YSI NILE Operator's manual

NILE RADAR MAPPING
Technical Note
August 2016
D101 0816
Performing Mapping
The Nile Radar has the ability to map or profile its path to the surface
of the water by suppressing interference echoes from obstructions
that may cause false echoes. When adding a map to the instrument,
you are creating a threshold that will tell the unit to ignore all false
signals before this threshold. The mapping feature is accessed
through the Nile’s optional display.
The signal from the Nile reflects off everything within its footprint,
which may include the water surface, the riverbank, and part of a
bridge pier. Mapping will eliminate the data points from the bank
and bridge pier so only the reflections from the water surface are
recorded in the data.
Note that mapping does not just blank out the data
above 48 ft; it maps the path of the signal and then
subtracts out those signals above the initial water
surface point. Thus, even if the water rises above the
48 ft point and overtops the banks, the Nile will still
return an accurate water level.
In our example, let’s say the riverbank returns signal
strength of 5 db. When the water rises above the
bank, the Nile will record the 5 db from the bank and
perhaps 30db from the water surface. The graph will
add the 5 db to the 30 db for a total of 35 db where
the water is overtopping the bank. The mapping then
subtracts out the 5db from the bank so it still shows
only the water surface level.
Note: Adding a map will not cause your device to
read incorrectly unless you initially map out the water
surface. Additionally, if a second map is needed after
the initial mapping is performed the initial map must
be deleted first. For instructions on deleting a map see
“Steps to Delete a Mapping” below (page 3).
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Figure 2
Figure 1

1. Remove the cap covering the display and detach by rotating it slightly counter clockwise until it clicks
out (Figure 3). It is attached to the Nile by an 18” cable. If you do not already have the display connected,
plug in the display now.
2. Press (E) key to enter in the Main menu (Figure 4)
3. Press the (+) key to Scroll down and highlight “Setup” and press the ‘E’ key (Figure 6)
4. Next, scroll down and highlight “Mapping” and press the ‘E’ key (Figure 7)
5. In the mapping menu, press the ‘E’ key on “Confirm distance” (Figure 8)
6.. Then highlight “Manual map” and press the ‘E’ key (Figure 9)
Steps to Perform Mapping
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Figure 6 Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5
Figure 9

7. Press the ‘E’ key on the “Map. End point” option (Figure 10)
8. Enter in the mapping end point (we recommend you set the distance to about 2 feet above the water
surface), highlight the checkmark box and press the ‘E’ key (Figure 11)
9. Press the ‘E’ key on the “Record map” option (Figure 12)
10. Then scroll down and highlight the “Record map” option and press the ‘E’ key (Figure 13)
11. When it is complete it wil return to a “Distance” screen, press the key corresponding with the
checkmark to continue
12. Mapping is complete
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Figure 10 Figure 11
Figure 12 Figure 13
When a Radar is installed we recommend performing a mapping. As time passes new obstructions may
be exposed and the site may need to be remapped, but multiple mappings can result in bad data. When a
mapping is performed it gets saved in the radar. If a second map gets performed it also gets saved and the
radar tries to honor both mappings resulting in some radar confusion. To avoid this confusion simply delete
the first mapping before performing the second.
To delete a mapping, follow steps 1-5 in the ‘Steps to Perform Mapping’ section, then follow steps 1-6
below.
Steps to Delete a Mapping
1. Follow steps 1-5 in the ‘Steps to Perform Mapping’ section (see page 2)
2. In the mapping menu, press the ‘E’ key on “Confirm distance”.
3. Then scroll down and highlight “Factory map” and press the ‘E’ key. (Figure 15)

©2016 YSI +1.937.688.4255 [email protected] ysi.com/nile
If you have questions on the mapping function with the Nile Radar or have any other questions YSI can
support you with, reach out to us at [email protected] or give our direct water level product support
line a call at [phone].
Figure 14 Figure 15
4. Press the key corresponding with the checkmark to continue.
5. The screen will show an “End of sequence” then press the key corresponding with the checkmark to
continue.
6. The screen will be back on the mapping option inside the setup menu. All maps have
been erased, and you can now perform a second mapping.
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