LDG’s products offer a non-pro-rated Full Two Year Transferable Warranty. Free return shipping on all warranty repairs.
LDG’s products offer a non-pro-rated Full Two Year Transferable Warranty. Free return shipping on all warranty repairs.
Support Information
LDG’s warranty is Full Two years with no pro-rated scale. Free return shipping on all warranty repairs. Transferable warranty (it’s two years no matter who purchased it)
All of our products are supported with a 2 year transferable warranty. When you sell your LDG product provide the new owner with a copy of the original sales receipt and the two-year warranty transfers to the new owner. There is no need to complete the warranty card or register our product. Your product receipt establishes eligibility for warranty service; SAVE THAT RECEIPT! Send the receipt copy with the product when you ship your product to us for repair. PRODUCTS SENT TO LDG WITHOUT A RECEIPT ARE CONSIDERED REQUESTS FOR OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR.
LDG DOES NOT WARRANTY ANY PRODUCT DAMAGE OR ABUSE. This means that a product failure, as determined by LDG, to be caused by the customer or natural calamity, (E.G. Lightning), is NOT covered under the two-year warranty. Damage can be caused by failure to heed the product's published limitations and specifications or by not following good Amateur practices.
Support: To ask a technical or support question please Click HERE to contact us via E-Mail or Call 410-586-2177.
Repair Info for 2-Year Free Transferable Warranty Procedure:
1) Print and fill out the Return Form. No RMA is needed. If it is within our 2-year warranty period, include a copy of your receipt or the prior owners receipt. Please include a contact phone number and e-mail address.
2) Ship your product (include cables, if any) to LDG with the Return Form.
3a) If there is a charge, LDG will call or e-mail you for payment info before the unit is returned.
3b)Once the repair is completed, the LDG system will e-mail the shipment details including the tracking number.
We strive to provide the best balance between cost and repair time. If you require to track your unit en-route to us, you may need to purchase delivery confirmation with your carrier. We are unable to provide call-tags for repairs and do not cross-ship units.
Domestic repairs are returned via UPS Ground and International repairs are returned via Postal System.
OUT-OF-WARRANTY SERVICE:
We will gladly provide service any time a product fails after the warranty. Please contact LDG with any questions before you send us an out-of-warranty product for repair. Click here
LDG Product FAQ
Installation
Q: Do I have to read the Manual?
You may not need to read the entire manual, but at least look at the Quick Start guide and Specifications for your product. Those two sections will get you about 90% of the way there. Use the rest of the manual for looking up more details.
Q: What do the Power Ratings for tuners mean?
LDG tuners have three ratings. 1] maximum PEP watts for SSB; 2] maximum watts for Digital; 3] minimum wattage required for tuning. The max rating should never be exceeded, even in bypass.
Q: What is the tuning Range?
The tuning range is about 10:1 SWR. As long as your antenna is less than about 10:1, the tuner should be able to finds a match of about 1.5 or less.
Q: What Antenna should I use?
The antenna is an integral part of the station. A bad antenna usually cannot be made better with a tuner. Pretty much any coax fed antenna that has an SWR of less than 10:1 on the frequency that you want to operate can be tuned to a useable level.
Q: What Coax should I use?
For 100 watts, short connections of RG-58 is acceptable, but RG-8X is preferred. For coax feedline of less than 100 feet, RG-8X or RG-8U size is acceptable. For over 100 feet, RG-8U type is recommended. For 600 watts or over, use RG-8U or better.
Q: Where should an External Wattmeter go?
For stations without an amp:
Radio > Meter > Tuner > Antenna Switch> Antenna.
For stations with an amp:
Radio> Amp> Meter> Tuner > Antenna Switch> Antenna.
Q: Where should RF Chokes go?
For DC issues, the chokes can go on the DC supply cable to the radio and on the supply/Interface cable to the tuner. For coax issues, a 1:1 choke balun or line isolator would be used in the coax line before the coax reached the shack.
