BIRD Thruline APM-16 User manual

RF Directional
Thruline®Wattmeter
Model APM–16
Operation Manual
©Copyright 2016 by Bird Technologies, Inc.
Instruction Book Part Number 920-APM16 Rev. E
Thruline® and Termaline® are registered trademarks
of Bird Electronic Corporation

i
Safety Precautions
The following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to
any specific part or procedure, and do not necessarily appear elsewhere in this
publication. These precautions must be thoroughly understood and apply to all
phases of operation and maintenance.
WARNING
Keep Away From Live Circuits
Operating Personnel must at all times observe general safety precautions. Do
not replace components or make adjustments to the inside of the test
equipment with the high voltage supply turned on. To avoid casualties,
always remove power.
WARNING
Shock Hazard
Do not attempt to remove the RF transmission line while RF power is present.
WARNING
Do Not Service Or Adjust Alone
Under no circumstances should any person reach into an enclosure for the
purpose of service or adjustment of equipment except in the presence of
someone who is capable of rendering aid.
WARNING
Safety Earth Ground
An uninterruptible earth safety ground must be supplied from the main
power source to test instruments. Grounding one conductor of a two
conductor power cable is not sufficient protection. Serious injury or death
can occur if this grounding is not properly supplied.
WARNING
Resuscitation
Personnel working with or near high voltages should be familiar with modern
methods of resuscitation.
WARNING
Remove Power
Observe general safety precautions. Do not open the instrument with the
power on.

Safety Precautions
ii
Safety Symbols
The caution symbol appears on the equipment indicating there is
important information in the instruction manual regarding that
particular area
Note: Calls attention to supplemental information.
Warning Statements
The following warnings appear in the text where there is danger to operating
and maintenance personnel, and are repeated here for emphasis.
Refer to page 11.
Refer to pages 11 and 13.
WARNING
Warning notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly
performed, could result in personal injury.
CAUTION
Caution notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed,
could result in damage to the instrument.
WARNING
Never attempt to connect or disconnect RF equipment from the transmission
line while RF power is being applied. Leaking RF energy is a potential health
hazard.
WARNING
RF voltage may be present in element socket. Keep element in socket during
operation.

RF Directional Thruline® Wattmeter Model APM–16
iii
Caution Statements
The following equipment cautions appear in the text and are repeated here for
emphasis.
Refer to page 7.
Refer to pages 11 and 23.
Refer to page 19.
CAUTION
For low reflection measurements, do not rotate the reflected power element
to read forward power. Damage to the element or wattmeter could result.
CAUTION
To prevent damage from battery leakage, remove the battery if the unit will
not be used for more than two weeks.
CAUTION
Do not attempt to remove the RF center conductor. This will damage the line
section.

Safety Precautions
iv
Safety Statements
USAGE
ANY USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BY
THE MANUFACTURER MAY IMPAIR THE INSTRUMENT’S SAFETY
PROTECTION.
USO
EL USO DE ESTE INSTRUMENTO DE MANERA NO ESPECIFICADA
POR EL FABRICANTE, PUEDE ANULAR LA PROTECCIÓN DE
SEGURIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO.
BENUTZUNG
WIRD DAS GERÄT AUF ANDERE WEISE VERWENDET ALS VOM
HERSTELLER BESCHRIEBEN, KANN DIE GERÄTESICHERHEIT
BEEINTRÄCHTIGT WERDEN.
UTILISATION
TOUTE UTILISATION DE CET INSTRUMENT QUI N’EST PAS
EXPLICITEMENT PRÉVUE PAR LE FABRICANT PEUT
ENDOMMAGER LE DISPOSITIF DE PROTECTION DE
L’INSTRUMENT.
IMPIEGO
QUALORA QUESTO STRUMENTO VENISSE UTILIZZATO IN MODO
DIVERSO DA COME SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE LA
PROZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE COMPROMESSA.

