Psiber Data Systems SignalScout 40 User manual

SignalScout User Guide
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USER GUIDE
SignalScout
Model 40

SignalScout User Guide
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Copyright
This guide is copyrighted by Psiber Data Systems Inc. with all rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this guide
cannot be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Psiber Data Systems Inc. No patent liability is
assumed, however, with respect to the use of the information contained herein. © Copyright 2020 by Psiber Data
Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
Notice
Every effort was made to ensure that the information in this document was accurate at the time of printing. However,
information is subject to change without notice, and Psiber Data Systems reserves the right to provide an addendum
to this document with information not available at the time that this document was created.
PSIBER DATA SYSTEMS INC. PROVIDE NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL OR ANY OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO ANY OF THE
FOREGOING. PSIBER ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
FROM ANY TECHNICAL OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN OR FOR
DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE PRODUCT AND THE MANUAL. IN NO EVENT SHALL PSIBER BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT,
CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL OR ANYOTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF.
Trademarks
The Psiber Logo, Psiber and SignalScout are trademarks of Psiber Data Systems Inc. All other brands
and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Warranty/Service Option
Psiber Data Systems Inc. warrants that the product shall be free from defects in parts or workmanship for a period of
12 months from the date of purchase if used in accordance with Psiber Data Systems Inc. operating specifications.
THIS IS THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY PSIBER DATA SYSTEMS INC. AND IS EXPRESSLY MADE IN LIEU
OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Should any parts or workmanship prove defective, Psiber Data Systems Inc. will repair or replace at Psiber’s discretion,
with no cost to the Buyer except for shipping costs from the Buyer’s location to Psiber’s location. This is the Buyer’s
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY under this agreement. This warranty does not apply to products which have been
subject to neglect, accident or improper use, or to units which have been altered or repaired by other than an authorized
repair facility.
Return of Equipment - Return of product to Psiber Data Systems Inc. requires a Return Merchandise Authorization
(RMA) issued by Customer Service. To obtain an RMA, contact us at 619-287-9970 (8am to 5pm PST) or email
[e-mail]. The RMA# must be clearly marked on the shipping label or package. See sample label:
To: Psiber Data Systems Inc.
7075-K Mission Gorge Rd.
San Diego, CA 92120
RMA# XXXXXXX

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Introduction
New low cost over-the-air, digital TV antennas provide viewers free access to digital Broadcast TV
(ATSC 1.0). Free use of major network broadcasts has made “Cord Cutting” a growing trend that allows
users to reduce or eliminate high cost paid services.
Antenna costs are moderate but installation costs can be high without the proper test tools.
Traditional rooftop installations require numerous trips up and down a ladder to point the antenna and then
go to the TV to determine if there is adequate signal for each channel.
The SignalScout allows for optimum antenna alignment as it is installed. The meter provides fast
and accurate measurement of signal strength when tuning an antenna for a local TV channel. The
SignalScout has a built-in compass to give a starting point for aiming the antenna.
The unit also produces an audible tone that is proportional to the received signal strength so the
user does not even have to look at the display to get the best antenna alignment. The SignalScout includes
a 10dB amplifier for receiving weak signals from distant stations. This lets the user know if an amplifier must
be installed in the home system for certain TV stations.
The SignalScout can be used to measure a single channel or an entire channel plan. There is also
a learn mode to develop a channel plan for a specific location. The meter measures Signal level, Signal to
Noise Ratio (SNR)/Modulation Error Ratio (MER), Tilt and provides Digital Error counts to verify the quality
of the received signals and maintain or troubleshoot after installation.
The SignalScout also verifies CATV service. The unit is 64/256 QAM fully compliant and DOCSIS
3.1 (OFDM) signal level compatible. Noise return power is measured through a 42MHz low pass filter.
Kit Content

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Physical
Specifications
Dimensions Approximately 3.3 in. x 2.0 in. x 6.75 in. / 84 mm x 51 mm x 172 mm
Weight 13.2 ounces (387 grams)
Interface 2.9-inch Color LCD Touchscreen Display
Power Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack; AC Power 110/240 VAC (via USB port)
Standards ATSC 1.0 (A/53), ITU-T J.83, Annex A (DVB-C) (Planned), Annex B (US)
Connector Type F Connector
Temperature
range
Operating: 32°F to 122°F (0 °C to +50 °C)
Storage: 14°F to +131°F (-10°C to +55°C)
Warranty One Year
Power
Button
Display/
Touch-
screen
Strap
Connector
Stand
Clips
for
cables
Speaker
Hinged Hood to protect USB
and F-Connector

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Preparing the Unit
The SignalScout is portable and can be handheld or placed on a surface large enough for stable use. The
SignalScout is designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use and travel. However, to keep your tester in
prime operating condition, please observe the following precautions to further reduce the risk of personal
injury or damage to the tester.
Never apply heavy pressure to the tester, especially on or around the display area. Avoid sharp
impacts to the tester.
Excessive pressure or impact can damage components or otherwise cause the tester to
malfunction.
Do not submerge, float or allow liquids to spill into or onto the tester.
Do not use excessive force to connect or disconnect cables or peripherals.
Use the supplied strap to prevent accidentally dropping the tester.
Never use sharp objects on the display/touch screen area. Use only the supplied stylus.
Protect the SignalScout from; dust, moisture, direct sunlight, liquids and corrosive materials. Equipment
that generates a strong electromagnetic field, rapid changes in temperature or humidity, extreme heat or
cold may also damage your tester. Operate the analyzer within the specified temperature range.
Battery Use
The tester contains a rechargeable battery pack which is charged by the factory for quick use. The external
USB adapter provides power to the tester and charges the battery pack from an AC outlet or computer.
The battery pack can be charged while the tester is on or off. Charging time is reduced if the tester is turned
off. With the tester turned on, the battery symbol on the display provides the charge status of the battery
pack.
Empty
Low
Normal
Full
Charging
Caution:
To avoid electric shock, never modify, forcibly bend, damage, apply heat to or place heavy objects on top of
the power cord. If the power cable becomes damaged or the plug overheats, discontinue use.
Never remove the power plug from the outlet with wet hands.
Using the wrong AC adapter could damage your tester. Psiber assumes no liability for damage in such cases.
Never pull directly on the power cable to unplug it. Hold the power plug when removing the cable from the
outlet.

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Getting Started
Turn on the SignalScout by pressing the power button until the screen lights up, and then release the button.
The unit automatically displays the Home Screen.
Home ATSC Screen Home CATV Screen
The Home Screen has ATSC/CATV, Level, Scan, Noise and Setup Buttons.
•ATSC/CATV allows for the ability to toggle between either for LEVEL and SCAN tests.
•Level continuously scans for ATSC or CATV LEVELS on the selected Channel and Frequency
displayed on the screen.
•Scan will scan all channels for ATSC or CATV signals from the selected frequencies in the channel
plan under SETUP and displays the power levels in a single graph.
•Noise displays a power level graph of detected Noise.
•Setup allows the user to customize settings for the LEVEL, SCAN and NOISE.

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Setup
Select the Setup button from the Home Screen. The available configurable categories are displayed on
the screen. Select the Settings button. The Settings screen allows the user to customize the SignalScout’s
operating parameters.
Select the gray Set Time button to change time. Enter in the correct time with the format 16:18:00 for 4:18
pm or enter in 4:18 for 4:18 am. Select the Green Enter Arrow to save the entered time or press the X to
cancel and return to the Settings screen.
Main Setup Screen Setting Screen Enter Time Screen
Select the gray Set Date button to change Date. Enter in the correct date with the format 02/21/20. Select
the Green Enter Arrow to save the entered Date or press the X to cancel and return to the Settings screen.
Setting Screen Enter Date Screen Enter Date Screen
The Speaker Level setting can be changed to either High, Med or Off. Auto Turn Off allows the
SignalScout to turn off with either 5, 15 or 30 minutes of inactivity. To save battery life, change the Auto
turn off time to 5minutes. Once completed, select the Return Arrow to return to the Main Setup Screen.

