Remote Control Unit

Only the Remote Control Unit (RCU) must be positioned near the operator. The main unit can be installed up to 3 meters away. RCU features include: amplifier operating status shown on the LCD display, control of all functions, measurement and/or monitoring of all 20 most important operating parameters, on-board technical support, diagnostic recommendations, uptime recording and password protected access.

The protection system makes it really difficult to damage the amplifier. Information on the last 12 most recent protection system interventions is stored in an INFO BOX for remote diagnostics via telephone line, PC, and Internet.

All functions are accessible from a PC via a RS232 serial port. It is possible to have a local station network with more than one amplifier/antenna connected.

The ACOM 2000A offers protection against abnormal tube operating conditions (excessive voltages and currents), power supply voltages, overheating, overdriving, insufficient cooling air flow, internal and external RF arcs (in the amplifier, antenna selector, tuner or antennas themselves), T/R switching sequence, unwanted switching at the expense of the antenna relay, antenna matching quality, excessive reflected power, stored data, power-on overcurrent, and operation interlock against opening the cover for operator safety.

• RF output power: 1500-2000 W modulated carrier or SSB - without time limits. Operating modes with constant carrier RF output power 1500W RF - without time limits with auxiliary fan.
• Frequency coverage: All amateur bands 1.8-24.5 MHz. 28 MHz possible only with modification permitted to an operator with a regular license.
• Band change / Chord: initial chord in less than 3 seconds (typical 0.5 sec.).Recalling stored configuration/band switching takes less than 0.2 seconds to move to a different segment of the same band, and less than a second to QSY on a different band.
• Tuning memories: Non-volatile, up to 10 different antennas per frequency segment.
• Drive power: Typically 50W for 1500W output.
• Input impedance: 50 Ω nominal. VSWR < 1.5:1.
• Tolerated output mismatch: up to 3:1 VSWR (2:1 on 160m) at full output power before the high SWR protection circuit intervenes. For lower output powers, even higher SWRs are tolerable.
• Harmonics generated: at least 50dB below the peak output value at 1500W.
• Intermodulation: at least 35 dBbelow the peak output value at 1500W.
• T/R and keying for CW: Vacuum Relay: possible to operate in QSK.
• Valves and circuit type: 2 tetrodes 4CX800A/GU74b resistive network on the grid, PI-L output circuit with negative RF feedback. Regulated grid screen voltage.
• ALC: negative signal, derived from the grid circuit, -11v max, calibratable from the rear panel.
• Full-BK (QSK) possible
• Measurement instrumentation: complete equipment. The Remote Control Unit allows monitoring of all operating parameters of the amplifier.
• Protections: Grid and shield current limitations, turn-on transient (soft-start circuit included), intervention in case of excessive reflected power, for RF arcs, password-protectable access to protections, correctness of the T/R sequence, excessive overheating, interlock on the cover, and crowbar on the HV circuit.
• Fault diagnostics: Remote Control Unit display and various LEDs plus "INFO Box" for the latest 12 fault events. PC interface (RS-232), more possibility of remote diagnosis via telephone line.
• Cooling: Forced air. Fan with rubber insulation.
• Transformer: 3.5 kVA with strip winding and Unisil-H ferromagnetic core.
• AC power network requirements: 100/120/200/220/240 VAC nominal, 50-60 Hz. 3500VA single phase at full power.
• Physical dimensions:
  • RF Unit: 440W x 180H x 450D mm
  • 135W X 25H X 170D mm
  • Shipped in two cardboard boxes with a total weight of 36kg. Removable transformer (Plug in) to facilitate transport and shipping.
  • No control needed on the RF unit except ON/OFF. The RF unit can be positioned up to 3 meters (10m with the optional kit) from the RCU.

ITALY WARRANTY