Ramsey Electronics COM3010 User manual

1
USER GUIDE
JANUARY, 2005
V1.20.18
COM3010 SERVICE MONITOR
Copyright Ramsey Electronics, Inc. 2005, All rights reserved
Property of Ramsey Electronics, Inc.
Do not reproduce or distribute.

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.00 Introduction .....................................................................................................................5
• 1.01 Opening the Box.......................................................................................................6
1.01.01 Checking Contents......................................................................................6
1.01.02 Plugging in the Battery ..............................................................................6
1.01.03 Important Battery Information ...............................................................6
• 1.02 COM3010 Overview ................................................................................................8
1.02.01 Front Panel Inputs, Outputs, and Controls..........................................8
1.02.02 Rear Panel Connections......................................................................... 10
1.02.03 Field Selection and Entry ....................................................................... 12
2.00 Basic Operation........................................................................................................... 13
• 2.01 Generating a Frequency ...................................................................................... 14
• 2.02 Setting Frequency Steps/Increments .............................................................. 14
• 2.03 Setting Generator Level ....................................................................................... 15
• 2.04 Setting Generator Steps/Increments............................................................... 15
• 2.05 Muting the Generator........................................................................................... 16
• 2.06 Modulating the Carrier......................................................................................... 17
2.06.01 Generating a Test Tone .......................................................................... 17
2.06.02 Generating Using External MOD IN .................................................... 19
2.06.03 Generating CTS ......................................................................................... 20
2.06.04 Generating DCS......................................................................................... 21
2.06.05 Modulation Steps ..................................................................................... 22
2.06.06 Generating Two-Tone Paging Signals ................................................ 23
• 2.07 Receiving a Frequency ......................................................................................... 25
• 2.08 Setting Receiver Step/Increments.................................................................... 25
• 2.09 Using the Frequency Counters .......................................................................... 26
• 2.10 Using the Frequency Meters .............................................................................. 27
2.10.01 ± 6 kHz FM Deviation Meter................................................................. 27
2.10.02 ± 4 kHz FM deviation Meter ................................................................. 27
2.10.03 Digital FM Deviation Meter.................................................................... 27
2.10.04 Percent AM Bargraph Meter.................................................................. 27
2.10.05 Digital Percent of AM Meter.................................................................. 27
2.10.06 Frequency Error Bargraph, Positive..................................................... 28
2.10.07 Frequency Error Bargraph, Negative................................................... 28
2.10.08 Digital Frequency Error Meter............................................................... 28
2.10.09 Audio Frequency Meter .......................................................................... 28
• 2.11 Using the Level Meters ........................................................................................ 29
 2.11.01 RSSI Bargraph Meter ........................................................................ 29
 2.11.02 RSSI Digital Meter ............................................................................. 29
 2.11.03 Power Meter ....................................................................................... 29
 2.11.04 Battery Meter...................................................................................... 29
 2.11.05 Serial Status Meter............................................................................ 29
• 2.12 Zooming the Frequency Meters ........................................................................ 30
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3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.00 Typical Test Procedures............................................................................................ 32
3.10 Transmitter Tests
• 3.10.01 Transmit Power, Frequency, and Modulation Measurement............. 34
• 3.10.02 Power Measurements.................................................................................... 36
• 3.10.03 Frequency Counter Off-Air............................................................................ 38
• 3.10.04 Frequency Counter Direct Connection ..................................................... 38
• 3.10.05 CTS Tone Frequency and Deviation Measurement............................... 39
3.20 Receiver Tests
• 3.20.01 Receiver Sensitivity and Centering Frequency........................................ 40
• 3.20.02 SINAD Measurements.................................................................................... 41
• 3.20.03 Opening Receiver Squelch Using CTS....................................................... 43
• 3.20.04 Opening Receiver Squelch Using DCS...................................................... 44
• 3.20.05 Two-Tone Paging............................................................................................. 45
• 3.20.06 Sending External Modulation ...................................................................... 46
• 3.20.07 Testing Repeater Receiver Desensitization.............................................. 49
• 3.20.08 Tuning a Duplexer........................................................................................... 52
4.00 Advanced features ..................................................................................................... 57
• 4.10 Memories ................................................................................................................. 58
• 4.20 Smart Link................................................................................................................ 61
