INSTRUCTION MANUAL HF ・50MHz LINEAR POWER AMPLIFIER ON AIR FAN ID Pf/kW Pr/VD/ID/ALC PROT HF SOLID STATE LINEAR AMPLIFIER HL-2500FX POWER OPER. OUTPUT HI VD METER ID ALC ANT A BAND AUTO Pr OFF STBY LO B -0- MAN’L 10 7 MAN’L 14 18/21 3.5 24/28 1.
1.Introduction Thank you for purchasing the HL-2500FX. This compact and lightweight desktop HF linear power amplifier has a maximum input power of 2.9 kW. Our solid-state broadband power amp technology makes it the smallest and lightest in the industry. Typical output power is 1.5 kW PEP/SSB on HF (1kW on 50MHz) with the drive power of 85-90 W.
it is recommended that clamp-on ferrite cores be inserted at both ends of the remote control cable, ALC cable, coaxial jumper cable, and antenna cables, as needed. Also, a common mode AC line filter (near the AC outlet), and in-line low pass filters on the antenna coaxial cable, (as necessary), are recommended. 2-7 The amplifier has fast acting sophisticated protection circuits controlled by the latest microprocessor technology.
2-12 Keep the aluminum heat sink and air openings free from dust and blockages. Periodic cleaning will prevent degraded cooling efficiency. 2-13 For long continuous operation in RTTY/FM modes, it is recommended you reduce the RF drive levels by 20% to 30% lower output than CW/SSB modes. 2-14 To prevent damage to the precision electronic components, avoid extreme physical shock to the amplifier. If factory service is required, the amplifier MUST be shipped using the original box and packaging materials. 3.
3-6 The amp utilizes an advanced 16 bit MPU (microprocessor) to run the various high speed protection circuits such as overdrive, high antenna SWR, DC overvoltage, band mis-set etc. 3-7 This amplifier is compatible with AC 200 V and 250 V as well as AC 100V to 125V. 3-8 For the safety of the operator, an Interlock system is employed. The AC power is shut down if the top cover is removed, and the automated safety interlock is activated.
4. Specifications Frequency : Mode RF Drive Output Power : : : Matching Transceivers for Auto Band Decoder : Drain Voltage Drain Current Input Impedance Output Impedance Final Transistor Circuit Cooling Method MPU Multi-Meter : : : : : : : : : Input/Output Connectors AC Power AC Consumption Dimension : : : : Weight Accessories : : Optional Items : 1.8 ~ 50 MHz all amateur bands including WARC bands SSB, CW, RTTY 85W typ. (100W max.) 1.5 kW PEP/CW (typ.
5. AC Line Voltage 5-1 The amplifier is designed to work with any AC voltage world wide, (200- 250 V and 100-125V). When connected to 100-125V line, maximum available output power is 1kW on HF and 500W on 6m band. 5-2 The correct AC plug (not included in the package), must be obtained locally due to the AC plug variations worldwide. 5-3 For the best performance and stability, it is strongly recommended that you will connect to AC 230V line (200V～250V). 6.
⑥BAND-AUTO/MANUAL To select band switching methods AUTO or MANUAL. When using AUTO, the manufacturer for the transceiver in use should be selected. When the band data cable is not used, MANUAL should be selected. (See page 19, 10 Operation / Setting) ⑦BAND-MANUAL Rotary switch for band change in the manual mode. While the transceiver is on Receive (RX) mode, turn to select the desired frequency band operate. The switches will not work when the transceiver and the amplifier are in Transmit (TX) mode.
7 Rear Panel Description 1 2 ANT B 3 4 5 6 ANT A REMOTE SELECT DC OUT 12V2A TUNER FUSE FUSE CONT INPUT SERIAL ALC ADJ ALC SEND G N D FUSE FUSE AC IN USB 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ①ANT-B RF Output Connector. Connect coax cable to the antenna B. ②ANT-A RF Output Connector. Connect coax cable to the antenna A. ③TUNER DIN Socket. Connect the control cable from External Auto Antenna Tuner, HC-1500AT and or HC-1.5KAT. ④SELECT Switch to select the transceiver (i.e.
⑧ALC RCA Jack for ALC Voltage Output. Negative DC voltage appears at the center pin, which is fed back to the ALC terminal of the transceiver. ALC is used to keep the amplifier output power at certain limits. Also it is useful when the transceiver output power is higher than 100W (Seen page 18, Section 9-C. 7 ALC Adjustment). Also consult with your HF transceiver’s user manual. ⑨SEND RCA Jack. Connect the control cable from the ACC terminal (or SEND, TX GND etc.) of the transceiver.
