BIRD 424-86A-03 User manual

YOU'RE HEARD, LOUD AND CLEAR.
8625 Industrial Parkway, Angola, NY 14006 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] [e-mail] www.bird-technologies.com
Installation and Operation Manual for
AutoQuad Tower-Top Amplifier System
Model 424-86A-03 and 424-86A-03-48
Manual Part Number
7-9322-5

Warranty
This warranty applies for one year from shipping date.
TX RX Systems Inc. warrants its products to be free from defect in material and workmanship at the time of shipment.
Our obligation under warranty is limited to replacement or repair, at our option, of any such products that shall have
been defective at the time of manufacture. TX RX Systems Inc. reserves the right to replace with merchandise of
equal performance although not identical in every way to that originally sold. TX RX Systems Inc. is not liable for dam-
age caused by lightning or other natural disasters. No product will be accepted for repair or replacement without our
prior written approval. The purchaser must prepay all shipping charges on returned products. TX RX Systems Inc.
shall in no event be liable for consequential damages, installation costs or expense of any nature resulting from the
purchase or use of products, whether or not they are used in accordance with instructions. This warranty is in lieu of all
other warranties, either expressed or implied, including any implied warranty or merchantability of fitness. No repre-
sentative is authorized to assume for TX RX Systems Inc. any other liability or warranty than set forth above in con-
nection with our products or services.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
PRICES AND TERMS:
Prices are FOB seller’s plant in Angola, NY domestic packaging only, and are subject to change without notice. Fed-
eral, State and local sales or excise taxes are not included in prices. When Net 30 terms are applicable, payment is
due within 30 days of invoice date. All orders are subject to a $100.00 net minimum.
QUOTATIONS:
Only written quotations are valid.
ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS:
Acceptance of orders is valid only when so acknowledged in writing by the seller.
SHIPPING:
Unless otherwise agreed at the time the order is placed, seller reserves the right to make partial shipments for which
payment shall be made in accordance with seller’s stated terms. Shipments are made with transportation charges col-
lect unless otherwise specified by the buyer. Seller’s best judgement will be used in routing, except that buyer’s routing
is used where practicable. The seller is not responsible for selection of most economical or timeliest routing.
CLAIMS:
All claims for damage or loss in transit must be made promptly by the buyer against the carrier. All claims for shortages
must be made within 30 days after date of shipment of material from the seller’s plant.
SPECIFICATION CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS:
All designs and specifications of seller’s products are subject to change without notice provided the changes or modifi-
cations do not affect performance.
RETURN MATERIAL:
Product or material may be returned for credit only after written authorization from the seller, as to which seller shall
have sole discretion. In the event of such authorization, credit given shall not exceed 80 percent of the original pur-
chase. In no case will Seller authorize return of material more than 90 days after shipment from Seller’s plant. Credit
for returned material is issued by the Seller only to the original purchaser.
ORDER CANCELLATION OR ALTERATION:
Cancellation or alteration of acknowledged orders by the buyer will be accepted only on terms that protect the seller
against loss.
NON WARRANTY REPAIRS AND RETURN WORK:
Consult seller’s plant for pricing. Buyer must prepay all transportation charges to seller’s plant. Standard shipping pol-
icy set forth above shall apply with respect to return shipment from TX RX Systems Inc. to buyer.
DISCLAIMER
Product part numbering in photographs and drawings is accurate at time of printing. Part number labels on TX RX
products supersede part numbers given within this manual. Information is subject to change without notice.
Bird Technologies Group TX RX Systems Inc.

Symbols Commonly Used
NOTE
ESD Elecrostatic Discharge
Hot Surface
Electrical Shock Hazard
Important Information
CAUTION or ATTENTION
High Voltage
Use Safety Glasses
WARNING
Bird Technologies Group TX RX Systems Inc.
Manual Part Number 7-9322
Copyright © 2006 TX RX Systems, Inc.
First Printing: March 2003
Version Number Version Date
1 03/04/03
2 08/01/03
3 04/26/04
4 02/15/06
5 08/09/06

