Rhotheta RT-800 User manual

User Manual
RT-800

RHOTHETA User Manual RT-800
Page 2 of 192
Edited by:
RHOTHETA Elektronik GmbH
Kemmelpark
Dr.-Ingeborg-Haeckel-Str. 2
82418 Murnau
Germany
Tel.: [phone] - 0
Fax: [phone] - 15
Internet: www.rhotheta.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Copyright © RHOTHETA Elektronik GmbH
All rights reserved
- Issue: 2022/07/12 [Rev 3.01.b]
- Document-ID: 12-9-1-0003-3-1-61
- Valid for RT-800 systems with revision [Rev 3.00] or higher
Note
The manufacturer reserves the right to make modifications to the product described here at
any time and without previous information.

RHOTHETA User Manual RT-800
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Content
1Legend of Signal Words ................................................................................................ 10
2Safety .............................................................................................................................. 10
2.1 General Safety Information ................................................................................................................... 10
2.2 Basic Safety Instructions ...................................................................................................................... 11
3Legal Information ........................................................................................................... 11
3.1 Declaration of Conformity (EU) ............................................................................................................. 11
3.2 Legal Limitations of Use within the EU ................................................................................................. 12
3.3 FCC Information (USA)......................................................................................................................... 12
3.4 ISED Information (Canada) .................................................................................................................. 12
4General Description ....................................................................................................... 13
5Overrview ....................................................................................................................... 14
5.1 Front View (DCU) ................................................................................................................................. 14
5.2 Front View (Control Panel) ................................................................................................................... 15
5.3 Rear View ............................................................................................................................................. 18
6Operation ........................................................................................................................ 20
6.1 Bearing Page ........................................................................................................................................ 21
6.1.1 Bearing Indication .................................................................................................................... 21
6.1.2 Bearing Operation .................................................................................................................... 26
6.1.3 Function Channel 16 ................................................................................................................ 41
6.1.4 Function Repeat ...................................................................................................................... 41
6.1.5 Function Clear.......................................................................................................................... 42
6.1.6 Function Autoset Squelch ........................................................................................................ 42
6.2 Scan Page ............................................................................................................................................ 44
6.2.1 COSPAS-SARSAT Scan ......................................................................................................... 46
6.2.2 Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 48
6.2.3 Fast Channel Scan .................................................................................................................. 54
6.2.4 Marine Scan ............................................................................................................................. 59
6.2.5 SAR Scan ................................................................................................................................ 63
6.2.6 Scan List .................................................................................................................................. 69
6.3 Decode Page ........................................................................................................................................ 74
6.3.1 Selecting a COSPAS-SARSAT frequency .............................................................................. 76
6.3.2 COSPAS-SARSAT List View ................................................................................................... 76
6.3.3 COSPAS-SARSAT Bearing View ............................................................................................ 77
6.3.4 COSPAS-SARSAT Bearing and List ....................................................................................... 79
6.3.5 Export to Bearing Page ............................................................................................................ 79
6.4 Setup Page ........................................................................................................................................... 81
6.4.1 General .................................................................................................................................... 81
6.4.2 Display ..................................................................................................................................... 92
6.4.3 System ................................................................................................................................... 110
6.4.4 Interface ................................................................................................................................. 131
6.4.5 Service ................................................................................................................................... 150
6.5 Other Operational Functions .............................................................................................................. 153

