ARTEX A3-06-2824 Operational manual

A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer
(8700/8707)
Product User Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F
Artex Products / ACR Electronics, Inc.
5757 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Phone [phone], Fax [phone]
www.acrartex.com

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
This document contains proprietary information and such information may not be disclosed to others for
any purpose, nor used for manufacturing purposes without written permission from ACR Electronics, Inc.
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. ACR Electronics, Inc. makes no warranty,
expressed or implied, with regard to this manual, including but not limited to any implied warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. In addition, ACR Electronics, Inc.
makes no warranty with regard to the documentation or data contained herein. ACR Electronics, Inc. is
not liable in the event of incidentals, special, consequential, or any other damages in connection with or
arising from furnishing, performance, or use of this manual.
Reproduction of this publication or any portion thereof by any means is prohibited. For further
information contact Sales, ACR Electronics, Inc., 5757 Ravenswood Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
Telephone [phone].
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Meazura, Meazura Compatible, MEZ1500and MZIOare all trademarks of ACEECAInternational,
Ltd.
Avionic Toolsis a trademark of Avionic Tools, LLC, 88 South Edgewood Rd., Bedminster, NJ 07921.
Palm, Palm/Garnet OS, HotSync, Palm Poweredlogo, and PalmPrintare registered trademarks of
PalmSource, Inc., or its affiliates; and Palm Poweredis a trademark of Palm Trademark Holding
Company, LLC. Other brands may be trademarks of their respective owners.

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential
Revision History
REVISION
CHANGE
DATE
A
RELEASE
01/06/2014
B
ECO #15605 CORRECT CROSS-REFERENCE ON PAGE 33
FOR INFORMATION ON PRINTING LABELS AND
REPORTS.
07/14/2014
C
ECO #16725 ADDED FINISHED GOODS PART NUMBERS
TO COVER
07/17/2017
D
ECO #16761
10/09/2017
E
ECO #16863
03/01/2018
F
ECO #16926
8/14/2018

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................4
1.1 APPLICATION.......................................................................................................................4
1.2 DIFFERENCES ......................................................................................................................4
1.3 FEATURES...........................................................................................................................5
1.4 FUNCTIONALITY ...................................................................................................................5
2. HARDWARE .......................................................................................................................6
2.1 OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................................7
2.1.1 Connections..........................................................................................................7
2.2 BATTERY ............................................................................................................................8
2.2.1 Warnings..............................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Storage ................................................................................................................8
2.2.3 Installation ...........................................................................................................9
2.2.4 Charging ............................................................................................................10
2.2.5 Recycle and Disposal Methods ............................................................................. 12
2.3 UNIT INITIALIZATION ..........................................................................................................12
3. PALM™ DESKTOP SOFTWARE..........................................................................................13
3.1 HOT SYNC.......................................................................................................................13
4. ARTEX PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE ................................................................................15
4.1 OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................15
4.2 OPENING THE ARTEX SOFTWARE ............................................................................................15
4.3 SELECTING PREFERENCES .....................................................................................................15
4.4 PROGRAMMER DATABASE......................................................................................................16
4.5 ELT PROGRAMMING ............................................................................................................16
4.6 COUNTRY CODE DATABASE ...................................................................................................22
4.7 PROTOCOLS ......................................................................................................................23
4.7.1 Aviation User / Tail Number (Short) ..................................................................... 25
4.7.2 Serial User / ELT / COSPAS (Short) ......................................................................25
4.7.3 Serial User / Aircraft 24-Bit Addr (Short)............................................................... 26
4.7.4 Serial User / Aircraft 24-Bit Addr/Ntl (Short) ......................................................... 27
4.7.5 Serial User / Aircraft Operator Designator (Short) .................................................27
4.7.6 Serial User / Aircraft 24-Bit Loc (Long) .................................................................28
4.7.7 Serial User / ELT /Cospas Loc (Long) ...................................................................29
4.7.8 Serial User / Aircraft Operator Loc (Long) .............................................................29
4.7.9 Aviation User / Tail Number / Location (Long) ...................................................... 30
4.7.10 Std Location / Aircraft 24-Bit Address (Long) ........................................................30
4.7.11 Std Location / ELT Serial (Long)........................................................................... 31
4.7.12 National Location / ELT Serial (Long) ...................................................................32
4.8 PROGRAMMING A DIFFERENT COUNTRY CODE FOR USE WITH A SPECIFIC 24-BIT ADDRESS.................... 32
4.9 PROGRAMMING CONCLUSION .................................................................................................33

