Acom ACOM2100 - OPERATION; Changing Operate and Standby Modes

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4. OPERATION
Operation of the amplier is simplied through use of the TRI tuning aid, Auto-Operate function, and
automatic protection system, so you may begin using the amplier immediately following installation.
However, to make full use of the amplier's potential and to fully congure it to your local conditions, we
recommend that you thoroughly read the following information.
There are 14 ON LINE information screens, which can be selected by pressing repeatedly the NEXT or
PREV buttons (see g.3-2). Their purposes and methods of use are described in the next 7 sections,
4-1 through 4-7.
4-1. Turning ON and OFF
In order to turn on the amplier while the Main Power Switch (located on the rear panel) is on, press the
red ON/OFF button (located under the red LED on the front panel right-bottom corner) and hold it on for
about one second. The OLED will light and the ON/OFF LED indicator above the button will change the
color from red to green. You will hear the blower and the optional external fan starting at high speed for
a second and then slowing down.
After successfully passing the initial amplier self-tests, the ON/OFF LED begins ashing green while
the following inscription on the OLED remains lit:
WARMING UP: nnn s
(nnn above is the number of seconds remaining to readiness for operation)
A tube warm-up period of 180 seconds (3 minutes) follows. During this time the amplier remains in
standby mode, so you can continue operating with the transceiver.
Pressing either the PREV or NEXT buttons during this period will result in changing the screen to one
of the 14 available information screens described in S.4-6 below. This will not inuence the warming-
up process, so you may pass through all information screens, to monitor the High Voltage value or the
Exhaust Air temperature, for example. You may also return to the earlier screen to see how many seconds
are still needed until the tube cathode reaches its operating temperature.
N O T E
When you intend to have a short operating break, it is better to leave the amplier in
standby mode instead of turning it off. Tube life is shortened by repeatedly turning on
and off the heater lament. However, if you unintentionally power-off the amplier, it
is best to switch it on again immediately. When the pause is short (up to one minute)
and the cathode is still warm, the warm-up period is shortened signicantly, which
reduces the waiting time and prolongs the tube's life.
After the indicated period expires, the ON/OFF button stops ashing and lights green constantly.
If the auto-operate function has been selected to ON (see S.5-2), the green OPER LED will
illuminate automatically. The last used (one out of 14) information screen appears on the display,
e.g., "WARMING UP: Ready.”
The bar-graph on the upper line always indicates the peak forward power (as well as during
OFF LINE).
In order to turn the amplier off, press the red ON/OFF button. If you intend to have a break
for a long time, it is best to turn it off using the Main Power Switch (on the rear panel) as well.
4-2. Changing Operate and Standby Modes
With the Auto-Operate function disabled (see S.5-2), the OPER button changes two modes
alternatively.
When Auto-Operate is enabled, the amplier will be maintained in operate mode by default, unless you use
the OPER button manually to go to standby (in which case the Auto-Operate is suppressed temporarily).
Pressing OPER again will restore the Auto-Operate feature.