BIRD AT-500 User manual

AT-500 Antenna Tester
Operation Manual
©Copyright 2016 by Bird Technologies, Inc.
Instruction Book Part Number 920-AT500 Rev. D

i
Safety Precautions
The following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to
any specific part or procedure, and do not necessarily appear elsewhere in this
publication. These precautions must be thoroughly understood and apply to all
phases of operation and maintenance.
WARNING
Keep Away From Live Circuits
Operating Personnel must at all times observe general
safety precautions. Do not replace components or make
adjustments to the inside of the test equipment with the
high voltage supply turned on. To avoid casualties, always
remove power.
WARNING
Shock Hazard
Do not attempt to remove the RF transmission line while
RF power is present.
WARNING
Do Not Service Or Adjust Alone
Under no circumstances should any person reach into an
enclosure for the purpose of service or adjustment of
equipment except in the presence of someone who is
capable of rendering aid.
WARNING
Safety Earth Ground
An uninterruptible earth safety ground must be supplied
from the main power source to test instruments.
Grounding one conductor of a two conductor power cable
is not sufficient protection. Serious injury or death can
occur if this grounding is not properly supplied.
WARNING
Resuscitation
Personnel working with or near high voltages should be
familiar with modern methods of resuscitation.

Safety Precautions
ii
Safety Symbols
The caution symbol appears on the equipment indicating there is
important information in the instruction manual regarding that
particular area
Note: Calls attention to supplemental information.
WARNING
Warning notes call attention to a procedure, which if not
correctly performed, could result in personal injury.
CAUTION
Caution notes call attention to a procedure, which if not
correctly performed, could result in damage to the
instrument.

AT-500 Antenna Tester
iii
Warning Statements
The following safety warnings appear in the text where there is danger to
operating and maintenance personnel, and are repeated here for emphasis.
On page 13.
On page 28.
On page 34.
On page 34.
WARNING
Live RF energy. Do not touch or ground the center
conductor of a live RF connection. Failure to comply may
result in equipment damage and serious burns or death to
personnel.
WARNING
Care should be taken when handling batteries.
Do not heat or dispose of batteries in fire. May burst or
release toxic materials.
Avoid forced discharge.
Do not short circuit.
Restrict charging current and time to the recommended
value.
Do not solder the battery directly.
Do not disassemble, apply excessive pressure or deform.
Avoid placing the battery in reverse polarity.
Battery disposal method should be in accordance with
local and state regulations.
WARNING
Replace with ONLY Nickel-Metal hydride (NiMH)
rechargeable AA batteries with a nominal voltage of 1.2V
and minimum capacity of 2000mAh. DO NOT install any
type of battery such as alkaline or other type of secondary
(rechargable) batteries.
WARNING
Charging batteries installed in reverse polarity can cause
the battery to swell or rupture.

Safety Precautions
iv
Caution Statements
The following equipment cautions appear in the text and are repeated here for
emphasis.
On page 11.
On pages 11 and 29.
On page 12.
On page 13.
On page 13.
CAUTION
Only use the AC adapter provided with the AT. Do not use
the adapter with the batteries removed.
CAUTION
Follow guidelines for battery charging.
Avoid constant charging of batteries for long periods of
time. Overcharging can result in reduced battery efficiency,
service life, and possible permanent damage.
CAUTION
Required input is 11 to 16 VDC @ 250mA. Connector is
wired outside positive, inside negative.
CAUTION
AVOID STATIC DISCHARGE
Use proper Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) precautions to
avoid static discharge when making connections to the test
port. Equipment failure can occur if the test port is
subjected to ESD.
CAUTION
250mW max. input
Exceeding the maximum input will cause damage to
internal components. Do not connect transmitter output to
the AT-500. Damage can also be caused by testing antennas
near other transmitting antennas. If testing base station
antennas, first measure the power at the coax end to be
sure it does not exceed 250mW.

AT-500 Antenna Tester
v
On page 28.
On page 35.
Safety Statements
USAGE
ANY USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BY
THE MANUFACTURER MAY IMPAIR THE INSTRUMENT’S SAFETY
PROTECTION.
USO
EL USO DE ESTE INSTRUMENTO DE MANERA NO ESPECIFICADA
POR EL FABRICANTE, PUEDE ANULAR LA PROTECCIÓN DE
SEGURIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO.
BENUTZUNG
WIRD DAS GERÄT AUF ANDERE WEISE VERWENDET ALS VOM
HERSTELLER BESCHRIEBEN, KANN DIE GERÄTESICHERHEIT
BEEINTRÄCHTIGT WERDEN.
UTILISATION
TOUTE UTILISATION DE CET INSTRUMENT QUI N’EST PAS
EXPLICITEMENT PRÉVUE PAR LE FABRICANT PEUT
ENDOMMAGER LE DISPOSITIF DE PROTECTION DE
L’INSTRUMENT.
IMPIEGO
QUALORA QUESTO STRUMENTO VENISSE UTILIZZATO IN MODO
DIVERSO DA COME SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE LA
PROZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE COMPROMESSA.
CAUTION
Harsh or abrasive detergents and some solvents can
damage the display unit and information on labels.
CAUTION
Replace with only the same type and rating fuse. 315mA
250V

