SteppIR SDA 2000 OptimizIR User manual

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Table of Contents
Introduction (John Mertel WA7IR) ....................................................................................... 5
Warning ............................................................................................................................... 7
Purpose ............................................................................................................................... 7
Release History ................................................................................................................... 7
Initial Controller Checkout ................................................................................................... 8
Theory ................................................................................................................................. 8
Operate Mode ..................................................................................................................... 9
Power-On Screen ............................................................................................................ 9
Modes of Operation ........................................................................................................... 10
NORM Mode .................................................................................................................. 10
180 Mode ....................................................................................................................... 10
BI 3/4 Mode ................................................................................................................... 10
Main Screen ...................................................................................................................... 10
OptimizIR Buttons in Operate Mode .................................................................................. 12
Setup Mode ....................................................................................................................... 13
Options Menu .................................................................................................................... 14
Remote Driver Option .................................................................................................... 15
Power Off Retract .......................................................................................................... 15
Display Metric ................................................................................................................ 15
Global Correction Factor ................................................................................................ 15
Calibrate Antenna .............................................................................................................. 16
Retract Elements ............................................................................................................... 16
Autotrack Settings ............................................................................................................. 17
Band Limit Settings ........................................................................................................... 18
Transceiver Setup ............................................................................................................. 18
Motors Test ........................................................................................................................ 23
Relays Test ........................................................................................................................ 24
Software Version ............................................................................................................... 24
Antenna Selection ............................................................................................................. 24
Reset User Data ................................................................................................................ 25
Fault Code Menu ............................................................................................................... 25
No Response ................................................................................................................. 25
Antenna Cable Open ..................................................................................................... 25
Driver Chip Error ............................................................................................................ 25
Select Pattern: ............................................................................................................... 27
Adjust Element:.............................................................................................................. 27
Adjust Frequency ........................................................................................................... 27
Select Segment ............................................................................................................. 27
Band Correction ............................................................................................................. 27
Multi-Element Adjust ...................................................................................................... 27
Reset Pattern to Default ................................................................................................ 27
LCD Display Setup ............................................................................................................ 28
LCD Brightness.............................................................................................................. 28
Background Color .......................................................................................................... 28
Foreground Color........................................................................................................... 28

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Text Color ...................................................................................................................... 28
Button Text Color ........................................................................................................... 28
Button Panel Color ......................................................................................................... 28
Button Top Color ............................................................................................................ 28
Button Bottom Color ...................................................................................................... 28
Bottom Select Color ....................................................................................................... 28
Custom Color 80 ............................................................................................................ 28
LCD Default ................................................................................................................... 28
Flash File Menu ................................................................................................................. 29
Read Antenna File ......................................................................................................... 29
Master Antenna File ................................................................................................... 29
Saved Antenna File .................................................................................................... 29
Custom Antenna File .................................................................................................. 29
Save User Antenna File ................................................................................................. 29
Updated Master File Available ....................................................................................... 30
Using Controller for More Than One Antenna ................................................................ 30
How to Update Firmware ................................................................................................... 31
Tuning Relay ..................................................................................................................... 32
Remote Driver ................................................................................................................... 32
Advanced Lightning Protection (ALP)................................................................................ 34
Memory Card Operations .................................................................................................. 34
Customer Support ............................................................................................................. 36

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Table of Illustrations
Initial Power-On Screen....................................................................................................... 9
Menu Screen ....................................................................................................................... 9
Screen After First-Time Power-On ..................................................................................... 11
OptimizIR Front Panel ....................................................................................................... 12
Setup Main Menu .............................................................................................................. 14
Transceiver Interface to Radio........................................................................................... 19
Transceiver Interface with Y-cable ..................................................................................... 20
Controllers Stacked with Y-cable ....................................................................................... 21
Transceiver Interface to PC only ....................................................................................... 22
Screen Capture - AVR-Osp II ATxmega129A1 Programmer Panel .................................. 31
Tuning Relay Wiring .......................................................................................................... 32
Remote Driver Board Wiring .............................................................................................. 33
View of Memory Card Location ......................................................................................... 34
Front View of OptimizIR ..................................................................................................... 35
Rear View of OptimizIR ..................................................................................................... 35

