot cable that is supplied by SGC, we
recommend that the DC voltage at the antenna coupler be measured because if the
coupler voltage drops below 10 volts, the coupler may not operate properly.

For this reason, SGC recommends that if distances are great, the input DC voltage at
the transmitter site be adjusted to provide for +12 to +14 volts at the coupler site.

We do specifically advise against use of a different power supply than the one used to
power the radio because of the danger of creating ground loops which may cause
oscillation of the final amplifiers or other undesired side effects. If you decide to use a
separate power supply mounted at the antenna coupler location, please be advised that
SGC does not provide technical support in this area.

1.8 Upgrade Sequence

The current version of the SMARTUNER coupler will have a revision letter lo cated on
the printed circuit board. To continue moving forward in coupler design, the
SMARTUNER may be revised as needed. Later revisions of the coupler will be denoted
by the subsequent letters of the alphabet.

SGC will continue making incremental improvements in the SMARTUNER product.
When you buy your product today and a new feature is added, you can always
upgrade for modest fees to the latest version of the unit. If you would like to upgrade to
the latest version of the unit, contact SGC because special discounts are always
provided to our valued customers.

2.0 SPECIFICATIONS - SMARTUNER

HF Frequency Range: 1.8 to 30.0 MHz

Note: The SMARTUNER may be operated as low as

1.6 MHz and is commonly used as an antenna­matching unit for differential GPS transmitter site
antennas. However, when operated under these
conditions, a longer antenna is re commended, such
as a 60-foot tower section for operation in the 1700­1710 kHz band and an appropriately larger
counterpoise. In addition, inductor heating may
become pronounced at high power levels in the
SMARTUNER's inductors, which are commonly
used at these frequencies. For this reason, we

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 9

recommend 70 watts at 1700 kHz and 50 watts at
1600 kHz on a continuous basis.

Power Input Range: 3 to 200 watts (PEP)
Input Impedance Range: 45 to 55 ohms
VSWR: (Typical) Typically less than 1.4:1
DC Input Requirement: +13.8 VDC
DC Operating Range +10.5 to 15 VDC
Input Current: Average: .9 amps
Random set time: Typical: less than 2 seconds
Recurrent set time: Typical: less than 10 milliseconds
Non volatile memory address: 170
Antenna Length: Minimum length of 8 ft. —3.5 to 30 MHz
Minimum length of 23 ft. —1.8 to 30 MHz
Installation: Any position
Operating Temperature: -35° to +70°C
Size: 16 x 12 x 3 inches
Weight: 8 pounds (3.5 kilos)
Case Construction: Plastic ABS wea t he rproof case
Control Cable: SGC special cable, 9 feet coaxial and two power

Input wires (plus remote tune LED wire replaceable
by any standard cable)

2.1 Accessories

Shock Mounting Tray. SGC Part Number 54-50
+24 VDC Power option. SGC Part Number 54-52
25-foot extension cable. SGC Part Number 54-61
50-foot extension cable. SGC Part number 55-62

2.2 Recommended Antennas

SG-105 Marine and Base station antenna. This is a

60 foot end fed long wire type antenna. SGC Part
Number 55-10.

SG-107 Delta Loop Antenna. This is a delta loop 11

meters high by 11 meters wide at the base. SGC Part
Number 55-12.

SG-203 Marine 28 foot whip antenna. This antenna

is used for most powerboat installations. SGC Part
Number 55-24.

SG-303 High performance 9-foot whip antenna.

This dual element antenna is designed for severe

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 10

marine and land mobile service. SGC Part Number
55-27.

QMS - Quick Mounting System that houses

SMARTUNER Smartuner and also provides a sturdy
mounting platform for the SG-303 antenna system.
Designed for fly away installations requiring no
holes installation of high performance HF antenna
system. SGC Part Number 55-45.

3.0 Parts and Technical Support

SGC supplies SMARTUNER equipment; the user supplies suitable radio and antenna.

3.1 Parts Furnished

1. Antenna Coupler

2. 9 foot special cable (RG-58 plus 4 conductors in a single jacket.)

