Nautel VX150 User manual

1: INSTALLATION MANUAL
VX150 TO VX2
FM BROADCAST TRANSMITTER
Document ID: NHB-VX150-VX2-INS
Version: 0.3
Issue Date: 2021-01-14
Status: Preliminary
Making Digital Radio Work

VERSION 0.3 2021-01-14 PAGE III
VX150 TO VX2 INSTALLATION MANUAL
Contact Information
Nautel Limited
10089 Peggy’s Cove Road
Hackett’s Cove, NS Canada B3Z 3J4
Toll Free: +1.877.6NAUTEL (662.8835)
(Canada & USA only) or
Phone: [phone] or
Fax: [phone]
Nautel Inc.
201 Target Industrial Circle
Bangor, Maine USA 04401
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service (24-hour support)
+1.877.628.8353 (Canada & USA only)
+1.902.823.5100 (International)
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nautel.com
The comparisons and other information provided in this document have
been prepared in good faith based on publicly available information.
For verification of materials, the reader is encouraged to consult the
respective manufacturer's most recent publication on the official
website or through contact with Customer Service.
© Copyright 2020 NAUTEL. All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS
Contact Information 1.iii
RELEASE CONTROL RECORD 1.vii
About This Manual 1.xi
Technical Support 1.xi
VX Series Transmitter Manuals 1.xi
Nautel Website / Online Resources 1.xii
About Safety 1.xv
Electrical Hazards 1.xv
Lightning Hazards 1.xvi
RF Hazards 1.xvi
Toxic Hazards 1.xvi
Other Hazards 1.xvi
Safety Precautions 1.xvii
Personal Safety 1.xvii
Site Safety 1.xviii
Equipment Safety 1.xx
Description 1.1.1
Capabilities 1.1.1
Transmitter Configuration 1.1.2
Options 1.1.3
Pre-installation tasks 1.2.1
Preparing for Installation 1.2.1
Selecting a Location for the Transmitter 1.2.2

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Physical Requirements 1.3.1
Dimensions 1.3.1
Clearances 1.3.2
Weight 1.3.2
Cooling requirements 1.4.1
Air Flow in the Transmitter 1.4.1
Cooling 1.4.2
Heating 1.4.2
Electrical Requirements 1.5.1
Electrical Power 1.5.1
Station Reference Ground 1.5.3
RF Output Requirements 1.6.1
Antenna Feed Cable 1.6.1
Antenna System 1.6.1
Program Inputs 1.7.1
Analog Inputs 1.7.1
Digital Inputs 1.7.2
Other Features 1.7.2
Control and Monitor Wiring 1.8.1
Front Panel UI Control 1.8.1
Remote Inputs 1.8.2
Remote Outputs 1.8.4
Analog Outputs 1.8.6
Web Based AUI Control 1.8.7
SNMP Control/Monitoring 1.8.8
Email Server 1.8.9

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External Interlock 1.8.9
Unboxing and Installing the Transmitter 1.9.1
Unboxing the Transmitter 1.9.1
Mounting the Transmitter 1.9.2
Completing External Connections 1.10.1
Connecting Ac Power 1.10.2
Connecting Station Reference Ground 1.10.3
Installing and Connecting the RF Feed Cable 1.10.4
Connecting Program Inputs 1.10.6
Connecting Remote Control/Monitor Wiring 1.10.7
Commissioning 1.11.1
Pre-Commissioning Tasks 1.11.2
Commissioning 1.11.3
Going On-Air 1.11.4
Network Setup 1.11.5
Parts and Tools 1.12.1
Contacting Nautel 1.12.1
Parts Supplied by Nautel 1.12.2
Parts Not Supplied by Nautel 1.12.2
Parts Ordering 1.12.2
Module Exchange Program 1.12.3
Tools for Installation 1.12.3

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Pre-Installation / Installation Assistance 1.13.1
Pre-Installation Consulting 1.13.1
Installation and Commissioning Service 1.13.1
Online Documentation 1.13.2
On-Site Support 1.13.3
Training 1.13.3
Standard Warranty 1.13.4
Extended Warranties 1.13.7
List of terms 1.14.1

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RELEASE CONTROL RECORD
ISSUE DATE REASON
0.1 2020-09-01 Preliminary release for VX150 to VX2 models. Supports
hardware versions:
VX150, VX300, VX600 (NARF81)
VX1 (NARF79)
VX1.5. VX2 (NARF80)
Supports software version VX SW 1.0 and later.
0.2 2020-12-01 Implemented Engineering review comments, various sections
0.3 2021-01-14 Added Table 1.1.1 for Transmitter Configuration

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About This Manual
Technical Support
Nautel offers technical support to customers over the Internet and by telephone. Nautel’s customer
support team will answer your questions and work with you to identify and resolve problems.
For 24-hour technical support, call toll free at 1.877.628.8353 (in USA and Canada only) or call
1.902.823.5100 (international) or find us on the Internet at http://www.nautel.com.
For parts and tools information, see “Parts and Tools” on page 2.10.1 of the VX Pre-Installation/
Installation manual.
For extended warranty information, see “Pre-installation assistance” on page 1.10.1 of the
VX Pre-Installation/Installation manual.
VX Series Transmitter Manuals
The VX series documentation suite includes the following documents:
Nautel Site Protection Manual
Provides detailed information about protecting your site from lightning-related hazards.
Volume 1, VX Installation (INS) Manual
Provides instructions and reference information needed when planning and preparing for the
installation of the VX series transmitter.
Volume 2, VX Operating and Maintenance (OPS) Manual
Provides instructions for operating and maintaining the VX series transmitter.
Volume 3, VX Troubleshooting (TRB) Manual
Provides instructions for troubleshooting the VX series transmitter and replacing its sub-assemblies. It
also contains detailed technical information, including parts lists, electrical schematics and mechanical
drawings.

