AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 LDG AL-100 100 Watt Automatic Tuner for Alinco HF Transceivers LDG Electronics 1445 Parran Road St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA Phone: 410-586-2177 Fax: 410-586-8475 ldg@ldgelectronics.com www.ldgelectronics.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 INTRODUCTION LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories in St. Leonard, Maryland, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative automatic tuners and related products for every amateur need. The AL-100 is custom made for Alinco transceivers, and uses your radio’s TUNE button. Congratulations on selecting the AL-100 100-watt automatic tuner for the Alinco HF transceivers.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 Specifications Specifications. Always operate within these limits. • 0.1 to 100 watts SSB and CW peak power, 30W on digital modes. • Latching relays for ultra low power operation. • 200 memories for instantaneous frequency and band changing. • Powered and controlled via radio interface cable. • Designed specifically for Alinco HF transceivers. • 1.8 to 54.0 MHz coverage. • Tunes 4 to 800 ohm loads (16 to 150 on 6M), 16 to 3200 ohms with optional 4:1 Balun.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 Getting to know your AL-100 You’ll be using your AL-100 for a long time; take a few minutes to get to know it. Your AL-100 is a quality, precision instrument that will give you many years of outstanding service; take a few minutes to get to know it. The AL-100 is designed for use with Alinco HF radios. Tuning is performed by pressing the TUNE button on the front of the transceiver.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 Rear Panel The rear panel has standard SO-239 sockets for input and output, a 4-pin DIN socket for radio connection, and a ground post. The rear panel of the AL-100 features four connectors: • Ant connector: Connect the 50-ohm coax antenna feedline to this standard SO-239 connector. • GND connector (wing nut): Connect to earth ground.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 INSTALLATION Your AL-100 is not water resistant; keep it dry. Turn your radio off before you install the tuner. The AL-100 tuner is designed for indoor use only; it is not water resistant. If you use it outdoors (Field Day, for example) you must protect it from rain. The AL-100 is designed for use with coax-fed antennas. You need a balun to use your AL-100 with longwires or antennas fed with ladder line.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 OPERATION Your AL-100 is powered by your radio. You can let your AL100 handle tuning automatically, or you can start a tuning cycle manually if needed. Your AL-100 saves tuning parameters so it can tune instantly when you return to that frequency. Power-Up Turn on the transceiver. The LED on the front panel of the AL-100 will blink once. If it doesn’t, turn off the radio and recheck your connections.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 a memory tuning cycle if data from a previous tune on the present frequency is available. Otherwise, it will perform a full tuning cycle, storing the tuning parameters for future memory tunes. When tuning is complete, the transceiver will return to receive mode. The Status LED on the AL-100 will blink to indicate the status of the match (see table below for blink codes).
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 Status LED The Status LED displays many different kinds of information. The Status LED is used to indicate various operating modes, tuning status, and error conditions. The followings table lists the LED status codes and their meaning. Status LED Indication Meaning On Steady When Tuning Tuning In Process Blinks 1 Time After Tune Good Match Found <1.7 Blinks 2 Times After Tune Medium Match Found >1.7 And <3.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 Application Notes Here are some helpful notes on using your AL-100. Base Station Operation Install your AL-100 in a convenient spot near your operating position. Connect to your Alinco transceiver using the cable provided. Connect the tuner to the antenna connecter of the transceiver using the shortest practical coax cable, and connect the antenna to the tuner’s Antenna connector.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 A Word About Tuning Etiquette Don’t be a Lid! Be careful not to interfere with other stations when you tune. Be sure to use a vacant frequency when tuning. With today’s crowded ham bands, this is often difficult. However, causing interference to other hams should be avoided as much as possible. The AL-100’s very short tuning cycle minimizes the impact of tuning transmissions. Care and Maintenance The AL-100 tuner is essentially maintenance-free.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 product failure, as determined by LDG, to be caused by the customer or by other natural calamity (e.g. lightning) is not covered under the two-year warranty. Damage can be caused by failure to observe the product’s published limitations and specifications, or by not following good Amateur practice. Out of Warranty Service We’ll be happy to fix your tuner even if it’s out of warranty.
AL-100 Operations Manual Version 1.0 Product Feedback Keep those cards, letters and emails coming; we love to hear from our customers. We encourage product feedback! Tell us what you think of your LDG product. In a card, letter, or email (preferred) tell us how you used the product, how well it worked in your application, and any suggestions you have for enhancements or new products. Send along a photo or even a schematic or drawing to illustrate your narrative.
