Promax US TV EXPLORER II User manual

US TV EXPLORER II
EXPLORADOR US DE TV
EXPLORATEUR US DE TV
- 0 MI1526 -

SAFETY NOTES
Read the user’s manual before using the equipment, mainly " SAFETY RULES "
paragraph.
The symbol on the equipment means "SEE USER’S MANUAL". In this
manual may also appear as a Caution or Warning symbol.
Warning and Caution statements may appear in this manual to avoid injury
hazard or damage to this product or other property.
NOTAS SOBRE SEGURIDAD
Antes de manipular el equipo leer el manual de instrucciones y muy
especialmente el apartado PRESCRIPCIONES DE SEGURIDAD.
El símbolo sobre el equipo significa "CONSULTAR EL MANUAL DE
INSTRUCCIONES". En este manual puede aparecer también como símbolo de
advertencia o precaución.
Recuadros de ADVERTENCIAS Y PRECAUCIONES pueden aparecer a lo largo de
este manual para evitar riesgos de accidentes a personas o daños al equipo u
otras propiedades.
REMARQUES À PROPOS DE LA SECURITE
Avant de manipuler l'appareil, lire le manuel d'utilisation et plus particulièrement le
paragraphe "PRESCRIPTIONS DE SECURITE".
Le symbole sur l'appareil signifie "CONSULTER LE MANUEL D'UTILISATION".
Dans ce manuel, il peut également apparaître comme symbole d'avertissement ou de
précaution.
Des encadrés AVERTISSEMENTS ET PRECAUTIONS peuvent apparaître dans ce
manuel pour éviter des risques d'accidents affectant des personnes ou des dommages
à l'appareil ou à d'autres biens.

CONTENTS
SUMARIO
SOMMAIRE
 English manual ............................................................
 Manual español.............................................................
 Manuel français ..............................................................
Français English

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
English
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1GENERAL..................................................................................................................1
1.1 Description ..........................................................................................................1
1.2 Specifications ......................................................................................................4
2SAFETY RULES......................................................................................................11
2.1 General safety rules ..........................................................................................11
2.2 Descriptive Examples of Over-Voltage Categories ...........................................13
3INSTALLATION ....................................................................................................... 15
3.1 Power Supply ....................................................................................................15
3.1.1 Operation using the External DC Charger ..................................................15
3.1.2 Operation using the Battery ........................................................................ 15
3.1.2.1 Battery Charging ...............................................................................16
3.2 Installation and Start-up ....................................................................................16
4QUICK USER GUIDE..............................................................................................17
5OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS................................................................................ 21
5.1 Description of the Controls and Elements.........................................................21
5.2 Adjustment of Volume and Monitor Parameters................................................ 30
5.3 Selecting the Operation Mode: TV / Spectrum Analyzer / Measurements........ 31
5.4 Channel Tuning / Frequency Tuning ................................................................. 31
5.5 Automatic Transmission Search........................................................................ 32
5.6 Selecting the measurement configuration: Analogue/ Digital signal ................. 32
5.7 External Units Power Supply.............................................................................32
5.8 Automatic signal identification function (AUTO ID) ...........................................33
5.9 Channel plans ...................................................................................................34
5.10 Acquisition function (DATALOGGER) ................................................................ 36
5.10.1 DATALOGGER for Attenuation and IF SAT tests....................................... 37
5.11 Verification of distribution networks....................................................................39
5.12 Spectrum exploration function (EXPLORER)....................................................41
5.13 Measurements configuration.............................................................................42
5.13.1 ITU-T J.83/B (QAM Annex-B) Digital Channel Configuration .....................42
5.13.2 DVB-C (QAM) Digital Channel Configuration .............................................43
5.13.3 ATSC (8-VSB) Digital Channel Configuration............................................. 43
5.13.4 DVB-S/S2 (QPSK/8PSK) Digital Channel Configuration ............................44
5.13.5 DSS (QPSK) Digital Channel Configuration ...............................................46
5.14 Selecting the Measurements.............................................................................47
5.14.1 Analogue TV: Measuring the Video Carrier Level.......................................49
