Vaisala CG31 User manual

USER'S GUIDE
Vaisala Portable Antenna Set
CG31
M210843EN-C

PUBLISHED BY
Vaisala Oyj Phone (int.): [phone]
P.O. Box 26 Fax: [phone]
FIN-00421 Helsinki
Finland
Visit our Internet pages at http://www.vaisala.com/
© Vaisala 2008
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical (including photocopying), nor may its contents be communicated to a third
party without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
The contents are subject to change without prior notice.
Please observe that this manual does not create any legally binding obligations for
Vaisala towards the customer or end user. All legally binding commitments and
agreements are included exclusively in the applicable supply contract or Conditions of
Sale.

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VAISALA________________________________________________________________________ 1
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION............................................................................3
About This Manual...................................................................3
Contents of This Manual.......................................................3
Version Information...............................................................3
General Safety Considerations.............................................4
Feedback...............................................................................4
Product Related Safety Precautions......................................4
ESD Protection .........................................................................5
Recycling ..................................................................................5
Warranty....................................................................................5
Technical Support....................................................................6
CHAPTER 2
PRODUCT OVERVIEW..................................................................................7
Introduction to Portable Antenna Set CG31..........................7
Antenna Assembly................................................................8
CHAPTER 3
INSTALLATION..............................................................................................9
Selecting Location ...................................................................9
Assembling the Antenna Set ................................................10
Connecting Cables..............................................................16
Disassembly for Transportation...........................................19
Maintenance............................................................................21
CHAPTER 4
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................23
General Specifications...........................................................23
CHAPTER 5
PARTS LIST.................................................................................................25

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Chapter 1 ________________________________________________________ General Information
VAISALA________________________________________________________________________ 3
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
This chapter provides general notes for the manual and the product.
About This Manual
This manual provides information for installing, operating, and
maintaining Vaisala Antenna Set CG31.
Contents of This Manual
This manual consists of the following chapters:
- Chapter 1, General Information, provides general notes for the
manual and the product.
- Chapter 2, Product Overview, introduces the features, advantages,
and the product nomenclature.
- Chapter 3, Installation, instructs you in installing the antenna set.
- Chapter 4, Technical specifications, provides the technical data of
the antenna set.
- Chapter 5, Parts list, contains the spare parts list for the antenna set.
Version Information
Table 1 Manual Revisions
Manual Code Description
M210843EN-C This version. Telemetry range corrected.
M210843EN-B Previous version
M210843EN-A Older version

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General Safety Considerations
Throughout the manual, important safety considerations are
highlighted as follows:
WARNING Warning alerts you to a serious hazard. If you do not read and follow
instructions very carefully at this point, there is a risk of injury or
even death.
CAUTION Caution warns you of a potential hazard. If you do not read and
follow instructions carefully at this point, the product could be
damaged or important data could be lost.
NOTE Note highlights important information on using the product.
Feedback
Vaisala Customer Documentation Team welcomes your comments
and suggestions on the quality and usefulness of this publication. If
you find errors or have other suggestions for improvement, please
indicate the chapter, section, and page number. You can send
comments to us by e-mail: [email protected]
Product Related Safety Precautions
The CG31 delivered to you has been tested for safety and approved as
shipped from the factory. Note the following precautions:
CAUTION Do not modify the unit. Improper modification can damage the
product or lead to malfunction.

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VAISALA________________________________________________________________________ 5
ESD Protection
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can cause immediate or latent damage
to electronic circuits. Vaisala products are adequately protected
against ESD for their intended use. However, it is possible to damage
the product by delivering electrostatic discharges when touching,
removing, or inserting any objects inside the equipment housing.
To make sure you are not delivering high static voltages yourself:
- Handle ESD sensitive components on a properly grounded and
protected ESD workbench. When this is not possible, ground
yourself to the equipment chassis before touching the boards.
Ground yourself with a wrist strap and a resistive connection cord.
When neither of the above is possible, touch a conductive part of
the equipment chassis with your other hand before touching the
boards.
- Always hold the boards by the edges and avoid touching the
component contacts.
Recycling
Recycle all applicable material.
Dispose of batteries and the unit according to statutory regulations.
Do not dispose of with regular household refuse.
Warranty
For certain products Vaisala normally gives a limited one-year
warranty. Please observe that any such warranty may not be valid in
case of damage due to normal wear and tear, exceptional operating
conditions, negligent handling or installation, or unauthorized
modifications. Please see the applicable supply contract or Conditions
of Sale for details of the warranty for each product.

