Codan Radio Communications AMP-3-150 User Manual

Page of 12
VHF 30W Power Amplifi er Instruction Manual
IM71-AMP3150-30
Alignment & Installation
11
CONTROL BOARD 
ALIGNMENT
Refer to the VHF 30W Power Amplifi er Control 
Board Component Layout Diagram for the 
location of the adjustment potentiometers and 
test points.
This procedure assumes the use of 1/2 
wavelength RF output cables between all 
pieces of test equipment after the PA output for 
accurate power readings during mismatched 
load conditions. 
Step 1: Once the amplifi er board alignment is 
complete, the exciter can be turned off and its 
amplifi er re-connected to the local oscillator. 
Next, the male connectors or test jig can be 
removed from the amplifi er board and the 
control board along with the front panel can be 
re-connected to the power amplifi er. The power 
amplifi er can then be connected via the gray 
cable to the second extender card which should 
be installed in the designated location within the 
subrack for the power amplifi er. 
Step 2: With the exciter’s output still connected 
to the input of the power amplifi er and the 
output of the power amplifi er still connected 
through an RF coupler into a wattmeter and 
50 Ohm load, set the transmitter to the desired 
frequency. Next, adjust the output power of the 
exciter such that the PA output is 10W. Then 
adjust potentiometer RV1 until LED1, or the ‘RF 
POWER’ indicator, just turns on. This threshold 
may be adjusted to any RF output power level 
between 10W and 30W. 
Step 3: Set the exciter output power such that 
the output power from the PA is equal to that 
under normal operating conditions. Replace 
the 50 Ohm load with a suitably rated 3:1 
mismatched load. Adjust potentiometer RV2 until 
LED2, or the ‘HIGH VSWR’ indicator, just turns 
on. 
Step 4: As a check, terminate the power 
amplifi er once again with a 50 Ohm load and 
ensure that LED2 is now off. If it is not off, adjust 
RV2 until LED2 just turns off. Doublecheck 
that the LED still activates when the output is 
terminated with a 3:1 load. This threshold may 
be adjusted with a 3:1 on the output of the PA 
anywhere from 10W to 30W out.
Step 5: Disconnect the RF termination on the 
PA such that the output is an open load. Activate 
the exciter then adjust potentiometer RV3 until 
LED3, or the ‘OVERLOAD’ indicator,  just turns 
on. When this occurs the output power is also 
substantially reduced to help protect the RF 
transistor. If the overload LED is turning on 
without having to adjust RV3, power down the 
exciter re-adjust RV3 and re-activate the exciter. 
This confi rms that antenna VSWR overload 
protection works correctly.
NOTE: The above three pots, RV1 to RV3, on the control 
board should be re-checked and possibly re-adjusted if any of 
the following changes are applied to the unit:
• The output power level is changed
• The frequency is changed
• The output cable length is changed
POWER AMPLIFIER 
INSTALLATION
The AMP-3/150 RF power amplifi er is designed 
for operation with any of the Daniels MT-2, MT-
3 or MT-4 VHF transmitter exciters. A complete 
SR-3 subrack shipped directly from the factory 
is normally set to the appropriate options and 
output power calibration as requested by the 
customer. These units require no tuning. 
For AMP-3/150 amplfi iers shipped separately 
from the SR-3 subrack, install as outlined:
- Connect +13.8V DC Power Supply to subrack
- Connect the output of the exciter to the input of 
the VHF 30W PA with the cable provided
- Connect the antenna system (using a 1/2 
wavelength cable if possible), turn on the PA 
and key the transmitter. The ‘RF POWER’ LED 
should light and the other three LED indicators 
should remain off.
The LED indicators will only illuminate when the 
power amplifi er is on and are defi ned as follows:
-RF POWER - Indicates that the minimum preset 
RF power level is present at the power amplifi er 
output. The threshold is internally adjustable 
for RF output levels in the 10-30 watt range 
(Factory set at 10W).
- HIGH VSWR - Alarm indicating that the load 
impedance mismatch is higher than the preset 
level. The threshold is internally adjustable for 
load mismatches from 2:1 to an open output 
(Factory set at 3:1).