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ComSonics CyberTek QUALIFIER User Manual

Signal level meter with digital level capability and home qualification features
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??? NEED HELP ???
APPLYING FOR YOUR QUALIFIER
TRANSMITTER LICENSE
We have included on the Feature Installation Software
CD a folder full of instructions, application templates
in Microsoft Word and Acrobat formats along with
helpful web sites to get you up and running in no time.
Please browse to and open the file named Customer
Packet. Read the Adobe Acrobat document Read Me
First.
If you encounter difficulty, please give our Customer
Service Representatives a call. They will be glad to
help.
1-800-336-9681

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Summary of Contents for ComSonics CyberTek QUALIFIER

  • Page 1 ??? NEED HELP ??? APPLYING FOR YOUR QUALIFIER TRANSMITTER LICENSE We have included on the Feature Installation Software CD a folder full of instructions, application templates in Microsoft Word and Acrobat formats along with helpful web sites to get you up and running in no time. Please browse to and open the file named Customer Packet.
  • Page 3 Signal Level Meter with Digital Level Capability Home Qualification Features CSI Document 101268-001 Rev. C unreleased...
  • Page 4 Warranty ComSonics, Inc. warrants this product to be free of material and workmanship defects for a period of one year from the original date of shipment. Remedies provided under Warranty are exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties express or implied. The liability to ComSonics is limited to product repair or replacement at the discretion of ComSonics.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Qualifier System Table of Contents - Signal Level Meter and Home Qualification System Specifications ........................iii Description ........................1-1 Battery Care ........................1-2 Power-Up ........................1-3 User Preferences ......................1-4 Country Set Define ....................1-5 Units of Measure Define ..................1-6 Quick-Tune Channels Define ..................
  • Page 6 Qualifier System FCC License Requirement A FCC license is required to operate the CyberTek Home Qualification System, specifically the transmitter component. Contact your ComSonics representative for assistance in this matter. CAUTION ! The Cybertek Home Qualifier System must be installed in a service vehicle equipped with a 12-volt negative ground electrical system.

  • Page 7: Specifications

    Qualifier System Specifications - Qualifier System Qualifier Signal Level Meter - General Specifications Tuning range 5.00 MHz ~ 860.00 MHz Amplitude range -30 dBmV (+30 dBmV) ~ +40 dBmV (99.9 dBmV) Amplitude accuracy ±1.0 dB at room temperature; ±1.5 dB over operating temperature Analog Television Types NTSC / PAL;...
  • Page 8 Qualifier System This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 9: Description

    Qualifier Meter Description The ComSonics CyberTek Qualifier is a signal level meter dedicated to the CATV installer. It features the ability to easily choose for evaluation any one of six pre-selected channels from the full tuning range available. The Qualifier meter makes measurements on the...

  • Page 10: Battery Care

    Qualifier Meter Battery Care The Qualifier meter uses a rechargeable battery. For recharging this battery, ComSonics includes a single-unit battery charger as a standard accessory. The single-unit charger’s contact end (see illustration) consists of a yellow plastic housing, with flanges on either side, and two spring-loaded prongs. It fits into the slot on the bottom edge of the Qualifier meter, which has contacts corresponding to the charger prongs (see illustration).

  • Page 11: Power-Up

    Qualifier Meter Power-Up When first powered-on, Qualifier meter is in a low power state to reduce battery consumption. In this state, the LCD provides the user with the channel name, units of measure, the last measured value and a bar graph. “Backlight” and/or “Battery Low” annunciators may also appear.

  • Page 12: User Preferences

    Qualifier Meter User Preferences Three built-in features are available for the user to customize the Qualifier meter: the Country Set, the Unit of Measurement and the selection of six Quick-Tune Measurement Channels. One custom user channel line-up set or group can be created and installed to the Qualifier meter using the Feature Installation Utility.

  • Page 13: Country Set Define

    Qualifier Meter Country Set Define From a preprogrammed list of countries, the user selects the one best suited to their area by: (a) placing the Qualifier meter into SETUP mode; (b) keying to the desired Country Set. Country sets are displayed (1 to 25). •...

  • Page 14: Units Of Measure Define

    Qualifier Meter Units of Measure Define The Qualifier meter makes available two Units of Measure to provide worldwide measurement compatibility. The user selects between dBmV and dBµV by: (a) placing the Qualifier meter into Units of Measure Define mode; (b) choosing between dBmV and dBµV;...

  • Page 15: Quick-Tune Channels Define

    Qualifier Meter Quick-Tune Channels Define The Qualifier meter’s function keys allow the user to easily tune to one of 6 preselected channels. Choices are selected for the key locations by: (a) placing the Qualifier meter into the SETUP mode; (b) stepping to the Quick-Tune Channels Define sequence; (c) selecting channel choices;...

