Palstar AT1500DT User manual

Palstar Incorporated
9676 N. Looney Rd.,
Piqua, OH 45356 USA
Customer Service and Sales Telephone:
1-800-773-7931
Fax:
1-937-773-8003
Email:
in [email protected]
Version 1.3 01.09.2009
© Copyright 2006 Palstar Inc.
Printed in the U.S.A.
AT1500DT 1500 Watt Antenna Tuner
Owner’s Manual

1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
2 Important Safeguards
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT
EXPOSE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
1. Read Instructions—All the safet and
operating instructions should be read before
the appliance is operated.
2. Retain Instructions—The safet and
operating instructions should be retained for
future reference.
3. Heed Warnings—All warnings on the
appliance should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions—All operating and
use instructions should be followed.
5. Cleaning—Unplug this appliance from the
wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid
cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp
cloth for cleaning.
6. Do Not Use ttachments—not recom-
mended b the manufacturer or the ma
cause hazards.
7. Water and Moisture—Do not use this
product near water—for example, near a
bathtub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, laundr tub,
in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool—
and the like.
8. ccessories—Do not place this product on
an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table. The product ma fall, causing serious
injur to a child or adult, and serious damage
to the appliance.
9. Ventilation—This product should never be
placed near or over a radiator or heat register.
This product should not be placed in a built-in
installation such as a bookcase or rack unless
proper ventilation is provided or the manufac-
turer’s instructions have been adhered to. An
slots or openings in the cabinet are provided
for ventilation. To ensure reliable operation of
the video product and to protect it from over-
heating, these openings must not be blocked
or covered. The openings should never be
blocked b placing the product on a bed, sofa,
rug, or other similar surface.
10. Grounding or Polarization—this product
is equipped with a 3-wire line cord receptacle.
It is intended for use with a 3-wire properl
grounded power socket. Do not defeat the
safet purpose of the supplied line cord and
plug.
11. Power Sources—This product should be
operated onl from the t pe of power source
indicated on the marketing label. If ou are not
sure of the t pe of power supplied to our
home, consult our appliance dealer or local
power compan .
12. Power-cord Protection—Power-suppl
cords should be routed so the are not likel
to be walked on or pinched b items placed
upon or against them. Pa particular attention
to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where the exit.
13. Lightning—For added protection for this
product during a lightning storm, or when it is
left unattended and unused for long periods of
time, unplug it from the wall outlet.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT
OPEN THE CABINET WHILE OPERATING. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY.
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THE THREE WIRE
CORD WITH AN EXTENSION CORD RECEPTIACLE OR OTHER
OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO
PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.
An appliance and cart combination should
be moved with care. Quick stops, exces-
sive force and uneven surfaces ma cause
the appliance and cart combination to
overturn.
The lightning flash with arrow head
s mbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within
the product’s enclosure that ma be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompan ing the appliance.
Service and Warranty 15
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
Limited Warranty
Palstar Inc. warrants products manu actured by it to be ree rom
de ects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for
a period of one 1) year from the date of delivery to the first
buyer (the “Warranty Period”). Palstar Inc’s obligation under this war-
ranty is limited to repair or replacement o the product; at its option at
the Palstar actory in Piqua, OH.
E ective only when the product is returned to the actory with all
transportation charges prepaid and examination o the product discloses
in Palstar’s judgment, to have been de ective during the Warranty Pe-
riod.
The Warranty Period shall not extend beyond its original term with
respect to interim in-warranty repairs by Palstar. This Warranty Period
shall not apply to any product which has been repaired or altered by
anyone other than Palstar without prior written authorization. War-
ranty does not extend to any products which have been subject to dam-
age rom improper installation, application or maintenance in accor-
dance with the operating speci ication. Palstar neither assumes nor au-
thorizes any person to assume or it any obligation or liability other than
herein stated.
Repair Policy
When sending in a product or service, please “double” box it care-
ully and ship it insured or your protection. Please include a note clearly
describing the problem, how you wish the item returned and how you
wish to pay or the service. Package your unit properly. Palstar, Inc. is
not responsible or merchandise damaged in shipment. Our service rate
is $30 per hour (1/2 hr. minimum).
Return Policy
All returns must receive prior authorization rom Palstar. Returned
items must be received in original—AS SHIPPED– condition including
the original box, manuals, accessories, and copy o sales receipt. Returns
must be within 14 days o purchase. Returned items are subject to a
25% restocking ee. Shipping is not re undable.