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Nautel Website / Online Resources
The Nautel website provides useful resources to keep you up to date on your VX series transmitter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ), How To Videos, latest software versions are just a few of the many
resources available.
Nautel User Group (NUG)
The Nautel Support website allows access to product manuals and the RF Toolkit when you create a free
NUG account (see Figure below).
Figure 1: Accessing the NUG
NUG LOGIN PAGE
support.nautel.com TOP BANNER OF NAUTEL SUPPORT HOME PAGE

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Online Documentation
The Technical Documentation section Of the Nautel Support website provides online access to all the
documentation for your VX series transmitter. Documentation is provided in Acrobat (PDF) format. You
can use the documentation online or print the sections that you need.
When using online documents:
Click on blue text (hyperlinks) to jump to a related section, or to get additional information (e.g.,
view a term’s definition).
To search a document to find keywords, use Find in Acrobat Reader’s Edit menu.
To quickly find a specific section, click the section in the PDF file’s Bookmarks list.

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About Safety
All Nautel transmitters are designed to meet the requirements of EN60215, Safety Requirements for
Radio Transmitters. The philosophy of EN60215 is that the removal of any cover or panel that can only
be opened using a tool is a maintenance activity, and that any person performing a maintenance
activity is expected to be trained for that activity. Under EN60215, it is assumed that trained personnel
will be knowledgeable and will take precautions such as removing all power to the transmitter before
accessing its components.
Electrical Hazards
To remove power from the transmitter, switch off and lock out the ac power. There are three amber
LEDs at the bottom rear of the cabinet that glow to remind anyone who has not turned off the power
that the system is live and serious danger is present.
DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE
Indicates dangerous voltage (in excess of 72 volts), capable of causing a fatal electrical
shock, are present on or near parts bearing this label.
Mount the transmitter ac power disconnect switch/breaker close to the transmitter so that it can be
reached quickly in an emergency. Clearly label the switch/breaker (e.g., EMERGENCY SWITCH).
After turning off the power, always perform a measurement to confirm that the power is off before
touching anything within the transmitter. If the wrong breaker was opened, the equipment will be live.
Use only a non-contact voltage probe or a safety voltmeter (available from vendors such as Fluke, Ideal,
and Teagam).
Use a proper lockout procedure to ensure that another worker cannot accidentally reapply power while
you are performing maintenance on any part of the transmitter or site.
WARNING: It is not enough to switch off RF power. The power line is still
connected. Disconnect and lock out the upstream supply before servicing.
WARNING: Do not use an ordinary multimeter to check for voltage, since it may
have been left inadvertently on the AMP (A) range, triggering a short and an arc
blast that could result in severe burns and even death.

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Lightning Hazards
Before opening the transmitter and touching internal parts, remove and solidly ground the antenna
connection.
RF Hazards
A serious RF hazard and very high voltages exist in the vicinity of the antenna and its networks during
normal operations.
Toxic Hazards
There may be devices used in this equipment that contain beryllium oxide ceramic, which is non-
hazardous during normal device operation and under normal device failure conditions. These devices
are specifically identified with “(BeO)” in the Description column of the Troubleshooting Manual’s parts
list(s).
Do not cut, crush or grind devices because the resulting dust may be hazardous if inhaled.
Unserviceable devices should be disposed of as harmful waste.
Other Hazards
Ensure that appropriate fire alarms and fire extinguishers are available. Extinguishers must be suitable
for use on electrical fires.
Many other site safety risks exist. It is beyond the scope of this manual to identify all the risks and
procedures.
WARNING: It is not enough to ground the antenna terminal with the
antenna still connected. Even a small impedance in the ground strap will
result in lethal voltages during a lightning strike.

