Whelen Engineering Company VA-2000 User manual

OPERATION & INSTALLATION MANUAL
Basic description and operation
of the
VA-2000
VA-2000
ALERT
TORNADO ALERT
SEEK SHELTER
R
CLEAR DISPLAY
BACKLIGHT TEST
PIONEERS IN WARNING SIGNALS
ENGINEERING
COMPANY,INC.
51 Winthrop Rd., Chester, CT 06412-0684
Tel.: (800) 63SIREN

WHELEN ENGINEERING COMPANY, Inc.
VA-2000
ALERTMONITOR and MESSAGE
DISPLAY
OPERATION & INSTALLATION MANUAL
The purpose of this manual is to provide operation and installation information about the
use of a Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. Model VA-2000, Alert Monitor and
Message Display.
Prior to reading this manual or using this product you should be familiar with Whelen
Engineering’s family of High Power Voice and Siren Systems.
Document # 04-0113179-01D (041511)
replaces 04-0185686-01
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The information contained herein is proprietary to the Whelen Engineering Company,
Inc. No part of this manual may be reproduced, recorded or stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form without prior permission of Whelen Engineering
Company, Inc.
The software described in this manual is supplied with the understanding that it may
not be copied or otherwise redistributed without prior permission of Whelen
Engineering Company, Inc.
All materials and specifications contained in this document are subject to change
without notice.
Copyright, 1994 Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
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Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................1
Operation................................................................................................................1
Audio Output Option.........................................................................................2
Battery Option...................................................................................................2
Display...............................................................................................................2
Front Panel Controls..........................................................................................3
Getting Started.......................................................................................................4
Rear Panel..........................................................................................................4
Installation.........................................................................................................4
Audio Option.....................................................................................................5
Battery Option...................................................................................................5
Programming.....................................................................................................6
Number of Digits ........................................................................................6
Digits per Second........................................................................................7
Address .......................................................................................................7
Substitute Numbers.....................................................................................7
Messages.....................................................................................................7
View............................................................................................................8
Erase............................................................................................................8
Reset............................................................................................................8
Command Number Tables....................................................................................9
Internal Controls....................................................................................................11
Specifications..........................................................................................................12
Schematics
Work Sheets
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Introduction
The VA-2000 is a receive only Warning System Alert
Monitor and Message Display. The VA-2000 is designed to
follow Whelen's High Power Voice and Siren System
activation command sequences, as well as other DTMF
protocols. The Programming section goes into more detail
about other protocols.
All Whelen DTMF format command sequences are
decoded by each VA-2000 in a system. The VA-2000 reacts
to particular decoded commands by sounding a warning
alert tone, flashing an alert indicator and displaying one of
60 preprogrammed messages, on a 32 character display. In
addition, options are available which include a relay output,
an audio output path and an internal audio speaker.
The VA-2000 is a stand-alone desk top unit. It operates from a nominal 12 volt DC. A UL listed wall
mount transformer is supplied for primary power. Optionally, an internal battery backup may be installed.
A VA-2000 must be ordered with a radio receiver and antenna. Four different versions are offered, as
follows:
VA-2000H
VHF high-band,
132-174 MHz
VA-2000U
UHF,
403-430, 450-470 MHz
VA-2000M8
800 MHz,
806-824, 851-869 MHz
VA-2000M9
900 MHz,
928-929, 952-960 MHz
Operation
In normal operation, a VA-2000 receives and decodes a DTMF data string and produces an alerting tone
for about 5 seconds. At the same time, the LCD display and backlight activates and displays the
preprogrammed message. The red LED on the front of the VA-2000 also starts to flash. If the audio option
is installed, the audio monitoring path to the speaker is turned on, the output relay is activated and audio is
switched on at the audio output connector at the rear of the VA-2000. The display, LED and relay (if
installed) remain active until one of the following occur:
1. The CLEAR pushbutton switch on the front panel is pressed.
2. A Clear (or Cancel) command is received and decoded.
3. A three minute time out occurs. (Refer to Internal Dip Switches 2 and 3)
Note: Clear (or Cancel) commands 00,10 and 30 will clear all siren system activity and return the VA-
2000 to Stand-by Mode. Clear command 20 will only clear siren system activity. It will not clear VA-2000
activity.
During the 5 second alert period, the VA-2000 will respond to a new received command. If the received
DTMF string is decoded as a valid command, the VA-2000 starts a new 5 second alert period and displays
the new message.

