KOHJINSHA VERSA Beam User manual

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VERSA Beam
Antenna Controller
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Please keep this manual after you read for maintenance purpose
Ｒev3.01 Jun. 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
１． INTRODUCTION------------------------------------------------------------ 2
２． Adjustable Element Unit(AEU) ----------------------------------------------3
３． Front Panel ---------------------------------------------------------------- 4
４． Front Panel Controls
4-1．①POWER Button------------------------------------------------------6
4-2．②～⑨BAND Button-----------------------------------------------------6
4-3．⑩UP/DOWN Button ----------------------------------------------------9
4-4．⑪SET Button ---------------------------------- ------- -----------------9
4-5．⑫MANUAL/CAL.（CALIBRATION）-------------------------------------9
4-6．⑬CANCEL-------------------------------------------------------------10
4-7．⑭MODE/ADJUST --------------------------- ----- - ------- ------------11
4-8．⑮NORMAL Mode ---------------------------―------------―-----------13
4-9．⑯180°Mode ------------------------------------ ---------------- -----13
4-10．⑰DIPOLE Mode-------------------------------------------------------13
4-11．⑱AUTO/HOME Button -----------------------------------------------13
５． Rear Panel ------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------15
６． Before Start Using KA1
6-1. Check Initial SWR and SWR Adjustment ---------------- ------ ----------17
6-2. Calibration ------------------ ------------------- ----------------- - ------17
6-3. How to Adjust VSWR and Save the Setting -----------------------------19
6-4. Rain Mode and Snow Mode ---------------------------------------------20
6-5. Checking the Element Motion ------------------------ --------- ----------22
6-6. Remote Operation ------------------------------ ----- --- -------------- --22
6-7. What You Should Keep in Mind When You Measure SWR ------- ------ --22
6-8. Frequency Segment Width Change
6-8-1. For Regular VERSA BEAM Frequency Segment Width Change-- ---- --23
6-8-2. For VERSA Lite Frequency Segment Width--------------- - ----- ---- ---23
７． User Mode Settings
7-1．What You Can Do with User Mode ----------------------- -------- ------24
7-2．Start Your Controller with User Mode ---------------------------------- 26
８． Factory Default ------------------------------------------------------------- 27
９． Connecting Transceiver with Computer
9-1．Jumper Settings for Your Transceiver------------------------------------29
9-1-1.RS232C Interface(YAESU/KENWOOD/JRC/ELECRAFT) -- -------- ----30
9-1-2．ICOM(CI-V interface) transceivers--------------------------------------31
9-1-3．YAESU: FT1000/FT1021 ------------------------------------------- 32
9-1-4．KENWOOD TS950/TS850-------------------------------- ------ ----- 33
9-2．Setup with Your Computer --------------------------------- ------ ------ 34
9-3．Memory Setting for Your Transceiver ------------------------ ------ ----- 36
9-4．Memory Setting Table -------------------------------- ---------- ---------37
１０． Trouble Shooting ----------------------------------------------------------- 40
１１． Command Table ------------------------------------------------------------ 41
１２． Maintenance---------------------------------------------------
------ ------- 43

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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.
* In case you don’t use VERSA Beam Antenna for long or you need to fix it, follow the
procedure a)
and b) written below.
a) First retract all element to HOME position by pressing HOME and SET.
b) After a) remove DC plug from your controller.

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3. ADJUSTABLE ELEMENT UNIT (AEU)
Figure 1
①Element Top
②Element
③Supporting Rubber
④Rubber Holder
⑤Element Housing
⑥Housing Cover
⑦Housing Gasket
⑧Coaxial Connector ( only AEU for driven element )
⑨Control Cable Connector
⑩Glass Fiber Tubing
Note: We named the unit assembled with ① to ⑨ listed above AEU.

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４．Controller Front Panel Buttons and Functions
■Button Names
Figure 2
①POWER
Press to power ON. LED comes to light on.
Press and hold to power OFF.
This function is disabled during the elements in motion.
One of the band LEDs comes on light when you turn power off to let you know
what band position the elements have been at.
While the controller power is off, in order to apply the brake on the stepping
motor small amount of electric current is running. That makes the controller a bit
warm. It is not a problem or failure .
In case of power outage or something happen like that, by turning on the
power VERSA antenna itself retracts all element to HOME position, and
then extends elements to the original position where it was before the
power turned off accidentally.
②～⑨ BAND
Elements move to the each band position that is selected by these buttons.
(②7MHz ③10MHz buttons don’t work for Model 203/204/205/206 )
⑩ UP/DOWN
Adjustment (moving segments within the band or fine tuning of factory set
element length)
Selection of settings.

