The K3NG, Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU)

This project originally described a fully balanced ATU by K3NG on his web pages. (link below)

VK3PE commenced building a balanced version using PCB’s as described below. However, the
balanced version was not proceeded with as the real need was unbalanced.

The project has been modified to be a balanced version only, using PCB’s designed by VK3PE in late
2017. Two versions have been built, a QRP version (30W max.) and the original 100W K3NG version
both unbalanced. This is not a kit. Full assembly instructions are not given, either in K3NG original or
the VK3PE version. PCB’s may only be available, if VK3PE happens to have any spares. My website
has some documents with details of my PCB’s.

Please note: these versions are experimental and not endorsed by K3NG.

The QRP version uses a single 100mm x 100mm PCB connected to an SWR pick-up and Control PCB.

The Control PCB can be using for an unbalanced version, but no L&C PCB was made to accommodate
that type. Instead, two 100mm square PCB’s are used for the L&C switching in the QRO version and a
single 100mm square board for the QRP version.

To cut down on wiring, ribbon cables are used in the main, for interconnects from the L&C board to
the Control board.

The Arduino Sketch. (A ‘Sketch’ is the source code for the Arduino environment, see info at end of
this document)

The original K3NG Sketch can be used almost as-is, if the same I2C “RGB backlight” display
K3NG used is fitted. Slight mods will be required though, if the AD8307™ type Log detectors
are used. It’s assumed that those who build this project will have at least a rudimentary
knowledge of Arduino and programming or willing to learn. Thanks go to G3ZQC, for
considerable assistance in changing the Sketch.

There are several display types, not all catered for by K3NG, requiring Sketch changes, most
catered for by the modified Sketch.

1. I2C non RGB backlight LCD. (K3NG used the change of back-lighting colour to
indicate the current tuning mode.)

2. Parallel driven character based LCD. K3NG caters for this option but beware, there is
a pin conflict. Plus there is no RGB backlight.

3. Full colour TFT display of either 2.2” or 2.6”.

The Control board.

The Control board uses the same schematic as the original K3NG design, contained on a
custom designed PCB. Optional LED’s can be fitted, which show the state of all L & C’s as it
tunes. LED’s not fitted in picture below.
K3NG’s balanced ATU, version by VK3PE.

PCB’s were designed and produced, as K3NG never used PCB’s in his build. After some work
assembling this balanced version, it was decided to proceed instead with an unbalanced version to
suit VK3PE’s needs. Pictures below show progress on this version. It does not show suggested layout.

VK3PE also fitted an analogue ‘SWR’ meter on the front panel as a quick indicator of tune.

The above is part finished, the following information is for the unbalanced versions, which VK3PE
proceeded with.
The QRP L&C board.

The QRP version houses the L&C switching on a single PCB. Interface to the Control board is
via 10 way ribbon cables. Note use of a DIY PCB using AD8307 Log detectors in the SWR
bridge.

PCB 100 x 100mm (~4” square)

Below: QRP version built by VK3PE. Note ‘DIY’ SWR PCB, using 2 x AD8307’s.
The QRO board.

The QRO (~100W) version uses two 100mm square PCB’s to do the L&C switching. Short
straps are used to join the boards in the RF paths. Larger relays and inductors are used. Both
versions use 3kV rated SMD capacitors. Some caps are visible on the right hand PCB. Most
are under the PCB’s.

These are not the final PCB’s.

They are being replaced in Nov, 2017, with some small changes.

The final SWR board.

The PCB uses a Moni-match style pickup fed to two AD8307™ Log detectors. The PCB is 50 x
100mm in size (~2” x 4”) and requires changes to the K3NG Sketch to cater for the Log style
detectors rather than a diode detector type. (If the QRO builder makes his own diode type
detector SWR bridge, then no original K3NG Arduino Sketch changes are required. This
would only be applicable to the QRO version as the diode detector in a low power version,
has many limitations.)
Display types:

1. Original I2C RGB LCD module. Refer to K3NG web pages and Ref. below for
source.

2. I2C LCD module. The one used by VK3PE, on the QRP version, is shown below,
with an MCP23008™ chip. It is soldered to the rear of a standard two line 16
character LCD module. (very cheap on eBay) Two extra LED’s are provided on
the Control PCB for status indication as this is not an RGB backlight type display.

3. Digole™ colour TFT. Maybe the ultimate display type, for ‘bling’ factor. This
device is I2C serial display and made and sold by Digole either on line, or via
eBay™ for around US$16. The one used by VK3PE is a 320 x 240 2.2” type. Larger
ones are available, some with touch screen but this facility is not offered in the
Sketch, but enterprising builders may wish to explore this option to replace the
three front panel switches. This is just a basic idea for the information displayed,
builders can play with this as desired, in the modified Sketch.

Picture does not do the display justice.

Source for 3kV smd capacitors:

The only place 3kV smd capacitors seem to be available at the moment, is RS-Components™. The
K4NG design uses the following values, either singly or in parallel combinations. 12pF, 22pF, 39pF,
82pF and 150pF. Above 22pF it will be necessary to combine 2 x 39pF to get ~82pF. For all other
values above, different numbers of 150pF are used in parallel. There are positions on the PCB for
most of these. Check carefully the number required of each part before ordering! For some parts
there are several catalogue numbers available, they may vary in size. These caps are not ‘cheap’, it
will cost about US$12 or so for a full set. For the RF ‘frequency’ sensing coupling capacitor out of the
SWR bridge, vk3pe used 150pF instead of 100pF. Perhaps 82pF would also work. Or two stacked
39pF.

RS_Components
12pF 773-8730
22pF 741-6711
22pF 773-8733
22pF 669-8662
22pF 698-2942
33pF 741-6718 not used
39pF 741-6727
47pF none available
82pF USE 2 x 39p = 78pF
150pF 916-3056
150pF 698-2933

Source for relays:

Refer to the K3NG web pages below for suggestions on relays that can be used. VK3PE used a relay
available from Farnell™, catalogue number: 1891824

Other parts required: Many of the other components will be available from RS-Components™,
Farnell™ (Element14 in some countries) Newark™, Mouser™, Digikey™ etc. The NANO™ board is
easily and cheaply available as a clone (copy) from various eBay sources for about US$4.

References:

K3NG web pages: https://blog.radioartisan.com/arduino-antenna-tuner/

K3NG Utube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoVW1cxrKOE

K3NG GitHub: https://github.com/k3ng/k3ng_rotator_controller

VK3PE web pages for ATU: http://www.carnut.info/K3NG_ATU/K3NG_Arduino_based_ATU.htm

RGB LCD module: https://www.adafruit.com/product/714 as used by K3NG.

Digole 2.2” TFT display: http://www.digole.com/index.php?productID=1194 as used by VK3PE

Programming environment. Download the Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

The IDE is required to program the Arduino NANO board using a USB cable connected to the NANO board. A “Sketch” is the Arduino name
for the written code in C++ format. You do not need to be any expert with Arduino or C++ coding. The Sketch will cater for the versions
shown above or the original K3NG version on which the changes are based. A sketch is a text file with the suffix “ino”. eg
“sketch_name .INO”
Disclaimer:

This project is heavily based on the original design by K3NG, with some minor changes to his original schematic, to cater for some
different display types. The variations built using PCB’s by VK3PE, are experimental in nature in the Amateur spirit, so no guarantees are
given for this material, for any use whatsoever.