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Selecting RETRACT causes all antenna elements to be retracted to their home (minimum
length) position. Retracting can take two minutes or more depending on selected
frequency and antenna model and cannot be aborted. If optional “Power Off Retract” is
selected, controller will go to sleep when retraction is done.
Before taking a SteppIR antenna down, always first RETRACT elements. To protect
antenna and connected equipment during periods of non-use, lightning storms or harsh
winter conditions, use RETRACT feature. This greatly reduces conductive area of
antenna platform. In ice storms, retracting elements greatly reduces potential for
mechanical damage in case of a catastrophic failure. Don’t confuse “retracting” with
“calibration”. A calibration guarantees element is brought home and then extended from a
known starting point. Retracting assumes proper amount of tape is extended and simply
reels same amount to home position and leaves it. When retracting elements, the copper
beryllium conductive strip is “safe and sound” inside EHU, leaving only telescoping
fiberglass poles extended. These poles are easy to replace so even if the telescoping
fiberglass support elements (pole) are damaged, the most valuable part of antenna is
safe.
Autotrack Settings
Use K1 knob to select step-size. Use K2 knob to select band. Press Select key to save
changes. If band is changed or exit is pressed without pressing Select first, changes will
not be saved. The Autotrack settings determine how much the radio frequency must be
changed before antenna will retune when Autotrack has been enabled on front panel. The
available settings are 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 kHz, and BAND.
The BAND selection instructs the controller to only retune the antenna when it sees
frequency change to a different ham band.
Using the other modes of NORM, 180 and BI 3/4 can all still be used while in the
Autotrack mode. To use the transceiver interface, the user must put the controller into
Autotrack mode so the Autotrk annunciator lights green. To disable automatic tracking
simply select the Autotrack mode so the annunciator goes out.
The band buttons are active when in this mode and will cause the antenna to change
frequency until the controller sees another command from the radio. This could take up to
2 seconds. Avoid accidentally hitting the band buttons while using the transceiver
interface to control the antenna. The transceiver interface will update the frequency if it is
enabled with the radio or computer on overriding the band buttons almost immediately. If
using the RETRACT button to home the antenna, the controller will override the tranceiver
interface. If “Power Off Retract” is enabled, it will go through an automatic shut down
once the elements are completely home.
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