Comet 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 SWRreadings.
◆
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 DCsupply 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 tight 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
immediately so they can initiate the damage claim process with the shipping company.
Please read this manual completely before beginning operation, so as to understand its
features and capabilities fully.
◆
Features
●
Built-in broadband high-stability transmitter for easy measurement of resonant frequency, SWR, and impedance.
●
Color LCD & cross-needle meter display provide SWRand Impedance information simultaneously.
●
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 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (six required) may be used. 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 function preserves battery capacity in case you forget to turn the meter
off.
●
A hand strap post is provided, for ease of use and to minimize the chance of dropping the CA-500 MarkII.
You created this PDF from an application that is not licensed to print to novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com)

Comet CAA-500 MARK II Specifications

General

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

Summary

Key Features of the CAA-500 MarkII

Device Capabilities

Highlights the built-in transmitter, LCD/cross-needle display, band sweeping, battery options, and auto power off.

Important Cautions and Warnings

Critical Safety and Handling Precautions

Warns against dropping, physical shock, external transmitters, strong RF fields, battery issues, and incorrect voltage.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Prevention

Instructs to discharge static electricity from the antenna system before connecting to the analyzer.

Panel/Case Parts and Descriptions

Device Components and Controls Overview

Details the display meter, multi-function display, band knob, freq knob, buttons, RF connectors, and mounting bracket.

Before You Start: Initial Setup

Explains the instrument's calibration orientation and provides context for operational examples.

Operation and Measurements

Basic Operation and Measurement Procedures

Guides through connecting dummy load, powering on, verifying SWR, and performing measurements.

SWR Measurement Guide

Details connecting the meter, setting band/frequency, and reading SWR/impedance.

Understanding Reactance Display

Explains the LCD display of impedance, including absolute value of reactance without polarity.

Antenna Resonant Frequency Measurement

Describes connecting antenna, rotating FREQ knob to find minimum SWR for resonant frequency.

Using the Graph Mode for SWR Analysis

Auto Sweep Mode Operation

Explains how to initiate an automatic SWR sweep based on selected band and center frequency.

Manual Plot Mode Operation

Details setting custom center frequency, sweep bandwidth, and plotting SWR manually.

Advanced Settings and Features

Setting the Auto Power Off Time

Configures the automatic power off timer to preserve battery life after inactivity.

Ni-MH Battery Charging and Usage

Details trickle charging Ni-MH batteries inside the case and external charging requirements.

Troubleshooting and Error Messages

Handling Error Messages (ER1, ER2)

Explains common error messages and their potential causes during operation.

Flash Data Recovery Procedures

Step-by-step guide to recover corrupted internal flash data for the unit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Troubleshooting SWR and Resonance Issues

Addresses shifted resonant frequency, no SWR dip, and low SWR readings with 50-ohm impedance.

Antenna Cable Connection Guidelines

Provides advice on using cables for accurate impedance readings and cable length considerations.

RF Connector Usage

Clarifies whether the 'M' and 'N' jacks can be used simultaneously.

Product Specifications and Service

Technical Specifications Summary

Lists key technical details including frequency range, display type, power sources, and dimensions.

After-Sale Service and Warranty Information

Provides contact details for support, warranty claims, and company information.