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Acom 1000 User Manual Download Page 7

User's Manual | ACOM 1500 | HF + 6 m Linear Amplifier

August 2021

S e c t i o n GENERAL INFORMATION | Page 7 of 52

1.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Congratulations on purchasing one of the finest HF amplifiers in the world today.

ACOM is pleased that you have chosen one of our products, and we will endeavor to provide you with the
information and support you need to enjoy your purchase for many years.

We urge you to read all of the following materials before you embark on operating your new amplifier.

1.1.

Introduction and Description

This manual explains:

•

Installation

•

Operation and

•

Maintenance

of the ACOM 1500 HF + 6 meter linear amplifier.

The ACOM 1500 is a complete and self-contained linear amplifier that covers all amateur bands from 1.8
through 54 MHz and provides over 1500 W PEP (1200 W continuous carrier) output power with less than
85  W  exciter  drive.  Antenna  SWR  up  to  3:1  is  acceptable  with  1200  W  forward  power.  Tuning  is
substantially  simplified by a plate-load True Resistance  Indicator (TRI) and by an automatically controlled
input  attenuator. Operating parameters are displayed by a multi-functional high brightness  OLED display.
Full break-in transmit/receive switching (QSK) is standard.

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Summary of Contents for 1000

Page 1: ...ACOM 1500 HF 6m Linear Amplifier User s Manual Installation Operation and Maintenance August 2021 OUTSTANDING HF POWER PRODUCTS ...

Page 2: ...age 2 of 52 S e c t i o n ABOUT DOCUMENTATION August 2021 This manual is for electronic distribution mainly If you have it on paper and you no longer need it please recycle it The latest versions of our User s Manuals are available at www acom bg com ...

Page 3: ...ns which thereby become invalid The cover images used in the manual are illustrative only We are continuously striving to improve our documentation but nobody is perfect And our documentation is not an exception of this rule Have you found any errors or would you like to suggest changes in our documentation Please help us by sending your suggestions to the following e mail address documentation ac...

Page 4: ...13 08 2021 Fourth edition R02 Validity The specified data is for product description purposes only and may not be deemed to be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in the contract All rights are reserved with respect to the content of this manual and the availability of the product Copyrights 2021 ACOM Ltd Copying this document giving it to others and the use or communication of the contents ther...

Page 5: ... Amplifier Location Selection 14 2 4 Connections 15 2 5 Installation of External Fan option 19 3 POWER ON CONTROLS AND INDICATORS 20 4 OPERATION 23 4 1 Turning ON and OFF 23 4 2 Changing OPERATE and STANDBY Modes 24 4 3 Antenna Change 25 4 4 Tuning 25 4 5 Continuous Carrier Modes 29 4 6 ON LINE Information Screens and Control Functions 30 4 7 Auto Protection System 30 5 OFF LINE MODE 32 5 1 Displa...

Page 6: ...t 45 7 3 3 Transportation 45 7 3 4 Returning to the Service Provider 45 7 4 Information on Disposing and Recycling of Old Electrical and Electronic Equipment 46 NOTES 47 Figures Figure 2 1 Rear panel Connections 15 Figure 2 2 External fan 19 Figure 3 1 Front panel Display and Controls 20 Figure 3 2 Information screens and control functions structure 21 Figure 4 1 Using TRI tuning aid 28 Figure 6 1...

Page 7: ...ntroduction and Description This manual explains Installation Operation and Maintenance of the ACOM 1500 HF 6 meter linear amplifier The ACOM 1500 is a complete and self contained linear amplifier that covers all amateur bands from 1 8 through 54 MHz and provides over 1500 W PEP 1200 W continuous carrier output power with less than 85 W exciter drive Antenna SWR up to 3 1 is acceptable with 1200 W...

Page 8: ...rs required for antenna SWRs up to about 3 1 Your amplifier will enable you to change antennas virtually instantaneously and allow you to use your antennas over wider frequency ranges User friendly and durable An amplifier that is both user friendly and that looks after itself It is designed to safely withstand up to 300 W reflected power up to 100 milliseconds duration of drive spikes drive RF ta...

Page 9: ...operation Uses a single 4CX1000A 8168 ceramic and metal radial beam tetrode with plate dissipation of 1000 W forced air cooled grid driven which is specifically designed for class AB1 RF linear amplifier operation Tube protection Permanent monitoring includes protection of plate and grid voltages and currents as well as exhaust air temperature The Bias Optimizer decreases the heat dissipated from ...

Page 10: ...rds Danger Warning Caution and Notice and instructions related to hazards that should be followed by the user in order to ensure safe operation and to keep the amplifier in a safe working condition at all times The EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS described below apply to this User s Manual DANGER These notes call attention to a procedure or instructions which if not correctly performed will result in serious...

