VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
VECTRONICS
VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner
FEATURES
The Vectronics VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner optimizes the performance of your antenna and
transmitter, receiver, or transceiver by providing adjustable impedance matching. The VC300DLP also measures the Power and Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), allowing you to adjust for
the lowest possible ratio for the selected transmit frequency. The VC-300DLP utilizes a
precision frequency compensated lighted dual movement SWR / power meter which can show
either peak or average readings. Also included is a built-in Dummy Load for tuning purposes
which is easily switched in and out of the circuit.
SPECIFICATIONS
FRONT PANEL INDICATORS
Meter .....................................Dual movement lighted cross needle Power and SWR meter.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
TRANSMITTER...................Continuous rotation capacitor.
ANTENNA............................Continuous rotation capacitor.
INDUCTANCE.....................48 Turn Switched Rotary Inductor.
OUTPUT SELECT ............... Eight position: DIRECT Coax 1, Coax 2, Bypass, and Dummy
Load; TUNED Coax 1, Coax 2, Wire, and Dummy Load.
RANGE ................................2 position switch: 30W / 300W
METER ................................. 2 position switch: PEAK/AVG
LAMP.................................... 2 position switch: ON / OFF
REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
COAX 1.................................SO-239 Connector
COAX 2.................................SO-239 Connector
BYPASS................................ SO-239 Connector
TRANSMITTER IN.............. SO-239 Connector
BALANCED LINE............... Dual Banana Jack
WIRE..................................... Banana Jack
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
OTHER
Frequency Coverage.............. 1.8 - 30 MHz
Power..................................... 150 watts Continuous; 300 watts pep, SSB
Dimensions............................ 3.5" (89mm) H x 10.2" (266mm) W x 9.4" (240mm) D.
Weight................................... 3.6 lbs. (1.6 kg.)
CONTROLS / CONNECTORS
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS
1. TRANSMITTER
Continuously adjustable input capacitor.
2. POWER / SWR METER
Dual needle meter displays FORWARD and REFLECTED Power in Watts.
The SWR is measured where the two needles intersect on the red scale.
3. ANTENA
Continuously adjustable output capacitor.
4. OUTPUT SELECT
Eight-position rotary switch selects an output coaxial connector.
DIRECT MODE
DMY LOAD selects the internal Dummy Load, bypassing the impedance matching
circuit but providing normal meter readings.
BYP selects the Bypass Connector on the rear panel, bypassing the impedance
matching circuit but providing normal meter readings.
COAX 1 selects the COAX 1 Connector, bypassing the impedance matching circuit but
providing normal meter readings.
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
COAX 2 selects the COAX 2 Connector, bypassing the impedance matching circuit but
providing normal meter readings.
TUNED MODE
COAX 1 selects the COAX 1 connector through the impedance matching circuit.
COAX 2 selects the COAX 2 connector through the impedance matching circuit.
WIRE selects the WIRE connector through the impedance matching circuit.
DMY LOAD selects the internal Dummy Load through the impedance matching circuit.
5. INDUCTOR
48-position rotary switch to vary inductance.
6. RANGE
Two-position push button switch selects the range of FORWARD and REFLECTED Power
displayed on the power meter.
When the RANGE switch is OUT, the FORWARD meter scale reads 300 watts full scale and
the REFLECTED meter scale reads 60 watts full scale. When the switch is IN, the
FORWARD meter scale reads 30 watts ful l scale and the REFLECTED meter scale reads 6
watts full scale.
7. METER
Two-position push-button switch selects PEAK or AVERAGE readings on the meter.
8. LAMP
Two-position push-button switch turns the meter lamp ON / OFF.
REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
1. TRANSMITTER IN
Coaxial connector for input from SWL receiver or transmitter.
2. COAX 1
Coaxial connector for output to Antenna One.
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
3. COAX 2
Coaxial connector for output to Antenna Two.
4. BYPASS
Coaxial connector for third coax output. Bypasses tuner, but meter circuits remain active.
5. GROUND
Post / Wing-nut type ground connector.
6. BALANCE OUTPUT
Two banana jack connectors for output to RF balanced twin lead antennas.
(Note that jumper must be used as shown by the dotted line.
7. END FED WIRE
Banana jack for output to a single-wire antenna. (Do not use jumper.)
8. 12V DC
Barrel connector for meter lamp power.
INSTALLATION
Carefully unpack your VC-300DLP from the packing carton and inspect it for signs of damage.
If any damage is apparent, notify the transportation carrier or dealer immediately. We
recommend keeping the packing carton for moving, storage, or reshipping the tuner.
Select a location for the VC-300DLP that allows the connectors to be free of any possible contact
during operation.
WARNING: SOME BALANCED OR END-FED ANTENNAS WILL PRODUCE HIGH
RF VOLTAGES AT THE BANANA CONNECTORS. RF BURNS MAY
RESULT IF TOUCHED DURING TRANSMISSION.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
1. Connect a coax cable from your transmitter or receiver to the transmitter to the
TRANSMITTER connector on the rear panel. Keep the cable as short as possible.
use more than 200 watts through the tuner.
2. Connect coax cable(s) from your antenna to COAX 1 or COAX 2 connectors on the rear
panel. These connectors are either direct from the transmitter or through the tuned circuit
depending on the setting of the OUTPUT SELECTOR switch.
3. If you are using a balanced feed antenna, connect a balanced line to the BALANCED
OUTPUT connectors and jumper banana jack (6) with wire jack (7) as shown by the dotted
line.