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⑪SET
Set button for settings works like ENTER.
⑫ MANUAL/CAL.
* MANUAL: For you to adjust manually.
* CAL: CALIBRATION (Press and Hold); Elements moves to HOME position once
and then extend to the set frequency position.
⑬CANCEL
Cancel the immediate command selection.
⑭MODE/ADJUST
* MODE: Switch between each mode. NORMAL, 180°,DIPOLE
* JUST (Press and Hold): Element fine Tuning.
⑮NORMAL
For normal operation.
⑯180°( Reverse )
Switching the beam direction to opposite side. In this mode all the KA1 models
work as 3 element Yagi.
⑰DIPOLE
KA1 has gain on both side (front and back) working like a dipole, however it has
some gain.
⑱AUTO/HOME
* AUTO: Coordinate with your transceiver frequency.
* HOME (Press and Hold): All the elements are wound up to the home position.
⑲LCD
Displays antenna settings, frequency, and MODE.
〈Example LCD display〉
Your VERSA antenna is set
for18MHz band.
When you press 21M BAND button,
LCD shows above information.
The upper right number is time to
finish motion. 066 means 6.6
seconds. The number will disappear
after stopping motion.

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4 ．Detail Functions of Front Panel Controls
■4-1 ①POWER Button
Press the POWER button to power on the controller. Then Model Number, Software
Version, ROM Version, and Available Frequencies are shown.
The previous settings and the band will be shown some seconds later.
Refer to Figure 3 and 4. (Figure 3 shows the KA1-406 display)
■4-2 BAND Buttons ②～⑨
＊NORMAL Mode(⑮LED is on）
When one of BAND Buttons is pressed, elements will move to the displayed frequency
position.
While the elements are moving, the MODE LED is flashing. The LED stops flashing and
comes to light on when the elements stop at the position.
The band and frequency are shown on the LCD. There are two options of showing
this information. Read the following description carefully.
□Band & Frequency Display (While Manual Mode is selected.)
Band and Frequency are displayed on the LCD shown like below.
7M/14M/21M/28M bands are divided into 3 segments.
Each pressing of BAND Button switches the segment.
② 7M： 40m 7.000MHｚ/40m 7.040MHz/40m 7.120MHz
③ 10M： 30m 10.100MHz
④ 14M： 20m 14.050MHｚ/20m 14.150MHz/20m 14.250MHz
⑤ 18M： 17m 18.100MHｚ/
⑥ 21M： 15m 21.050MHｚ/15m 21.200MHz/20m 21.350MHz
⑦ 24M： 12m 24.950MHz
⑧ 28M： 10m 28.000MHｚ/10m 28.500MHz/10m 29.000MHz
⑨ 50M： 6m 50.100MHz
＊②7MHz band and ③10MHz band are not available for Model 203/204/205/206.
Figure 3:
Right after turning on the power.
This is shown only for some seconds,
then switch to Figure 4 looking.
seconds to switch to Figure 4
looking.
Figure 4
This shows the previous operation
mode was Manual, and the band was
14MHz.

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□Freq Region Display (While Manual Mode is selected)
② 7M ： 7.000-7.039MHｚ/7.040-7.079MHz/7.120-7.159MHz
③ 10M：10.100-10.149MHz
④ 14M：14.０50-14.099MHｚ/14.150-14.199MHｚ/14.250-14.299MHz
⑤ 18M：18.100-18.149MHz
⑥ 21M： 21.０50-21.099MHｚ/21.200-21.249MHz/21.350-21.399MHz
⑦ 24M： 24.950-24.999MHz
⑧ 28M： 28.000-28.049MHｚ/28.500-28.549MHz/29.000-29.049MHz
⑨ 50M： 50.100-50.149MHz
＊②7MHz band and ③10MHz band are not available for Model 203/204/205/206
□Freq Region Display（While Auto Mode is selected）
KA1 controller shows the same frequency as your transceiver shows.
Example: If your transceiver frequency「14.195MHz, you see the same number like
「14.195MHz」on the LCD.

