SGC Smartuner SG-211 User manual

Catalog Number 54-26
April 2004
The Zero Power Smartuner

Thank you for buying your new SG-
211 Antenna Coupler. The SG-211
incorporates the very latest
American-made technology as well as
our experience in having delivered
more than 100,000 Smartuners since
1985. It is a state-of-the-art tuner
providing a new and unique level of
usefulness.
The concept of the SG-211 is quite
different from the rest of our line of
Smartuners. It is a unique departure
designed to provide flexible matching
capabilities in a portable environment
where power is at a premium. The
ease of installation and flexible
operation make this an ideal choice
when power is limited. We know that
the simplicity, reliability, and
flexibility of the SG-211 will enhance
your HF operation for years to come.
SGC continues to focus on providing
the most useful products and services
for our customers around the world.
Please feel free to call to discuss your
antenna system requirements at any
time. We look forward to making your
HF experience the very best.
Pamela Goral
President
Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA. 98009
Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St. Bellevue, WA. 98005
Toll Free: 800-259-7331 * Phone: [phone] * Fax: [phone]
www.sgcworld.com * Email: [email protected]
Pierre Goral
Founder
1936-2004

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 1
Warnings
IMPORTANT NOTE: A random antenna wire will
radiate RF. Not only is this an RF Hazard within the
station, but it can cause local interference both within the
station and in the vicinity depending on your power level.
CAUTION: Unbalanced antennas are radiating from the
line as soon as they leave the SG-211. Minimize the
amount of wire inside the radio room to prevent
interference with electronic equipment. Minimizing
power will also minimize interference caused by this kind
of antenna.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 2
Quick Start/Reference

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 3
Table of Contents
1INTRODUCTION ................................................ 5
1.1 SPECIFICATIONS............................................. 5
1.2 MECHANICAL DESIGN ................................... 7
2SG-211 SETUP ..................................................... 8
2.1 CONNECTIONS TO THE SG-211 ...................... 8
2.1.1 RF Input from your transceiver................ 8
2.1.2 Antenna and RF Ground Connections ..... 9
2.2 BATTERY REPLACEMENT............................. 11
3ANTENNAS AND THE SG-211 ....................... 13
3.1 OPTIMUM COUPLING ................................... 13
3.2 CONNECTING ANTENNAS............................. 13
3.3 BALANCED VS. UNBALANCED ANTENNAS... 15
3.4 ANTENNA RECOMMENDATIONS................... 16
3.4.1 Dipoles ................................................... 16
3.4.2 The Inverted V Antenna.......................... 17
3.4.3 Dipoles with Matching Lines ................. 17
3.4.4 Long Wires & Inverted Ls ...................... 18
3.4.5 Vertical Antennas................................... 20
3.4.6 Loops...................................................... 23
3.4.7 Portable Antennas.................................. 24
3.4.8 Beams..................................................... 27
3.5 TIPS & TRICKS............................................. 27
3.6 REFERENCES ON ANTENNAS ........................ 29
3.6.1 From SGC .............................................. 29
3.6.2 Books...................................................... 29
3.7 THE GOLDEN RULES OF HF INSTALLATION.30
3.8 DO-IT-YOURSELF LIGHT BULB TEST ........... 31
4THEORY OF OPERATION ............................. 35
4.1 NO EXTERNAL POWER REQUIRED ............... 35

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 4
4.2 THE MATCHING NETWORK.......................... 36
4.3 THE SENSOR ................................................ 37
4.4 THE RELAY DRIVER MATRIX ...................... 38
4.5 MICROPROCESSOR ....................................... 39
5COMPONENT LOCATION ............................. 41
6SCHEMATICS ................................................... 43
7STANDARD WARRANTY ............................... 48

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 5
1Introduction
1.1 Specifications
The SG-211 is a revolution. You’ve never seen a coupler
so light weight or so flexible. Never has there been one so
easy to carry and use. And NEVER have you seen one
that will tune for 5 years on a single set of AA cells!

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 6
HF Frequency Range: 1.8-60 MHz
Power Input Range:
(approximate)
60 watts (PEP) 30 watts key-down
30 watts (PEP) with short antennas below
3.5 Mhz
20 watts data continuous operation
Minimum Sensitivity Approximately 1 watt
Memory bins: 256
Input Impedance Range: .3-6000 ohms
VSWR: Typically less than 2:1
DC Input Requirement: None (internal battery)
Input Current: Zero
Random set time: Average 4 seconds
Recurrent set time: Typically less than 500 milliseconds
Antenna Length: 25 foot wire or whip from 1.8-60 Mhz
8 foot wire or whip from 3.5-60 Mhz
Installation: Any position
Operating Temperature: -30° to +60°C
Size: 8.66 inches X 4.69 inches X 1.55 inches
Weight: 1 lb
Case Construction: Irridited Aluminum
Antenna types: 1. Whip
2. Backstay (marine, sail)
3. Dipole centerfed
4. Dipole with feedline
5. Loop (small) 2x2 multi turn
6. Loop (large) 10 ft. and up single turn
7. Longwire
8. Ladder feed
9. Coaxial Fed Antennas
Power Source 4 AA Batteries lasting 5 years
Front Panel Connections SO-239 RF Input Connector
Rear Panel Connections Balanced and Unbalanced Wing Nuts
Indicators 1 Red LED on Front Panel:
Steady for 2 seconds for tuned
Blinking for 2 seconds for not tunable
Morse B for 10 seconds for battery low

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 7
1.2 Mechanical Design
The SG-211 is in an Irridited Aluminum case.
The RF input connector is an SO-239 on the
front of the case. RF Output is from balanced
and unbalanced connectors on the back. Internal
construction makes the SG-211 suitable for
portable or fixed location use. Corrosion-
resistant hardware and passive alloys are used
throughout.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 8
2SG-211 Setup
Setup on the SG-211 is so easy there is almost nothing to
do. It comes with AA batteries already installed. All you
need to do is connect the coax from your transceiver,
attach your antenna to the terminals on the back, and the
SG-211 is ready to go.
2.1 Connections to the SG-211
2.1.1 RF Input from your transceiver
RF input to the SG-211 is through a standard SO-239
connector on the front. Choose good quality coaxial cable
with a PL-259 connector. You may want to add a
Power/SWR meter between the transceiver and the SG-
211 to monitor conditions. We recommend that you select
one that measures Forward and Reverse power as well as
SWR. This will provide more useful information about
conditions on the line.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 9
2.1.2 Antenna and RF Ground
Connections
A wide variety of antennas can be connected to the SG-
211. A set of wing nuts for connecting balanced or
unbalanced antennas is provided on the back.
Optimum use of the SG-211 Smartuner is to put it directly
at the antenna feed point. This may require enclosing it in
a waterproof enclosure to protect it from the weather.
Either a balanced or an unbalanced antenna can be
connected directly to the wing nuts provided on the back
of the coupler.
If the Smartuner must be away from the antenna feed
point, it is best to connect to the antenna with balanced
feed line. The feed line can be connected to the balanced
terminals on the back of the coupler. When it is not
possible to use balanced feedline, then the antenna may be
connected with coax.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 10
When feeding an unbalanced antenna directly, the RF
Ground lug is connected with a jumper strap to one side
of the balanced feed and the other side of the balanced
feed is used for RF Hot.
If you are feeding your antenna with coaxial cable, then
the cable is connected to the back panel by connecting the
center conductor to the right RF Out connection and the
braid to the Chassis Ground with a jumper to the left RF
Out connection as shown below.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 11
A short pigtail connector with an SO-239 female
connector on it will make it easier to use Coaxial cable
with the SG-211.
2.2 Battery Replacement
To replace the batteries inside the SG-211, you must
unscrew the cover and remove it. The screws are on the
left and right sides of the SG-211 as shown below.
The batteries are in two battery holders on the SG-211
circuit board. Any suitable alkaline AA batteries may be
Two Cover Screws on
each side, none on front
and back

