Holatron RAPID-FIRE 6 RFLS-96HSRCBL Operating manual

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE GUIDE -
RAPID-FIRE 6 pairable belt-loop receiver
HOLATRON SYSTEMS, LLC
833 ILANIWAI ST, STE. 3
HONOLULU, HI 96813
808-372-0956
www.holatron.com
Test Btn
Battery
Indicator
Output
Indicators
Digital Switch
Output
Indicators
Arm
Switch
Power
Switch

2
WARNING
Holatron Systems specializes in the design and manufacture of standard and custom electronic
control systems where reliability and error free data communication are critical. The receiver
described in this manual is part of a system intended to remotely actuate pyrotechnic or other
hazardous devices, and the components of this system have been carefully designed to minimize the
possibility of accidental actuation of such devices. Holatron’s design goal is to ensure that data
communication errors due to radio interference or to insufficient signal strength due to low
battery, exceeding specified range, or conductive objects in the signal path will result in failure of
intentional actuation rather than unintended actuation. Techniques used to achieve this design goal
are described in section 2.0. Though the probability of unintended actuation is extremely small, it
cannot be guaranteed to be zero. Therefore, it is important that the user not arm the receiver
until all persons who might be harmed by accidental actuation are in a safe area.
As a condition of purchase, the user must acknowledge awareness and agreement that utilization of
this product and participation in activities utilizing fireworks, rockets, and explosives is an ultra-
hazardous activity carrying implied and explicit risks of injuries and damages to the user and to
other participants. The user assumes the risk connected with the utilization of this product and all
risks of participation in the activities for which this product is sold. User acknowledges that
he/she/it has the necessary and required skill, expertise, training and licensing, as may be
applicable or necessary by custom, usage, trade or law, to engage and participate in the ultra-
hazardous activities connected with the use, purchase, transportation, or employment of the
products sold under this agreement. User acknowledges that Holatron Systems, LLC, has not and
will not conduct any investigation into the skill, expertise, training and licensing, as may be
applicable or necessary by custom, usage, trade or law, of the user or of user’s agents, employees
and assigns, to engage and participate in the ultra-hazardous activities connected with the use,
purchase, transportation, or employment of this product. User specifically agrees that Holatron
Systems, LLC, its officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any claim, demand, cause of
action of any kind whatsoever for, or on account of death, personal injury, property damage or loss
of any kind resulting from or related to user’s or user’s employees’, agents’ or assigns’ use of this
product, and user agrees to indemnify, defend in any action at law, and hold harmless Holatron
Systems, LLC, from same, whether brought by the user, user’s agent, or assigns, or any third party.
HOLATRON SYSTEMS, LLC
833 ILANIWAI ST, STE. 3
HONOLULU, HI 96813-5282
[phone]
www.holatron.com

