KOHJINSHA KA1 Series User manual

VERSA Beam
Antenna
* How To Check Your
Adjustable Element Unit (AEU)
Working Properly.
* Building Your AEU（For All Models）
・ KA1-206/406 is used as
example in this book.
We would like you to keep this instruction manual for your future reference after reading
Ｒev 2.1 Dec. 2015

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Table of Contents
１． Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------2
２． For Your Safety ------------------------------------------------------------3
３． How to Check AEU
3-1．Checking Extension and Retraction ---------------------------------5
3-2．What to Use for Testing AEU --------------------------------------5
４． Adjustable Element Unit（AEU）--------------------------------------------6
５． Disassemble and Reassemble(Attaching Supporting Rubber) --------------7
６． Connecting Junction Cable with AEU（KA1-206）
6-1．Between Each AEU and Junction Box ----------------------------8
6-2．Connecting Junction Cable with Junction Board -----------------10
７． Connecting Junction Cable with AEU（KA1-406）
7-1．Between Each AEU and Junction Box -----------------------------11
7-2．Connecting Junction Cable with Junction Board -----------------13
7-3．About Connection for Other Models ------------------------------ 14
８． Assembling Junction Box --------------------------------------------- 15
９． Procedure to Make Sure Your AEUs Working Properly--------------------- 16
１０． Cable and Connector Wiring
10-1．Cable, PCB Terminal Block, and Amphenol Connector Wiring -----20
10-2．Junction Cable and PCB Terminal Block Wiring ------------------21
１１． How to Assemble AEU (For All Models)
11-1．Attaching AEU to Plate 5m/Plate 7m -------------------------22
11-2．Attaching Pole Support(bottom) to Plate -----------------------24
11-3．Attaching Pole Support(upper) to Plate -------------------------25
11-4．Installing Stub（only for KA1-400 series）-----------------------26
11-5．Attaching Boom Clamps and U-bolts------------------------------27
１２． Attaching Glass Fiber Pole to AEU
12-1．Fully Extend Glass Fiber Pole -------------------------------------29
12-2．Taping the Joint of Each Section --------------------------------31
12-3．Attaching Glass Fiber Pole to AEU -------------------------------33
12-4．Taping the Joint of Glass Fiber Pole and Supporting Rubber-----34
１３． Maintenance ------------------------------------------------------------ 36

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1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing KA1 as one of your antennas. We are sure KA1 will make your DXing
more competitive as well as enjoyable.
You can adjust elements length by the controller in your shack which means you can adjust not
only SWR but also F/B ratio and gain of the antenna.
Please read this manual carefully to understand how KA1 works and how to use it.
KA1 is much heavier than ordinary Yagi antenna that has the same number of elements. It also has
some sharp parts which may hurt you if you touch them roughly. Please be careful when you
construct it or do maintenance.
CAUTION
*Do not use AC adaptor or cable that doesn’t come with KA1.
*Before installing KA1 on the tower, please make and confirm Adjustable Element Unit (AEU)
working on the ground.
*Pull off the DC plug from the controller when you attach or remove the Amphenol connector.
*While in operation (elements are not fully out or home, in between), push HOME button to get all
the elements home position if you pull off the DC plug. Otherwise KA1 may lose the accurate
position. This should happen when you experience black out.
＊Please use the only parts(bolt, nut, washer, etc.,) that are supplied with
KA1 or the same ones as supplied to assemble KA1.

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This sign means neglecting this caution may cause death or
serious injury.
DANGER
◎Do not install in the place where flammable gas exists. That may cause fire or explosion,
This sign means neglecting this caution may cause death or
serious injury.
◎When you install or use KA1, please follow the instructions below to avoid getting
electric shock, fire, or short circuit.
●Do not try to use unmatched AC plug with AC outlet.
●Do not use if the AC cord has broken parts or AC plug is loose.
◎For AC power cord and AC plug please follow the instructions below to avoid fire,
unexpected heat, getting electric shock, or getting failure.
●Do not make any modification on the AC cord and plug.
●When you pull off from the outlet, grab the plug and pull nicely.
◎Please remove AC plug from the outlet when you don’t use KA1 for long.
◎Use electric power between AC100 and AC200.
◎We would like you not to use KA1 near sensitive electric equipments, especially
medical equipments.
◎We strongly suggest remove all the cable connections when you hear thunder, or
see lightning.
◎Please stop using and remove AC plug quickly when you see smoke or notice
unusual smell, and then contact us.
WARNING
2. FOR YOUR SAFETY
●We would like you to follow instruction here in order not only for your safety but
for people around.

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This sign means neglecting this caution may cause injuries or
physical damages.
CAUTION
◎Where to use(not to use).
●Do not install in the dusty, less air movement, or high humidity place.
●Do not put too close to the wall.
●Do not cover the holes of casing of the controller.
●Do not expose under the sun light, or air conditioner air. Abrupt change of temperature
isn’t good for the controller.
●Put the controller on the stable place.
●Don’t put anything on the controller.
●Don’t touch controller or AC plug with wet hand.
◎Please open the cover only when you change settings.
◎Don’t transmit without antenna connection.
◎Don’t use thinner or benzene for cleaning purposes.