７ LCD Panel Description LCD displays the status of the amp in various situations. Capacity is 24 characters in two rows. Basic Signs Following s are the common signs to appear while amp is in operation. *21MHz *28MHz 1.8MHz 3.5MHz 7MHz 10MHz 14MHz 18MHz 21MHz 24MHz 28MHz 50MHz EXCD BAND Manual AUT-CIV AUT-YAE AUT-KEN AUT-TEN AUT-ICM AUT-FLX AUT-ELC AUT-FRQ ANT-A ANT-B BAND SET MODE ANTENNA SELECT 1.
8-A Basic Connection Following is a basic example of connection with the transceiver without using Band Data Cable. Antenna Caox. Cable HL-2500FX Transceiver AN TB ANT AN A REMOTE TUNER DC OUT 12V1A TB FUSE GN D UT ALC SEND ALC ADJ FUSE SERIAL A SE L ND C white 200VL 200VN GND black green Note ■SEND SEND socket is named “RELAY”, “TX GND”, “SEND” etc depending on radio models. (Refer to user manual of the transceiver.
８-B Connection with Auto Tuner HC-1500AT Following illustration shows a connection example with ICOM radio(CI-V) and Tokyo Hy-Power HC1500AT, auto antenna tuner. HC-1500AT is equipped with such an advanced function as receiving various data (ex. Band data, SEND command etc.) from the radio and then passing them to the linear amp. Example below utilizes this feature. (Refer to the HC-1500AT manual for the details.
９ Operation 9-A Quick Learning / About Status Modes There are four operation status modes of STBY, OPER, ONAIR, and PROT. 1) STBY (Stand-by) Mode 1.8MHz AUT-CIV ANT-A STBY Temp35C OUT_Hi This is a status when POWER switch is only turned on. RF path is in THRU (or by-pass), and DC supply to FET drain is shut down. You may change BAND and other settings at this state. ON AIR FAN ID Pf/kW Pr/VD/ID/A LC OPER.
９-B Quick Learning / About Basic Signs On LCD and LED Lamps 1) CB Band Inhibit The amp will shut down the transmission when driving signal of 26,000 through 27,999 (CB band) is detected due to FCC rule. When combining with ICOM and Kenwood radios, frequency data of operation is passed to CPU, even at RX state, to prohibit the transmission. EXCDMHz Is signed on LCD. (Freq.
９-C Quick Learning / About TX Trial We recommend for you to run a trial operation, at first, under the Manual Band Set mode (without band data cable connected to radio). With this trial, you can check if antenna, cables, and AC power line are in a proper condition. In case you encounter any trouble under Auto Band Set connection, later, you could return to this trial mode to see where the cause of trouble is.
９－C Quick Learning / About TX Trial 3）Band Setting Set the freq. BAND as desired for both transceiver and HL-2500FX. (Ex.: 14MHz) ON AIR 14MHz FAN ID Pf/kW PROT Pr/VD/ID/ALC HF SOLID STATE LINEAR AMPLIFIER HL-2500FX POWER OPER. OUTPUT VD HI METER ID ANT ALC A BAND AUTO Pr OFF STBY LO B 10 7 MAN’L 24/28 1.8 50 MAN’L NOTICE When the BAND switch is turned under Man’l Set mode, selected BAND will shift as follows: ・If turned clock-wise, BAND will shift in the order of 14⇒21⇒28⇒50MHz.
９-C Quick Learning / About TX Trial 4) Switching to OPER At OPER. (Operate Mode) status, the amp is ready to run together with combined transceiver. ON AIR FAN ID Pf/kW PROT Pr/VD/ID/ALC HF SOLID STATE LINEAR AMPLIFIER HL-2500FX POWER OPER. OUTPUT VD HI METER ID ANT ALC A BAND AUTO Pr OFF STBY LO B 10 7 MAN’L 14 18/21 3.5 24/28 1.8 50 MAN’L 14 MHz Manual ANT-A OPER Temp35C OUT Hi 5) Transmitting Key (RTT) the transceiver with CW (or RTTY) carrier. The amp is driven to transmit.
