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 15 

 

3. With your transceiver set for 20 meter SSB operation, set the transceiver's microphone 

gain for normal operation as specified in its owners manual. 

4. While speaking louder than normal into the microphone, adjust the ALC pot through the 

access hole on the rear panel . Adjust for 1500 Watts maximum output as indicated on 
an external peak reading Wattmeter.  

5. On some newer model transceivers this adjustment can be made in the CW position. On 

these models (with your output at 1500 Watts) simply adjust for a slight drop in output. 

Output Filter Circuit 

The π variable network filter transforms the plate load impedance from approximately 2500 

Ohms down to 200 Ohms, Two air variable capacitors and an associated inductor accomplish 
this transformation. A heavy duty band switch selects the proper inductance from high 

Q

 induc-

tors with appropriate taps for the desired band of operation. 

 A design 

Q

 of 14 allows for good harmonic attenuation on all bands. A special reactance-

tuned ferrite core 4 to 1 transmission line transformer steps down the 200 Ohm output of the π 
circuit to the 50 Ohm nominal antenna impedance. This also provides further harmonic attenua-
tion of the output in the same manner as an L coil in a π-L network. 

High Voltage Supply 

The high voltage supply operates from 200/234 VAC, 20 Ampere line. The primary of the 

high voltage transformer is switched on and off with relays and incorporates a step-start circuit 
to limit in-rush current while the high voltage filter capacitors charge. The front panel On/Off 
switch applies AC mains power to the controller circuitry which then controls AC power to the 
filament and HV transformers.  In the HF-2500 approximately 900 VAC is applied to a full 
wave voltage doubler circuit.  In the HF-2500 M

AGNUM

, 2400 VAC is applied to a full wave 

bridge.  Metering of the tube anode and grid current is accomplished by shunt resistors located 
in the negative return of the 3CPX800-A7 cathode. Plate voltage metering is accomplished by a 
resistor divider network in the B+ line of the high voltage circuit. 

 

Summary of Contents for COMMANDER HF-2500 EXPORT

Page 1: ...NUM Owner s Manual PALSTAR INC Command Technologies Division 9676 N Looney Road Piqua Ohio 45356 U S A Customer Service and Sales Telephone 800 773 7931 International 937 773 6255 Fax 937 773 8003 E mail info palstar com Rev 2 5 28 June 2010 ...

Page 2: ...g Procedure 12 Theory of Operation Adjustments 14 Warranty Service and Returns 16 RF Deck View 17 HF 2500 HV Power Supply Schematic 18 Access Plate Illustration 19 MAGNUM HV Power Supply Schematic 20 AC Mains Step Start Schematic 21 Control Board Schematic 22 Tuned Input T R Switch Schematic 23 RF Deck Schematic 24 Amplifier Test Card 25 PHOTO APPENDIX Dual Meters Diagram 26 Meter Board 27 Step St...

Page 3: ... voltage supply insures cool operation with high duty cycle emission modes The output circuit utilizes extra heavy duty components with vernier reduction drives on all tuning controls Easily accessed rear panel controls allow for operator adjustment of input VSWR and ALC An automatic time delay circuit insures proper cathode conditioning before RF drive can be applied A protective circuit shuts do...

Page 4: ... 2 1 or less Harmonic Suppression Exceeds all FCC requirements Keying Requires contact closure of sinking 5 VDC at 15 mA Metering Plate voltage plate current grid current and relative power A L C Negative going adjustable from rear panel Front Panel Controls Plate metering switch On Off switch Standby Operate switch Tune Load Band selector switch Rear Panel Controls Tuned input adjustment ALC adju...

Page 5: ...nsport the Amplifier for any other reason TRANSFORMER INSTALLATION Remove the top cover from the amplifier chassis Install the transformer following the illus trated procedure beginning on next page page 6 SHIPPING BLOCK The 3CPX800A7 tubes are shipped installed in the amplifier held in place by a Styro foam block Remove the block before use 200 234 VAC Operation The Commander HF2500 HF 2500 MAGNU...

Page 6: ...ssis plate and tighten Plug the connector on the transformer into the mating one on the wiring harness It is keyed so that it can not be plugged in backwards Make sure that the connector halves are pressed together until the lock tabs snap in place Plug the second connector on the transformer into the mating one on the AC Mains PCB It is keyed so that it cannot be plugged in backwards Make sure th...

Page 7: ...lips head screws through the transformer mounting tabs and into the threaded inserts in the chassis plate and tighten Lift the transformer into amplifier chassis Plug the first connector on the transformer into the mating one on the chassis wiring harness It is keyed so that it cannot be plugged in back wards Make sure that the connector halves are pressed together until the lock tabs snap in plac...