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential
4.10 BATTERY DATA READER .......................................................................................................33
5. C406-N SERIES PA (PROGRAMMING ADAPTER).............................................................34
5.1 PA HARDWARE OPERATION................................................................................................... 34
5.1.1 With Cannon Plug Attached To PA........................................................................34
5.1.2 Without Cannon Plug Attached To PA...................................................................35
5.2 PA SOFTWARE OPERATION ...................................................................................................36
5.3 ELT 3000/ELT 4000 SERIES PROGRAMMING ADAPTER ...............................................................36
5.3.1 Programming the ELT 3000/ELT 4000 Programming Adapter .................................36
5.4 ELT 3000/ELT 4000 PA SOFTWARE OPERATION ......................................................................38
6. PROGRAMMING VERIFICATION......................................................................................39
6.1 ELT TESTING PRECAUTIONS.................................................................................................. 39
6.2 ELT READER FUNCTION (SARCALC).........................................................................................39
6.3 MESSAGE DISPLAY ..............................................................................................................41
6.4 READER DATABASE .............................................................................................................42
6.5 ELT READER PREFERENCES ...................................................................................................42
6.6 PRINTING MESSAGES (NO LONGER SUPPORTED,FOR REFERENCE ONLY) ............................................44
6.7 SARCALC DESKTOP..............................................................................................................44
7. LABEL AND REPORT PRINTING (NO LONGER SUPPORTED, FOR REFERENCE ONLY) ....46
7.1 PRINTERS .........................................................................................................................46
7.2 LABEL PRINTING (NO LONGER SUPPORTED,FOR REFERENCE ONLY) ..................................................46
8. LABELING REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................48
9. CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS ....................................49
10. SPECIFICATIONS AND CALIBRATION.............................................................................50
10.1 MEAZURAMEZ1500 SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................50
10.2 HANDHELD PROGRAMMER MODULE SPECIFICATIONS:................................................................... 50
10.3 CALIBRATION.....................................................................................................................50
11. COMPONENTS AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ...................................................................51
11.1 SYSTEM COMPONENT PART NUMBERS ......................................................................................51
11.2 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT.........................................................................................................51
12.TROUBLESHOOTING........................................................................................................52
12.1 TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE ..................................................................................................52
12.2 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE .......................................................................................................52
13. WARRANTY INFORMATION.............................................................................................53

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential Page 4
1. Introduction
The Handheld Programmer and beacon reader module, installed in an Aceeca Meazura
MEZ1500 unit using Palm/Garnet OS, is designed to program any Artex 406 MHz
Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), as well as decode and display the encoded 406
MHz message. When used as a reader, the programmer can be connected directly to the
ELT or monitored “over the air” using the whip antenna, if allowed by local and/or
national regulations. The reader will decode any 406 MHz aviation protocol for ELTs.
All instructions contained herein refer to Artex ELTs only. Familiarity with Palmdevices
and/or the Palm/Garnet OSsoftware is highly recommended. The words “Meazura
MEZ1500” are used throughout this document to describe the base Palmunit.
NOTE: The Artex Handheld Programmer does not program or decode PLBs or EPIRBs.
1.1 Application
The Handheld Programmer performs the functions of the Artex A3-06-2825 ELT Test
Set, with the added capability of programming ELTs. In all instances where existing
and/or previous Artex documentation makes reference to a 453-0131 Test Set, SARSAT
Beacon Test Set, 453-1000, 453-2000 or A3-06-2825 ELT Test Set, the Artex Handheld
Programmer P/N A3-06-2824 may be used as a direct substitute.
Follow the general directions for testing the 406 MHz signal, as directed in the applicable
Artex ELT manual, using the operational instructions for the Handheld Programmer as
outlined in this manual. Screen views depicted in ELT manuals for the previous testers
(453-0131 or 453-1000) differ significantly from the Handheld Programmer. Refer to the
screen views shown in this manual and the actual display on the Handheld Programmer
when using documentation that refers to the 453-0131, 453-1000 or A3-06-2825 tester.
NOTE: The Handheld Programmer uses entirely new and distinct software and will not
interface with the previous Artex Programming Software.
NOTE: This manual does not describe other functions of the Meazura
MEZ1500/Palmplatform or other Palmbased applications that may be used.
Contact Aceeca at [e-mail] for details and user guides.
1.2 Differences
The primary differences between the Sartech test set (ARG 5410 or Artex P/N 453-0131)
and the Handheld Programmer are:
•Ability to program the ELT, not just read it (except for P/N A3-06-2825)
•Ease of use
•Rapid signal acquisition and processing
•Display of all ELT 406 MHz message information on one screen
•Position data (when present) displayed in degree’s, minutes, seconds
•Use of in-line attenuation not required
•Rechargeable long life battery
•Does not require periodic calibration

