LDG OT-11P User manual
OT-11P
Automatic Antenna Tuner
For Ten-Tec Orion
Manual Version 1.1
LDG Electronics
1445 Parran Road, PO Box 48
St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA
Phone: 410-586-2177
Fax: 410-586-8475
www.ldgelectronics.com
Copyright © LDG Electronics 2006. All rights reserved.
2
OT-11P
Automatic Antenna Tuner
For the Ten-Tec Orion
Introduction 3
Specifications 3
OT-11P Auto Tuner Overview 4
Installation 6
Operation 11
Theory Of Operation 12
Some Basic Ideas About Impedance 12
Transmitters, Transmission Lines, Antennas and Impedance 12
The LDG OT-11P 14
A Word About Tuning Etiquette 15
Care and Maintenance 15
Technical Support 15
Warranty and Service 15
Firmware Upgrades 16
Feedback 16
3
Introduction
Congratulations on selecting the OT-11P tuner for your Ten-Tec Orion and Orion II transceiver.
This tuner, when installed, will be fully integrated with your transceiver, and will be controlled by
the radio's user interface. Your OT-11P will quickly and automatically match an amazing variety
of antennas.
LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories near
the nation’s capitol, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative
automatic tuners and related products for every amateur need.
Specifications
• Fully integrated with the Orion and Orion II transceiver
• 200 memories for instantaneous frequency or band changing
• Automatic recall of last tuned setting on power-up
• Tuning time: 0.1 to 4 seconds full tune, < 0.1 second memory tune
• Frequency coverage: 1.8 to 30 MHz.
• Tunes 6 to 1000 ohm loads (16 to 150 ohms on 6M), 6 to 4000 ohms with
optional 4:1 Balun (LDG RBA-1)
• For Dipoles, Verticals, Vs, Beams or and Coax Fed Antenna
• Optional external Balun allows tuning of random length, long wire or ladder line
fed antennas
• Powered directly by the Orion radio
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING
Never install antennas or transmission lines over or near
power lines. You can be seriousl
y
in
j
ured or killed if an
y
part
of the antenna, support or transmission line touches a power
line. Alwa
y
s follow this antenna safet
y
rule: the distance to
the nearest power line should be at least twice the len
g
th o
f
the lon
g
est antenna
,
transmission line or su
pp
ort dimension.
4
OT-11P Auto Tuner Overview
Your OT-11P comes fully assembled, aligned and ready to install. You will install the tuner
inside your Orion transceiver, resulting in a fully integrated internal tuner. After installation, your
OT-11P tuner will be controlled by the Orion's front panel TUNE button.
Installation is straightforward; you will mount the tuner inside your Orion transceiver, remove
one coax jumper, install three plugs and solder one connection. These are simple steps, well
within the abilities of anyone with basic electronic assembly skills. Simply follow the step-by-
step directions, referring to the accompanying illustrations. Work patiently, read through each
step completely before proceeding and check your work often.
Your workplace should be uncluttered, well lighted and well ventilated, and protected from static
discharge. A grounded static mat is ideal, but you should at least be able to touch a ground point
(light switch, water pipe, etc) from time to time to avoid static buildup.
Installing the OT-11P according to these instructions does not void your Ten-Tec warranty.
5
A word about power levels
Your OT-11P is custom designed specifically for the Orion transceiver and its power levels.
LDG does not recommend using the OT-11P in any other application. If you choose to do so,
never exceed 125 watts peak power input to the tuner. A minimum of 0.1 watts is required to
activate the tuner.
Required Tools:
You will need a few basic electronic assembly tools to install your OT-11P:
Small soldering iron, 25-40 watts (a temperature-controlled iron is preferred)
Rosin-core or other solder intended for electronic assembly (NEVER use acid core solder for
electronic assembly)
Medium cross-point screwdriver, small hex or star driver
Small pliers
Small wire cutters
Tack Soldering
In one step, you will be instructed to “tack solder” a wire. This refers to soldering a wire end to a
pin with no hole to accept the wire. Simply hold the wire against the pin, heat with your soldering
iron, and apply a small amount of solder. Hold the wire in place until the solder cools. It will help
to tin the wire first, flowing solder onto the wire before soldering it into place.
6
Installation
Before installing your OT-11P tuner, you should upgrade the radio's firmware to the latest
version. Consult the radio's manual and the Ten-Tec web site for instructions on how to do this.
When the firmware upgrade is complete, proceed with installing the tuner.
