RF μTUNING KIT OPERATING MANUAL

Congratulations on the purchase of the RF μTUNING KIT.

This is operating manual to gain maximum understanding of the full capability of the RF μTUNING KIT. To installation the Please keep
this manual before reading.

NOTICE
ˆ Do not modify or resolve the μ-TUNE UNIT ˆ Do not pull or pinch the cable
ˆ Be Carefully to the miss-connection ˆ Do not give a shock to the μ-TUNE-UNIT
ˆ Do not install this apparatus in a mechanically-unstable ˆ Do not install this apparatus in a location with direct
location, or where objects may fall onto this product from exposure to sunshine
above ˆ Do not install this apparatus in a location where a child
ˆ Ensure adequate ventilation around the RF μTUNING reaches
KIT ˆ Do not wipe the case with the chemicals such as thinner
or benzine

INTERCONNECTIONS (PLEASE TURN OFF THE TRANSCEIVER BEFORE CONNECTIONS)

SINGLE CONNECTION
ADVICE
ˆ There is polarity in RF Jacks (RF IN and RF

~AC IN
OUT) on the RF μTUNING KIT. Therefore,

ANT
we prepared two cables (Black and Gray).
Please connect polarity to be reliable.
ˆ Does not break the RF μTUNING KIT even if
the miss-connection. However, in this case, the

CNTL IN
RF μTUNING KIT does not keep the high per-
formance.
ˆ There is polarity in CNTL Jacks (CNTL IN
and CNTL OUT) on the RF μTUNING KIT

RF IN
µ-TUNE TO

µ-TUNE
µ-TUNE

RF OUT
FROM
GND
too. Please confirm the connection of the
“CNTL OUT” and “CNTL IN” before turn on
(RF µTuning
RF Cable (Supplied
RF CABLE Kit の付属品
with RF μTUNING KIT) )
the transceiver.
CNTL
CNTL (RF µTuning
Cable (Supplied
CABLE Kit の付属品
with RF μTUNING KIT) )
When turn on the transceiver with miss-con-
(RF
RF Cable
RF CABLE µTuning
(Supplied with RFKit
μTUNING
の付属品 KIT) ) nection of the RF μTUNING KIT, the FT-
2000 does not operation and blinks the fre-
quency display sometimes. In this case, please
confirm the connections regarding the “CNTL
IN” and “CNTL OUT” jacks, then turn on the
MULTI CONNECTION transceiver again.
ˆ There is not connection order of the RF μ-Tun-
ing Kit.

~AC IN
ANT

CNTL OUT

CNTL OUT
CNTL IN

CNTL IN

CNTL IN
Copyright 2006 Printed in Japan
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD.
All rights reserved
No portion of this manual

RF IN

RF IN

RF IN
RF OUT

RF OUT
µ-TUNE

RF OUT
µ-TUNE TO

µ-TUNE
FROM
GND

may be reproduced without

the permission of RF Cable RF Cable
RF Cable
RFCable
RF CABLE (RF µTuning
(Supplied
(Supplied with
with KitTUNING
RF RF
μTUNING
の付属品 )
KIT) KIT)
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD. E A E 9 7 X 7 4 0 (Supplied with RF μTUNING KIT) (Supplied with RF μTUNING KIT)

CNTL
CNTL Cable (Supplied
CABLE with RF μTUNING
(RF µTuning KIT)
Kit の付属品 ) CNTL CABLE
CNTL Cable CNTL CABLE
CNTL Cable
(Supplied
(RF with RFKit
µTuning μTUNING
の付属品KIT) ) (Supplied
(RF with RFKit
µTuning μTUNING
の付属品 KIT) )

