FlexRadio Power Genius XL User Manual
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FlexRadio Power Genius XL User Manual

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Power Genius XL
User Guide
SmartSDR Version 2.4.9
Power Genius XL Firmware Version 2.9.12
Power Genius XL Utility Version 2.1.8
10 December 2018
Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved. FlexRadio Systems is a registered trademark and SmartSDR is a
trademark of FlexRadio Systems. All other brands or names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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Summary of Contents for FlexRadio Power Genius XL

  • Page 1 Power Genius XL Utility Version 2.1.8 10 December 2018 Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved. FlexRadio Systems is a registered trademark and SmartSDR is a trademark of FlexRadio Systems. All other brands or names are trademarks of their respective owners.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents Important notice ..........................4 Features of the Power Genius XL ....................... 6 Front Panel ..........................6 Back Panel ........................... 7 BCD/PTB connector pinout......................9 Setting up the Power Genius XL ....................... 10 Installing the Power Genius XL Utility ..................12 Connecting the PGXL to the radio ....................
  • Page 3 Harmonic Load ..........................32 Cooling ............................. 33 Features of the Power Genius XL Utility ..................34 Remote Front Panel Display ..................... 34 Amplifier Configuration ......................34 Firmware Update Procedure ....................37 10 Resetting the Power Genius XL ......................38 11 Alarms .............................. 38 12 Specifications ...........................

  • Page 4: Important Notice

    RF burns and damage to the unit. ! – This unit generates Radio Frequency (RF) energy. Use caution and observe proper safety practices regarding your system configuration. When attached to an antenna, Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.
  • Page 5 – Please study the complete User Guide. This document contains important information regarding the safe operation of this unit. If you have any questions, please contact the manufacturer or local distributor for further information. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 6: Features Of The Power Genius Xl

    2 Features of the Power Genius XL • Full legal power on all HF bands and 6M in all modes. 1500W ICAS with headroom for 2000W • Unique Maximum Efficiency Algorithm (MEffA™) for efficiencies up to 75% • Duplexed filters maximize harmonic suppression and efficiency •...

  • Page 7: Back Panel

    RF output A: SO239 connector for connecting an antenna CAT input B: buffered male DB9 connector for radio B CAT input RF input B: SO239 connector for connecting radio B. RF input A: SO239 connector for connecting radio A. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.
  • Page 8 B section of the amplifier is keyed. PTT input B: buffered female RCA connector. Ground the center pin to key the B section of the amplifier. Ethernet connection: RJ45 Local Area Network ethernet connection Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 9: Bcd/Ptb Connector Pinout

    The BCD inputs are designed for a direct connection to a band decoder output used by radios such as Yaesu and Elecraft. Filter No. Band 160m None Frequency Band A Band B Band C Band D Hex Code Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 10: Setting Up The Power Genius Xl

    • One (1) Power Genius XL Quick Start Guide Place your Power Genius XL on a flat stable surface. Make sure the amplifier has at least 30cm (12 inches) of clear space in front and back to insure adequate cooling.
  • Page 11 An example of a successful power-on self-test screen is shown in the picture below. If a module fails the self-test, an alarm message will be displayed. Contact FlexRadio support for help. There are no user serviceable components inside the amplifier.

  • Page 12: Installing The Power Genius Xl Utility

    3.1 Installing the Power Genius XL Utility The Power Genius XL Utility program is a necessary part of the amplifier system. The program is used to configure the amplifier, update the amplifier’s firmware and operate the amplifier remotely. Section 9, Features of the Power Genius XL Utility of this document describes the features and usage of the program in detail.
  • Page 13 The amplifier can be driven by one or two radios. When using two radios, the makes do not need to be the same. Follow the instructions that apply to your circumstance, then proceed to section 3.3, Testing the connection to the radio to complete the setup. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 14: Required Keying Delay

    3.2.1 Required keying delay The Power Genius XL requires a minimum delay of 10 milliseconds between the time the keying signal arrives at the amplifier and the arrival of the exciter RF signal. This time delay is necessary for the amplifier to complete all internal adjustments before delivering output power.

  • Page 15: Connecting The Pgxl To A Flex-6000 Series Radio

    Note: Integration of the PGXL amplifier is supported in SmartSDR Version 2, and later versions. It is not supported in SmartSDR Version 1. Click the Save button to record the configuration in the amplifier. The Power Genius XL amplifier is now configured for use by the FLEX-6000 Series transceiver.

  • Page 16: Connecting The Pgxl To A Yaesu Transceiver

    Yaesu radios are connected using either the CAT protocol or BCD band data. For CAT connections, use a straight female to female DB9 cable. For BCD connections, use a cable configured as shown below. All pins on the CAT connector are isolated by optocouplers. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.
  • Page 17 Alternatively, you can use a BCD connection between the 8 pin DIN connector on the Yaesu transceiver to the Band Data A or Band Data B connector on the amplifier: To configure the amplifier, click on the CAT/C-IV tab in the Power Genius XL Configuration screen. Page...