Page 11: ...hat may improve equipment reliability and or personnel performance or to emphasize a concept ORANGE TEXT as LINKS marks all internal links in the document between Sections Figures Tables etc for your convenience The safety instructions contained in this User s Manual feature specific signal words Danger Warning Caution or Notice and where required a safety alert symbol in accordance with actual st...

Page 12: ...n NEVER EXPOSE the amplifier to rain snow or any liquids AVOID placing the amplifier in excessively dusty environments or in direct sunlight DO NOT OBSTRUCT AIR INTAKE rear panel and EXHAUST top cover areas of the amplifier Keep a minimum clearance distance of 10 cm 4 inches to the intake and 50 cm 20 inches above the exhaust opening WARNING Do not undertake on your own repairs or changes in hardw...

Page 13: ... avoid any damage not covered by the warranty check carefully to be certain that the voltage for which the amplifier is set corresponds to your mains nominal voltage Normally the amplifier is supplied set for a nominal line voltage of 240 V If your mains voltage is not 240 V you must contact your dealer for instructions The only exception to this is if the unit has been custom ordered in which cas...

Page 14: ...ver No temperature sensitive devices should be located above the exhaust hot air area This means that the amplifier should not be located under a shelf or other structure that could impede the free movement of air away from the amplifier You may prefer to use the bottom scales of both variable capacitor knobs TUNE and LOAD if you install it on a shelf NOTICE Do not under any circumstances obstruct...

Page 15: ...uch kind of connection is allowed by your national and local electrical code safety rules and regulations in force Simultaneous connection to the earth grounding and protective earth may be inadmissible or may fall under special requirements in some countries DANGER Never use the gas installation for grounding This can cause an EXPLOSION DANGER Do not use the steam heating or water supply network ...

Page 16: ... to avoid a damage turn off your transceiver s internal antenna tuner c ANTENNA 1 ANTENNA 2 and ANTENNA 3 sockets NOTICE If this is the first time you will use a power amplifier in your station pay attention to the coaxial cable type from the amplifier s three outputs to the antennas It must handle the increased power safely particularly on the 10 and 6 meters bands We recommend that you use RG213...

Page 17: ...r interior of the transceiver Check your transceiver s manual e KEY OUT socket This is the amplifier s transmit enabling control output to the transceiver The KEY OUT socket see Figure 2 1 Rear panel Connections Pos e provides an extra control signal from the amplifier to the transceiver It could be used to improve the transmit receive RX TX switching safety NOTICE KEY OUT is a low power open drai...

Page 18: ...wer cord is colored yellow with two green stripes and the blue and brown leads are active When the amplifier is to be used with only one mains fuse it is connected in series with the brown lead which must be the active If you have any doubts about the correct way of connecting the wires consult your dealer h Preparation of wall outlet WARNING Before connecting the amplifier to your mains supply us...

Page 19: ...f 2 5 Installation of External Fan option This fan see Figure 2 2 External fan is not necessary in SSB and CW modes nor in continuous carrier modes RTTY SSTV etc with carrier down times of maximum 15 minutes and a subsequent pause of 3 minutes For higher duty cycles such as continuous broadcast or increased ambient temperatures the fan is recommended The auxiliary fan 92x92 mm must be brushless ty...

Page 20: ...amplifier is set corresponds to your mains nominal voltage see Section 2 2 Line Voltage Selection and Table 2 1 Amplifier individual data After following all instructions in Section 2 INSTALLATION you may turn on the main power switch marked LINE on the rear panel see Figure 2 1 Rear panel Connections Pos 2 The LED indicator above the POWER button located on the front panel must light red and ACOM...

Page 21: ...rol functions structure Figure 3 2 Information screens and control functions structure The OPER button alternatively switches OPERATE and STANDBY modes while ON LINE see Section 4 2 Changing OPERATE and STANDBY Modes Please note that AUTO OPERATE might be enabled see Section 5 2 Auto Operate Enabling and Disabling The OPER button activates signature list while OFF LINE see Section 5 4 Reading Auto...

Page 22: ...ontrol functions They refer to the auto protection signatures list Display brightness control as well as the AUTO OPERATE feature and Antenna assignment This is described in Section 5 OFF LINE MODE b You can turn on the amplifier and start the warm up sequence After 3 minutes you may tune and begin operating the amplifier and you can use the ON LINE information screens or control functions see Sec...

Page 23: ...nt panel right bottom corner see Figure 3 1 Front panel Display and Controls and hold it on for about one second The LED indicator above the POWER button will change the color from red to green You will hear the blower and the optional external fan if installed start first at high speed then slow down After successfully passing the initial self tests the LED indicator above POWER button begins fla...

Page 24: ...h on the upper line always indicates the peak forward power as well as during OFF LINE In order to turn the amplifier OFF press shortly the POWER button If you are not going to use the amplifier for a long time it is best to turn it off using the Main Power Switch located on the rear panel and marked LINE as well 4 2 Changing OPERATE and STANDBY Modes With the AUTO OPERATE function disabled see Se...

