ATU-1000, 1KW Automatic Antenna tuner

4.8
(64)

As I have succesfully built the ATU-100 kit, I decided to go for a beafier ATU kit.

Some weeks ago I received a kit from Ali Express.

The ATU-1000 Automatic Antenna tuner kit.

It is based on the same design of N7DCC, but the board is designed by EU2AV.
The same firware is used as the ATU-10/100 firmware. but configured in EEPROM to match the ATU-1000 specifications.

All parts are inside the kit to fully build the tuner.

Nowhere on the internet were some building instructions easy to find. Fortunately, the kit came with a document with some directions on how to wind the coils.
I thought this was useful info, and something to share with you.

I was a bit sceptical about the genuinity of the T200 cores, but I have tested them compared to original Amidon T200 cores I have had lying arround.
And to my surprise there where genuine 🙂

Assembly was easy as all SMD and PIC Microcontroller where already soldered.

The only thing needed to do was soldering in all the relays and inductors.

I had already decided not to use the small OLED display. A large tuner needs a decent larger display 🙂

So I decided to use a 2×16 LCD.

 

I had a nice case lying around, really perfect for this tuner. so this is done and the tuner is placed in this housing.

I just had to put the controller board somewhere else.I made new board connector cabling so I could place it next to the tuner board.

Not entirely unimportant was the design of the front.
Drawn in Corel Draw, and printed with a laser printer on special aluminum foil. and this foil sticked again on 2 layers of PVC adhesive foil. this is to make the foil as a whole a lot more rigid.
Furthermore, the print is finished with 5 layers of acrylic spray paint.

 

Things to do:

Improve SWR Bridge, sometimes it doesn’t measure the right SWR, especially with completely non-resonant antenna systems, it can sometimes indicate that the SWR is well matched. But in use, the SWR is still high.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 4.8 / 5. Vote count: 64

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

4.8 (64) As I have succesfully built the ATU-100 kit, I decided to go for a beafier ATU kit. Some weeks ago I received a kit from Ali Express. The ATU-1000 Automatic Antenna tuner kit. It is based on the same design of N7DCC, but the board is designed by EU2AV. The same firware is…

39 Comments

  1. I have this Tuner , It doesn’t work automatically above 14 mhz, it’s ridiculous, it can’t lower the SWR, I tried it with different antennas,good work at 80-40-20 meters, I go to TEST mode and adjust it manually.

    1. The sequence of coils values, which are much higher than the original sequence, are the ones to blame. It will do better on lower bands.
      I have a kit recently bought, I will check it and I’ll probably use the original sequence of coils

  2. I want to begin this project but the thread above is a bit frightening.
    Has anyone tried the fully assembled unit being sold from China?
    Any word on the resumption of sales/support from original Ukranian developer?

    Any advice on beginning my KW ATU journey would be appreciated.

    Neil, NYC N2EYE.

  3. I had also a plan to buy the 1 kw kit , but I want the tuning part outside close to the antennes
    But the first kit I thought it’s doable
    But if I see this PCB then I have to bring more then a few wires
    First was thinking 2 wires for 12 volt for relay and for the difficult things in that blackbox with many pins
    1 wire to start tuning
    2 wire to stop button
    But is it possible with 6 wires to control the unit
    Any help is being appreciated
    Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read my bad English and help me

  4. Please do share with us the recommended upgrade diode for the SWR Bridge. The genleman on Youtube suggests using 18 gauge solid wire inserted into the out jacket/insulation of a 30,000 volt wire [ignition wire for spark plugs maybe]?

    Where might I purchase a good quality larger LCD screen?

    Last, thank you everyone for your help!

    AJ6XW

  5. SWR Bridge
    Ive heard there is a recommended diode upgrade in the SWR Bridge circuit. Are you aware of this and can you comment?

    73’s Ka4upw

  6. Hello,
    I have a problem with the ATU1000 not working in bands above 18 MHz. I was advised to try to update the firmware. Unfortunately I don’t know where on the finished panel the PIC programmer should be connected. Thanks if you can help.

  7. Is it possible to use the tuner outside (closer to the antenna) and the control unit inside the house? The connection would be with shielded cables.

  8. Excellent, well done…! Now print out a copy of the eprom contents from the high power atu firmware you downloaded, then compare it to your working eprom code….
    In the original atu-100 documents it explains which “eprom cells” hold the power settings etc etc. Simply copy the appropriate settings from the high power firmware into your working code.