Q: What Balun/Unun should be used?
For twin lead and ladder line, us the RBA-4:1 Balun. For dipoles use the RBA-1:1. For a ground mounted vertical with a ground plane, use the RU-4:1. For end fed wires, use the RU-9:1. The RU-1:1 can be used as a coax choke.
Q: How do the Memories work?
LDG tuners have a memory management system built into the software. Once a tuner finds a match, it is stored in memory to be recalled when you come back on that frequency. The initial match may take a few seconds, but the memory recall is less than one second.
Q: How does Bypass work?
Bypass places the tuner’s relay so that the RF signal goes through the tuner. The power rating is still the maximum PEP for each tuner.
Q: How does the Antenna Switch work?
Some LDG tuners have a two position switch. The Ant button on the tuner will toggle between Ant 1 and Ant 2. The LED for Ant will light when Ant 2 is selected. Antenna 2 is selected if the DC power is removed. There are two sets of memories, one for each antenna.
Q: Are LDG tuners waterproof?
Most are not. Only those specifically intended for outdoor installation such as the RT-100 and RT-600 are water resistant. All others must be kept dry like a typical radio.
Q: Do I need a regulated power supply for my LDG tuner?
A regulated linear supply is preferred for best performance. If you have trouble and are using a switching type power supply, try a linear supply to isolate any issues. You can also add RF chokes on the DC power cable to the radio and on the DC power cable to the tuner.
Q: Can I use my LDG tuner with ladder line-fed antenna?
LDG tuners are designed for coax-fed antennas. To use it with an antenna fed with ladder line you need a 4:1 balun. LDG sells a suitable 200W model. Many others are available at Balun-Designs.
Q: Can I use my LDG tuner with a long wire antenna?
LDG tuners are designed for coax-fed antennas. To use it with a long wire antenna you may need a 1:1 balun. LDG sells a suitable 200W PEP model. Higher powered baluns are available from Balun Designs. In any case, a long wire will still need a sufficient ground system that provides a good counterpoise like a ground plane or radials.
Q: What is the dc power connector polarity?
The center conductor is positive. The connector size is 5.5x 2.5 mm.
Q: Can I get additional or replacement cables?
Yes, www.cheapham.com carries all of our optional cables and replacement cables.
Q: Can I remove the circuit board from my LDG tuner’s case and install it in a home-brew project?
Yes, that will work fine as long as you provide adequate RF shielding.
Q: Can I use a M-7600 meter with a different radio?
Sorry, no. Each meter is designed to work with a specific tuner. There are very few radios that have a meter port and none of them are compatible with any others.
Q: Can I use a FTL-Meter with a radio other than the FT-897 or FT-857?
Sorry, no. The meter is designed to work with those specific radios. There are very few other radios that have meter port.
Q: Can I use a IT-100 with a non Icom radio?
Sorry, no. The tuner is designed to only work with Icom radios that ar AH-4 or AH-3 compatible
Q: Can I use a KT-100 with a non Kenwood radio?
Sorry, no. The tuner is designed to only work with Kenwood radios that area AT-300 compatible.
Q: Can I use a YT-1200 with a non Yaesu radio?
Sorry, no. The tuner is designed to only work with Yaesu, FT-450, 950, 1200 and 3000 radios.
Q: What is the loss of an LDG tuner?
The loss cannot easily be express as a single number. The loss is dependent upon the impedance of the antenna, the frequency, and the number of elements that the tuner uses to find a match.
Operation
Q: How far over the RF power limit can I really operate?
Like all well-engineered electronics, LDG products are designed with a reasonable safety margin. However, you should never knowingly exceed the limit specified in the product manual. If a tuner fails under extreme overload it can also damage your transmitter, or even be a fire hazard. Observe the specified power limits at all times.
Q: Do I need to transmit a carrier during a tuning cycle?
In most cases, no. LDG ‘s advanced tuning algorithms can tune on the fly as you operate, even on SSB or CW. If you have difficulty tuning in SSB or CW, try AM or FM.
