XIEGU XPA125 User manual

XIEGU
100 W Solid-State Linear Power Amplifier
XPA125
Instruction Manual
Copyright © 2010~2017 Xiegu Communications

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Important reminder:
Before operating the equipment please
study this instruction manual carefully, and
retain it for future reference.
Safety considerations:
Features:
- RF power amplifier with inbuilt antenna
tuner (ATU).
- Maximum RF output power of
125 Watts.
- Auto tuning function.
- Wide frequencyrangeof0.5 – 50 MHz.
- Harmonic suppression of 39 dB
- Maximum output power can be
automatically regulated via the ALC
control when used with an X108G or
X5105 transceiver
Do not use equipment during an electrical
storm.
Do not expose the unit to moisture.
Use this device responsiblyand observe all
local laws and regulations.
Caution! High RF voltage at antenna
connector!
Packing list:
①XPA125.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. ..1 ①
②Power supply cable................1
③Date cable.............................. 1
④Communication cable.............1
⑤Service card.............................1
②③⑤
④

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1 XPA125 Specifications
1.1 Amplifier:
Frequency range: 0.5 –54 MHz
Maximum output power:
1.8 - 30MHz
≥110W
50 - 54MHz
≥90W
Maximum operating ambient temperature: 55℃
Gain: 13dB ( 2dB)
Supply voltage: 12 - 14.5 V DC
Current draw @ maximum output:
Standby: 260 mA
Transmit: 30A
1.2 ATU:
Tuning frequency range: 1.8 –30 MHz/50 –54 MHz
Maximum tuning range: 14 - 500Ω
1.3 Product specifications：
Dimensions: 260 x 150 x 100 mm (not including control knobs, feet, handles, etc.)
Weight：2.66 Kg(host only)
±
@Max
@Max

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2 Equipment description
2.1 Front panel layout:
①Power key
When XPA125 is turned on, press this button and hold for 2 seconds,
XPA125 will shut down.
When XPA125 is turned off, press this button and hold for 2 seconds,
XPA125 will turn on.
②ATU function key
Via this button you can access the automatic antenna tuning function.
③BAND selection key
Using this button you can select between manual band switching or
automatic band switching.
In manual band switching mode, the XPA125 will change bands in the
following order:
160m→80m→60m→40m→30m→20m→17m→15m→12m→10m→6m
④PA key
Used to switch the power amplifier into or out of circuit.

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⑤LCD
All working status information is displayed here. The display is covered by an
organic glass protective plate.
2.2 Rear panel layout:
○
6 DC IN Power supply socket:
The XPA125 requires a 12 - 14.5 V DC supply
○
7 ANT Connector:
The ANT socket is connected to the antenna, the connector model is SL16-K.
○
8 FUSE Holder:
Internal fuse holder. Fuse rating is DC 30A.
○
9 Ground
○
10 ACC socket:
The data interface connections are as follows:

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PIN1：NC
PIN4：
ALC input
PIN2：PTT Signal input
PIN5：
NC
PIN3：Band voltage input
PIN6：
GND
○
11 TRX Socket:
The TRX interface is connected to the transceiver output, the connector
model is SL16-K.
○
12 CIV interface:
This interface is for XPA125 firmware updates and connection to a PC.
○
13 Handle
2.3 Display interface layout:
⑴Input SWR value:
Displays the SWR value of the XPA125 input.
⑵Operating voltage:
Displays the value of DC voltage supply to the XPA125.
⑶Operating current value:
Displays the current being drawn by the XPA125.
⑷Output stage temperature:
Displays the current temperature of the PA stage.
⑸Output SWR value:
Displays the SWR value of the XPA125 output.