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3. How to Check AEU
■3－1：Check Extension and Retraction
We strongly recommend you to pre-assemble AEU and check it working before
installation of VERSA Beam.
You will use KA1 controller to confirm AEUs working properly to extend and retract
elements.
We are very careful of handling and packing, however AEU may get damage during
transportation. Be sure to confirm elements come out of and get in AEU. This
procedure is a must if you don’t want to do unnecessary hard work after installation
on the tower.
■3－2：What to Use to Test AEU
All AEUs
Controller
AC Adaptor and cable to connect with controller
Controller cable・junction cable
（Coaxial cable isn’t used here.）
Junction box・junction board
＊Parts and units listed above are needed to check AEUs.
＊Caution：Don’t use AC adaptor supplied with VERSA antenna.
From Section 4 to Section 8 preparation for testing AEU is described.
Section 9 explains how to test AEU.

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4. Adjustable Element Unit (AEU)
①Element Tip
②Element
③Supporting Rubber
④Rubber Holder
⑤Stub（For only 400Series AEU7m・with supporters）
⑥Stub Joint（For only 400Series AEU7m）
⑦Element Housing
⑧Housing Cover
⑨Housing Gasket
⑩Coaxial Connector ( only AEU for driven element )
⑪Control Cable Connector
⑫Glass Fiber Tubing
Note: We named the unit assembled with ①to ⑨listed above AEU.

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5. Disassemble and Reassemble AEU
■ Attaching Supporting Rubber
AEU is shipped from our factory without ②Supporting Rubber38 and ③Supporting
Rubber45 as shown in Figure 1-1 and 1-2. AEU has only ④Rubber Holder. You
need to remove ④Rubber Holder once, and to attach ② and ③Supporting
Rubber38&45 before start testing.
Disassemble and reassemble AEU as shown in 「Diagram1、Figure1-1、Figure1-2」
＊NOTE
・［Diagram1、Figure1-1、Figure1-2］shows parts for an unit of AEU. Number
of AEU is different depend on models.
Example: KA1-206 or 406 has 6 units of AEU.
・ There are two different length Supporting Rubber. One is for 5m element
AEU, and the other is for 7m element AEU.
・ Shorter ②Supporting Rubber38」is for 5mAEU.
・ Longer「③Supporting Rubber45」is for 7mAEU
Please don’t mix up two different lengths Supporting Rubbers. They are very look like.

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6. Connecting Junction Cable（KA1-206）
■6-1：Connecting AEU and Junction Box with Junction Cable
＊ See Figure 2 (Figure2 doesn’t show details.)
＊AEU and Controller are connected by way of Junction Box(Junction Board). Before
connecting AEU with Controller, you need to connect AEU with Junction Box.
Please follow the above procedure, which should avoid damaging controller or AEU
in case of something wrong happened. Again controller isn’t connected at this
moment.
＊NOTE
・Please find our a sufficiently large room to place all the AEUs and Controller
before connecting Junction Cable.
・50M BAND will be used for element extend and retract test.
Ref (Reflector) will extend to about 1.5m (5 feet) on one side. Because
elements are quit flexible, you don’t have to have element full extension wide
area. However, if the place is too narrow, elements may get crooked.
・Don’t step on elements. If it gets folds, the antenna may not work with full
performance.
・For this test you don’t have to install AEUs on the boom. Put them on the floor
or a large table.
・Please watch elements carefully in order for them not to get damages or dirty.
＊See Figure2 showing how to connect AEU・Junction Box・Junction Cable・
Controller Cable・Controller.
Follow the COLOR LABEL stick on each cable to find which AEU to connect with.
Description about wirings in Junction Box is written in [6-2].
［See Figure2］

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■6-2：Connector Numbers on Junction Board
Junction Board is installed in Junction Box.
＊ See「8」to see inside view of
Junction Box.
Find out color labels on AEUs,
connectors, and cables. For the
connection the color should be
matching.
See［Diagram2、Figure3、Figure4、
Figure5］.
＊NOTE
・A～F for Junction Cable
・ G～H for Control Cable
・ （Only G is used for 3
element model.)