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6.5.1 Standby Mode ........................................................................................................................ 153
6.5.2 Adjusting the Volume ............................................................................................................. 153
6.5.3 Adjusting of the Squelch ........................................................................................................ 154
6.5.4 Dimming and Day/Night Mode ............................................................................................... 155
7Interfaces and Installation........................................................................................... 158
7.1 Power & I/O ........................................................................................................................................ 158
7.2 Antenna Unit (Connecting Cable DCU  AU) ................................................................................... 159
7.2.1 Pinning Antenna Unit Connector ........................................................................................... 159
7.2.2 Connecting Cable DCU  AU............................................................................................... 160
7.3 NMEA COM-Interfaces ....................................................................................................................... 160
7.4 LAN Interface ...................................................................................................................................... 161
7.5 Remote Control and IP-Audio Encoder Ports ..................................................................................... 162
7.6 Power Supply ...................................................................................................................................... 163
8Installation and Configuration .................................................................................... 164
8.1 General Information ............................................................................................................................ 164
8.2 Installation Recommendation ............................................................................................................. 164
8.3 Line of Sight and Fresnel Zone .......................................................................................................... 165
8.4 Reduced Bearing Accuracy Caused by Reflections ........................................................................... 166
8.5 Overview of favorable and unfavorable Installation Locations ........................................................... 166
8.6 Lightning Protection ............................................................................................................................ 167
8.7 Antenna Alignment ............................................................................................................................. 167
8.8 Antenna Connection ........................................................................................................................... 168
8.9 DCU Configuration .............................................................................................................................. 168
8.9.1 Interface Configuration .......................................................................................................... 168
8.9.2 Audio Line Output Configuration............................................................................................ 168
8.9.3 Antenna Unit Configuration .................................................................................................... 169
8.10 Configuration of Remote Control over IP ........................................................................................... 169
8.10.1 General ................................................................................................................................. 169
8.10.2 IP Network Settings & Web Console Connection using MOXA ........................................... 170
8.11 Configuration of Audio over IP (streaming into LAN) ......................................................................... 172
8.11.1 General ................................................................................................................................. 172
8.11.2 IP Network settings & Web Console Connection ................................................................. 173
8.12 Configuration of Audio Exstreamer (streaming from LAN) ................................................................. 175
8.12.1 Configuration of Extreamer at Remote Site .......................................................................... 176
8.13 Example of complete Network Scenario............................................................................................. 177
9Technical Data ............................................................................................................. 178
9.1 Electrical Characteristics .................................................................................................................... 178
9.2 Mechanical Characteristics ................................................................................................................. 180
9.2.1 DCU Dimensions (built-in version)......................................................................................... 180
9.2.2 DCU Dimensions (tabletop version) ...................................................................................... 181
9.2.3 DCU Mechanical Characteristics ........................................................................................... 181
9.2.4 Antenna Unit Dimensions ...................................................................................................... 182
9.2.5 Antenna Unit Mast Flange ..................................................................................................... 183
9.2.6 Antenna Unit Mechanical Characteristics .............................................................................. 183

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10 Disposal within the European Union ......................................................................... 184
11 Disposal outside the European Union ....................................................................... 184
12 Maintenance and Cleaning.......................................................................................... 184
12.1 Maintenance ....................................................................................................................................... 184
12.2 Cleaning .............................................................................................................................................. 184
13 Appendix ...................................................................................................................... 185
13.1 Error Messages .................................................................................................................................. 185
13.2 Warnings ............................................................................................................................................. 185
13.3 Setup Tree View (Settings) ................................................................................................................. 186
13.4 Default / User System Configuration Table ........................................................................................ 187
13.5 Scan Page Tree View (Settings) ........................................................................................................ 189
13.6 Frequencies of channels on maritime band ....................................................................................... 190
13.7 Channel Spacing UHF / VHF Air Band ............................................................................................... 191
13.8 Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................... 192