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＊How to Change Frequency Display Format
Go to 「User Mode」to switch frequency display format. We would like you
to read 8-2 for more detail.
①Press and Hold the POWER button to turn off the power.
→②Press and holding the 7M button, press POWER button.
→“ User mode” is displayed on LCD (Figure 5), and then some seconds
later LCD shows the information like in Figure 6.
.
＊You can fine tune the element length for each band.(②7MHz～⑨50MHz)
⑩You can move one segment to another in the same band by UP・DOWN
button.
You can also change element length from the factory default and save the
new settings in the controller with ⑭ADJUST on a band.
You can try to fine tune because it is easy to go back to the factory default
settings on any band.
See next AUTO・MANUAL mode function.
Figure 5:
The LCD shows as above, and then
change to as Figure 6.
Figure 6:
Press ⑩UP or DOWN until you see
[05: Display Type].
Figure 8:
The controller is shut down
automatically some seconds after you
see the above.
You need to restart to activate the
User
mode you selected.
Figure 7:
Press ⑱AUTO/HOME. AUTO/HOME
button toggles from [000: Band&Freq]
to [001: Freq Region]. Press SET button
to determine.

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＊AUTO・MANUAL mode function
You can obtain factory default setting status by press and hold the BAND
button. If you do this operation in certain segment of a band, other
segments in the same band will get to factory default.
See Figure 9 and 10
■4-3 ⑩UP・DOWN button
＊UP・DOWN button is used for selecting commands, choosing segments, and
adjusting frequency.
■4-4 ⑪SET button
＊SET button determines the selected command or status.
＊You can confirm model number, software version, and ROM version by press
and hold this button. (See Figure 3)
■4-5 ⑫MANUAL/CAL.(CALIBRATION) button
＊MANUAL button
This button is used to adjust element length manually.
You can fine tune the antenna resonant frequency by ⑩UP・DOWN button.
In order to get back to factory default you need to press and hold the BAND
button of which you want to make the setting factory default. LCD
displays as below.
→Set default OK? blinking→⑪SET→Write complete →factory default
element length
＊Note The above operation deletes the previously set data.
Figure 10:
Showing the message while the settings
are going back to default. The mode LED
that you have selected is flashing on and
off while the elements are in motion.
Figure 9:
In Manual mode.
[Set default OK?] blinks on and off.
Press ⑪SET button.

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＊CAL. (CALIBRATION)button（Press and Hold）
You can start calibration on any band and in either MANUAL or AUTO mode.
You will see Figure 11 by press and hold CAL button. Press ⑪SET button
while [Push SET] is blinking. Then you will see Figure 12.
The controller is set to factory default, which means the antenna was once
calibrated under certain condition in the factory.
We would like you to do [Calibration] once you removed power supply from the
controller or after experiencing power outage.
Figure 13:
(In case of 18.100MHz is selected) Once all the elements are retracted (going back to home position in
the AEU), elements will start extending to the correct length for the selected band (segment).One of
MODE LEDs turns to on from blinking tells you finishing the calibration process.
■4-6 ⑬CANCEL button
You can cancel the immediate operation by pressing this button.
Figure 11:
Press and hold CAL button brings the
above message.
Push SET is blinking. Press ⑪SET to
determine.
Figure 12:
Push SET disappears.
While one of MODE LEDs is blinking on and
off, the elements are in motion. Elements
go back to home position and then extend
to the set position.

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■4-7 ⑭MODE/ADJUST button
＊MODE
Switching NORMAL, 180°, and DIPOLE.
Each time pressing this button the MODE LED blinks. During blinking elements
are moving in the glass-fiber poles. When the elements are set to the length for
the selected band, the LED turns on from blinking.
＊ADJUST (Press and hold)
Your can fine tune element length.
Press and hold while either AUTO or MANUAL mode is selected.
Figure 14 will be shown. Press SET, and then you can choose AEU (D1, D2,
D3, D4 (directors), Ra (radiator), All (all elements)) that you want to adjust
length with ⑩UP or DOWN button. Press ⑪.SET to determine which element
length should be adjusted.
Each pressing ⑩UP or DOWN button let the element extend or rewind 5mm. If
you press and hold the button, the element keeps moving until you release the
button.
Press ⑪SET to set and save the setting. You see Write complete in LCD
display.
*You can go back to the normal operation by pressing ⑬CANCEL button to
abort Adjust status.
After you adjust an element, you can repeat the same procedure to adjust
another element.
See Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, and Figure 17
*All
You can adjust all the elements by one operation at the same time.
See Figure 18
*Note:
If you see [Max Length] in LCD display, the element length value you were
going to obtain have exceeded the physical element length.

