Acom ACOM1000 User manual
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Table of Contents
1. GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1-1. Introduction and Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1-2. Owner Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1-3. Equipment Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1-4. Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
1-5. Sa ety Considerations, Explicit De initions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2. INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2-1. Unpacking and Initial Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2-2. Line Voltage Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2-3. Ampli ier Location Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2-4. Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
2-5. Installation o External Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3. POWER ON, CONTROLS AN IN ICATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
4. OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
4-1. Turning ON and OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4-2. Changing Operate and Standby Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4-3. Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
4-4. ON LINE In ormation Screens and Control Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
4-5. Auto-Protection System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5. OFF LINE OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
5-1. Contrast and Backlighting control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
5-2. Auto-Operate enabling and disabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
5-3. Reading Auto-protection Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
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6. MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
6-1. Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
6-2. Fuses Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
6-3. Tube Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
6-4. The ACOM1000 Simpli ied Schematic Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
6-5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
7. SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
7-1. Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
7-2. Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
7-3. Storage and Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
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1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1-1. Introduction and escription
This manual explains the installation, operation, and maintenance o the ACOM1000 HF+6 meters
linear ampli ier.
The ACOM1000 is a complete and sel -contained linear ampli ier that covers all amateurs bands rom
1.8 through 54MHz and provides over 1000W-output power with less than 60W-exciter drive. Antenna
VSWR up to 3:1 is acceptable at ull power. Tuning is substantially simpli ied by a plate-load True Resistance
Indicator (TRI) and by an automatically controlled input attenuator. Operating parameters are displayed
by a multi- unctional backlighted Liquid Crystal Display. Full break-in transmit/receive switching (QSK)
is standard.
1-2. Owner Assistance
I assistance is needed, you should contact your local dealer irst. I you still have an issue you need to
discuss with one o ACOMs specialists, the contact in ormation is as ollows: ax + 359 2 920 96 56,
tel. + 359 2 920 96 55, e-mail [email protected] or acom@aster.net or by mail: bul. Gornobanski
Nr.151, 1330 So ia, Bulgaria.
1-3. Equipment Supplied
The ACOM1000 ampli ier and this manual are shipped in a cardboard carton.
1-4. Features
lEasy to operate. The TRI is a power ul tuning aid which, together with the automatically controlled
input attenuator, helps the operator to quickly and precisely match antennas (5-10 seconds typically).
The auto-operate unction (when enabled) maintains the ampli ier in OPERATE mode or you, thus
saving manual operations and time.
lNo heavy outboard antenna tuners required or antenna VSWR up to 3:1 (and higher on some
bands). Your ampli ier will per orm the unctions o an antenna tuner, thus enabling you to change
antennas aster and use them over a wider requency range (saving tuning time).
lAn ampli ier that is both user- riendly, and that looks a ter itsel . It is designed to sa ely withstand up
to 500W re lected power, up to 100 milliseconds duration o drive spikes, drive RF tails a ter a PTT
or KEY release, operators inadvertent tuning errors etc. It would also not cease to unction with a
so t AC line and would deliver more than hal power at only 75% o nominal mains voltage. It would
withstand up to 10 milliseconds (down to zero) voltage drops, and up to +15% line voltage spikes,
which is important particularly when used at ield days, DXpeditions, and other portable events.
lLCD comment display. All ampli ier status indications are explained via detailed text displayed on
the dot matrix backlighted liquid crystal display (LCD). The upper-lines strip on the LCD always reads
directly peak orward power. LED indicators are provided or OPERATE, attenuation-on, and
ON/OFF conditions.
lEasy maintenance. Signatures o the ampli ier internal status are stored in a nonvolatile memory or
7 most recent auto protection trips. This in ormation can be orwarded to your dealer or diagnostics.
Using an EXCEL APPLICATION (available rom ACOM or your dealer ree o charge) and a PC you can
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decode the signatures by yoursel , too.
lLess noise in the shack: the input bypassing and the vacuum antenna relays are virtually silent even in
QSK CW mode due to their special mounting.
lLess QRM and improved Electro Magnetic Compatibility during tuning. Antenna matching can be
achieved in less than 10 seconds at a quarter o nominal output power.
lOperates without special signals rom the transceiver - ground on TX and 60W RF drive power
are su icient.
lBroadband input matching circuit resulting in very good load to the transceiver over the entire
spectrum rom 1.8MHz up to 54MHz.