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⑹Power amplifier status:
Displays the overall status of the power amplifier as a whole.
Indicates that bypass mode is selected, the power amplifier is switched out of
circuit.
Indicates that the power amplifier is operational.
RX Indicates that the unit is in receive mode.
TX Indicates that the unit is in the transmit mode.
⑺Input power value:
Displays the power input value to the XPA125 in Watts.
⑻Current working band status:
Displays the current working band, and whether automatic or manual mode
is selected.
(9) Output power value:
Displays the output power being delivered by the XPA125 in Watts.
Automatic antenna tuner unit (ATU) status:
Displays the status of the automatic antenna tuner.
Indicates that the XPA125 is not connected to the automatic antenna tuner
unit.
Indicates that the XPA125 is connected to the automatic antenna tuner unit.
When tuning is successful,【INUSE】will be displayed.
If tuning fails,【Fail】will be displayed.
(10)

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3. Operating instructions
3.1 Wiring connection method
3.1.1 Method for connecting XPA125 with X108G
The XPA125 can be directly connected to an X108G, which can then control
the band switching and ALC functions of the amplifier.
- The ACC data cable supplied with the XPA125 is connected between
the ACC ports of the two units. Both connectors are the same so
either end of the cable can be connected to either socket.
- Use suitable RF coaxial cable to connect the X108G ANT port to the
XPA125 TRX port.
- XPA125ANTportshould beconnected to theantenna.
3.1.2 Method for connecting XPA125 with X5105
Use the dedicated connection cable CN-115 to connect the X5105 ACC port with
the XPA125 ACC port. Please note the need to distinguish between the different
plugs of the connection cable CN-115.
3.1.3 Method for connecting XPA125 with X1M
As the X1M does not have a dedicated ACC interface and PTT signal output, it
can’t be directly connected to the XPA125. A CN-17 converter is required to
connect an X1M to the XPA125.

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3.1.4 Connection method between XPA125 and other QRP radio
If you want to start the XPA125 power amplifier and put it into the transmit
mode, you need to set the PTT port to a low level [level≤0.1V].
If the PTT output signal of the transceiver is at high level, the high level
needs to be converted into a low level, and then input to the XPA125
[ACC-PTT] port.
Pin 2 of the XPA125 ACC port is the PTT input port
In order to achieve automatic band switching, the corresponding band voltage
is needed. XPA125 band control voltage information is as follows.
BAND
LEVEL(mV)
BAND
LEVEL(mV)
BAND
LEVEL(mV)
1.8 MHz
230
14.0 MHz
1380
50.0 MHz
2530
3.8 MHz
460
18.0 MHz
1610
----
----
5.0 MHz
690
21.0 MHz
1840
----
----
7.0 MHz
920
24.0 MHz
2070
----
----
10.0 MHz
1150
28.0 MHz
2300
----
----
3.2 Procedure:
3.2.1 Using the power amplifier unit [PA unit] (ATU unit is set to BYPS)
- PressthePAkey,sothatthestateoftheamplifieris [INUSE].
- If your connected transceiver is an X108G or X5105, please set
the output power to 5 W.
- If you are using any other QRP transceiver, please set the output
power to 1 W.
- Set your transceiver to CW mode, press the CW key to
transmit,
andtheXPA125 amplifier will be activated .
- TheoutputpoweroftheXPA125canbeadjustedbyadjusting
theoutputpowerof the connected transceiver.

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Warning:
1. Do not allow the maximum output power of the amplifier to exceed 120 W.
2. Using the XPA125 at high power levels for extended periods can lead to
overheating and potential damage to the PA stage.
3.2.2 Band switching
- Youcanswitchbetweenthetwomodesof [AUTO-MANUAL]
via this key.
- If you want to connect the XPA125 to an X108G or X5105,
please setXPA125to [AUTO] mode.
- If you want to connect the XPA125 to other devices,
please set XPA125 to [MANUAL] mode and manually
switch to the desired frequency band.
Manual switching of frequency bands follows this order：
160m→80m→60m→40m→30m→20m→17m→15m→12m→10m→6m
3.2.3 Using the automatic antenna tuner unit [ATU] (PA unit is set to BYPS
state).
- Pressthe [ATU] buttonso thatthecurrent stateof theamplifier
is [INUSE].
- SetthetransceivermodetoCW& settheoutputpowerto5 W.
- Press the CW key to transmit, and the XPA125 PA amplifier
stage will be activated. The XPA125 ATU unit will start, the
screen will display [TUNE].
- Iftuningissuccessful,thescreenwilldisplay [INUSE] .
- If tuningfails,thescreenwilldisplay [Fail] .
If you need to re-tune, you can press the [ATU] button for two seconds to
force the XPA125 ATU unit to start re-tuning.
After successful tuning, switch the transceiver to the desired state for use.