Note
The Z11 is a full featured low power automatic or semiautomatic antenna tuner designed for the HF ham bands (1.8 to 30 MHz). It will work with virtually any transceiver or transmitter providing between 0.1 and 30 watts continuous RF output (60 watts SSB or CW). The tuner uses the highly versatile “Switched L" configuration with 256 capacitor, 256 inductor and High/Low impedance settings to provide over one hundred and thirty thousand possible tuning combinations. The "L" network will match practically any coax-fed antenna (dipole, vertical, sloper, beam, etc). Long wires, and dipoles fed with ladder line can be matched using the LDG RBA-1 external balun, sold separately.
Regardless of antenna type, tuning time is between 0.1 and 3.0 seconds, typically about 1.5 seconds.
The Z11 uses latching relays to switch tuning components in the “L” network. These relays hold the tuning configuration even when power is removed; once matched, the tuner automatically enters a low-power mode where it draws only 0.8 milliamps. Placing the tuner into “Standby” reduces power consumption to zero; the latching relays maintain the tuned configuration indefinitely.
During tuning, the Z11 may draw up to 300 milliamps, but only for a few seconds. This makes it ideal for portable, battery-powered HF operation.
The Z11 will match some balanced or random wire antennas connected to the SO-239 output jack, but it will be inefficient. For best results, balanced and random wire antennas should be fed through a balun such as the LDG RBA-1.
The tuning bandwidth of the Z11 (usable frequency excursion before exceeding a 1.5 SWR) varies considerably with frequency band, ranging from about 75 kHz on 80 meters, to about 400 kHz on 10 meters. In Auto mode, the Z11 will automatically retune as necessary when you transmit a carrier after changing frequency
Note: The Z11 is intended for low-power operation only. The Z11 is rated at 30 watts continuous power input, at most. On CW and SSB, whose duty cycle is approximately 50%, this translates into 60 watts peak RF into the tuner. Many transmitters and transceivers run at 100 watts or more; this power level will damage the Z11. Be sure to observe the 60 watt power limitation for CW and SSB operation, and 30 watts when tuning, or using FM, RTTY or any other 100% duty cycle mode.
Microprocessor: 68HC11
Power requirements: 14–18 VDC at 200 mA (for only 3 seconds max)