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Figure 18
*Note:
We recommend customizing element length by adjusting elements if SWR is
comparatively high at your location.
NORMAL mode adjustment works only for NORMAL mode. You may need to
take the same procedure for each mode(180°, Dipole)
.
Figure 14:
[Push SET] is blinking.
Press ⑪SET to select what AEU
to adjust.
Figure 15 shows you selected [Ra].
Figure 15:
You will see [SET] blink if you
press ⑩UP or DOWN to adjust
element.
Figure 16 :
Press ⑪SET to set and finish adjustment.
[Write Complete] will stop blinking .
Figure 17:
After Figure 16 process, you will see
AEU name (in this example it is
Radiator) start blinking again.
If you want to adjust another element,
use ⑩UP or DOWN to choose it.
Figure 18:
shows appearance of LCD display when you adjust all the elements at the same time.
Procedure is as same as described above for each element adjustment.
We recommend to do Adjust procedure if you think SWR is high after Calibration.

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■4-８ ⑮NORMAL mode
＊Regular Yagi antenna mode
KA1 works as regular Yagi antenna.
■4-9 ⑯180°(Reverse) mode
＊Front and back switch from Normal mode.
Any type of KA1 works as 3 element Yagi antenna.
■4-10 ⑰DIPOLE mode
＊KA1 has dipole like pattern on both front and back
KA1 has a little gain over dipole antenna.
■4-11 ⑱AUTO/HOME button
＊AUTO button
Press AUTO button to make the controller to follow your transceiver
frequency.
Note: Because KA1 controller is designed to follow the transmitting frequency
(Main VFO frequency for ICOM radio), KA1 doesn’t follow the receiving
frequency during SPLIT mode operation. KA1 controller follows only receiving
frequency of some transceivers that don’t have transmitting frequency
output like TS950/850.
＊HOME button (Press and hold)
Pressing HOME button all the elements are retracted to the reels in AEU. We
call this status home position.
We strongly recommend retracting elements to home position during lighting
storm. Then please remove control cable and DC plug from the controller.
If you stack another or other antennas over KA1, you can reduce the effect of
KA1 over other antennas minimum by retracting elements.
Press ⑪SET button when Figure 19 is shown, and you will see Figure 20.
Mode LED is blinking while elements are in motion in the glass fiber poles.
When all the elements are retracted, LED turns on from blinking.

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＊HOME operation and HOME sensor
After HOME operation is done and HOME sensor detects the element is
retracted in an AEU, the AEU number will be show on the upper left corner of
LCD display. Then the power will be shut off.
The numbers at upper right corner of LCD display shown as Figure 20 are
connector numbers in junction box.
Displayed numbers for each model are shown below.
* Ra/Radiator, Ref/Reflector, D/Director
Figure 19: HOME
[Push SET] blinks.
Press ⑪SET button to set.
Figure 20:
When all the elements are retracted,
the above message comes on LCD
display. After showing this message
the power will be shut off
automatically.
＊While selected mode LED is blinking,
elements are in motion.
＊Figure 20 shows the example of 6
element model.

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5. Rear Panel and Connectors
■The Name of the Connectors on the Rear Panel.
Figure 21
①POWER：
For AC adaptor plug. We strongly recommend you to use AC adaptor that
comes with KA1.
*NOTE During operation if you accidentally removed power from the controller,
you should need to HOME operation (press and hold HOME and press SET)
for elements to get to home position once.
Otherwise the CPU in the controller may miscalculate the length.
②AMP：
RCA female for linear amplifier control.
③RIG：
RCA female for your transceiver TX GND output. TX GND is connected to
ground during transmitting.
*② and ③ are connected inside of the controller normally. Only when
elements are in motion, they are cut off to prevent KA1 from being
damaged. This function should also work to protect your linear
amplifier.
④USB Interface:
USB Type-B terminal to connect with your computer.
Driver software is automatically installed for Windows XP and later. But you
may need to install manually for earlier version of Windows and for some
Windows 7.

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⑤CI-V Interface：
3.5mm mono mini jack. (2P)
This works as same as [REMOTE] of ICOM equipment. You need to use this
interface to use ICOM transceivers or KOHJINSHA linear amplifiers.
⑥ PC⇔RIG：
This toggle switch lets you choose either computer or transceiver to control
VERSA Beam antenna.
⑦ RS-232C Interface：
Use RS232C straight cable to connect transceiver or computer that has
RS232C interface. Be sure to lock the connector after connection.
⑧ ANTENNA CONNECTION：
For Amphenol 36 pin connector supplied with control cable. Be sure to lock
the connector after connection.
*NOTE
Please confirm the AC adaptor is removed from the controller when you make
this connection.