RHOTHETA User Manual RT-800
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List of figures
Fig. 1 Front View – DCU ......................................................................................................... 14
Fig. 2 Front View – Buttons and Display ................................................................................. 15
Fig. 3 Rear view ...................................................................................................................... 18
Fig. 4 Basic structure of pages ............................................................................................... 20
Fig. 5 Bearing display ............................................................................................................. 21
Fig. 6 Digital bearing display (active signal reception) ............................................................ 27
Fig. 7 Digital bearing display (signal reception ended 2 seconds ago) ................................... 28
Fig. 8 Input of a new frequency .............................................................................................. 32
Fig. 9 Swap frequencies ......................................................................................................... 33
Fig. 10 Input of a new channel ................................................................................................ 35
Fig. 11 Changing from "Channel" to "Frequency" when channel input is complete ................ 35
Fig. 12 Switching to "Channel" when "Standby" frequency = 121.500 MHz .......................... 36
Fig. 13 Channel input with non-marine active frequency ........................................................ 36
Fig. 14 Input of a new COSPAS-SARSAT frequency ............................................................. 37
Fig. 15 Memory Dialog. Top level ........................................................................................... 38
Fig. 16 Editing the frequency name ........................................................................................ 40
Fig. 17 Repeat indication ........................................................................................................ 41
Fig. 18 Scan page. General view ............................................................................................ 44
Fig. 19 Cospas-Sarsat scan mode with the last result indication ............................................ 46
Fig. 20 "Exclude List" use indication ....................................................................................... 46
Fig. 21 Cospas-Sarsat Scan indication on the "Bearing" page ............................................... 47
Fig. 22 "Cospas-Sarsat Scan" mode has been activated ....................................................... 47
Fig. 23 Confirming of leaving the scan mode .......................................................................... 48
Fig. 24 “Monitoring” mode. Indication of frequencies .............................................................. 49
Fig. 25 “Monitoring” mode. Example views of the “Bearing” page .......................................... 49
Fig. 26 “Monitoring CP-SS” mode. Example views of the “Bearing” page .............................. 50
Fig. 27 Example: Timing normal monitoring ........................................................................... 51
Fig. 28 Example: Timing Cospas-Sarsat monitoring ............................................................... 51
Fig. 29 "Monitoring" has been activated ................................................................................. 52
Fig. 30 Confirming of leaving the scan mode .......................................................................... 52
Fig. 31 Monitoring mode settings ............................................................................................ 53
Fig. 32 Editing the current frequency ...................................................................................... 53
Fig. 33 Hold time setting ......................................................................................................... 54
Fig. 34 Fast channel scan indication on the "Bearing" page ................................................... 56
Fig. 35 Activating the “Fast Channel Scan” ............................................................................ 57
Fig. 36 Confirming of leaving the scan mode .......................................................................... 57
Fig. 37 Fast channel scan settings ......................................................................................... 58
Fig. 38 Input of a new frequency to be scanned ..................................................................... 58
Fig. 39 Marine scan. Indication of frequencies ....................................................................... 59
Fig. 40 Marine scan indication on the "Bearing" page ............................................................ 60
Fig. 41 Marine scan is activated ............................................................................................. 61
Fig. 42 Marine scan settings ................................................................................................... 61
Fig. 43 „Exclude List“ configuration ........................................................................................ 62
Fig. 44 SAR scan. Indication of frequencies ........................................................................... 64
Fig. 45 “SAR scan” mode. Example views of the “Bearing” page ........................................... 65
Fig. 46 Example: Timing SAR scan, if no frequency is detected ............................................ 65
Fig. 47 Example: Timing SAR scan, if only COSPAS-SARSAT frequency is detected .......... 66
Fig. 48 Example: Timing SAR scan, if no CP-SS pulse but a signal on an emergency
frequency is detected ............................................................................................................. 66
Fig. 49 Selecting SAR scan .................................................................................................... 67

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Fig. 50 Confirming of leaving the scan mode .......................................................................... 67
Fig. 51 SAR scan. Edit scan settings ...................................................................................... 68
Fig. 52 Alternating hotkeys ..................................................................................................... 68
Fig. 53 Scan List. Indication of frequencies ............................................................................ 69
Fig. 54 "Scan List" is activated ............................................................................................... 70
Fig. 55 Result List Settings ..................................................................................................... 71
Fig. 56 "Search List" settings .................................................................................................. 71
Fig. 57 "Scan List Conditions" dialog ...................................................................................... 73
Fig. 58 Decode Page. General view ....................................................................................... 74
Fig. 59 Confirming a new COSPAS-SARSAT message ......................................................... 76
Fig. 60 Decode Page. COSPAS-SARSAT List View .............................................................. 76
Fig. 61 Decode Page: Bearing View ....................................................................................... 78
Fig. 62 Dialog for confirming of deleting all CP-SS messages................................................ 78
Fig. 63 "Decode” page. "Bearing and List" view ..................................................................... 79
Fig. 64 Indication of the GPS based bearing on the Bearing page ......................................... 80
Fig. 65 Setup page. General settings (administrator view) ..................................................... 82
Fig. 66 Setup page, General settings appearance for the access level “Operator” ................ 84
Fig. 67 Setup page, General settings appearance for the access level “Administrator” ......... 84
Fig. 68 Accessing the administrator level ............................................................................... 85
Fig. 69 Changing password .................................................................................................... 86
Fig. 70 Changing the administrator password ........................................................................ 86
Fig. 71 Edit value dialog for access level ................................................................................ 87
Fig. 72 Editing the access level to "Operator" ......................................................................... 87
Fig. 73 Editing the value for the audio beeper ........................................................................ 88
Fig. 74 Edit value of the audio line output level ...................................................................... 88
Fig. 75 Edit value for the speaker ........................................................................................... 89
Fig. 76 Frequency information dialog ..................................................................................... 89
Fig. 77 Locked frequencies. Operator view ............................................................................ 90
Fig. 78 Locked frequencies. Administrator view ..................................................................... 90
Fig. 79 "System Info" dialog .................................................................................................... 91
Fig. 80 Setup page. Display settings ...................................................................................... 92
Fig. 81 Editing the bearing indication hold time ...................................................................... 94
Fig. 82 Bearing reference direction dialog .............................................................................. 95
Fig. 83 Bearing scale offset editing dialog .............................................................................. 96
Fig. 84 Bearing scale orientation editing dialog ...................................................................... 96
Fig. 85 Types of the frequency/channel indication .................................................................. 97
Fig. 86 "Channel Indication" dialog ......................................................................................... 97
Fig. 87 Changing the distance unit ......................................................................................... 98
Fig. 88 Changing the level unit ............................................................................................... 99
Fig. 89 Light sensor settings ................................................................................................... 99
Fig. 90 Changing the minimum range value of the light sensor ............................................ 100
Fig. 91 Changing the maximum range value of the light sensor ........................................... 100
Fig. 92 Changing the time delay value for the light sensor ................................................... 101
Fig. 93 Standby mode settings dialog ................................................................................... 101
Fig. 94 Adjusting the standby brightness .............................................................................. 102
Fig. 95 Changing the standby key illumination setting .......................................................... 103
Fig. 96 Changing the standby deactivation setting ............................................................... 104
Fig. 97 Dark mode activation warning .................................................................................. 104
Fig. 98 Manual deactivation of the standby mode is turned on ............................................. 105
Fig. 99 Activation of the dark mode with disabled illumination .............................................. 105
Fig. 100 Dark mode indication on the "Display" page ........................................................... 106

