Acom 06AT User manual

ACOM 06AT
1.8-54 MHz Automatic
Antenna Tuner & Switch
User's Manual
Installation, Operation
and Maintenance
October 2022
OUTSTANDING HF POWER PRODUCTS

User's Manual | ACOM 06AT | Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch
Page 2of 70 | S e c t i o n ABOUT DOCUMENTATION
October 2022
This manual is for electronic distribution mainly.
If you have it on paper and you no longer need it, please, recycle it!
The latest versions of our User's Manuals are available at
www.acom-bg.com

User's Manual | ACOM 06AT | Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch
October 2022
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ABOUT DOCUMENTATION
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materials, etc.) are based on the latest available information at the time of creation of our documents.
As we always strive to constantly improve and update our products, ALL PRODUCTS, PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS AND DATA ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ACOM reserves the right to make changes and
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revisions or changes, made in order to improve the reliability, function, quality and design, and/or
performance of the ACOM products and services.
Further, this User's Manual is provided AS IS and ACOM shall not be liable for possible errors contained
herein.
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User's Manual | ACOM 06AT | Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch
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October 2022
Title of Documentation
ACOM 06AT Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch
User's Manual
Installation, Operation and Maintenance
Type of Documentation
User's Manual
Purpose of Documentation
This manual explains Installation, Operation and Maintenance of the
ACOM 06AT Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch.
Record of Revisions
Description
Release Date
Notes
ACOM 06AT User's Manual
18.07.2022
First edition, R01
ACOM 06AT User's Manual
26.10.2022
First edition, R02
Validity
The specified data is for product description purposes only and may not be
deemed to be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in the contract. All
rights are reserved with respect to the content of this manual and the
availability of the product.
Copyrights
© 2022 ACOM Ltd.
Copying this document, giving it to others and the use or communication
of the contents thereof without express authority, are forbidden.
Offenders will be held liable for infringement of any intellectual property
of ACOM Ltd. and all damages which may rise as a result.
Trademarks
ICOM, KENWOOD, YAESU, ELECRAFT, and other product names or brands
mentioned in this documentation are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of their respective holders.
Published by
ACOM Ltd.
Bulgaria | Bozhurishte 2227
Sofia-Bozhurishte Industrial Park | 6 Valeri Petrov Str.
GPS coordinates: 42.748616о| 23.209801о
Web: www.acom-bg.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
Note
This manual has been printed on chlorine-free bleached paper.

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October 2022
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Contents
ABOUT DOCUMENTATION ................................................................................................................................ 3
1. GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................................................................................... 9
1.1. Introduction and Description.......................................................................................................... 9
1.2. Product History and Documentation Validity ............................................................................... 10
1.3. Owner Assistance.......................................................................................................................... 11
1.4. Equipment Supplied...................................................................................................................... 11
1.5. Features......................................................................................................................................... 12
1.6. Safety Considerations, Explicit Definitions.................................................................................... 14
1.6.1. Lightning protection ........................................................................................................ 17
1.6.2. Electric Safety Precautions .............................................................................................. 18
1.6.3. General Safety Precautions ............................................................................................. 18
2. INSTALLATION.......................................................................................................................................... 19
2.1. Unpacking and Initial Inspection................................................................................................... 19
2.2. Tuner Location Selection............................................................................................................... 21
2.3. Power Supply Voltage ................................................................................................................... 21
2.4. Installation and Connections......................................................................................................... 22
2.5. Grounding, Additional Information............................................................................................... 23
2.5.1. Lightning Protection Grounding ...................................................................................... 23
2.5.2. Grounding for Protection from Electric Shock................................................................. 23
2.5.3. Radio Frequency Grounding or Counterpoise................................................................. 24
2.6. Connecting RF Cables, Additional Information ............................................................................. 24
3. GETTING STARTED................................................................................................................................... 26
3.1. Turning ON and OFF...................................................................................................................... 26
3.2. Indication, controls and menus..................................................................................................... 27
3.2.1. Tuner Information Area on the Amplifier Screen............................................................ 27
3.2.2. Segment UP/DWN buttons (Second Function - BAND)................................................... 28
3.2.3. TUNE button (Second Function - BYPASS)....................................................................... 28
3.2.4. АNT Button (Change of Antennas) .................................................................................. 29
3.2.5. Tuner Related Menus ...................................................................................................... 29
4. STARTING UP AND MAIN FUNCTIONS..................................................................................................... 30
4.1. What is tuning type / Rate (Selectivity Degree, Sharpness).......................................................... 30