Q: If the tuner is automatic, why are there manual Up and Down controls for C and L?
Those controls all you to fine tune the match. You probably won t need them very often.
Q: How do I reset all the memories in my tuner?
There is no way to reset all the memories at once. They are overwritten each time you perform a full tuning cycle on the frequency associated with the memory. So it’s the same as a full reset, then reprogrammed with each frequency position as you use the tuner.
Q: My Yaesu tuner won’t communicate with the tuner and I get a steady flashing red LED on the tuner.
Try resetting the radio as described in the radio manual.
Q: My tuner can t find a match on 80 or 160 meters on my 43 vertical. What s the problem?
LDG tuners can match SWR up to 10:1. The SWR on those bands for that antenna could be much higher. You may need a balun or loading coil.
Q: My tuner matches ok but then re-tunes when I transmit. What s wrong?
It s possible that stray RF is getting into the tuner through the radio interface or DC power cable. Try adding some RF chokes to the DC cable going to the radio and on the interface cable to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com. Also, you could turn the Auto mode off or set the re-tune threshold higher.
Q: My tuner keeps re-tuning as I operate. What s going on?
The tuner will re-tune any time the SWR exceeds the threshold limit of about 1.7:1.You can place the tuner in Semi mode to keep it from retuning or increase the threshold so it will not retune as often.Try adding some RF chokes to the DC cable going to the radio and on the interface cable to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com.
Q: My tuner works fine on some bands but not on others. How can I fix that?
Your coax length may be an odd wavelength of the frequency that you are trying to tune. Lengthen your coax 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) on the antenna side right at the tuner. Also try adding some RF chokes to the DC cable going to the radio and on the interface cable to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com.
Q: Can my tuner handle full power on digital modes?
No. The power ratings are for PEP SSB or CW. For 100% duty cycle modes (digital, RTTY, AM) the power limit is about one-third of the power specified. If you wanted to run 100 watts digital, the AT-200ProII would be the better choice.
Q: I have a tuner made for a specific brand of radio (Icom, Kenwood, etc). Can I make it work the same way with other radios?
No. Tuners made for specific radios can be used only with the radio it was made for.
Q: The radio interface cable for my brand-specific tuner seems to fit into the jack on another brand of radio. Will it work with that radio?
No. At best the tuner simply won t function. At worst it could damage your radio or tuner.
Q: My tuner doesn’t tune when I hold the microphone button down in SSB or if I’m in CW and press the PTT.
The tuner requires RF power to tune. A transmitter in USB or LSB outputs no power when there is no modulation. Some LDG tuners can tune while you re talking on SSB. If that does not work, transmit a constant carrier such as AM or FM. Some radios do not put out any RF power when the PTT is pressed and the mode is CW. They may even show that the TX is on, but no RF power will be transmitted.
Q: My tuner sounds like marbles in a blender when it tunes
Yes, it does! Those are the relays switching 30 times per second and do make a bit of noise. This is normal operation. If you hear any relays click during transmit (after tuning) this indicates a possible problem. Reduce power and see if the problem goes away. This can indicate RF in the shack.
Q: Can I connect an SWR/Power meter between the tuner and the antenna?
No, that will not work. A meter on the antenna side of the tuner will produce bizarre answers. The meter must be on the radio side of the tuner.
Q: How do you get the tuner out of bypass.
Bypass is just the L and C elements in the tuner set to zero. Simply begin a tuning cycle, either memory or full. If the tuner finds that bypass is the best match, it will select that. Alternatively, you could press C-Up or L-Up and the tuner will no longer be in bypass.
Q: My tuner can t match my antenna; it stops after about a minute showing infinite SWR.
First, some LDG tuners have two antenna ports; be sure you have selected the correct one. Second, LDG tuners can match up to an SWR of 10:1; your antenna may be outside that range.
Q: I hear arcing in my tuner when I transmit on high power. Is that a problem?
Yes, that s a problem. Be sure to observe the specified power limit of your tuner. Also, RF may be getting into the DC power supply. Try adding RF chokes to the DC power cable leading to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com
Q: My tuner seems to lose its tune when I transmit on high power. What can I do about it?
This sounds like RF interference getting in to the tuner. It could be coming in through the grounds, DC, or coax. Try the tuner with the amp off and see if it still has the issue; it will probably work fine. Also be sure to place the tuner in Semi mode; you don t want the tuner starting while the amp is on. You may be able to reduce RF interference by adding RF chokes on the DC cables going to the tuner and the radio.
Q: Why does the SWR meter in my radio show a higher SWR than the indicator on my LDG tuner?
That is normal. The SWR meter in most radios is not very accurate (+/-10%). If it’s more than that, the tuner or radio may have an issue.
Q: How do I put my RT-100 tuner in bypass mode?
The RT-100 does not have a bypass mode. As an alternative method, you could tune the RT-100 to a resonant antenna. That will place the tuner very close to bypass.
Q: At the end of a tuning cycle my tuner is in bypass . What does this mean?
It means that the best match the tuner could find was in bypass. If your antenna is already tuned or close to tuned on the frequency that you are tuning on, setting the Ls and Cs to zero may be the best match.
Q: I have more than one LDG tuner. Some seem slower and louder than others. Why is that?
Different models use different relays and other tuning components. Larger relays take longer to switch and de-bounce.
Q: My Yaesu tuner blinks continuously?
Sometimes, the Yaesu radio will lose the CAT port. You can do a full reset on the radio, then re-enter the tuner parameters to get the CAT port back.
Q: Why can’t I tune using my amplifier?
The extremely high voltages associated with high power combined with high SWR will arc the relays and destroy them. When the relays are settled, the contacts are rated to handle voltages and current associated with a 2:1 SWR or less to the tuners specified rating by mode.
Parts and Service
Q: How do I return my LDG product for warranty service?
Pack the item well. Fill out the return form found on our web site (under Tech Support) and include it in the package. Ship it to LDG Electronics, 1445 Parran Rd. St. Leonard, MD 20685. No Return Merchandise Authorization is required, but a complete address and phone number is required. Check the tech-support page for more info.
Q: Will you still fix my LDG product for free after it s out of warranty?
We ll be happy to fix it if we can, but not for free; a reasonable charge for parts, labor and return shipping applies. Return it to us along with an explanation of the problem. Ship it to LDG Electronics, 1445 Parran Rd. St. Leonard, MD 20685. No Return Merchandise Authorization is required, but a complete address and phone number is required. Check the tech-support page for more info.
Q: Can I get a copy of the firmware source code?
No, the source code is not publicly available at this time. However, many of the products that used a Motorola 68HC11 have the .hex files available on our Yahoo Group. We plan to add more as time permits.
Q: Can I get a copy of the schematic?
No, the schematics are not publicly available for the current products at this time. However, many of the schematics for older products are available on out Yahoo Group. We plan to add more as time permits.
Q: Are manuals available in languages other than English?
No, the manuals are available only in English. Try using http://translate.google.com/
Q: Where can I order firmware upgrades?
Description Title
Please see below links to download discontinued manuals. If looking for older products please see our LDG forums at our Groups.IO for more information on all discontinued units.
Description Title
Returning Your Product For Service
Returning a product to LDG is easy. We do not require a return merchandise authorization, and there is no need to contact LDG to return your product. Download the LDG Product Repair Form and tell us exactly what happened (or didn't happen) and why you believe the product needs servicing. The technician will attempt to duplicate the problem(s) you had based on how well you describe it so please be accurate and complete.
Please include your email address so our system can alert you when your product has been received, and again when being returned to you. Be assured that our staff makes every effort to complete repairs ahead of our published wait time. Your patience is appreciated.
Repairs can take four weeks, but are usually faster. Send the carefully packaged unit with the repair form to:
LDG Electronics Inc:
Attn: Repair Department
1445 Parran Road
St. Leonard, MD 20685
LDG’s warranty is Full Two years with no pro-rated scale. Free return shipping on all warranty repairs. Transferable warranty (it’s two years no matter who purchased it)
All of our products are supported with a 2 year transferable warranty. When you sell your LDG product provide the new owner with a copy of the original sales receipt and the two-year warranty transfers to the new owner. There is no need to complete the warranty card or register our product. Your product receipt establishes eligibility for warranty service; SAVE THAT RECEIPT! Send the receipt copy with the product when you ship your product to us for repair. PRODUCTS SENT TO LDG WITHOUT A RECEIPT ARE CONSIDERED REQUESTS FOR OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR.
LDG DOES NOT WARRANTY ANY PRODUCT DAMAGE OR ABUSE. This means that a product failure, as determined by LDG, to be caused by the customer or natural calamity, (E.G. Lightning), is NOT covered under the two-year warranty. Damage can be caused by failure to heed the product's published limitations and specifications or by not following good Amateur practices.
Support: To ask a technical or support question please Click HERE to contact us via E-Mail or Call 410-586-2177.
Repair Info for 2-Year Free Transferable Warranty Procedure:
1) Print and fill out the Return Form. No RMA is needed. If it is within our 2-year warranty period, include a copy of your receipt or the prior owners receipt. Please include a contact phone number and e-mail address.
2) Ship your product (include cables, if any) to LDG with the Return Form.
3a) If there is a charge, LDG will call or e-mail you for payment info before the unit is returned.
3b)Once the repair is completed, the LDG system will e-mail the shipment details including the tracking number.
We strive to provide the best balance between cost and repair time. If you require to track your unit en-route to us, you may need to purchase delivery confirmation with your carrier. We are unable to provide call-tags for repairs and do not cross-ship units.
Domestic repairs are returned via UPS Ground and International repairs are returned via Postal System.
OUT-OF-WARRANTY SERVICE:
We will gladly provide service any time a product fails after the warranty. Please contact LDG with any questions before you send us an out-of-warranty product for repair. Click here
LDG Product FAQ
Installation
Q: Do I have to read the Manual?
You may not need to read the entire manual, but at least look at the Quick Start guide and Specifications for your product. Those two sections will get you about 90% of the way there. Use the rest of the manual for looking up more details.
Q: What do the Power Ratings for tuners mean?
LDG tuners have three ratings. 1) maximum PEP watts for SSB; 2) maximum watts for Digital; 3) minimum wattage required for tuning. The max rating should never be exceeded, even in bypass.
Q: What is the tuning Range?
The tuning range is about 10:1 SWR. As long as your antenna is less than about 10:1, the tuner should be able to finds a match of about 1.5 or less.
Q: What Antenna should I use?
The antenna is an integral part of the station. A bad antenna usually cannot be made better with a tuner. Pretty much any coax fed antenna that has an SWR of less than 10:1 on the frequency that you want to operate can be tuned to a useable level.
Q: What Coax should I use?
For 100 watts, short connections of RG-58 is acceptable, but RG-8X is preferred. For coax feedline of less than 100 feet, RG-8X or RG-8U size is acceptable. For over 100 feet, RG-8U type is recommended. For 600 watts or over, use RG-8U or better.
Q: Where should an External Wattmeter go?
For stations without an amp:
Radio > Meter > Tuner > Antenna Switch> Antenna.
For stations with an amp:
Radio> Amp> Meter> Tuner > Antenna Switch> Antenna.
Q: Where should RF Chokes go?
For DC issues, the chokes can go on the DC supply cable to the radio and on the supply/Interface cable to the tuner. For coax issues, a 1:1 choke balun or line isolator would be used in the coax line before the coax reached the shack.
Q: What Balun/Unun should be used?
