Nautel VX150 User manual

3: TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL
VX150 TO VX2
FM BROADCASTTRANSMITTER
Document ID: NHB-VX150-VX2-TRB
Version: 0.1
Issue Date: 2020-12-01
Status: Preliminary

VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01 PAGE III
VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING 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.

VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS
VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01 PAGE 3.V
CONTENTS
Contact Information 3.iii
Responding to alarms 3.1.1
Corrective Maintenance 3.1.1
Electrostatic Protection 3.1.3
Identifying and Troubleshooting an Alarm 3.1.4
Replacement Procedures 3.1.17
Pre-Amplifier/IPA PWB Replacement 3.1.18
Power Amplifier PWB Replacement 3.1.20
Power Supply Module Replacement 3.1.23
Parts Information 3.2.1
Family Tree 3.2.1
How to Locate Information About a Specific Part 3.2.1
Column Content 3.2.2
Reading Electrical Schematics 3.3.1
Component Values 3.3.1
Graphic and Logic Symbols 3.3.1
Reference Designations 3.3.1
Unique Symbols 3.3.2
Identifying Schematic Diagrams 3.3.2
Structure of Schematics 3.3.3
Locating Schematic Diagram(s) for a Functional Block 3.3.3
Locating a Part or Assembly on a Schematic 3.3.4

VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE 3.VI VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01
Mechanical Drawings 3.4.1
Identifying Mechanical Drawings 3.4.1
Content of Mechanical Drawings 3.4.1
Locating a Part or Assembly on a Mechanical Drawing 3.4.1
List of terms 3.5.1

VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL
VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01 PAGE VII
RELEASE CONTROL RECORD
ISSUE DATE REASON
0.1 2020-12-01 Preliminary release for VX150 to VX2. Supports hardware
versions:
VX150, VX300, VX600 (NARF81)
VX1 (NARF79)
VX1.5. VX2 (NARF80)
Supports software version VX SW 1.0 and later.

VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL
PAGE 3.VIII VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01

VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL RESPONDING TO ALARMS
VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01 PAGE 3.1.1
SECTION 3.1: RESPONDING TO ALARMS
This section provides instructions you need when performing troubleshooting on the VX150 to VX2
transmitter. This section includes the following topics:
Corrective Maintenance
Electrostatic Protection - see page 3.1.3
Identifying and Troubleshooting an Alarm - see page 3.1.4
Replacement Procedures - see page 3.1.17
If none of the procedures and alarms described in this section address your problem, contact Nautel for
assistance. See “Technical Support” in the Installation Manual.
Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance procedures consist of identifying and correcting defects or deficiencies that
arise during transmitter operation. Local and/or remote alarm signals are generated when a
malfunction occurs. If an alarm condition is caused by a malfunction in the RF power stage, the
transmitter may maintain operation at a reduced RF output level. The nature of the fault – and station
policy – will dictate whether an immediate maintenance response is necessary. Fault analysis and
rectification may be conducted from three different levels, with a different technical competence level
required for each: on-air troubleshooting, remote or local, and off-air troubleshooting.
On-Air Troubleshooting
On-air troubleshooting can be performed from a remote location, or locally at the transmitter site.
Remote Troubleshooting
Remote on-air troubleshooting consists of monitoring the transmitter's radiated signal using an on-air
monitor or via a LAN connection, and observing the status of each remote fault alarm indicator.
Information obtained from these sources should enable an operator to decide whether an alarm
response may be deferred to a more convenient time, an immediate corrective action must be taken, or
CAUTION! The transmitter contains many solid state devices that may be damaged
if subjected to excessive heat or high voltage transients. Take every effort to ensure
that circuits are not overdriven or disconnected from their loads while turned on.

VX150 TO VX2 TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL RESPONDING TO ALARMS
PAGE 3.1.2 VERSION 0.1 2020-12-01
if a standby transmitter must be enabled (if one is available). It is recommended that the significance of
remote indications, and the appropriate responses, be incorporated into a station's standard operating
procedures. Refer to “Identifying and Troubleshooting an Alarm” on page 3.1.4 to determine the remedial
action required for a given fault.
Local Troubleshooting
Local on-air troubleshooting consists of monitoring the transmitter's integral meters and fault alarm
indicators. Analysis of this data will normally identify the type of fault, and in most cases will determine
what corrective action must be taken. Refer to “Identifying and Troubleshooting an Alarm” on page 3.1.4
to determine the remedial action required for a given fault.
Off-Air Troubleshooting
Off-air troubleshooting must be performed when routine on-air calibration adjustments will not restore
operation.
It is recommended that the transmitter’s output be connected to a precision 50 resistive dummy load
(rated for at least the maximum transmitter power rating) before starting off-air troubleshooting
procedures. If an appropriate dummy load is not available, troubleshooting for a majority of faults can
be performed with RF power turned off. The transmitter may remain connected to its antenna system
for these procedures.
NOTE: Reduce the RF output level to a minimal value when troubleshooting faults in the power
amplifier stage while the transmitter’s RF output is connected to the antenna system .