Page 25: ... under warranty 4 4 Tuning Tuning is possible only in the OPERATE mode Press the OPER button in order to illuminate its LED unless AUTO OPERATE is active a Preliminary information Tuning the amplifier involves a procedure of matching the impedance of the currently used antenna and transmission line to the amplifier tube s optimum characteristic load resistance This will ensure maximum plate effici...

Page 26: ...eflected power into an antenna having a SWR of 3 1 or worse NOTICE Using a feeder of coaxial cable at SWR 3 1 on HF and particularly on the 10 and 6 meters bands is not recommended At such high values of SWR the high voltages high currents and heat associated with line losses risk to permanently damage your coaxial cable or antenna switch It is highly advisable to re adjust amplifier tuning when a...

Page 27: ...tor knobs settings Table 4 1 Approximate tuning presets Band MHz Tune Knob Dial Load Knob Dial 1 800 2 000 55 42 75 60 3 500 4 000 59 45 73 60 7 000 7 300 56 50 65 57 10 100 10 150 15 14 25 24 14 000 14 350 64 52 30 29 18 068 18 168 74 68 70 68 21 000 21 450 26 20 47 45 24 890 24 990 72 70 60 59 28 000 29 700 35 21 45 39 50 000 54 000 32 16 20 15 Table 4 1 Approximate tuning presets b Selecting th...

Page 28: ... While a continuous carrier CW key down RTTY or FM signal at the desired frequency is still applied Look at the upper scale FORWARD POWER Obtain maximum power using the upper TUNE knob Look at the lower Load Cap scale and turn the lower LOAD knob in order to center the triangle marker at the mark Release the PTT shortly in order to disable the attenuator then repeat both steps at nominal power Alw...

Page 29: ...re plate current and more plate heat which shortens tube s expected life as its cathode would be faster exhausted Оff center tuning may also be used to compensate for line mains voltage variations in order to maintain tube efficiency In that case tune to the right when mains is higher or tune to the left if it s lower than the nominal voltage However where there is more than a 5 difference from th...

Page 30: ...receive without any influence by the measurement process b You can control the display brightness not operative in unit furnished with OLED display AUTO OPERATE feature and antenna output assignments while ON LINE In order to enter the control menu press the PREV NEXT buttons simultaneously and hold them for two seconds Further proceed as described for OFF LINE mode below see Sections 5 1 Display ...

Page 31: ...u can correct exploitation conditions operatively using less drive reducing antenna SWR etc c Third degree of protection AUTO PROTECTION The Third Degree of protection is a trip to OFF LINE mode AUTO PROTECTION You will get the corresponding signature see Section 6 6 Troubleshooting If you cannot guess what is the reason you may try to turn the amplifier on again in order to check whether it s not...

Page 32: ...htness in steps from 1 to 4 Briefly press the PREV NEXT buttons in order to reach the Auto operate function see Section 5 2 Auto Operate Enabling and Disabling or leave the buttons unused for 20 seconds if you want to accept these selections 5 2 Auto Operate Enabling and Disabling When enabled this function will keep the amplifier in OPERATE mode automatically The OPER button will be still functio...

Page 33: ...ip of the amplifier signature information is stored in its nonvolatile memory The 7 most recent auto protection trip signatures related to the amplifier internal status are stored there which you can copy and forward to your dealer for diagnostics In order to read the trip signatures press the OPER button while OFF LINE The beginning of the signatures list will appear Use NEXT and PREV buttons to ...

Page 34: ...check all connections contact cleanliness and the tightening of all connectors in particular the coaxial ones Check the integrity of the cables in particular when they are laid on the floor Check also if the cables are secured well in the area where they come out of the connector body Pay particular attention to the mains plug and the wall outlet see Sections 2 4 g Power cord and 2 4 h Preparation...

Page 35: ...pull out the amplifier mains plug from the mains outlet and wait for at least 30 minutes NOTICE For replacement only use standard fuses from the types recommended below The two Primary Mains Fuses of the amplifier are located on the rear panel see Figure 2 1 Rear panel Connections Pos f They are fuses of the F type fast acting quick acting fast blow quick blow size 1 4x1 1 4 inch 6 3 x 32 mm ceram...

Page 36: ...e PN 0215 200 ceramic body cartridge Littelfuse PN 0218 200 glass body cartridge 2 A 250V e g EATON Bussmann PN S505 2 R ceramic body cartridge Littelfuse PN 0218002 glass body cartridge WARNING Do not replace fuses located inside the amplifier Blown internal fuses can be a symptom of a more serious problem which should be resolved beforehand A fault of this type will not occur under normal operat...