Table o f C o n te n t s Manual 7-93 22 - 5 08/09/06
Table of Contents
General Description ............................................................................................ 1
Unpacking ............................................................................................................ 4
Pre-Installation Checkout ................................................................................... 4
Mechanical Inspection ....................................................................................... 4
Pre-installation Static Sensitivity Testing ........................................................... 4
Installation............................................................................................................ 6
Interference and Intermodulation Considerations .............................................. 6
Installing the System ..........................................................................................8
Installing the Tower-Top Box ............................................................................. 8
Installing the Multicoupling Amplifier .................................................................. 9
About Reserve Gain and Attenuation .............................................................. 10
Determining Needed Attenuation .................................................................... 10
Setting Reserve Attenuation ........................................................................... 11
About Multicoupler Gain and Attenuation .........................................................11
Setting Multicoupler Attenuation ..................................................................... 11
Post Installation Tests ...................................................................................... 11
Installed Sensitivity Test ................................................................................... 12
Calculate Cable Loss ......................................................................................12
Tri-Mode Test Port ............................................................................................ 13
Test Port Sensitivity with Dummy Load (Mode 1) ............................................. 14
Test Port Sensitivity with Antenna (Mode 0) ..................................................... 14
Spectrum Analysis ............................................................................................ 16
Antenna Sweep Test (Mode 2) .........................................................................16
Routine Operation ............................................................................................. 17
Signal Flow......................................................................................................... 17
Tower-Top Box ................................................................................................ 17
Multicoupling Amplifier ..................................................................................... 17
System Status Monitoring ................................................................................. 20
LCD Display .................................................................................................... 20
Status-Indicator LEDs ..................................................................................... 20
Form-C Contacts............................................................................................. 20
Alarms ................................................................................................................ 21
Warning ............................................................................................................ 21
Failure............................................................................................................... 21
System Troubleshooting ..................................................................................21
Performance Degradation ................................................................................. 21
Hardware Problems .......................................................................................... 21
Logic Circuit Failure .........................................................................................22
AC Line Fuse ................................................................................................... 22
Optional Preselector Filters.............................................................................. 23
Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 23
Recommended Spare Parts.............................................................................. 23
****Amplifier Replacement**** .......................................................................... 23
Tower-Top Box ................................................................................................ 23
Multicoupling Amplifier ..................................................................................... 24
Options ............................................................................................................... 25
Narrowband Preselector Filter ......................................................................... 25
Receiver Multicoupler Expansion Deck ........................................................... 25

Table o f C o n te n t s Manual 7-93 22 - 5 08/09/06
Figures and Tables
Figure 1: Front view of the tower-top box ............................................................ 1
Figure 2A: Top view of the multicoupler unit (MCA) ............................................ 2
Figure 2B: Front view of the MCA .......................................................................2
Figure 2C: Back view of the MCA ........................................................................ 2
Figure 3: Test equipment interconnection for “bench testing” ............................. 4
Figure 4: Cable connections for system components .......................................... 6
Figure 5: System installation guidelines .............................................................. 7
Figure 6: Tower-top box mechanical details ........................................................ 8
Figure 7: Application of rubber splicing tape ....................................................... 8
Figure 8: Alarm and power terminals ................................................................... 9
Figure 9: Installed sensitivity test........................................................................ 12
Figure 10: Measuring test port sensitivity with dummy load ............................... 13
Figure 11: Measuring test port sensitivity with antenna......................................14
Figure 12: Testing output spectrum .................................................................... 15
Figure 13: Maximum signal level mask .............................................................15
Figure 14: Antenna sweep test ........................................................................... 16
Figure 15: Block diagram of tower box ............................................................... 18
Figure 16: Block diagram of the MCA ................................................................ 19
Figure 17: Connecting the optional preselector ..................................................24
Figure 18: Optional 16-port expansion deck....................................................... 25
Table 1: System Specifications ............................................................................. 1
Table 2: Tower Box Specifications......................................................................... 3
Table 3: Multicoupling Amplifier Specifications ..................................................... 3
Table 4: Test Data Sheet....................................................................................... 5
Table 5: Optimum Reserve Gain Settings........................................................... 10
Table 6: Base Attenuation Settings .....................................................................11
Table 7: LED and alarm trouble shooting guide ..................................................20
Table 8: Current meter readings ......................................................................... 20
Table 9: Loss of Sensitivity troubleshooting guide .............................................. 22