• 4.30 Scanner..................................................................................................................... 62
• 4.40 Sweep Generator................................................................................................... 64
• 4.50 User Options ........................................................................................................... 66
• 4.60 Battery Power Saver.............................................................................................. 69
5.00 Calibrations................................................................................................................... 70
• 5.10 Calibrate the RSSI Meter ..................................................................................... 71
• 5.20 Calibrate the Master Time Base........................................................................ 72
• 5.30 Calibrate the Modulation Meter........................................................................ 74
6.00 Detailed information................................................................................................. 75
• 6.10 Digital Modulation on the COM3010.............................................................. 76
• 6.20 Advanced Power Meter Information ............................................................... 77
• 6.30 30 dB Rear Panel Attenuator Output .............................................................. 78
• 6.40 Advanced SINAD Information............................................................................ 79
• 6.50 RS232 Communications...................................................................................... 81
6.50.01 Connecting to Host.................................................................................. 81
6.50.02 SYS Commands......................................................................................... 84
6.50.03 SET Commands......................................................................................... 85
6.50.04 MEM Commands...................................................................................... 87
6.50.05 GET Commands........................................................................................ 88
6.50.06 Various Meter Mode Options ............................................................... 91
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4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
6.50.07 Various Mode Options............................................................................ 92
7.00 Appendix
• APPENDIX A: Button Reference Chart....................................................................... 94
• APPENDIX B: CTS Tone Frequency List..................................................................... 96
• APPENDIX C: DCS Code List......................................................................................... 96
• APPENDIX D: Two Tone Modes .................................................................................. 97
• APPENDIX E: General Options Table ......................................................................... 97
Specifications .......................................................................................................................... 98
Warranty ..................................................................................................................................100
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5
1.00 INTRODUCTION
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6
INTRODUCTION
1.01 Opening the Box
1.01.01 Checking Contents
Included with the COM3010 Service Monitor:
1 AC Power cord
1 Pretested 3 foot BNC to BNC Cable
1 BNC Whip Antenna
1 Operator’s Manual
1.01.02 Plugging in the Battery
Before powering up the COM3010 the battery pack should be plugged into the unit so that it
can charge. The battery has been placed in the battery slot for shipment.
1. Remove the rear panel Battery Compartment cover by unscrewing the two
thumbscrews.
2. Take the 2.1 mm plug from the battery and plug it into the jack nearest the supplied
battery inside the battery compartment.
3. If additional battery packs have been purchased slide each one into a battery slot and
plug them in.
4. Replace the battery compartment cover and tighten the thumbscrews.
1.01.03 Important Battery Information
The COM3010 ships with a single, high capacity Lithium Ion battery. A single battery pack has
over 2AH of charge capacity allowing a run time of about 1 1/2 hours. Two additional
batteries can be added to increase the capacity to a total of 4 1/2 hours.
Lithium Ion batteries are temperature sensitive. For this reason the COM3010 is designed to
automatically shut down when the temperature reaches 45°C inside of the case. The heatsink
of the dummy load is adjacent to the power supply. If you are performing extended high
power testing the power on the COM3010 may shut off if the unit gets too hot. This is to
prevent significant problems with the batteries; the temperature circuit should not be
compromised.
Lithium Ion batteries will not deliver full current capacity at low temperatures. The COM3010
may not power up below –2°C. If you’re using it in very cold conditions It may be necessary
to warm the COM3010 inside a vehicle, for instance. Once powered up the battery will warm
itself during the discharge cycle.
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7
INTRODUCTION
Adding Batteries
All three batteries are internally connected in parallel. If you are adding another battery pack
to an existing unit, discharge the already installed batteries fully by leaving the COM3010 on
until it powers itself off. Only then it is safe to add the new battery pack. Otherwise the new
battery arrival may be charged at too fast a rate by the battery already installed and possible
damage to the battery could occur.
Due to the very specific application, these batteries are specially designed for the COM3010.
Commonly available lithium batteries will not work in the COM3010. The batteries used in
this design have a special voltage per cell specification due to the needed extended
temperature operation. Using other lithium batteries in the COM3010 can result in
overcharging causing damage to the batteries and to the COM3010. ONLY the specified
batteries must be used!
For more information call Ramsey Electronics, Inc.
Batteries as Shipped
Your COM3010 includes one Li-Ion battery pack, with the option of adding two additional
battery packs.
Charging
A single battery pack will charge in approximately 2 hours per cell with the COM3010
powered off but plugged in, and 4 hours per cell with the power on. When you first receive
the COM3010, the batteries will arrive partially charged. These batteries do not exhibit the
“memory” problems typical of other types of battery packs. They do not need to be charged
fully before use, and do not need to be fully discharged before a recharge cycle.