RFRFCABLE
Cable (Supplied with RF μTUNING
(RF µTuning KIT)
Kit の付属品 )
 OPERATION
This RF μTUNING KIT provide ultra-sharp RF selectivity for the RF front end of the transceiver. The high Q is made possible by the
narrow-band design; one μ-Tune module is required for the 1.8 MHz band (MTU-160), while the 3.5 and 7 MHz bands are covered by µ-TUNE AND VRF: COMPARISONS TO FIXED BANDPASS FILTERS
the MTU-80/40, and the 10.1 and 14 MHz bands are covered by the MTU-30/20.
µ-Tune
When one of three optional units is installed, it will automatically be adjusted so as to center on your operating frequency. Inspection of the illustrations to the right will demonstrate the profound A
The narrow bandwidth is especially useful on the low bands, where many strong signals being received via NVIS propagation (Near advantage of the μ-Tune circuit. In illustration [A], the gray area repre-
Vertical-Incidence Signals) within a narrow bandwidth, and the added protection at the RF stage is especially helpful in preventing IMD sents the passband of a typical fixed bandpass filter covering the 1.8 ~ 3
and blocking. MHz range; this is typical of the kind of bandpass filter found in many
high-quality HF receivers today. Note also the hypothetical distribution of
The RF μTUNING KIT, with a Q and shape factor much higher than that afforded even by VRF, can also be manually adjusted to provide signals across the 160-meter band. 1.8MHz 2.5MHz
relief against interference as close as 10 kHz away. The insertion loss of the RF μTUNING KIT is higher than that of the VRF circuit, so In illustration [B], note the narrow white segment within the gray passband FRONT-END BAND WIDTH
if Noise Figure is a concern you may select the VRF circuit, instead of RF μTUNING KIT, via the Menu of the FT-2000 transceiver. of the fixed BPF. These narrow segments represents the typical bandwidth B
of the μ-Tune filter, and one can see that the passband has been reduced
from about 750 kHz in the case of the fixed BPF) to a few dozen kHz when
1. Press the [VRF] button momentarily. The “ ” icon will appear at “VRF” icon Tuning Offset Indicator [VRF] button
μ-Tune is engaged. The vast majority of the incoming signals are outside
the FLT column of the Receiver Configuration Indicator on the FT-
the passband of the high-Q μ-Tune filter, and they will not impinge on any
2000 display, and the μ-Tune circuit will be engaged. 1.8MHz μTUNE BAND WIDTH 2.5MHz
of the RF/IF amplifiers, the mixers, or the DSP. Very strong out-of-band
€ The μ-Tune circuit will
signals like this can cause Intermodulation, blocking, and an elevated noise
automatically align itself
floor for a receiver.
onto your operating fre-
quency. µ-Tune Filter is activated

€ The VRF circuit will engage when choose the amateur band which
is not connected the μ-TUNE UNIT. Main Tuning Dial knob [VRF] knob

2. Now rotate the [VRF] knob to peak the response (background noise) or VRF
reduce interference. In this example, illustration [a] depicts a typical fixed bandpass filter cov- a
€ You may observe the peak point of rela-
Top Band Edge ering 14.5 to 22 MHz, and once again the gray shaded area depicts the
tive μ-Tune filter in the Tuning Offset fixed bandpass filter’s frequency coverage. The vertical lines in the illus-
Indicator on the display while tuning the tration, once again, represent hypothetical signals throughout this frequency
[VRF] knob. Bottom Band Edge QUICK NOTE range.
14.5MHz 22MHz
€ The amount of change in the center fre- The permeability-tuning concept utilized in the μ-Tune Figure [b] shows the same fixed BPF, with the white area representing the
FRONT-END BAND WIDTH
quency of the μ-Tune filter, when rotat- circuit dates back many decades, as it was incorporated typical passband of the VRF filter operating in the same frequency range.
Although the selectivity of the VRF is not as tight as that of the μ-Tune b
ing the [VRF] knob by one click, can be configured using Menu in such classic transceivers as the FT-101 and FT-901
item “035 DIAL.”
035 GEnE μT DIAL series, in addition to the FT DX 401 and similar models. filter, the RF selectivity of the VRF preselector is still magnitudes better
3. Press the [VRF] button (momentarily) once more to disengage the μ- The μ-Tune circuit in this RF μTUNING KIT is the high- than that of the usual fixed bandpass filter, affording significant protection
Tune filter; “ ” icon turns on in substitution for “ ” icon. In this est development of this circuit concept ever employed against the ingress of high signal voltage from strong out-of-band signals.
mode, only the fixed bandpass filter for the current band will be en- in an Amateur transceiver, and is adopted in our highest 14.5MHz VRF BAND WIDTH 22MHz

