PALSTAR

Palstar products are designed by

Hams for Hams carrying on the
Palstar tradition for high-quality
products designed and
manufactured in Ohio, USA. HF-AUTO RF NETWORK
Technical Manual
HF-AUTO Automatic
Antenna Tuner

l 2 watts to 1800 watts PEP

l 160 m to 6m
l Tuning time 10 secs or less

l Large 4 line display

l 12.5” x 6.5” x 16.5”

9676 N. Looney Rd,

Piqua, OH 45356 USA
(937) 773-6255 PALSTAR
(800) 773-7931
(937) 773-8003 (Fax)
www.palstar.com
Designed and Manufactured in the USA
Copyright 2014 Palstar, Inc.

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 HF-AUTO SPECIFICATIONS HF-AUTO POWER CABLE
l N E T W O R K C O N F I G U R AT I O N : H i g h - P a s s n e t w o r k , s h u n t v a r i a b l e

1 6 μ H i n d u c t o r, s e r i e s fi x e d 1 0 μ H i n d u c t o r
l D I F F E R E N T I A L C A PA C I T O R : 4 7 0 p F - 1 0 p F - 4 7 0 p F ;

Voltage rating 5.5 kV

l L AND C: Stepper motor-controlled
l FREQUENCY RANGE: 1.8 MHZ to 54 MHZ

l M AT C H I N G R A N G E : 8:1
l POWER RANGE: 1800 watts PEP/CW 1.8-29.9 MHZ;
800 watts PEP 50-54 MHZ
3 PIN AMPHENOL FERRITE BEADS
l TUNING LEVEL: Minimum level 2 watts, type plug
single tone carrier up to 200 watts
l T U N I N G AC E S S T I M E : Ty p i c a l l y < 1 0 s e c s 8 0 m t o 6 m ;
+ +
NC -
-
3-5 secs 80m to 160m
l D U T Y C YC L E : 100% SSB AND CW
To 12-13.8v
l D I G I TA L D I S P L AY : R F P o w e r, S W R , F r e q u e n c y , A n t e n n a Power Supply
HF-AUTO DC POWER CORD
selec tion, Position of L and C;
Modes: Auto, Manual, Bypass, Setup
l O U T P U T: 3 Output connectors S0-239
l CHASSIS & COVER: 1 1 g a . . 0 9 0 g o l d I r i d i t e Tr e a t e d A l u m i n i u m ,
Powder- coated top cover and front panel
l DC POWER: 12 - 13.8 VDC at 4 Amps Peak , 3 Pin
A m p h e n o l Ty p e c o n n e c t o r c o rd s u p p l i e d
l DIMINSIONS: 12.5” W x 6.75“ H x 14” D
l W E I G H T: 20 LBS, 9 Kg

Page 1 Page 14 PALSTAR

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 MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS THEORY OF OPERATION
IF THERE IS MAINTENANCE REQUIRED IT WILL MOST
L I K E LY B E R E L AT E D T O M E C H A N I C A L I S S U E S : The HF-AUTO is a matching system that is a complete stand-alone RF
Tuneable Auto T Network tuner.

l ROLLER SHAFT: the wheel rides should be lubricated It is completely independent of data from an external source to
with our factory-made conductive grease. determine frequency of tracking from Band to Band. As a result of this
feature, the HF-AUTO will function with any transmitting device
This grease is available from Palstar at NO CHARGE. without interconnecting data cable attachments.
l D I O X I T- D 5 s p r a y i s a l w a y s v e r y u s e f u l f o r c l e a n i n g t h e

w i re o n t h e ro l l e r co i l. D o n o t u s e t h e s p r ay d i re c t l y. Pu t The HF-AUTO uses an RF Coupler that provides voltage and current