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Technical Support
For technical questions, contact the Vaisala technical support:
E-mail [email protected]
Fax [phone]
If the product needs repair, please follow the instructions below to
speed up the process and to avoid extra costs to you.
1. Read the warranty information.
2. Contact Vaisala technical support via e-mail or fax and request
for RMA (Return Material Authorization) and shipping
instructions.
3. Proceed as instructed by Vaisala technical support.
NOTE RMA must always be requested from Vaisala technical support
before returning any faulty material.

Chapter 2 __________________________________________________________ Product Overview
VAISALA________________________________________________________________________ 7
CHAPTER 2
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
This chapter introduces the features, advantages, and the product
nomenclature.
Introduction to Portable Antenna Set CG31
Portable Antenna Set CG31 is a mobile antenna configuration
designed to be used with GPS wind finding systems in field
conditions. The antenna set consists of a Helix UHF antenna, a GPS
antenna, and the Antenna Amplifier and Switch RAA111 on a tripod
mount. The coloring of the parts is adjusted for field operation
conditions. One person can transport and assemble the antenna set.
Portable Antenna Set CG31 receives radiosonde signals in 400 MHz
meteorological range. The antenna set can be used in conjunction with
the Vaisala DigiCORA® sounding system.
The tripod and the antennas fold compactly for transportation. The
transport case is made of polypropene and equipped with wheels for
the ease of transportation. The transport case also holds a tools bag,
which contains foot pads, pegs, and a hammer.

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Antenna Assembly
The Portable Antenna Set CG31 consists of the following parts:
0704-014
Figure 1 Antenna Set CG31 Assembly
The following numbers refer to Figure 1:
1 = Helix UHF antenna
2 = GPS antenna
3 = Antenna Amplifier and Switch RAA111
4 = Tripod
5 = Antenna cable UHF/GPS

Chapter 3 _______________________________________________________________ Installation
VAISALA________________________________________________________________________ 9
CHAPTER 3
INSTALLATION
This chapter instructs you in installing the antenna set.
Selecting Location
For best results, select an installation site for the antenna set that is:
- open, in other words, clear of obstacles such as buildings, dense
forests, or high metal masts.
- even, in other words, the ground is even and relatively firm.
A single tree does not affect signal reception to any significant degree,
unless it is exceptionally dense or very close (less than 20 meters from
the antenna set). Sparse forest can cause some attenuation but is
usually not a real hindrance.
Other antenna masts and metal structures of small diameter do not
disturb reception if situated more than 20 meters away from the
antenna set. However, metal roofs or other large surfaces may reflect
signals, causing short-duration fading. If the antenna set is screened by
a large building, reception may be impossible.
Install the antenna set on firm ground if possible. If the ground is soft,
place the foot pads under the tripod legs to prevent the antenna set
from sinking. Although the tripod legs are adjustable, the tripod is
more stable when installed on an even surface.

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Assembling the Antenna Set
One person can complete the antenna set assembly. When all the
cables are connected and you assemble the antenna set on firm
ground, the assembly takes less than two minutes.
NOTE The antenna set is delivered with the Amplifier and Switch and the
cable holder assembled. If you disassemble these parts, you must
reassemble them to the exact locations in order for the antenna set to
fit in the transport case. The tripod legs contain small markings that
indicate the location for the top edge of the parts.
0704-015
Figure 2 CG31 Finger Nuts, Peg Hole and Cable Holder
The following numbers refer to Figure 2:
1 = Finger nut for GPS antenna
2 = Finger nut for Helix UHF antenna
3 = Cable holder
4 = Finger nut for locking ring
5 = Hole for peg
6 = Finger nut for tripod leg

Chapter 3 _______________________________________________________________ Installation
VAISALA_______________________________________________________________________ 11
1. Take the tripod out of the transport case and place the tripod in
an upright position.
2. Remove the strap that holds the tripod legs together.
0705-194
Figure 3 Removing the Strap
3. Loosen the locking ring with the finger nut.
0705-195
Figure 4 Finger Nut for the Locking Ring

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4. Spread the tripod legs and push the locking ring all the way
down to the end of the bar. The support bars should be
horizontal.
0705-196
Figure 5 Locking Ring Pushed to the End of the Bar
5. Lock the locking ring by tightening the finger nut.
0705-197
Figure 6 Locking the Locking Ring
CAUTION Be careful not to pinch the cables during installation.

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VAISALA_______________________________________________________________________ 13
6. Adjust the legs to level the antenna set:
- Loosen the finger nuts.
- Pull the legs out.
- Tighten the finger nuts.
- Visually check that the antenna set is standing straight.
0705-198
Figure 7 Adjusting the Legs
NOTE The higher the antenna is, the better the reception.
7. If the ground is soft, attach the foot pads (number 3 in Figure 8)
under the legs to prevent the tripod from sinking.
- Insert a peg (number 1 in Figure 8) through the hole (number
2 in Figure 8) to the ground to secure the leg.
- Repeat this for all legs.
- Use the provided hammer to pound the ground pegs in.

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0311-049
Figure 8 Attaching Foot Pads
8. Lift the Helix UHF antenna up and lock it by tightening the
finger nut.
0705-199
Figure 9 Lifting the Helix UHF Antenna

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9. Lift the GPS antenna up and lock it by tightening the finger nut.
0705-200
Figure 10 Lifting the GPS Antenna
10. Check that all cables are connected. If they are not connected,
refer to section Connecting Cables for more information.
11. Connect the cables to the UHF and GPS antenna connectors in
the sounding system.
12. Wind any extra cable length on the cable holder on the tripod
leg in the pattern of figure eight. This will prevent the cable
from becoming twisted and difficult to handle.
0705-201
Figure 11 Cable on the Cable Holder

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Connecting Cables
The antenna set is delivered with all the cables connected. It is
recommended to store the CG31 with the cables connected.
0705-202
Figure 12 CG31 Cabling
The following numbers refer to Figure 12:
1 = Cable holder
2 = Cable guide
3 = OUT connector
4 = ANT1 connector
5 = Connector in the Helix UHF antenna
6 = Arm of the GPS antenna
7 = Connector in the GPS antenna

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VAISALA_______________________________________________________________________ 17
If the cables have been disconnected from the antennas and the
Antenna Amplifier and Switch, do the following:
1. Assemble the antenna set.
2. Run the dual antenna cable from the cable holder to the guide on
the tripod leg.
3. Connect the UHF antenna cables:
- Connect the UHF part of the dual antenna cable to the OUT
connector in the Antenna Amplifier and Switch.
0705-203
Figure 13 OUT Connector in the Antenna Amplifier
and Switch
- Connect the UHF antenna cable to the ANT1 connector in the
Antenna Amplifier and Switch.
0705-204
Figure 14 ANT1 Connector in the Antenna Amplifier
and Switch

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- Run the cable to the guide on the tripod leg and through the
hinge in the Helix UHF antenna. Connect the end of the cable
to the connector in the antenna.
0705-205
Figure 15 Connecting the Cable to the Helix UHF
Antenna
4. Connect the GPS antenna cable:
- Run the GPS part of the dual antenna cable inside the arm of
the GPS antenna.
0705-206
Figure 16 Cable Inside the Arm of the GPS Antenna