14 Operating Your AT11500DT cont’d
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
Notes
1. An SWR o 1:1 is best, but an SWR as high as 2:1 may be acceptable. Check
your transmitter/ampli ier manual or details.
2. I you cannot get an acceptable SWR, lengthen or shorten your antenna and/
or eedlines and retune.
3. Once every 4-6 months clean the roller coil with 70% isopropyl alcohol and a
clean cotton cloth. Do not trans er any o the conducting grease on the rod
that guides the roller wheel as this will contaminate the windings on the
roller coil body.
4. Any time a new or di erent antenna is connected, it is necessary to repeat
the tuning procedure or each antenna.
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
Important Safeguards cont’d 3
14. Power Lines—An outside antenna s s-
tem should not be located in the vicinit of
overhead power lines, other electric light or
power circuits, where it can fall into such
power lines or circuits. When installing an
outside antenna s stem, extreme care should
be taken to keep from touching such power
lines or circuits as contact with them ma be
fatal.
15. Overloading—Do not overload wall out-
lets and extension cords as this can result in a
risk of fire or electric shock.
16. Object and Liquid Entry—Never push
objects of an kind into this product through
openings as the ma touch dangerous volt-
age points or short-out parts that could result
in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of
an kind on the product.
17. Servicing—Do not attempt to service this
product ourself as opening or removing
covers ma expose ou to dangerous voltage
or other hazards. Refer all servicing to quali-
fied service personnel.
18. Damage Requiring Service—Unplug this
product from the wall outlet and refer servicing
to qualified service personnel under the fol-
lowing conditions:
a. When the power-suppl cord or plug is
damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled, or objects have
fallen into the product.
c. If the product has been exposed to rain or
water.
d. If the product does not operate normall b
following the operating instructions. Adjust
onl those controls that are covered b the
operating instructions. An improper adjust-
ment ma result in damage and will often
require extensive work b a qualified
technician to restore the product to its normal
operation.
e. If the product has been dropped or the
cabinet has been damaged.
f. When the product exhibits a distinct change
in performance—this indicates a need for
service.
19. Replacement Parts—when replacement
parts are required, be sure the service techni-
cian has used replacement parts specified b
the manufacturer or have the same character-
istics as the original parts. Unauthorized sub-
stitutes ma result in fire, electric shock or
other hazards.
20. Safety Checks—Upon completion of an
service or repairs to this product, ask the
service technician to perform safet checks to
determine that the product is in proper operat-
ing condition.
21. Outdoor ntenna Grounding—Before
attempting to install this product, be sure the
antenna or cable s stem is grounded so as to
provide some protection against voltage
surges and built-up static charges.
a. Use No.10 AWG copper, No.8AWG alumi-
num, No.17AWB copper-clad steel or bronze
wire or larger, as ground wire.
b. Secure antenna lead-in and ground wires to
house with stand-off insulators spaced from 4
feet to 6 feet apart.
c. Mount antenna discharge unit as close as
possible to where lead-in enters house.
d. A driven rod ma be used as the grounding
electrode where other t pes of electrode
s stems do not exist. Refer to the National
Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA 70-1990 for infor-
mation.
e. Use jumper wire not smaller than No.6
AWG copper or equivalent, when a separate
antenna grounding electrode is used.

4 Tab e of Contents
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
Important safeguards 2
Table of Contents 4
General Description 5
Specifications 6
Installation 7
Unpacking 7
Location 7
Installation Procedures 7
AT1500DT Schematic 8
Rear Panel Connections 10
Front Panel Description 11
Operating Your T1500DT 12
Before Operating 12
Tuning 12
Notes 14
Service and Warranty 15
Thank ou for purchasing a
Palstar AT1500DT Antenna
Tuner. This antenna tuner has
been designed and manufac-
tured to high qualit standards,
and will provide reliable opera-
tion for man ears.
Please carefull read the
Owner’s Manual in order to take
advantage of the man interest-
ing features that will provide
ears of enjo able amateur
radio operation.
Operating Your AT11500DT cont’d 13
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
5. Set RANGE switch to 300 W (button out).
6. Set the DIRECT/TUNED mode switch to BYPASS or the posi-
tion matching your antenna connection. To tune your antenna,
the switch selection must be set to: COAX 1 TUNED, COAX
2 TUNED or WIRE (BALANCED ANTENNA). Selecting
COAX 1 DIRECT, COAX 2 DIRECT or BYPASS bypasses the
tuning selection.
7. Rotate the TUNE and INDUCTOR controls or maximum
noise or signal as heard on your receiver. Re er to preset tun-
ing chart below.
8. Key your transmitter and adjust the power level or a reading
o 100-150 watts on the FORWARD scale. Adjust the TUNE
and INDUCTOR controls or a minimum REFLECTED reading
while maintaining a FORWARD reading o 50-100 watts using
your transmitter power control.
9. Read the SWR on the red scale at the point where the two
needles intersect. Repeat tuning the TUNE and INDUCTOR
controls until the lowest SWR reading is obtained.
This procedure takes patience the first time. The
TUNE control varies the capacitor and provide
fine ad ustments. The roller inductor crank con-
trol provides coarse ad ustment.
10. When you have tuned your antenna to the best SWR, record
the settings o the INPUT, ANTENNA and INDUCTANCE
controls on the chart above or uture re erence. When you
retune, use these settings as your starting point.