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4.1.1. SHARP .............................................................................................................................. 31
4.1.2. REGULAR.......................................................................................................................... 31
4.1.3. WIDE ................................................................................................................................ 31
4.1.4. FIXED................................................................................................................................ 32
4.2. Tuner Assignment and Unassignment .......................................................................................... 32
4.3. Tuning Modes: FULL, QUICK and BYPASS...................................................................................... 32
4.4. Quick Tuning and Non-Volatile Memory....................................................................................... 33
4.5. Operation in BYPASS Mode........................................................................................................... 34
4.6. Changing Frequencies and Antennas............................................................................................ 34
4.7. Specific of Operation in TRANSMISSION Mode ............................................................................ 35
4.8. Power Reduction at Overload ....................................................................................................... 35
5. BASIC FULL TUNING CYCLE ...................................................................................................................... 36
5.1. What a Full Tuning Cycle Does...................................................................................................... 36
5.2. Operator Actions for a Full Tuning Cycle....................................................................................... 37
5.2.1. Full Tuning for Transceivers with CAT ............................................................................. 37
5.2.2. Full Tuning for Transceivers without CAT Capability....................................................... 37
6. ADVANCED FUNCTIONS AND OPTIONS................................................................................................... 39
6.1. ANTENNA ASSIGNMENT Menu ..................................................................................................... 39
6.1.1. Antenna Assignments by Bands ...................................................................................... 39
6.1.2. Setting the Tuning type / Rate (Sharpness, Selectivity), (S, R, W, F) ............................... 39
6.1.3. Editing Antenna Names ................................................................................................... 40
6.2. Maintenance Functions - ATU SERVICE Menu .............................................................................. 40
6.2.1. ATU Individual Data......................................................................................................... 40
6.2.2. ATU Status ....................................................................................................................... 40
6.2.3. Deletion of Individual or Group of Stored Tuning settings.............................................. 40
6.2.4. Erasing the Whole NON-Volatile Memory....................................................................... 41
6.2.5. Checking the Resource Used for the Current Tuning ...................................................... 41
6.2.6. Dumping the NON-Volatile Memory in a File on a PC..................................................... 41
6.2.7. Restoring (Loading) the NON-Volatile Memory from a File - Memory Load from File ... 43
6.2.8. Aging and Refreshing of Settings..................................................................................... 44
6.3. Overview of TUNING SETTINGS and Resources Used................................................................... 45
6.4. Measurements in the Tuner - ATU MEASURE Menu .................................................................... 46

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October 2022
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6.4.1. Voltage and Current at the Antenna Output................................................................... 47
6.4.2. Reflected Power, Forward Power and SWR at Antenna Output..................................... 47
6.4.3. Power Supply Voltage and Temperature in the Tuner Unit ............................................ 47
6.4.4. Tuner Working Hours....................................................................................................... 47
7. MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................................................................ 48
7.1. Cleaning......................................................................................................................................... 48
7.2. Fuse Replacement......................................................................................................................... 48
7.3. Block Diagram and Principle of Operation.................................................................................... 50
7.4. Troubleshooting - Monitoring the Antenna-feeder Path Status................................................... 54
8. SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................................................................... 56
8.1. Parameters.................................................................................................................................... 56
8.1.1. Operating Frequency Range ............................................................................................ 56
8.1.2. Minimum Range of the Matched Impedances (at Each of the Four Antenna Outputs) . 56
8.1.3. Maximum Allowed Input Power...................................................................................... 56
8.1.4. RF Input Characteristics................................................................................................... 56
8.1.5. Antenna Outputs Characteristics, Antenna 1 to Antenna 4............................................ 57
8.1.6. Full Tuning Duration (Basic Cycle) ................................................................................... 57
8.1.7. Input Signal Needed to Prepare User Tuning Settings .................................................... 57
8.1.8. Power Supply................................................................................................................... 57
8.1.9. Remote Control ............................................................................................................... 57
8.1.10. Maximum Length of the Input Coaxial Cable .................................................................. 57
8.1.11. Size & Weight (operating, excluding fastening elements and connected cables) .......... 57
8.1.12. Operating Environment................................................................................................... 58
8.2. Functions....................................................................................................................................... 58
8.2.1. Process of Matching of Antenna Impedance................................................................... 58
8.2.2. Modes of Tuning.............................................................................................................. 58
8.2.3. Memory for the User Tune Settings ................................................................................ 58
8.2.4. Types of Antenna Selectivity / Bandwidth....................................................................... 58
8.2.5. Bypass and Use ATU Modes ............................................................................................ 58
8.2.6. Overview of Tuning Settings............................................................................................ 58
8.2.7. Evaluation of the Resource Used..................................................................................... 59
8.2.8. Backing Up the NON-Volatile Memory............................................................................ 59
8.2.9. Cable Required from the Radio Station........................................................................... 59

