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Page 31
Read the SDA
-
100 or OptimizIR Operators Manual so that you are familiar with operation of the con-
troller. At this time the controller should NOT be connected to your radio or computer. Also, the fiber-
glass poles and loop elements should not be installed on the antenna.
1.
With the control cable NOT CONNECTED to the controller, turn the controller on. It should read
“
Manual Mode Elements Home
”.
If not, push the
“
Retract
”
button. After the controller is fin-
ished tuning it will turn off. You will need to turn the controller back on. The controller will now
read
“
Manual Mode Elements Home
”.
2.
The next step is to test that each of the elements will extend their copper tapes out properly.
3.
ENSURE THAT ALL THE ELEMENTS ARE CLEAR OF ANY OBSTRUCTIONS. The copper tape will be
extended out from both sides of each EHU for approximately 6 inches.
4.
Go into Setup mode and select
“
Test Motors
”.
Wait until the
retracting element
message goes
away.
5.
Now CONNECT the control cable to the controller.
6.
The
Test Motors
mode allows the user to extend the copper tape on each element just past the
EHU tube by pressing the appropriate buttons on the SDA100. The display should look like this:
The
“
fine
”
up/down buttons select which element will be moved. The
“
coarse
”
up/down buttons
allow you to manually move the element in to home or out to inspect. The
“
band
”
button allows a
complete cycle, out, then in to home, with one keystroke.
The purpose of this test is threefold:
•
It determines that you have the right control cable wires connected to the correct EHU (i.e. the
Driven control wires are moving the Driven element).
•
It indicates that the motors are running in the right direction —
Out makes the tape move out.
If any of the four motor wires are swapped, the motor will run backwards, so instead of ex-
tending the tape, you will hear a clattering sound as the motor pulls the tape in instead of out.
•
It proves the controller and driver chips are functioning as intended.
If any element fails this test, you have probably made a wiring error. Also, be aware that shorting
any of the control cable wires together while the control cable is connected to the controller and
the DC supply to the controller is energized (
EVEN IF POWER IS
“
OFF
”
ON THE CONTROLLER
)
can result in blown driver chips. Check and correct any wiring errors and repeat the Test Motors
procedure.
To Perform the Test Motors Procedure
•
Select the desired element using the
“
Fine
”
up/down buttons.
•
Press the
“
Coarse
”
up button and the selected element will extend. Pressing the
“
Coarse
”
down button will retract the element and the display will read
“
All Elements In
”
(when
any test is ended with the down button, all elements are brought in, so you can
’
t inadvert-
ently leave the elements out).
•
Verify that each element works correctly and then unplug the controller
’
s power supply be-
fore disconnecting the control cable.
SECTION 3.3
WIRING TEST
WIRING TEST
FIG. 3.20
Test Motors
Ref Out/In Cycle