gaged. grade transceiver FT DX 9000 series.

ADVICE
ˆ The μ-Tune filters are the most advanced, selective RF preselector filters ever incorporated into an Amateur Radio transceiver. The
RF selectivity provided by μ-Tune can be of tremendous value in ensuring quiet, intermod-free reception even in the most crowded
bands on a contest weekend. The μ-Tune filters provide RF selectivity on the order of a few dozen kHz at -6 dB, at the expense of
a few dB of system gain on bands where noise figure is seldom an issue. You will notice that the S-meter deflection, when μ-Tune
is engaged, is slightly less than when it is out of the circuit; this is normal. If your antenna system gain is so low as to make it ADVICE
impossible to hear band noise when μ-Tune is engaged (highly unlikely), just switch it out or revert to the VRF system, which has バンドパスフィルター
Bandpass Filter
With μ-Tuning, the center frequency of the filter is continuously
slightly less insertion loss.
adjustable throughout its operating range, and the quality L/C 45-60 MHz

ˆ As you tune around on an amateur band with μ-Tune engaged, the microprocessor automatically commands the stepper motor
components ensure a tight passband due to the high Q of the 20.9-30.1 MHz

ア ン テ ナ セ レク タ ー
driving the toroid core stack to center the filter on your current operating frequency (the tuning resolution is 5 kHz). You may,

Antenna Selector
circuit. The RF preselection design task involves not only the VRF 13.9-20.9 MHz

however, use the [VRF] knob to skew the filter response to one side or the other from your operating frequency, to deal with heavy Antenna
アンテナ
selection of quality L/C components, but the crafting of a tuning 1 THRU 9.9-13.9 MHz
interference on one side. To re-center the μ-Tune filter on your operating frequency, and eliminate any offset, press and hold in the
mechanism and tuning concept that preserves system Q (thus as- 2 6.9-9.9 MHz
[VRF] switch for two seconds.
suring a tight bandwidth) while providing a wide operating fre- 4.7-6.9 MHz
ˆ You can use the μ-Tune circuit on the Sub band (VFO-B) receiver. However, in this case, does not move the stepper motor driving
quency range and consistent, automated tuning. The smooth tun-
the toroid core stack to center the filter on your current operating frequency. You must adjust the peak response (background noise) 3.4-4.7 MHz

ing is achieved by varying the inductance over a wide range; this

or reduce interference by rotating the [VRF] knob. 1.7-2.5 MHz

is accomplished by motor-driving a large 1.1” (28 mm) ferrite

ˆ You may always observe the peak point of the μ-Tune filter in the Tuning Offset Indicator on the display via Menu item “010010 diSP
core stack through a 2” high (50 mm) coil structure. The Q of the
BAR SEL
SEL.”
ˆ While μ-Tune is a superior RF preselection circuit, it may be disabled via the Menu on the FT-2000; if this is done, the VRF circuit
μ-Tune circuit, being over 300, yields unmatched RF selectivity SPECIFICATIONS
for outstanding rejection of undesired signals.
will engage when the [VRF] button is pressed. To disable μ-Tune, enter the Menu item “035 DIAL” of the FT-2000 then
035 GEnE μT DIAL Case Size (WxHxD): 4.7” x 5” x 12.9” (120 x 127 x 328 mm)
set the selection to “OFF.” Weight (Approx.): 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg)