TennaTronix TurboTuner-2 User manual

TurboTuner-2
Automatic Screwdriver
Antenna Controller
Model ITT-1
For: Icom HF Radios
(Firmware Version R10)
User’s Manual
TennaTronix.com

1
Congratulations on purchasing the TurboTuner-2
Automatic Screwdriver Antenna Controller. Your
TurboTuner-2 kit contains the following parts:
Antenna Motor
Connector
Controller
Tyco Plug
Connects to
Tuner Control Socket
3.5mm Plug
Connects to
CI-V Remote
Control jack
Radio
Interface
Cable
1. Controller
2. Radio Interface Cable
3. Motor Pigtail
Motor
Pigtail

2
Theory of Operation
The TurboTuner-2 provides automatic tuning and control of
screwdriver antennas. It adjusts the antenna until the
minimum SWR is reached at the current operating frequency.
This is accomplished by using the “Tune” function of the radio
to supply RF power while the TurboTuner-2 moves the
screwdriver antenna up or down and constantly measures
the SWR until the minimum is found. Once found, the
antenna motor is stopped and the radio is placed back in
receive mode.
Note: For IC-7000, 7100, and 7200, the SWR meter inside the
radio is utilized. No RF connections are made to the
TurboTuner-2.
There are at least 3 basic pre-requisites to ensuring successful
antenna tuning:
1. The motor leads must be properly RF choked.
2. The antenna needs to be properly matched.
3. The coax cable to the antenna must be properly
choked.
One of many sources for information about all of the above
topics is www.k0bg.com.
Compatible Radios
The TurboTuner-2 is compatible with most Icom radios that
have a CI-V and Tuner jack, including the following:
IC-7200
IC-706
IC-7100
IC-718
IC-7000
IC-746
If in doubt, send an inquiry to [e-mail]

3
TurboTuner-2 Setup
Prior to installation, set the DIP switches on the TurboTuner-
2 to match your installation according to the descriptions
below. Note: You can always change the DIP switch settings
after installation. Any changes will take effect on the next
tuning cycle.
DIP Switch Settings
SW1
Antenna Direction
OFF
NORMAL
ON
REVERSED
SW2 SW3 SW4
Antenna Stall Current
OFF OFF ON
200 mA
OFF OFF OFF
250 mA
OFF ON OFF
500 mA
ON OFF OFF
750 mA
ON ON OFF
1000 mA
ON ON ON
1500 mA
ON OFF ON
1750 mA
OFF ON ON
2000 mA
SW5
SWR Mode
OFF
Fine
ON
Coarse
SW6
Radio Type
OFF
IC-700 series
ON
IC-7000 series

4
Antenna Direction Switch (SW1)
Sets the direction of travel for the antenna. Most
installations will operate with the NORMAL setting. If the
antenna does not move in the proper direction, change the
switch to the REVERSED setting.
Antenna Stall Current Switches (SW2, SW3, SW4)
Used to set maximum stall current. This is used to determine
when the screwdriver antenna reaches the end of travel. If
set too low, the antenna may reverse before reaching the end
of travel. If set too high, the antenna motor may “stall” at the
end of travel and not reverse, possibly causing damage to the
motor. Use the following settings for some commonly used
antennas:
Antenna Model
Stall Current
Setting
Little Tarheel, Diamond SD330
250 mA
Tarheel Models 75-400
1000 mA
Tarheel Modesl 1000-1200
1500 mA
High Sierra w/ Black Hawk motor
750 mA
Hi-Q, Scorpion
1000 mA
SWR Mode (SW5)
Set to OFF for normal operation.
Set to ON if the tuner is having difficulty stopping at the
lowest SWR. Note: In this mode, the tuner may stop at a
point a few tenths greater than the lowest SWR.
Radio Type (SW6)
Set to OFF for IC-700 series radios (IC-706, IC-718, IC-746)
Set to ON for IC-7000 series radios (IC-7000, IC-7100, IC-7200)

5
Radio Setup
Prior to operating the TurboTuner-2, there are a few
settings on the radio that must be adjusted as shown below:
Set Tuner Auto Start to OFF.
Set Tuner PTT Start to OFF.
Set CI-V Baud Rate to 19200.
Set CI-V Address to 70H.
Set CI-V Transceive to OFF.
Set CI-V 731 to OFF. (Not all models have this option)
Refer to your radio’s Instruction Manual for details on how to
set these values. Some examples are shown below:
For IC-7100
Place the radio in Set Mode by pressing the Set button.
Select Connectors, then CI-V. Set the Baud, Address,
and Transceive accordingly.
Select Function, then Tuner. Set the Auto Start and
PPT Start accordingly.
Press the Set button to exit Set Mode.
For IC-7000
Press the [AF(set)] button to enter Set Mode.
Press the [F-4 (OTH)] button.
Use the [F-1] and [F-2] buttons to select an item.
Use the main Dial to set the desired value.
Press the MENU/GRP button twice to exit Set Mode.
For IC-706
Place the radio in Set Mode by powering off the radio,
then press and hold the LOCK button and power on the
radio.

6
Use the MENU button to select the desired item.
Use the main Dial to set the desired value.
Power off the radio to exit Set Mode and save the
settings.
Connections
Connect the 3.5 mm audio plug from the TurboTuner-2
to the CI-V Remote Control jack on the back of the radio.
Connect the 4-pin Tyco plug from the TurboTuner-2 to
the Tuner Control Socket on the back of the radio.
Connect the motor cable from the screwdriver antenna
to the Motor connector on the TurboTuner-2. Use the
supplied pigtail if necessary. Pin 1 is Motor+ and Pin 2 is
Motor-.
For IC-700 series radios only:
oConnect the RF cable from the screwdriver antenna
to the Antenna connector on the TurboTuner-2.
oConnect the RF cable from the radio Ant 1 connector
to the Radio connector on the TurboTuner-2.
Note: There are no RF connections to the TurboTuner-2
when using an IC-7000 series radio.
Operation
Power On
The TurboTuner-2 receives its power from the radio and is
powered on or off whenever the radio is powered on or off.
When the TurboTuner-2 first powers on, it will beep a
Morse code ‘R’ followed by a number that indicates the
firmware version. This signifies the TurboTuner-2 is ready
for tuning.