5.14.2 Analogue TV: Measuring the Video / Audio ratio (V/A)...............................51
5.14.3 Analogue TV: Measuring the FM deviation................................................. 51
5.14.4 Analogue FM: Measuring the Level and demodulating signal ....................52
5.14.5 Analogue/Digital TV: Measuring the Carrier / Noise ratio (C/N)..................52

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
5.14.6 Digital TV: Measuring the Power of Digital Channels .................................54
5.14.7 Digital TV: Measuring BER .........................................................................55
5.14.7.1 ITU-T J.83/B signals .........................................................................56
5.14.7.2 DVB-C signals................................................................................... 57
5.14.7.3 ATSC signals ....................................................................................58
5.14.7.4 DVB-S/S2 and DSS signals..............................................................60
5.14.8 Digital TV: Measuring MER.........................................................................63
5.15 Constellation Diagram.......................................................................................64
5.15.1 ITU-T J.83/B (QAM-Annex B) signal........................................................... 65
5.15.2 DVB-C (QAM) signal................................................................................... 66
5.15.3 DVB-S/S2 (QPSK/8PSK) signal..................................................................67
5.15.3.1 Zoom, scroll and erasing functions ...................................................68
5.16 Spectrum Analyzer............................................................................................69
5.16.1 Markers ....................................................................................................... 70
5.17 Screen capture ..................................................................................................71
5.17.1 Recall screen ..............................................................................................71
5.17.2 Delete capture.............................................................................................72
5.18 TV Operating Mode ........................................................................................... 72
5.18.1 Recording and playing video streams.........................................................76
5.19 Antenna Alignment Function .............................................................................76
5.20 DiSEqC Command Generator...........................................................................77
5.21 SATCR function.................................................................................................79
5.22 Using the alphanumeric keyboard.....................................................................79
6DESCRIPTION OF THE INPUTS AND OUTPUTS.................................................81
6.1 RF input............................................................................................................. 81
6.2 USB port............................................................................................................ 81
6.3 Scart (DIN EN 50049) .......................................................................................81
6.4 RCA adapter...................................................................................................... 82
7MAINTENANCE.......................................................................................................83
7.1 Considerations about the Screen......................................................................83
7.2 Cleaning Recommendations .............................................................................83

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
01/2008 Page 1
English
US TV EXPLORER II
1
1 GENERAL
1.1 Description
The television explorer US TV EXPLORER II represents an evolutionary step with
respect to the traditional field strength meters. The continuous PROMAX innovation
process in the sector of field strength meter yields an instrument that changes the way
to take and understand television signals measurements.
This equipment incorporates important advances in the functional aspects as
well as in the ergonomics to allow the installers to make their work with maximum
comfort and speed. Simultaneously the instrument is reliable for any possible problem
at the input signal, at the distribution components or the receiver equipment.
The US TV EXPLORER II has been designed to satisfy all the necessities of
measurement during the transition from the analogue transmissions to digital in
terrestrial, satellites and cable systems. Allowing measurements of analogue signals
as well as digital ones. When pressing the auto identification key, it searches and
identifies the signal under test. First it recognizes whether the signal is an analogue
channel or a digital one. When the signal is digital (ATSC, DVB-S/S2,ITU-T J.83/B,
DVB-C, DSS), it analyses for each modulation type 8-VSB /QAM ANNEX-A /QAM
ANNEX-B / QPSK / 8PSK all the associated parameters: symbol rate, code rate, etc.
and determines the value of the signals under test.
The range of frequencies covered makes this instrument an excellent tool for FM
radio, terrestrial TV, mobile TV, satellite TV and cable TV (where the subband tuning
margin, from 5 to 45 MHz, enables the user to carry out tests on the return channel).
