TGXL tuned state variation

TMack409 · March 30

FTDX101MP+KPA500+TGXL. When the TGXL’s tuned values are low, I notice that the tuner has to take the time to switch from 0 0 0 over to some low values (say) 2 1 0, before Tx. Relay(s) click. Conversely if the tuned values are high (say) 20 12 1, they stick and are ready to go at key down (FT8). No relays have to click ahead of Tx. Is this normal? Also, why does the TGXL start from scratch (0 0 0) each and every time you initiate a tune cycle? Can’t the tuner hold values already chosen for a particular antenna? FYI this combination of manufacturers (Flex, Yaesu, Elecraft) works surprisingly well together 😊

km9r.mike · March 31

Also, why does the TGXL start from scratch (0 0 0) each and every time you initiate a tune cycle? Can’t the tuner hold values already chosen for a particular antenna?

I do not have a TGXL however it sounds like to me that your tuner is not getting band data from the radio. My KAT 500 requires that for the tuner to access stored memories for a previously tuned antenna. I am thinking the TGXL probably operates the same. When you go to a different band, the tuner can sense the frequency once you start to transmit, however it did not know you had changed bands prior to transmitting so the safest mode for it to operate is go through a full tune cycle. If band data would have been available to the tuner prior to transmitting it would have looked for tuner memory to access. There are other factors that can be taken into consideration by a tuner and I imagine you can learn those by looking at the software interface for the TGXL. The manual should give a basic idea of how to pass band data from your 101mp to the tuner.

TMack409 · March 31

Mike: Thank you for the reply. Yes, now that you mention it…. it does seem somewhat like band data not passing thru. But I have that proprietary cable that Elecraft requires from the FTDX101MP (Linear Port) to the KAT500 — now plugged into the AUX1 port of the KPA500, as I’m obviously no longer using the KAT500. This is how the KPA500 now gets band data as it’s no longer “daisy chained” to the KAT500. The TGXL is getting its band data info via the RS232 port on the back of the FTDX101MP - a straight thru cable, which goes into the Flex Tuner’s CAT A port. A final cable for PTT, runs from the Yaesu TXGND port, over to the Flex Tuner’s PTT in port. As I mentioned it all works perfectly fine together except for the one antenna on one or two bands, (which probably don’t really need a tune, as the correction is minuscule). The other “problem” that I mentioned with the Flex starting from scratch (0 0 0) every time you initiate a tune cycle is not unique to my QTH’s setup…. It’s been mentioned to me by other NFARL club members. To be clear, the TGXL’s tune settings stick, once the tune is completed - with only one or two bands (with very minimal correction), needing a microsecond to pull the relay(s) at key down, to get to those low settings. Hope that all makes sense… Thanks again for the reply. -K4MPM

km9r.mike · April 2

As I mentioned it all works perfectly fine together except for the one antenna on one or two bands, (which probably don’t really need a tune, as the correction is minuscule).

Again I do not have a TGXL, however, I think I recall in a FRS video on the operation of the TGXL, you can program the tuner, via the software interface , to go into bypass mode for a freq range on a particular band where the swr is already at an acceptable match. Outside of that frequency range for that band, the tuner will automatically exit bypass mode and find an acceptable match.

From your description, if I understand correctly, it appears the TGXL may operate a little different than the KAT500. As you know, since you also used to run a KAT500, as soon as I switch bands on my radio, the KAT500 knows the band and freq w/o even transmitting via it's data port and received band data from the rig. With that information, the KAT500 accesses from memory the best tune for that freq and that happens instantaneously as soon as I command a band change on the radio. So when I do transmit, a good match has already made from memory.

Look into that programming feature via the software interface. I think you have to manually enter in the freq range that you want the tuner to be in bypass mode. The KAT500 will do the same with respect to doing and extensive search for a better match when one is not even needed in the first place. I can not however program the KAT500 to enter into bypass for a specific freq range for a particular band.

David Decoons, wo2x · April 2

yes in the “other” tab of the TG XL app’s Device Configuration tou can enter a start and end frequency where the TH XL will be in bypass. These frequencies are in kHz, so 7.210 MHz would be entered as 7210.0

Next, it is highly suggested you connect CAT or CI/V from the non-Flex radio to the TG XL. Then train the tuner for each band initially instead of doing a tune every time you QSY. This will allow the tuner to follow the frequency of the radio and use the closest tuning solution.

How I train my TG XL. There are 20 memories per band when you use CAT. If not, it will only remember the last tuning solution on that band.

80 meters is 500 kHz wide. I divide the bandwidth by 20 memories (500/20=25). That is the step size between tuning frequencies. Then if you take half the tuning step and add it to the lowest frequency, that is your starting point. (3.500 MHz + 12.5 kHz = 3.5125 MHz). I rounded it up to 3.515 MHz. Do a tune. Move up 25 kHz to 3.540 MHz and tune. Repeat every 25 kHz up the band finishing with the 20th memory at 3.990 MHz.

Now as you tune around 80 meters and the tuner has CAT/CI/V data, it will never be more than 12.5 kHz from a tuning solution and it will use the closest solution.

73 Dave wo2x

David Decoons, wo2x · April 2

one last note, if you try to tune and SWR is below a certain point, the TG XL will go into bypass.

TGXL tuned state variation

Welcome!

Answers

Leave a Comment

Welcome!

Quick Links

Categories