ComSonics QAM Shadow User manual

QAM Shadow User’s Guide
DDF Series: Digital Dual-Frequency

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Limited Warranty
Hardware: ComSonics, Inc. (ComSonics) warrants to the original end user (Customer) that the new ComSonics
branded products will be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use, for one (1) year from the
date of original shipment. ComSonics warrants repaired and refurbished ComSonics products for ninety (90) days from
date of shipment.
Software: ComSonics warrants to the Customer that the Workstation Application software will perform in substantial
conformance to program specifications for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of original shipment. ComSonics
warrants the media containing the software against failure during the warranty period.
ComSonics makes no warranty or representation that the operation of software products will be uninterrupted or error-
free, or defects in the software products will be corrected.
Software License (brief)
ComSonics grants you, the Customer, a limited nonexclusive license to use the accompanying software program(s) (the
Software) subject to the terms and restrictions set forth in this License Agreement. You are not permitted to use the
Software in any manner not expressly authorized by this License. You acknowledge and agree that ownership of the
Software and all subsequent copies thereof regardless of the form or media are held by ComSonics or its suppliers.
Technical Support
ComSonics maintains a Technical Support Service for customer convenience. Representatives may be contacted Monday -
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time by phone at 1-800-336-9681 or 540-435-4352; or by E-Mail at Tech-
[email protected].
Product information and software updates are available for download at www.ComSonics.com.

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Introduction
The ComSonics Dual Frequency Digital (DDF) Series QAM ShadowTM is a compact, lightweight cable
signal leakage detector designed for in-home use. Working with ComSonics QAM MarkersTM installed at
the local cable system head-end or hub and the new Mini Mobile Marker (M3), the QAM ShadowTM
provides technicians with both visual and audible indications of signal leakage in both the VHF and UHF
bands allowing them to find and repair in-home leaks that would otherwise go unrepaired.
General Operation
The QAM ShadowTM has one multifunction button on the front.
Turning the Unit On and Off:
The QAM ShadowTM can be turned ON using two different methods. If the lid is closed, momentarily
pressing the front button will power the unit on. The speaker will make a brief sound to confirm power
is on. The LED at the top of the unit will begin to flash about every 15 seconds to also confirm the
power on the unit is on. The second method to turn the unit on is to simply lift the lid. The screen will
activate and a short sound will confirm the unit is turned on.
To turn the QAM ShadowTM OFF, press and hold the button for approximately 5 seconds. The speaker
will also emit a tone on power off. This will work with the lid either open or closed. Note, if the lid is
open, the device will emit a sound after two seconds during the button push. This initial sound is not
related to power down but rather to changing the detection frequency. Continue to hold the button for
5 seconds and the next sound will indicate power down. The screen will also turn off as well. Note:
Closing the lid does not turn the device off. The QAM ShadowTM can only be turned off via a 5 second
button push.
Modes of Operation
The QAM ShadowTM has two modes of operation: (1) Measure Mode and (2) Monitor Mode
The unit is in Measure Mode when the lid is open and the display is active. In this mode, the unit is
actively displaying any detected leakage and will simultaneously emit a warble tone as a secondary
indicator of leakage.
The unit is in Monitor mode when both the Lid is closed and the unit is powered on. In Monitor Mode
the indicator LED flashes green at every 15 second interval. If the user closes the lid while the unit is still
on, the device will automatically enter the Monitor Mode.
Detecting Cable Leakage
When cable leakage is detected, either in monitor or measure mode, the internal speaker emits a
warble tone to warn the technician. The QAM ShadowTM detects leakage at both 138 MHz (VHF) and
612 MHz (UHF) for standard systems using NTSC 6 MHz QAMs or at 139MHz and 614MHz for PAL based
systems using 8 MHz QAMs. The QAM Sniffer produces unique tones for each frequency detected:
lower frequency tones for 138/139 MHz leaks and a higher frequency tones for 612/614 MHz leaks. This

