MAT-TUNER mAT-K100 Automatic Tuner For ICOM/KENWOOD Transceivers Instruction Manual
- June 6, 2024
- MAT-TUNER
Table of Contents
MAT-TUNER mAT-K100 Automatic Tuner For ICOM/KENWOOD Transceivers
INTRODUCTION
The mAT-K100 is an automatic antenna tuner specially designed for modern ICOM
and KENWOOD HF transceivers. It has two control cables to choose from: mAT-CI
and mAT-CK. They are suitable for ICOM and KENWOOD transceivers respectively.
With matching control cables, tuners can be used for corresponding
transceivers. mAT-K100 standard accessories only contain KENWOOD control cable
mAT-CK, if you need mAT-CI, please buy more.
When mAT-K100 is used in ICOM transceiver through mAT-CI control cable, it is
fully compatible with the original AH-3 and AH-4 automatic tuners of ICOM.
Transceivers that can use both ICOM tuners can also use mAT-K100, which
includes IC-706, 703, 718, 7000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 7410, 746, 756, 7600 series
transceivers.
When the tuner is used in KENWOOD transceiver through mAT-CK control cable, it is fully compatible with KENWOOD original tuners, such as AT-300. KENWOOD transceivers that can use mAT-K100 are TRC-80, TK-80, TS-2000, 50, 450, 480SAT (excluding HX version), 570, 590, 850, 870, 990, etc. Other types of transceivers can use mAT-K100 as long as they support KENWOOD AT-300 tuners. KENWOOD TS-430, TS-440 are too old to use this tuner.
In addition to controlling the mAT-K100 tuning operation, the transceiver also supplies power to the tuner through the control cable. Tuners no longer need extra power. Like the original tuner, the operation of mAT-K100 is very simple and convenient. After necessary setting the menu of the transceiver, the tuning operation can be completed by pressing the tuning button on the front panel of the transceiver. Even most transceivers can start tuner directly without setting any menu.
The mAT-K100 can work within the range of 1.8MHz to 54MHz, at power levels up to 120 watts. It will tune dipoles, verticals, Yagis, or virtually any coax- fed antenna. It will match an amazing range of antennas and impedances, far greater than some other tuners you may have considered, including the built-in tuners on many radios.
The mAT-K100 has 16,000 frequency memories. When tuning on or near a previously tuned frequency, the mAT-K100 uses “Memory Tune” to recall the previous tuning parameters in a fraction of a second. If no memorized settings are available, the tuner runs a full tuning cycle, storing the parameters for memory recall on subsequent tuning cycles on that frequency. In this manner, the mAT-K100 “learns” as it is used, adapting to the bands and frequencies as it goes. You can also start a tuning cycle manually whenever necessary.
SPECIFICATIONS
- – 0.1 to 120 watts SSB and CW peak power, 30 watts on PSK and digital modes, and 100 watts on 6 meters.
- – 16,000 memories for instantaneous frequency and band changing.
- – Tuning time: 0.1 to 5 seconds full tune, 0.1 seconds memory tune.
- – 1.6 to 54.0 MHz coverage. Built-in frequency sensor.
- – Tunes 5 to 1500 ohm loads.
- – For dipoles, verticals, Vees, beams, whip, wire or any coax-fed antenna.
- – Dimensions: 20cm x 13cm x 4cm (L x W x H).
- – Weight: 0.8Kg.
AN IMPORTANT WORD ABOUT POWER LEVELS
The mAT-K100 is rated at 120 watts maximum power input at most. Many ham
transmitters and transceivers, and virtually all amplifiers, output well over
120 watts. Power levels that significantly exceed specifications will
definitely damage or destroy your mAT-K100. If your tuner fails during
overload, it could also damage your transmitter or transceiver. Be sure to
observe the specified power limitations.
FRONT PANEL
On the front panel there are two LED indicator lights.
ONLINE: tuner’s status, online or bypass.
POWER: the tuner’s power light.
REAR PANEL
The rear panel of the mAT-K100 features four connectors.
ANTENNA: SO-239 connector for coax cable from antenna.
RF IN: Connect a 50 ohm coax jumper cable from this standard SO-239
connector to the ANT jack on the back of the transceiver.
Radio: This 4-pin mini-DIN connector is connected to the tuner control
socket of the transceiver through a matching control cable. DC power is also
supplied over this jack.
GND: Connect to antenna system ground.
CONTROL CABLE
Control cables are used to transmit control commands between transceivers and
tuners. Their standard length is 50 centimeters. If it is desired that the
mAT-K100 is positioned farther from the transceiver than this cable length
allows, a custom cable will need to be constructed. This can be accomplished
in two ways: Cut the supplied cable and solder a jumper wire between all the
connections, or purchase new connectors and cable to construct a custom-length
interface cable from scratch.
The socket used to connect the control cable on the tuner is shown below, it
is on the rear panel.
When you make your own customized length control cable, make sure the
connection is correct. The wrong connection will cause the tuner not to work
properly, or even damage. Too long control cable may cause RF interference to
tuner and affect its work. When the length requirement is satisfied, the
length of control cable should be shortened as far as possible, and
appropriate anti-interference measures should be taken.
INSTALLATION
The mAT-K100 tuner is designed for indoor operation only it is not water resistant. If you use it outdoors (Field Day, for example), you must protect it from rain, dew and steam. Always turn your radio off before plugging or unplugging anything. The radio may be damaged if cables are connected or disconnected while the power is on.