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 12
used. We recommend using the highest quality alkaline
AA batteries available to assure the longest life with no
battery leakage that could damage the circuit board.
Batteries

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 13
3Antennas and the SG-211
The SG-211 can accommodate a wide variety of antennas.
3.1 Optimum Coupling
Optimum use of the SG-211 is to place it at the antenna
feed point. This keeps SWR on the feed line to an
absolute minimum.
3.2 Connecting Antennas
The SG-211 is provided with an SO-239 connector on the
front panel for RF in. It has balanced and unbalanced
connections on the back panel.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 14
The SO-239 connector is intended to connect to a normal
Coaxial feedline.
Unbalanced antennas,
such as a long or random
wire, are fed by
connecting the radiator to
the right RF Out
connection and the RF
Grounding system to the
left RF Out and Chassis
Ground.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Antenna wire connected to the SG-
211 directly will radiate RF. This is an RF Hazard and it
can cause local interference within the station and in the
vicinity depending on your power level.
The balanced feed connection supports ladder line feed to
a balanced antenna such as a dipole or a loop.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 15
3.3 Balanced vs. Unbalanced
Antennas
The distinction
between balanced and
unbalanced antennas
is that balanced
antennas are
electrically balanced
at the feed point while
unbalanced antennas
require an RF Ground
to provide the balance. Dipoles and loops are typical
balanced antennas.
Unbalanced antennas need an RF Ground such as a radial
wire system or a
counterpoise to create
electrical balance. They
depend on the quality of
the ground for a maximum
radiated signal. Without a
good quality ground,
unbalanced antennas will
cause interference, RF in the radio room, and radiate
poorly. Long wires and verticals are typical unbalanced
antennas.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 16
3.4 Antenna Recommendations
There are many ways to connect antennas for use. Here
are some common examples that can help you get started
with your SG-211. For additional information about
antennas, we recommend that you obtain a copy of our
HF User’s Guide from our website at
http://www.sgcworld.com/ftp/Books/hfguide.pdf
For detailed technical information about antennas, the
consistently best source is the ARRL Antenna Handbook.
3.4.1 Dipoles
Balanced antennas are
connected to the
balanced line terminals
on the back of the SG-
211.
Some balanced
antennas, such as the
folded dipole are
usually constructed
with a coax feed at
the center point.
Simply connect your
coax feed line to the
SG-211 as shown.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 17
3.4.2 The Inverted V Antenna
The Inverted-V
antenna can be fed
with ladder line run
from the balanced line
connection on the SG-
211. It is also
commonly fed from
coaxial cable with the
center conductor to one side and the shield to the other.
3.4.3 Dipoles with Matching Lines
Some antennas, such as the G5RV, use a section of ladder
line as a matching device. The ladder line transforms the
feed point impedance to something near 50 ohms at the
antenna’s design frequency. Usually, the ladder line
terminates in a 1:1 balun. Coaxial line from the
transceiver connects to the balun.

SG-211 User’s Manual
© 2004 SGC Inc. Page 18
When operated away from the design frequency, these
antennas need a tuner such as the SG-211 to match the
coaxial line from the transceiver. The SG-211 can be used
with either coaxial cable on output to the balun or direct
connected to the ladder line section with the balun
removed.
3.4.4 Long Wires & Inverted Ls
Long wire and inverted L antennas are unbalanced
antennas. They are fed from the right RF Out connection
directly with a single wire. The RF Ground system is
connected to the Chassis Ground and that is jumpered to
the left RF Out connector.
CAUTION: Unbalanced antennas are radiating from the
line as soon as they leave the SG-211. Minimize the
amount of wire inside the radio room to prevent
interference with electronic equipment. Minimizing