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8
INTRODUCTION
1.02 Overview
1.02.01 Front Panel Inputs, Outputs, and Controls
A. RECEIVE IN Jack
The RECEIVE IN jack is used to receive signals using a whip antenna, cable, or a probe. Typi-
cally a x1 probe is used since a x10 attenuator is not matched for 50 ohms. The RECEIVE IN is
also the frequency counter input; this input is split between the receiver and the frequency
counter inside the unit.
The frequency counter starts counting at approximately 10mV. The receiver is sensitive
enough to pick up and demodulate this signal level in FM mode, but the AM portion becomes
overloaded around 1mV due to the pre-amplification needed to make the frequency counter
sensitive.
If signals are too strong for the receiver to work reliably in AM you can use a small in-line at-
tenuator to drop the level down to usable levels.
WARNING! The RECEIVE IN jack is fuse protected using “sacrificial” parts up to 2 watts for a
short period of time. This input is not designed to handle high powers! That is reserved for the
GENERATE OUT jack. If you accidentally key too much power into this input, the COM3010
will be damaged!
This input also has a 1.5dB attenuator in line to allow for a better antenna match to the first
stage of amplification. You will need a DC blocker if working with signals that contain DC over
5V to prevent damage to the COM3010.
B. MOD IN Jack
The modulation input jack is used when a modulating frequency other than the built in code
A
B
C
D
EF
G
H I
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9
INTRODUCTION
and tone generation of the COM3010 is desired. This input can be set to a wide range of sig-
nal levels as the built-in AGC will change the gain to get a very specific level before modulat-
ing the RF out. This input range should be kept between 50mV pk/pk to 5V pk/pk.
When you are using this feature, and the EXT modulation is switched on, there are three dif-
ferent AGC modes you should be aware of. These are indicated as an icon next to the MOD IN
level field on the left-hand display. If you press [SHIFT][MOD] it will cycle through the various
modes. See the GENERATE DISPLAY-External Modulation section for more information.
C. MONITOR Jack
The output of the MONITOR jack is the received modulation. This is typically a 1V pk/pk signal
and can be used to display on an oscilloscope or routed to other test equipment for further
analysis. For example, you can view or decode received audio or digital signals.
This output is approximately 250mV/1 kHz of deviation.
D. RF OUT Jack
The RF out jack provides the output of the signal generator portion of the COM3010. It is also
used as the power meter input. The power meter is located on the signal generator output to
allow for simple radio checks without moving the cable.
Internal to the COM3010 is a log power detector which checks the signal present at the RF
out jack. With the unit powered down, the COM3010 will, by default, shunt any power trans-
mitted into the generator output jack to the dummy load on the back of the unit. This pre-
vents the COM3010 from being harmed by applying power to the RF out jack within the
power meter specifications even if the power fails or the battery runs out.
E. VOLUME
The volume control simply affects the speaker level. The COM3010 has 2 watts of audio
power which should be adequate for most environments.
F. SQUELCH
The squelch control determines when the signal from the receiver is allowed to be detected,
displayed, and fed to the speaker. This is usually set to a threshold using the RSSI bargraph
meter on the top of the right hand display. A small cursor indicates at what RSSI level the
squelch will open and allow audio through.
The squelch also blocks the audio to the modulation meters. To be able to measure the sig-
nals, the squelch must be open.
G. POWER Button
Use this button to turn the power of the COM3010 on and off.
H. GENERATE Function buttons
These buttons select fields to alter the generator functions.
I. RECEIVE Function buttons
These buttons select fields to alter the receiver functions.
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10
INTRODUCTION
1.02.02 Rear Panel Connections
J. -30dB Output
The power meter portion of the COM3010 uses a 100W 30dB attenuator to dissipate power
on the heatsink on the back of the unit. The 30dB attenuated output is provided as a
convenience to allow safe connection of an external spectrum analyzer or other equipment.
For example if you transmitted 100W of power into the GEN OUT jack, 100W = +50dBm. The
output of the 30dB attenuator will now be +20dBm, which is within the range of what most
spectrum analyzers can safely handle.
K. Fuse
Fuse for AC line power. Replace with a standard 1A slow-blow fuse only.
L. AC Input
There is a 15VDC switching power supply internal to the COM3010 that can operate from a
wide range of AC voltages without having to set any jumpers. The power supply included can
handle a range from100 VAC to 240 VAC 50/60 Hz.
M. RS-232
The RS-232 jack is provided for remote control of the COM3010 and also firmware updates.
At one time the software was limited to 9600:8,n,1, as shown on the back panel, but now it
has the flexibility to choose a range of baud rates. See USER OPTIONS - Serial Port Options.