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Introduction (John Mertel WA7IR)
The SDR 2000 OptimizIR controller is the latest in SteppIR’s innovative line of products
that bring enjoyment and high-performance to the amateur radio service. For many, this
controller is an upgrade from either the original controller, or the SDA 100. The OptimizIR
is also being upgraded on a large quantity of new antenna purchases, so this may be the
first time these users have had experience with any SteppIR controller. We have created
this instruction manual to address the needs of both users.
The OptimizIR provides a new way to interact with the SteppIR antenna. We have spent
significant time developing this product, and have had extensive feedback from customers
on the design. We also worked with a team of beta testers to make sure we have a first-
class antenna controller to be used seamlessly with your SteppIR antenna.
Many of the features that are standard in the OptimizIR controller have been around for a
while in our other controllers, available for purchase. The primary difference is that in the
OptimizIR, these options are now included as standard features:
 Transceiver Interface; This enables automatic adjustment of each antenna element of as
the radio tunes. Wherever the radio tunes to, the SteppIR faithfully follows!
 Tuning Relay. The lock-out relay connects via a PTT cable to a RF power amplifier and
prevents transmitting high level RF while the SteppIR antenna is being tuned. When
operating with over 200 watts, it is prudent to not hit your antenna with that RF while it is in
a mismatch.
 Advanced Lightning Protection (ALP). Each driver chip inside the OptimizIR has an
isolation relay ahead of it to protect against lightning and dead shorts. The ALP board also
offers enhanced troubleshooting parameters.
Other features inherent to all SteppIR Yagis, Dipoles and Verticals:
 180-Degree Mode. The 180 mode allows users to electrically “rotate” the antenna 180
degrees opposite forward direction beam heading. So if your antenna is pointing North,
with a click of a button you will be beaming South.
 Bi-Directional Mode. The BI 3/4 functions in a similar manner to 180-degree mode, except
when enabled, the antenna operates as a hybrid Yagi with forward gain occurring in
opposite directions, simultaneously.
 Element Retract Mode. With Element Retract Mode, user can retract all elements on a
SteppIR antenna to home position. Optionally, the controller will then power down
automatically. Retracting elements is an extremely valuable option in cases of inclement
weather like high winds, snow or radial icing. During lightning events, a retracted antenna
greatly reduces conductive area of the antenna platform. NOTE: The user is not required

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to retract the antenna, it is there as a feature in case it is needed. There is no problem at
all with leaving the antenna extended, even when not in use.
The SDA 2000 OptimizIR controller hosts a number of new features – color screen, large
display and simplified user interface are what you will first notice when turning on the
controller.
With the SDA 100 controller and the Original Controller, the user has always had the ability
to create, modify and change the antenna. But the process was not simple, and it was
buried inside the setup mode of the antenna software, only to be used by the more
motivated SteppIR owner. With the OptimizIR, we have brought that technology to the
“front” of the interface, and embraced the technology of creating and modifying antennas.
New antennas you will see on the OptimizIR are: maximum forward gain, maximum front
to rear, and wide beamwidth antennas. Visually you can see what type of antenna is
being utilized with the full color bar indicator that is always visible on the controller. Also
new to the OptimizIR – every antenna (including DB32 and MonstIR) is included in the
firmware, so you can operate multiple antennas (one at a time, you will still need to switch
control cable) without having to modify the controller.
In addition, the user can create their own antennas using EZ-NEC or the many other
antenna modeling progams, and then upload those models into the OptimizIR, using the
included mini-SD card. There are some sites that are creating their own antenna models
for SteppIR owners, such as Dan Maguire’s Auto-EZ. You can check out Dan’s software
(available for $79) at www.AC6LA.com. Dan worked very closely with us in the computer
modeling of the OptimizIR antennas.
The OptimizIR is the first of a series of new controllers that will make the SteppIR
antennas “smart”, and give the user the ability to fully employ the advantages of a
remotely tunable antenna!
73
John Mertel
President/CEO

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Warning
The OptimizIR has voltage present on control cable wires, even when POWER button has
been pushed to off. Unplug power supply and disconnect 25-pin D-sub connector before
making any connections or cutting or splicing cable wires. The driver chips inside the
controller will be damaged if the power and control wires short out.
We highly recommend grounding controller chassis to station ground. An 8-32 ground
stud is provided for this purpose. SteppIR recommends a short length of at least ¼” wide
tin-copper braid.
Do not transmit while antenna is adjusting when operating with over 200 watts.
Purpose
The OptimizIR provides the optimal configuration of antenna hardware based on
frequency, antenna model, and desired pattern.
New features include:
1. Ability to change antennas (from vertical to DB42 Yagi) without firmware reload or
hardware changes
2. Remembers last frequency used per band (Manual mode)
3. Frequency adjust knob with selectable step-size (Manual mode)
4. Band buttons for all available bands.(Manual mode)
5. Up to 16 patterns per band, NORM, 180 degrees, BI 3/4, Max-Gain, Max Front-to-
back and others defined by the user.
6. Pattern select knobs and pattern buttons
7. Autotrack mode with frequency step-size adjustment per band
8. Autotrack mode will only change frequency if band changes
9. Enhanced Create/Modify mode allow creation of new patterns
10. Micro-SD card to transfer and save antenna configuration files
11. Can load saved antenna file from SD card
12. Large TFT color display
13. Tuning relay – standard feature
14. Transceiver interface – standard feature
15. ALP driver board – standard feature.
Release History
April 2018: Public Version 1.0