lUses a single 4CX800A (GU74B) Svetlana high-per ormance ceramic-metal tetrode with plate
dissipation o 800W ( orced air cooling, grid-driven).
lPermanent monitoring and protection o plate and grid voltages and currents, as well as o the
exhaust air temperature. The Bias Optimizer decreases the heat dissipated rom the tube, and there is
automatic protection against overheating in accordance with the speci ications o the tube producer.
lAn output RF Arc protection is employed. It sa eguards the ampli ier, antenna, antenna selector, and
tuner against severe damage in case o possible break down.
lHigh voltage power supply inrush current protection, which eliminates the danger o a ecting sensitive
devices, connected to the same mains circuit (important when used portable). The ampli ier can be
con igured or 5 nominal line voltages: 200, 210, 220, 230, and 240VAC, 50 or 60Hz (100, 110, and
120VAC on request).
lContinuous measuring and/or selectable monitoring o 12 most important parameters o the ampli ier,
exciter and antennas via LCD.
lThe ampli ier can be shipped with 10 and 12 meters capability disabled as required by the FCC or
US users. Contact your dealer about enabling those bands.
1-5. Safety Considerations, Explicit efinitions
The ACOM1000 HF+6 meters Linear Ampli ier is a Sa ety Class I unit. The third grounding lead o its
mains cord (which is colored yellow with two green stripes) and the ground stud on the rear panel o
the ampli ier, (marked GND) must be connected to the stations grounding system or sa e operation.
The ampli ier is designed to meet international sa ety standards and complies with CE sa ety and
electromagnetic compatibility requirements, as well as FCC regulations.
This operating manual contains in ormation, precautions, indications or cautions and warnings which
must be ollowed by the user to ensure sa e operation and to keep the ACOM1000 in sa e operating
condition.
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PRECAUTIONS:
The EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS described below apply to this operating manual:
W A R N I N G notes call attention to a procedure which, i not correctly per ormed, could result in
personal injury, ire hazard or electric shock.
C A U T I O N notes call attention to a procedure which, i not correctly per ormed, could result in
equipment damage, not only in the ampli ier.
N O T E notes call attention to a procedure which, i not correctly per ormed, could result in
inconvenience.
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE!
The amplifier works with high voltages up to 3000V, which are LETHAL!
Also, for your safety, pull the amplifier power plug out of the mains wall
outlet and WAIT AT LEAST 30 minutes EACH TIME BEFORE you remove
the cover of the amplifier. o not touch any part inside while the amplifier
is open because some residual voltages may still be present.
W A R N I N G HIGH VOLTAGE!
NEVER ALLOW ANYONE, ESPECIALLY CHIL REN,
to push anything into holes in the case - this will cause electric shock. NEVER
TOUCH AN ANTENNA during transmission - this may result in an electric
shock or burn. NEVER EXPOSE the amplifier to rain, snow or any liquids.
AVOI placing the amplifier in excessively dusty environments or in direct
sunlight. O NOT OBSTRUCT AIR INTAKE (rear panel) and EXHAUST
(top cover) areas of the amplifier. Keep a minimum distance of 10cm (4
inches) to the intake and 50cm (20 inches) to the exhaust.
W A R N I N G
o not undertake on your own repairs or changes in hardware or software
of the amplifier. Otherwise you may endanger your or others health and
life or damage the amplifier and the equipment connected with it, not
covered by warranty. The manufacturer is not liable for anothers actions
and responsibility shall be assumed by the doer.
C A U T I O N
To avoid damage (not covered under warranty) read the Installation - Section 2 o
this operating manual care ully. I you have any doubts about the installation, operation
or sa eties o the ampli ier please consult your dealer.
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2. INSTALLATION
2-1. Unpacking and Initial Inspection
N O T E
Be ore you start to install the ampli ier, thoroughly read this manual. First, care ully
inspect the cardboard carton and its contents or physical damage. I damage is
noticed, noti y your dealer immediately. Delay may in ringe carriers warranty
conditions. Keep all packing or possible uture transportation!
2-2. Line Voltage Selection
C A U T I O N
To avoid damage (not covered under warranty), check care ully i the voltage or
which the ampli ier is set corresponds to your mains nominal voltage.
Normally the ampli ier is supplied set or a nominal line voltage o 240V. There might be exceptions in
cases o special delivery and then the voltage set is noted in the Table o Individual Data (Table 2-1). I
your power line has a di erent nominal voltage, it will be necessary or you to contact your dealer.
