Kathrein MFK 16 User manual

Operating Manual
DVB-T Meter
MFK 16

Preface
Dear customer,
KATHREIN-Werke KG has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness
of this manual. However, no liability can be accepted for potential errors in this manual
or for any resultant loss.
This manual may be neither copied nor duplicated in a different form without the written
consent of KATHREIN-Werke KG.
This manual is subject to modifications and amendments without prior notice. This
applies in particular to modifications in line with technical progress.
All product names and trademarks cited in this manual are the property of the respective
firms.
All rights reserved.
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Contents
Preface 2
Contents 3
General information 4
Product package 5
Safety instructions – important notes 6
Charging the battery 8
Charging using the AC battery charger leads 8
Charging in a vehicle (DC vehicle battery charger leads) 8
Getting started 9
Switching on the meter 9
Selecting a region 9
Selecting the channels 10
Selecting different measuring methods 10
Aligning an antenna / BER mode 11
RF level mode 11
Switching off the meter 12
Selecting setup mode 12
Changing the settings 13
Quitting setup mode 13
Technical data 14
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The MFK 16 DVB-T signal meter meets the highest quality standards based on its
design and highly reliable workmanship. DVB-T signals can easily be measured, as
the spectrum is not relevant and there is no need to see a picture on the screen. Also,
the signal levels of adjacent analogue channels can be represented with the MFK 16.
Additionally, it provides a standard list of all VHF/UHF channels.
This manual tells you how to select the broadcasters covering the individual regions and
all the stations they provide.
The manual features the latest available information. You can find the very latest
information and updates on the Internet at
“www.kathrein.de”.
We will in future be making additional region lists available by way of software
updates.
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General information

Product package
MFK 16 signal meter with integral battery, protective bag and carrying strap
The MFK 16 product package includes:
- MFK 16 signal meter,
- operating manual,
- leather protective bag,
- one BNC/IEC adapter,
- one BNC/F adapter,
- two 10 dB attenuators,
- IEC/IEC measuring cable,
- vehicle battery charger lead,
- mains power cable and
- a computer interface cable for programming.
The mains power cable should be the right one for your region. If it is not, the correct one
can be obtained from Kathrein or from a local dealer/importer.
Please keep the original packaging for possible returns.
WARNING: The carrying strap may cause strangulation. Use it only in circumstances
where they is no possibility of slipping or tripping.
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6
Safety instructions – important notes
This page contains important information on operating and connecting up the unit.
Read these instructions carefully before setting up the unit.
Mains power cable
Make sure that the mains power cable (power supply cable) is not damaged. Units with damaged power
cables must be disconnected from the mains power (by pulling the mains plug) and be replaced by a qualified
electrician prior to restarting. Use only the power cable supplied!
Risk of death due to electric shock!
Cleaning
Pull the mains plug before cleaning the unit. Only use a dry cloth for cleaning and only clean the outer surface.
Never open the unit.
Touching the parts inside the unit carries a risk of death due to electric shock!
Playing children
Ensure that children do not touch any parts inside the unit.
Risk of death due to electric shock!
Mains voltage
Only operate the unit at the specified mains voltage (indicated on the underside of the unit)!
If the mains voltage is too high, there is a risk of fire!
Repairs
Ensure that any repairsto your unit are only carried out by qualified personnel. If you open the unit and attempt
to repair it yourself any warranty claims will be voided!
Improper intervention into the unit may place at risk its electrical safety.
The manufacturer shall accept no liability for accidents suffered by the user after opening the unit!
Connections
Incorrect wiring of the connections can lead to malfunctions or defects in the unit!
Long periods of absence / storms
Always disconnect the unit from the mains power by pulling the plug if you are going to be away for a lengthy
period of time or in a storm.
Damp, sunlight, heat
The unit should be protected from damp, dripping water and splashing. Do not place the unit close to the
heating or expose it to direct sunlight and do not operate it in damp locations.
DANGER!
WARNING!
ATTENTION!

