Exhibit 6: User’s Manual External Radio Frequency Power Amplifier ACOM 1200S Model 1200S
ACOM1200S HF + 6 m SOLID STATE LINEAR AMPLIFIER OPERATING MANUAL Outstanding HF Power Products
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. GENERAL INFORMATION..........................................................................................................................3 1-1. 1-2. 1-3. 1-4. 1-5. 2. INSTALLATION............................................................................................................................................5 2-1. 2-2. 2-3. 2-4. 3. Periodic maintenance; general checks and cleaning...............................................................25 Replacement of fuses...
2
1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1-1. Inroduction and description This manual describes the installation, operation, and maintenance of the HF+6m solid-state linear power amplifier ACOM 1200S. ACOM 1200S is a state-of-the art linear amplifier, covering the amateur bands from 1.8 to 54MHz with 1000W output power (PEP or continuous carrier) with less than 50W of drive. The amplifier operating information is shown on a multi-functional, high resolution color display.
• Automatic control – when connected to a transceiver with CAT capability, the amplifier will track the operating frequency, and will change bands accordingly. • Even if not CAT connected, the amplifier monitors the input signal frequency through the built-in frequency counter and automatically switches bands. • Remotely controlled by RS232 port. • Takes care of itself during operation via continuously working protection circuits in all modes.
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE! Both the mains voltage and the high DC voltage up to 500V inside the ACOM 1200S amplifier are LETHAL! For your safety, disconnect the power plug from the mains and WAIT AT LEAST three minutes EACH TIME, BEFORE removing the cover of the amplifier.
NOTE Keep the original packing for possible future transportation. Unpack and inspect carefully the contents of the cardboard carton for possible transportation damages. On the amplifier, check-up the chassis, front panel, display, buttons, rear panel connectors, main power switch and fuses. 2-2. Amplifier operating location selection; cooling. Locate the amplifier close to the place where will be used.
b) KEY-IN jack - amplifier input for receive/transmit control from the transceiver. The transceiver switches the amplifier from receive mode into transmit mode (RX/TX) by grounding of the KEY-IN input. Run a shielded cable from the output of your transceiver, providing “ground on transmit”, to the KEY-IN input on the amplifier rear panel (RCA PHONO jack – Fig. 2-1). Use a standard RCA PHONO plug for connection to the amplifier.
The transceivers manufacturers give different names to this input, for example: TX-INHIBIT, MUTE, LINEAR, and others. Check the manual of your transceiver. Approach your dealer for details. If your transceiver has no such input, do not worry – ACOM 1200S will operate normally with KEY-OUT unconnected. d) RF INPUT - Connect a coaxial cable with a PL-259 plug from the transceiver output (antenna jack) to the amplifier RF INPUT jack.
2-4. Installing options and connecting to external devices (transceiver, computer, etc.) a) CAT/AUX interface – used for connecting and operating with various transceiver models (see table 2-1 below and the respective menu in S. 5-3, table 5-1 and Fig. 5-3). Most of the modern transceivers can be connected by CAT to the ACOM 1200S. This will allow the amplifier to track the transceiver frequency without any transmission and change the bands automatically when in Operate mode.
Table 2-2 RS 232 interface PIN NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rear panel view 9 PIN NAME DESCRIPTION TxD RxD GND DSR CTS Not connected Transmitted Data Received Data Not connected Ground Remote Power On Not connected Remote Power On - SPECIFICATIONS RS232 level output RS232 level input 0 Volt RS232 level input RS232 level input Not connected - 3. INITIAL POWER ON AND OPERATION CAUTION Do not turn the amplifier on at least two hours after unpacking it and installing in its final operating position.
Fig. 3-1 Front panel c) 6 functional buttons keypad for manual (local) control of the amplifier. The function of each button is indicated on the display above it. Depending on the displayed menu, the buttons may have different functions. d) A color display showing the operating information. 3-3.
Fig. 3-2 Basic screen b) Operating values and alarm messages area. Any two operating values selected in the AMP MEASURE menu (S. 5-1) will be shown here. The alarm messages (either WARNING or SOFT FAULT) appear on yellow background on the same area and are flashing frequently in order to attract the operator’s attention (Fig. 4-1). The WARNING messages appear only temporarily (for about three seconds), afterwards the indication of the operating values is restored automatically (S. 4-4(a).
3-5. a) Control system – buttons and menus The OPR/STB and the BAND buttons are used for manual (local) control of the (Fig. 3-2): - the left-most button OPR/STB switches over the amplifier between Operate and Stand-by modes; - the next two buttons – BAND up and down arrows - change the frequency bands in ascending or descending order; b) The right-most button MENU (Fig.
- check the good working order of the coaxial cables, connectors, and feed lines from the transceiver antenna jack through the amplifier, the antenna switch or external tuner (if there is one) to the BALUN transformer, and the antenna itself (S. 2-3(e)).
Upon reaching 1000W forward power check the following parameters (continuous carrier operation): - the reflected power must not exceed 110W (for SWR 2:1) or better still to be below 40W (for SWR 1.5:1); - PA DC CURRENT must be between 32 and 36A; it is normal that the current varies within these limits when changing operating frequency and antenna impedance; PA DC VOLTAGE must be within 48 – 52V; - the transceiver’s SWR reading must be below 1.2:1.
