Specifications

SMARTUNER MANUAL 49
SGC Inc. SGC Building, 13737 S.E. 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005 USA
© Nov2000 SGC, Inc. P.O. Box 3526, 98009 Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]
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Receiver
Antenna
Figure 10.1.2
Thus, the SMARTUNER can be used in receiver-only systems to enhance its reception
capabilities.
11.0 Troubleshooting the SMARTUNER
Only a small number of installation mistakes can be made. These will fall into one of
several categories: ground fault, cable fault, and antenna fault. There is also a slight
chance of an electrical fault in the coupler.
When you are troubleshooting the SMARTUNER and you understand that there are
three variables, you should change each variable, in sequence, to determine where the
problem lies. If you change the ground, antenna, or supply voltage, you are bound to
change the performance of the coupler.
11.1 Ground Faults
Common ground faults include faulty counterpoise, indecisive ground, differing
resistance, improper bonding, and problems resulting from inaccurate assumptions.
Faulty counterpoise. The most common problem encountered here is when an
installation has been made without a proper counterpoise. If the counterpoise is
electrically smaller than the antenna, the system may load “upside down”—where the
antenna acts as the counterpoise and the counterpoise radiates. When this condition
occurs, the operator may encounter “RF Bites” from touching metal objects connected to
the counterpoise.
Indecisive ground. A second kind of ground fault occurs when the decision whether
the ground or the antenna should radiate is difficult. When this condition is
encountered (usually at a frequency where the counterpoise is near resonance), the
coupler may cycle repeatedly. This condition may be addressed as follows:
• You may give short bursts of CW and when the coupler stops in a tuned
condition, as indicated by the remote tuned LED, you may invoke the SmartLock
Tune Lock function, thus forcing the coupler to retain correct settings.