SG-237 SMARTUNER™ INSTALLATION MANUAL
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SG-237 Specifications |
|
HF Frequency Range: |
1.8-60 MHz |
Power Input Range: |
3-100 W (PEP) |
|
40 W CW Max (40% duty cycle) |
Input Impedance Range: |
45-55 Ohms |
VSWR (Typical): |
Less than 1.4:1 |
DC Input Requirement: |
+13.8 VDC (nominal) |
Average Input Current: |
300 mA |
Initial Tune Time: |
Less than 2 sec. (typical) |
Retune from Memory: |
Less than 10 msec. (typical) |
Memory Bins: |
170 |
Tuning Combinations: |
½ Million |
Antenna Length (>3.3 MHz): |
8 feet (2.5 M) minimum |
Antenna Length (<3.3 MHz): |
28 (8.5 M) feet minimum |
Installation: |
Any Position |
Operating Temperature: |
-35 to +70 C (-31 to +158 F) |
Case: |
Weatherproof ABS plastic with aluminum base |
Cable: |
9 foot shielded 4-conductor/RG-58 coax |
|
(PL-259 connector) |
Dimensions: |
9”L x 7”W x 1.5”H (23L x 18W x 4H cm) |
|
2 Lbs. (1 Kg) |
1.0 The Coupler Basics
Congratulations on purchasing the most versatile and reliable HF coupler available on the market today. Your SGC Smartuner™ is designed to give you dependable operation and the flexibility to operate on any HF frequency without any extra ‘tuning’ effort on your part. Unlike a traditional ‘tuner’ – there are no knobs or buttons to fiddle with. You simply install the unit, and operate – the Smartuner does the rest! Once the unit is installed, it will automatically sense your RF frequency and tune your antenna down to minimum SWR to maximize the efficiency of your signal and squeeze the most out of every watt. A Smartuner doesn’t require any special interface or balun and will work with any transceiver and any antenna within its specifications range. Installation is simple too! Read on to get on the air quickly and easily.
There are three connections on the SG-237 case: (1) The coaxial RF cable and power cables (bundled together) that will connect to your transceiver and power supply. (2) The antenna output connection. (3) The RF ground connection. All that is necessary to begin using your coupler is to supply power, hook up to antenna, ground, and transceiver – and transmit. The SG237 does the rest.
SGC, 13737 SE 26th Street Bellevue, WA 98005 USA • Ph: 425-746-6310, Fx: 425-746-6384, Email: sgc@sgcworld.com www.sgcworld.com
SGC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Copyright SGC 2008
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The SG-237 is supplied in a waterproof case, on a mounting plate with pre-drilled holes. It is ideal for any mobile or base-station installation. RF and DC power is supplied to the unit through the same bundled cable (9 feet supplied). The cable includes the RG-58 coax for the RF connection to the transceiver, two wires for DC and ground, and two wires for optional accessories. (See Section 5 for more details on the Smartlock™).
Wiring for the SG-237 is as follows:
RF Coax: To transceiver
Red Wire: DC Power
Black Wire: DC Ground
White Wire w/ Black Stripe: LED Indicator (Smartlock)
White Wire w/ Red Stripe: Tune Lock/Reset (Smartlock)
2.0 Coupler Placement
SGC always recommends placing the antenna coupler as close as possible to the base of the antenna – regardless of whether it is an SGC coupler or another brand. All SGC couplers can be operated with a coaxial cable output connection; but this is not our recommendation. Antenna “tuners” which use coaxial cable connection are actually line trimmers and have a limited adjustment range (25 to 800 ohms). This impedance limitation prevents high voltages and current which may cause flashing or burning of the coaxial cable – not the coupler. Trimmers are less expensive than actual antenna couplers and much more common. However, because of the impedance range limitations, they cannot tune whip or end fed wire antennas. On the other
SGC, 13737 SE 26th Street Bellevue, WA 98005 USA • Ph: 425-746-6310, Fx: 425-746-6384, Email: sgc@sgcworld.com www.sgcworld.com
SGC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Copyright SGC 2008
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hand, SGC antenna couplers are not limited in their impedance ranges and will tune all types of antennas, including end fed wires and whips. For the most efficient operation possible, install your SGC coupler as close to the feedpoint of your antenna as physical limitations allow. See section 4.0 for examples of ideal configurations. More information, including details of several real installations and technical notes can be found on our website.
3.0 Outdoor Installation
The SG-237 antenna coupler’s waterproof case is designed to withstand the environmental conditions encountered aboard ship when mounted on weather decks. 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 opening the case unless it is necessary. For 99% of installations, the factory settings for jumpers will be correct.
The coupler must be installed in an area not directly exposed. Excessive weather or exposure to heat and sunlight can shorten the life of the unit. Although the SG-237 built very solidly, it is good installation practice to provide additional protection from the elements. SGC makes the following recommendations:
3.1 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 additional protective housing is recommended. The preferred installation if vertical is with the RF stud pointing upward. The antenna connects to the bolt on the top. The SG-237 may be mounted in any position, including inverted without any degradation of performance.
3.2 Desert and High Temperature Installations
The Smartuner may be used in very hot climates on a continuous basis if installed in a manner that protects it from direct sunlight.
3.3 Additional Weather Protection Installations
To protect the unit from direct exposure to sunlight, and to prevent heavy build-up of ice, we recommend installing the Smartuner under additional protective housing. If you are mounting it on a tower or in an extremely hot or cold climate, a plastic wastebasket (such as those made by Rubbermaid™) makes an excellent weather cover and costs only a few dollars.
SGC, 13737 SE 26th Street Bellevue, WA 98005 USA • Ph: 425-746-6310, Fx: 425-746-6384, Email: sgc@sgcworld.com www.sgcworld.com
SGC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Copyright SGC 2008
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4.0 Five Golden Rules of HF Installation
These rules apply to all types of stations, including base, mobile, airborne and marine. They are very important for planning and installing your HF system, if you want to achieve good communications.
1.Install transceiver as close to operation site and power supply system as possible (whether an external power supply or battery system).
2.The antenna must be installed in an open space and as far as possible from your operating point. Example: On a sailboat, use the backstay as the antenna, since it is the farthest point away from the rest of the vessel.
3.The antenna coupler should be installed at the base/feedpoint of the antenna.
4.Always create your own ground with radial wire or copper straps. They will guarantee a solid and proper ground system.
5.All cables – power supply, control or coaxial – must always be as short as possible and/or necessary. An excess cable should be shortened to the proper length – never coiled.
Following these rules will minimize marginal installations and problem sources such as RF feedback in the radio, power supply or cables and “hot” or RF burning microphones. If all five of the above points are followed during the design and installation of your HF system, the operator can expect top performance. Further information regarding applications, installation and operation can be downloaded from our website at www.sgcworld.com. These publications include:
•HF User’s Guide
•Go Mobile at 500 Watts
•Stealth Antennas
•Smartuner Antenna Coupler Manuals
SGC, 13737 SE 26th Street Bellevue, WA 98005 USA • Ph: 425-746-6310, Fx: 425-746-6384, Email: sgc@sgcworld.com www.sgcworld.com
SGC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Copyright SGC 2008
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