- improve the RF grounding system: use the shortest and widest possible metal strips for the connections to ground and between the different gear in the shack; connect one or more counterpoises (sized for the problematic band) to the feeder shield at the point, where it enters the building, and the same point - with the possibly shortest and widest connections - to the grounding system: this is a very efficient measure, in particular if the shack is located on a high floor above ground; - to reduce the R
CAUTION In order to provide time for the relays to switch safely from receive to transmit, the transceiver should provide a dead time i.e. must “notify” the amplifier in due time by grounding the control KEY IN input not later than 10ms before feeding drive power toward the amplifier RF input. Otherwise, the protection system will read “HOT SWITCHING ATTEMPT” and will trip off. In Operate mode the KEY OUT output (S.
4-3. Operation with an external antenna tuner At antenna SWR over 1.5:1, it is advisable you use an external tuner. The ACOM 04AT Remote Automatic Antenna Tuner is designed to work with the ACOM 1200S. Use of other antenna tuners is not recommended. 4-4. Automatic protection system The control unit (S. 7-3(b)) keeps track of most amplifier analogue and logic signals in all modes.
depending on whether the “AUTO OPERATE” option had been activated. A respective message is shown on the screen, for example “Excessive Reflected Power”, “Excessive Drain Current”, and others, as well as with a sound alarm (unless the sound had not been muted – S. 5-4).
Fig. 5 - MENU SELECTION 5-1. Menu „Amplifier measurements” – AMP MEASURE The menu AMP MEASURE (Fig. 5-1) is accessible from the MENU SELECTION screen (Fig. 5) in all modes. 11 parameter values be observed continuously. Fig. 5-1 Menu “Amplifier measurements” – AMP MEASURE Two identical lists appear on the left and the right halves of the screen, each one containing the same 11 values.
Any value can be selected in each screen half. Using buttons ITEM1 and ITEM2 (up and down) select the desired values. The two slected values will be shown continuously on the basic screen (S.3-2 (b), Fig. 3-2) - after leaving this menu (EXIT button). 5-2. Menu “Amplifier service functions” – AMP SERVICE. The amplifier service menu (Fig. 5-2) is accessible from the MENU SELECTION screen (Fig. 5) at RX mode only.
If the amplifier CAT port is connected either to the transceiver BCD Band Data or Band Voltage output, select the respective interface type and push EXIT. The other items and values will not be taken into account. If the CAT cable is plugged into the transceiver’s serial port, select the interface and command set according to Table 5-1. The baud rate has to be set to the same value as the transceiver’s. The byte spacing and polling time may be left unchanged.
5-4. “USER PREFERENCES” menu Fig. 5-4 – Menu USER PREFERENCES a) ANTENNA TUNER/SWITCH INSTALLED. If ACOM 04AT remote automatic antenna tuner is also installed, select YES. Refer to ACOM 04AT Operating Manual. b) AUTOMATIC MENU EXIT. When the option is turned on, the amplifier exits the currently selected menu if no button has been pressed for more than 5 minutes. If the option is turned off, the amplifier remains in the currently selected menu until the EXIT button is pushed. c) AUTO OPERATE.
or involuntary switching to Operate mode. While locked, an attempt for entering Operate mode will result in a message: “OPERATE MODE IS LOCKED” The other preference items need no explanation. 5-5. FAULTS LOG This function reads on the screen the information stored in the memory about the last 28 HARD FAULT protection trips (Fig.5-5).
Fig. 5-6 Menu: RESTORE DEFAULT SETTINGS 6. REMOTE CONTROL 6-1. General information The ACOM 1200S may be controlled remotely by the RS232 port. The ACOM 1200S RS232 interface protocol is available on www.acom-bg.com. 7.
Periodically check the SWR of the antennas and if this changes over time. Problems could occur more often in poor weather conditions – rain, snow, strong wind etc. b) Periodically (more often in a dusty environment, but at least once per year) clean the air filters without opening the amplifier. WARNING The air filters may be too dusty - be careful how you clean them so that you DO NOT INHALE (BREATHE IN) neither spill the dust over! Wrap it, for instance, in a wet cloth before cleaning! Fig.
CAUTION Do not use solvents for cleaning – they can be dangerous to you, as well as to the coating or the amplifier plastic parts. In case of need, clean up the amplifier outside surfaces without opening it. Use a soft piece of cotton cloth, slightly moistened with clean water. 7-2.
necessary instructions, if you choose to decode the downloaded hexadecimal data by yourself. 7-4. FIRMWARE UPDATES CAUTION Before you change the firmware version, check the new version compatibility with the revisions of the hardware and of the boot loader in your amplifier - see S. 5-5. If you have any doubts about the versions, please consult your dealer before you undertake any action.
f) RF power gain: 14dB +/-1dB (typically 40W for 1000W output power); g) Mains power supply voltage: 93-265VAC.Below 150VAC the output power is reduced. h) Mains power consumption at full output power: 2100VA or less wth a power factor of 0.
9. DISCLAIMER of LIABILITY All ACOM 1200S specifications and descriptions are based on the latest information available at the time of this document’s printing.
NOTES 31
NOTES 32