AMP s/n
Tube s/n
Voltage Selector VAC
Table 2-1. ACOM 1000 Individual Data
2-3. Amplifier Location Selection
C A U T I O N
The weight o the unit is about 22kg, which should pre erably be handled by two
persons.
Position the ampli ier near the place where it will be used. Youll need an easy access to the command
knobs and indicators area, as well as to the rear panel cabling.
No magnetic- ield sensitive devices should be located next to the right side o the ampli ier as its power
trans ormer is located there. Its best to position it to the right o your transceiver. No temperature
sensitive devices should be located above the exhaust hot air area, so dont push it under a shel . You
may pre er to use the bottom scales o both variable capacitor knobs (TUNE and LOAD) i you install
it on a shel . DO NOT OBSTRUCT AIR INTAKE (rear panel) and EXHAUST (top cover) areas o the
ampli ier. Keep a minimum distance o 10cm (4 inches) to the intake and 50cm (20 inches) to the
exhaust.
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2-4. Connections
Connection to your station must be accomplished in the order described below, be ore you apply
mains voltage to the ampli ier.
W A R N I N G
Note that the grounding system may have to withstand currents over 10A
with insignificant voltage drop on it. Therefore, it may be necessary to
improve it considerably, i.e. to become less resistive, with heavier leads and
lower-resistive ground path. The grounding leads should be at least 4mm²
(AWG 11 or SWG 13).
Fig.2-1 Connections
a) First, connect the ground stud o the ampli ier (on the rear panel, marked GND) to the stations
grounding system (Fig.2-1).
b) Connect a coaxial cable with a PL-259 plug rom the transceiver output to the ampli ier rear panel
RF INPUT socket.
C A U T I O N
I this is the irst time you will use a power ampli ier in your station, pay attention to
the coaxial cable type rom the ampli iers output. It must handle the increased
power sa ely, particularly on the 10 and 6 meters bands. We recommend, that you
use RG213 or better. Check the same or the antenna selector and tuner as well as
the antenna itsel (especially multi-band trap antennas).
c) Connect a coaxial cable rom the ampli ier output (on the rear panel, marked RF OUTPUT) with a
PL-259 plug to the antenna selector or tuner or to the antenna or the respective band.
d) Run a cable terminated in a Phono (RCA) connector rom the transceiver socket providing ground
on transmit to the ampli ier rear panel KEY-IN socket.
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N O T E
Your ampli ier will not work i KEY-IN is not connected properly.
Transceiver producers give di erent names to this output and they are or instance TX-GND, SEND,
T/R-LINE, etc. Some transceivers require that ground on transmit is implemented via a so tware
command, or by changing the setting o a switch on the rear panel, or interior o the transceiver. Check
your transceivers manual.
e) The KEY-OUT socket on the rear panel provides an extra control signal rom the ampli ier to the
transceiver. It could be used to improve the transmit/receive switching sa ety.
I your transceiver has a suitable input that disables transmission, we recommend that you connect it
with a cable terminated in a Phono (RCA) connector to the KEY-OUT socket o the ampli ier. Transceiver
producers give di erent names to this input and they are or instance TX-INHIBIT, MUTE, LINEAR,
etc. Check your transceivers manual or consult your dealer.
I your transceiver does not have such input, dont worry - the ampli ier will unction normally as well,
and then the KEY-OUT may remain unused.
) Preparation o wall outlet or the ampli ier.
W A R N I N G
If your amplifier is only fitted with one mains fuse, it is suitable for 0-220...240
VAC electricity supplies ONLY (these supplies are standard in the European
Community). Your dealer will check that your amplifier is correctly fused
before it is shipped to you. Customers should check with a qualified
electrician if the amplifier is to be used outside the country in which it was
purchased.
Due to the di erent standards in di erent countries, the mains plug is supplied and mounted by the
dealer. He connects to the mains cord end a standard mains supply plug which meets the Sa ety Class I
units standard in your country. The ground lead o the ampli iers power cord is colored yellow with
two green stripes and the blue and brown leads are active. When the ampli ier is to be used with only
one mains use, it is connected in series with the brown lead, which must be the active. I you have any
doubts about the correct way o connecting the wires, consult your dealer.
W A R N I N G
Before connecting the amplifier to your mains supply, be sure that the supply
is correctly wired, and is adequate for the current drawn by the amplifier
(up to 10A). Make certain that the grounding lead is connected properly in
the wall outlet for the amplifier.