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential Page 5
The primary differences between the previous Artex Programming Software (510-0406)
with Level Shifter (500-0232) and the Artex software used in the Handheld Programmer
are:
•Ease of use
•Portability
•Support of additional programming protocols
•Retention of programming information
•Rechargeable long life battery
NOTE: The Artex Handheld Programmer does not interface with the previous Artex
Programming Software (510-0406) or Level Shifter (500-0232).
1.3 Features
The A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer (Figure 1) has the following features and
capabilities:
•Ability to program all Artex 406 MHz ELTs with supported protocols
•All ARTEX406 MHz aircraft protocols decoded
•Waterproof to IP67 standards
•Ruggedized case
•Internal database of received messages and programming
•Desktop application for database storage and review
•Long life rechargeable battery
•Built-in RF attenuator
1.4 Functionality
The heart of the Handheld Programmer is the MeazuraMEZ1500 manufactured by
Aceeca International, Ltd of Christchurch, NZ. The MeazuraMEZ1500 uses the
Palm/Garnet OSoperating system.
Artex has customized operation of the MeazuraMEZ1500 by utilizing the MZIO
interface inside the MeazuraMEZ1500 unit. The “off-the-shelf” MeazuraMEZ1500
combined with a custom module containing the Artex programming hardware interface
comprises the Artex Handheld Programmer.
CAUTION: AS DELIVERED BY ARTEX, THE MZIOINTERFACE IS NOT
ACCESSIBLE BY THE USER WITHOUT VOIDING THE ARTEX
WARRANTY.
NOTE: Aceeca International, Ltd refers to the MeazuraMEZ1500 as an RDA, which
stands for “Rugged Digital Assistant”. This terminology is encountered on the
Aceeca web site and in their literature.
Additional operating information can be found at in the Aceeca documents MEZ1500
Quick Reference User Guide and MEZ1500 HotSync Configuration Guide available by
contacting Aceeca at [e-mail].

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential Page 6
Figure 1: A3-06-2824/8707 Handheld Programmer
2. Hardware
The Handheld Programmer allows communication with any Artex 406 MHz ELT. It inverts
and raises the data signal from the ELT to an RS-232 signal level. This enables the ELT to
“talk”to the Handheld Programmer for programming and diagnostic purposes.

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential Page 7
2.1 Overview
The following subsections provide an overview of the Handheld Programmer hardware:
2.1.1 Connections
The Handheld Programmer is fitted with two connectors (Figure 2):
•A quick connect/disconnect circular connector for connecting the programming
cables. This connector is push-on/pull-off type.
CAUTION: DO NOT TWIST THE CONNECTOR.
The built-in lock/release mechanism securely locks the mated connectors, while
allowing quick disconnection by simply pulling on the plug release collar. Molded-
in grooves prevent hand slippage when pulling on the connector.
Three cables are supplied with the Handheld Programmer to facilitate connection
to current Artex 406 MHz ELT models. The cables are:
▪611-0110 –For 110-406 and C406 Series; including the C406-1 and C406-2
Series, G406 series, B406 series (i.e., any Artex 406 MHz ELT using a 12-pin
Molex connector).
▪611-0111 –For C406-N/PA Series
▪611-0112 –For ME406 Series, ELT 1000, and ELT 345
▪A2-07-0270 –For ELT 3000/4000/PA series
•The ELT reader portion of the Handheld Programmer uses a BNC connector to
allow connection of a 110-418 antenna or a direct-connect coax cable. See
Subsection 11.2 for optional equipment.
Figure 2: Handheld Programmer Connectors

ARTEX/ACR Electronics, Inc.
A3-06-2824 Handheld Programmer Operations Manual
Y1-03-0272 Rev. F Company Confidential Page 8
The MeazuraMEZ1500 is controlled with the buttons shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Controls
•The Power button is used to turn the unit off and on and, when pressed with the
Backlight button, for reset functions described later in this manual.
•Center button usage is discussed in detail later in the manual. The Arrow keys are
used for vertical and horizontal scrolling.
•Operation of Palm/Garnet OS®functions are described in greater detail in the
Aceeca MeazuraMEZ1500 “User’s Guide” (contact [e-mail]).
2.2 Battery
The Meazura™ MEZ1500 comes with a custom, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack
that can only be purchased from Aceeca or Artex.
2.2.1 Warnings
•Do not heat or throw the battery into a fire.
•Do not use or store the battery close to fire or where the ambient temperature
may be over 60°C.
•Do not put the battery in your pocket or in a bag together with metal objects. Do
not store the battery with such objects.
•Do not short circuit the (+) and (-) terminals with a metal object.
•Do not pierce the battery with a sharp object.
•Do not hit with a hammer, step on, throw, drop, or allow the battery to undergo
any strong shock.
•Do not disassemble or modify the battery.
•Do not solder the battery directly to the terminals.
•Do not use a battery that is severely scarred or deformed.
2.2.2 Storage
Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries or NiMH (Nickel-metal Hydride) batteries,
lithium-ion batteries should be charged early and often. Never use battery
maintenance software to maintain your battery as this can reduce the life of your
battery. Li-ion batteries should be kept cool. They should not be subjected to freezing
temperatures. Aging will occur much faster at high temperatures and will reduce the
POWER
BACKLIGHT
CENTER
BUTTON