7
Tuning
To initiate antenna tuning, press and hold the TUNER/CALL
button on the radio for one second. This will place the radio
in “Tune” mode. The radio’s TX light should turn red,
indicating the radio is transmitting. In approx. 3 seconds, the
antenna will start moving and the TurboTuner-2 will start
searching for the lowest SWR. When the lowest SWR is
found, the TurboTuner-2 will beep a Morse code ‘K’ and
return the radio to receive mode.
Press the TUNER/CALL button to exit “Tune” mode. Make
sure you do this before changing frequency bands. This will
prevent the TurboTuner-2 from initiating another tune cycle
when the band is changed.
If a low SWR cannot be found after the antenna make one
reversal, the TurboTuner-2 will beep as series of Morse code
‘T’s and return the radio to receive mode.
Parking
The TurboTuner-2 is equipped with and “Park” function
which will lower the antenna to its minimum height. To
“park” your antenna, press the TUNER/CALL button as if
initiating a tuning cycle. Wait at least 2 seconds and then
press the TUNER/CALL button again. Upon entering “park”
mode, the TurboTuner-2 will beep a Morse Code ‘P’. When
the antenna reaches its minimum height, the TurboTuner-2
will beep a Morse Code ‘P’ again signifying completion of the
“park” sequence.

8
Note: Once a “park” sequence has begun, it cannot be
interrupted. If you need to stop the “park” sequence, power
the radio off.
Summary of Beep Codes
‘R’ – Software revision followed by a number
‘K’ – Tuning complete
‘P’ –Antenna parking has begun or ended
‘T’ –Unable to tune.
‘S’ – Serial communication error. Will beep three in a row
followed by a number. If this occurs, note the number
and report to TennaTronix technical support.
Troubleshooting
Problem
Possible Causes &
Solutions
TUNER/CALL button
does not work
Make sure all the radio
configuration items are set
as described above.
Make sure the selected
frequency is within band.
Antenna reverses
direction before
reaching end of travel
Stall current set too low.
Error indicated
immediately
Stall current set too low.
Excess RFI.
RF cable not connected.
Antenna does not
reverse at end of travel.
Stall current set too high.

9
When changing
frequency, antenna
moves in wrong
direction.
Change DIP Switch 1
setting.
TurboTuner-2 beeps a
series of three ‘S’
Serial communication error.
Ensure all radio
configuration items set as
described.
Antenna won’t tune on
certain bands.
Ensure proper installation
and grounding.
Use the radio bar-graph
display or a separate SWR
meter to verify actual SWR.
Change DIP Switch 5 setting
to ALTERNATE SWR mode.
TurboTuner-2 dead, no
beep at startup, tuning
will not start
Ensure interface cable
connected to TUNER
CONTROL SOCKET on back
of radio.
Verify fuse inside radio is
not blown.
TurboTuner-2 initiates
a “park” sequence on its
own.
An anomaly in the RF signal
has been detected.
Ensure the RF cable is
connected.
Ensure proper system
grounding and choking of
the RF cable and motor
cable.
Antenna Motor LED Indicator

10
Your TurboTuner-2 is equipped with an LED near the motor
connector that is connected to the antenna motor control
lines. If SW1 is set for Normal operation, the LED will glow
Green if the motor is going forward and Red if reverse. If
SW1 is set for Reversed operation, then it will glow Red if
going forward and Green if reverse.
When a low SWR is found, the LED will blink rapidly while the
tuner searches for the absolute minimum SWR.
Radio Interface Connector
The radio interface connector on the side of the
TurboTuner-2 contains the signals from the radio that are
necessary to operate. Those signals are described below:
1: Key –Signal from controller to radio to start RF transmit.
2: Start –Signal from radio to controller to start tuning.
3: Serial Data –Serial data to/from radio.
4: +13.8V –DC Power from the radio.
5: Ground
6: Ground
The connector pin numbering is shown in the diagram below:

11
The radio interface connector on the TurboTuner-2 is Molex
part # 39-29-1068.
The part numbers for the mating connector components on
the radio interface cable are:
Housing: Molex part # 39-01-2060, 6-pin Mini-Fit Jr.
Contacts: Molex part # 39-00-0066, crimp receptacles.

12
Specifications & Ratings
Supply Voltage
+13.8V DC ±15%
Frequency Range
1.8 MHz to 54.0 MHz
Max. RF Power
100 Watts
Note: No power limit
when using IC-7000
series radios and RF
does not pass
through tuner.
Max. Antenna Motor Current
1.5 Amps
Dimensions
5.7” x 3.6” x 1.2”
Weight
8 oz.
Indoor Use Only
Controller is not
weatherproof
Warranty
Your TurboTuner-2 is warranted against manufacturing
defects for one year from date of shipment to you. Your
receipt establishes eligibility for warranty service, so save
your receipt.
The TurboTuner-2 is not warranted against damage, abuse,
or other failure caused by the customer or natural calamity
(such as lightning). This includes damage caused by
operating the TurboTuner-2 beyond or outside of its
specifications or by not following good amateur radio
practice.
Contact
For technical support and all other inquiries,
send e-mail to:

[e-mail]