Audio Output Option
The Audio Output option consists of a relay, an audio output path and an internal speaker. The relay
consists of a common pin, a Normally Open contact and a Normally Closed contact. The contacts are rated
at 1 Amp. Refer to the Specifications for details. The audio output path consists of a 600 transformer
coupled output, with rear panel level setting. In addition, a 1 watt internal speaker is installed, for live
audio, with a rear panel volume setting.
Battery Option
Full battery operation is an optional feature of a VA-2000. The unit may be equipped with an internal Gel-
type, maintenance free, sealed battery. Typically, there is sufficient battery capacity for 30 minutes of
warning at the end of a 24 hour AC power interruption. Dip Switches 2 and 3 may be used to conserve
battery capacity, to further ensure warning capability during AC power interruptions. The battery option
includes a higher voltage wall mount transformer, to insure proper charging levels.
Display
The VA-2000 includes a low power, 32 character, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), with LED backlighting.
The backlight improves the display viewing angle during normal ambient lighting conditions and allows
for viewing when there is no ambient light available. During normal standby conditions, the display reads
"STAND BY MODE" and the backlight is off.
However, if the internal battery backup option is installed, the standby message may be different. The
"BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION" message will be displayed if the wall mount transformer is
plugged in to an active 115 VAC outlet, the battery is in good condition and the rear panel battery switch
is in the ON position.
If the battery is properly charged and the rear panel battery switch is ON, but the wall mount transformer
is disconnected, or the AC outlet is off, the display will read " STAND BY MODE " .
If the battery is properly charged and the wall mount transformer is plugged in to an active AC outlet, but
the rear panel battery switch is OFF, the display will read " BATTERY SWITCH IS TURNED OFF" .
Upon receipt of a valid command, the LED backlight is turned on and the appropriate message appears. A
message may be up to 96 characters long. Messages with more than 32 characters are displayed in a paged
mode, where each 32 character page is displayed for approximately 3 seconds.
A four position Dip Switch is located inside the VA-2000. Switches 2 and 3 are used to control the
backlighting and optional output for power conservation purposes. Dip Switch functions are explained in a
later section.
A red LED alert indicator flashes upon receipt of a valid command, and remains flashing until the Clear
button is pressed or a Cancel command is decoded.
2

Front Panel Controls
There are three pushbutton switches on the front panel of the VA-2000, The switch functions are shown in
the following table:
SWITCH FUNCTION
CLEAR Pressing this pushbutton will clear the active message on the
display, turn off the flashing LED and silence the alert tone. If
the audio option is installed, the speaker and audio output are
turned off and the relay output is deactivated.
DISPLAY Pressing this pushbutton activates or deactivates the backlight
BACKLIGHT for the LCD display. This allows the user to view a message if e
the backlighting has timed out and turned off after three
minutes, because of the Dip Switch setting.
(Refer to Internal Controls for Dip Switch descriptions)
TEST Pressing this pushbutton will cause the VA-2000 to enter into a
Test Mode. The VA-2000 will emit a 5 second alert tone, flash
the LED, turn on the backlight and display the area code and
address code, and the wildcard settings of the unit. If installed,
the optional relay, speaker and audio output are also activated
for approximately 5 seconds.
3

