ReconRobotics Recon Scout OCU02 User manual

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ReconRobotics.com
ReconRobotics
7620 West 78th Street
Edina, MN 55439
User’s Manual
User’s Manual
Edition 2.7.1 March 2010

Product Identification
This manual applies to the ReconRobotics Recon Scout
Platform and Recon Scout OCU model number OCU02.
FCC Class B Product Compliance
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules except where waived by waiver DA 10-291.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction, may cause harmful interference to radio
communication. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
This device may not interfere with Federal stations
operating in the 420-450 MHz band and must accept
any interference received.
Although this transmitter has been approved by the
Federal Communications Commission, there is no
guarantee that it will not receive interference.
Notice:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by ReconRobotics could void
the user’s warranty.
Modification to the Recon Scout™ or OCU may cause the transmission to
violate compliance with FCC Rules and may result in revocation of
authorization to use the product.
Please direct all questions or concerns to:
ReconRobotics
7620 W 78th Street
Edina, MN
55420
[phone] or 1-866-697-6267
The devices described within this manual are protected under US Patent
Numbers 6,548,982, 6,806,346, 7,559,385, and other patents pending.
©2010 ReconRobotics
20
FCC Logbook
FCC Logbook
Date Start Stop Location Reason POC

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FCC Logbook
FCC Logbook
The usage of the Recon Scout robot is subject to maintenance of a logbook. Please
use the following sheet to record the date of operation, the start and stop times,
channel information, the location of usage, a brief reason for usage and a point of
contact. This logbook must be made available upon request of the Federal
Communications Commission or the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration. The channel information is available on Page 18 of the manual,
along with the serial numbers of the units for this log. Page 20 may be
photocopied, or additional pages are available from your authorized ReconRobotics
dealer.
Date Start Stop Location Reason POC
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
FCC Guidelines 1
Recon Scout® Inventory 3
Instructions for Use:
Recon Scout 4
Operator Controller Unit (OCU) 5
Chargers 6
Field Maintenance 7
Frequently Asked Questions 9
RequestingService 11
Safety Information and Warnings 13
Warranty 17
Serial Number Information 18
FCC Logbook 19

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FCC Guidelines
FCC Guidelines
The usage of the Recon Scout robot and related equipment is subject to the
following conditions:
Eligibility is limited to state and local police and firefighters eligible for licensing
under Section 90.20(a)(1) of the Commission’s Rules, and security personnel in
critical infrastructure industries.
The Recon Scout robot may be used only during actual emergencies involving
threats to safety of life, and for necessary training related to such operations.
Security personnel in critical infrastructure industries may operate the Recon Scout
robot only in areas that are environmentally hazardous for entry by human
personnel, and for necessary training related to such operations.
Training operations are not permitted within thirty kilometers of the following
Federal radiolocation sites:
The Recon Scout robot will operate on a secondary basis (cannot cause interference
and is not protected from interference) to all Federal users and licensed non-Federal
users. This device may not interfere with Federal stations operating in
the 420-450 MHz band and must accept any interference received.
The operation of the Recon Scout may be impacted in the vicinity of the following
radar and ionospheric research sites:
Site Coordinates (degrees-minutes-seconds)
Beale Air Force Base 39-08-10 N / 121-21-04 W
Cape Cod Air Force Station 41-45-07 N / 70-32-17 W
Clear Air Force Station 64-55-16 N / 143-05-02 W
Cavalier Air Force Station 48-43-12 N / 97-54-00 W
Eglin Air Force Base 30-43-12 N / 86-12-36 W
Site Coordinates (degrees-minutes-seconds)
Arecibo, Puerto Rico 18-20-37 N / 66-45-11 W
Westford, Massachusetts 42-37-24 N / 71-29-18 W
Poker Flats, Arkansas 65-07-47 N / 147-28-14 W
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All materials contained in this document are
proprietary and confidential.
Reproduction and duplication, without
specific written permission, are strictly prohibited.
ReconRobotics, Inc.
7620 West 78th Street
Edina, MN 55439
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.reconrobotics.com
Place Serial Number Sticker Here
It should have channel identification information on it
E.G.
Recon Scout 1234B567 Channel C, 436-442 MHz
Serial Number Information
Serial Number Information