• When operated from the mains there is danger to life if the unit is not handled correctly
• Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing water
• Do not operate the unit in extreme climatic conditions at high humidity levels
• Do not place any containers filled with liquid on the unit
• Keep open flames away from the unit. Do not place lit candles or such like on the unit
Regulation use
The operator must ensure that
• the meter is used only in accordance with its designated purpose
• the meter is operated only if in perfect workingorder
Mechanical durability
The MFK 16 is designed for mobile use and for the mechanical stresses and strains occurring in such
use. The MFK 16 must not be exposed to severe mechanical stress, such as bumping, knocking or
dropping, as this may damage it.
The environment
This meter includes a NiMH battery. The battery must not be disposed of in normal domestic waste.
Take it to a designated collection point for used batteries.
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Safety instructions – important notes
Electronic equipment is not household waste. In accordance with directive 2002/96/EC OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL of 27th January 2003 on used electrical and electronic
equipment, it must be disposed of properly.
At the end of its service life, take this unit for disposal at a designated public collection point.

Charging the battery
When shipped, the battery is not charged. We recommend you leave the battery on
charge for 24 hours before using it for the first time, so that it is fully charged and the
state of charge of the cells is equalised. This recommendation also applies if the unit has
not been used for a lengthy period of time.
The battery must occasionally be recharged, even if the meter has not been in use. After
the battery has been disconnected from the mains power and then reconnected, the
battery charge indicator shows 0 %. The correct state of charge is only indicated once
it has been charged again.
It makes no difference whether you charge the unit from the mains or in a vehicle.
PLEASE NOTE that it is not possible to use the MFK 16 while it is charging.
Open the flap on the rear of the MFK 16 to expose the mains power socket. Insert the
mains power cable into the socket and plug the other end into a wall socket. The battery
is fully charged when the display of the MFK 16 shows “Trickle Charge”.
The 12 Volt power socket (12 V DC) is on the right-hand side of the unit. Insert the DC
vehicle battery charger lead into the socket and plug the other end into the vehicle‘s
cigarette lighter. Note that in some vehicles the cigarette lighter only carries power when
the ignition is switched on.
Only the supplied vehicle battery charger lead may be used to charge the unit in the
vehicle. Using any other cable may damage the meter and void any warranty claim.
The MFK 16 can be left connected to any of the charging sources mentioned for a lengthy
period of time in “Trickle Charge” mode without damaging the internal components or
the battery.
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Charging from the built-in power supply unit
Charging in a vehicle (DC vehicle battery charger leads)

Getting started
Connect the MFK 16 input on the front of the unit by a BNC cable to the antenna.
Alternatively, you can use the BNC/IEC, the BNC/F adapter and the standard antenna
cable (IEC).
Switching on the meter
Press and
hold for 5
seconds
The display first shows the version number and the battery state of charge. The meter
automatically switches to the next display readout.
Region Channel no.
Signal level (RF level) as bar indicator in range 25 to 75 dBμV with over/under range
indicator.
Battery charge
The second display readout indicates:
- the last region selected,
- the channel number,
- the received HF level in dBμV as a bar indicator,
- the battery state of charge.
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Selecting a region
The factory pre-programmed regions enable users to scroll through the channels
in their respective region. This means both analogue (in RF level mode) and digital
transmissions (in BER mode) can be detected. Each region has more than one
transmission channel. Each channel is designated as a MUX (multiplexer). Each MUX
transmits multiple stations.

