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18
Wiring everything together
Wiring things up and first power-up
Wiring the MAX is easy, just make sure you read the previous chapter and setup enclosure, antenna and coaxial
cable correctly. Than proceed with the following:
- Install MAXPRO5015/25/40+ in a suitable enclosure and provide a small cooling fan which will blow across the board. If
you have stereo encoder, you can install it in the same enclosure, but a metal separating/shielding wall is needed.
- Connect LCD module via flat cable
- Set the power limit jumper (J12) into the lowest position (2W), this will prevent any damage due to high SWR.
- If you don’t have artificial load (dummy load) erect antenna tower and install antenna securely. Make sure your antenna is
well away from any metal objects. Ensure your antenna tower is grounded securely. Connect one end of your 50ohm coaxial
cable to the antenna. If you have SWR analyzer you can now verify SWR of your antenna. If your antenna is already tuned
connect the other end of coaxial cable to the antenna connector (BNC) at the back of the transmitter. If you have
SWR/POWER meter, you can wire that inline between antenna and transmitter as well. Make sure the SWR meter supports
the frequency band required (87-108MHz).
- Ensure all connectors are firmly secured and antenna is mounted securely.
- While making sure power switch is off connect mains power cable into the mains power supply and connect mains power
supply into the back of the exciter.
- Inspect all cables quickly again and make sure everything is secure.
- Turn on a radio receiver and set it to your intended transmitter frequency.
- Flip the POWER switch and wait for the unit to turn on. Enter the menu system by pressing the bottom key (Menu)
repeatedly and look for the <RF power> menu item. Now set desired output power with the UP/DOWN keys. For tuning
and testing use around 25-50% of full power. Press Menu again to exit back to main display. Now you can use the
UP/DOWN keys to set the desired frequency of operation. Wait a few seconds for the red LED diode to turn off. Your
radio should now mute since you did not connect any audio sources yet.
- You can now connect audio sources of choice and verify audio performance. You should not sound louder than other
stations, in fact unless you have an expensive high performance software or hardware sound processor you should sound
quieter than other stations. Remember, if you’re using stereo encoder you do not need pre-emphasis so set it to none.
- Observe SWR and output power. If everything seems ok you can enter <RF power> menu again and increase power to
full. Remove or reposition the power limit jumper (J12) if more power is desired.
Chapter
5