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All ReconRobotics products are warranted to be free from defects in
materials or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. Within
this period, ReconRobotics will, at its sole option, repair or replace any
components which fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will
be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labor, provided that
the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost. This
warranty does not cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident or
unauthorized alterations or repairs.
THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE
EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER
EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY LIABILITY
ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR
OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL
RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL RECONROBOTICS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO
USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. SOME
STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY
NOT APPLY TO YOU.
ReconRobotics retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the
product or offer a full refund of the purchase price at its sole discretion.
SUCH REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.
To obtain warranty service, an original or copy of the sales receipt is
required. ReconRobotics retains the exclusive right to either repair or
replace the unit with a refurbished unit or new unit at its sole discretion.
Call or e-mail ReconRobotics Technical Support Specialists to describe
the problem you are experiencing and request a Return Material
Authorization (RMA) tracking number. In addition to your original sales
receipt, you will need to provide the unit's serial number, your return
shipping address, email address, and a daytime telephone number.
Phone: [phone] or 952-935-5515 Extension 3
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Once you have received the RMA number, securely package the unit
and ship it (insured) to the address on the RMA form.
Warranty
Warranty
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FCC Guidelines
FCC Guidelines
Although this transmitter has been approved by the Federal
Communications Commission, there is no guarantee that it will not
receive interference.
Operation of the Recon Scout robot by eligible entities will require a separate
Commission authorization. Licensees must maintain a log of all Recon
Scout use. The log will include date of operation, start/stop times, location of
operation, frequency segment of operation, reason for use, and point of contact.
Licensees must provide this log to the Federal Communications Commission or to
the National Telecommunications and Information Administration upon request of
either agency.
When multiple Recon Scout robots are available on separate frequencies, the agency
deploying them must deploy a Channel C Recon Scout robot first, followed by a
Channel A, followed by a Channel B.
Operation of the Recon Scout robot in an unauthorized manner will
subject licensees to Commission enforcement action and license
revocation.

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Recon Scout
Recon Scout Inventory Inventory
Please inspect the inventory in this package to ensure that all materials are present.
If any of the materials are missing, please contact [email protected] for
further assistance.
Your Recon Scout Robot Kit includes:
One (1) Recon Scout Robot
One (1) Recon Scout Robot Charger
One (1) Recon Scout Operator Control Unit (OCU)
One (1) Recon Scout OCU Charger
One (1) Recon Scout OCU Antenna Set comprised of:
 One (1) Command Transmit Antenna
 One (1) Video Receive Antenna
One (1) Carrying Case
One (1) User’s Manual
One (1) Spare Activation Key
One (1) Lanyard
One (1) Warranty Card
One (1) Log Book
If you ordered a double Recon Scout Kit, it will
also include:
One (1) Additional Recon Scout Robot
One (1) Additional Recon Scout Robot Charger
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Notes
Notes

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The following describes additional symptoms of a device that needs
technical attention and should not be used:
 After a full charge, the OCU display intermittently turns ON and OFF
or suddenly loses its signal.
 The OCU or Charger have been dropped and are malfunctioning.
 The Recon Scout robot,OCU or Charger become too hot to touch.
 There is an unusual sound emitted from any of the components.
 There is smoke emitted from any of the components.
 There is a burning smell emitted from any of the components.
Keep loose clothing and hair away from the Recon Scout robot.
If for any reason you have questions/concerns regarding
the usage/operation of the Recon Scout robot, discontinue
use and contact the vendor from whom you purchased
your Recon Scout Robot Kit.
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Instructions for Use:
Instructions for Use: Recon Scout Robot Recon Scout Robot
A Recon Scout robot should have...
If any of these items are missing, notify ReconRobotics immediately.
Powering the Recon Scout
Pulling the pin from the Recon Scout robot powers it on.
Reinsertion of the pin powers the Recon Scout robot off.
To prevent permanent damage to the rechargeable battery
system, reinsert the activation pin when the Recon Scout
is charging or not in use.
Throwbot™, UVI, IR XT, Rescue
Antennas
Activation Pin
Wheels (2)
Stabilizer
IR Blister
(IR Scout Only)

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Setting up the OCU
Make sure the antennas are properly inserted and sufficiently
tightened in the appropriate color coordinated connectors on the
OCU. Only use the provided antennas. Modification of the
antenna system or the usage of unauthorized antennas
may violate your authorization to use this product.
Instructions for Use:
Instructions for Use: Operator Operator
Control Unit (OCU)
Control Unit (OCU)
Powering the OCU
Flip the power switch at the base of the controller from the Off
to the On position.
The screen should light up indicating the unit is ready to use. If the
Recon Scout robot is powered on, video from the Recon Scout robot
should appear.
To prevent permanent damage to the rechargeable battery
system, turn the OCU off when charging or not in use.
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By purchasing the Recon Scout robot kit, the buyer assumes all risks
associated with lithium polymer batteries. If you do not agree with these
conditions, please return the Recon Scout robot kit.
 Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the Recon Scout robot. This
may cause an electric shock, a fire, or failure.
 Do not put pieces of metal, such as a paper clip, inside the Recon
Scout robot. This may cause an electric shock, a fire, or failure.
 Do not immerse the OCU or chargers into water or liquids.
 If water or any liquid enters the inside of the OCU, immediately
stop use to avoid shock, fire, or unit failure.