N,O. Battery Panel
Two thumbscrews are provided for easy removal and attachment of the rear battery panel to
access the Lithium Ion batteries.
P. Handle
J L
T
N O
M
P
R
S
K
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11
INTRODUCTION
Allows unit to be placed upright and rest on the rear panel.
R. Battery Input Jacks
Receptacles for connecting battery packs. These can also be used to connect an external DC
supply. See the BATTERY INFORMATION section for more details.
S. Battery Pack Support Rails
T. High-power attenuator heat sink
The high-power attenuator is located on the back of this heat sink inside of the case. During
power meter testing, this will become quite warm. During use, allow for plenty of air
circulation around the heat sink to allow normal convection cooling to occur. If this gets too
hot, it may cause power supply of the COM3010 to shut down to protect the batteries from
overheating. If performing a lot of power testing, it wouldn’t hurt to direct air flow at the heat
sink to keep it cool, though under normal testing circumstances, this will never be a problem.
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12
INTRODUCTION
1.02.03 Field Selection and Entry
With one exception the GENERATE and RECEIVE displays are laid out in the same four quad-
rant format with each field’s (quadrants) access key remaining the same.
GENERATE screen:
Field 1 is accessed through the GENERATE key.
Field 2 is accessed through the FM key.
Field 3 is accessed through the LEVEL key.
Field 4 is accessed through the COUNT key.
In the Receive screen:
Field 1 is accessed through the RECEIVE FM key.
Field 2 is accessed through the RECEIVE AM key.
Field 3 is accessed through the METER SELECT key.
Field 4 is accessed through the @COUNT key.
The exception to this is the standard GENERATE screen which contains five fields instead of
four. Two fields appear on the upper line and three fields on the lower line. In this case the
access keys are as follows.
Field 1 or Generate Frequency is accessed through the GENERATE key.
Field 2 or Modulation field is accessed through the FM or AM keys.
Field 3 or Level is always accessed through the LEVEL key.
Field 4 or memories are accessed through the SEQ or REG keys.
Field 5 or tone field is accessed through the MOD keys EXT, INT, CTS and DCS.
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
RECEIVE Level Meters
Counter Freq Meters
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
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13
2.00 BASIC OPERATION
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14
BASIC OPERATION
2.01 Generating a Frequency
The Frequency Range of the Generator is 100
kHz to 1 GHz in 1 Hz steps. To enter a new
generator frequency, press the GENERATE
key. The “Ft” Icon will flash.
Enter the frequency desired by using the numerical keypad. Use either the MHz/-dBm or
kHz/mV key to select your desired units. The COM3010 is now generating the frequency you
entered.
Example:
2.02 Setting Frequency Steps/Increments
At times you may want to step through fixed
increments of Generate Frequency, RF Level,
and Modulation. The Receiver function will
also work in this manner. To set the
INCREMENT for a given function press the
SHIFT key and then the proper FUNCTION key.
To Set Generator Frequency increment press the SHIFT key, then press the GENERATE key;
the “delta F” Icon will appear in the Generator Frequency field. It will also show the value that
is currently stored. Enter the new desired increment value using the numerical keypad. Press
the appropriate units button for step size desired. ( MHz/-dBm, kHz/mV, or Hz/uV ) You
may now use the UP or DOWN arrow keys to change the generate frequency by the desired
increment value.
Example:
If you want to escape in the middle of an entry, press
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
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15
BASIC OPERATION
2.03 Setting Generator Level
RF Level can be entered in either the dBm or
Volts scale. The Range is 0 dBm (223 mV) to
-140 dBm (0.022uV) in 0.1 dB steps.
To enter the Level Press the LEVEL key. The
“L” Icon will flash. Enter the Level using the keypad, then press your desired units. The
COM3010 is now generating your desired level.
Example:
To cancel an entry, press
2.04 Setting Generator Steps/Increments
To enter a new level increment, press SHIFT
then LEVEL and the current increment value
will be displayed. To enter a step size of
0.1dB, enter 0.1 then -dBm/MHz. To cancel
out press SHIFT then ENTER. To step the level
setting make sure the level field is selected (blinking icon) or press LEVEL, and use the UP
and DOWN arrow keys.
Level can be entered in dBm or volts and can be stepped in dBm or volts. dBm can be
stepped in as little as 0.1 dB, and volts down to 0.1uV. Remember that the basis for dB is
logarithmic and volts are linear so any steps entered in volts when viewing dBm will not di-
rectly correlate, likewise with steps entered in dBm when volts are displayed.
