Alpha 9500 HF - DOCNUMBER 9500 Document Issue 1, Revision

Alpha 9500 HF Linear Amplifier Operating Manual Alpha Radio Products
Operating the Amplifier Product Release 1
DOCNUMBER 9500
Document Issue 1, Revision 7
Page 6–4 June 2009
66
6
State 0 (OFF) When the amplifier is first plugged into the AC line supply, it enters State
0. The front panel lights all briefly illuminate, then turn off so that the
entire front panel is dark. If the lights stay on, unplug the AC connector
for a few seconds and plug in again.
In this state, the amplifier has an internal auxiliary 5V power supply that
is on. All the microprocessors are powered up and communicating with
one another. The USB and RS232 ports on the rear of the amplifier are
active.
State 1 (ON 1) To enter this state from State 0, press the ON/OFF (ANT SEL) button or
send a command from one of the serial interfaces.
Use this mode when you need to access the antenna switch function but
you are using only exciter power. The portions of the front panel display
that are appropriate in this mode are enabled, and others are inhibited.
The internal frequency counter is active, and automatically switches
antennas when you transmit, in the same fashion as when the amplifier is
in State 2 or higher.
Forward power and SWR are indicated on the digital meter and the bar
graphs.
State 2 (ON 2) To enter this state from State 0 or 1, press the ON AMP button or send a
command from one of the serial interfaces.
The AC line is connected to the primary of the transformer, and all
amplifier voltages are now present, including the high voltage for the tube
plate. When the amplifier enters this state, the stepper motors may turn
briefly. This sounds like a low growl from the amplifier.
A three-minute timer commences, to allow the tube time to warm up. The
amplifier cannot move to a higher state until this timer reaches zero. To
see the number of seconds remaining in the countdown, tap the FLT
button and watch the digital meter.
1 ON 1: Amplifier is being used with exciter only. No tube heater
or HV
2 ON 2, warmup: Tube is warming up. HV present.
3
Standby: Tube is ready; amplifier is in bypass mode (exciter
only).
4
Operate, unkeyed: Key-in has not been asserted.
5
Keyed, no RF: Key-in has been asserted, but no RF sensed.
6
Power: Amplifier is keyed and RF has been sensed, amplifier
delivers power.
Table 6-1 Amplifier states
State Amplifier Status