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Limits
Select the Limits button. The Limits Screen allows the user to customize the SignalScout’s operating
power limits for ATSC, CATV and Noise.
Main Setup Screen Limits Screen Enter Learn Level Screen
Select the gray Learn Level button for ATSC or CATV Power. The power level is used to determine if a
channel is present or absent when pressing the LEARN button in the Scan Screen. Any channel measured
above this Learn Level will be marked as “active” in the channel plan. Any channel measured below this
Learn Levelwill be marked as “skipped”. Enter in a Limit Level with the format -75.0 dBm. Select the
Green Enter Arrow to save the entered level or press the X to cancel and return to the Limits screen.
Select the gray Pass Level button for ATSC or CATV Power. For Level and Scan, anything above these
numbers will show up on the graph as Green. For Noise, anything below this number turns Green. The
SNR fields color is hard coded and does not change. The noise floor of the SignalScout is approximately -
45 dBmV so a setting too low will cause the SignalScout to think noise is a channel. Setting it too high will
causes SignalScout to think the channels do not exist. In normal scenarios, -5.0 dBmV is a good number.
Enter in a Pass Level with the format -5.0 dBmV. Select the Green Enter Arrow to save the entered level
or press the X to cancel and return to the Limits screen. Once completed, select the Return Arrow to return
to the Main Setup Screen.
Limits Screen Enter Pass Level Screen

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File Explorer
Select the File Explorer button. The File Explorer screen displays a list of files that can be edited or
deleted. All cals are set to factory default upon arrival
Select either User Settings, Touch Screen Cal, Compass Cal or Meter Cal (User) and then select the
Delete button to delete these data files. A pop up will display asking “Do you wish to delete and reset this
file?” Select Yes to delete or No to return back to the File Explorer Screen. Meter Cal (Factory) and
Noise Cal (Factory) are for Factory Defaults and are password protected.
Note: Once any cal is deleted the user will need to recalibrate the SignalScout before testing again.
Setting Screen File Explorer Screen Delete File Screen
Both Channel Plans (ATSC and CATV) can be customized. Select the Off-Air ATSC Plan and then select
the Edit button. The Edit ATSC Plan Screen displays Channel Number (C#), Virtual Number (V#),
Frequency (MHz), Type and a Check Box if used for testing or not. Select all Frequencies to use on the
next ATSC Scan. Select the Down Arrow to show more Chanel Numbers/Frequencies to add to the ATSC
Plan. Select the V# button next to the Channel number to enter in a Virtual number (if known). Virtual
channels are implemented in digital television, helping users to find a desired channel easily. Select
the Save button to save the new selections then the Return Arrow to return to the File Explorer Screen.
File Explorer Screen Edit ATSC Plan Screen Save ATSC Plan Screen

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Select the CATV 6 MHz Plan and then select the Edit button. Just like the ATSC Plan, the Edit CATV Plan
Screen displays Channel Number (C#), Virtual Number (V#), Frequency (MHz), Type and a Check Box
if used for testing or not. Select all Frequencies to use on the next CATV Scan. Select the Down Arrow to
show more Chanel Numbers and Frequencies to add to the CATV Plan. Select the V# button next to the
Channel number to enter in a Virtual number (if known). Select the Save button to save the new selections.
Once complete, select the Return Arrow to return to the File Explorer Screen.
File Explorer Screen Edit CATV Plan Screen Save CATV Plan Screen
Once complete with the File Explorer, select the Return Arrow to return to the Setup Screen.
Calibration
Select the Calibration button from the Setup Screen. The Calibration Screen displays a list of different
calibration for the SignalScout. Select the Cal Touch Screen.Follow the prompt on the bottom left. Touch
the Upper Left +, Upper Right +, Lower Right + then Select the numbers in order from 1 to 5 with your
finger or the supplied stylus until the boxes turn green. Once finished, the SignalScout will automatically
return to the Home Screen.
Setup Screen Calibration Screen Cal Touch Screen