MSV MSAT-G2 Installation guide

Mobile Satellite Ventures V2.0 01/08/07
MSAT-G2 Mobile Satellite Radio – FAQ
A. Installation
Ignition Sense Wiring
•The ignition sense line (orange wire) can be used to switch the radio on and off. It is
typically connected to the ignition switch on a vehicle. If a switched source is not used
then it must be connected to +12 VDC.
•If the radio is turned on without +12 VDC applied to the ignition sense line the radio will
automatically power down after approximately 30 seconds.
•If the radio is turned off using the handset power key then the ignition sense line will be
ignored. The radio must then be turned on using the power key.
Current Consumption
•The maximum current draw for the radio is 3 Amps. This can occur when the unit is
transmitting, the antenna is rotating (vehicle moving), transceiver heaters are on, etc.
•The radio requires input voltage between 11.5 and 15.6 VDC. If the voltage drops below
that range the radio my automatically power off. If this happens ensure that the power
source is providing adequate voltage during the extra current draw that occurs when the
radio is transmitting.
•The following are typical current values when the antenna is not rotating (radio is
stationary) and the transceiver heaters are off:
oRadio Idle or Receiving Call: 0.9 Amps
oRadio Transmitting: 2.2 Amps
Handset Cable Extension
•The handset cable can be extended with standard CAT-5E cable and RJ-45 couplers up
to 25 feet. Longer cables may be used but the specific installation should be tested to
ensure that audio quality is not affected. If a long cable extension is required or if the
extension is in an electrically noisy environment then the Link Communications Handset
Extension Adapter should be used.
Lightning Arrestor/Protector
Applicable electrical code(s) may require that lightning arrestors/protectors capable of
supporting L-band transmissions be installed on all cabling between the fixed-site
antenna and the structure in which the equipment is housed. It is the professional
installer’s responsibility to determine all such requirements with the customer. The
equipment installation must comply with all applicable standards.

Mobile Satellite Ventures V2.0 01/08/07
The following are the general requirements for a lightning protector:
-50 ohmn impedance
-Frequency: Low insersion loss for the L-Band and ASK Modem frequencies L-
band freqency: 1552-1559 and 1626-1660 MHz
-ASK Modem frequency: 4.096 Mhz
-Allow +12VDC voltage to pass (up to 2 amps)
B. Operation
Radio Startup
•With clear line of sight, satellite acquisition typically takes 30 seconds following power up.
Volume Control
•The UP ARROW KEY and DOWN ARROW KEY can be used to adjust the received
volume level while in a call or in a vacant state (talk group still active but between
speakers). The radio will adjust the volume for the current selected receive destination
(handset speaker, external speaker, or external headset). When the radio is in an idle
state the user can access the ADMIN –> VOLUME menu to adjust the volume.
Crossband Operation
•The crossband mode of operation is used when the radio is connected to external
interface equipment through the radio’s DB-9 multi-purpose serial port. The crossband
mode is selected through the ADMIN –> SERIAL PORT menu.
•It is important that equipment be connected to the DB-9 serial port when crossband mode
is enabled. Otherwise the radio may spontaneously key up (PTT) if there is no
equipment connected. If the external equipment is to be removed the radio should be
powered off or crossband mode should be turned off.
Beam and Signal Strength Indicators
•The radio provides beam and received signal strength indicators via the user interface.
The current satellite beam and received signal strength appear on the bottom portion of
the handset display screen. In addition corresponding received signal strength bars
appear on the right side of the handset display screen.
•Received Signal Strength Value Scale:
DR
01:
B01 S99
MENU LOCK GROUP

Mobile Satellite Ventures V2.0 01/08/07
Signal Value Number of Bars Service Level
0-35 0 Poor (too weak for a call)
36-45 1 Poor
46-55 2 Marginal
56-65 3 Marginal
66-75 4 Acceptable
76-99 5 Excellent
C. GPS
Performance
•The GPS receiver typically acquires a location fix (latitude and longitude) within one
minute.
•The accuracy of the GPS location depends on many conditions such as number and
location of GPS satellites in view. Under ideal conditions the GPS receiver specification
is 2.5m CEP (Circular Error of Probable). This means that 50% of the positions will be
accurate to a circle radius of 2.5m.
GPS Position Not Available
•“GPS Position Not Available” will be displayed on the handset when an accurate GPS
position can’t be determined. It is possible to have good line-of-site to the MSAT
satellites, but poor view of enough GPS satellites.
Examples: vehicle is parked along side a building or the radio is pointed through a
window.
•If the radio never receives a GPS position then it is possible that the GPS receiver in the
antenna did not initialize properly during power up. Power cycling the radio should
correct this. If this occurs frequently then the power wiring should be checked (powering
the radio through a cigarette lighter may occasionally cause this condition).
GPS Info from Serial Port
•Standard NMEA-0183 formatted GPS data can be obtained from the multi-purpose DB-9
serial port. GPS mode can be enabled from the ADMIN –> SERIAL PORT menu.
•The NMEA-0183 data rate is fixed at 4800 bps and the DB-9 serial port can be connected
to a PC running a mapping application with a serial cable.
•Several types of NMEA-0183 sentences are provided:
RMC latitude, longitude, time, speed, direction, etc
GLL latitude, longitude, time
VTG direction, speed
ZDA Date and time

Mobile Satellite Ventures V2.0 01/08/07
GSV satellites in view and their location
GGA latitude, longitude, time, altitude, DOP (accuracy), number of satellites
GSA GPS DOP (accuracy)
D. External Interfaces
Transceiver External Speaker Port - Audio Isolation Transformer
•The external speaker output of the transceiver is a balanced audio output. An external
speaker (non-powered type) may be directly connected to this port. If an unbalanced
device is directly connected to this port such as an amplified (12V powered) speaker then
unwanted noise may be heard. If this occurs, a (1:1) audio isolation transformer can be
used to eliminate noise.
RJ-45 Handset Port Audio Interface
•Audio is available from the RJ-45 Handset Port and can be used to interface with external
customer equipment (PA System, intercomm system, dispatch console, etc).
Transmit Audio (Microphone):
-Impedance: 10 k Ω.
-Level to give max PCM code: 2.83V p-p AC coupled
-Pin 1 Audio TX +
-Pin 2 Audio TX –
Receive Audio (Speaker):
-Impedance 8 Ω
-Maximum output power 160 mW (8Ω)
-Volume adjustable by 14 dB in 6 steps through the “ADMIN – VOLUME” Menu
-Pin 7 Audio RX +
-Pin 8 Audio RX -
The complete pin-outs for the Handset Port can be found in the MSAT-G2 Installation
Guide.