RM Italy BLA600 User Manual page 8

If a non resonant antenna is used together with an Antenna Matching Unit, (AMU/
ATU/Tuner), then the output of the amplifier should be connected first to the input
of an SWR / Power meter, (if not integrated with the ATU), then the output of the
SWR/Power meter to the input of the antenna tuner and then finally the antenna.
The ATU also needs to be suitably rated for the power output of the amplifier.
Nearly all ATU's are rated at maximum power only under tuned conditions. If
the ATU also has an internal BALUN for connection to balanced feeder make sure
that this too is rated to at least the maximum power of the amplifier.
Note: If your transceiver has a built in Antenna Tuner this must be disabled if
the amplifier is connected as it can no longer be used to tune the antenna. In
TX input to the amplifier is 50 ohms.
The BLA600 also requires a PTT input from the transceiver to switch between RX
and TX. Without this input the amplifier cannot be used. Look in the manual of your
transceiver for how to connect to the PTT Output. (Do not confuse this with the PTT
input on some radios, usually made available for a foot switch or separate PTT input
if the standard microphone PTT is not used). The PTT input is a close to ground
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system which is compatible with all modern radios that use open collector or open
drain outputs, for further information consult the instruction manual for the
transceiver or your dealer on how to connect an external linear amplifier. The PTT
Input to the amplifier requires an RCA / Phono type plug. The cable should be
screened, length is not critical but should be as short as practically possible.
The RF ground post on the rear panel should be securely connected to your station
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RF ground with a suitable low inductance ground strap. The house Gas or Water
pipes should NEVER be used for this purpose. (Gas pipes for obvious reasons with
risk of explosion, water pipes as they do not necessarily provide a low impedance
path to ground and may well actually be isolated from ground if the house water
supply is from a plastic water pipe, they can also introduce a higher noise floor and
cause risk of electric shock to other uses of the water supply if not grounded). See
section on Grounding page 20 for further details.
The ALC may also optionally be connected, (See ALC menu for further details),
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however the drive power for the BLA600 should be manually controlled on the
transceiver by the user to obtain the required output power from the amplifier.
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