MAT-TUNER mAT-30 Automatic Antenna Tuner

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the MAT-TUNER product. Please read this instruction manual carefully and completely before using the product.

Important Safety Information

• NEVER touch the antenna or antenna connector with your hand during transmission, as this may cause burns!
• NEVER use the antenna tuner during a thunderstorm. This can lead to electric shock, fire, or damage to the tuner. Always disconnect the antenna before a thunderstorm.
• NEVER use the tuner with the cover removed. Contact with components inside the tuner during transmission may cause burns.
• Always turn off the transceiver before connecting or disconnecting the tuner; otherwise, it may be damaged.
• The tuner is designed for indoor use only and is not waterproof. If you use it outdoors, you must protect it from rain, dew, and steam.
• We cannot guarantee that the mAT-30 tuner will work well with transceivers released after the tuner's production.

Overview

The mAT-30 is an automatic antenna tuner specially designed for modern Yaesu transceivers. It features the same control interface as Yaesu's proprietary tuners, making it simple and convenient to use. The mAT-30 is compatible with Yaesu transceivers that are compatible with the FC-30, FC-40, and FC-50 tuners. The tuner supports a wider range of antennas and impedances than most other tuners, including the built-in tuners in many transceivers.

The mAT-30 can only be used with Yaesu transceivers. Some earlier transceivers, such as the FT-80C and FT-757, cannot be used with the mAT-30 tuner. The FT-817/818 will also not work with the mAT-30. For the FT-817/818 transmitter, MAT-TUNER has developed the mAT-10 tuner; please visit our website for relevant information.

Front Panel

The front panel is very simple, with only 2 indicator lights.

Front Panel Description:

[Image: Front panel of the MAT-30 HF-SSB Automatic Antenna Tuner showing two indicator lights labeled ONLINE and POWER.]

• ONLINE: The tuner is active or disconnected. It lights up indicating that tuning is enabled, and turns off indicating that the tuner is in bypass mode.
• POWER: Power indicator light.

Rear Panel

The rear panel has four connectors.

[Image: Rear panel of the MAT-30 showing four connectors labeled ANTENNA, RF IN, GND, and RADIO.]

• ANTENNA: SO-239 connector, connects to the antenna via a 50-ohm coaxial cable.
• RF IN: SO-239 connector, connects to the transmitter's "ANT" connector using a 50-ohm coaxial cable.
• RADIO: This connector connects to the "tuner" connector of the transceiver using an 8-pin mini DIN cable. This cable is the control interface and is supplied with the tuner.
• GND: Ground connection.

MAT-CY Control Cable

In addition to powering the tuner, the control cable can also transmit control commands sent by the transceiver to the tuner. As shown in the figure, the cable has two 8-pin mini-DIN connectors. It is supplied with the tuner, and users do not need to purchase it separately. The length of this cable is typically one meter.

[Image: MAT-CY control cable with two 8-pin mini-DIN connectors.]

Installation

The mAT-30 is designed for Yaesu transceivers with a power output of no more than 100 W, which are compatible with Yaesu's proprietary tuners FC-30, FC-40, and FC-50. Before starting, please ensure the transceiver is turned off.

1. Connect the "ANT" connector on the transceiver to the "RF IN" connector on the tuner using a 50-ohm coaxial cable rated for 120 W or more.
2. Connect the tuner's control cable to the 8-pin mini-DIN connector on the tuner labeled "Radio".
3. Connect the other end of the control cable to the "TUNER", "CAT/LINEAR", or "TUN/LIN" connector on the transceiver.
4. Connect the antenna coaxial cable to the "ANTENNA" connector on the tuner.
5. Grounding the mAT-30 tuner will improve its performance and safety. We recommend connecting the tuner to a suitable ground. We strongly recommend using a properly installed, high-quality lightning arrestor on all electronic devices.

Settings

Each transceiver has a unique menu for external tuner settings. These menus must be configured correctly before you can use the external tuner. To configure these menus, please read your transceiver's operation manual and refer to the settings for the FC-30, FC-40, or FC-50 tuners. The mAT-30 tuner is only compatible with the FC-30, FC-40, or FC-50 tuners.

The menu settings for the FT-857D/897D are as follows:

1. Press and hold the [F] ([FUNCTION]) key for one second to activate the menu mode.
2. Turn the [MEM/VFO CH] knob (FT-857D: [SELECT]) to display menu ModeNo-001 [EXTERNAL MENU], then turn the DIAL to change the setting to "ON" to enable the extended menu mode.
3. Turn the [MEM/VFO CH] knob to display menu No-020 [CAT/LIN/TUN]. Turn the DIAL to change the setting to "TUNER".
4. Press and hold the [F] ([FUNCTION]) key for one second to save the new setting and exit, then turn off the transceiver.
5. Turn on the transceiver again. Press and hold the [F] ([FUNC]) key for one second to activate the menu mode.
6. Turn the [MEM/VFO CH] knob (FT-857D: [SELECT]) to display menu No-085 [TUNER/ATAS]. The default value is "OFF". Turn the DIAL to change the setting to "TUNER".
7. Press and hold the [F] ([FUNC]) key for one second to save the new setting and exit.
8. If necessary, press the [F] ([FUNC]) key to display the "k" multifunction string [SETTING, DOWN, UP].

For information on external tuner menu settings for other Yaesu transceivers, please consult the operation manuals for those transceivers.

Operation via Transceiver

1. If necessary, press the [F] ([FUNC]) key to display the "k" multifunction string [TUNE, DOWN, UP].
2. Press the [A] ([TUNE]) key to activate the mAT-30. The display will show "TUNE".
3. Press and hold the [A] ([TUNE]) key to start automatic tuning. The FT-857D transceiver will be activated to transmit a carrier signal, and the coils and capacitors in the mAT-30 will be selected/adjusted for optimal SWR. When tuning is complete, the transceiver will stop transmitting the carrier signal, and the system will be ready to operate at that frequency. These settings will be saved in the mAT-30's memory and will be recalled when the transceiver returns to this frequency.

Specifications

• Maximum power: Peak power SSB and CW 120 W, and 100 W on the 6-meter band, PSK and digital modes 60 W.
• Frequency range: 1.8 ~ 54 MHz
• Impedance range: 5 ~ 1500 Ohms
• Tuning time: 5 seconds or less
• Memory cells: 16000
• Antenna types: Dipoles, verticals, or any coaxial antennas.
• Power source: Power is supplied by the transceiver via the control cable, with a maximum current of 0.5 A.
• Operating temperature: -10°C ~ +50°C
• Case dimensions: 200 mm x 130 mm x 35 mm (L x W x H).
• Net weight: 0.8 kg
• Gross weight: 1.0 kg

Tuner Contents

1. Control cable (mAT-CY)
2. User manual

Technical Support Contacts

The "Radioexpert" Group of Companies is the official representative of HENGSHUI MAT-TUNER LLC within the Eurasian Customs Union.

Radioexpert Group of Companies
Russia, St. Petersburg, Kalinina St., Bldg. 13
https://www.radioexpert.ru
E-mail: info@radioexpert.ru