For twin lead and ladder line, us the RBA-4:1 Balun. For dipoles use the RBA-1:1. For a ground mounted vertical with a ground plane, use the RU-4:1. For end fed wires, use the RU-9:1. The RU-1:1 can be used as a coax choke.
Q: How do the Memories work?
LDG tuners have a memory management system built into the software. Once a tuner finds a match, it is stored in memory to be recalled when you come back on that frequency. The initial match may take a few seconds, but the memory recall is less than one second.
Q: How does Bypass work?
Bypass places the tuner’s relay so that the RF signal goes through the tuner. The power rating is still the maximum PEP for each tuner.
Q: How does the Antenna Switch work?
Some LDG tuners have a two position switch. The Ant button on the tuner will toggle between Ant 1 and Ant 2. The LED for Ant will light when Ant 2 is selected. Antenna 2 is selected if the DC power is removed. There are two sets of memories, one for each antenna.
Q: Are LDG tuners waterproof?
Most are not. Only those specifically intended for outdoor installation such as the RT-100 and RT-600 are water resistant. All others must be kept dry like a typical radio.
Q: Do I need a regulated power supply for my LDG tuner?
A regulated linear supply is preferred for best performance. If you have trouble and are using a switching type power supply, try a linear supply to isolate any issues. You can also add RF chokes on the DC power cable to the radio and on the DC power cable to the tuner.
Q: Can I use my LDG tuner with ladder line-fed antenna?
LDG tuners are designed for coax-fed antennas. To use it with an antenna fed with ladder line you need a 4:1 balun. LDG sells a suitable 200W model. Many others are available at Balun-Designs.
Q: Can I use my LDG tuner with a long wire antenna?
LDG tuners are designed for coax-fed antennas. To use it with a long wire antenna you may need a 1:1 balun. LDG sells a suitable 200W PEP model. Higher powered baluns are available from Balun Designs. In any case, a long wire will still need a sufficient ground system that provides a good counterpoise like a ground plane or radials.
Q: What is the dc power connector polarity?
The center conductor is positive. The connector size is 5.5x 2.5 mm.
Q: Can I get additional or replacement cables?
Yes, www.cheapham.com carries all of our optional cables and replacement cables.
Q: Can I remove the circuit board from my LDG tuner’s case and install it in a home-brew project?
Yes, that will work fine as long as you provide adequate RF shielding.
Q: Can I use a M-7600 meter with a different radio?
Sorry, no. Each meter is designed to work with a specific tuner. There are very few radios that have a meter port and none of them are compatible with any others.
Q: Can I use a FTL-Meter with a radio other than the FT-897 or FT-857?
Sorry, no. The meter is designed to work with those specific radios. There are very few other radios that have meter port.
Q: Can I use a IT-100 with a non Icom radio?
Sorry, no. The tuner is designed to only work with Icom radios that ar AH-4 or AH-3 compatible
Q: Can I use a KT-100 with a non Kenwood radio?
Sorry, no. The tuner is designed to only work with Kenwood radios that area AT-300 compatible.
Q: Can I use a YT-1200 with a non Yaesu radio?
Sorry, no. The tuner is designed to only work with Yaesu, FT-450, 950, 1200 and 3000 radios.
Q: What is the loss of an LDG tuner?
The loss cannot easily be express as a single number. The loss is dependent upon the impedance of the antenna, the frequency, and the number of elements that the tuner uses to find a match.
Operation
Q: How far over the RF power limit can I really operate?
Like all well-engineered electronics, LDG products are designed with a reasonable safety margin. However, you should never knowingly exceed the limit specified in the product manual. If a tuner fails under extreme overload it can also damage your transmitter, or even be a fire hazard. Observe the specified power limits at all times.
Q: Do I need to transmit a carrier during a tuning cycle?
In most cases, no. LDG ‘s advanced tuning algorithms can tune on the fly as you operate, even on SSB or CW. If you have difficulty tuning in SSB or CW, try AM or FM.
Q: If the tuner is automatic, why are there manual Up and Down controls for C and L?
