Vector Series NAVTEX Antenna Tuning Unit
Since introducing the world’s first totally solid state, high power radio beacon in 1970, Nautel has supplied the highest quality and reliability in solid state LF/MF/HF and VHF transmission systems around the world.
The most recent Vector Transmitters and Antenna Tuning Units for the MF NAVTEX shore stations continue this heritage and provide a dramatic improvement in system coverage.
Features
The Nautel Vector NAVTEX System offers a unique, patented solution to maintain system coverage regardless of undesirable antenna effects such as salt build-up on antenna insulators and ground plane resistance changes.
Highlights include:
- Constant field strength output for higher system availability.
- Automatic antenna capacitance tuning using dual astatically wound loading coils.
- Automatic resistance matching for higher system availability.
- Dual channel (490 kHz and 518 kHz) operation.
- Remote control and monitoring of the ATU to limit worker exposure to strong RF fields, in keeping with Safety Code 6 / IEEE C95.1-1999.
- ATU cabinet enclosures designed for use in all types of outdoor environments including arctic, tropical, desert, and coastal areas.
-
Spec Sheet
ATU-HP-TT
The Vector NAVTEX transmitter and ATU-HP-TT communicate via a serial data bus that allows the transmitter to monitor the antenna current.
The transmitter can automatically (user enabled feature) adjust its output power to maintain a constant antenna current, thereby maintaining constant field strength of the radiated signal.
This feature is unique to Nautel Vector systems.
The capacitive portion of the antenna impedance is automatically tuned using dual astatically wound loading coils which are servo controlled.
The loading coils are designed to be low-loss to maximize antenna efficiency.
The dual astatic pair has a lower field than a single coil solution and this reduces eddy currents induced in the ATU enclosure.
The ATU-HP-TT not only automatically matches the capacitive portion of the antenna impedance using dual astatically wound loading coils but also automatically matches a +/-2:1 (4:1 overall) change in the resistive portion of the antenna impedance.
This feature virtually eliminates seasonal visits to NAVTEX transmission sites to re-tap the traditional fixed-tapped matching transformers and is unique to Nautel ATUs.
The ATU-HP-TT may also be controlled and monitored via the GUI to limit the operator’s exposure to the strong RF field of the antenna in keeping with Safety Code 6 / IEEE C95.1-1999.
Remote control and monitoring of the Vector NAVTEX transmitter and ATU-HP-TT is available via the optional VR-Link-TT remote control and monitoring system.
The ATU-HP-TT cabinet is constructed of marine grade aluminium with external surfaces finished to meet AAMA 603.8 and CGSB-1-GP-300 paint standards for use in all types of outdoor environments including arctic, tropical, desert and coastal areas.
System Interconnect cabling enters the cabinet via IP66 rated cable glands.