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Initial Controller Checkout
Perform following steps in listed order. For this initial controller checkout, the controller
cable can be disconnected.
1. Connect power cord from universal power supply into controller.
2. Plug power cord from universal controller into a 100-240 Vac, 50-60 Hz outlet.
3. Power/Tuning LED should glow amber.
4. Turn on controller by pressing POWER button.
5. Power/Tuning LED should now glow green.
6. NORM LED should glow green.
7. Verify screen shows “SteppIR” logo for about 6 seconds and then shows the startup
screen similar to front page shown in this manual.
Theory
Yagi antennas are basically single frequency devices that work well only over a very
narrow range, typically 0.5% change in frequency. Fixed length yagis compensate by
using a variety of techniques, all of which result in serious degradation of performance,
especially in Front to Rear rejection, and added complexity, size, and weight. Dipoles
have a much broader bandwidth but still cannot cover the entire 80m and 40m bands and
maintain a low SWR (<1.5:1). Our patented solution is to simply adjust the all of the
antenna elements to the optimal length for the desired frequency with none of the
compromises in performance that all fixed antennas require. This is accomplished
remotely using an electronic controller that can even automatically follow the radios'
frequency. SteppIR antennas enjoy optimal performance on all frequencies within their
specified frequency range (varies by model) = and that includes non-ham radio
frequencies as well!
The OptimizIR takes frequency and pattern input, applies those quantities to an antenna
model and commands antenna hardware to set element lengths to those values.
Using the OptimizIR is as simple as making the controller frequency match the radio
frequency using the front panel buttons, and then waiting for the Power/Tuning LED to
stop flashing. This function is automatic when connected to a radio using the Autotrack
feature.
Remember that SWR is not the only factor important for high performance antennas.
Minimum SWR does not always align with best antenna performance. Our antennas have
better than 1.4:1 SWR in normal operating modes on almost all models, with 6M and 30M
being exceptions on some models.
Rain and ice accumulation can influence antenna matching and performance. Either can
cause resonant frequency to shift lower by a small amount. Under most circumstances, it
can be ignored. Unlike conventional antennas, such loading can be corrected for by

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simply shifting antenna frequency higher using manual mode. Using Global Correction
in options menu can be used to correct for performance shift.
Operate Mode
Power-On Screen
When controller is first powered on, the SteppIR logo, controller model and copyright
information are displayed for about 6 seconds, and then controller enters operate state.
Initial Power-On Screen
The check fault enunciator will display if no control cable is connected or if controller
detects an error. The controller then displays status screen for Operate mode.
Menu Screen

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Modes of Operation
NORM Mode
The NORM mode is used when manually operating controller and primary intended use
for the ham bands. When in NORM mode, tune through bands simply by using frequency
band buttons. Controller will simultaneously adjust length of each element to the chosen
frequency band. The display shows what frequency antenna is tuning to, plus
Power/Tuning LED will blink amber/green. Frequencies outside ham bands can also be
selected.
When controller is in NORM mode, selectable bands are pre-programed to get antenna
close to desired frequency. Most SteppIR antennas work very well over a 100 KHz
frequency range (minimum) except on 80 m. Bandwidth will depend on the antenna
model.
180 Mode
The 180 degree mode is one of the most popular among SteppIR users. The 180 mode
allows the user to electrically “rotate” antenna 180 degrees from the current NORM
direction beam heading. This is done by simply pressing a button. In 2-1/2 seconds,
(shorter on higher frequencies, longer on lower frequencies) transformation is complete.
The existing reflector becomes a director and director becomes a reflector. The antenna
will now have a completely opposite pattern. With a two element Yagi, director becomes a
reflector. In addition to greatly reducing rotator use, many SteppIR users report the 180
function is an excellent tool for short path / long path operation or for picking up elusive
multipliers in the heat of a contest.
BI 3/4 Mode
The BI 3/4 (BI stands for bi-directional) mode operates in a similar manner to 180 except
when enabled, gain occurs in both directions. There is approximately 2 dB less gain than
normal, but now gain occurs in both forward and reverse directions. This feature can be
very handy for those who are involved with net operation or contests where hearing (or
sending) signals from two directions are advantageous.
Main Screen
The display in the normal operate state depends on the antenna state and which antenna
is selected. The screen will contain:
 Currently selected pattern
 Antenna type
 Bar graph displaying relative signal strength.