12 Operating Your AT1500DT
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
Before Operating
1. To avoid possible damage to the AT1500DT set TUNE, IN-
DUCTOR, and POWER RANGE switches as outlined in the
chart be ore applying transmitter power.
2. Begin tuning with your transmitter/amp into the tuner set at a
low output power setting (50-100 Watts).
Tuning
1. Select the band and requency o desired operation.
2. Set TUNE and INDUCTOR controls to the suggested setting
be ore applying transmitter power (see chart). Actual settings
will vary rom antenna to antenna.
3. Set your transmitter/amp to a low power output. I your trans-
mitter has a TUNE position, select that position.
4. I you use a linear ampli ier, set it to Standby. Do not use the
linear ampli ier until the AT1KM is tuned. Do not exceed
1200 watts average single tone).
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THE AT1500DT
WITH THE COVER OFF.
TUNE INDUCTOR
SUGGESTED ACTUAL SUGGESTED ACTUAL
160 M 47 73
80 M 47 256
60 M 46 293
40 M 47 321
20 M 46 351
17 M 47 356
15 M 44 357
12 M 42 357
10 M 47 360
BAND
Genera Description 5
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
The Palstar AT1500DT Antenna
Tuner is an American made im-
pedance matching network that
can provide unbalanced and
balanced output.
The AT1500DT optimizes the
performance of our antenna
and transmitter or SWL receiver
b providing adjustable imped-
ance matching using a T-t pe
circuit configuration with a dual-
stator differential variable ca-
pacitor.
The AT1500DT also measures
the power and Voltage Standing
Wave Ratio (VSWR or SWR)
which allows ou to tune the
SWR to the lowest ratio possible
for the selected transmission
frequenc .
The AT1500DT also features a
precision roller inductor with a
steatite ceramic core. The inno-
vative differential capacitor de-
sign simplifies operation b re-
ducing the number of knobs and
eliminates false peaks while
tuning. It also results in a more
compact case that takes up less
room on the operation desk.
Designed to handle both Bal-
anced line feeds and Coax
feeds the AT1500DT features a
front panel mounted switch to
select between feeds.
Tuning is achieved with the front
panel mounted controls. The
Vernier dial allows for tuning
with precision and accurac ,
while the Inductor crank handle
facilitates coarse adjustments.

6 Specifications
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Front Panel Indicators and Controls
Metering PEAK and PEAK HOLD Dual movement cross
needle power and frequenc compensated coupler
Controls
Input Tuning Dual-stator differential capacitor (385 - 0 - 385) pF,
5 kV) with 6:1 precision vernier drive
Inductance 26 µH roller inductor; 12 ga. Wire wound on steatite
ceramic core, silver plated bar/wheel 6 position:
Coax 1 tuned and tuner b pass, coax 2 tuned and
tuner b pass, b pass and balanced antenna
Antenna Selector Switch 6 position: Coax 1 tuned and tuner b pass
Coax 2 tuned and tuner b pass
B pass and balanced antenna
Switch wafers are ceramic (3kV rated)
Power Range Switch 2 position 300 W /3000 W
Rear Panel Connectors
Coax 1 SO239 connector
Coax 2 SO239 connector
B pass SO239 connector
RF INPUT SO239 connector
Balanced Line Dual High Voltage N lon66TM terminal post
End –Fed Wire Dual High Voltage N lon66TM terminal post
12 VDC Input Adaptor for meter light 2.1 mm con. (center positive)
Other
Frequenc Coverage 1.8 — 30 MHz
Power Maximum 1500 W PEP SSB, 1200 W single tone continuous
Impedance Range 20 to 1500 Ω 160 m to 10 m (assuming resistive
load) Reduce power for lower Z range
Balanced Output 4:1 Ruthroff voltage t pe balun
Dimensions 4.5”H x 12.6”W x 12”D (incl. terminals)
Weight 12 lbs.
Materials Chassis and top cover is 11 ga. (.090) aluminum
that has been chem.-film treated in gold color. Front
Panel powder-coated and epox screened.
Front Pane Description 11
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1. POWER/SWR METER Dual
needle meter displays FORWARD and
REFLECTED power in watts. SWR is meas-
ured where the two needles intersect on
the red scale.
2. PEAK HOLD Select to read Peak Hold
on the SWR meter.
3. PEAK Select PEAK to read AVG PEAK.
4. RANGE Two-position switch selects the
range o FORWARD and REFLECTED
power displayed on the power meter.
When the RANGE button is out, the FOR-
WARD meter scale reads 300 watts ull
scale and the REFLECTED meter scale
reads 60 watts ull scale. When the RANGE
button is in the FORWARD meter scale
reads 3000 watts ull scale and the RE-
FLECTED meter scale reads 600 watts ull
scale.
5. POWER Select to turn on metering
with backlight.
4. INDUCTOR 26 µH continuously vari-
able ceramic roller inductor driven by a
crank handle. Coupled to the crank handle
is a gear-driven precision mechanical
counter.
5. TUNE Continuously adjustable di eren-
tial capacitor.
6.DIRECT-TUNED MODE SWITCH
Six-position rotary switch selects an output
coaxial connector with direct mode which
bypasses the tuner and tuned position
which passes antenna through the tuner
components.
a. DIRECT BYPASS selects BYPASS COAX con-
nector bypassing the impedance matching circuit
but providing SWR, FORWARD and REFLECTED
meter readings.
b. DIRECT COAX 1 selects COAX 1 connector
bypassing the tuner matching circuit but providing
SWR, FORWARD and REFLECTED meter read-
ings.
c. DIRECT COAX 2 selects COAX 2 connector
bypassing the tuner matching circuit but providing
SWR, FORWARD and REFLECTED meter read-
ings.
d. TUNED COAX 1 selects COAX 1 connector
through the impedance matching T circuit.
e. TUNED COAX 2 selects COAX 2 connector
through the tuner matching T circuit.
. BALANCED OUT selects the balanced and End
Fed Wire output connectors located a ter the
impedance matching circuit.
1 2 3
4
5 6
4 5

