LDG MC-101 User manual

LDG Electronics, 1445 Parran Road, Saint Leonard, MD 20685
LDG Electronics
Dual Analog Color Meter
MC-101, 990, 7610, 7800
For Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood HF Transceivers

Contents
The Dual Analog Color Meter............................................................................................1
Specifications ...................................................................................................................1
Connections and Operation .............................................................................................2
Operating Notes ...............................................................................................................3
Product Notes ..................................................................................................................4
The LDG Dual Analog Color Meter
The LDG Dual Color Analog Meter is a precision instrument that will provide many years
of quality service. The Dual Meter provides two, three-inch meters to compliment the
“virtual” meters on your radio’s display panel. Each meter can show S-Meter reading, final
amplifier voltage and current, power output, SWR, compression level and ALC level.
Both meters are illuminated by high-visibility color LEDs from behind. This color
backlighting is very attractive, easy on the eyes during long operating sessions, and makes
it a snap to read the meters precisely. Each meter has adjustments on the back for
separate color and brightness settings. Be sure to read the entire manual to ensure safe
operation and long life of the meter. With proper care this meter will provide many hours
of enjoyable operation.
Specifications:
Meters: Dual 3.0” Analog Meter
Illumination: Color LED Backlight, Adjustable Brightness
Radio Connection: Stereo 3.5mm TRS
DC Connector: 5.5x2.5mm Center Positive
Voltage: 13.8 VDC +/- 15%
Current Draw: 200 mA max
Size: 8.5”x3.5”x3.5” (215x90x90mm)
Weight: 1.5 lbs. (680 g)

Connections:
With the radio turned off, connect one end of the stereo cable to the external meter Jack
on the back of the Radio. Connect the other end of the stereo cable to the Jack marked
“Radio”on the back of the Meter. Connect the DC cable to a DC supply that can provide
13.8 VDC at 500mA or above. The Red tinned wire goes to positive and black goes to
ground. The push button on/off switch on the back of the Meter controls the power to
the unit. With the unit on, adjust the brightness and color of each meter. Position the
radio and meter for normal use and enjoy the view.
General Operation:
The main function of the LDG meter is to display the meter information to the user. When
the user chooses S-meter for their external meter, the radio sends an electrical signal to
the LDG meter to position the needle according to the radio’s internal S meter. The user
would then read the Scale corresponding to the S-meter reading. Likewise, when using
the LDG meter to measure the output wattage, the radio is telling the LDG meter what to
display. The user would view scale corresponding to the Power level. The Menus in the
radio can be used to select which scale on the LDG analog meter to use for measurements
at different times.
Radio firmware can change quite frequently. Be sure to have the correct user’s manual
available for your firmware version to see what meter options are available to you.
Front View Back View

Operating Notes:
MC-990 for Kenwood TS-990:
Connecting an analog meter to the METER
connector on the rear enables you to
display the level of signals transmitted or
received on the main band and sub band.
The signal type to the main band and the
sub band can be configured
independently from the METER terminal.
MC-7610 for Icom IC-7610:
The External Meter Output menu selects
the desired item for an external meter
indicator. Outputs received signal
strength, transmit output power, VSWR,
ALC, speech compression, Vd or Id levels
for an external meter.
MC-7800 for Icom IC-7800:
The External Meter Output menu selects
the desired item for an external meter
indicator. Outputs receiving signal
strength level, transmit output power,
VSWR, ALC, speech compression, Vd or Id
levels for an external meter.
MC-101 for FTdx-101:
Connecting an analog meter to the METER
connector on the rear enables you to
display the level of signals transmitted or
received on the main band and sub band.

Product Notes:
Welcome to the LDG Electronics family of
amateur radio equipment! Starting in 1995 and
based in St. Leonard, Maryland, LDG defines state
of the art equipment for the Ham radio
community.
Visit the LDG Electronics web site on-line
at www.ldgelectronics.com often to learn about
new developments. We offer complete product
support through our web site, and we’re here for
you for any questions that you might have. All of
our products are supported with a two-year
transferrable warranty. If you sell your LDG
product, provide the new owner with a copy of
the original sales receipt, and the two-year
warranty transfers to the new owner. Your
product receipt establishes eligibility for warranty
service; save that receipt!
LDG does not warrant against product
damage or abuse. A product failure caused by the
customer or by other natural calamity (e.g.
lightning) is not covered under the two-year
warranty. Uncovered damage can be caused by
failure to heed the product’s published limitations
and specifications, or by not following good
Amateur practice.
Service for your Product
Visit the Customer Support Center on our
web site www.ldgelectronics.com and download
the LDG Product Repair Form. On the Repair
Form, tell us what happened (or didn’t happen)
and why the product needs servicing. The
technician will attempt to duplicate the issue you
described, so please be accurate and complete.
Ask your shipper for a tracking number or delivery
verification. Be sure to include your email address
and phone number so we can contact you when
your product is being returned.
Send your carefully packaged unit to:
LDG Electronics, Inc.
Attn: Repair Department
1445 Parran Rd
St. Leonard, MD 20685
Product Feedback
We encourage product feedback! Tell us
what you think of your LDG product. In a card,
letter, or email and tell us how you use the
product and how well it worked in your
application. Send along a photo, or schematic, or
even a drawing to illustrate your narrative. We
like to share your comments with our staff, our
dealers, and even other customers at the LDG
website.
Very Important Safety Warning
Never install antennas or transmission
lines over or near power lines. You can be
seriously injured or killed if any part of the
antenna, support or transmission line touches a
power line. Always think of this general antenna
safety rule: the distance to the nearest power line
should be at least twice the length of the longest
antenna, transmission line or support.
Important Safety Warning
Be sure to turn off your radio and power
supply before connecting or disconnecting any
cables in your station. Many people are injured
every year by equipment they thought was off or
disconnected.
Safety Warning
Be aware of, and follow, all electrical and
safety codes of your municipality.