Page 37: ... metal tetrode is employed in the amplifier DANGER Tube replacement is a complex and potentially dangerous operation that involves adjustment of the plate idling current and is Life threatening For this reason we recommend this work be carried out only by a trained service technician Contact your ACOM dealer for assistance see Section 1 2 Owner Assistance ...

Page 38: ...CP3 and CL1 CL3 which form a classic Pi L network to suppress any harmonic frequency emissions This tank is switched and tuned by S1A S1C and the air variable capacitors CP1 2 and CL1 2 The output signal is fed through an additional VHF low pass filter for frequencies above 55 MHz Lf1 Lf2 and Cf Then it is passed through the vacuum antenna relay K1 wattmeter current transformer TA1 and a high pass...

Page 39: ...User s Manual ACOM 1500 HF 6 m Linear Amplifier August 2021 S e c t i o n MAINTENANCE Page 39 of 52 Figure 6 1 Simplified schematic diagram Figure 6 1 Simplified schematic diagram ...

Page 40: ... Tests made during STANBY mode after the warm up period PR0 Tests made while entering OPERATE mode PR2 Tests made during OPERATE mode TR0 Antenna relay tests made while changing from Tx to Rx during OPERATE mode TR2 Antenna relay tests made while changing from Rx to Tx during OPERATE mode TR4 Antenna relay tests made during Tx OPERATE mode TR6 Antenna relay tests made during Rx OPERATE mode c The ...

Page 41: ...TR4 and the Output relay closed ORC signal was failing B The next five groups of symbols carry information about the analogue and logic values as measured by the micro controller at the moment of auto protection trip Detailed electrical schematic diagrams are available from ACOM or from your dealer on request Additional information is available from ACOM or from your dealer on how to interpret the...

Page 42: ...tinuous carrier modes RTTY etc for transmissions longer than 15 minutes up to several hours depending on ambient temperature the external auxiliary fan must be mounted c Intermodulation Distortion Better than 35 dB below PEP rated output d Hum and noise Better than 40 dB below rated output e Harmonic Output Suppression 1 8 21 5 MHz better than 50 dB below rated output 24 54 MHz better than 66 dB b...

Page 43: ... 200 240 VAC mains supply Up to 2400 VA at 1000W output from 100 120 VAC mains supply j Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility Complies with CE safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements as well as with the US Federal Communications Commission FCC regulations k Size Weight operating excluding connected cables WxDxH 422x355x195 mm 26 5 kg 16 7x14 0x7 7 inches 58 5 lbs l Operating envir...

Page 44: ... air temperature T R sequencing Antenna relay contacts including RF power induced in antenna from another nearby transmitter Antenna matching quality Reflected power RF arcs including in antenna system Overdrive e Signatures of the amplifier internal status are stored in a nonvolatile memory for the 7 most recent auto protection trips f OLED display with bar graph for forward peak power and text m...

Page 45: ...nd Weight WxDxH Approx 590x490x380 mm 30 0 kg 23 3x19 3x15 0 inches 66 2 lbs Figure 7 1 Packaging cardboard box Figure 7 1 Packaging cardboard box 7 3 3 Transportation All types of transportation may be used including storage in an aircraft baggage compartment at up to 12000 meters 40000 ft above sea level 7 3 4 Returning to the Service Provider NOTICE Should it be necessary to ship the amplifier ...

Page 46: ... should not place the electrical item in the general waste Waste electricals This symbol three green arrows going in a triangle with electrical plug in the center means that according to local laws and regulations this product should be sent for recycling Old electrical and electronic equipment and batteries should be recycled at a facility capable of handling these items and their waste byproduct...

Page 47: ...User s Manual ACOM 1500 HF 6 m Linear Amplifier August 2021 S e c t i o n NOTES Page 47 of 52 NOTES ...

Page 48: ...User s Manual ACOM 1500 HF 6 m Linear Amplifier Page 48 of 52 S e c t i o n NOTES August 2021 ...

Page 49: ...User s Manual ACOM 1500 HF 6 m Linear Amplifier August 2021 S e c t i o n NOTES Page 49 of 52 ...

Page 50: ...User s Manual ACOM 1500 HF 6 m Linear Amplifier Page 50 of 52 S e c t i o n NOTES August 2021 ...

Page 51: ...ifier August 2021 S e c t i o n NOTES Page 51 of 52 This manual is for electronic distribution mainly If you have it on paper and you no longer need it please recycle it The latest versions of our User s Manuals are available at www acom bg com ...

Page 52: ... The used images are illustrative only Subject to change without notice I Printed in Bulgaria All rights reserved I Design and content by ACOM Ltd ACOM 1500 User s Manual I Fourth Edition Revision 02 I August 2021 ACOM Ltd Bulgaria Bozhurishte 2227 Sofia Bozhurishte Economic Zone 6 Valeri Petrov Str GPS coordinates 42 748616о 23 209801о support acom bg com ...

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