information from 1.8 MHZ to 54 MHZ.
a small amount on a cotton cloth and hand wipe the
roller once a year while turning the roller crank. This informtion is then processed by a pair of processing devices that
l All set screws are the CAP POINT type and take care to
provide accurate phase oriented forward and reflected values that are
used in two TI processors to calculate SWR.
carefully tighten these screws with a 5/16” allen key
wrench, which is available from any hardware outlet. This allows for detection of frequency and SWR at very low levels,
typically 2 watts, and is scaled to read these levels up to 1800 watts.
R E PA I R O R R E P L A C E M E N T M O D U L E S The processors establish the threshold for tuning and uses this
information to see if a tuning sequence is required.
l All PC Boards are removeable with standard American
A preset voltage for all the frequencies are used to determine the
tools in case of failure. positions of the variable differential capacitor and the roller inductor
l The rear panel (relay PCB) has custom S0-239 by a precise mechanical sprocket and kevlar belt system.
connectors that can be loosened witha 3/4“ socket and
This determines with great accuracy and repeatability the exact
4 x 6-32 keps nuts. Remove these nuts and two location of L&C needed to execute a tune sequence. This system
connections from the variable and the entire relay PC samples DC voltage and compares this to the intended frequency band
Board is removable without a soldering iron. and sees that if the SWR is more than the preset tuning set by the user
then the steppers for L & C will adjust to that voltage which will
l Both the front and rear panels can be lowered by represent the mimimum SWR.
removing the 3 countersink screws from the bottom edge
of each panel. This will be better than 1.2:1, typically 1.05.

Page 13 Page 2 PALSTAR

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 SCREEN DISPLAY ON POWER-UP HOW-TO UPDATE SOFTWARE
ON INITIAL POWER-UP D O W N L O A D I N G H F - A U T O F I R M WA R E
Display will indicate rev level of software and Palstar l CREATE a folder on your computer’s hard drive (but not desktop)
copyright information.
l NAME the folder HF_AUTOUPGRADE

l DOWNLOAD the Firmware file (Zip format) from the Palstar website -
http://www.palstar.com/en/hf-auto/ - it is near the bottom of the page .
The link to the file is named “HF-AUTO Firmware 1.x”

l SAVE the file to the folder you created in Step 1

l OPEN the folder by right-clicking on the Zip file and select “Extract All” -
follow the steps in the Extraction wizard

I N S TA L L I N G T H E F I R M WA R E U P G R A D E
l TURN-OFF the HF-AUTO
l CONNECT the RS-232 cable to the rear panel
l CONNECT the other end of the RS-232 cable to Com 1 or your computer
l TURN-ON the HF-AUTO
l SET Switch at rear of the HF-AUTO to “PROGRAM”
l Note: LED (PROGRAM MODE) on Front Panel is illuminated
l DOUBLE-CLICK “LOAD_HF_9600” from your HF_AUTOUPGRADE folder that
you created in Step 2
l DOS Window appears - wait until DOS Window closes (approx. 1 min)
PRESS PRESS l TURN “PROGRAM” Switch to “NORMAL”
PRESS l REMOVE the RS-232 cable
MODE ANTENNA
TUNE KNOB
l TURN HF-AUTO OFF and then ON again
l LOOK at HF-AUTO display to see new REV level at top-right corner when
AUTO ANT #1 you first turn it on
l COMPLETE - you have now completed the update of the firmware
MANUAL TO SELECT ANT #2
C AND L
NOTE: The HF-AUTO ships with a DB9 serial cable.
BYPASS ANT #3 You can order a USB to DB9 serial cable
from Palstar for use with computers with no
TO SELECT DB9 serial port to update the firmware.
SETUP SETUP ITEM