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6．Before Start Using KA1
■6-1 Check and Adjust SWR at Factory Default Setting
Use antenna SWR analyzer or KOHJINSHA KP-1 Power meter to measure
SWR.
■6-2 Calibration
The controller is set to factory default. Factory default setting is the best
setting in certain condition. You may need to customize settings in order for
KA1 to fit your antenna circumstances.
Please confirm the initial display that tells you KA1 is at HOME position. Look at
upper right corner of LCD display. You should see 123 for 3 element, 1234
for 4 element, 12345 for 5 element, and 123456 for 6 element.
Confirm MANUAL mode is selected, and then press 28MHz button to extend
the elements to 28MHz length.
NORMAL LED blinks until extending stops. LED stops blinking and keeps light
on. Press and hold MANUAL/CAL button and press SET to go to calibration.
Element numbers are shown when elements are retracted to HOME position.
And then elements will extend to the 28MHz length. LED stop blinking and
keep light on when calibration is done.
(28MHz calibration should finish within 30 seconds.)
＊ At this point let’s measure SWR on 28MHz band.
Please make sure the controller frequency is the same as the transceiver
frequency before measuring SWR.
For example : Transceiver 28.300→Controller 28.300
＊Note
When you measure SWR, …………………………………………………………………
Figure 22:
Press and hold MANUAL/CAL
button make [Push SET] blink. Press
SET button to start retracting
elements.
Figure 23:
When retraction completes, LCD
showing is like Figure 23. for some
seconds, and disappear.
Figure 23 shows for 6 element
model.

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Get your tower the highest if your tower is a crank up tower.
Do not do it on the day of heavy rain, snow, or windy.
Choose the antenna direction to keep elements as far away as possible from
trees, wires, or buildings. If the element tip is too close to those obstacles, you
may not be able to obtain good SWR.
Please make sure SWR is low enough on the other bands, too.
Please put SWR numbers that are obtained in the regular conditions for future
reference.
BAND 周波数 NORMAL 180° DP
7M 7.100MHz
10M 10.125MHz
14M 14.150MHz
18M 18.120MHz
21M 21.200MHz
24M 24.950MHz
28M 28.300MHz
50M 50.100MHz
＊ SWR adjustment procedure is explained in the next section.
We strongly recommend retracting all the elements during typhoon (hurricane),
thunder storm, heavy rain, or blizzard. We also recommend you to do
calibration again after severe weather is gone.
If you do calibration on a certain band, other bands are calibrated
automatically. The Higher the band you calibrate, the shorter the time you
need.
You can set automatic calibration after power on by USER setting. It is
recommended to set this setting because element length may change a little by
strong wind or shock by something.
* This table shows approximate time to complete calibration on each band.
BAND 7M 10M 14M 18M 21M 24M 28M 50M
Duration 80Sec 80Sec 60Sec 50Sec 40Sec 35Sec 30Sec 20Sec
The duration is for retracting to home position and extending to the band
length. (It takes about a half of above number to extend for the band from
home position.)

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■6-３ How to Adjust VSWR and Save the Setting
SWR may not be the best at your antenna site because there should be some things
that may affect your antenna at your antenna site.
If you cannot get good SWR by calibration, use [Adjust] function to adjust element
length. After adjustment you need to save the setting in the controller.
How to Adjust 1．
①: Choose MANUAL mode. Go to the band that you want to adjust. Press UP or
DOWN to move frequency in the same band in order to find the best SWR point (the
lowest point).
②: Pressing UP makes the frequency higher.(Element length gets shorter.)
③: Pressing DOWN makes the frequency lower. (Element length gets longer)
④: If you find the spot whose SWR is below 1.5 and the best for the band, read the
frequency.
⑤: Make the transceiver frequency and the controller frequency the same. Go to
Adjust mode. See Figure 18. Select All. Use UP or DOWN until you get the same
SWR(best) that you obtained in process ① to ④. Press SET.
You won’t lose GAIN or Front to Back ratio because all the elements moves with
coordinating the factory default data if you choose [All].
How to Adjust 2．
In case you couldn’t’t have good result by following How to Adjust 1, we would like
you to try this.
①: Choose MANUAL mode, and select a band which you want to adjust. Set your
transceiver frequency as same frequency as the controller shows. Go to Adjust mode.
②: See Figure 16. Use UP or DOWN button to adjust the radiator length until you find
the best spot. Press SET.
If you think you did adjustment too much, return to factory default. You need to
repeat above process on each band. You need to do the same process for 180°and
DP mode.
*Note:
If you adjust reflector and directors to pursue better SWR point, you may lose the
antenna gain and good F/B radio.
If you would like to fine-tune reflector and directors, ask you local station that is
located within 5 Km (3 miles) from your station to transmit test signals. You need to
check not only gain, or F/B ratio, but also SWR.
Our factory test frequencies are listed below.
7.100, 10.125, 14.150, 18.100, 21.200, 24.950, 28.300, 50.100MHz