Remote Antenna Tuner

Tom C · July 27

I can’t find anyone that sells a high power remote tuner I could use with the Aurora. I really would like to have the tuner at the antenna

Has anyone heard if the Acom 04AT could be made to work with the Aurora? Even finding an used remote tuner is tough.

Tom

N9RU

JasonSt · July 27

Elecraft KAT500

403a Tuner Genius XL

73 de KD9ZHF Jason

Tom C · July 27

I have a TGXL but want something I can put at the base of the antenna.

Mike-VA3MW · July 27

You could do what I am doing. I'm putting the AU-520 at the base of the tower. It is about the size of high power tuner and now I have the entire solution there and I only have to run a 'typical' 120VAC circuit.

Tom C · July 27

Interesting, what is it housed in? I could possibably do something like that with the TGXL.

Mike-VA3MW · July 27

This is a Hammond cabinet that is 24"x24"x18" deep.

It will have the AU-520 on the top with:

Rotator Genius,
Steppir Controller,
LP-100 watt meter,
Sierra Radio Systems Station Controller on a DIN mount on the back right (that is why the wood

BTW, with that depth, the radio will either fit 'normally' (I'll have it in backwards so the back is at the front) or even sideways. If you can see the line on the plywood, that is the width of the radio from the left.

And, on the bottom

2x8 Antenna Genius - I have yet to cut the 3" entry hole for all the cables.
Sensors for the LP-100 but I might use the Wattmeter in the Station Controller
Lightning Protection System controller
AC Power + power bar with surge protector
LAN Switch

Since I am in Ontario, the isolation is required to not let the Sun heat it up too much and hence the AC fan which actually moves LOT of air. I know from history, it will only get a few degrees hotter than the outside air if I keep the sun off it.

In the winter, there will be a 25 watt heating pad underneath the radio. I've been doing this for 20 years, so I know that is enough heat to keep the radio running just fine all winter.

And, I am getting rid of 135' of feedline that goes to the shack so a LOT less RF loss for both TX and RX. In todays world, there is now no need to have the radio actually where the operator is.

(sorry, I got carried away)

Tom C · July 27

Very nice Mike. I think I will do something similar for just the TGXL.

Thanks for the ideas!

To

N9RU

Rich - N5ZC · July 28

4O3A.com announced an out door TGXL, https://4o3a.com/tuner-genius-outdoor

I email 4O3A frequently. The last email I received from Ranko was in June and I was told pre-orders would start on July 1st, which has not happened.

So at this point its just vaporware, quite frustrating.

Rich - N5ZC

Tom C · July 28

I saw this when looking yesterday.

Rich - N5ZC · July 28

Tom,

Its been on WIMO's website for some time.

An Elecraft KAT500, Raspberry Pi and PgTgBridge software is another option I'm looking at. It would be fairly easy to mount a KAT500 in an outdoor NEMA box. While Elecraft won't guarantee the specs, they feel comfortable that it could handle the temperature swings it would be subject to in an outdoor environment.

Rich - N5ZC

Tom C · July 28

That’s another good idea Rich. I appreciate all the ideas. I think if Mike is brave enough to piut the Aurora outside, I will do something similar with my TGXL.

It works so well remotely it should work out well.

Thanks

Tom

N9RU

Rich - N5ZC · July 28

Tom,

I've thought about using a TGXL as well. I wonder if the current TGXL is rated for the temperatures it may see in an out door environment. I'm not worried about the cold temperatures, but I am worried about heat.

It would be interesting to know if 4O3A is just repackaging a TGXL or if they are making component changes as well.

Its been in the low 100's here since last week, then put it in a steel or fiberglass box….

I think a fan like @VA3MW is doing would be mandatory.

I don't have the lucky charms to place an AU-520 out in a box, plus the AU-520's internal tuner is an SWR flattener (sp?) it won't handle large impedance excursions. I'd rather place a less expensive unit out at the tower.

Rich - N5ZC

Tom C · July 28

it looks like the specs anyway say it would be ok for my area. A pretty wide range.

13 Specifications

 Tuning: Fully automatic and manual tuning

 Frequency Range: 1.8 to 30 MHz continuous plus coverage of 6 meters

 Radio Interface: LAN, CAT RS-232, CI-V, BCD, Pin-to-Band (PTB), frequency sense.

 Alarms and Warnings: Low drive, Freq Out of Range, Wrong Band, High power, >10:1 SWR

 Matching Range: Up to 10:1 SWR.

 Tuning Time: Tuning solutions (2 to 12 seconds)

 Stored memory switching: < 20ms.

 Tuning Power Requirement: 10W - 200W

 RF Power 2000W maximum

 Exciter Inputs 2 – SO-239

 Antenna Outputs 2 – SO-239

 Antenna Impedance 50 ohms unbalanced

 Cooling Thermostatically Controlled Fans

Mechanical Specifications

 Dimensions  Weight 11.8” W x 13.8” D x 5.9” H (30cm W x 35cm D x 15cm H)

15.4 pounds, 7 kg

 Operating Temperature -4°F (-20°C) to +122°F (+50°C)

Electrical Specifications

 Supply Voltage and Current 12 - 16V DC @2A

14 FCC Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

 This device may not cause harmful interference, and

 this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation

FCC ID: 2AK7NSKYTuner Genius XL001

Page 67 of 74

Geoff AB6BT · July 28

You could always use a suitable Peltier cooler.

Remote Antenna Tuner

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