17.3.1.6
Dimmer
It is possible to adjust the brightness of the LCD back
light between two levels.
17.3.1.6.1
High
default
17.3.1.6.2
Low
1
7.3.1.7
Info
Selecting this menu displays the current version of the installed
firmware.
17.3.1.8
Default
This menu allows the user to return all user software changes
to that of the default factory condition.
17.3.1.8.1
Restore default
Pressing OK restores all data to default factory
supplied values.
17.3.1.9
ESC
Pressing OK exits the menu system and returns the amplifier to
Standby.
17.4
OPERATE
Moving the switch
Stby/ON
to
ON
enters the mode
Operate
and the amplifier is active.
1
7.4.1
Default setting
To use the amplifier immediately it is sufficient to position the
switch (
_
)
for the selection of the band pass filters to AUT,
(Automatic). Ensuring that PTT (
_
)
input is connected from the
transmitter, the antenna is connected to the ANT (
[
) connector
and that it is suitable for the desired frequency of operation and
power rating. In this mode all of the functions of the amplifier
are completely automatic and no operator intervention is
required.
If all menus remain at their default settings when operating the
transceiver in TX the amplifier will automatically measure the
input frequency and select the correct band filter. If the operator
changes the transmit frequency the microprocessor will
automatically change to the correct band filter if necessary.
17.4.2
Monitoring the Amplifiers operation
It is possible to monitor many of the amplifiers parameters
during operation and the operator may choose which
parameters they wish to see displayed.
17.4.2.1
Display LCD
The display shows:
On the first row is displayed the state of the amplifier.
The second row displays the temperature of the heat sink and
the current selected output filter.
17.4.2.2
Analogue panel meter
17.4.2.2.1
Output power
(
b
)
This indicates the output power in Watts (RMS)
17.4.2.3
Front panel LED's
17.4.2.3.1
ON
(
c
)
Illuminates green in Operate mode and indicates
amplifier is ready to use.
17.4.2.3.2
TX
(
d
)
Illuminates red when the amplifier is in transmission.
17.4.2.3.3
A
WARNING
(
e
)
Illuminates red indicating a problem with the amplifier,
the description of the error is displayed on the LCD.
17.4.2.3.4
MAN
(
f
)
Illuminates yellow when in manual filter selection
mode.
17.4.3
Controls
The front panel features several user controls. These should
only be operated when the amplifier is not in transmission.
17.4.3.1
Stby/ON
(
\
)
Switches the amplifier between Standby (Stby) and
Operate (ON) modes.
17.4.3.2
OK/SSB
(
]
)
This switch allows entry to the menu system in
Standby mode. Or in Operate mode selects if the
SSB delay is active or not when used with the internal
VOX. When inserted an 'S' is displayed on the LCD
top right hand corner.
17.4.3.3
SET
(
^
)
Active only in Standby mode. Allows user to change
parameters in the menu system.
17.4.3.4
AUT/MAN
(
_
)
Allows user to change between Automatic and
Manual selection of the LPF's (Low Pass Filter). In
manual mode filter selection is made with (
`
).
17.4.3.5
MAIN ON/OFF
(
a
)
AC Mains power switch.
18.
Protection
The BLA350 features several sophisticated protection circuits
that will interrupt operation if necessary in order to protect the
amplifier from damage. These are controlled by a powerful
microprocessor that can identify all possible fault conditions and
alert the operator with either an audible error tone or by means
of a error message on the the LCD display. If necessary the
protection circuits will shut down the amplifier and return the
amplifier to Standby. In this case it will be necessary to
eliminate the cause of the problem and reset the amplifier by
switching the AC supply off and on. (
a
) or switch Stby/ON (
\
).
Despite sophisticated protection, operating the amplifier
repeatedly after an error has been reported without any
correction may cause permanent damage. The use of an
incorrect band filter or transmitting without a suitable
antenna connected to the amplifier at maximum power may
cause irreversible damage.
18.1
Excessive Input Power
If the input power from the transceiver rises above 13W the red
A
warning LED will illuminate (
e
) and the display shows:
If the input power then rises above 15W the amplifier will be
shut down, an audible error tone will be emitted and the
A
warning LED will remain illuminated. In this case the LCD will
show:
It will then be necessary to restart the amplifier by switching the
amplifier off and then back on to reset the protection.
18.2
OVER Temp.
The temperature at the point of contact between the transistors
and the heat sink regulates the speed of the heat sink cooling
fan. If the temperature is below 35°C the fans are off, (in Quiet
mode), between 40 and 55°C the fans turn at minimum speed,
between 55 and 65°C medium speed (also set from menu
17.3.1.3.3), between 65 and 75 °C the speed is high. Above
75°C the speed is maximum and an audible tone is sounded
and the
A
warning LED illuminates (
e
par.4). If the
temperature increases above 80°C the amplifier will shut down,
the audible warning will continue and the
A
warning LED will
remain illuminated. The amplifier will return to normal operation
when the temperature drops below 60°C.
In the above case the LCD Display will show:
OVER TEMP!
on
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