3
This manual is divided into four sections. The first is a description of the system hardware. The
second describes radio interference suppression methods. The third lists transmitter specifications.
The fourth covers the recommended operating and maintenance procedure.
1.0 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION.
The model RFLS-96HSRCBL “RAPID-FIRE 6” user pairable six-shot multi-mode high speed
receiver is a highly sensitive narrow band (superhetrodyne) radio receiver designed to be
used for remote control applications where high reliability and low latency are critical. This
receiver can be “paired” with the desired cue range, channel #, and proprietary system code
of any Holatron transmitter on a matching frequency via a very simple operation. The
channel # (1-12) can optionally be selected via an internal digital switch, overriding the
paired channel #.
When used with the Holatron model RFLS-1XT, RFLS-6HSXT, RFLS-6HSXTX, RFLS-12XT,
RFLS-12XTX, XMTR12B, or XMTR12C remote control transmitters, a range of ½ mile (line of
sight operation) is typical, provided there are no intervening conductive objects such as
automobiles, chainlink fences, etc. Range increases as the receiver is elevated above earth or
other conductive objects (such as aluminum bleachers). Range will be even greater when
transmitting over water.
The reception carrier frequency is fixed at 418 MHz by a crystal controlled phase-locked
loop oscillator for exceptional stability. No alignment or tuning procedures are ever
required to maintain optimum performance.
The receiver’s firing signal is digitally decoded from the transmitted digital code which is
amplitude modulated on a single carrier frequency of 418 MHz. The transmitted digital
codes from the RFLS-6HSXT & RFLS-6HSXTX indicate to the receiver which of the two
transmit buttons, “A” or “B”, is being pressed. The “A” button fires the show cues
sequentially. (Each depression of the button fires the next show cue in sequence.), and “B”
button commands fire show cues in fully automatic mode as explained in the transmitter
manual.
The digital code from the model RFLS-12XT or XMTR12 series transmitter indicates to the
receiver which of its 12 random-fire buttons is being pressed and causes that cue to be fired
immediately. The “Next Fire” button transmits a digital code that causes the next cue in
sequence to be fired. After pressing the Rst button, the next depression of this button will
fire cue 1. These transmitters can fire a maximum of 12 cues per channel on 12 channels for
a total of 144 cues.
Pressing the Rst button on the model RFLS-12XTX or XMTR12 series transmitter causes the
transmitter to switch to the channel indicated by the following press of one of the numeric
keys (1 –12). This allows manual selection of the communications channel. See the
transmitter manual for a detailed description of channel selection.
There are 12 different communication channels (1-12) and two different cue ranges (1-6
and 7-12) available. The receiver will respond only to the transmitter channel it has been
paired with, and its 6 outputs will fire only the cue range (1-6 or 7-12) it has been paired
with. Receiver pairing and channel selection override can be implemented by the receiver
digital switch setting as shown in the following table.

4
Rcvr Digital
Switch Setting
Action
0
Pair with xmtd cue range (1-6 or 7-12), channel, & system code
1
Fire paired cue range, channel 1, and paired system code.
2
Fire paired cue range, channel 2, and paired system code.
3
Fire paired cue range, channel 3, and paired system code.
4
Fire paired cue range, channel 4, and paired system code.
5
Fire paired cue range, channel 5, and paired system code.
6
Fire paired cue range, channel 6, and paired system code.
7
Fire paired cue range, channel 7, and paired system code.
8
Fire paired cue range, channel 8, and paired system code.
9
Fire paired cue range, channel 9, and paired system code.
A
Fire paired cue range, channel 10, and paired system code.
B
Fire paired cue range, channel 11, and paired system code.
C
Fire paired cue range, channel 12, and paired system code.
D
E
Pair with xmtd cue range (1-6 or 7-12), channel, & system code .
F
Fire paired cue range, paired channel, and paired system code.
Transmitters that are set to separate channels can transmit simultaneously to separate
receivers or groups of receivers without interfering with each other, permitting up to 24
separate receivers or groups of receivers (144 cues) to be controlled by up to 12 separate
transmitters simultaneously. Transmitters set to the same channel, even though they have
different system codes, will interfere with each other and possibly result in failure-to-fire if
fired simultaneously. Transmitters with different system codes will not cross-fire, however.
Multiple receivers can be used to fire more than 6 sequential cues from a single transmitter.
For example, two receivers set to cue ranges 1-6 and 7-12, respectively, can fire 12 cues
(cues 1-6 from the first receiver, and cues 7-12 from the second receiver), and 24 receivers
can be used similarly to fire 144 cues using cue range 1-6 and 7-12 on each of 12 channels.
Multiple receivers can be configured to fire simultaneously by setting their cue ranges and
channels to the same numbers. Combinations of sequential and simultaneous receivers can
also be used.
Receiver channels are selected by pairing or by switch position. Cue range and system code
are selected only by pairing. Refer to section 4.2 for a detailed description of the pairing
procedure.