Selecting different measuring methods
The meter is able to measure the RF signal level (analogue and digital channels),
“BER” (Bit Error Rate) as a bar indicator for “Pre BER” and as a numeric value for “Post
VITERBI BER”. The “BER” can only be measured on digital channels.
Press the “ON” button to toggle between “RF” and “BER” mode.
Getting started
To find the regions you want, scroll through the stored list. To switch regions, press and
hold down the right or left arrow button for about 5 seconds.
The meter is factory pre-programmed with the following German regions:
Berlin VHF
Berlin UHF
Bremen/Unterweser
Düsseldorf
Frankfurt VHF
Frankfurt UHF
Hamburg/Lübeck VHF
Hamburg/Lübeck UHF
Hanover/Braunschweig VHF
Hanover/Braunschweig UHF
Kiel VHF
Kiel UHF
Cologne/Bonn
Munich VHF
Munich UHF
Nuremberg VHF
Nuremberg UHF
All VHF channels 5-12
All UHF channels 21-69
Additional region lists can be obtained as required from the Kathrein website
“www.kathrein.de”.
Selecting the individual channels
Press and hold down the right or left arrow button for less than 5 seconds to select the
various channels.
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Getting started
Aligning an antenna / BER mode
If neither a bar nor DVB-T appears on the display, the signal is too low or the transmission
is analogue.
Note:
Carrier-to-noise
(C/N) ratio in dB
Real-time Pre BER bar
indicator
Select a channel and BER mode. For the best result, check each channel in the selected
region and set it to the best reception quality, e.g. a peak value on the bar indicator
(PRE BER).
4 Quality stars
* < 2E-4
** < 2E-5
*** < 2E-6
**** < 2E-7
Active 5V antenna switched on
After about 10 seconds the display shows the “Post VITERBI BER” as a numeric value
and the quality stars depending on the reception quality.
A BER of 2E-6 or less together with 3 stars (***) is required for satisfactory
reception.
Check ALL channels for optimum reception quality, e.g. signal peaks for the weakest
channel.
HF level mode
In RF level mode, the meter displays the signal level in dBμV. For levels below 25 dBμV
the under-range icon appears on the display.
If the meter has captured a digital carrier signal, “DVB-T” is displayed. To make this
clear, the acoustic signal changes pitch. If the 75 dBμV level is exceeded, an over-range
icon is displayed. In this case the supplied attenuator must be inserted into the antenna
lead (adding the 10 dB to the level then measured).
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12
Getting started
Switching off the meter
To switch off the MFK 16, press and hold down the “OFF” button for about 5 seconds.
The display shows “Power off”, then goes blank.
Selecting setup mode
The arrow indicates the selected function.
Quit
Ant off
Backlight on
Click off
To select setup mode, with the unit switched off press and hold down the “OFF” button
for about 5 seconds.

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The cursor indicates the selected function. Press the left or right arrow button to make
changes. The display shows the status of the function.
The following functions are available in setup mode:
1. Power supply antenna ON/OFF, e.g. 5 V DC for active antenna
2. Backlighting ON/OFF
3. Acoustic signal on button press ON/OFF
4. “Rest time” (timer for automatic power-off) 0 to 20 minutes, or “Always on”
5. “Defaults”. Resets the meter (except for language setup)
6. Languages: German, English, French, Italian and Spanish
Press the left or right arrow button to change a function.
Quitting setup mode
Quit
Ant off
Backlight on
Click off
Keep pressing the Up button (OFF) until the cursor is positioned on “Quit” and then
press the right arrow button.
Getting started
Changing the settings
Timer for automatic power-off selected.
Click on
Rest 6Min
Defaults
German
Press the Up or Down button (ON/OFF) to select the required function.

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Technical data
• Display of signal levels of terrestrial signals
• Display of carrier-to-noise (C/N) ratio
• BER measurement pre and post Viterbi
• Memory for 32 different frequency lists
• 10 frequency lists (City lists) for the individual regions and two master lists
(VHF 5-12; UHF 21-69) pre-programmed
• Problem-free adaptation and modification of frequency lists by software update
via RS 232 serial interface
• Demodulation: COFDM, 2k and 8k mode
• Channel bandwidth: 7 and 8 MHz measurable
• RF input range: VHF (Band 3) 167-230 MHz and UHF 470-862 MHz
• RF input level range: 35 to 75 dBµV *)
• RF input socket: BNC 75 Ohm
• Remote feed (5 V, 150 mA) to active antennas possible via RF input
• Power supply via built-in NiMH battery 2.4 A/7.2 V
• Battery capacity for more than 6 hours continuous duty
• Internal power pack for 100 to 240 VAC
• External 12 V DC supply
• Dimensions, L x H x W (mm): 168 x 58 x 123
• Weight: 0.810 kg
*) For higher levels the supplied attenuators must be used.

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Internet: http://www.kathrein.de
KATHREIN-Werke KG • Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
Anton-Kathrein-Straße 1 – 3 • P.O. Box 10 04 44 • 83004 Rosenheim GERMANY
936.2766/A/0605/ZWT - Subject to technical changes!