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8.2.10. Protection Mechanisms................................................................................................... 59
8.3. Regulatory Requirements ............................................................................................................. 60
8.4. Storage and Shipment................................................................................................................... 61
8.4.1. Storage Environment....................................................................................................... 61
8.4.2. Shipping Size and Weight ................................................................................................ 61
8.4.3. Transportation................................................................................................................. 61
8.4.4. Returning to the Service Provider ................................................................................... 62
8.5. Information on Disposing and Recycling of Old Electrical and Electronic Equipment.................. 64
APPENDIX 1 | Lightning Protection ................................................................................................................. 65
NOTES.............................................................................................................................................................. 68
Figures
Figure 2-1 | Packaging carton (outside view).................................................................................................. 19
Figure 2-2 | ACOM 06AT packaged in a cardboard box.................................................................................. 20
Figure 2-3 | ACOM 06AT antenna tuner and switch (shown near 700S amplifier) ........................................ 21
Figure 2-4 | Tuner rear view with connectors................................................................................................. 22
Figure 3-1 | ACOM 700S amplifier screen with tuner installed ...................................................................... 27
Figure 6-1 | ACOM Terminal S screenshot...................................................................................................... 42
Figure 7-1 | Tuner bottom view...................................................................................................................... 48
Figure 7-2 | Tuner Block Diagram ................................................................................................................... 51
Figure 8-1 | Packaging carton (outside view).................................................................................................. 61
Tables
Table 1-1 | Production versions history.......................................................................................................... 10
Table 1-2 | Package contents.......................................................................................................................... 11
Table 8-1 | Maximum input power of the tuner as function of the antenna SWR......................................... 56

User's Manual | ACOM 06AT | Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch
October 2022
S e c t i o n GENERAL INFORMATION | Page 9of 70
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Congratulations on purchasing one of the finest antenna tuners in the world today.
ACOM is pleased that you have chosen one of our products, and we will endeavor to provide you with the
information and support you need to enjoy your purchase for many years.
We urge you to read all of the following materials before you embark on operating your new antenna tuner.
1.1. Introduction and Description
This manual explains:
•Installation
•Operation and
•Maintenance
of the ACOM 06AT automatic antenna tuner for HF + 6 m with integrated four-way antenna switch.
The ACOM 06AT tuner is specifically designed and developed to work exclusively with the ACOM series of
solid state (transistor) amplifiers, e.g., ACOM 600S, 700S, 1200S, or ACOM 2020S.
ACOM 06AT automatically selects one of four available antenna outputs (as assigned in bands by the
operator) and matches the impedance of the chosen antenna output by transforming it to 50 Ohm with SWR
below 1.5:1 at the tuner input (typically below 1.3), providing an optimum load impedance for the amplifier.
Any necessary readjustments are swift, following the frequency changes and antenna selections.
The tuner matches all load impedances presenting a SWR below 3:1, regardless of phase angle, in a
continuous frequency range of 1.8-30 MHz and 50-54 MHz. In many cases, the tuner will match loads with
higher SWR (up to 10:1) as well, however a reduction in power may be necessary if the protective functions
of the tuner activate due to high values of SWR, current, voltage, forward or reflected power at the antenna
output.

User's Manual | ACOM 06AT | Automatic Antenna Tuner and Switch
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October 2022
Provided the SWR of the feedline/antenna system is up to 3:1, the tuner can handle input power levels up to
1200 W (PEP, mean or continuous carrier), regardless of the operating communication mode. For
feedline/antenna system SWRs between 3:1 and 10:1, the maximum permissible power at the tuner input is
gradually reduced down to 200 W at SWR=10:1 (see Table 8-1 | Maximum input power of the tuner as function
of the antenna SWR), allowing for operation within tuner component specifications.
The tuner can be installed both in the shack and in a remote location, e.g., in a separate room, so that any
feedlines from the unit to the antennas, working in mismatched conditions, are kept as short as practically
possible to avoid unnecessary losses.
A single cable connects the tuner to the radio station. Tuner power supply, control and RF signals are
combined on the feedline, easing remote installation, lowering costs and uncluttering the shack.
Provided a low loss hi-quality cable is used (e.g., RG213), the distance between the tuner and the shack can
be up to 100 m (330 ft). However, the length of the cable should be kept at minimum to avoid any
unnecessary losses, which exist in any cable even in matched conditions.
The operator is able to control and monitor the tuner's work via the amplifier front panel using simplified
and intuitive menus in the original style of the ACOM transistor amplifier series.
1.2. Product History and Documentation Validity
The ACOM 06AT antenna tuner serial production started in June 2022.
This manual refers to the ACOM 06AT antenna tuner and describes the operating possibilities of all tuners
produced till the publishing date of this manual.
This manual is valid till a new manual is issued.
Table 1-1 | Production versions history
Production Version
Release Date
Notes
06.2022
Basic design;
Table 1-1 | Production versions history