3. Instruction Manual

3.2 User Supplied Items

The user of the SMARTUNER will need to supply a suitable HF radio antenna. Such an
antenna may be as simple as an 8-foot-long piece of wire and several ground/
counterpoise radials of 8 feet or longer. The longer the antenna, up to about 80 feet, the
better all around performance will be. Longer antennas may be used, but please refer to
the sections on antennas for discussion of limitations.

The user will also have to supply a good counterpoise. Such a counterpoise is a large
metal surface (much larger electrically than the antenna). Generally, the bigger the
counterpoise, the better your signal will be.

3.3 Technical Support

Before contacting SGC for technical support, please take a few minutes to think through
your installation and ask if there is anything obvious that you have o verlooked in the
installation. Check to make sure your ground system is both adequate and tight and
that proper voltage is supplied to the coupler.

In the event you experience difficulty with your SMARTUNER antenna coupler, you
should contact SGC for technical advise. Before calling, we ask you to have the
following information ready so that we may readily assist you.

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 11

Coupler Information. Please have the serial number of your coupler, the name of

the dealer from whom the unit was purchased, and the approximate date of
purchase.

Antenna Information. Please be ready to describe your antenna installation.

You will need to advise us whether the antenna is a wire type, a dipole, V,
vertical, long wire, or whip antenna.

Ground System. You should be ready to describe yo ur ground system in detail.

If you are dealing with a marine installation, you should have a description of
the vessel's bonding system. If you are using the coupler in a mo bile setting, you
should be able to describe bonding of the hood, trunk, and other vehicle parts
that may have been done. In an aircraft, you should be able to describe location
of the coupler and type of ground connection used.

Power supply voltage. One of the common mistakes made when installing

couplers is to assume that a connection is go od when it hasn't been measured. If
you experience any type of erratic or intermittent operation, please measure the
power supply voltage inside the coupler.

. Describe Coupler behavior. If you are having a problem, determine if it is

happening all the time or only part of the time. Does the problem occur only on
certain frequencies? Does the problem happen only in certain modes?

. Be patient. Finding the reason for less than ideal system operation may take one

telephone call or it may take several calls. Regardless of how complex the
problem is, your SGC representative will be able to walk you through the
process of solving your problem in a logical step-by-step manner. The Smartuner

and accessories will always give top performance when carefully installed.

4.0

Antenna Types

The automatic antenna coupler is designed for use wit h end-fed unbalanced antennas
such as whips and long wires. The radiating portion of the antenna is connected
directly to the coupler through a high voltage insulator. It is extremely important that
the antenna type, site location, and grounding technique be correctly chosen so that the
system will radiate effectively.

Wideband antennas (e.g., log periodic) that cover the full range of the system may be
used with the coupler if desired. Narro w band resonant antennas, such as dipoles, Vs,
and inverted Vs may only be used if the antenna VSWR (including coaxial feeder) is less
than, or equal to 3:1 at the operating frequency.

Note that if a dipole or V type antenna is used, the antenna may be operated at any
frequency within the range of the coupler if each side of the V or dipole is 23 feet or

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 12

longer. In addition, the SMARTUNER is just as happy feeding a conventional V antenna
as an inverted V. The coupler is flexible in this regard.

4.1 Antenna Selection

The automatic antenna coupler will operate into almost any end-fed antenna with a
length of 2.5 meters or more, provided an effective ground is used. The antenna
efficiency will generally be proportional to length and in most applications will be
maximum at a length of 1/4 wavelength. This means that the longest possible antenna
should be selected for each installation.

Very short antennas are only recommended when there is no other alternative such as
in a vehicular mobile installation. The performance of short whip antennas is usually
very poor, par ticularly at the lower frequencies, and radiation efficiency will be only a
few percent of a full sized antenna. However, a special electrically long antenna such as
the SG-303 9-foot antenna overcomes the radiation problem.

4.2 Whip Antennas

This antenna is recommended only for vehicular mobile installations. The short length
will result in poorer performance compared with the longer antennas. A special high
performance 9-foot antenna, the SG-303, is manufactured by SGC specifically for this
problem. (SGC Part Number 55-27.)