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Fig. 101 Selecting the night mode settings ........................................................................... 106
Fig. 102 "Night Mode Settings" dialog .................................................................................. 107
Fig. 103 Turning on/off the automatic activation of night mode ............................................ 107
Fig. 104 Selecting the „Activation Threshold“ for editing the value ....................................... 108
Fig. 105 Changing the value for the night mode activation threshold ................................... 109
Fig. 106 Setup page. System settings .................................................................................. 110
Fig. 107 Alarm pulse settings ............................................................................................... 112
Fig. 108 Active direction dialog ............................................................................................. 112
Fig. 109 Alarm mode dialog .................................................................................................. 113
Fig. 110 Time off Dialog ....................................................................................................... 114
Fig. 111 Time on Dialog ....................................................................................................... 114
Fig. 112 Antenna unit (mounting position) dialog .................................................................. 115
Fig. 113 Antenna mechanical correction dialog .................................................................... 115
Fig. 114 Antenna installation dialog ...................................................................................... 116
Fig. 115 AU calibration dialog ............................................................................................... 117
Fig. 116 Beep tone decoding settings .................................................................................. 117
Fig. 117 Dialog for the upper frequency (Beep Tone Decoding) ........................................... 118
Fig. 118 Dialog for the lower frequency (Beep Tone Decoding) ........................................... 118
Fig. 119 Decoding time dialog .............................................................................................. 119
Fig. 120 Frequency input hold time dialog ............................................................................ 119
Fig. 121 Locked frequencies list. Administrator view ............................................................ 120
Fig. 122 Input of the magnetic variation value ...................................................................... 121
Fig. 123 Monitoring handling settings ................................................................................... 121
Fig. 124 Own GPS position dialog ........................................................................................ 122
Fig. 125 Own position in DD format ...................................................................................... 123
Fig. 126 Editing the own GPS coordinates ........................................................................... 123
Fig. 127 PS Ram compensation dialog ................................................................................ 124
Fig. 128 S/N Ratio for auto squelch function ........................................................................ 125
Fig. 129 Scan page settings dialog ....................................................................................... 125
Fig. 130 Selecting the time settings ...................................................................................... 126
Fig. 131 Time settings dialog ................................................................................................ 126
Fig. 132 Changing the UTC time .......................................................................................... 127
Fig. 133 Selecting time zone setting ..................................................................................... 128
Fig. 134 "Select Timezone" dialog ........................................................................................ 128
Fig. 135 Selecting the "Display Time" setting ....................................................................... 129
Fig. 136 Changing the "Display Time" setting ....................................................................... 129
Fig. 137 Selecting summer time setting ................................................................................ 130
Fig. 138 Changing summer time setting ............................................................................... 130
Fig. 139 Setup page. Interface settings ................................................................................ 131
Fig. 140 COM monitoring dialog ........................................................................................... 133
Fig. 141 NMEA DF remote control configuration .................................................................. 134
Fig. 142 Remote communication port configuration ............................................................. 135
Fig. 143 Remote control baud rate configuration .................................................................. 136
Fig. 144 Remote control address ID configuration ................................................................ 136
Fig. 145 LAN configuration menu ......................................................................................... 137
Fig. 146 Changing the mode of the IP address assignment ................................................. 138
Fig. 147 Setting the new IP address ..................................................................................... 139
Fig. 148 Changing the netmask value .................................................................................. 139
Fig. 149 Changing the gateway value .................................................................................. 140
Fig. 150 Restart dialog ......................................................................................................... 140
Fig. 151 Changing the TCP port ........................................................................................... 141