4. If you are using a single wire antenna, connect it to jack (7) without installing jumper.
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Do not
VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
5. Connect any antenna that does not require the use of a tuner to the BYPASS (4) connector
using a coax cable. this allows you to select this antenna from the OUTPUT SELECTOR
switch.
6. To avoid possible damage to the VC-300DLP, set the TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA, and
RANGE switches as outlined in the next section before applying transmitter power.
7. Begin tuning with your transmitter set at a low output power setting
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THE VC300DLP WITH TE COVER OFF! DO NOT
CHANGE THE INDUCTOR SWITCH WITH MORE THTN 20 WATTS
OF APPLIED POWER
(10 to 20 W)
.
TUNING
1. Select the band and frequency of desired operation.
2. Set TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA, and INDUCTOR controls to the suggested settings before
applying transmitter power. Actual settings may vary from antenna to antenna.
Band / TRANSMITTER ACTUAL INDUCTANCE
Frequency
160 M / 1.8 MHz 5.1 3.0 J+
75 M / 3.75 MHz 5.1 3.0 D-
40 M / 7.15 MHz 6.0 4.1 B
Sug. Actual Sug. Actual Sug. Actual
30 M / 10.125MHz 6.0 4.2 B-
20 M / 14.175 MHz 5.5 4.2 A+
17 M / 18.118 MHz 5.0 3.8 A+
15 M / 21.225 MHz 5.2 6.0 A+
12 M / 24.940 MHz 4.8 4.8 A+
10 M / 28.850 MHz 4.0 6.0 A+
3. Set your transmitter to a low power output. If your transmitter has a TUNE position, select
that position.
WARNING: DO NOT EXCEED 150 WATTS ON ANY BAND WHERE THE SWR ON
THEANTENNA IS GREATER THATN 4 TO 1.
4. Set RANGE switch to 30 Watts (button IN).
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
5. Set OUTPUT SELECTOR switch to the proper selection on the TUNED side of the switch.
Selecting any of the DIRECT positions by passes the tuning circuitry altogether.
6. Rotate the TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA, and INDUCTOR controls for maximum noise or
signal as heard on your receiver.
7. Key your transmitter and adjust the power level for a reading of 40-50 watts on the
FORWARD scale. Adjust the TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA, and INDUCTOR controls for
a minimum REFLECTED reading while maintaining a FORWARD reading of 40-50 watts
using your transmitter power control.
8. Read the SWR on the red scale at t he point where the two needles intersect. Repeat step 7
until the lowest SWR reading is obtained. The SWR should be 2:1 or lower.
Note
9. When you have tuned your antenna to the best SWR, record the settings of the
TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA, and INDUCTANCE controls on the chart on the preceding
page for future reference. When you retune, use these settings as your starting point.
This procedure takes patience the first time. The transmitter and antenna controls
:
vary the capacitors and provide fine adjustments. The inductor control provides
course adjustment. If the SWR can not be reduced to the lowest reading, try
increasing or decreasing the reading of the transmitter control. Then, try to null the
antenna control for the lowest reading. You may want to try reversing this procedure
by increasing or decreasing the antenna control and nulling the transmitter control.
Always perform these adjustments at low power.
NOTES
1. An SWR of 1:1 is best, but an SWR as high as 2:1 may be acceptable. Check your
transmitter manual for details.
2. If you can not get an acceptable SWR, lengthen or shorten your antenna and/or feedlines and
retune.
3. If you get low SWR readings at more than one setting, use the setting that:
Gives the highest FORWARD power reading.
•
Gives the lowest REFLECTED power reading.
•
Uses the largest capacitance (highest number) on the TRANSMITTER and ANTENNA
•
controls.
4. Any time a new or different antenna is connected, it is necessary to repeat the tuning
procedure for each antenna.
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
If you have any problem with this unit first check the appropriate section of this manual. If the
manual does not reference your problem or your problem is not solved by reading the manual you
may call VECTRONICS at 601-323-5800. You will be best helped if you have your unit,
manual and all information on your station handy so you can answer any questions the
technicians may ask.
You can also send questions by mail to VECTRONICS, 300 Industrial Park Road, Starkville, MS
39759 or by Fax to 601-323-6551. Send a complete description of your problem, an explanation
of exactly how you are using your unit, and a complete description of your station.
YOUR NOTES
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
METER CALIBRATION
METER CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
Connect transceiver to TRANSMITTER IN connector.
•
Connect external 50 Ω load to COAX 2 connector.
•
Set the OUTPUT SELECT switch to the COAX 2 DIRECT position.
•
Set the RANGE button to 300 W and the PEAK/AVG button to AVG.
•
Apply 100 W of RF at 14.0 MHz.
•
Adjust R1 (see Figure 1) so that 100 W of FORWARD power is read on the meter.
•
Reduce the RF power to 10 W and set the RANGE to10 W.
•
Adjust R2 so that 10 W of FORWARD power is read on the meter.
•
Reverse the transceiver and load connectors on the rear panel.
•
Set the RANGE to 300 W.
•
Apply 10 W of RF power and adjust R4 to read 10 W of REFLECTED power.
•
Set the RANGE to30 W.
•
Apply 2W of RF power and adjust R3 to read 2 W of REFLECTED power.
•
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VC-300DLP Antenna Tuner Owner's Manual
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
VC-300DLP
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