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allows the technician to differentiate between the detected frequencies without needing to look at the
display. If both frequencies are detected, both tones will sound in an alternating sequence. The QAM
ShadowTM will now simultaneously detect both the Marker and M3 leakage. This means there are 4
unique warble sounds that can be produced: VHF Marker, VHF M3, UHF Marker, and UHF M3. A
maximum of two warbles will sound during any mode of operation.
Monitor Mode
The Monitor Mode is active when the QAM ShadowTM is on and the lid is closed. In this mode the QAM
ShadowTM samples for leakage every 15 seconds with a corresponding green LED flash to indicate
measurements are being made. The device automatically monitors both 138/139 MHz and 612/614 MHz
when in Monitor Mode. When a Marker leak is detected at a level exceeding the Monitor Mode Squelch
setting, the speaker will emit a short warble tone that is associated with the detected frequency. If
leakage is detected at both frequencies, the warble tone will sound for both the 138/139 MHz tone and
the 612/614 MHz tone. Pressing the front button momentarily will mute the warble tone for five
minutes. Opening the display cover will cancel the mute. The Monitor mode also monitors for M3 leaks
as well and will emit a short warble similar to the leakage warnings.
Measure Mode
Opening the lid activates Measure Mode and will also illuminate the display backlight for approximately
ten seconds. Measure Mode allows technicians to take continuous leakage measurements.
Momentarily pressing the button reactivates the backlight for another 10 seconds.
When in the Measure mode the QAM ShadowTM monitors both the 138/139 MHz AND 612/614 MHz
frequencies. It automatically switches between the two frequencies approximately every two seconds.
In addition, the QAM ShadowTM simultaneously detects both the Marker and M3 leakage at each
frequency. Thus there are 4 measurements that are automatically being measured: the Marker and M3
at 138/139 MHz and the Marker and M3 at 612/614 MHz. The benefit to the technician is that it allows
them to do a single sweep of an area such as a house without having to switch frequencies. It also
provides operational simplicity as the tech can now simply open the lid and the device will automatically
scan both frequencies and both signal types… without the tech performing any additional steps.
Selecting a Fixed Frequency
When cable leakage is detected, the QAM ShadowTM will continue to automatically switch between the
VHF and UHF frequencies approximately every 2 seconds. The technician may desire to have the device
monitor a single frequency of choice in a continuous mode. This can be done by pressing and holding
the button for 2 seconds to cycle between the UHF and VHF frequencies. The 1st two second button
push will cycle the device to a continuous VHF frequency measurement only. The 2nd push of the button
will cycle the device to a continuous UHF frequency measurement only. Each subsequent two second
push will continue to cycle between the two frequencies. In order to return the device to the default
two frequency scan, the user can close and reopen the lid.

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A short series of tones rising in pitch will be heard when switching to the UHF only frequency and a short
series of tones decreasing in pitch are heard when switching to VHF only frequency. The front LED light
will also indicate which frequency the detector is set at by flashing at a different rate: just under once a
second for 612/614 MHz, and just under 2 seconds for 139/139 MHz. The small antenna above the bar
graph will also flash at a faster or slower rate depending on the frequency selected. Note that the LED
and antenna indicators only provide useful information when the device is set to a single frequency.
Marker vs M3 Detection
Approximately every one second the QAM ShadowTM scans for both Marker and M3 leakage
simultaneously, one second for each band. The design intent is to simply the operation by eliminating
the need to put the QAM ShadowTM into a special M3 mode of operation. If a signal from a Marker is
detected at one or both frequencies, the QAM ShadowTM will produce the appropriate warble for each
marker detected. However if a M3 leakage signal is detected, it always takes priority over a Marker
signal (at the same frequency); therefore the QAM ShadowTM will only provide a M3 warble. In other
words, if a Marker and a M3 leak were found at the same frequency band, the QAM ShadowTM will only
warble and display the information related to the M3 leak. In another scenario where there is a Marker
signal on one frequency band and a M3 signal on the other band, the QAM ShadowTM will then warble
and display the level for each of the two signals as it alternates back and forth between bands. If this
occurs, it is recommended that the tech switch the mode of operation to a single frequency band to
either monitor the Marker or M3. The reasoning behind the M3 priority is to allow a technician who is
using an M3 to troubleshoot or qualify a network to mask out the unwanted Marker detection. They
only are interested in finding M3 leakage.
Leakage measurements are displayed in large, easy to
read numbers. The leakage level bar indicator on the left
of the display shows the relative leakage level. If an RF
field is present but does not contain the QAM MarkerTM
or M3 signal, “NOISE” will be displayed above the
numbers. If the QAM MarkerTM or M3 signal is
detected, “LEAKAGE” is displayed. In addition, if the M3
signal is detected, the units of measure indicator (uV/m)
will start flashing. If the signal strength exceeds the
Measure mode Squelch setting, the warble tone, based
on the frequency and type of signal detected, will
sound.
A visual battery indicator is shown at the lower right corner of the display. The unit of measure is
displayed below the signal strength numbers near the bottom of the screen.
Volume Control: The volume level may be adjusted when the device is in Measure Mode. A
momentary press of the button will active the backlight. Subsequent presses of the button will then step
the volume through the range of settings. The settings are: MUTE, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 with 1 representing
Figure 1: QAM Shadow DDF Display

