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AlfaRadio AlfaSpid RAK Instruction Manual

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lfaSpid Rotator and Controller
Instruction Manual
A
This manual is for use with units sold by
lfaRadio Ltd. of
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Units sold by others may have
different firmware and may operate from different voltages.
Last updated on September 08 2008
A
Copyright
lfaRadio Ltd 2002-2008 2008-01-15
www.alfaradio.ca
780.466.5779

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Summary of Contents for AlfaRadio AlfaSpid RAK

  • Page 1 This manual is for use with units sold by lfaRadio Ltd. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Units sold by others may have different firmware and may operate from different voltages. Last updated on September 08 2008 Copyright lfaRadio Ltd 2002-2008 2008-01-15 www.alfaradio.ca 780.466.5779...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 2 Table of Contents Introduction .................... 4 Shipping Contents.................. 4 Technical Data ..................4 Control Panel ..................5 Rear Panel ..................... 6 Installation ....................7 Bench Testing..................8 Resetting the Controller ................. 9 Controller Operation................10 Function Mode..................

  • Page 3: Introduction

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 3 Introduction The AlfaSpid rotator is an extra heavy-duty rotator designed to run large communication antennas and comes complete with an electronic control unit. The rotator is designed to be mounted pipe to pipe or on an optional adaptor plate for conventional in tower mounting.

  • Page 4: Control Panel

    lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 4 Control Panel Front Panel Front Panel Front Panel Buttons -Left (Decrease) -Right (Increase) -Setup -Function Indicators -Overlap -Not currently used 7 segment 4-digit display - Multifunction display Page 4 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779...

  • Page 5: Rear Panel

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 5 Rear Panel -Fuse Holder - Power Cord - Power Switch - Terminal Strip 4 Pin Connector -DB-9 connector (female) -DB-9 connector (male) Female for CPU / RS232 Male for AlfaSpid Mouse Page 5 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd.

  • Page 6: Installation

    lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 6 Installation Wiring Connections The rotator unit must be wired to the control unit with 4-wire cable. The gauge of the 4-wire cable to connect the control unit to the rotator depends upon the distance between rotator and controller. The wire for the impulse sensing may be quite thin - #22 or similar, even for relatively long distances.

  • Page 7: Bench Testing

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 7 Bench Testing of Control Box The control box is normally expected to be operated from a 12 Volt DC supply; however it may be operated from other unregulated DC or AC sources as well. DC or AC voltage levels between 10 and 26 Volts capable of at least 5 Amps are acceptable, typically 12 or 14 Volts.

  • Page 8: Resetting The Controller

    lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 8 Resetting the Controller Since there are no mechanical limits in the rotator, it may be installed with the antenna pointing in any direction. There is no reason to locate “TRUE NORTH” until you are ready to calibrate the control box. Use the controller to position the antenna to physically point north, then reset the controller as follows: Turn the unit OFF.

  • Page 9: Controller Operation

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 9 Controller Operation You will need to leave sufficient coax length to accommodate the additional 180 degrees of over-travel on each end of normal rotation. Failure to do so can cause damage to your coax and/or antennas.
  • Page 10 lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 10 - Normal Operations Mode In Normal Operations Mode, the buttons cause rotation as long as the buttons are pressed. Pressing while in normal operations mode will take you to setup mode. - Half Auto Mode In Half Auto Mode, the buttons can be used to pre-select the desired beam heading.

  • Page 11: Setup Mode

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 11 Setup Mode button steps through the setup menu. The display cycles through each of the setup menu items. 1.00 0.50 ratio setting ( Default is 1.00 ) - Programmable High Limit Default flashing “DOT” 180 - Programmable Low Limit Default not flashing “DOT”...

  • Page 12: Programmable Low Limit

    lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 12 - Programmable Low Limit The Programmable Low Limit is a user adjustable counter-clockwise travel limit value. By increasing this value, the minimum counter-clockwise rotation travel can be restricted. Use the buttons adjust the value. - Programmable Reset Value The Programmable Reset Value can be set to either 0 degrees, or 180 degrees.
  • Page 13 AlfaSpid Rotator Page 13 - Program Simulation Program Simulation allows the user to set the serial communication protocol used by the rotator. When set to emulate another brand of rotator, the AlfaSpid will respond to commands, and send responses back to the computer as if it were the rotator brand selected.

  • Page 14: Mouse Controller

    lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 14 Mouse Controller (Optional) The optional mouse controller allows easy desktop access to the most commonly used front panel controls. These buttons are functionally equivalent to the corresponding front panel controls. The mouse controller is a - Left (Decrease) highly modified computer - Right (Increase)
  • Page 15 AlfaSpid Rotator Page 15 Alfa Radio Ltd. Trouble shooting tips Before contacting AlfaRadio Ltd. Please make the following tests:. The following are some trouble shouting tips, if for some reason your AlfaSpid will not operate correctly. It is important to confirm correct operation before installing on the tower. This will rule out any damage that may have been caused by the shipping company.
  • Page 16 lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 16 Be careful not to over wind your coax with the next test, as there will be no protection from over turning. Find a small 12 volts supply which will deliver 3 to 4 amps. ( a small 12 Volt battery will work just fine ) To confirm that the motor runs you may connect 12 volts D.C.

  • Page 17: Using The Alfaspid Rotator With Long Cable Distances

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 17 Using the lfaSpid Rotator with LONG Cable Distances By VE6JY Since the motor uses relatively low voltage DC, a combination of long cable runs and/or thinner than required cable may reduce the voltage at the motor to an unacceptably low value.
  • Page 18 lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 18 Relay Board Schematic Page 18 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779...
  • Page 19 This information is presented as a guide to help the user realize a solution to the long cable run situation. If you do not feel comfortable wiring basic circuitry to do this, please contact lfa Radio Ltd. (www.alfaradio.ca) for a pre-wired solution. Prepared for lfa Radio Ltd by VE6JY Don Moman Dec 6/2001 Page 19 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd.

  • Page 20: Warranty

    All shipments must be accompanied by the letter describing the problem in detail along with a copy of your proof-of-purchase. Contact lfaRadio for authorization be for shipping. www.alfaradio.ca 780 446 8958 WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL Page 20 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd.

  • Page 21: Notes

    AlfaSpid Rotator Page 21 NOTES: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Page 21 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd. 11211 - 154 St. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 1X8 780 466 5779...
  • Page 22 lfaSpid Rotator www.alfaspid.com Page 22 Typical travel of the lfaSpid Rotator Blue 0 to 180 is the dot (not flashing) PH over travel (Right 180 side of diagram) Red 0 to 180 is the dot(flashing) PL over travel ( Left 180 side of diagram) Page 22 of 23 lfa Radio Ltd.

  • Page 23: Controller

    BIG RAK @ 24V Turning torque in lbs / N m >5,000 in lb / 565 N m Contact AlfaRadio Brake Torque in lbs / N m 24,000 in lb / 2,712 N m 24,000 in lb / 2,712 N m...

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