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Fig. 152 Compass configuration settings .............................................................................. 141
Fig. 153 Compass connector setting .................................................................................... 142
Fig. 154 Compass baud rate setting ..................................................................................... 143
Fig. 155 Compass header setting ......................................................................................... 144
Fig. 156 NMEA GPS configuration settings .......................................................................... 145
Fig. 157 NMEA GPS communication port settings ............................................................... 146
Fig. 158 Changing the NMEA GPS baud rate setting ........................................................... 147
Fig. 159 Dialog for setting the GPIOs ................................................................................... 147
Fig. 160 Assigning a function to the input pin ....................................................................... 148
Fig. 161 Assigning a function to the output pin ..................................................................... 149
Fig. 162 Setup page. Service menu ..................................................................................... 150
Fig. 163 Input license dialog ................................................................................................. 151
Fig. 164 Input of a new license ............................................................................................. 152
Fig. 165 New license adopted .............................................................................................. 152
Fig. 166 "Adjust External Speaker Volume” dialog ............................................................... 154
Fig. 167 Squelch dialog ........................................................................................................ 155
Fig. 168 "Adjust Brightness” dialog ....................................................................................... 156
Fig. 169 "Adjust Brightness” dialog in night color scheme .................................................... 156
Fig. 170 Example of optimal antenna position ...................................................................... 165
Fig. 171 Line of Sight and Fresnel Zone ............................................................................... 165
Fig. 172 Reflections at fixed locations .................................................................................. 166
Fig. 173 Illustration of adverse topographical effects ............................................................ 166
Fig. 174 Illustration of adverse effects in the landscape ....................................................... 167
Fig. 175 North / 0° marking of Antenna Unit ......................................................................... 168
Fig. 176 Remote Control LAN connector .............................................................................. 169
Fig. 177 Audio streaming to LAN connector ......................................................................... 172
Fig. 178 Example of complete Network scenario .................................................................. 177
Fig. 179 RT-800, mechanical dimensions (built-in version) .................................................. 180
Fig. 180 RT-800, mechanical dimensions (tabletop version) ................................................ 181
Fig. 181 Antenna Unit, mechanical dimensions .................................................................... 182
Fig. 182 Antenna Unit, mast flange (mechanical dimensions) .............................................. 183

RHOTHETA User Manual RT-800
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1 Legend of Signal Words
Note
This symbol designates tips or additional notes that must be paid attention to and make
work easier.
Caution
Means that ignoring the instructions may lead to property damage or loss of data.
Warning
Means that ignoring the instructions, there may be a danger to health or life.
2 Safety
2.1 General Safety Information
RHOTHETA Elektronik GmbH is constantly trying to keep the safety standard of their
products up to date and to offer their customers the highest possible level of safety.
RHOTHETA products are designed and tested in accordance with the valid safety
regulations. The compliance with these standards is continuously monitored by our quality
assurance system.
This product is tested and left the factory in perfect technical and safety-relevant condition. To
maintain this condition and to ensure safe operation, the user must pay attention to all
instructions and warnings given. For any questions regarding these safety instructions,
RHOTHETA Elektronik GmbH can be contacted at any time.
The observance of the safety instructions will help to prevent personal injury or damage
caused by all kinds of dangers. This requires that the following safety instructions must be
read carefully and understood before using the product, as well as observed while using the
product. Other additional safety instructions, such as for protecting persons, appear in
relevant parts of the product documentation and must also be paid attention to.
In addition, it is the responsibility of the user to use the product appropriately. The product
RT-800, a professional direction finder system, shall not be used in any way that results in
personal injury or property damage.
The use of this product for other than its designated purpose or in disregard of the instructions
of the manufacturer is the responsibility of the user. The manufacturer takes no responsibility
for the misuse of the product.
The manufacturer is not liable beyond the scope of legal rules!
This guide is part of the product RT-800 and must be kept with the product throughout its
lifetime.