The US TV EXPLORER II adapts itself to the characteristic parameters of the
standard and to the correct automatic system in order to obtain in all the cases an
accurate measuring of the input signal level. It accepts the NTSC TV system and allows
the user to work directly with digital TV signals decoding them, so that the television
image may be viewed, and directly measuring the power, carrier/noise ratio (C/N), the
bit error rate (BER) and the modulation error ratio (MER), as well for ATSC (8-VSB) as
DVB-S (QPSK), DVB-S2 (8PSK), DSS (QPSK), DBV-C (QAM Annex-A) and ITU-T
J.83/B (QAM Annex-B) signals. This instrument allows to obtain besides a graphical
representation of the Constellation Diagram for DVB-S/S2 (QPSK/8PSK),
DVB-C(QAM) and ITU-T J.83/B (64/256-QAM) signals.
1Trademark of the DVB - Digital Video Broadcasting Project (4914).

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
Page 2 01/2008
Being a multistandard instrument, it can be efficiently used in any country of the
world.
Includes a symbol-based keyboard that allows the direct access to the various
functions that are displayed simultaneously on screen.
The US TV EXPLORER II makes a dynamic exploration of the spectrum,
detecting all the channels in the explored band, this applies for the terrestrial and the
satellite television bands. The meter locates all the channels in the spectrum with no
need of any previous information about the number of channels, the type of signals
transmitted or their characteristics. With the data collected after each exploration, it
creates a register that contains tables of channels that can be independent for each
system or installation. At any time, the measurement sessions using only the
pretuned channels can be repeated. In this way it is possible to optimize the
measurement process.
Shown on the frontal panel is the type of measurement that is being carried
(Terrestrial-Satellite/Analogue-Digital) and the data are presented on a hi-res
transflective 6.5" graphic TFT display with panoramical format. The equipment
incorporates a light sensor that activates the contrast and luminosity of the display
according to the environmental conditions.
The US TV EXPLORER II is an ideal size to hold with a hand. The instrument
can be held to the body with the carrying bag or transport belt, which at the same time
protects it from the rain. Because it is designed for outdoor use, it includes an anti-
shock protector that completely covers the instrument, and optionally can be supplied
with a strong transport case. As well, the front panel does not have any keys nor gaps
to avoid accidental water ingress.
The US TV EXPLORER II is designed to integrate measurements that require
different operating configurations. In this way it incorporates a specific function to
facilitate the alignment of antennas. When activating the alignment function the
instrument is set automatically to offer a fast spectrum sweep and a high sensitivity
graphical bar that allows fine adjust for the maximum signal. In addition it includes a
module for the powering of LNBs and the commands for the programming of DiSEqC
1.2 and SatCR devices.
The US TV EXPLORER II can be updated to new software versions that extend
the available functions in the future. That means it can incorporate new benefits without
additional cost. For example, in the test of satellite signals distribution networks,
used in combination with an IF generator to carry out an easy verification of the
installations before commissioning.
The spectrum analyzer features with high accuracy, resolution, sensitivity and
sweep speed allows the instrument to be very useful for applications as the antenna
installation or the detection of complex impulsional noise events. It presents an
innovative control system based on four arrows, that makes the use of the spectrum
analyser very intuitive. The arrows allow adjusting the reference level by steps of 5 or
10dB and the frequency margin span on screen.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
01/2008 Page 3
English
To enhance its convenience of use, it includes memories to store automatically
the different data acquisitions, i.e.: acquisition name, test points, frequency, channel
plan, etc.,. Moreover, the DATALOGGER function makes it much easier to test systems
in which a large number of measurements have to be made, and enables further
processing of all the information acquired using a computer system. The equipment is
able to generate automatic measurement reports and to update itself through Internet
by means of PkTools provided software.
Also, this meter incorporates a DiSEqC2command generator and permits to
supply different voltages to the external unit (5 V / 13 V / 15 V / 18 V / 24 V) and
includes a SCART-RCA adapter, for audio/video input/output.
The US TV EXPLORER II is powered by rechargeable battery or connected to
the mains through the supplied external DC power charger.
It incorporates a USB port, which enables the communication with a PC and to
download dataloggers and channel plans.
This instrument due to its extreme-compact design, technical specifications and
low cost becomes the industry standard for the installer.
2DiSEqCTM is a trademark of EUTELSAT.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
Page 4 01/2008
1.2 Specifications
CONFIGURATION FOR MEASURING LEVEL AND POWER
TUNING Digital frequency synthesis. Continuous tuning from
5 to 1000 MHz and from 950 to 2150 MHz.
Tuning modes Channel or frequency (IF or downlink at satellite
band).
Channel plan configurable on demand.
Resolution 5-1000 MHz: 50 kHz
950-2150 MHz: < 200 kHz (span FULL-500-200-
100-50-32-16 MHz).
Automatic search (Explorer) Threshold level selectable.
Signal identification Analogue and digital. Automatic.
RF INPUT
Impedance 75 Ω.
Connector Universal, with BNC or F adapter.
Maximum signal 130 dBµV.
Maximum input voltage
DC to 100 Hz 50 Vrms (powered by the AL-103 power charger).
30 Vrms (not powered by the AL-103 power charger).
5 MHz to 2150 MHz 130 dBµV.
DIGITAL SIGNALS MEASUREMENT
POWER RANGE
8-VSB: 45 dBµV to 100 dBµV.
QAM Annex-B/-A: 45 dBµV to 110 dBµV.
QPSK/8PSK: 44 dBµV to 114 dBµV.
DSS: 44 dBµV to 114 dBµV.
MEASUREMENTS
ATSC (8-VSB): Power, SER, VBER3,MER, C/N and noise margin.
Presentation: Numeric and level bar.
3The BER measurement shown by default (when PRN-23 BER option from Preferences menu is set to OFF)
yields an estimated value calculated using the MER measurement. In order to obtain a more accurate BER
measurement value, the PRN-23 BER option from Preferences menu must be set to ON and a PRN-23 signal
pattern must be used through the RF signal input [30].
If the input signal is like PRN-23 or a video signal, the BER and VBER measurement are considered as
acceptable when BER/VBER
≤ 3*10E-6 and SER-ERR/s ≤ 2 being SER value the number of wrong packets
taken as reference measurement.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
01/2008 Page 5
English
ITU-T J.83/B (QAM Annex-B): Power, BER, MER, C/N and noise margin.
Presentation: Numeric and level bar.
DVB-C (QAM Annex-A): Power, BER, MER, C/N and noise margin.
Presentation: Numeric and level bar.
DVB-S (QPSK): Power, CBER, VBER, MER, C/N and noise margin.
Presentation: Numeric and level bar.
DVB-S2 (QPSK/8PSK): Power, CBER, MER, C/N, PER and LBER.
Presentation: Numeric and level bar.
DSS (QPSK): Power, CBER, VBER, MER, C/N and noise margin.
Presentation: Numeric and level bar.
CONSTELLATION DIAGRAM
Type of signal DVB-S, DVB-S2 and QAM-B.
Presentation I-Q graph.
ATSC SIGNAL PARAMETERS
Code Rate 2/3
Spectral inversion Selectable: ON, OFF.
Symbol rate 10.762 Mb/s.
ITU-T J.83/B SIGNAL PARAMETERS
Demodulation 64/256 QAM.
Symbol rate 5057 to 5361 kbauds.
Roll-off (α) factor
of Nyquist filter 0.15.
Spectral inversion Selectable: ON, OFF.
DVB-C SIGNAL PARAMETERS
Demodulation 16/32/64/128/256 QAM.
Symbol rate 1000 to 7000 kbauds.
Roll-off (α) factor
of Nyquist filter 0.15.
Spectral inversion Selectable: ON, OFF.
DVB-S SIGNAL PARAMETERS
Symbol rate 2 to 45 Mbauds.
Roll-off (α) factor
of Nyquist filter 0.35.
Code Rate 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 and AUTO.
Spectral inversion Selectable: ON, OFF.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
Page 6 01/2008
DVB-S2 SIGNAL PARAMETERS
Symbol rate (QPSK) 2 to 33 Mbauds.
Symbol rate (8PSK) 2 to 30 Mbauds.
Roll-off (α) factor
of Nyquist filter 0.35,0.25 and 0,35.
Code Rate (QPSK) 1/4, 1/3, 2/5, 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10 and AUTO.
Code Rate (8PSK) 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10 and AUTO.
Spectral inversion Selectable: ON, OFF
Pilots Presence indication.
