Comet Antenna CAA-500 Mark II User Manual

P.1
Important Cautions
◆
This is a delicate measuring instrument; please take care not to drop it or subject it to physical shock.
◆
The impedance bridge of this instrument is immediately inside the antenna connection point. Be absolutely
certain not to apply power from an external transmitter, as this will damage the CAA‐500 MarkII.
◆
Strong local RF fields (in a multi‐station environment, for example) may cause unstable SWR readings.
◆
When not using Ni‐MH batteries, always turn OFF the Charge switch on the battery case. Failure to do so may
result in battery rupture, leakage and/or explosion if you apply charging voltage to alkaline cells.
◆
The external DC supply voltage must be between 8V to 16V, and the current supplied must be at least 250mA.
Never apply DC voltages greater than 16V, nor AC voltage of any kind. Our warranty does not cover damage
caused by the use of an improper power source.
◆
When using AA batteries, the LCD display will become unstable when the batteries are weak. Change Batteries
as soon as the display starts blinking, and change all batteries to improve the battery shelf life.
Remove the batteries when not in use for extended periods of time to avoid damage caused by leakage.
▼
Before using
◆
To avoid ESD damage, it is important to discharge any static electricity that
may have accumulated on the antenna system by touching grounding the
antenna’s coax cable connector before screwing it onto the SWR analyzer.
Instruction Manual
Thank you for your purchase of this instrument. It was built under ti ght quality control
standards and procedures; however, there is always the possibility of damage during
shipping. Should this occur, please notify the dealer from whom you purchased it
immedia tel y so the y ca n initiate the dam age c laim proce ss wi th the sh ippi ng com pany .
Please read this manual completely before beginning operation, so as to understand its
features and capabilitie s fully.
◆
Features
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Built‐in broadband high‐stability transmitter for easy measurement of resonant frequency, SWR, and impedance.
●
Color LCD & cross‐needle meter display provide SWR and Impedance information simultaneously.
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Separate ham band segments can be swept to display the SWR characteristics in the graph automatically.
Moreover, it is possible to plot the SWR characteristics manually with user‐defined center frequency and sweep
bandwidth.
●
Size AA alkaline (manganese) or N i‐MH rechargeable batteries (six required) may be use d. Typical battery life is 9
hours of continuous operation when using AA cells.
●
External 8‐16V DC power may be used to power the meter; this allows trickle charging of Ni‐MH cells.
●
The programmable Auto Power Off func tion preserves batter y c apa c ity in case you forget to turn the m ete r
off.
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A ha nd strap post i s p rovided, for ease of use and t o minimize the chance of dropping the CA ‐500 MarkII .

Comet Antenna CAA-500 Mark II Specifications

General

Brand	Comet Antenna
Model	CAA-500 Mark II
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English

Summary

Features

Transmitter & Display

Built-in transmitter and color LCD/cross-needle meter for SWR/impedance.

Battery & Power Options

Uses AA or Ni-MH batteries; supports external DC power.

Important Cautions

Handling & Shock Protection

Delicate instrument; avoid dropping or physical shock.

External Transmitter Danger

Never apply external transmitter power, as it will damage the unit.

Battery Safety

Crucial to turn off charge switch for alkaline cells to prevent leakage/explosion.

Power Input Limits

Use 8-16V DC; voltages outside this range void warranty.

Before Using

ESD Prevention

Discharge static electricity from antenna system before connection.

Panel/Case Parts and Descriptions

Key Components Overview

Describes display meter, multi-function LCD, knobs, and buttons.

Connectors and Power Input

Details RF connectors, external DC input, and battery case.

Charge Switch

Controls trickle charging for Ni-MH batteries; must be OFF for alkaline.

Operation Guide

Normal Mode Operation

Explains display screen elements and basic SWR measurement.

SWR Measurement

Procedure for connecting antenna and reading SWR/impedance.

Antenna Resonant Frequency

Method to find the frequency of minimum SWR for the system.

Using the Graph Mode for SWR Analysis

Auto Sweep Mode

Performs automatic SWR sweep based on selected band settings.

Manual Plot Mode

Allows custom SWR sweep with user-defined center frequency and bandwidth.

Advanced Settings and Battery Management

Auto Power Off Timer

Procedure to set the inactivity timer to save battery life.

Ni-MH Battery Charging

Details on trickle charging Ni-MH batteries, voltage, and time.

Error Messages and Recovery

Understanding Error Codes

Explains ER1 (frequency set) and ER2 (data corruption) errors.

Flash Data Recovery

Step-by-step instructions to recover unit firmware using button combination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Measurement Anomalies

Addresses SWR dips, frequency shifts, and low SWR issues.

Cable Use and Connectors

Guidance on using cables with the antenna and connector limitations.

Notes on Handling and Operation

Physical Handling and Environment

Precautions against dropping, moisture, dust, and modifications.

Operating Environment

Recommended temperature range and LCD behavior.

Product Specifications

Technical Parameters

Details frequency range, display, output level, impedance, and connectors.

Power, Dimensions, and Weight

Information on power sources, current, charging time, size, and weight.