HILNA HF w/ AGC User Manual
Rev ‐
12
6
INSTALLING, CONNECTING, AND USING THE HILNA AMPLIFIER
HILNA amplifiers have been designed to be highly reliable under the specified operating conditions. The
following installation and interfacing guidelines should be followed to prevent damage to the RF
module.
6.1
CABLING
The HILNA HF is equipped with high‐performance RF connectors. Gold plated SMA‐type receptacles are
used because they perform very well across the usable frequency range of the unit. For optimal
performance, a high‐quality 50
coaxial cable with SMA‐type plugs should be used to interface with the
amplifier.
Caution: Due to the wideband nature of the unit, installation should not be attempted on a tower
with transmit antennas.
If cables with the SMA‐type connectors are not available, high quality adaptors are available for most
coaxial connector types.
6.2
POWER SUPPLY
The HILNA HF contains internal linear voltage regulators. These regulators protect the circuitry from
voltage variations at the input and allow for the wide operating voltage. The power connector for the
units is an industry standard Micro‐DB9 connector. The only restrictions on the power source for the
unit are:
‐ Capable of sourcing 300 mA of current
‐ Capable of so12 VDC to +30 VDC
Car batteries (through a cigarette lighter adaptor), laboratory DC power supplies, or wall transformers
are suitable power sources as long as the superimposed ripple is low in amplitude.
6.3
CONNECTIONS
Caution: Do not apply RF to the unit until after all cable connections are made and power has been
applied.
Making the connections from the HILNA HF is easily accomplished:
1.
Connect the "RF OUT" connector on the unit to a 50
coaxial cable
2.
Apply power to the unit by first plugging in the power cable sent with the unit into the DC power
input.
3.
Connect the red lead to the positive side of the power supply and connect the black lead to the
negative side of the power supply. Power is now ready to be applied to the unit.
4.
Connect the RF Source to the RF Destination with a second 50
coaxial cable.
Caution: The HILNA amplifier contains components that are sensitive to
Electro‐Static Discharge (ESD). The use of wrist strap, mats, and ground
straps should be adhered to during the installation process.
