Operation Overview Cont’d
Normal Operation
The default settings that affect normal operation are supplied set as below…
Net/Fwd power… Net
Low power range… 15W
Mid power range… 100W
High power range… 1500W
Alarm Pwr Threshold… 0W
Alarm Set Point… 2:1
Tuning Range… 12dB
Pwr Average samples… 8
SWR Average samples… 2
Peak Hold Time… 2 sec
Bargraph Decay… Med
Coupler… LPC1 (or other coupler as ordered)
SWR Resting Style… - . - -
Lower Bargraph Mode… SWR
Display Brightness… 6
SS Timers… Scroll=2, Sleep=5
SS Reset… Mode button or RF Power Sensing
Optional Mode Display… Optional modes OFF
SWR Power Threshold… 0.5W
Peak Power Reset Threshold… 50%
Dual Coupler Option… Disabled unless you ordered dual couplers
See Setup Mode section for details on setup options.
Generally, the LP-100A is left in the Normal mode. For SSB or CW operation, you should use Peak power mode. You can access this
mode by tapping the Peak/Avg/Tune button until you see a capital “W” next to the power readout. This mode will show peak power and
SWR and hold them for the preset hold time unless a higher peak is detected, at which time the timer resets. Do not use this mode for
steady-state power or SWR measurements.
The peak power reading can be as much as 30% higher than steady-state power readings taken in the Fast mode. This is because of
the ability of the transmitter or amplifier to deliver short bursts of higher power due mainly to power supply regulation issues. This is
especially true of older amplifiers with unregulated power supplies, but also is affected by the ALC timing characteristics of modern rigs
in both CW and SSB. The peak detector in the LP-100A is very fast, and will grab even the smallest peak. Peak SWR will show values
a little higher than steady-state at times due to the wide dynamic range of the LP-100A. There is more about this in the Appendix of the
manual.
For amplifier tuning with a carrier, you should use the Average mode (small “w”) to see both bargraph and numerical readout change as
you tune. You can stay in Peak mode if all you care about is the bargraph. When using a pulser for tuning, switch to Tune mode “capital
“T”) for fast update of both bargraph and numerical readout. The bargraph sampling in the LP-100A is about 100 samples/second, and
it will display a single dit at 60 wpm, or a string of pulses from a pulser. Full accuracy should be attainable down to about 500 mW for
both power and SWR. Good accuracy should still be maintained down to < 100 mW. For antenna tuner adjustment, any mode is good,
as both the bargraph and numerical readout update continuously. Use the dBm/RL mode if you prefer peaking rather than dipping.
Tapping the Alarm button will temporarily disable the alarm during tuning, then turn it back on after a minute. Normally, the SWR Alarm
should be set for 2.0:1 unless you purposely operate with an antenna that is close to 2.0:1 SWR. It is up to you whether to enable the
alarm sounder, by using JP1. In any case, it is recommended that you loop your amplifier PTT (keying) through the LP-100A. This helps
protect your amplifier.
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