Page 3 Page 12 PALSTAR

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 HF-AUTO Firmware Summary SETUP MODE
v1.18: - new default position settings made for the positioning of the C and L with
a given frequency range;
- added menu option to clear out the memory offset positions for the C and L
with a given frequency range;
- removed limits on the C and L offset position values; PRESS PRESS PRESS
- added menu selection of the Amp-Key relay state when no RF power is detected; TUNE KNOB RED BUTTONS & ADJUST
- added ability in manual mode to store a memory position using the Right Arrow to SELECT MENU to ADJUST VALUES with TUNE KNOB
button;
v1.19: - changes regarding operation with the MARS frequencies.
v1.20: - allowed for the use of the new relay board with the proper jumper selection;
- added additional memory presets between 7.0 MHz and 14.0 MHz;
- manual mode now allowed the Left Arrow Button to return to Auto mode.
v1.21: - corrected problem where the display was not being updated after pressing left arrow
button and would make the unit go from Manual Mode to Auto Mode. RANGE (WATTS): 100 | 250 | 1000 | 2500
v1.22: - minor display corrections: UNABLE TO TUNE message remained on display in error after a
new tune operation started.
v1.23: - added Setup Menu item to select AUTO STORE to be ON or OFF; TUNE LEVEL: 1.05 TO 1.64
- added Setup Menu item to select DELAY TUNE SWR to be ON or OFF;
- provided for using Ant 3 selection with dummy load by changing to AUTO ANT BACKLIGHT: 1 – DIM | 2 - BRIGHT
SWITCH MODE state by pressing and holding of the ANTENNA button;
- added memory locations to have memory settings every 50 kHz from 28 MHz to 29.7 MHz.
v1.24: - removed Amp Key Relay Menu items; POWER UP MODE: AUTO | MANUAL | BYPASS
- corrected problem where the display could be blanked out after the unit remained in the
Setup Menu for an extended time. STEP SPEED: HIGH | MED | LOW
v1.25: - corrected an occassional problem in Auto Tune Mode if the unit has AUTO ANT SWITCH
set to ON;
- made improvements in the Auto Tune operation to reduce the time needed to find the AUTO ANT SW: ON | OFF
C and L tune
- positions when a given frequency is first applied.
v1.26: - corrected a problem where some units were incorrectly reading EEPROM calibration and
RETUNE DELAY: ADJ 1-3 SECS
setting values.
v1.27: - removed restrictions in manual mode that prevent storing of new C and L positions when POWER UP ANT: ANT 1 | 2 | 3
those changes are only of a minimal number of steps. The restriction is there to prevent the
auto tune mode causing excessive writes to the EEPROM;
- corrected occassional problems in finding the absolute best match when v1.25 changes AUTO STORE: ON | OFF
were made;
- added to the operation when holding the ANTENNA button to select BYPASS MODE when DELAY TUNE SWR: ON | OFF
AUTO ANT SWITCH is turned OFF and select AUTO MODE when AUTO ANT SWITCH is turned ON.
v1.28 not released.
v1.29 - The selection of the antenna port in an auto frequency selection mode now is programmable LAST SWR DISP: ON | OFF
for each of the ten different HF bands;
- The INITIALIZE PRESETS menu option has been removed; LAST POWER DISP: ON | OFF
- The QUICK TUNE menu option has been removed;
- The last frequency of transmission is saved on power down and the inductor and antenna relay
settings are restored for that same frequency at power up in auto antenna mode; MARS MIN-MAX
- The power reading no longer has an option to be average power. Only peak power is displayed; FOR LICENSED USERS ONLY
- The accuracy of the peak power has been improved; MARS FREQ ADJ
- Added menu option to have last SWR reading remain on the display after power is removed;
- Added menu option to have last Power reading remain on the display after power is removed.

Page 11 Page 4 PALSTAR

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 TUNER OPERATION INSIDE VIEW

ROLLER INDUCTOR PULLEY/BELT SYSTEM

P L AC E T U N E R I N AU TO M O D E W I T H G R E Y M O D E B U T TO N

1. CONNECT the transceiver to the RF INPUT

chassis connector at the rear of the back panel
2. CONNECT a dummy load to one of the coax
outputs or your desired antenna
3. APPLY a single tone level greater than 5 watts
(use FM MODE) typically 5 to 50 watts
4. DISPLAY will indicate Frequency, Power Level,
SWR, and Numerical value for C and L

NOTE: To execute a tune sequence at another band or frequency lower the

power of the transceiver or any other transmitting device to low power VARIABLE CAPACITOR STEPPER MOTOR
and change frequency and the tuner will immediately follow to the SUPPORT SUB-PANEL
new location. You can also click the PTT button on your microphone in FM REMOTE OPERATION
MODE and accomplish the same at the lowest power level
PALSTAR will offer a fully remote version of the base version in the near
TUNING THE HF-AUTO future. However, in certain cases where there is DC power available at
a reasonable distance you can operate this base version in the AUTO
Applying only a short burst of single tone power to the HF-AUTO will MODE. Other functions would of course not be available.
allow the tuner to pretune to a memory segment containing the desired
frequency. ANOTHER application of RF Power must be applied to complete The base version is frequency sensing you need only to insert a
the final tune condition where high power may be applied. You can also metering device that could monitor reflected power in the
apply single tone power continuously until the final tune cycle has compled transmitting location.
and get the same result. Trying to tune at high power without executing the
final tune condition could damage the tuner.

