Instruction manual

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Simplified Instructions

for the

Better RF Automatic Screwdriver Control

The Better RF Automatic Screwdriver CONTROL consists of two separate, but interactive devices; The TUNE

CONTROL and the SCREWDRIVER CONTROL.

The TUNE CONTROL, which plugs into the back panel Tuner and CI-V Ports of an Icom IC-7000, contains a

microprocessor with on-board firmware and nonvolatile memory. It receives its logic power from the Icom

IC-7000, and communicates with the IC-7000 over the CI-V data port.

The SCREWDRIVER CONTROL interconnects with the TUNE CONTROL by way of a 2.5 mm stereo cable,

which also provides the logic power. It contains relays which activate the antenna motor, a PWM (Pulse Width

Modulator) which is used to slow the motor when required, an amplifier lockout relay, and a jack for the antenna

motor. The DC power for the antenna motor requires a fused, 3 amp circuit, which is the responsibility of the user.

These two devices, the TUNE CONTROL and the SCREWDRIVER CONTROL, should be viewed as a system.

While the TUNE CONTROL can be used as a stand-alone device, the SCREWDRIVER CONTROL cannot be

used as a stand-alone device.

The Icom IC-7000 provides the the necessary transmit power by utilizing the RTTY mode with a reduced carrier

(about 25 watts). It also supplies the TUNE CONTROL with an SWR readout, and acknowledgement of the

requisite button pushes required for Setup, and operation.

It is important to understand that the TUNE CONTROL/SCREWDRIVER CONTROL SYSTEM is not an antenna

tuner; it is an antenna CONTROL. With this in mind, there are several prerequisites which must be established

before installation and Setup can begin.

First, some methodology must be used to assure that the SWR is relatively low (<1.7:1). The best way to achieve

this is to use a base matching coil. Instructions for making one are included elsewhere in these instructions.

Remembering that the motor (and reed switch if so equipped) operate above RF ground. In other words, the leads

are RF hot anytime transmit power is applied to the antenna. This means some form of RF bypassing is required to

keep the RF off of the control leads. The requisite bypassing usually takes the form of ferrite beads, through which

the motor leads are wound. It is imperative that they are installed correctly. Instructions for doing so are included

elsewhere in these instructions.

Lastly, it is important to understand how the TUNE CONTROL/SCREWDRIVER CONTROL system responds to

the user with Beeps and Icons, and how it operates before any installation and Setup is attempted. Therefore, you

should read the entire instruction manual before starting installation and Setup. For brevity purposes, we’ll refer to

the TUNE CONTROL/SCREWDRIVER CONTROL SYSTEM as the TC/SC from here on out.

Summary of content (11 pages)

PAGE 1
Simplified Instructions for the Better RF Automatic Screwdriver Control The Better RF Automatic Screwdriver CONTROL consists of two separate, but interactive devices; The TUNE CONTROL and the SCREWDRIVER CONTROL. The TUNE CONTROL, which plugs into the back panel Tuner and CI-V Ports of an Icom IC-7000, contains a microprocessor with on-board firmware and nonvolatile memory. It receives its logic power from the Icom IC-7000, and communicates with the IC-7000 over the CI-V data port.
PAGE 2
The BetterRF Company 44 Crestview Lane Edgewood, NM 87015 505-286-3333 Voice 505-281-2820 Fax 7000 SCREWDRIVER Control Table of Contents Normal Operational Parameters .................................................................................... Page 1 Installation..................................................................................................................... Page 2 Setup.............................................................................................................
PAGE 3
Normal Operation Beep response during Normal Operation is as follows. The level of the beep can be adjusted by changing the CW sidetone level on the IC-7000. Refer the IC-7000 Owner’s Manual, page 43. Single Beep: Response to the TUNER/CALL button, or the RESET button on the TUNE CONTROL. Two Beeps: Indicates successful completion of any requested operation. Three Beeps: Indicates that Setup has been entered. Multiple Beeps: Indicates a failure to complete the requested operation.
PAGE 4
Installation Some familiarity with the various menus functions of the Icom IC-7000 is required. If you don’t know what they are, please refer to the Icom IC-7000 Owner’s Manual. Where applicable, page numbers have been listed for your convenience. You might want to check off each item as it is completed. Turn on the Icom IC-7000 and push the AF button momentarily. This places the IC-7000 in Setup mode. Push the F-4 (OTH) button. Use the F-1 and F-2 buttons to select menu item #18 (PTT Start).
PAGE 5
Once you’ve completed the installation, you may proceed to the actual Setup of the TC/SC which follows. To reiterate, the antenna must be properly matched; the antenna’s motor control leads must be properly bypassed; and the interconnect, DC, and motor wiring must be completed. Carefully recheck your wiring before proceeding to the actual Setup. Setup There are several important points with respect to the Setup procedure. First, you should check off each step as you do them.
PAGE 6
10). If the antenna moved in the wrong direction in step 8) or step 9), it can be reversed by pressing the SPCH/ LOCK button twice within a period of 2 seconds [Press the RESET button twice within 2 seconds]. The Lock icon must appear with each button press [the Lock icon will not appear]. After pressing the SPCH/LOCK button twice within a period of 2 seconds, go back to step 8), and/or step 9), and recheck to make sure the antenna moves in the correct direction.
PAGE 7
14). If you wish to change the default SWR setting, turn off the IC-7000. 15). Turn the IC-7000, and place the TC/SC in the Setup mode mode as outlined in steps 1) through 3) above. 16). Select the band and frequency on the IC-7000 for which you wish to set the SWR threshold. 17). Press the TUNER/CALL button on the IC-7000 for at least one second. You’ll hear one Beep.
PAGE 8
Operational Hints What follows are a few anomalies which might crop up do to circumstances beyond our control. They are here to help you solve erratic operational problems, whatever their cause. The single biggest cause of erratic behavior, is inadequate RF bypassing of the motor leads. Please review the RF Bypassing Remotely Controlled Antenna Leads below. The second biggest cause of erratic behavior, is an inadequate image plane under the antenna.
PAGE 9
Electrical Specifications Current Drawn from IC-7000 Accessory Jacks: <100 mA. Antenna Motor Power Feed: 13.8 VDC, Fused @ 3 Amperes (User Supplied) Screwdriver Antenna Motor Running Current: 2.5 Amperes Maximum Motor Stall Current Threshold: 3.5 Amperes Maximum (User Settable) Motor Over Current Threshold: 3.
PAGE 10
The resistance to the flow of RF current is closely tied to the linear inch of material parallel to and surrounding the wire, and it goes up by the square of the number of turns. It is actually a complex impedance, with X decreasing and R increasing with increasing frequency. At some frequency X=R (loss tangent equals effective permeability) and the Q becomes unity [Q=1]). It is this property which makes their use in RFI suppression so ideal.
PAGE 11
The one shown is 9 turns, 1 inch inside diameter, and wound with #14 enameled wire. The coil needs to be about 1 uH, plus or minus, depending on the input impedance of the antenna, The inductance of the coil is changed by adjusting the spacing between the turns. Properly adjusted, the SWR will be less than 1.6:1 over the antenna’s operating range (typically, 80 through 10 meters). The coil will have the greatest effect on 80 and 40 meters, so those bands should be used to adjust the coil’s spacing.