With your Orion powered down and disconnected from the DC power supply, remove the top and
bottom covers from the radio. Using a medium cross-point screwdriver, remove four screws from
the sides of the radio (two on each side). Using a cross-point or star tool, remove the small screws
from the back of the covers. Set these and all other screws aside for later reassembly; they will all
be reused. The Orion's speaker cone will be exposed throughout the installation; take care not to
damage it.
Turn the radio bottom-up on your workbench with the front panel facing you; directions for
right/left and front/back are relative to this position (front means nearest the front panel). You
will install the OT-11P tuner in the right rear compartment, connecting it to the radio via the five
cables attached to the tuner (one black and one white pair (Control), one red (+12 vdc), and two
coaxial cables (RF IN and RF OUT).
Step 1: Carefully place the OT-11P into position in the right rear compartment of the radio. Be
careful not to pinch or foul any of the wires connected to the tuner. The OT-11P goes in with the
components up (looking down into the bottom of the radio) with the red toroid inductors to the
left. Align the four mounting holes in the tuner with the four holes in the Orion chassis. Secure
with the four small cross-point screws, spacers and washers provided. Hand tighten only; do not
overtighten.
Step 2: Attach the control line. In this step, you will remove the Orion's front panel, attach the
black and white control cable to a connector on the inside of the front panel, then reinstall the
front panel. Follow these sub-steps:
Step 2.1: Don't Panic! Yes, we know you ponied up three large for your Orion, but
removing the front panel is actually a lot easier than it sounds. The Orion front panel is an
integrated assembly that comes off in one piece. You do not have to remove any knobs or
other controls. There are many cables connecting the panel to the radio chassis, but there
is enough slack to let you work leaving all connected.
Step 2.2: Remove the 12 small screws that hold the front panel to the chassis: 4 each on
the top and bottom, 2 on each side. Each screw goes through a black plastic tab on the
outside of the chassis (note for later reassembly). Set the screws aside for later
reassembly.
Step 2.3: Gently pull the front panel assembly away from the chassis. Be careful not to
stress any of the wires connection the front panel to the chassis.
7
Step 2.4: Locate connector J11, a white 7-pin connecter on the inside of the panel
assembly near the center. There is nothing connected to it in the stock radio. Note: Some
Orions have a blank connector here to prevent pin damage. You can remove the blank
connector to install the black and white tuner control connector.
Original Orion Orion II
Step 2.5: Route the black and white control cable from the OT-11P tuner through the
round grommet in the back of the front-panel compartment. It's a snug fit through the
grommet, but you can gently work it through.
Step 2.6: Attach the black and white cable to J11. The connector goes on the 2nd and 3rd
pins, counting from the left. Orient the connector with the wires going "down" toward the
top of the front panel (remember, the radio is upside down at this point).
8
Step 2.7: Reattach the front panel, making sure you don't pinch or bind any wires.
Remember, the black tabs on the edge of the front panel go on the outside of the chassis.
Step 2.8: Take a short coffee break; the worst is over.
Step 3: Route the red wire connected to the OT-11P through the notch in the radio's center-right
shield panel, to the front right compartment of the radio. Locate the small circuit board there, and
the black multi-pin connector on the left side. Locate the two pins closest to the back of the radio.
Carefully tack solder the end of the red wire from the OP-11 to either or both of these pins. Check
your work and make sure there are no solder bridges to the adjacent pins.
9
\
Step 4: Carefully route the two coaxial cables attached to the OT-11P through the round grommet
at the center rear of the radio. The coax cable connectors have flanges, pushing them through one
at a time will make it easier. Route the two cables between the left rear shield panel and the
circuit board mounted vertically in the left rear, to the area directly behind the two SO-239
antenna jacks.
Step 5: Turn the radio over and locate the two coax PC jacks on the PC board mounted flush
against the back of the radio, directly behind the ANT 1 SO-239 antenna jack. There is a jumper
connecting these two jacks. Carefully remove the jumper and discard it (or, you can save it in
case you want to uninstall your OT-11P tuner, but why would you ever want to do that?).
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Step 6: Carefully insert the cable coming from the front of the OT-11P into the jack furtherest
from the right edge of the PC board. This is the cable that is connected to the OT-11P through the
small toroid sensor coil labeled T1 on the tuner. Insert the other cable into the jack nearest the
edge of the PC board. Double check to make sure you have the correct cable in the correct jack.
Step 7: Carefully check your work. Look especially for solder splashes or bridges. Make sure all
wires are routed neatly, and that none will be pinched or fouled when you replace the case covers.
Step 8: Replace the case covers and reconnect antenna and power cables.
Congratulations! You have completed installation of your OT-11P automatic tuner. Proceed to
Operation.
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1
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