Page 8: ...s from the AC control board It is keyed so that it cannot be plugged in backwards Make sure that the connector halves are pressed together until the lock tabs snap in place This completes HF 2500 Magnum transformer installation Dress the wires and connectors down out of the way ...

Page 9: ...ad The antenna SWR should not exceed 2 1 The dummy load should have an impedance of 50 Ohms with sufficient power handling capability DAMAGE TO THE AM PLIFIER MAY RESULT IF OPERATED WITHOUT A CONNECTION TO A PROPER LOAD NEVER OPERATE THIS AMPLIFIER WITHOUT AN EARTH GROUND CON NECTED TO THE REAR PANEL GROUND TERMINAL Do not obstruct the ventilation holes located on the top bottom and sides of the c...

Page 10: ... terminal of the relay jack on your transceiver The Key jack on the HF 2500 HF 2500 MAGNUM has positive 5 VDC open circuit and requires the sinking of 15 mA of current when pulled to ground Connect as short a ground lead as possible from a good RF ground to the Ground Post on the HF 2500 HF 2500 MAGNUM Connect the ALC phono jack to the ALC connection on your transceiver using a shielded cable Cons...

Page 11: ...Adjust RF Output to Wattmeter Antenna or Antenna Tuner RF Input from Transceiver Ground Post Key Line to transceiver ALC to transceiver AC Mains Twistlock Connector AC Power Twistlock Connector Wiring View looking at rear panel GREEN BLACK WHITE To Safety Ground To 200 234VAC 20A X Y G ...

Page 12: ...C After 2 seconds the step start relay will disengage and the HV will now be at its normal no load voltage level D The 3 minute filament timer will start The green Status Trip LED will flash 1Hz rate during the 3 minute warm up interval E After 3 minutes the Status Trip LED stops flashing and the amplifier is ready for use Place the Standby Operate switch in the Operate position The amplifier will...

Page 13: ...dly indicating that a grid current limit a Grid Trip has occurred In order to reset the Grid Trip circuitry the exciter must be un keyed and the Standby Operate switch must be switched to Standby and then back to Operate Once the Grid Trip has been reset the Status Trip LED will stop flashing and remain illuminated Do NOT exceed 1200mA plate current Note that when increasing output power the tune ...

Page 14: ...mer capacitors which are easily accessed thru holes located on the rear panel The tuned input circuits are factory tuned and should not be re adjusted unless necessary You can easily make adjustments for any change in your preference for operating frequency range Also slight adjustments may be necessary because of slight vari ances in impedances between your transceiver and the tuned input circuit...

Page 15: ...ic attenuation on all bands A special reactance tuned ferrite core 4 to 1 transmission line transformer steps down the 200 Ohm output of the π circuit to the 50 Ohm nominal antenna impedance This also provides further harmonic attenua tion of the output in the same manner as an L coil in a π L network High Voltage Supply The high voltage supply operates from 200 234 VAC 20 Ampere line The primary ...

Page 16: ...gation or liability other than herein stated Shipping Your Amplifier Back to the Factory Due to the necessity of shipping the amplifier with the HV transformer removed please contact the factory for instructions before sending an amplifier back to us There are circum stances in which it may not be necessary to return the HV transformer thereby saving you ship ping charges When you call Palstar wil...

Page 17: ...17 HF 2500 HF 2500 MAGNUM RF Deck ...

Page 18: ...18 Bottom View showing access plate HV Power Supply PCB Cathode and Filament Interface PCB Access Plate Removed ...

Page 19: ...19 HF 2500 HV Power Supply ...

Page 20: ...20 HF 2500 Magnum HV Power Supply ...

Page 21: ...21 AC Mains and Step Start Board 13 5VAC ...

Page 22: ...22 Control and Metering Board ...

Page 23: ...23 ...

Page 24: ...24 RF Deck ...

Page 25: ...25 Amplifier Test Card ...

Page 26: ...26 Grid Current Scale 0 60ma Single Tube Top 0 120ma Two Tubes Mid 0 180ma Three Tubes Bottom Grid Current Scale 0 600ma Single Tube Top 0 1200ma Two Tubes Mid 0 1800ma Three Tubes Bottom Dual Meters ...

Page 27: ...27 Meter Board Cathode Fuse ...

Page 28: ...28 Step Start Board AC Main Fuse 20A x 2 Step Start Relays x 4 AC Interlock ...

Page 29: ...29 Full Wave Bridge Power Supply Top Bottom ...

Page 30: ...30 Palstar Incorporated 9676 N Looney Rd Piqua OH 45356 USA Customer Service and Sales Telephone 1 800 773 7931 Fax 1 937 773 8003 Email info palstar com ...

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