the lowest volume and 5 representing the highest volume level. Once the maximum volume is reached,
the setting will roll over and start with MUTE. A beep will be emitted (except on mute) each time the
button is pressed to indicate the new volume level selected.
Battery Care
An internal Lithium Ion rechargeable battery powers the QAM ShadowTM. Charge the battery for three
hours before using the unit for the first time. Only use the included AC Charger, the optional DC Charger,
or a connected Personal Computer to charge the battery. Use of other chargers may cause equipment
failure, create a safety hazard, and void the warranty.
The QAM ShadowTM has one visible multifunction LED indicator light. The light will turn red when the
unit is charging. It turns green when the battery is fully charged. If the ambient temperature is out of
range (too hot or too cold), the light flashes green/red and the battery will not receive a charge. This
feature prevents premature failure of the battery due to charging at temperature extremes.
The unit will automatically power off to protect the battery from excessive discharge after 15 minutes of
non-use or detecting a leak in Measure mode or 8 hours in Monitor mode. The QAM ShadowTM should
not be operated while charging the battery.
QAM Shadow DDF Configuration Utility
The QAM ShadowTM operates in conjunction with QAM MarkersTM installed at the local head-end/hub
and the M3 device. The QAM Markers and M3 generate a very specific signal for detection by the QAM
ShadowTM, therefore the QAM ShadowTM must be configured to recognize the specific QAM MarkerTM
and M3 output. This is accomplished by using the “QAM Leakage Detector Configuration Utility”. Note
that this file is used to configure the QAM ShadowTM, the QAM SnifferTM, and the QAM Compass. Earlier
versions of the QAM Sniffer TM configuration utility are not compatible with the QAM ShadowTM.
Download and Install
The utility is available for download at www.ComSonics.com. New users must create a user ID and
password to gain access to the site. On the Downloads tab under the “Software and Drivers” section,
select the QAM Sniffer link. Locate and download the QAM Leakage Detector Configuration Utility
Installation file to your PC. When the download is complete, right click on the file icon and select
“Extract to Here” to extract the required installation files. After the file extraction is completed, double-
click on the Setup.exe icon to begin. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process.
When the installation is complete double-click the QAM Sniffer DFTM Configuration Utility icon.
Copyright
All material in this manual is the property of ComSonics, Inc. and protected under the United States copyright law. No
material shall be reproduced or used in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems) without the written permission of:
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ComSonics, Inc.
1350 Port Republic Road
Post Office Box 1106
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801 USA
Phone: [phone] USA Toll Free: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.comsonics.com
Sniffer is a registered trademark of ComSonics, Inc.
QAM Shadow and QAM Marker are trademarks of ComSonics, Inc.
Patent information www.comsonics.com/pat
© 2012 ComSonics, Inc. All Rights Reserved
EMC Standards:
EN 61000-6-1:2007
EN 61000-6-3:2007
Return Information
Safely package products returned for repair, calibration, etc. Please enclose contact information as well
as a brief description of the reason for return. Ship product prepaid to:
ComSonics, Inc.
1350 Port Republic Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801 USA