    Have fun Paul

  9. Hmm, interesting!
    As a test how about copying the code from your working atu-100 and trying the board with that code ? That should prove conclusively if your control pcb for the ATU-1000 is at fault.. it just means for now all the eprom settings etc are for a 100 watt atu. If the pic is faulty they only cost a couple of Dollar’s to replace,
    Regards Paul

    1. HI PAUL!!!
      THAT’S IT, ADVERT ON!!
      THANKS VERY MUCH !!
      BUTTON Goes Tune and Reset, the other buttons work too!
      – What do I have to change now for the ATU-1000?
      vy 73 Manfred

  10. Hello,
    Thank you for your patience,
    the OLEDs are ok, I tested them with an ATU-100, I always look closely at the connections.
    With the programming switch there is always a relay at the beginning and end, the current goes from approx. 50 mA to approx. 0 – and then to 50mA, on the PIC board it is approx. 10mA.
    I’m at a loss.
    vy 73 Manfred

  11. Hi Manfred,
    Don’t panic. Theres been a few of those Oled boards faulty, including mine. It sounds as if your board is “booting up” as the relays are resetting to default.
    First check, is the Code set for Oled or LCD display ! I think from memory the code at that link was for a LCD display….at this point in time the buttons won’t actually do much…..infact the only reaction to pressing the buttons at present will be to change the display to indicate the mode its in… and as your display isn’t working…. if your able to program the Chip, and get a good verification from your programmer, I’d think the Pic is probably ok…AND of course the programmer uses the same plug and data lines as the display does. Try a standard LCD display with a serial to parallel interface …don’t forget to set the correct eprom settings fir the dispkay

    Regards Paul

  12. I don’t have any more advice, can the PIC be defective, unfortunately I can’t write a test program for it, or can I exchange the PIC?
    The display shows GND .5V: CLK + DAT with a square-wave signal of 5V intermittently, the buttons do not react,
    after switching on, all relays go on briefly, then only one R2. (blue LEDs)
    see only one possibility _ change PIS…???

  13. –m strange, programming works -reading too
    0000 31A8 2D3B 3FFF 0029 083A 3A00 1903 2821
    0008 0021 170D 3006 00FD 0BFD 280C 0000 178D …
    but the display is off and no button works..
    73

  14. Hello,
    After switching on the voltage, all relays switch briefly, then Rel 2 on, no reaction to the tuning button or the others.
    Code-Protect, m .. but if nothing responds..
    vy 73 Manfred

  15. Hello,
    GREAT, there is almost no information about the ATU-1000.
    – well I also got one from Aliexpress, – UNFORTUNATELY the PIC is EMPTY – all 00000, ((everything is readable in the ATU100, I need the soft, where do you get it.))
    PIC16F1938 and 0.96″ display (4 lines).
    by 73! DL2AMM Manfred

    1. Hmm are you sure its not got the code protect set ?
      My kit arrived in that state,
      I’ve started to edit the new version 3.2 code for 1Kw use

      Regards Paul

  16. Hi pd5dj, can you offer me your Atu 1000W case ? Or were can i buy it ?
    Your case looks perfectly and very good!

    dk9wf, Fred

  17. Hi !
    Do you have a picture of bottom PCB ??

    i have buil the same unit, but i think that the capacitor presoldered onboard are not as the schema..

    the scheme report 10p,22p,40p,82p,160p,320p,640p
    but my measure on soldered capacitors report : 30p,100p,160p,330p,750p,1650,3500p

    Can you measure yours capacitor for me ?
    Tnx !

    1. hello, I downloaded your file but it doesn’t work for me, I have a pic 16F1938 and a 1602 LCD, do you know where the error could be? The older one works thanks Franta 73 OK2W

  18. Hello pd5d
    whats the version of FW you are using ? I am facing some problems with tunning.
    Can you send me also your hex to compare ?

    73 de OE9SAU

  19. Hi.
    I have the same Tuner.
    Is there any changes for usind a 2×16 LCD?
    My extra LCD shows no numbers or letters. Only light
    73 Matze DO4OD

    1. Hi Matze

      You will have to edit some adresses in the firmware EEPROM section.

      https://github.com/Dfinitski/N7DDC-ATU-100-mini-and-extended-boards/blob/master/ATU_100_EXT_board/ATU-100_Extended_Board_User_Manual_eng.pdf

      Check if Addresses:
      00 = 7E or 78 or 7A (for a PCF8574AT adapter) or 4E (for a PCF8574T adapter)
      01 = 01 (1602 LCD)

      I still have to open up my tuner to add a Ground point at the back.. I can make a dump of my hex file and sent it to you if you like.

  20. Hi,
    That’s very interesting because I am facing some difficulties with this auto tuner…
    First of all, the bypass relais is always actuated and the RB1 grouding has only effect on the display (_) but the relay stays in the same position.
    Finally, I have remove the 2N7002 which command this line.
    Tests are in progress…
    Regards

    1. Это не байпасное реле. Это реле переключает контура для значений больше 50 Om, и меньше 50 Om.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *