Exhibit 6 page 1 of 22 Exhibit 6: User’s Manual External Radio Frequency Power Amplifier ACOM 2100 Model 2100 1
Exhibit 6 page 2 of 22 Table of Contents 1. GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................ …3 1-1.Introduction and Description ................................................................................... 3 1-2. Owner Assistance .................................................................................................. 3 1-3. Equipment Supplied ...............................................................................................
Exhibit 6 page 3 of 22 6. MAINTENANCE………………………………………………………………………...17 6-1. Cleaning………………………………………………………………………………..17 6-2. Fuse Replacement………………………………………………………..…………..17 6-3. Tube Replacement…………………………………...…………………..................17 6-4. The ACOM2100 Simplified Schematic Diagram…………………………………..17 6-5. Troubleshooting………………………………………………………………………18 7. SPECIFICATIONS……………………………………………………………………..20 7-1. Parameters……………………………………………………………………………20 7-2. Functions……………………………………………………………………………...20 7-3.
Exhibit 6 page 4 of 22 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1-1. Introduction and Description This manual explains the installation, operation, and maintenance of the ACOM2100 HF+6 meter linear amplifier. The ACOM2100 is a complete and self-contained linear amplifier that covers all amateur bands from 1.8 through 54MHz and provides over 1500W PEP or continuous carrier output power with less than 85W exciter drive. Antenna VSWR up to 3:1 is acceptable with 1500W forward power.
Exhibit 6 page 5 of 22 Less noise in the shack. The input bypassing and vacuum antenna relays are virtually silent even in the CW QSK mode thanks to specially designed mounting hardware. Less QRM and improved Electro Magnetic Compatibility during tuning. Amplifier tuning can be achieved in less than 10 seconds at a quarter of nominal output power. Operates without special signals from the transceiver. "Ground on TX" (PTT) and 85W RF drive power are sufficient.
Exhibit 6 page 6 of 22 W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE! The amplifier works with high voltages above 3000V, which are LETHAL! Also, for your safety, pull the amplifier power plug out of the mains wall outlet and WAIT AT LEAST 30 minutes EACH TIME BEFORE you remove the cover of the amplifier. Do not touch any part inside while the amplifier is open because some residual voltages may still be present.
Exhibit 6 page 7 of 22 2. INSTALLATION 2-1. Unpacking and Initial Inspection NOTE Before you install your amplifier, thoroughly read this manual. First, carefully inspect the cardboard cartons and their contents for physical damage. If damage is evident, notify your dealer immediately. Delay may void the carrier's warranty. Keep all packing materials for possible future amplifier shipment. 2-2.
Exhibit 6 page 8 of 22 2-4. Connections Connection to your station must be accomplished in the order described below before you apply mains voltage to the amplifier. WARNING Note that the grounding system may have to withstand currents over 20A with minimal voltage drop. Therefore, it may be necessary to improve grounding system conductivity with heavier conductors and a lower-resistance ground 2 path. The grounding conductor should be at least 8mm (AWG 8 or SWG 10). Fig.
Exhibit 6 page 9 of 22 NOTE Your amplifier will not work if KEY-IN is not connected properly. Transceiver producers give different names to this output, such as TX-GND, SEND, T/R-LINE, PTT, etc. Some transceivers require that "ground on transmit" be implemented via a software command, or by changing the setting of a switch on the rear panel or in the interior of the transceiver. Check your transceiver manual. Consult with your dealer if you are having difficulty.
Exhibit 6 page 10 of 22 3. POWER ON, CONTROLS AND INDICATORS CAUTION Do not turn the amplifier on for at least 2 hours after unpacking it in the room where it will be used. Pay particular attention when you move it from a very cold into a warm place - condensation is likely and this could result in damage to the high voltage circuits. In such a case, wait at least 4 hours.
Exhibit 6 page 11 of 22 Fig.3-2 Information Screens and Control Functions Structure The OPER button changes operate and standby modes alternatively (S.4-2) while ON LINE. Please note that Auto-Operate might be enabled (S.5-2). The same button activates signature list while OFF LINE (S.5-3). The PREV and NEXT buttons change information screens or select control functions (S. 4-6) for both OFF LINE and ON LINE modes.
Exhibit 6 page 12 of 22 4. OPERATION Operation of the amplifier is simplified through use of the TRI tuning aid, Auto-Operate function, and automatic protection system, so you may begin using the amplifier immediately following installation. However, to make full use of the amplifier's potential and to fully configure it to your local conditions, we recommend that you thoroughly read the following information.
