Icom AH-730 Automatic Antenna Tuner Instructions

Important

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. These instructions contain important operating instructions for the AH-730.

Features

Wide tuning range: Provides reliable matching from 1.8 MHz to 54 MHz with an antenna longer than 7 m (23 ft), or 3.5 MHz to 54 MHz with the AH-2b antenna element.
Automatic digital control tuning: A built-in 32-bit microprocessor selects the lowest SWR using over 1,040,000 different LC (coil/capacitor) combinations.
45 frequency memories for fast tuning: Stores LC combinations for 45 previously used frequencies. Tuning takes less than 1 second for memorized frequencies. Memories are retained only when power is on.
0.3 W radiated power: Radiated power during tuning is less than 0.3 W, minimizing interference.
IPX4 weatherproof design: The tightly sealed plastic case allows mounting virtually anywhere, including outdoors under an antenna.

NOTE: The AH-730 is compatible with most Icom HF transceivers covering HF through 50 MHz bands. However, the IC-706 and IC-736 can only tune in the 1.8~30 MHz range.

Explicit Definitions

[DANGER]: Personal death, serious injury, or an explosion may occur.
[WARNING]: Personal injury, fire hazard, or electric shock may occur.
[CAUTION]: Equipment damage may occur.
[NOTE]: If disregarded, inconvenience only. No risk of personal injury, fire, or electric shock.

Precautions

[DANGER]: NEVER operate the antenna tuner without a solid ground. Always connect the ground wire to the ground terminal. DO NOT use the mounting plate as a ground terminal.
[DANGER]: NEVER transmit or tune without an antenna connected. Failure to use an antenna will damage the antenna tuner.
[DANGER]: [HIGH VOLTAGE] NEVER touch the antenna while transmitting or tuning. Place the antenna in a position where you are sure it will not be touched.
Keep the antenna tuner away from heavy rain and never immerse it in water. The tuner meets IPX4 requirements for splash resistance, but this cannot be guaranteed if the unit has been dropped or damaged.

Supplied Accessories

U-bolts
U-bolt plates
Flat washers (M6 large)
Flat washers (M6 small)
Spring washers (M6)
Nuts (M6)
Hex head bolts (M6 × 50)
Self-tapping screws (A0 6 × 30)
Weatherproof Rubber cap
Vulcanizing tape
Control cable (Approximately 10 m, 32.8 ft, without ground wires)

FCC Information

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this device, not expressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority to operate this device under FCC regulations.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Disposal

The crossed-out wheeled-bin symbol [?️] on your product, literature, or packaging reminds you that in the European Union, all electrical and electronic products, batteries, and accumulators (rechargeable batteries) must be taken to designated collection locations at the end of their working life. Do not dispose of these products as unsorted municipal waste. Dispose of them according to the laws in your area.

About CE and DOC

Hereby, Icom Inc. declares that the versions of AH-730 which have the "CE" symbol on the product, comply with the essential requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive, 2014/53/EU, and the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment Directive, 2011/65/EU. The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: https://www.icomjapan.com/support/

Installation

CAUTION:

NEVER modify, bend, twist, pull, or heat the control cable and the coaxial cable.
NEVER hang something heavy on the control cable and the coaxial cable.
NEVER mount the AH-730 without securing the control cable and the coaxial cable so that they cannot be pulled or stretched.

Waterproofing the Antenna Connection

CAUTION: If you skip the following steps, moisture will get into the connector, and this could damage the antenna tuner.

Cut off just the top of the weatherproof cap, and pass the antenna wire through the cap. [Diagram shows antenna wire passing through a weatherproof cap.]
Insert the antenna wire into the opening of the crimp-on wire terminal. Crimp or solder the antenna wire. [Diagram shows wire being inserted into a terminal.]
Put the crimp-on wire terminal, star washer, and wing nut on the base nut, in that order, and then tighten the wing nut. Make sure the base nut is tightened firmly before you tighten the wing nut. Carefully bend the wire terminal up after you tighten the wing nut. [Diagram shows assembly order and bending the terminal.]
Place the weatherproof cap over as much of the insulator as possible. How far down it will go depends on the height of the wing nut. [Diagram shows cap placement.]
Start wrapping the rubber vulcanizing tape at the bottom of the insulator, then the weatherproof cap, and finally the antenna wire to prevent water seeping. Wrap user-supplied electrical tape over the rubber vulcanizing tape to secure waterproofing. [Diagram shows wrapping with tape.]