Page 5 Page 10 PALSTAR

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 SAVING MEMORY LOCATIONS REAR PANEL OF HF-AUTO
TRANSCEIVER
l TUNE the HF-AUTO using a low power FM or CW signal
l MANUALLY tune L&C for best SWR while power applied
l While power is still applied push red button to the right of the tuning 14.200
knob and hold for 2 seconds or more until the display says
“SETTINGS CHANGED”
l Remove power and release the red button OUTPUT
l The frequency is now saved
l To return to AUTO MODE push left red button

FIRMWARE UPDATE/
ANTENNA OUTPUTS PROGRAM SWITCH
DIVISIONS IN THE FREQUENCY BANDS FOR SETTINGS

FREQUENCY IN MHZ # OF SETTINGS SPACED

1.8 MHZ to 20 MHZ 51 4 Khz

3.5 MHZ to 4.0 MHZ 51 10 Khz
7.0 MHZ to 7.3 MHZ 36 50 Khz
10.1 MHZ to 10.150 MHZ 2 50 Khz
14.0 MHZ to 14.350 MHZ 18 40 Khz RS-232
18.068 MHZ to 18.168 MHZ 3 50 Khz
21.0 MHZ to 21.450 MHZ 5 100 Khz
24.890 MHZ to 24.990 MHZ 1 500 Khz
28.0 MHZ to 29.70 MHZ 51 500 Khz
50.0 MHZ to 54.0 MHZ 101 40 Khz

MARS FREQUENCY 707 4 Khz to 500 Khz

CHASSIS GROUND DC INPUT
WING-NUT 12 - 13.8 VDC
@ 4 AMPS

FOR ALL TUNABLE FREQUENCIES FROM 1.8 - 30 MHZ, 40 MHZ

THROUGH 41 MHZ AND 50 MHZ TO 54 MHZ THERE ARE 1193
SUBDIVISIONS OR MEMORY POSITIONS.

Page 7 Page 6 PALSTAR

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INSIDE VIEW OF HF-AUTO

Ant. #1 J1 stepper
P7
8 pin

Ant. #2 J2
Differential stepper
J3 P8
8 pin

Ant. #3 SC3 SC3

Tee Stepper
RF Path Network Motors limit
P9
4 pin

PCB
SC2 SC2 limit
P10
4 pin

Logic / Display/ Buttons

limit
PCB
P2 P11

8 pin
4 pin

SC1

J1-J4 = SO-239
SC1 J5 = DE-9 Female
SW1 = SPST recessed switch (open = RUN)
Pfwd/Prev J6-J7 = RCA Phono Female
Xmtr. J4 P2
8 pin

P1 = DC male connector (>5A)

6 pin
Freq. PCB P3
PCB connectors are .1" male 4-10 pins P3 P4 P5 P6
All mating cable connectors are female 6 pin 10 pin 2 DC 2 DC
P5-P6 = AMP mate-N-lok
P9-P11 = 4 pin 0.1" spacing
P3 = 6 pin 0.1" spacing
P2, P7-P8 = 8 pin 0.1" spacing
P4 = 10 pin 0.1" spacing

© COPYRIGHT PALSTAR 2011-2014

Stepper motors now have different wiring
RS-232 J5 with no pins having 2 wires. 8 pin connector
HF-AUTO SCHEMATIC

P4 is compatible with old 6 pin cables if connect

10 pin

Program/
SW1 to pins 2-7.
Run
J6
Interface On/Off
PCB Switch
J7

P5
PALSTAR

2 DC

DC P1