９-C Quick Learning / About ALC Adjustment 7) ALC Adjustment ALC helps the amp keep its output power at desired level. ALC is effective to avoid overdriving of the amp, especially when high power transceiver is combined. When adjusting ALC, use a dummy load of 2kW capacity, and /or a good antenna with SWR of 1:1 or less. ① “ALC ADJ” pot should be, at first, turned fully counter clock-wise. ② Select desired freq. band and CW (or RTTY) mode.
１０ Operation / Setting 10-A With ICOM (CI-V) Connect twin RCA plug cable (included in the package), and optional ICOM band data cable as shown in the figure below. Set AUTO/MAN’L switch to AUTO position and select ICOM with SELECT switch located on the rear panel. AUTO-CIV will be displayed on LCD panel. Set the CI-V menu of ICOM radio as shown below, and HL-2500FX will follow the band of ICOM radio.
１０ Operation / Setting 10-B With YAESU Connect twin RCA plug cable (included in the package) and optional YAESU band data cable as shown in the figure below. Set AUTO/MAN’L switch to AUTO position and select YAESU with SELECT switch located on the rear panel. AUT-YAE will be displayed on LCD panel , and HL-2500FX will follow the band of Yaesu radio.
１０ Operation / Setting 10-C With KENWOOD Prepare a control cable for PTT(SEND) and ALC. One end should be DIN plug for REMOTE of Kenwood radio. The other end should be two RCA jacks of the amp. (Refer to Kenwood manual for REMOTE socket pin assignment.) Set AUTO/MAN’L switch to AUTO position and select KENWOOD with SELECT switch located on the rear panel. AUT-KEN will be displayed on the LCD panel, and HL-2500FX will follow the band of Kenwood radio.
１０ Operation / Setting 10-D With ELECRAFT(K3) Connect included twin RCA plug cable and optional Elecraft band data cable as shown in the figure below. Set AUTO/MAN’L switch to AUTO position and select ELECRAFT with SELECT switch located on the rear panel. AUT-ELC will be displayed on LCD panel and HL-2500FX will follow the band of K3 radio. Band Data Cable Connection EBC-2.
１０ Operation / Setting 10-E Frequency Count Method When there is no way of auto band-set connection between the transceiver and the amplifier and or when it is desired to make mutual band connection simple, auto band-set-operation is feasible utilizing the frequency counting feature built in this amplifier. Set AUTO/MAN’L switch to AUT-FRQ with SELECT switch located on the rear panel. AUT-FRQ will be displayed on LCD panel and the amp will set the band automatically reading the frequency of driving signal .
１１ Protection Circuit 11-A Interlock Protection ★ “Interlock” is built in for the safety of operator, avoiding the unexpected accidents from electric and thermal shocks. All power shut down. No sign. Sign Status Main DC P. Supply (Vdd) AC Magnet Relay RF path Fan Control ON AIR FAN ID Pf/kW PROT Pr/VD/ID/ALC Shut down Shut down Shut down Shut down HF SOLID STATE LINEAR AMPLIFIER HL-2500FX POWER OPER.
１１-B Fault Protection FAULT PROTECTION Fault Protection is built in to avoid the damage to the amp due to the severe cause of fault within the amplifier or on the AC power line. PROT lamp glows. Message is displayed Sign Status Main DC P. Supply AC Magnet Relay RF Path Fan Control 1.
１１ Protection Circuit 11-C Protection / Slight Fault Another group of protection circuits are provided to shut down the transmission when the other faults occur within the amp. PROT lamp glows. Message is displayed Sign Status Main DC P. Supply (Vdd)） AC Magnet Relay RF Path FAN・Control Circuit 1.8MHz AUT-CIV ANT-A PROT CROWBAR On ON Thru ON Protection Sign Reset ON AIR FAN ID Pf/kW POWER Pr/VD/ID/A LC METER ID VD ALC OPER.
１１ Protection Circuit 11-C Protection / Slight Fault Crowbar When the FET drain current and reflected power from antenna significantly exceed the limit, crowbar circuit trips instantly to protect valuable FET finals, without waiting for the response from the microprocessor. It blanks the RF drive for 100ms. During this time period, microprocessor detects the abnormal states to issue shut down command under “PROT CROWBER”.
１１ Protection Circuit 11-D Protection / Reduced Power Operation If slight failure occur such as “over current”, for example, while working under OUT=Hi mode (High output mode), the amp is not necessarily shut down, but enters into reduced power operation mode Sign Status Following message displayed Main DC P. Supply (Vdd)） AC Magnet Relay RF path Output Setting) FAN, control circuit 1.