Safety Precautions
vi
SERVICE
SERVICING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USE BY SERVICE - TRAINED
PERSONNEL ONLY. TO AVOID DANGEROUS ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING UNLESS QUALIFIED TO DO SO.
SERVICIO
LAS INSTRUCCIONES DE SERVICIO SON PARA USO EXCLUSIVO
DEL PERSONAL DE SERVICIO CAPACITADO. PARA EVITAR EL
PELIGRO DE DESCARGAS ELÉCTRICAS, NO REALICE NINGÚN
SERVICIO A MENOS QUE ESTÉ CAPACITADO PARA HACERIO.
WARTUNG
ANWEISUNGEN FÜR DIE WARTUNG DES GERÄTES GELTEN NUR
FÜR GESCHULTES FACHPERSONAL.
ZUR VERMEIDUNG GEFÄHRLICHE, ELEKTRISCHE SCHOCKS, SIND
WARTUNGSARBEITEN AUSSCHLIEßLICH VON QUALIFIZIERTEM
SERVICEPERSONAL DURCHZUFÜHREN.
ENTRENTIEN
L’EMPLOI DES INSTRUCTIONS D’ENTRETIEN DOIT ÊTRE RÉSERVÉ
AU PERSONNEL FORMÉ AUX OPÉRATIONS D’ENTRETIEN. POUR
PRÉVENIR UN CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE DANGEREUX, NE PAS
EFFECTUER D’ENTRETIEN SI L’ON N’A PAS ÉTÉ QUALIFIÉ POUR CE
FAIRE.
ASSISTENZA TECNICA
LE ISTRUZIONI RELATIVE ALL’ASSISTENZA SONO PREVISTE
ESCLUSIVAMENTE PER IL PERSONALE OPPORTUNAMENTE
ADDESTRATO. PER EVITARE PERICOLOSE SCOSSE ELETTRICHE
NON EFFETTUARRE ALCUNA RIPARAZIONE A MENO CHE
QUALIFICATI A FARLA.

AT-500 Antenna Tester
vii
UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH RECHAREABLE BATTERIES.
THESE ARE TO BE REPLACED BY AUTHORIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY!!!
LAS UNIDADES VIENEN EQUIPADAS CON BATERIAS
RECARGABLES.
¡¡¡Y SOLAMENTE EL PERSONAL DE SERVICIO AUTORIZADO PUEDE
REEMPLAZARLAS!!!
GERÄTE SIND MIT WIEDER AUFLADBAREN BATTERIEN
BESTÜCKT.
BATTERIEN SIND NUR VON QUALIFIZIERTEM SERICE PERSONAL
AUSZUWECHSELN!!!
CES DISPOSITIFS SONT ÉQUIPÉS DE BATTERIES
RECHARGEABLES.
SEUL LE PERSONNEL D’ENTRETIEN AUTORISÉ EST HABILITÉ À
LES REMPLACER !
LE UNITÀ SONO DOTATE DI BATTERIE RICARICABILI,
CHE DEVONO DA COME SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE LA
PROTEZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE
COMPROMESSA.
RF VOLTAGE MAY BE PRESENT IN RF ELEMENT SOCKET - KEEP
ELEMENT IN SOCKET DURING OPERATION.
DE LA TENSION H.F. PEAT ÊTRE PRÉSENTE DANS LA PRISE DE
L'ÉLÉMENT H.F. - CONSERVER L'ÉLÉMENT DANS LA PRISE LORS
DE L'EMPLOI.
HF-SPANNUNG KANN IN DER HF-ELEMENT-BUCHSE ANSTEHEN -
ELEMENT WÄHREND DES BETRIEBS EINGESTÖPSELT LASSEN.
PUEDE HABER VOLTAJE RF EN EL ENCHUFE DEL ELEMENTO RF -
MANTENGA EL ELEMENTO EN EL ENCHUFE DURANTE LA
OPERACION.
IL PORTAELEMENTO RF PUÒ PRESENTARE VOLTAGGIO RF -
TENERE L'ELEMENTO NELLA PRESA DURANTE IL
FUNZIONAMENTO.

About This Manual
viii
About This Manual
This manual covers the operating and maintenance instructions for the
following models:
Changes to this Manual
We have made every effort to ensure this manual is accurate. If you discover
any errors, or if you have suggestions for improving this manual, please send
your comments to our Solon, Ohio factory. This manual may be periodically
updated. When inquiring about updates to this manual refer to the part number
and revision on the title page.
Chapter Layout
Introduction — Describes the features of the antenna tester, lists equipment
supplied and optional equipment.
Basic Operations — Describes the base level operation instructions.
Installation — Describes the power supply and antenna connection
instructions.
Measure Match — -Describes how to use the antenna tester in it’s various
modes of operation.
Field Strength — Describes how to use the field strength detection mode.
Maintenance — Describes cleaning, calibration, and other maintenance
procedures vital to the operation of the antenna tester.
AT-500

ix
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Warning Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Caution Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Safety Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
About This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Changes to this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Chapter Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Items Supplied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Component Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Display Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Optional Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 2 Basic Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Out of Range Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting the Auto Shut-Off Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Return to Factory Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Set Serial Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 3 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
AC Mains Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Automobile Cigarette Lighter Adapter Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Connecting the Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 4 Measure Match. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Understanding the Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Swept Frequency vs. Single Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Measurement Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Auto Scale vs. Manual Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Sweep Type-Single Hold vs. Continuous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Swept Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Select Frequency Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Select Measurement Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19