Exhibit 6 page 13 of 22 When the Auto Operate function is disabled, the amplifier will shift and stay in STBY mode after each protection trip. To restore operation, the OPER button must be depressed. When the Auto Operate function is enabled (see S 5-1), the amplifier will shift to the STBY mode on a protection trip. It will return to the OPER mode after about four seconds automatically. 4-3. Antenna change By pressing the ANT button, the amplifier output can be switched between three antenna outputs.
Exhibit 6 page 14 of 22 NOTE If you use more than one antenna per band, it is necessary that you select the proper antenna BEFORE the next step. Retune after selecting a different antenna for the same band, since the impedances may differ substantially (unless their VSWRs are excellent, i.e., below 1.2:1 for both).
Exhibit 6 page 15 of 22 While a continuous carrier (CW key down, RTTY or FM) signal at the desired frequency is still applied: - Look at the upper scale (forward power); obtain maximum power using the upper (TUNE) knob; - Look at the lower (Load Cap) scale and turn the lower (LOAD) knob in order to center the triangle marker at the "!" mark. - Release the PTT briefly in order to disable the attenuator, then repeat both steps at nominal power. Always finish by peaking with the TUNE knob.
Exhibit 6 page 16 of 22 increasing the drive power slightly. Once the drive power has been set, the output power remains stable with the time for hours. CAUTION For transmissions longer than 5 minutes the external auxiliary fan must be installed (see S.2-5). 4-6. ON LINE Information Screens and Control Functions a) Besides the Warming Up and TRI (described above in S.4-1 and S.4-4), you have 12 more Information screens available.
Exhibit 6 page 17 of 22 5. OFF LINE MODE There are two control functions and 14 information screens available in the Off Line Mode of the amplifier. You may enable/disable the Auto-Operate feature and assign the antenna outputs. You may also list the auto-protection signatures. The tube is not powered at all (only the micro-controller is active) during these operations. 5-1. Auto-Operate enabling and disabling When enabled, this function will maintain the amplifier in OPER MODE automatically - see also S.
Exhibit 6 page 18 of 22 NOTE After every signature listing the tube warm-up time is reset to 180 seconds regardless of time in the OFF LINE state. 6. MAINTENANCE 6-1. Cleaning WARNING Do not use solvents for cleaning - they may be dangerous both for you and for the amplifier paint or plastics. Do not open the amplifier. Cleaning of the amplifier outer surface can be done with a piece of soft cotton cloth lightly moistened with clean water. 6-2.
Exhibit 6 page 19 of 22 contacts and together with Casw prevent the plate supply voltage from reaching the antenna. The RF choke RFCasw shunts the high voltage to ground should the DC blocking capacitor Cb3 fail. The resistor Rasw protects Casw from electro-static voltage build-up from the antenna. The PLATE CAPACITIVE DIVIDER and RF WATTMETER are the main sources of information for the control circuit of the amplifier during the antenna impedance matching process.
Exhibit 6 page 20 of 22 6 - plate current (ipm, analogue) 7 - high voltage (hvm, analogue) 8 - exhaust air temperature (temp, analogue) 9 - drive power exists (*GRIDRF, logic) A - antenna power exists (*PANT, logic) B - output relay closed (ORC, logic) C - RF arc fault (ARCF, logic) D - control grid current too high (G1C, logic) E - +24VDC power supply error (PSE, logic) F - low airflow (LAIR, logic) For instance, "1ATR4B" in the first group would mean that the last auto-protection (1A) tripped by the anten
Exhibit 6 page 21 of 22 7. SPECIFICATIONS 7-1. Parameters a) Frequency Coverage: All amateur bands 1.8-54MHz, extensions and/or changes on request. b) Power Output: 1500W PEP or continuous carrier, no mode limit. In continuous carrier modes (RTTY etc.) for transmissions longer than 5 minutes (up to several hours depending on ambient temperature), the external auxiliary fan must be installed. c) Intermodulation Distortion: Better than 32dB below PEP rated output.
Exhibit 6 page 22 of 22 f) High brightness and contrast 5x7 dot character OLED display with bargraph for forward peak power and text messages to the operator. g) Measurement and constant monitoring of 12 most important amplifier parameters via OLED. h) Tube: a single 4CX1000A/8168 ceramic and metal radial beam tetrode with plate dissipation of 1000W (forced air cooled, grid-driven), specifically designed for class AB1 RF linear amplifiers. 7-3.
