Elecraft KAT100 User Manual

1Elecraft KAT100 Automatic Antenna Tuner Revision C, March 12, 2003 KAT100-1 shown above. See page 3 for photo of full-height version (KAT100-2).

10 Install the 200-ohm, 1-watt resistor (red-blk-brn) at R2, on thebottom of the board. Make sure R2 is flat against the board beforesoldering. Inst

11i If you're building a KAT100-1, skip the remaining stepsin this column. Connectors P3, P4, and P6 are only suppliedwith th

12Locate voltage regulator U8 (78M05 or 7805). Bend the leads ofU8 to match its component outline (see Figure 4). Form the leadsaround the shaft of a

13 Place relays at locations K1-K18. The relays can only be installedone way. Do not solder the relays yet, and do not clip or bendthe rela

14i In the next two steps, the leads of L1 will be strippedand tinned. Toroid leads must be prepared correctly tomaintain reliabi

15 Toroidal inductors L2-L8 are shown in the photos at right (Figure8). Wind each of these toroids using the indicated cores, either T80-0(brown, phen

16 Locate the two dark gray (ferrite) toroid cores. The smaller ofthe two (type FT37-43) has an outside diameter of 0.37" (9.5 mm).This core will

17Uninstalled ComponentsVerify that these locations on the RF board are not filled:Top side:__ U1 (microcontroller, 16F877), should not be installed i

18Front Panel Board Assembly Place the Front Panel PC board in front of you with the"KAT100 FP" label at the left. Install the following t

19Final Assembly Straighten the leads of microcontroller IC U1 (PIC16F877) asshown below. The rows of pins must be straight and parallel to eachother

2Table of ContentsIntroduction ...

20J6J5J4E1J3J2J1Figure 13 Unwrap the rear panel piece, and place it with the labeling facingaway from you. Review Figure 13, which shows the vertical

21KAT100-1 Enclosure Assemblyi The instructions on the next two pages apply only to theKAT100-1 (tuner with low-profile enclosure). If

22 Unwrap the front panel piece. Slide it over the LEDs on theFront Panel board, then secure it to the 2-D fasteners on the bottomof the RF board u

23KAT100-2 Enclosure Assemblyi The instructions on this page apply only to theKAT100-2 (EC2 version of the ATU). If you're building

24K2 Firmware Installation To use the KAT100, your K2 firmware must be revision2.03d or later, and the IOC must be revision 1.07 or

25K2 OR K2/100(MALE)PC(FEMALE)KAT100(MALE)OPTIONAL RS232 CABLE TO PC (SEE K2/100 or KIO2 MANUAL)KAT100 CONTROL CABLE16789BAREBLKREDGRNWHT12345BAREBLKB

26Locate the connector housing (backshell) and associated hardware.Note: A single hinged backshell may be provided rather than a two-piece backshell.A

27Alignment and TestInitial Testsi Do not transmit during these tests. Turn the K2 and all power supplies OFF. Reinstall the K2 Control board an

28i During the first two parts of ATU alignment, the transmittedsignal will be fed through the ATU backwards from the normaldirection. That is, th

29 Power Calibration (R3 and R4) Make sure the KAT100 is set up exactly as described on page 27(Preparing the KAT100 for Alignment). The signal

3IntroductionThe KAT100 automatic antenna tuner (ATU) is designed for use withthe Elecraft K2/100 transceiver, as well as the basic K2. It can matchlo

30Top Cover Installation Turn off the K2 and KAT100. Unwrap the KAT100 top cover. Set it upside down on a softcloth to protect the finish. Note: Th

31Using the KAT100CAUTION: Never touch an exposed antenna wire whentransmitting. If you ever receive an RF burn, stray RF may beth

32Normal ATU Operation (AUTO Mode)For normal operation, set the A T U menu entry to A U T O .Hold T U N E to start auto-tune. Power will be decrea

33Antenna ConsiderationsAn antenna tuner will not improve your antenna–it can only tune outthe antenna's reactance. Use the longest, highest a

34TroubleshootingIMPORTANT: If you take any corrective action for a KAT100problem, be sure to turn off all power supplies, then turn on

35H I C U R message: This LCD message indicates that the K2's 10-wattstage is drawing too much current. You should have C A L C U R s

36SpecificationsAll measurements were made using a 13.8 V, 1-amp power supply.Numeric values are typical; your results will be somewhat different.Spec

37Circuit DetailsRefer to the schematic, Appendix A.RF BoardThe ATU uses eight series inductors and eight parallel capacitors,configured as an L-netw

W. BurdickE. SwartzElecraft10.4 µH.64 µH 1.3 µH 2.6 µH 5.2 µHRev. Sht. .08µH .16µH.32µHDate12000.10.10.10.1K11 K12 K14K2K5K8 K9150150150C10C11C

W. BurdickE. SwartzAntenna 1Antenna 2L OUTElecraftL IN780525LC3204.0MHzRev. Sht. 16F877/HOLDDateMCLROSC1OSC210 µFOUTC420.1C43MCURA4RC0RC1RA0RA1RA

4Parts InventoryYou should do a complete inventory, and if you find anything missing, contact Elecraft.i Leave painted panels wrapped until they are

W. BurdickE. SwartzElecraftRev. Sht. DateBy1 of 15A(based on LED Vf=1.9V)PN2222A.047R116220R1154705AC102Q102Q101Brightness Control4.0V DAY (18mA/

KAT100 FPKAT100 RFELECRAFTAUX CTRLELECRAFTRev. BRev. BSHORT2002D101 D102D113D114D105 D106 D107D103 D104 D110 D111 D112D108 D109R104R105R106R107R108R10

5 Items in the KAT100 main parts bag (E850094), supplied with both KAT100-1 and -2. Color codes and markings are shown in parentheses.Refere

6J1 1 Connector, DC barrel jack, 2.1mm, right-angle PCB mount E620026J2 1 Connector, BNC, right-angle PCB mount, with finishing nut and washer E850134

7HDWR 2 L-bracket, front panel retainer, 4-40 threaded E700073HDWR 14 Screw, 4-40 x 3/16" Panhead Phil, black (2 spares) E700015HDWR 15 Screw

8RF Board Assembly Place the KAT100 RF PC board in front of you, with the bottomside up and the front edge facing you as shown in the PartsPlacement

9i In the steps that follow, you'll be installing groups ofcomponents. When working from a long list, install all of the items onone line before