- 1 -
Introduction: The Z11 is a full featured QRP auto or semi automatic antenna tuner designed for
HF (1.8 to 30 MHz) transceivers using between 0.1 to 30 watts. The tuner uses a switched "L"
configuration with 256 capacitor, 256 inductor and Hi/Lo-Z settings to provide over one hundred and
thirty thousand tuning combinations. The tuning range is 0 to 2700 pF and 0 to 20 uH. The "L"
network works great with just about any coax fed antenna (dipole, vertical, beam, etc). Users with
long wires can install a balun between the tuner and the antenna. Tuning time is between 0.1 and
3.0 seconds with the average being about 1.5 seconds.
Latching relays are used to switch tuning components into and out of the tuning circuit. These
relays will hold the tuning configuration even if power is removed from the tuner. Once a tune has
been made the tuner enters a low power mode where it only draws 0.008 amps. Placing the tuner
into Standby can further reduce this power consumption, where it draws zero amps. During tuning,
the tuner may temporarily draw up to 0.4 amps. This current draw usually only last a second or two.
Three LEDs provide an indication of SWR while RF is present. Green indicates SWR of less than
1.5, Green/Yellow is 1.5-2.0, Yellow is 2.0-2.5, Yellow/Red is 2.5-3.0 and Red indicates more than
3.0. The fourth LED is a tuning indicator. It is lit only when the tuner is trying to find a match.
Operation: Turning on the unit with the front panel Power switch will initialize the microprocessor.
All four LEDs will flash once to indicate the power up process was initiated. Turning the unit off by
the front panel Power switch places the tuner into Standby. The tuning configuration is maintained
with the Power switch in either position.
To Next Page
Need help?
General