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7. Connecting Junction Cable（KA1-406）
■7-1：Connecting Each AEU with Junction Box
＊See「Figure6」Figure6 doesn’t show detail.
＊AEU and Controller are connected by way of Junction Box(Junction Board). Before
connecting AEU with Controller, you need to connect AEU with Junction Box.
Please follow the above procedure, which should avoid damaging controller or AEU
in case of something wrong happened. Again controller isn’t connected at this
moment.
＊NOTE
・Please find our a sufficiently large room to place all the AEUs and Controller
before connecting Junction Cable.
・50M BAND will be used for element extend and retract test.
Ref (Reflector) will extend to about 1.5m (5 feet) on one side. Because
elements are quit flexible, you don’t have to have element full extension wide
area. However, if the place is too narrow, elements may get crooked.
・Don’t step on elements. If it gets folds, the antenna may not work with full
performance.
・For this test you don’t have to install AEUs on the boom. Put them on the floor
or a large table.
・Please watch elements carefully in order for them not to get damages or dirty.
＊See Figure6 showing how to connect AEU・Junction Box・Junction Cable・
Controller Cable・Controller.
Follow the COLOR LABEL stick on each cable to find which AEU to connect with.
Description about wirings in Junction Box is written in [7-2].
See［Figure6］

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■7-2：Connector Numbers on Junction Board
Junction Board is installed in the Junction Box
＊ ＊See「8」to see inside view of
Junction Box.
Find out color labels on AEUs,
connectors, and cables. For the
connection the color should be
matching.
See［Diagram3、Figure7、Figure8、
Figure9］.
＊NOTE
・A～F for Junction Cable
・ G～H for Control Cable
・ （Only G is used for 3
element model.)

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■7-3：Connection Table for Each Model
Diagram4 shows Junction Board connection with Junction Cable for each model.
Please check Diagram4 carefully to find the connections.

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8. Assembling Junction Box
■For testing purpose you don’t have to assemble completely.
After connection make cables coming out of the box through holes.
See［Diagram5、Figure10、Figure11-1、11-2］
＊NOTE
・You don’t have to assemble Junction Box completely for testing purpose.
You may have it with no cover without any trouble.
・We recommend to build Junction Box in order not to hurt Junction Board with
tools.
・Please place cables carefully in order not to pinch wires in between box parts.

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9. How to Check AEU Working Properly
■Please operate AEU using a controller
AFTER the connection is done, connect AC Adaptor with controller.
＊Please follow the procedure#1 to #4 described here to check AEU.
See［Figure12］
#1
Make all the connection like AC adaptor with outlet and KA1 controller.
You will see controller POWER ON, and then [Model Number, Software Ver.,
ROM Ver. And available frequency range] in the LCD screen. And then HOME
screen will be shown.
See［Figure13、Figure14］
Press and hold ①POWER button to turn OFF power.
→Go to #2
＊ NOTE If you see a different indication in the LCD screen (for example:
numbers like 12 456, without 3), an element that isn’t shown ( in this
case: element 3) may not be retracted properly at HOME position.
If you experience above, you need to extend elements once.
②Press 50M button to extend elements
Extending movement stops at about 1.5m (5feet) long on each side.
（Please watch elements carefully in order for them not to get damages
or dirty）
After above operation press and hold ⑤AUTO/HOME button to make “Push
SET” blink, and then press ④SET button. You will see Figure14.
Next step : Press①POWER to power off
→Go to procedure #2

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＊Why this happens
During transportation antenna element might have come out a little because
of vibration or shock. Unless all the elements are at HOME position, you cannot
test VERSA antenna properly. Be sure to take a step described above to see as
in Figure14.
＊Numbers on the upper right corner of LCD
Each number corresponds with each element (motor) number in the LCD
display as in 「Figure14」. 3 element model should have「１２３」、4 element
model「１２３４」、 5 element model「１２３４５」、and 6 element model 「１
２３４５６」.
See［Figure13、Figure14］
＊Figure13、Figure14 shows KA1-406(6element model).
#2
While pressing ②50M button, press ①POWER button.
You will see Figure15 first on LCD and then will see Figure16.
Now your controller is in the Test mode.
See［Figure15、Figure16］
→Go to procedure #3
Figure13：When you turn on the
controller, you will see above.
Model number, software
version, ROM version, and
available bands appear. In some
seconds information will switch
Figure14 ： You see above
information while elements are
retracted in AEU completely. We
call this status HOME position.
Figure15：When you turn on the
controller, you will see above.
Model number, software
version, ROM version, and
available bands appear. In some
seconds information will switch
to as Figure 16.
Figure16 ： Shown on LCD is
under Test mode.
The frequency shown is the one
used at our factory.

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#3
Press ③DOWN button to extend elements.
You can get about 9mm extension by one press. Continue pressing ③DOWN
several times. After confirming elements move, and then press ③UP button
several times until elements are fully retracted.
When elements are fully retracted, they are stop retracting further. Now
elements are at HOME position.
→Go to procedure #4
#4
Press and hold ①POWER button to turn off the power.
Press ①POWER button again to turn on power to see Figure 17. Some
seconds later you will see Figure18.
Now you finished AEU element test.
Figure17：When you turn on the
controller, you will see above.
Model number, software
version, ROM version, and
available bands appear. In some
Figure18 ： You see above
information while elements are
retracted in AEU completely. We
call this status HOME position.
*Figure 18 shows 6 element model.

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＊HOME operation and HOME sensor
After HOME operation, AEU numbers will be shown on LCD display. This means all
the elements are at HOME position. A few seconds later power will be turned down
automatically.
See the table below to make sure corresponding numbers with elements for each
model.