Those controls all you to fine tune the match. You probably won t need them very often.
Q: How do I reset all the memories in my tuner?
There is no way to reset all the memories at once. They are overwritten each time you perform a full tuning cycle on the frequency associated with the memory. So it’s the same as a full reset, then reprogrammed with each frequency position as you use the tuner.
Q: My Yaesu tuner won’t communicate with the tuner and I get a steady flashing red LED on the tuner.
Try resetting the radio as described in the radio manual.
Q: My tuner can t find a match on 80 or 160 meters on my 43 vertical. What s the problem?
LDG tuners can match SWR up to 10:1. The SWR on those bands for that antenna could be much higher. You may need a balun or loading coil.
Q: My tuner matches ok but then re-tunes when I transmit. What s wrong?
It s possible that stray RF is getting into the tuner through the radio interface or DC power cable. Try adding some RF chokes to the DC cable going to the radio and on the interface cable to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com. Also, you could turn the Auto mode off or set the re-tune threshold higher.
Q: My tuner keeps re-tuning as I operate. What s going on?
The tuner will re-tune any time the SWR exceeds the threshold limit of about 1.7:1.You can place the tuner in Semi mode to keep it from retuning or increase the threshold so it will not retune as often.Try adding some RF chokes to the DC cable going to the radio and on the interface cable to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com.
Q: My tuner works fine on some bands but not on others. How can I fix that?
Your coax length may be an odd wavelength of the frequency that you are trying to tune. Lengthen your coax 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) on the antenna side right at the tuner. Also try adding some RF chokes to the DC cable going to the radio and on the interface cable to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com.
Q: Can my tuner handle full power on digital modes?
No. The power ratings are for PEP SSB or CW. For 100% duty cycle modes (digital, RTTY, AM) the power limit is about one-third of the power specified. If you wanted to run 100 watts digital, the AT-200ProII would be the better choice.
Q: I have a tuner made for a specific brand of radio (Icom, Kenwood, etc). Can I make it work the same way with other radios?
No. Tuners made for specific radios can be used only with the radio it was made for.
Q: The radio interface cable for my brand-specific tuner seems to fit into the jack on another brand of radio. Will it work with that radio?
No. At best the tuner simply won t function. At worst it could damage your radio or tuner.
Q: My tuner doesn’t tune when I hold the microphone button down in SSB or if I’m in CW and press the PTT.
The tuner requires RF power to tune. A transmitter in USB or LSB outputs no power when there is no modulation. Some LDG tuners can tune while you re talking on SSB. If that does not work, transmit a constant carrier such as AM or FM. Some radios do not put out any RF power when the PTT is pressed and the mode is CW. They may even show that the TX is on, but no RF power will be transmitted.
Q: My tuner sounds like marbles in a blender when it tunes
Yes, it does! Those are the relays switching 30 times per second and do make a bit of noise. This is normal operation. If you hear any relays click during transmit (after tuning) this indicates a possible problem. Reduce power and see if the problem goes away. This can indicate RF in the shack.
Q: Can I connect an SWR/Power meter between the tuner and the antenna?
No, that will not work. A meter on the antenna side of the tuner will produce bizarre answers. The meter must be on the radio side of the tuner.
Q: How do you get the tuner out of bypass.
Bypass is just the L and C elements in the tuner set to zero. Simply begin a tuning cycle, either memory or full. If the tuner finds that bypass is the best match, it will select that. Alternatively, you could press C-Up or L-Up and the tuner will no longer be in bypass.
Q: My tuner can t match my antenna; it stops after about a minute showing infinite SWR.
First, some LDG tuners have two antenna ports; be sure you have selected the correct one. Second, LDG tuners can match up to an SWR of 10:1; your antenna may be outside that range.
Q: I hear arcing in my tuner when I transmit on high power. Is that a problem?