IMPORTANT WARNING
When the tuner is working, there is a high voltage inside. In order to
ensure personal safety, do not use it when the shell is opened! Don’t touch
the antenna with your hand when the transceiver is transmitting, it will cause
burns!
Compatible Transceivers
Any ICOM 100 watt transceiver that supports the AH-3 or AH-4 ICOM tuners.
This includes: IC-706, 703, 718, 7000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 7410, 746, 756, 7600
series transceivers.
Any KENWOOD 100 watt transceiver that supports the AT-300 KENWOOD tuners.
This includes: TRC-80, TK-80, TS-2000, 50, 450, 480SAT (excluding HX version),
570, 590, 850, 870, 990, etc. TS-430, TS-440 is too old to use this tuner.
Other models of transceivers have not been tested yet. We will update this
list after testing.
Installation
- Connect the HF/50 MHz antenna jack on the transceiver to the “RF IN” jack on the back of the mAT-K100, using a 50 ohm coax cable rated 120 watts or greater. Special Notice: For some transceivers with built-in tuners, such as KENWOOD TS-480, TS-2000 and TS-590(S/SG), the external tuner must be connected to the ANT1. These transceivers will not initiate an external tuning cycle if ANT 2 is selected. Because their built-in tuners have been fixed to ANT2 and cannot be changed. When you don’t know how a transceiver connects to an external tuner, please read the transceiver’s user manual carefully.
- Connect the supplied transceiver control cable to the mini-DIN 4-pin jack on the rear of the mAT-K100, marked “RADIO”. Connect the other end of this cable to the “TUNER” jack on the rear of the transceiver. For ICOM transceivers, the control cable is mAT-CI, it has a four-pin plug for connecting the transceiver. For KENWOOD transceivers, the control cable is mAT-CK, it has a six-pin plug for connecting the transceiver. Tips: For some ICOM transceivers, such as IC-M710, their TUNER sockets are not standard 4-pin sockets. After retrofitting their “TUNER” sockets, mAT-K100 can still be used, just to ensure that each line in the socket is connected correctly. For the definition of each line in their sockets, please read the user manual of the transceiver. The same is true for KENWOOD transceivers.
3. Connect the antenna feedline coax to the “ANTENNA” jack on the rear of the mAT-K100.
4. Grounding the mAT-K100 tuner will enhance its performance and safety. We recommends that you connect your tuner to a suitable ground; a common ground rod connected to buried radials is preferred, but a single ground rod, a cold water pipe, or the screw that holds the cover on an AC outlet can provide a serviceable ground. We strongly recommends the use of a properly installed, high quality lightning arrestor on all antenna cables.
TRANSCEIVERS SETTING
Most transceivers can directly use external tuners without any menu settings, but some need to be set. If you are not sure whether your transceiver needs to set up a menu, read the section on external tuners in its user manual. For ICOM transceiver, reference can be made to the setting of AH-4 tuner, and for KENWOOD transceiver, reference can be made to the setting of AT-300 tuner. Following is an example of ICOM IC-718 to illustrate the menu settings: IC-718
- – Hold down [PWR] for 1 second to turn power OFF.
- – While pushing and holding [SET], push [PWR] to turn ON the power.
- – Push [UP] or [DN] one or more times to select [TUNER].
- – Rotate the main dial to select “4.” AH-4TUNER is selected.
- – Hold down [PWR] for 1 second to turn power OFF.
- – Push [PWR] to turn ON the power.
OPERATION FROM THE TRANSCEIVER
The operation of the mAT-K100 tuner is very simple. It only needs a button on the front panel of the transceiver. On an ICOM transceiver, this button may be [TUNER](most models), [TUNER/CALL] (IC-7100, 706) or [TUNE] (IC-M710). On KENWOOD transceivers, it is usually marked as [AT]. In the following description, we call it [TUNER].
Start a tuning process
The two brands of transceivers operate the same way, press and hold the [TUNER] button for more than 2 seconds, and the transceiver will automatically start a tuning process. The following operations are performed automatically by transceiver, without manual operation.
- The radio will switch to CW mode, reduce power, and begin to transmit a carrier.
- The tuner will begin a memory tuning cycle If an acceptable SWR match is found in the memory tuning cycle, the tuning cycle ends. Otherwise, the mAT-K100 automatically begins a full tuning cycle in an attempt to find a good match.
- At the end of the tuning cycle, if the SWR is less than 2:1, the match data is stored in a memory associated with the selected frequency. If SWR is greater than 2:1, the current matching data will not be stored.
- The transceiver restores the current mode and power level to the previous settings, and the tuning ends.
- If the current SWR is not higher than 2:1, the “ONLINE” indicator will light up, indicating that the tuner is in the ONLINE state. If the current SWR is higher than 2:1, the “ONLINE” indicator will go out and the tuner will switch to BYPASS mode. At this time, the tuner is in BYPASS mode, and the RF input and output are directly connected.
Online/Bypass
For some transceivers, the ONLINE/BYPASS state of the tuner can be switched by pressing the [TUNER] button. If the tuner is online, the “TUNER” tag is displayed on the display screen of the transceiver.
LEDS
There are two LED indicators on the front panel of the mAT-K100. “PWR” is the power indicator, which lights up to indicate that the tuner is turned on. “ONLINE” is the status indicator, it lights up to indicate that the tuner is in ONLINE mode. It is off to indicate that the tuner is in BYPASS mode.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Visit the Support Center at: http://www.mat-tuner.com/en/.
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References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>