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Safety Precautions
This section provides very important information about protecting the safety of personnel and
equipment:
Personal Safety - see page xvii
Site Safety - see page xviii
Equipment Safety - see page xx
Personal Safety
Training
The training of any personnel who will have physical access to the site or the transmitter is very
important. Personnel must be familiar with the transmitter, so that they can avoid physical danger, and
be aware of hazards to themselves and the equipment.
Nautel offers a number of training courses covering the basic fundamentals of RF systems and
transmitters, and the operation and maintenance of the transmitter. For more information about
available courses and schedules, go to the Nautel website at http://support.nautel.com/training/, or ask
your Nautel sales representative.
Site Orientation
When you give personnel access to the transmitter site (e.g., hiring new personnel, or giving access keys
to personnel), perform a site orientation to ensure that they are familiar with the site, on-site
procedures, and on-site hazards. Cover the following topics:
Securing the site (locking doors and fences) to prevent unauthorized access
How and when to call for technical support or emergency assistance
Areas of the site and pieces of equipment that are off limits

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Voltage Awareness
Ensure that all personnel that are able to access areas with high voltage circuits or high field strengths
are aware of the hazards associated with high voltage. Cover the following topics:
High voltage or high field strength areas where caution is required
Physical risks of electric shock
Risks for personnel with pacemakers or other medical implants
Induced voltages in high field strength areas
On-site risks during thunderstorms and lightning strikes
Operation of safety interlocks (if installed)
First Aid
Nautel does not offer first aid training, since the hazards associated with high voltage and RF energy
are not specific to the transmitter. However, the customer should provide first aid training to all
personnel who have access to the transmitter site. First aid training should include CPR, care of burns,
artificial respiration, and defibrillation if specific equipment is available on-site.
Site Safety
Controlling Access
Transmitters and antennas generate and carry dangerous voltages that can be harmful or fatal. It is very
important that you control access to the site and its equipment. To secure your transmitter site, use:
Locking steel or security doors to prevent casual access
A perimeter fence to keep trespassers away from the antenna system and feedline
“No Trespassing” signs
An alarm system
Marking Hazards
Place warning signs close to any hazardous areas or systems (e.g., the feedline or the antenna system).
Make the signs large enough that they cannot be missed. Provide signage in all languages used in the
region. These signs are intended not only for authorized personnel, but also for emergency responders
or accidental trespassers.

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Qualifying Site Personnel
Make sure that personnel who have access to the site are qualified to work around electronics and high
voltage systems.
Ac Power Protection
You should take steps to protect equipment from surges (over-voltage spikes) on the ac power lines.
Surges may occur during thunderstorms, or because of malfunctions in the electrical distribution grid.
Surge suppressors and ac power conditioners can prevent serious damage to your on-site equipment,
including the transmitter.
RF Protection
Transmitters and their antenna systems create intense radio frequency fields at the transmitter site,
particularly near the feedline, antenna and tower. At some sites, these fields may cause biological
effects, including the heating of body tissues. Intense fields can also create dangerous high voltages on
ungrounded, conductive surfaces and objects. At certain points where high voltage conductors come
close to grounded conductors (e.g., at feedline junctions or on the tower), dangerous electrical arcing or
overs can occur. It is very important that you take the following steps to prevent damage to equipment
or personnel due to RF fields:
Use safety interlocks to de-energize transmitters if personnel open doors or panels accessing high
field areas
Place warning signs in any locations where high fields can occur
Train personnel about the short-term and long-term hazards of RF radiation
Use personal RF monitors to alert personnel when hazardous RF radiation levels are present
Physically block access to the area around the antenna system, feedline and tower
Ground all exposed conductive surfaces or objects in high field areas
The RF connection to the transmitter output can be a serious safety hazard. Connect a 50 test load
during installation and commissioning. It is recommended that a switch be used to automatically
connect the transmitter to the antenna system without human contact with the transmitting
conductors.
Safety Interlocks
The transmitter contains an electrical interlock, which is an external circuit that turns off the RF output
if any of its switches are opened.

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Ac Disconnect Switch
Safe operation of the transmitter requires an ac disconnect switch. Lock the ac disconnect switch in the
disconnected (open) position during the installation process.
Equipment Safety
Electrostatic Protection
The transmitter’s systems are very rugged and resistant to damage. However, it is possible for damage
to occur because of high voltage electrostatic discharges during servicing. Train all service personnel to
ground themselves to bleed off any static charge before opening the transmitter or touching any
exposed components. Provide a grounding wand or known ground (e.g., a grounded metal table) that
personnel can use to discharge themselves.
Surge Protection
Surge protection is recommended for your entire site. However, even if you do not use a surge protector
on the service entrance to the site, you should install a surge protector in the transmitter’s ac power
feed to prevent over-voltage from entering the transmitter.
Lightning Protection
The transmitter is designed to resist lightning strike damage. However, intense or repeated strikes could
damage the transmitter. We recommend that you install lightning suppression on the antenna, tower
and feedline to reduce the effect of lightning strikes on the transmitter itself (and to protect the rest of
your site equipment and your personnel). For detailed information about lightning protection, see the
Nautel Site Preparation Manual, available from your Nautel sales agent, or online from the Nautel
website.
Physical Protection
Consider physical hazards to equipment at your site, including the transmitter. Ensure that equipment is
protected from weather (e.g., rain or flooding), even during extreme weather events. Place equipment
so that it is not in the path of swinging doors or high-traffic areas. Do not allow wheeled items like
office chairs or tables with wheels in the transmitter room, as these may damage equipment if
accidentally pushed or knocked over. Do not place the transmitter under water pipes, drains, or
sprinklers. Keep any equipment that generates heat, like the transmitter, away from flammable
materials like ceiling panels, cubicle dividers, and curtains.