10 Insta ation cont’d.
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
12 VDC INPUT
(2.1 mm plug) or
12VDC @ 200mA
to power the me-
tering circuit and
lamp.
RF INPUT coaxial
connector or
input rom trans-
mitter or ampli-
ier.
GROUND post/
wing nut ground
BALANCED OUTPUT two
nylon High Voltage post
connectors or output to RF
balanced wire ed antennas.
Jumper wire must be con-
nected between lower post
on END FED WIRE post.
COAX 2 coaxial
connector or output
to Antenna Two.
COAX 1 coaxial
connector or output
to Antenna One.
BYPASS coaxial connec-
tor or output to dummy
load or third coax out-
put. Bypasses tuner, but
meter circuits are on i
12VDC power is supplied
FIGURE 1 REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
END FED WIRE post connector
or output to a single-wire antenna
(do not use jumper). Ground post
must be connected to good RF
ground.
W RNING: Balanced antennas will produce high
RF voltages at the output post connectors. RF
burns may result if touched during transmission.
Insta ation 7
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
Unpacking
Carefull remove the AT1500DT
from the shipping carton and
inspect it for signs of damage. If
an damage is apparent, notif
the transportation carrier or
dealer immediatel . We recom-
mend keeping the packing
carton for moving, storing or
reshipping the tuner to us for
repair if required.
Location
Select a location for the
AT1500DT that allows the con-
nectors to be free form an pos-
sible contact during operation to
allow for unrestricted air flow for
cooling of our AT1500DT.
Installation Procedures
Connect a coax cable from our
transmitter to the RF INPUT
connector on the rear panel.
Keep the cable as short as pos-
sible. If ou use a linear ampli-
fier, connect our transmitter to
the linear amplifier input and the
linear amplifier output to the
AT1500DT. Do not use more
than 1200 watts average
(single tone) through the
tuner.
Connect coax cable(s) from
our antenna to COAX 1 or
COAX 2 connectors on the rear
panel. These connectors are
either direct from the transmitter
or through the tuned circuit de-
pending on the setting of the
DIRECT/TUNED mode switch
on the front panel.
For a balanced feed antenna
connect a balanced feed line the
upper and lower BALANCED
OUTPUT posts, and the sup-
plied jumper strap between the
lower BALANCED OUTPUT and
the END FED WIRE posts (see
pg 10).
If using a single wire antenna,
connect it to the END FED
WIRE post and remove the
jumper strap. When using an
END FED WIRE antenna the
GROUND post must be con-
nected to a good RF ground.
Connect a dumm load to the
BYPASS connector using a
coax cable. This lets ou select
the dumm load from the
DIRECT/TUNED mode switch.
An antenna that does not re-
quire the use of an antenna
tuner ma be connected to the
BYPASS connector, if desired.

8 AT1500DT Schematic
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
MODEL AT1500DT DIFF-T TUNER
PEAK
PEAK/HOLD
(Front Panel)
AT11500DT Schematic 9
1-800-773-7931 WWW.PALST AR.COM
385-0-385 p DIFF-T
variable capacitor