It is simple to determine how many volts there are in the current setting. While still in the
Level field, press kHz/mV or Hz/uV. The display should now show 652.4uV. To switch back,
press MHz/dBm.
Example:
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
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16
BASIC OPERATION
2.05 Muting the Generator
To mute the generator at any time, press
SHIFT then MHz/-dBm or end with any scal-
ing key. This sets the generator level to –
140dBm as well as setting the generator to its
lowest possible level.
Example:
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
Your Notes:
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17
BASIC OPERATION
2.06 Modulating the Carrier
The carrier frequency can be modulated with either amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency
modulation (FM). In AM mode it is possible to generate either a single tone or external
modulation; DCS and CTS are not enabled in AM modes. The following combinations are
possible in FM :
2.06.01 Generating a Test Tone
To generate an internal tone, press INT. The
LED next to the INT key will light and the
COM3010 will display the last deviation used
which is indicated by the FMi icon (stands for
FM internal), and the last tone used indicated
by the T icon. If the T icon is not already flashing, press the INT button to select the tone field.
To enter a 1 kHz tone press 1, kHz/mV. You can enter between 0.1Hz to 3 kHz into this field.
Example:
To toggle the internal tone if you are already in the internal tone field, press INT once, or
twice, once to get there, and another to toggle it off.
Example:
or
To enter a new tone deviation, press FM. The selected field will become the FMi for entering
deviation. To enter +/-3 kHz of deviation, press 3, kHz/mV. You can enter between 0.1 Hz
and 75 kHz in this field.
Example:
♦ No modulation ♦ External + CTS
♦ Tone Only ♦ External + DCS
♦ Tone + CTS ♦ Two Tone only
♦ Tone + DCS ♦ Two Tone + CTS
♦ External
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
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18
BASIC OPERATION
2.06 Modulating the Carrier (Continued)
To generate AM tones press the AM key; the
FMi icon will be replaced with AM and %
modulation will be displayed.
To enter a new AM value of 50%, press AM, 5, 0, ENTER/%. The COM3010 will now be
generating AM with 50% modulation and a 1 kHz tone.
Example:
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
Your Notes:
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19
BASIC OPERATION
2.06.02 Generating Using External MOD IN
The external modulation mode allows
modulation from an external source via the
MOD IN jack. The value you enter for
deviation or % AM is followed exactly, and is
automatically adjusted by the AGC (automatic
gain control).
Any level from an external generator between 100mV and 2V peak will be compensated with
the AGC circuit. Remember there are three types of AGC supported by the COM3010. These
three modes are cycled using SHIFT, EXT. To enter tone mode, press
until you see the SIN waveform icon for tone mode. The FM field will already be selected
since you cannot enter a tone frequency here, so then enter 3, kHz/mV.
To enter a tone mode with 50% of AM modulation, press
making sure the AGC icon still indicates tone mode.
AGC
Icon
Mode Name Description
Voice AGC
Voice AGC: Attack and decay are both fast to track voice levels and
bring them to an acceptable level. Peaks will be limited to the set
modulation.
Tone AGC
Tone AGC: The AGC will attack (reduce the level) quickly, but decay
(increase the level) slowly. This allows tone signals to be as steady
as possible in level.
Digital AGC Digital AGC allows attack only, no decay. This prevents
overmodulation at the start of a data stream when sending certain
paging formats. This special mode allows for 4-level paging without
“breathing” of the AGC. Breathing is a term used for AGC that is
adjusting too rapidly.
This mode must be “trained” for two seconds with the source to
stop the AGC from adjusting. Once trained, the AGC turns off.
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
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20
BASIC OPERATION
2.06.03 Generating CTS
To generate a CTS tone, press CTS. Current
parameters are now shown on the display. To
enter a new CTS tone you will need to know
its frequency, not the tone #. Use the chart at
the end of the manual for standard CTS tones.
This field will accept any selected frequency from 0.1Hz to 999Hz, so non-standard tones may
be used.
Example: To enter a new CTS frequency of 78.5Hz, press
The tone may be toggled on and off by pressing
To enter a deviation value, press
to select the FM field; the icon will blink. To enter a deviation of 300.0Hz, press
Standard CTS deviation is typically 0.75 kHz. Deviation values range from 0.1Hz to 2.5 kHz.
You can set a step/increment value for deviation in the CTS deviation field by pressing the
arrow buttons to test tone decoder sensitivity. To cancel out of either entry press
GENERATE TX Level
Modulation Seq/Reg
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