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Safety Information & Warnings
Safety Information & Warnings
Read these warnings before charging or using your Recon
Scout Robot. Failure to read and follow instructions may
result in fire, personal injury and/or damage to property if
Recon Scout Robot or OCU is charged or used improperly.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the shell of the Recon
Scout robot, Operator Control Unit (OCU) or the chargers. No user-
serviceable parts are inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
To reduce the risk of injury or damage, keep these safety precautions in
mind when setting up, using and maintaining your equipment.
Read all safety and operating instructions before operating the Recon Scout
robot.
Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference.
Follow all operating and use instructions.
Do not attempt to service the Recon Scout robot yourself. Refer all non-
routine servicing to qualified service personnel. Repairs or modifications
not conducted by authorized personnel may result in the voiding of
warranty and/or Annual Maintenance Plans.
Lithium Polymer batteries are volatile. Use provided Recon Scout robot and
Recon Scout OCU chargers only. Failure to do so may cause fire which may
result in personal injury and/or property damage.
Considerations for Charging:
 Always charge with the activation pin inserted in the Recon Scout robot
and the OCU turned off.
 Always charge in an open, fireproof location.
 Do not leave devices on charger for more than six (6) hours.
 Do not leave system unattended while charging.
 Only charge the Recon Scout robot and OCU with chargers provided by
ReconRobotics.
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Instructions for Use:
Instructions for Use:
Chargers
Chargers
Place the chargers in a cool, ventilated (fire safe) area. Attach robot or OCU to the
corresponding charger. Ensure devices are properly powered off before charging.
When the chargers are plugged into the wall, the light turns green to let you
know there is power.
When you plug the units (OCU or Recon Scout robot) into the chargers, the light
turns red to let you know the unit is charging.
When the light turns from red to green, it means the charger has entered trickle
mode. Allow the robot to trickle charge for an hour or two for maximum
performance.
OCU Charger
The OCU Charger is in two parts: the charger
unit and the electrical cord.
Plug OCU Charger unit electrical cord into charger transformer socket on the
OCU Charger.
Plug OCU Charger unit electrical cord into AC wall socket (120-240 VAC).
Plug the OCU Charger unit into the OCU.
Recon Scout Robot Charger
The activation pin must be inserted in the robot while
charging.
Plug Recon Scout Robot Charger unit electrical cord into
AC wall socket (120-240 VAC).
Plug Recon Scout Robot Charger unit electrical cord into the Recon Scout™.
The Charger Units are NOT interchangeable. Plugging into
the wrong charger unit could result in permanently
disabling the unit.
For safety purposes, DO NOT charge units for more than
six (6) hours or leave units charging unattended. DO NOT
use any chargers other than the ones that came with your
Recon Scout™ or OCU.

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Instructions for Use:
Instructions for Use:
Field Maintenance
Field Maintenance
The Recon Scout robot and OCU are designed to provide mission critical information
in harsh or hazardous environments, but no product is indestructible. In order to
ensure that the Recon Scout robot keeps performing as expected please follow these
steps after each usage of the Recon Scout robot and OCU.
Recon Scout Robot Maintenance
Charge
1. Re-insert activation pin before charging.
2. Do not leave on charger for more than 6 hours.
3. When plugging the Recon Scout robot into the charger, ensure connecting plug is
not bent.
Wheels: If a wheel is wobbly, tighten the nut. Do not over-tighten, the wheel
should spin freely.
Stabilizing Tail: If tail is loose, use a 1/16 Allen wrench to tighten the bolts
holding on the tail. Check crimping on tail-Scout connection and weight at end of the
tail.
Antennas: Visually inspect for scuffing or cracking. You may bend the antennas to
point up from the Recon Scout™ to maintain performance.
Recon Scout IR , XT or Rescue Maintenance
If you have a Recon Scout IR, XT or Rescue robot, you may also want to lightly dust
off the IR Blister to ensure the light sensor stays clear.
Recon Scout OCU Maintenance
Charge:
1. Turn off OCU before charging.
2. Do not leave on charger for more than 6 hours.
3. When plugging OCU into charger, ensure connecting plug is not bent.
Antennas: Ensure that the antennas are not bent or kinked, and that they are able to
easily be inserted and removed.
Charger Maintenance
The Recon Scout robot charger and the charger for the Recon Scout OCU are not field
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Requesting Service
Requesting Service
If you’re experiencing problems with your Recon Scout Robot and it hasn’t been
covered by any of the questions in the FAQ, you can request service by calling
ReconRobotics customer service at 952-935-5515 extension 3 or emailing
[email protected].
When you contact, please have the serial number of the product that is experiencing
difficulties available. Our technical staff will attempt to evaluate the problem and if
necessary issue an RMA for repair. The RMA form will provide all of the
information necessary on where to ship. When sending equipment in for RMA,
please include the entire kit (Recon Scout robot, OCU, Chargers) as some problems
may manifest in one device when caused by another.
If the issue is covered under warranty, repair and return ground shipment will be
free of charge. If not, a quote will be generated before repairs begin.

