AMERITRON ATR-30, Instruction Manual

ATR-30 Instruction Manual 

Ameritron Antenna Tuner 

3 

The 

ANTENNA SELECTOR

 selects one of 3 rear panel SO-239 coaxial connectors or the wire-type 

wing-nut connections. Of the three rear panel coaxial connectors, only

 COAX 1

 and

 COAX 2

connectors are available using the matching network in the tuner. 

COAX 3

 is bypass only, with no 

tuning functions available. Single wire or balanced wire outputs are available only as tuned antennas. 

2.0 INSTALLATION 

CAUTION:  To prevent RF burns from high voltages when using open wire 

or single wire feeds, locate the tuner to prevent rear panel 
connections from being accessible during operation. Be sure 
the tuner is properly grounded. 

1. 

A power source must be connected for the power meter to operate. There are two choices: 

a.

 Connect a 12 Vdc power source to the back of the tuner marked 12 VDC. This method will also 

supply power to the meter and turns-counter lamps. 

b.

 Remove the small bottom cover from the tuner and connect a standard 9 volt battery to the battery 

clip.  Snap the battery into the metal holder, and replace the battery cover.  When a 9 volt battery is 
used as the only power source, meter and turns-counter lamps will not function.

2.

 Locate the tuner in a convenient location at the operating position.  If random wire or balanced lines 

are used, the rear panel ceramic feed-throughs may operate with high RF voltages. These voltages can 
cause serious RF burns if contact is made with ceramic standoff terminals while transmitting. 

Locate 

the tuner where the wire feedline terminals can not be contacted during operation. 

3.

 Install the tuner between the transmitter and the desired antennas.  Use good quality coaxial cable 

(such as RG-8/U) to connect the transmitter (or amplifier) to the rear panel connector marked 
“

TRANSMITTER”

. 

4.

  Connect the antenna(s) to the tuner as follows: 

a. 

Coaxial feedlines that might require use of the tuner connect to coax connectors 1 and 2. Coaxial 
cables not requiring a tuner connect to coax connector 3. 

b. 

Single wire feedline antennas should be connected to the 

WIRE

 connector on the back of the    

unit.

c.

 Balanced feedlines (open wire, twinlead, or twin-axial lines) are connected to the 

BAL. LINE

terminals and a short jumper is installed between the WIRE post and the unmarked post below  it.  

WARNING 

High RF Voltages!   Route all single and open wire feedlines 
to prevent RF burn and  arcing hazards. 

5.

 A ground post is provided for an RF ground connection. This tuner must always be connected to the 

station ground buss. 

3.0 OPERATION