LDG YT-100 Operation Manual - page 3
PAGE 3
INTRODUCTION
LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories in St.
Leonard, Maryland, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative automatic
tuners and related products for every amateur need.
Congratulations on selecting the YT-100 100-watt automatic tuner for the Yaesu FT-100, FT-857
and FT-897 transceivers. The YT-100 provides semi-automatic antenna tuning across the entire HF
spectrum plus 6 meters, at power levels up to 125 watts. It will tune dipoles, verticals, Yagis, or virtually
any coax-fed antenna. It will match an amazing range of antennas and impedances, far greater than some
other tuners you may have considered, including the built-in tuners on many radios.
The YT-100 is similar to previous LDG tuners, but is specially engineered to integrate with your
Yaesu FT-100/857/897 HF radio. The YT-100 connects to the CAT (Computer Automated Transceiver)
port on the back of the radio. The CAT interface allows an external device such as a PC or the YT-100
to control the FT-100/857/897 by sending it serial commands. The YT-100 takes advantage of this
interface to simplify the tuning process -- one button push is all that is needed in order to switch the
radio to AM mode, reduce power, transmit a carrier, measure the transmit frequency, and then restore
the radio to its previous mode and power level!
The YT-100 is powered by the transceiver’s CAT interface itself, so there is no additional power
cable required to use the YT-100. Latching relays are used, so the YT-100 consumes no power when not
tuning.
JUMPSTART, OR “REAL HAMS DON’T READ MANUALS!”
Ok, but at least read this one section before operating the YT-100:
Turn off power to your FT-100/857/897 radio.
Connect the HF/50 MHz antenna jack on the transceiver to the “TX” jack on the YT-100, using a 50
ohm coax cable jumper.
Connect a 50 ohm coax antenna feedline to the “ANT” jack on the YT-100.
Connect one end of the supplied radio interface cable to the “CAT/Linear” port on the back of your FT-
100/857/897 radio.
Connect the other end of the supplied radio interface cable to the “Radio” jack on the back of the YT-
100.
FT-100:
Turn on power to your transceiver. Once it powers up, hold in the F key for one second to
access the extended menus. Rotate the SEL knob until menu #61, “TUNER/ATAS” appears. Rotate the
dial knob until “off” is selected. Hold in the F key again for one second, to return to normal operation.
FT-857/897:
Turn on power to your transceiver. Once it powers up, hold in the FUNC key for one
second to access the extended menus. Rotate the SEL knob until menu #019, “CAT RATE” appears.
Rotate the dial knob until “4800” appears. Rotate the SEL knob again until menu #020,
“CAT/LIN/TUN” appears. Rotate the dial knob until “CAT” appears. Hold the FUNC key for one
second again to return to normal operation.
Select the desired operating frequency and mode.
Push and hold the
TUNE
button on the front of the YT-100 for one second (until the
Tuning
LED