Getting Started
Read this section to become familiar with the installation and set-up requirements of the VA-2000. Some
of the discussion pertains to options that may not be installed, therefore these sections may be skipped.
Rear Panel
All VA-2000 models are equipped with an “ANTENNA’’ connector, a wall mount transformer “POWER”
connector and a two position “SERIAL IN” connector. The “SERIAL IN” connector is used for
programming the VA-2000, as described in a later section.
In addition, a number of optional features may be present. These include a relay closure and an audio
output path through a five position “AUDIO” connector, as part of the Audio Output option, plus
“LEVEL” and “VOL.” controls for audio. For the Battery Back-up option, a “BATTERY ON OFF”
switch and a “CHARGER POWER” connector are included.
Installation
Select a location for the VA-2000 where it can be seen and heard. Be sure that the LCD display is
readable. A 115 volt AC outlet is required. It is important to have room for the antenna and clearance
around the antenna of at least one foot, to avoid any problems with reception.
Connect the antenna to the ANTENNA connector on the rear panel. Connect the standard wall mount
transformer to the POWER connector, in the upper left of the rear panel. If the Battery option is installed,
then connect the wall mount transformer at the CHARGER POWER connector in the lower right of the
rear panel.
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Audio Option
The optional relay output consists of a Normally-Open 1 Amp contact closure and a Normally-Closed 1
Amp contact closure. The list gives the connector pinouts.
Function Pin Number
Relay Common Pin 3
Relay N.C. Pin 1
Relay N.O. Pin 2
As previously described, the relay activates when the VA-2000 receives a valid command, and remains
active until one of the following occur:
1. The CLEAR pushbutton switch is pressed.
2. A Clear (or Cancel) command is received and decoded.
3. A three minute time out occurs (if DS 3 = On).
The optional audio output connection provides a path for the audio information received via the radio
receiver. The audio output is essentially the same as the audio at the internal speaker, except that each has
its own rear panel level adjustment. A small screwdriver may be used to adjust the audio path level at the
recessed potentiometer labeled “LEVEL” or the internal speaker volume at the potentiometer labeled
“VOL.”. The audio output path is supplied through a 600 ohm audio transformer. The connector pinout is
below. Function Pin Number
Audio Pin 5
Audio Return Pin 4
The audio output remains active until:
1. The CLEAR pushbutton switch is pressed.
2. A Clear (or Cancel) command is received and decoded.
3. A three minute time out occurs (if Dip Switch 3 = On).
Battery Option
A small battery disconnect slide switch is provided at the rear panel. This switch provides a means of
completely disconnecting the battery from the circuit to conserve battery capacity, typically during
shipping or storage. This switch is intended for factory use or trained service personnel only. This switch
is not to be used as an On/Off switch.
Note: The normal standby display message is “BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION”. If this message
does not appear, the battery is either charging ,there is no AC power or there is a problem with the VA-
2000. If the battery is charging, the message will be “ STAND BY MODE ”.
The “BATTERY ON OFF” slide switch must be in the On position during operation of the VA-
2000.
5

Programming
The following VA-2000 parameters are programmable:
Numbers of digits to decode
Digits per second
Address
Substitute numbers (wild cards)
Messages
The VA-2000 is programmed through a two position connector, on the rear panel. The unit is programmed
via an RS-232 receive signal, using standard ASCII data from a personal computer. The PC is used in a
simple communication protocol. A programming cable kit, Model VA2PKIT, part # 46-0945805-00, is
available to simplify the PC to VA-2000 wiring.
To start programming the VA-2000:
1. Connect the PC to the VA-2000.
2. Turn on the PC and VA-2000.
3. Enter a communication program.
4. Program the following parameters.
In general, each entry starts with an upper-case letter that designates a function, followed by an equals
sign, then an entry and finally the ENTER key.
Note that the character before the equal sign must be upper-case.
Number of Digits
The total number of digits to decode may be from 3 to 8 for touch-tone data, Whelen 8 digit or Whelen 10
digit. In the case of touch-tone data and Whelen 8 digit data, the leading digits are the address and the last
digit is the command. For example, in a 6 digit data string, the first 5 digits are the address. In Whelen 10
digit data, the first 7 digits are area code and address.
To program the number of digits to decode, enter one of the following:
C=T3 for touch-tone 3 digits.
C=T4 for touch-tone 4 digits.
C=T5
for touch-tone 5 digits.
C=T6
for touch-tone 6 digits.
C=T7
for touch-tone 7 digits.
C=T8
for touch-tone 8 digits.
C=8 for Whelen 8 digits.
C=10 for Whelen 10 digits.
Remember to use upper-case letters.
The number of digits default setting, in the VA-2000, is Whelen 10 digit protocol.
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