5
The user has access to the following components:
1.1 THE ANTENNA.
The RF signal is received optionally by a quarter-wave solid conductor bendable
antenna or by a reduced height quarter wave antenna which screws onto the top of
the receiver PC board. Antennas with red rings are used for 433 MHz, antennas with
blue rings are used for 418 MHz, and antennas with green rings are used for 315
MHz..
1.2 THE POWER & ARM SWITCHES.
These slide switches are located on the top side of the PC board. The “POWER”
switch turns on power to the receiver and resets the semi-automatic and automatic
firing modes to start at output 1. The “ARM” switch has “Safe” and “Armed”
positions. In the “Safe” position, output firing current is limited to 200 microamps so
that no outputs can be fired, although the firing position will advance each time the
transmitter button is pressed, and the firing indicators will glow faintly. It is
recommended that the receiver always be powered up in “Safe” mode if
devices are already connected to the outputs. The operator can then verify
that the green “BAT / ACTIVITY” light does not indicate that any firing signal
reception is occurring before arming the receiver.
1.3 THE TEST BUTTON.
Pressing this button, located between the two output connectors, performs a
continuity test on all six outputs simultaneously. While the button is pressed, a
maximum test current of 1 milliamp flows through each load, and red LED indicators
light next to outputs with “open” loads (resistance > 500 ohms). LEDs next to
outputs that see continuity to COM+ (< 500 ohms) will remain dark. Remember
that red LEDs during test indicate OPEN outputs, and such outputs will not fire
when actuated. These output connections should be examined and the electric
match and/or wire should be replaced if necessary. The receiver must be turned on
to perform the continuity test, but the “ARM” switch may be in either position.
Normally, the continuity test is performed before arming the receiver.

6
1.4 THE “ACTIVITY / BAT” INDICATOR.
While the power switch is on, this green indicator, located on the top side of the
circuit board, will flash intermittently in bursts of one, two, or three flashes at a
time if the battery has enough capacity to power the receiver. If no flashing occurs,
the battery must be replaced before the receiver can be used reliably. Three flashes
per burst indicate that the battery has full capacity, two flashes indicate that its
capacity is beginning to diminish, and one flash indicates that it is near the end of its
useful lifetime in which case it should be replaced immediately after the current use.
Adequate receiver power is available as long as the battery voltage is above
approximately 6.5 volts, but the battery voltage will drop rapidly at this point. While
this additional time should be adequate to complete the current firing sequence, it is
not absolutely predictable, and so the battery(s) should be replaced at the very next
opportunity.
This green indicator will light while a signal is being received that matches the
expected preamble and sync code of the system communication protocol, even if it is
from a transmitter set to a different digital channel or system code. This feature is
useful for warning of reception of signals before the arm switch is turned on and for
indication of activity on other digital channels.
1.5 THE OUTPUT CONNECTORS.
Electric matches are connected to a pair of miniature terminal blocks as shown in
the photo on the first page. A miniature flat bladed screw driver is required to
secure the connections. The left terminal block accepts wires for outputs 1 –3, and
the right terminal block for 4 –6. One of each pair of wires from electric matches 1 –
3 are twisted together, and the twisted triplet is inserted into the hole labeled
“COM+”. The other three wires are inserted individually into holes 1 –3,
respectively. Electric matches 4 –6 are similarly connected to the right-hand
terminal block. Wire gauges should be #22 or higher to fit into the “COM+” hole.
Solid copper wire is best. If stranded wire is used, be careful that no frayed strands
(whiskers) extend out and accidentally contact any adjacent terminals, as this
condition will not be detected during continuity check. A short to the COM+
terminal will result in a failure to fire and possible damage to the firing circuitry. A
short to an adjacent terminal will result in simultaneous firing of the outputs
shorted together.
1.6 THE BATTERY(S).
Power is optionally supplied from one or two alkaline 9 volt batteries, inserted into
snap-in cases on top of the PC board. In the one-battery configuration, receiver
power and firing power are derived from the same battery. For applications that
will fire more than two electric matches per cue, the two-battery configuration
should be used. In this configuration, receiver power and firing power are derived
from separate 9 volt batteries.