RF Directional Thruline® Wattmeter Model APM–16
v
SERVICE
SERVICING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USE BY SERVICE - TRAINED
PERSONNEL ONLY. TO AVOID DANGEROUS ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING UNLESS QUALIFIED TO DO SO.
SERVICIO
LAS INSTRUCCIONES DE SERVICIO SON PARA USO EXCLUSIVO
DEL PERSONAL DE SERVICIO CAPACITADO. PARA EVITAR EL
PELIGRO DE DESCARGAS ELÉCTRICAS, NO REALICE NINGÚN
SERVICIO A MENOS QUE ESTÉ CAPACITADO PARA HACERIO.
WARTUNG
ANWEISUNGEN FÜR DIE WARTUNG DES GERÄTES GELTEN NUR
FÜR GESCHULTES FACHPERSONAL.
ZUR VERMEIDUNG GEFÄHRLICHE, ELEKTRISCHE SCHOCKS, SIND
WARTUNGSARBEITEN AUSSCHLIEßLICH VON QUALIFIZIERTEM
SERVICEPERSONAL DURCHZUFÜHREN.
ENTRENTIEN
L’EMPLOI DES INSTRUCTIONS D’ENTRETIEN DOIT ÊTRE RÉSERVÉ
AU PERSONNEL FORMÉ AUX OPÉRATIONS D’ENTRETIEN. POUR
PRÉVENIR UN CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE DANGEREUX, NE PAS
EFFECTUER D’ENTRETIEN SI L’ON N’A PAS ÉTÉ QUALIFIÉ POUR CE
FAIRE.
ASSISTENZA TECNICA
LE ISTRUZIONI RELATIVE ALL’ASSISTENZA SONO PREVISTE
ESCLUSIVAMENTE PER IL PERSONALE OPPORTUNAMENTE
ADDESTRATO. PER EVITARE PERICOLOSE SCOSSE ELETTRICHE
NON EFFETTUARRE ALCUNA RIPARAZIONE A MENO CHE
QUALIFICATI A FARLA.

Safety Precautions
vi
RF VOLTAGE MAY BE PRESENT IN RF ELEMENT SOCKET - KEEP
ELEMENT IN SOCKET DURING OPERATION.
DE LA TENSION H.F. PEAT ÊTRE PRÉSENTE DANS LA PRISE DE
L'ÉLÉMENT H.F. - CONSERVER L'ÉLÉMENT DANS LA PRISE LORS
DE L'EMPLOI.
HF-SPANNUNG KANN IN DER HF-ELEMENT-BUCHSE ANSTEHEN -
ELEMENT WÄHREND DES BETRIEBS EINGESTÖPSELT LASSEN.
PUEDE HABER VOLTAJE RF EN EL ENCHUFE DEL ELEMENTO RF -
MANTENGA EL ELEMENTO EN EL ENCHUFE DURANTE LA
OPERACION.
IL PORTAELEMENTO RF PUÒ PRESENTARE VOLTAGGIO RF -
TENERE L'ELEMENTO NELLA PRESA DURANTE IL
FUNZIONAMENTO.

RF Directional Thruline® Wattmeter Model APM–16
vii
About This Manual
This manual covers the operating and maintenance instructions for the
following models:
Changes to this Manual
We have made every effort to ensure this manual is accurate. If you discover
any errors, or if you have suggestions for improving this manual, please send
your comments to our Solon, Ohio factory. This manual may be periodically
updated. When inquiring about updates to this manual refer to the part number
and revision on the title page.
Literature Contents
Chapter Layout
Introduction — Describes the features of the Bird APM-16.
Theory of Operation — Describes how the APM-16 operates and describes
measurement methodologies.
Installation — Describes battery care, connecting elements to the APM-16,
and system connections.
Operation — Describes the process for measuring forward and reflected
power, includes charts for calculating VSWR, and provides information on load
matching.
Maintenance — Lists routine maintenance, repair, calibration and
troubleshooting procedures for common problems. This section also includes
APM-16 specifications, parts information, and Bird Service Center contact
information.
APM-16

viii
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Warning Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Caution Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Safety Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Changes to this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Literature Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Chapter Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 2 Theory of Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Traveling Wave Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Coupling Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Load Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Standing vs. traveling Waves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
 vs. 
Low Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Transmitter Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Component Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Impedance Mismatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 3 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Connecting RF Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Absorption Wattmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 4 Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Normal Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Load Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Maintenance Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

RF Directional Thruline® Wattmeter Model APM–16
ix
Contact Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Zero Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
“QC” Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Replacing the Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Replacing the Instrumentation Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Calibration Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Equipment Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Calibrating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Replacement Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Available “QC” Type Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27