Ground Connections

The ground wire of the antenna tuner is used as an antenna element. The transceiver and antenna tuner must have an adequate ground connection. Otherwise, the overall efficiency of the installation will be reduced, and interference, RF feedback, and electrical shocks from other equipment could occur.

For best results, use the heaviest gauge wire or strap available, and make the connection as short as possible. A long wire connected to the GND terminal as a counterpoise is also acceptable.

[Diagram shows connection of ground wire from AH-730 GND terminal to a copper pipe, a metal object, and a copper screen, emphasizing short, direct connections.]

Cable Connections

NOTE: Connect a user-supplied coaxial cable to the appropriate antenna connector if the transceiver has more than one. See your transceiver's instruction manual for details.

[Diagram shows connections for an IC-7300 transceiver. The AH-730's control cable connects to the transceiver's control port, and the coaxial cable connects to the transceiver's antenna port. The AH-730's ground wire connects to the transceiver's ground terminal.]

[Note within diagram: If RF feedback occurs, connect the control cable ground to both the AH-730 GND and the IC-7300 GND terminals.]

Mounting the AH-730

CAUTION: Mount the AH-730 in a horizontal position or a vertical position with the antenna terminal up.

Mounting on an Antenna Pole

Use the supplied U-bolts, U-bolt plates, washers, and nuts to secure the AH-730 to an antenna pole (diameter 32~60 mm). [Diagram shows U-bolt mounting hardware.]

[WARNING] Mount the AH-730 securely with the supplied hardware. Otherwise, vibrations and shocks could loosen the antenna tuner, causing it to fall and potentially result in personal injury.

Mounting on a Flat Location

Use nuts and bolts or self-tapping screws with washers and nuts to mount the AH-730 to a flat surface. [Diagrams show mounting with bolts and screws.]

CAUTION: DO NOT mount the antenna tuner upside down.

Operation

Tuning is required for each frequency. Be sure to retune the antenna before transmitting when you change the frequency, even slightly.

Example: IC-7300

Turn ON the transceiver.
Hold down TUNER for 1 second to start manual tuning. The antenna tuner reduces the SWR to less than 2:1 after 2~3 seconds of tuning. While tuning, "TUNE" blinks red. If the antenna tuner cannot reduce the SWR to less than 2:1 after 15 seconds of tuning, "TUNE" goes out. [Diagram shows hand holding TUNER button, with text indicating blinking and solid/off states of "TUNE" indicator.]
After tuning, "TUNE" is displayed.

When the long wire antenna cannot be tuned, "TUNE" goes out. In that case, the AH-730 is bypassed and the wire is directly connected.

NOTE: When the wire antenna cannot be tuned, confirm wire length and connection. The AH-730 cannot tune a wire that is 1/2 wavelength or a multiple of 1/2 wavelength for the frequency.

Specifications

Frequency range: 1.8~54 MHz (with an antenna longer than 7 m, 23 ft); 3.5~54 MHz (with the AH-2b)
Maximum input power: 150 W
Input impedance: 50 Ω
Tuning power required: 5~15 watts
Rated voltage: 13.8 V DC ±15% (current less than 0.7 A)
Usable temperature range: -10°C to +60°C (+14°F to +140°F)
VSWR: 2.0:1 or less (except antennas that are one half wave or a multiple of one half wave in length)
Weight (approximate): 2.5 kg (5.5 lb)
Dimensions: 230 (W) × 80 (H) × 340 (D) mm (projections not included); 9.1 (W) × 3.1 (H) × 13.4 (D) inches

All stated specifications are typical and subject to change without notice or obligation.

Options

OPC-1465 Shielded Control Cable: Cable length (approximate): 10 m, 32.8 ft. Same as supplied.
AH-2b Antenna Element: A 2.5 m long antenna element for mobile operation with AH-730. Frequency coverage: 3.5~54 MHz with the AH-730.

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