TX RX Systems Inc. Manual 7-9322-5 08/09/06 Page 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The AutoQuadTM Tower-Top Amplifier System pro-
vides the highest degree of reliability available in a
Tower-Top Amplifier (TTA) system. The AutoQuad
System uses quadrature-coupled amplifiers (also
called balanced amplifiers) to create a redundant
amplifier configuration in both the tower box and
the receiver Multicoupling Amplifier (MCA). Each
quad-amplifier provides two simultaneously used,
essentially parallel paths of amplification. Failure of
one of these paths of amplification results in an
overall gain reduction of only 6 dB in a quad-ampli-
fier.
The AutoQuad System also supplies automatic
backup-amplifier switching in the tower-top box.
Fault detection circuitry continuously monitors the
DC power operation of the primary quad-amplifier
and automatically switches to the identical second-
ary quad-amplifier if conditions indicate a primary
malfunction. If the
secondary quad-amplifier mal-
functions, operation switches to whichever quad-
amplifier is still providing some gain due to opera-
tion of one of its amplification paths. Fault detection
circuitry also provides at-a-glance status reporting,
with front-panel LEDs and a current meter. The
specifications for the AutoQuad system are listed
in Table 1.
Figure 1: Front view of the tower-top box (door removed for clarity).
3-18977
Input Switch
Amp A
3-18941
or
3-19285
Amp B
3-18941
or
3-19285
Door Clamp
3-19033
Output Switch
3-19029
Tr i - M o d e Te s t S w i t c h
8-21183
Surge Suppressor
(behind switch assembly)
Mounting Tab
(four total)
3-15878
Bandpass Filter
with Sample Port
Door Hinge
8-21205
Surge Suppressor
8-21206
Surge Suppressor
Noise Figure 5 dB max, <4 dB typ
Reserve Gain Fully settable by
electronic attenuator
Ship Weight 52 lbs (24 Kg)
Table 1: System specifications. Values are typical
unless noted otherwise.

TX RX Systems Inc. Manual 7-9322-5 08/09/06 Page 2
Figure 2B: Front view of the MCA.
Enter Button Scroll Button Display Contrast
Adjustment
Select
Switch
Amplifier
Alarm
Indicators
Display Tes t
Port
Performance
Data Tag
NOTE
Tool required for
button presses,
paperclip or stiff
wire works well
Figure 2A: Top view of the Multicoupling Amplifier (MCA). NOTE: 48 VDC converter used in model 424-86A-03-48.
3-19052
Daughter
Board
8-18150
Power Supply
3-18171
8-Way
Power Divider
3-18171
8-Way
Power Divider
3-18173
4-Way
Power Divider
3-19037
Quad
Amplifier
3-18000
Circuit
Board
* if so equipped
3-20015
Voltage
Limiter
Figure 2C: Back view of the MCA. NOTE: 48 VDC converter used in model 424-86A-03-48.
AC Cord Te s t Po r t
Line
Transmission
Line
To Additional 8-Way
Power Dividers on
Expansion Panel
Ground Alarm
Terminals
DC Power
Terminals To S t a ti o n
Receivers
To S t a t i o n
Receivers

TX RX Systems Inc. Manual 7-9322-5 08/09/06 Page 3
The quad-amplifier in the tower-top box amplifies
the weak received signal before the signal enters a
long and lossy transmission line, thus preventing
the line loss from degrading the signal-to-noise
ratio. Included in the tower-top box is a combline
preselector filter, amplifier “A” and amplifier “B,”
input and output switching circuitry, a tri-mode test
switch assembly and PolyPhaser surge suppres-
sors with DC bias-tap (see Figure 1). The specifi-
cations for the tower box are listed in Table 2.
The ground-mounted MCA shown in Figures 2A
through 2C is intended for 19-inch rack mounting.
It houses amplifier and signal distribution assem-
blies, current alarm monitoring, alarm indicators, a
power supply, and a current meter to provide visual
feedback on the system’s operating status. Also,
model 424-86A-03 houses a power supply, model
424-86A-03-48 houses a 48 VDC converter. The
specifications for the MCA are listed in Table 3.
Electrical Specifications
Frequency Range 806 to 824 MHz
Net Gain 20 dB
Noise Figure (typ /max) 2.8 / 3.8 dB
Backup Amplifier Switching Solid State RF Switch
Test Port Isolation 30 dB
Impedance 50 ohms
VSWR < 2.0 : 1
Preselector Type 10-Pole Combline Bandpass,
18 MHz BW
Loss < 1 dB
Rejection > 110 dB @ 776 and
851 MHz
LNA Type Quadrature-Coupled,
Modular
Gain 24 dB
Noise Figure 1.4 dB
1 dB Compression Point 27.5 dBm
3rd Order Input / Output IP 17 dBm / 41 dBm
Power Requirements 24 VDC @ 1.4 A (MCA)
Lightning Protection Impulse Suppressor on all
external connectors
Operating Temperature
Range
-30° C to +60° C
Mechanical Specifications
Enclosure NEMA 4x Stainless Steel
Connectors N -female
Dimensions (HWD) 24” x 6” x 6”
(610 x 152 x 152 mm)
Net Weight 30 lbs (13.4 Kg)
Table 2: Tower box specifications. Values are typical unless
noted otherwise.
Electrical Specifications
Frequency Range 806 to 824 MHz
Multicoupler Net Gain 0 dB min; 1 dB nominal
Preamplifier Type Quadrature-Coupled,
Modular
Gain 21 dB
Noise Figure 3 dB
1 db Compression Point 33 dBm
3rd Order Input / Output IP 27 / 48 dBm
Number of Outputs /
Split Loss
16 or 32 / 18 dB
Impedance 50 ohms
VSWR <1.5 : 1
Connectors To TTA N - female
To BTS BNC - female
Test Port Input BNC - female
Electronic Attenuator 3 - 35 dB in 0.5 dB steps
Alarm / Warning Contacts Two Form C Contacts
Optional Alarm & Control RS-232C
Power Requirements
Model 424-86A-03 90 - 240 Vac 50/60 Hz
Model 424-86A-03-48 36 to 76 VDC
Operating Temp Range 0° C to + 50° C
Mechanical Specifications
Enclosure Standard EIA 19” Rack Mount
Dimensions (HWD) 1 RU x 19” x 14”
(38 x 483 x 356 mm)
Net Weight 12 lbs (5.5 Kg)
Table 3: Multicoupling Amplifier specifications. Values are
typical unless noted otherwise.

TX RX Systems Inc. Manual 7-9322-5 08/09/06 Page 4
UNPACKING
Each major component of the TTA system is indi-
vidually packaged and shipped via motor freight or
UPS. It is important to report any visible damage to
the carrier immediately. It is the customer's respon-
sibility to file damage claims with the carrier within
a short period of time after delivery (1 to 5 days).
PRE-INSTALLATION CHECKOUT
The following pre-installation checks should be
performed after unpacking the system to verify
nothing has loosened during transit. Additionally,
the system should be made operational on the
bench with all components at ground level to verify
proper electrical performance.
Mechanical Inspection
Open the tower-top box by loosening all the door-
clamp locking screws and rotating the clamps to
release the door. Make sure that all the N and TNC
connectors are tight. In addition, it is advisable to
check the tightness of the hold-down screws for the
various assemblies to insure nothing loosened dur-
ing shipment.
Pre installation Static Sensitivity Testing
Hookup and test the entire system at ground level
to verify that all components are working properly
and to measure the system receiver sensitivity
before climbing. Short cables are used to intercon-
nect all components as shown in Figure 3. One
station receiver is selected and the test is per-
formed at this frequency. A data sheet is provided
in Table 4 on page 5 of this manual for recording
data collected during system testing. There is room
on each sheet for data recorded on multiple dates.
We suggest that you photo-copy the sheet and use
it for subsequent testing.
Test
Port
12 dB SINAD
Signal Generator
RX MCA
RF
Out
FRX MHz
3 KHz dev
1 KHz
No attenuation
Minimum length cables
Best possible sensitivity
Greater than -124 dBm
Less than -126 dBm typical
Daughter
Board
Input
Diagnostic Cable
Sampler
PortOutput
Preselector
Input
Switch
Output
Switch
Main Test Ant
Figure 3: Test equipment interconnection for “bench testing” of system components.
Connection to the appropriate power source is assumed.