7
The batteries should be replaced when required by conditions described in section
1.4 above. In order to prevent the possibility of damage due to battery leakage, the
batteries should always be removed if the receiver is to be stored for a prolonged
period. Damage due to battery leakage is not covered under the warranty.
1.7 THE DIGITAL SWITCH.
A 16 position miniature rotary switch is located just above the left-hand output
terminal block on the receiver PC board. It can be set to positions 0 –9 or A –F by
rotation with a small screwdriver. This switch is used to select receiver pairing
mode or to override the paired channel selection as shown in the table in section 1.0.
Refer to section 4.2 for a detailed description of the pairing procedure performed
with this switch.
2.0 RADIO INTERFERENCE REDUCTION.
.
For obvious safety reasons, Holatron's design goal is to ensure that data communication
errors due to radio interference or to insufficient signal strength due to low battery,
exceeding specified range, or conductive objects in the signal path will result in failure of
intentional actuation rather than unintended actuation. This goal is achieved by
transmitting a 64 bit noise-tolerant code repeatedly while a transmitter button is
depressed. 60 of these bits must match the pattern expected by the receiver. Thus, there is
one chance in (2 to the 60th power) of an actuation occurring due to reception of a random
signal. Expressed in decimal numbers, this is (1.1529 times 10 to the 18st power, or 11529
followed by 14 zeroes). This is a probability of 8.6736 times 10 to the minus 19th power (or
a decimal point followed by 18 zeroes followed by 86736). Though this probability of
unintended actuation is extremely small, it cannot be guaranteed to be zero. Therefore, it is
important that the user not arm the receiver until all persons who might be harmed
by accidental actuation are in a safe area.
Additional protection is offered by use of 315, 418, or 433 MHz as the operating frequency.
These frequencies are sparsely used only by low power transmitters with a maximum range
of approximately 100 yards. It is not commonly used by auto security systems, garage door
openers, radio control models, cordless or cellular telephones, wireless microphones, or two
way communications equipment. Because this system operates in the UHF region,
interference from lamp dimmers, electrical discharges, and other natural sources is also
minimal.
No confirmed cases of false triggering with this communications technology have been
reported to date.

8
3.0 SPECIFICATIONS.
Parameter (dual on-board batteries)
Minimum
Typical
Maximum
Carrier Frequency, MHz.
417.96
418.02
418.08
Carrier Frequency, MHz. (optional)
433.86
433.92
433.98
Range
(line-of-sight with RFLS-1XT xmtr)
½ mile
Delay from start of transmission to receiver
output (fewer than 4 transmitters transmitting
simultaneously)
50 msec
75 msec
Delay from start of transmission to receiver
output (more than 3 transmitters transmitting
simultaneously)
100 msec
400 msec
Receiver battery drain, (Rcvr switch on)
Receiver battery drain, (Rcvr switch off)
Fire battery drain, (Not testing or firing)
Fire battery drain, (Test btn pressed)
Fire battery drain, (Firing)
8 mA
9 mA
0 mA
< 1 A
75 mA
1100 mA
Battery life (not firing)
40 hrs
48 hrs
Receiver Battery Voltage
6.5 V
9 V
10.0 V
Firing Battery Voltage
8 V
9 V
10.0 V
Low Battery Detect Threshold
7.0 V
Output Fire Pulse Duration (semi-auto mode)
0.56 sec
Output Fire Voltage
9 V
Output Fire Current, (Armed)
3 amp
Output Fire Current, (Safe)
200 uamp
Output Continuity Test Current
(while test button pressed, 0 while not pressed)
0.9 mA
1.1 mA
4.0 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.
This section describes the recommended operating procedure and maintenance for the
transmitter-receiver system.
4.1 OPERATION.
4.1.1 Before connecting electric matches, perform a range test by observing the
receiver firing lights while pressing the transmitter buttons. An assistant
may be needed for this test. Determine the limits of the range in the current
environment, and position the transmitter and receiver so that their
separation does not exceed ¾ of this maximum range. Verify that the
transmitter and receiver batteries are not depleted by observing the flashing
“ACTIVITY / BAT” lights on each (red on the transmitter, green on the
receiver). Operation of these indicators is as described in section 1.4 above.
Turn the transmitter off, and turn off the receiver.