Yes, that s a problem. Be sure to observe the specified power limit of your tuner. Also, RF may be getting into the DC power supply. Try adding RF chokes to the DC power cable leading to the tuner. Suitable chokes are available from www.therfc.com
Q: My tuner seems to lose its tune when I transmit on high power. What can I do about it?
This sounds like RF interference getting in to the tuner. It could be coming in through the grounds, DC, or coax. Try the tuner with the amp off and see if it still has the issue; it will probably work fine. Also be sure to place the tuner in Semi mode; you don t want the tuner starting while the amp is on. You may be able to reduce RF interference by adding RF chokes on the DC cables going to the tuner and the radio.
Q: Why does the SWR meter in my radio show a higher SWR than the indicator on my LDG tuner?
That is normal. The SWR meter in most radios is not very accurate (+/-10%). If it’s more than that, the tuner or radio may have an issue.
Q: How do I put my RT-100 tuner in bypass mode?
The RT-100 does not have a bypass mode. As an alternative method, you could tune the RT-100 to a resonant antenna. That will place the tuner very close to bypass.
Q: At the end of a tuning cycle my tuner is in bypass . What does this mean?
It means that the best match the tuner could find was in bypass. If your antenna is already tuned or close to tuned on the frequency that you are tuning on, setting the Ls and Cs to zero may be the best match.
Q: I have more than one LDG tuner. Some seem slower and louder than others. Why is that?
Different models use different relays and other tuning components. Larger relays take longer to switch and de-bounce.
Q: My Yaesu tuner blinks continuously?
Sometimes, the Yaesu radio will lose the CAT port. You can do a full reset on the radio, then re-enter the tuner parameters to get the CAT port back.
Q: Why can’t I tune using my amplifier?
The extremely high voltages associated with high power combined with high SWR will arc the relays and destroy them. When the relays are settled, the contacts are rated to handle voltages and current associated with a 2:1 SWR or less to the tuners specified rating by mode.
Parts and Service
Q: How do I return my LDG product for warranty service?
Pack the item well. Fill out the return form found on our web site (under Tech Support) and include it in the package. Ship it to LDG Electronics, 1445 Parran Rd. St. Leonard, MD 20685. No Return Merchandise Authorization is required, but a complete address and phone number is required. Check the tech-support page for more info.
Q: Will you still fix my LDG product for free after it s out of warranty?
We ll be happy to fix it if we can, but not for free; a reasonable charge for parts, labor and return shipping applies. Return it to us along with an explanation of the problem. Ship it to LDG Electronics, 1445 Parran Rd. St. Leonard, MD 20685. No Return Merchandise Authorization is required, but a complete address and phone number is required. Check the tech-support page for more info.
Q: Can I get a copy of the firmware source code?
No, the source code is not publicly available at this time. However, many of the products that used a Motorola 68HC11 have the .hex files available on our Yahoo Group. We plan to add more as time permits.
Q: Can I get a copy of the schematic?
No, the schematics are not publicly available for the current products at this time. However, many of the schematics for older products are available on out Yahoo Group. We plan to add more as time permits.
Q: Are manuals available in languages other than English?
No, the manuals are available only in English. Try using http://translate.google.com/
Q: Where can I order firmware upgrades?
Please see below links to download discontinued manuals. If looking for older products please see our LDG forums at our Groups.IO for more information on all discontinued units.
Returning Your Product For Service
Returning a product to LDG is easy. We do not require a return merchandise authorization, and there is no need to contact LDG to return your product. Download the LDG Product Repair Form and tell us exactly what happened (or didn't happen) and why you believe the product needs servicing. The technician will attempt to duplicate the problem(s) you had based on how well you describe it so please be accurate and complete.
Please include your email address so our system can alert you when your product has been received, and again when being returned to you. Be assured that our staff makes every effort to complete repairs ahead of our published wait time. Your patience is appreciated.
Repairs can take four weeks, but are usually faster. Send the carefully packaged unit with the repair form to:
LDG Electronics Inc:
Attn: Repair Department
1445 Parran Road
St. Leonard, MD 20685
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