USER MANUAL Features Operating Bands 160m – 6m (Ham Bands) RF Auto Band Decoding Band Data (CAT) For Many Brands 7-inch Color Touch Screen Remote Connection To PC 2 x BLF188 LDMOS with KoolPlusTM 1500 Watts SSB 700 Watts DIGI Mode Input Power 30-50 Watts FWD/REF/SWR Meter DI Voltage/DI Current Meter All Protections Cortex-M7 at 600 MHz Processor Selection for 3 Antennas w/Memory 120-240 VAC Internal Power Supply W 11 x L 13.5 x H 5.
INDEX • Overview…………………………………………………………Page 3 • Features & Specs………………………………………………... Page 4 • Quick Start Guide………………………………………………...Page 5 • Main Screen ..…………………………………………………….Page 6,7 • Settings .……………………………………………………………Page 8 • Band Selector……………………………………………………...Page 9 • Rear Panel.……………………….……………….……………….Page 10 • ALC Adjust….…….………………….…………………………...Page 11 • PC Remote control…………………………….…………………..Page 12 • Rear panel Pin Out………………………………………...............
OVERVIEW Hello Fellow Ham Radio Operators: Thank you for being part of the mercury family, I am so grateful that when KM3KM Electronics started to manufacture amplifiers as kits over four years ago most of you saw the potential. The early struggles were real as no one knew who we were; the original mercury was designed and built with the idea of providing close friends an innovative solution to a need that was not being met by the larger companies.
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS FEATURES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Low harmonic content (below -43dBc on HF & -65dBc on VHF bands) thanks to an efficient Chebyshev filter. Fast and effective protection systems maintain the amplifier’s safety from operational damage. Compact linear amplifier design with Full Legal (1500 Watts) SSB Mode & 700 Watts DIGI-MODE. See gain test on page 16. Auto sensing power supply from 120VAC to 240VAC, allowing your choice of voltage in the shack.
QUICK START GUIDE 1. Connect the Amplifier to a 120VAC or 240VAC outlet as the power supply is AUTO sensing. We recommend using the Amplifier at 240VAC, although at 120VAC your mercury’s power supply will perform well. At 240VAC the power supply fan runs at a lower RPM and is quieter and more efficient. 2. Connect the output of the amplifier ANT-1 to a 50-ohm load or to the corresponding antenna. Connect the RF-IN of the amplifier to the RF-OUT of the transceiver. 3.
MAIN SCREEN 1 2 5 3 4 1. FWD Power Meter: Indicates the output power in operation mode with high accuracy. Note: The measurement sometimes will not match with an external instrument due to loss from coax cables loss or other devices connected to the transmission line. This loss can be up to 0.2 dBm. 2. REF Power Meter: Indicates the reflected power in Operation mode. Note: The measurement will sometimes not match with external instruments due to the matching point of the transmission line.
15 14 13 10 12 11 10. OPR/STB: Disables/Enables the amp. The transceiver signal goes directly to the selected antenna when the button is in standby. 11. Antenna Switch Zone: Manually select antenna 1,2 or 3. The button illuminates the selected antenna manual or automatically. 12 Alarm Reset Button. Quickly restore operation after an alarm shutdown. Before resetting read the error message and find the cause of the problem. 13 Setup Button: Open the general settings screen. 14.
SETTING SCREEN Main screen / Setup button Display Settings. Bar Graph: Select 2 types of bar graph, continuous bar or dashed bar. Celsius / Fahrenheit: Select the unit of measure that will be displayed on the temperature indicator. Sound: Enables or disables the alarm sound. Note: The protections are not disabled. Call Sign: Displays the keyboard to put Call sign on the main screen. Press DEL to enter your Call Sign. Sleep: If the button is activated, the screen will turn off after 20 minutes of inactivity.
BAND SELECTORS RF Decoder: If the RF Decoder is selected on Radio Band Data section it will be in AUTO Mode and selecting the 6-meter band when the amplifier starts up. A signal emitted by the transceiver selects the appropriate Low Pass Filter. Note: In SSB mode the radio will not emit RF until modulated; 200 milliwatts are needed to detect the current frequency. Some transceivers make a small click when you press PTT, which is enough to quickly detect the appropriate segment.
REAR PANEL 9 12 10 8 1 7 2 3 4 5 6 11 1. Band Data Port: Connect Band Data of the transceiver through Band Data Interface Cable (Sold separately). See Band Data connection details starting on page 13. 2. Remote Port: This port provides low power high/low voltages from the controller to connect accessories, for details see page 13. 3. Main Switch: Main power supply interrupter. Recommended for total power shutdown when not in use. 5.
ADJUST THE ALC ALC is a negative voltage generated by the amplifier to limit power from the radio, which allows you to enjoy a broadcast signal of relatively the same strength across the bands on which you operate. If you use this feature, you must adjust it as described below. This adjustment will be different for every radio. The MERCURY LUX does not need ALC to function as you can easily control your final output by adjusting your transceiver’s power level.
PC REMOTE CONTROL The integration of MERCURY LUX PC Software allows the user to operate the amplifier from a PC. The Software has essential commands and visualization for a comfortable and safe operation and gives you access to Reset Alarm, Alarm Message Operate/Standby, and FWD. REF. SWR. D-CURRENT Meters. It also shows selected antenna and operating band. The PC Software is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows. Start Guide. 1. Make sure MERCURY LUX is powered OFF. 2.
REAR PANEL PIN OUT BAND DATA REMOTE AC OUTLET 1 Serial TXD Kenwood, Flex Radio 2 BCD (A) Yaesu, Elecraft 3 BCD (C) Yaesu, Elecraft 4 PTT Active Low 5 0…8V Icom 6 Serial RXD Kenwood, Flex Radio 7 BCD (B) Yaesu, Elecraft 8 BCD (D) Yaesu, Elecraft 9 GND To Chassis (Ground) 1 12V (400 mA Max) 2 TX Send, Active High (100 mA) 3 Antenna-2, Active Low (100mA) 4 NC 5 NC 6 NC 7 NC 8 Antenna-3, Active Low (100 mA) 9 GND ALC PTT Center Pin, -2 to -7V Center Pin, 3.
BAND DATA INTERFACE CABLES Band data interface cables are sold separately. You can build your own cable depending on your transceiver. See the connector type and band data output pins described in your transceiver’s Manual. Use shielded cables and add ferrites clamps at each end of the interface cable. ICOM YAESU . This connection is also compatible with Elecraft -- see the manufacturer’s Manual for band data details.
KENWOOD GND FLEX RADIO GND For Interface Band Data Flex Radio, you need USB to RS232 DB9 Serial Cable Male Converter Adapter with FTDI and build a special DB9-Female to DB9-Male adapter.
GAIN TEST REPORT The following gain tests were run using a terminal design identical to the one currently supplied with this manual. Tolerance range error 0.3 dBm. Equipment test and Procedure. • • • • • • • Driver Exciter - ICOM IC 7300. 8862 BIRD Coax Dummy Load. LP-500 - Telepost Inc Digital Station Monitor. Rigol DSA815 Spectrum Analyzer. SSB Mode. Room temperature 30 °C. SWR 1.
Warranty KM3KM Electronics LLC warrants the MERCURY LUX to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Your MERCURY LUX is tested before shipping to be 100% sure everything works as described. COVERED: Your MERCURY LUX is covered under normal use and service for a period of one (1) year including shipping from the date of delivery to the first buyer.