It is pre erable that you use the wall outlet closest to the source. The installation leads should be at least
1.5mm² (AWG 15 or SWG 17). Check i the respective uses can handle current up to 10A, as well, as
i the voltage corresponds to the voltage or which the ampli ier is set (S.2-2). I you connect the ampli ier
to a di erent mains outlet, be sure that you check it, too.
Make sure the main Power Switch on the rear panel is in OFF position and insert ampli iers mains plug
into the wall outlet prepared or it. The ampli ier remains switched o .
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2-5. Installation of External Fan
This an (Fig. 2-1) is not necessary in SSB and CW modes, nor in continuous carrier modes (RTTY, SSTV
etc.) with carrier down times o maximum 15 minutes and a subsequent pause o 3 minutes. For higher
duties or ambient temperatures the an is recommended. The auxiliary an (92x92mm) must be brushless
type, 2...5W/24VDC. It may be installed by your dealer or by the manu acturer on request.
3. POWER ON, CONTROLS AN IN ICATORS
C A U T I O N
Do not turn the ampli ier on or at least 2 hours a ter unpacking it in the room
where it will be used. Pay particular attention when you move it rom a very cold
into a very warm place - condensation is likely and this could result in damage to the
high voltage circuits. In such a case, wait at least 4 hours. A similar e ect can occur
a ter a rapid warming o the operating room ( or instance a ter switching on a
power ul heater in a cold shack).
C A U T I O N
To avoid damage (not covered under warranty) care ully check that the voltage or
which the ampli ier is set corresponds to your mains nominal voltage (see S.2-2 and
table 2-1).
A ter ollowing all instructions in S.2, you can turn ON the main power switch marked LINE on the
rear panel (Fig.2-1). The red LED indicator above the red ON/OFF button located on the ront panel
must light red and a black inscription ACOM1000 will appear on the LCD (Fig.3-1):
Fig.3-1 ACOM1000 Display and Control
Youll note that the upper line o the LCD always reads directly peak orward power, even while the
tube is not driven. The 1200W scale resolution is 10W per bar, dots division weight is 60W, and igures
are multiple to 300W. Note also that levels below 20W may be not detected.
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N O T E
I the characters on the LCD are dim or not readable, please ollow the method o
LCD contrast and backlighting adjustment described in S.5-1.
In this position (called OFF LINE herea ter) only the micro-controller is operational, while the ampli ier
itsel is still turned o (the tube is not powered at all).
The control o the ampli ier is accessible during OFF LINE and ON LINE states, each having several
in ormation screens and control unctions (see Fig.3-2):
POWER ON
OFF LINE (ON/OFF) ON LINE
(PREV+NEXT) (PREV+NEXT)
(PREV+NEXT)
(PREV+NEXT)
(PREV+NEXT)
(NEXT or PREV)
Contrast 1...9
Back-light 1...5 (NEXT)
(NEXT)
(PREV)
(PREV)
A to-Operate OFF
A to-Operate
A to-Operate ON
(OPER)
List of
A to-Prot.
Signat res
(PREV)--(NEXT)
INFORMATION
Forward power
Reflected power
O tp t Power
Antenna VSWR
Drive RF Power
RF Power Gain
Plate C rrent
High Voltage
Plate RF Peak
Screen C rrent
DC Power Inp t
Exh. Air Temp.
T ning
TRI
(+2sec)
LCD adj.
S.5
S.3
S.4S.4-1
S.4-4 S.4-3
S.5-1
S.5-1
S.5-2
S.5-2
S.5-3
Fig.3-2 In ormation Screens and Control Functions Structure
The OPER button alternatively changes operate and standby modes (S.4-2) while ON LINE. Please
note that Auto-Operate might be enabled. The same button activates signature list while OFF LINE.
The PREV and NEXT buttons change in ormation screens or select control unctions (S.4-4) or both
OFF LINE and ON LINE.
The ON/OFF button alternatively switches OFF LINE and ON LINE states o the ampli ier.
You can proceed in one o two directions:
a) You can use the OFF LINE in ormation screens and control unctions. They re er to the auto-protection
signatures list, LCD contrast and backlighting control, as well as the Auto-Operate eature. This is
described in S5.
b) You can turn on the ampli ier and begin the warm-up sequence. A ter 2.5 minutes you may tune and
start operating the ampli ier and you can use the ON LINE in ormation screens or control unctions
(see below).
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