9
4.1.2 Connect devices to receiver outputs. The operator should retain possession
of the transmitter or transmitter key while performing the next two tasks.
With the “ARM” switch turned off, turn on the receiver power switch. Verify
continuity through the devices by pressing the “TEST” button. All red
indicators should remain off. Check that the green indicator is only flashing
in bursts of one, two or three to indicate battery status. If this indicator
exhibits continuous or erratic behavior, there is a signal being received
which could cause firing when the “ARM” switch is turned on. Determine the
source of the interference before attempting to use the system.
4.1.3 When the area around the devices to be actuated is clear of persons who
might be injured by an accidental actuation, and with the “ARM” switch
turned off, turn on the receiver. After verifying that the receiver’s green
ACTIVITY indicator does not show reception of signals, turn on the
receiver’s ARM switch.
4.1.4 Turn the transmitter to its “ON” or “Enabled” state, arm it if necessary, and
press the appropriate button to actuate the desired receiver output. A
button must be depressed for at least 100 milliseconds to produce a receiver
output. The transmitter should be held with the antenna in a vertical
orientation, away from the body and other conductive objects to achieve
maximum range and communication reliability. Generally, the higher the
transmitter is held, the greater the range.
4.1.5 When finished, turn off the receiver POWER and ARM switches, and return
the transmitter to its “OFF” or “Safe” state to stop further drain of its
batteries. If the receiver and transmitter are to be stored for a prolonged
period, remove their batteries as described in section 1.6 above.
You may remove the transmitter antenna to make storage easier. Be careful
not to overtighten the transmitter antenna when screwing it back on, as this
could cause its mating connector to rotate and break its internal connection.
Rotation could also occur, with the same result, when subsequent removal of
an overtightened antenna is attempted. The recommended way to install the
antenna is to grasp it by its small diameter upper part and rotate gently in a
clockwise direction until increased resistance is felt. It need not be tight to
achieve a good electrical connection. When removing the antenna for
storage, observe the base of the mating connector to ensure that it is not
rotating. If the antenna is so tight that rotation is occurring, grasp the hex
base of the mating connector with long nose pliers, and then unscrew the
antenna.

10
4.2 PAIRING.
Three parameters determine the transmitters to which the receiver will respond:
Proprietary System Code (0-255),
Digital Channel (1-12),
Cue Range (1-6 or 7-12)
With the digital switch set to position 0 or E, a single transmission will cause the
receiver to grab all three parameters and pair itself with the transmitter that sent
them. This pairing will be saved in non-volatile memory even when the receiver
power is off. When the switch is subsequently set to position F, the receiver will
continue to respond to this saved system code, channel, and cue range. Optionally,
the channel number can be selected from the switch by setting it to positions 1-C, as
shown in the table in section 1.0. The paired system code and cue range are still
used in this case.
Paired channel number is displayed as a series of green flashes at power-on, and
paired system code is displayed as a series of green flashes for each digit during the
pairing operation. Zero digits are represented by a single long flash in this display.
Leading zeroes are not displayed.
When the receiver pairs with a transmitter, it will flash the received system code
number once and then cease flashing the battery level. Be sure to return the digital
switch to position F or to 1-C after pairing with a transmitter to prevent possible
change of the saved parameters on subsequent transmissions, and turn receiver
power off for a few seconds and then back on to restore normal operation with the
newly paired parameters.
4.3 MAINTENANCE.
Since there are no calibration or tuning adjustments in the units, the only
maintanance required is periodic replacement of the 9 volt batteries. This should be
done at least once per year, or at the next opportunity if the battery indicators fail to
flash at least twice per burst while power is switched on.
The face of the transmitter, which is completely sealed, may be safely cleaned by
wiping with a damp cloth if care is taken not to get moisture into the lock switch.
The transmitter’s battery compartment door and the junction between its front and
back panels are NOT water tight, however. The transmitter must never be immersed
in water.
If further information or service is required, contact:
Holatron Systems, LLC.
833 ILANIWAI ST, Suite 3
Honolulu, HI 96813-5282
808-372-0956
www.holatron.com