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The IR light is always turning on even in daylight, is my Recon
Scout IR/XT/Rescue Robot broken?
If there are dust or debris present on the IR blister, the light sensor may determine
the environment has less ambient light than it really does. Ensure that the IR blister is
free of dust or debris by wiping it with a soft towel.
The OCU screen is black, but the Recon Scout Robot can still be
controlled, what is going on?
If the screen is black, it typically means that the backlight in the LCD screen is
broken. This is generally caused by dropping or other action which causes an impact
to the OCU. Contact your authorized service station for repair information.
The Recon Scout Robot /OCU don’t seem to be holding a charge,
what can be done?
First, give them a full charge. Make sure the Recon Scout robot and OCU are off (pin
in the robot, switch off on the OCU). Charge them for a full six hours. If the lights
on the OCU start flashing, there may be a problem with the charger or the battery.
Otherwise, after six hours, perform a runtime test by turning both devices on and
driving them in place. If they still do not get a full hour of runtime, contact your
authorized service station for repair information.
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maintainable. If either charger is damaged or malfunctioning please contact
ReconRobotics or your authorized ReconRobotics vendor immediately.
Other Maintenance
Please contact ReconRobotics or your authorized ReconRobotics vendor for other
maintenance concerns.
Replacement Parts
The following Recon Scout and OCU parts are available for order for field repairs.
Please contact your authorized ReconRobotics vendor more information on
obtaining these parts.
Recon Scout Robot Spare Pin Kit (3 switch pins)
Recon Scout Robot Replacement Antennas
Recon Scout Throwbot/ UVI / IR Robot Wheel Kit
Recon Scout XT / Rescue Wheel Kit
Recon Scout XT / Rescue RobotTail Kit
Recon Scout Robot Replacement Charger
Recon Scout OCU Antenna Kit
Recon Scout OCU Replacement Charger
Annual Maintenance Plans
Maintenance plans for the wear and tear of every day use of your Recon Scout robot
may be available in your area. Please contact your authorized ReconRobotics
vendor for more information.

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How long will the Recon Scout Robot run on a full charge?
The actual lifetime of a Recon Scout Robot will vary depending on the amount of driving and
terrain the Recon Scout robot is crossing. On a fully charged battery, while driving full
speed, the Recon Scout robot should be able to run for approximately 60 minutes.
How long will the OCU run on a full charge?
The lifetime of the OCU is approximately 120 minutes.
How many times can the Recon Scout Robot and the OCU be
recharged?
The Recon Scout robot and OCU use Lithium Polymer batteries which are rated for 300 to
500 recharges before any degradation of capacity.
How long does it take to recharge the OCU and Recon Scout Robot?
The recharging times for the OCU and Recon Scout robot are approximately one to three
hours depending on usage.
Can the Recon Scout Robot be operated in wet conditions?
Neither the Recon Scout™ or the Recon Scout Robot OCU are waterproof. If the Recon Scout
robot is used in light rain, simply wipe the Recon Scout robot off and allow to dry before
recharging. Submersion or prolonged usage in heavy rain of either the Recon Scout robot or
the OCU may result in damage not covered by warranty or Annual Maintenance Plans.
I’ve been using the OCU for an extended period of time and now the
screen is black when I power on and I can not control the Recon Scout
Robot. What could be wrong?
For safety purposes, when the battery drops below a certain voltage, the OCU deactivates
itself. You will need to recharge the OCU as described in the “Instructions for Use:
Chargers” section (page 6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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I’ve turned the OCU on and don’t have a solid video stream. What
could be wrong?
“Bad” video can have several possible causes:
The Recon Scout robot may be out of range.
The Recon Scout robot may be low on power or off.
The antennas may not be connected properly.
There may be interference caused by environmental factors such as proximity to metal
by either the OCU or the Recon Scout robot.
The charger indicator lights do not light up when the Recon Scout
Robot or OCU is connected. How do I fix this?
This is an error state in the charger indicator that can be caused by:
Faulty power to the charger. In this case, try powering the charger from another
source.
The device may already be fully charged.
There is a general failure in the charger. If the problem persists after changing the
power supply contact ReconRobotics.
When I throw the Recon Scout Robot, it does not drive straight when
it lands. What could be wrong?
The Recon Scout robot now has integrated accelerometers and gyros. When the Recon Scout
robot lands, let it sit still for a few seconds before driving. The Recon Scout robot will
automatically recalibrate itself during this time and should resume driving as expected.
The IR light is not turning on, is my Recon Scout IR/XT/Rescue
Robot broken?
The Recon Scout IR/XT/Rescue robots has a light sensor to measure ambient light. If there is
sufficient light, the IR LEDs will not turn on in order to conserve battery life.