  • Page 18: Connecting The Pgxl To A Kenwood Transceiver

    All pins on the CAT connector are isolated by optocouplers. You can connect either the CAT A or CAT B connector on your PG XL to the CAT connector on the Kenwood transceiver using a female to female DB9 cable. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 19: Connecting The Pgxl To An Elecraft Transceiver

    To configure the amplifier, click on the CAT/C-IV tab in the Power Genius XL Configuration screen. Select “Kenwood” from the Radio type drop-down menu for the amplifier port that the radio is connected to. Select the serial communication port speed and configuration parameters that applies to your radio. Click the Save button to record the configuration in the amplifier.
  • Page 20 You can connect either the BCD A or BCD B connector on your PG XL to the CAT connector on the Elecraft transceiver using a female to female DB15 cable, customized as detailed above. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 21: Connecting The Pgxl To An Icom Transceiver

    To configure the amplifier, click on the CAT/C-IV tab in the Power Genius XL Configuration screen. Select the appropriate radio model from the Radio type drop-down menu for the amplifier port that the radio is connected to. Select the serial communication port speed and configuration parameters that apply to your radio.
  • Page 22 You can connect either the CAT A or CAT B connector on your PG XL to the CAT connector on the Icom transceiver using a female to female DB9 cable To configure the amplifier, click on the CAT/C-IV tab in the Power Genius XL Configuration screen. Page...

  • Page 23: Connecting The Pgxl To Other Radios

    Connect your radio to the Port A or Port B CI-V connector using a 3.5mm TS or TRS connector. Configure the CI-V protocol details using the Power Genius XL Utility. Connect an appropriate cable between the radio’s PTT output and the amplifier’s PTT input.

  • Page 24: Using The Power Genius Xl

    4 Using the Power Genius XL 4.1 STBY/OPER Button The front panel STBY/OPER button toggles the amplifier’s operational state between STANDBY mode, in which the amplifier’s power supply is off, and OPERATE mode, in which the power supply is on. In STANDBY mode, the front panel backlights are yellow, and the amplifier consumes about 35 watts.

  • Page 25: Front Panel Display

    NOTE: Before entering OPERATE mode the Power Genius XL will perform a quick self-test of all the modules. Once in OPERATE mode you will be able to monitor all the parameters you see on your Power Genius XL LCD display. These include: •...

  • Page 26: Swr Meter

    Labels to the right indicate the band data source which is either: • A FLEX-6000 Series radio, in which case it will display your radio’s name • BCD band data • PTB band data • CAT band data Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 27: Temperature And Voltage

    4.2.6 IP address and Firmware version The amplifier firmware version and IP address in use are shown at the bottom left of the display. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 28: Backlight Modes

    STBY/OPER button on the front panel. 4.3.2 Operate Mode – Green backlight The green backlight indicates the amplifier is in OPERATE mode. To change to STANDBY mode, press the STBY/OPER button on the front panel. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 29: Tx Mode - Red Backlight

    Turn the amplifier off • Connect a footswitch to the PTT A input • Activate and hold PTT A input • Press and hold the STBY/OPER button • Turn the amplifier on Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 30: Meffa

    You are now ready to operate. If you don't want to go through this process, you can leave the MEffA box unchecked in the Power Genius XL Utility program tab: "Other" and use a fixed drive level that should always correspond to a fixed power output for a given band.

  • Page 31: Automatic Power Control

    Note: The amateur radio operator has the responsibility for limiting the output power of the amplifier to a value at or below his or her licensed limit. APC is not responsible for and does not enforce this limit. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 32: Harmonic Load

    LDMOS device peak drain voltage. The Harmonic Load in the PGXL is a 400-Watt dummy load, mounted on a dedicated heat sink, with its own temperature sensor and fan controller. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 33: Cooling

    The Power Genius XL Utility program provides you with the option to select fan controls of "Normal," "Contest" and "Broadcast." "Normal" is the quietest mode, fans are very slow when the amplifier is cool and ramp up as the cooling domains in the amplifier increase in temperature.

  • Page 34: Features Of The Power Genius Xl Utility

    9.1 Remote Front Panel Display The Power Genius XL Utility provides a remote copy of the amplifier’s front panel display that is updated as the amplifier runs. The title bar of the screen includes a button that opens the configuration screens, a button that opens the firmware update screen, and a button that pins the screen so that it is always on top of other screens.
  • Page 35 Do not use this tab to configure FLEX-6000 Series radios. Click the Save button after the choices have been made. Use the FlexRadio tab to configure the amplifier for use with FLEX-6000 Series radios. Select the serial number of the radio connected to each port. If port is unconnected, leave the serial number field blank. Choose the antenna port on the FLEX radio that is connected to each of the amplifier ports, and choose the Push-To-Talk (PTT) source for each port.
  • Page 36 RTTY and digital mode operation, high duty cycle SO2R contesting or situations in which the amplifier is located away from the operating position. Click the Save button after the choices have been made. Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

  • Page 37: Firmware Update Procedure

    9.3 Firmware Update Procedure The Power Genius XL Utility can be used to update the firmware in your Power Genius XL amplifier. Start the program and connect to the amplifier. If the amplifier is in OPERATE mode, click the STBY/OPER button to change to STANDBY mode.

  • Page 38: Resetting The Power Genius Xl

    10 Resetting the Power Genius XL The configuration of the Power Genius XL can be reset to the “factory defaults” using the following procedure: 1. Turn the amp off using the power switch on the back panel 2. Press and hold STBY/OPER front panel button 3.

  • Page 39: Specifications

    This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation FCC ID: 2AK7NSKYPGXL001 Page Copyright 2018 FlexRadio Systems. All Rights Reserved.

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