AEA ET-1 (01) PDF Document

The front panel of the AEA ET-1 features the following controls and indicators:

Transmitter: Continuously adjustable input capacitor.

Power/SWR Meter: Dual-needle meter displays FORWARD and REFLECTED power in watts. SWR is measured where the two needles intersect on the red scale.

Antenna: Continuously adjustable output capacitor.

Antenna Selector: Six-position rotary switch selects an output coaxial connector.

Inductor: 12-position rotary switch to vary inductance.

The Antenna Selector is a six-position rotary switch that functions as follows:

BYPASS COAX: Selects BYPASS COAX connector bypassing the impedance matching circuit but providing SWR, FORWARD and REFLECTED power meter readings.

DIRECT COAX 1: Selects COAX 1 connector bypassing the impedance matching circuit but providing SWR, FORWARD and REFLECTED power meter readings.

DIRECT COAX 2: Selects COAX 2 connector bypassing the impedance matching circuit but providing SWR, FORWARD and REFLECTED power meter readings.

TUNED COAX 2: Selects COAX 2 connector through the impedance matching circuit.

TUNED COAX 1: Selects COAX 1 connector through the impedance matching circuit.

TUNED WIRE: Selects the END FED WIRE connector through the impedance matching circuit. For balanced antennas, the wire antenna jack is externally connected to the balanced line.

The AEA ET-1 utilizes a two-position Power Range Switch to select the range of FORWARD and REFLECTED power displayed:

When the METER button is out, the FORWARD meter scale reads 300 watts full scale and the REFLECTED meter scale reads 60 watts full scale.

When the METER button is in, the FORWARD meter scale reads 30 watts full scale and the REFLECTED meter scale reads six watts full scale.

TRANSMITTER IN: Coaxial connector for input from SWL receiver or transmitter.

COAX 1: Coaxial connector for output to Antenna One.

COAX 2: Coaxial connector for output to Antenna Two.

BYPASS: Coaxial connector for output to dummy load or third coax output. Bypasses tuner, but meter circuits remain active.

GROUND: Post/wing-nut type ground connector.

BALANCED OUTPUT: Two banana jack connectors for output to RF balanced twin-lead antennas. (Note that jumper must be used as shown by the dotted line on the panel).

END FED WIRE: Banana jack for output to a single-wire antenna. (Do not use jumper).

Select a location for the AEA ET-1 that allows the connectors to be free from any possible contact during operation.

Step 1. Connect a coax cable from your transmitter or receiver to the TRANSMITTER connector on the rear panel. Keep the cable as short as possible. If you use a linear amplifier, connect your transmitter to the linear amplifier input and the linear amplifier output to the AEA ET-1. Do not use more than 300 watts through the tuner.

Step 2. Connect coax cable(s) from your antenna to COAX 1 or COAX 2 connectors on the rear panel. These connectors are either direct from the transmitter or through the tuned circuit depending on the setting of the OUTPUT SELECTOR switch.

Step 3. If you are using a balanced feed antenna, connect a balanced line to the BALANCED OUTPUT connectors and jumper banana jack (8) with lower jack (7) as shown by dotted line.

Step 4. If using a single wire antenna, connect it to jack (7) without installing jumper.

Step 5. Connect a dummy load to the BYPASS (4) connector using a coax cable. This lets you select the dummy load from the OUTPUT SELECTOR switch. Any antenna that does not require the use of an antenna tuner may be connected to the BYPASS connector, if desired.

Set TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA and INDUCTOR controls to the suggested settings below before applying transmitter power. Actual settings may vary from antenna to antenna.

Before applying power, to avoid damage to the AEA ET-1, set switches as outlined.

Step 1. Select the band and frequency of desired operation.

Step 2. Set TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA and INDUCTOR controls to the suggested settings (refer to the tuning chart).

Step 3. Set your transmitter to a low power output. If your transmitter has a TUNE position, select that position.

Step 4. If you use a linear amplifier, set it to Standby. Do not use the linear amplifier until the AEA ET-1 is tuned. Do not exceed 300 watts.

Step 5. Set POWER RANGE switch in to 30 W LOW (with meter button depressed).

Step 6. Set OUTPUT SELECTOR switch to BYPASS or the position matching your antenna connection. To tune your antenna, the switch selection must be set to: COAX 1 TUNED, COAX 2 TUNED or WIRE (BALANCED ANTENNA). Selecting COAX 1 DIRECT, COAX 2 DIRECT OR BYPASS bypasses the tuning section.

Step 7. Rotate the TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA and INDUCTOR controls for maximum noise or signal as heard on your receiver.

Step 8. Key your transmitter and adjust the power level for a reading of 10 watts on the FORWARD scale. Adjust the TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA and INDUCTOR controls for a minimum REFLECTED reading while maintaining a FORWARD reading of 10 watts using your transmitter power control.

Step 9. Read the SWR on the red scale at the point where the two needles intersect. Repeat step nine until the lowest SWR reading is obtained. The SWR should be 2:1 or lower.

Step 10. When you have tuned your antenna to the best SWR, record the settings of the TRANSMITTER, ANTENNA and INDUCTANCE controls for future reference. When you retune, use these settings as your starting point.

Note: This procedure takes patience the first time. The transmitter and antenna controls vary the capacitors and provide fine adjustments. The inductor control provides coarse adjustment.

Some balanced or end-fed antennas will produce high RF voltages at the banana connectors. RF burns may result if touched during transmission.

Do not operate the AEA ET-1 with the cover off.

Do not change the inductor switch with more than 30 watts of applied power.

An SWR of 1:1 is best, but an SWR as high as 2:1 may be acceptable. Check your transmitter manual for details.

If you get low SWR readings at more than one setting, use the setting that gives the highest FORWARD power reading, the lowest REFLECTED power reading, and uses the largest capacitance (highest number) on the TRANSMITTER and ANTENNA controls.

Frequency Coverage: 1.8-30 MHz

Power Maximum: 300 W continuous

Dimensions: 3.5″H x 10.2″W x 9.4″D

Weight: 3.4 lbs.