DSS SIGNAL PARAMETERS
Symbol rate 20 Mbauds.
Roll-off (α) factor
of Nyquist filter 0.20.
Code Rate 1/2, 2/3, 6/7 and AUTO.
Spectral inversion Selectable: ON, OFF.
VIDEO
Format ATSC: MPEG-2 (MP@ML)
DVB: MPEG-2 (MP@ML).
Services decoding Service list and PIDs
ANALOGUE SIGNALS MEASUREMENT
LEVEL MEASUREMENT
Measurement range
Terrestrial TV & FM bands 10 dBµV to 130 dBµV (3.16 µV to 3.16 V).
Satellite TV band 30 dBµV to 130 dBµV (31.6 µV to 3.16 V).
Reading Auto-range, reading is displayed on an OSD
window.
Digital Absolute value calibrated in dBµV, dBmV or dBm.
Analogue Relative value through an analogue bar on the
screen.
Measurement bandwidth 230 kHz (Terrestrial band) 4 MHz (Satellite band).
According to span (maximum band ripple 1 dB).
Audible indicator LV audio. A tone with pitch proportional to signal
strength.
Accuracy
Subband ±1.5 dB (30-120 dBµV, 5-45 MHz) (22 °C±5 °C).
Terrestrial bands ±1.5 dB (30-120 dBµV, 45-865 MHz) (22 °C±5 °C).
Satellite band ±2.5 dB (40-100 dBµV, 950-2050 MHz) (22 °C ± 5 °C).
Overrange indication ↑,↓

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
01/2008 Page 7
English
MEASUREMENTS MODE
Terrestrial bands
Analogue channels Level, Video-Audio ratio and Carrier-Noise ratio.
Digital channels Channel power, Carrier-Noise ratio and Channel
identification.
Satellite band
Analogue channels Level and Carrier-Noise ratio.
Digital channels Channel power and Carrier-Noise ratio.
DATALOGGER Function4Measurements automatic acquisition and storage.
Analogue channels Level, C/N and V/A ratios.
Digital channels Frequency offset, MPEG-2 detection, power, C/N,
MER, CBER, VBER, LBER and noise margin.
SAT IF TEST Function5IF distribution network response for satellite band.
ATTENUATION TEST Function6Signal distribution network response for terrestrial
band.
SPECTRUM ANALYSER MODE
Satellite band 30 dBµV to 130 dBµV (31.6 µV to 3.16 V).
Terrestrial bands 10 dBµV to 130 dBµV (3.16 µV to 3.16 V).
Measurement bandwidth According to Span.
Terrestrial 230 kHz, 1 MHz.
Satellite 4 MHz, 1MHz.
Span
Terrestrial Full span (full band) - 500 - 200 - 100 - 50 - 32 - 16
- 8 MHz selectable.
Satellite Full span (full band) - 500 - 200 - 100 - 50 - 32 - 16
MHz selectable.
Markers One with frequency and level indications.
Vertical range Adjustable in steps of 5 or 10 dB.
Measurements
Terrestrial bands
Analogue channels Level.
Digital channels Channel power.
Satellite band
Analogue channels Level.
Digital channels Channel power.
MONITOR DISPLAY
Monitor TFT colour 6.5 inches. Transflective LCD.
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3.
Colour system NTSC.
4Using PkTools software application with a PC.
5Function to be used with RP-250 or RP-050 IF signal simulator.
6Function to be used with RP-250 or RP-080 pilot signals simulator.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
Page 8 01/2008
Spectrum mode Variable span, dynamic range and reference level
by means of arrow cursors.
Sensibility 40 dBµV for correct synchronism.
BASE BAND SIGNAL
VIDEO
Format ATSC: MPEG-2 (MP@ML).
DVB: MPEG-2 (MP@ML).
External video input Scart with RCA adapter.
Sensibility 1 Vpp (75 Ω) positive video.
Video output Scart with RCA adapter (75 Ω).
SOUND
Input Scart with RCA adapter.
Outputs Built in speaker, Scart with RCA adapter.