１２ Technical Information about Various Connectors 12-A CONT Connector (Control) Various control signals are concentrated in this connector. (D-SUB 15pin Connector, Female) Pin Assignment Pin # Signal Description Remarks 1 +12V Auxiliary DC P. Supply +12V0.1A Never short 9 +5V Auxiliary DC P. Supply +5V0.1A Never short 2 RXD Serial Comm. Port (RX) For EIA232_TRX 10 TXD Serial Comm.
１２ Technical Information About Various Connectors 12-C CONT Connect (Control) Serial connector for utility use (D-SUB 9pin Connector, Female) Pin Assignment Pin # Signal Description Remarks 2 RD RX Signal For straight cable 3 TD TX Signal For straight cable 5 GND Signal Ground Others No Connection Note This connector is for utility use, and can not be connected to the transceiver. It is a different one from TD/RD of CONT connector.
１２ Technical Information About Various Connectors 12-E REMOTE Connector For controlling the amplifier from the remote location. (Type SMP04V by Nichiatsu) Pin Assignment Pin # Signal Description 1 WAKE-UP+ Start up voltage IN＋ 2 WAKE-UP- Start up voltage IN－ OPER_EXT External OPER Input GND Signal GND 3 4 Note Note : Please refer to “Remote Controlled Operation” Section. - 31 - Remarks Start up when DC12V applied. (DC12V100mA) To enter “Operate” when pin 3 grounded (15mA).
１２ Technical Information about Various Connectors 12-F About SEND Interface Circuit +12V 1kΩ To relay Relay To control circuit TX/RX switch terminal (SEND socket) is controlled through photo-MOS relay rather than thru direct relay switching. Open voltage is +12V, and draws 10ma when grounded.
１２ Technical Information about Various Connectors 12-I About YAESU and K3 Interface Circuit Four bits of band data (A to D) are connected to CONT connector as illustrated. 1 9 CONT 2 10 BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D GND 3 11 4 12 5 13 This interface is used for Elecraft K3 as well. 6 14 7 15 8 12-J About KENWOOD Interface Circuit CONT 1 9 6 2 10 7 3 11 8 4 12 9 5 13 Kenwood uses TD/RD pins of CONT connector for EIA232C based serial communication.
13 Maintenance 13-A How to remove the top cover To remove the top cover, unscrew nine M3 bolts and eight M4 bolts on the upper surface, as well as six each M3 bolts at right and left surfaces of the cover. Inter-Lock Upper Surface M3x6 9（Black） M4x8 8（Red） Left surface Right surface M3x6 6 M3x6 6 Lift the cover carefully. CAUTION Inter-Lock switch is located. ON AIR FAN Widen ID Pf/kW PROT Pr/VD/ID/ALC HF SOLID STATE LINEAR AMPLIFIER HL-2500FX Widen POWER OPER.
13 Maintenance 13-B How to replace Fuses Variety of fuses are built in the amplifier. Fuses are consumption item, and may melt to blow, as time passes by even if there is no failure in the circuit. Q’ty Fuse Name and Location Specs/Rating Problem when blown Possible Cause AC Fuse AC Primary Line 2 250CF6.
13 Maintenance 13-C Fuse Location DC Fuse /PA FET Drain DC58V20A（Yellow) x3 T/R Relay Box L.P.F. RF Power Combiner Drain Vdd P.S. １ Control DC P.S. DC Fuse (Control circuit DC 3.2A (Black) and12V DC P.S. Drain Vdd P.S. 2 PA Control Circuit Board RF Power Splitter - 36 - RF Input Prot Fuse 1.
１4 Block Diagram and Explanation of Major Circuitry 14-A RF Amp Driving RF signal transmitted from the transceiver is lead to the ATT/ Limitter board via T/R-Assy unit, where there is 3dB attenuator as well as RF limiter. These circuitry properly levels the magnitude of RF signal and also instantly shuts down the input to protect the amplifier. There is a three port splitter located in this board that sprits a driving signal equally into three components, which are then fed to final PA module.
１4 Block Diagram and Explanation of Major Circuitry 14-B DC Power Supply 14-C Control Circuit AC power is received at the IEC socket intake and passes the line filter. There are safety fuses on both lines. There are control power supply and FET drain power supply . Start up is usually made by turning on and off of control power supply. DC 12V, 24V and 100V are available when control power supply is turned on, and are always outputted once the POWER is turned on.