This antenna is recommended fo r marine installation o n smaller vessels. It may also be
used in base stations if there is no way of using a longer antenna. The SG-203 is this
type of antenna. (SGC Part Number 55-23.)

This is the preferred antenna for marine installation when there is no room for a
longwire antenna. It will also provide reasonable efficiency for base station use and is
the shortest recommended base antenna. (SGC Part Number 55-24 for the SG-204 35
foot whip antenna.)

2.5 to 3.0 Meters (8 to 9 feet)

7.0 to 8.5 Meters (28 feet)

10.7 Meters (35 feet)

4.3 Longwire Antenna—23 Meters (75 feet); 46 Meters (150 feet)

For most applications, the longwire antenna will give the best results and is
recommended when practical. The diagrams at the end of this section show some
recommended methods of installation. These are only a few of the many possible
methods of installation, and frequently a different configuration will be the best at a

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 13

particular site. SGC’s long wire antenna, 60 feet in length, provides efficient operation
on low frequencies and high frequencies alike. (SGC Part Number 55-10.)

4.4 Backstay Antennas —8 Meters (28 feet) and Longer

Although we would lov e to sell ever yo ne a high per for mance marine whip ant enna, the
backstay of a sailboat is almost impossible to improve upon in most installations.

4.5 Typical Installations

Figures 4.5.1 through 4.5.11 show some typical installations for the automatic antenna
coupler.

Figure 4.5.1 Jeep installation

Jeep Installation
for Automatic
Antenna Coupler

Feed-through
insulator

Figure 4.5.2 Vehicle installation

3.0 M whip

Detail

Transceiver

Coupler

GTO cable
(as short as possible)

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 14

Ground

3.0 M whip

coupler
securely
to truck

Feed through insulator

Coupler

Transceiver

Vehicle Installation

Figure 4.5.3 Motor Vessel installation

Feed through insulator

Coupler

Suitable stay cable

Ground to
steel bulkhead
or overhead

Motor Vessel Installation

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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Figure 4.5.4 Base installation

SMARTUNER MANUAL 15

COUPLER

Figure 4.5.5 Base ladder installation

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 16

up to 300 feet

up to 40 feet

Balanced Line Feeders
300-600 Ohms

GND

Hot

Coupler

RF cable

DC Control cable

Base Ladder Installation

Figure 4.5.6 Base installation with ground wire radials

Insulator

30°

GTO cable

Coupler

2M

Insulator

Ground cable No. 4 AWG
(150 cm maximum)

Conduit for
control cable
and coax

Figure 4.5.7 Base dipole installation

11M

30°

Radial wires
buried in soil

Base Installation with
Ground Wire Radials

2M

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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SMARTUNER MANUAL 17

Hot

Coupler

RF Cable

Base Dipole Installation

Figure 4.5.8 Base Quadra Loop Horizontal

Porcelain
isolators
with tie rope

1 meter

3 meters

E66 insulators
(x8)

GND

7 to 25 meters

DC Supply Line

Radiation

3 meters

Ground
bolt
terminal

50 ohm
coax from
transmitter

Base Quadra
Loop Horizontal

Coupler

Antenna
terminal

The horizontal quad loop is a groundless antenna for high angle radiation and is ideal
for HF communications up to 500 miles in the frequency range of 2 to 10 MHz. This
configuration prov ides optimum near-right ang le reflection to the ionosphere fo r short­range communications.

A square base can be from 8 to 15 meters long and can be configured to the shape of the
structure as necessary, to provide the best arrangement. The height of the supporting
poles should be 20 to 40 feet. Supporting poles should be as tall as possible to prov ide
the antenna with the greatest isolation from industrial noise generated by the building,
such as fluorescent lights and electrical moto rs. Loop antennas are also less susceptible
to industrial RF noise generated by the building, because they are isolated from the
ground system of the building.

Loop wires are attached at one end on the high voltage active side of the coupler and on
the other end at the ground side of the coupler.

Figure 4.5.9 Base Delta Loop

SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA

© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]

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