Demodulation TV PAL, NTSC systems according to ATSC, ITU-T
J.83/B, DVB-S/S2, MPEG and QAM-A standards.
Decodification AC-3 audio decoding for 8-VSB and ITU-T J.83/B
(QAM Annex-B, DVB-S/S2 and QAM-A).
De-emphasis 50 µs, 75 µs (NTSC).
Subcarrier Digital frequency synthesis according to the TV
standard.
USB INTERFACE For datalogger and channel plans transfer.
EXTERNAL UNITS POWER
SUPPLY Through the RF input connector.
Terrestrial and Satellite External or 5/13/15/18/24 V.
22 kHz signal Selectable in satellite band.
Voltage 0.65 V ± 0.25 V.
Frequency 22 kHz ± 4 kHz.
Maximum power 5 W.
DiSEqC7GENERATOR According to DiSEqC 1.2 standard.
POWER SUPPLY
Internal
Batteries 7.2 V 11 Ah Li-Ion battery.
Autonomy > 4.5 hours in continuous mode.
Recharging time 3 hours up to 80% (instrument off).
External
Voltage 12 V.
Consumption 30 W.
7DiSEqCTM is a trademark of EUTELSAT.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
01/2008 Page 9
English
Auto power off Programmable. After the selected amount of
minutes without operating on any control.
Desactivable.
OPERATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Altitude Up to 2000 m.
Temperature range From 5 to 40 °C (Automatic disconnection by
excess of temperature).
Max. relative humidity 80 % (up to 31°C),
decreasing lineally up to 50% at 40 °C.
MECHANICAL FEATURES
Dimensions 230 (W) x 161 (H) x 76 (D) mm.
(Total size: 2.814 cm3).
Weight 2.2 kg (without holster).
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
1x CB-077 Rechargeable Li+ battery 7,2 V 11 Ah.
1x AT-010 10 dB attenuator.
1x AD-055 "F"/F-BNC/F adapter.
1x AD-056 "F"/F-"DIN"/F adapter.
1x AD-057 "F"/F-"F"/F adapter.
1x AL-103 External DC charger.
1x DC-229 Transport suitcase.
1x DC-265 Carrying bag.
1x DC-289 Transport belt.
1x AA-103 Car lighter charger.
1x CC-040 USB connexion cable.
1x CA-007 Mains cord.
1x USB Memory
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
DC-266 Protective bag.
RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE PACKING
It is recommended to keep all the packing material in order to return the
equipment, if necessary, to the Technical Service.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
Page 10 01/2008

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
01/2008 Page 11
English
2 SAFETY RULES
2.1 General safety rules
* The safety could not be assured if the instructions for use are not closely
followed.
* Use this equipment connected only to systems with their negative of
measurement connected to ground potential.
* The AL-103 external DC charger is a Class I equipment, for safety reasons plug it
to a supply line with the corresponding ground terminal.
* This equipment can be used in Overvoltage Category I installations and
Pollution Degree 2 environments.
External DC charger can be used in Overvoltage Category II, installation and
Pollution Degree 1 environments.
* When using some of the following accessories use only the specified ones to
ensure safety.
Rechargeable battery
External DC charger
Car lighter charger cable
Power cord
* Observe all specified ratings both of supply and measurement.
* Remember that voltages higher than 70 V DC or 33 V AC rms are dangerous.
* Use this instrument under the specified environmental conditions.
* When using the power adapter, the negative of measurement is at ground
potential.
* Do not obstruct the ventilation system of the instrument.
* Use for the signal inputs/outputs, specially when working with high levels,
appropriate low radiation cables.
* Follow the cleaning instructions described in the Maintenance paragraph.

USER’S MANUAL. US TV EXPLORER II
Page 12 01/2008
* Symbols related with safety:
DIRECT CURRENT
ALTERNATING CURRENT
DIRECT AND ALTERNATING
GROUND TERMINAL
PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR
FRAME TERMINAL
EQUIPOTENTIALITY
ON (Supply)
OFF (Supply)
DOUBLE INSULATION
(Class II Protection)
CAUTION
(Risk of electric shock)
CAUTION REFER TO MANUAL
FUSE