  • Page 16: Making Measurements

    Qualifier Meter Making Measurements Each user request for a measurement causes the Qualifier meter to tune to the channel assigned to the function key pressed: the Qualifier meter displays the picture carrier, and another press of the same key toggles to the sound carrier, and subsequent keypresses toggle back and forth between the two.
  • Page 17 Qualifier Meter Making Measurements STEP KEYPRESS RESULTS Power-on the Qualifier meter. ON/OFF Requests tuning to pre-defined location, measures value, displays value of the picture carrier; a second press of the key toggles to the sound carrier, another press toggles back to the picture carrier. Pressing F1 for instance, displays the picture carrier of that channel;...
  • Page 18 Qualifier Meter Making Measurements (Second Audio Carrier Channels) Some Country Sets include channels with second audio carriers; the keypress sequences for these channels are different. STEP KEYPRESS RESULTS Power-on the Qualifier meter. ON/OFF Requests tuning to pre-defined location, measures value, displays value of the picture carrier;...

  • Page 19: Backlight

    Qualifier Meter Backlight As a standard feature, the LCD is provided with a backlight to enable the instrument’s use in low lighting conditions. Backlights require extra power and will significantly reduce available battery life. The Qualifier meter features automatic backlight deactivation and reactivation at strategic points during normal use.
  • Page 20 Qualifier Meter FCC License Requirement A FCC license is required to operate the CyberTek Home Qualification System, specifically the transmitter component. Contact your ComSonics representative for assistance in this matter. CAUTION ! The Cybertek Home Qualifier System must be installed in a service vehicle equipped with a 12-volt negative ground electrical system.
  • Page 21 Qualifier System Home Qualifier System - Overview ComSonics Cybertek Home Qualifier System provides a method for identifying the internal shielding integrity of the CATV network in a subscriber’s home without the need to enter the premises. A Test Source Transmitter (TST), installed in a service vehicle, generates a RF envelope that blankets the home.

  • Page 22: Hardware Installation

    Qualifier System Hardware Installation This section covers the installation of the Qualifier Vehicular Mounted Transmitter and Dual Band Antenna in a Vehicle with a 12-volt negative ground. The Qualifier Meter is a battery powered hand held unit, and requires no installation. Planning Your Installation Magnetic Mount Dual Band Antenna - The antenna is placed near the center of the vehicle roof with the cable running perpendicular to the centerline of the roof.
  • Page 23 Qualifier System Route antenna Install the Antenna cable to side of vehicle. Place the Magnetic Mount Dual Band Antenna on a flat roof surface of the vehicle. Position it near as possible to the center of the roof. Run the cable perpendicular to the centerline of the roof, to the point where the antenna cable will enter the vehicle.
  • Page 24 Qualifier System Mount the Transmitter 1. Place the four (4) rubber shock mounts into the four (4) slots/holes of the mounting bracket. 2. Place the four (4) nylon spacers, one each into the center of each shock mount. 3. Adjust the shock mounts in the bracket slots as needed for a secure installation in the selected location.
  • Page 25 Qualifier System 6. Select a location for mounting the ground strap to the vehicle chassis. This must be a metal surface fully connected to the vehicle ground. Mark the hole for the ground strap using a center punch. Remove any paint from the area of the hole to provide a good electrical connection between the ground lug and the vehicle chassis.
  • Page 26 Qualifier System Install Transmitter Power Cable Assembly 1. Install the 15-foot Transmitter Power Cable Assembly. On one end is a factory installed connector for the Transmitter Power Jack. The other end has bare metal contacts only. Route the ‘contacts only’ end of the cable from the passenger or cargo compartment of the vehicle to the Engine/Battery Compartment.
  • Page 27 Qualifier System 3. CAUTION - DO NOT REVERSE WIRES IN THIS STEP! Connect the bare metal contacts on the 15-foot Transmitter Power Cable to the open side of the fuse holders (see illustration). Slide the Red wire with the bare contact into the empty hole on the fuse holder that •...

  • Page 28: System Operation

    Qualifier System System Operation The transmitter is installed in the service vehicle (See section Hardware Installation). The Qualifier meter activates the transmitter by using a radio frequency Command Link. A press of the “Q” key turns on the Command Link, when the meter is in Qualifier Mode. This allows the meter to remotely activate the transmitter.

  • Page 29: Qualifier Meter Details

    Qualifier System Qualifier Meter Details The Qualifier meter includes the same functions as the ComSonics WindowLite Installer Digital meter. Additionally, the Qualifier meter has a Qualifier Mode that is activated by pressing the “Q” key on the device. The following keys are active in Qualifier mode: “Q”...
  • Page 30 Qualifier System F3 Key (Manual) Press the F3 key to display the current manual threshold value (preset at the factory to 12 dBmV). Use the Arrow keys (< or >) to change the value. The range of threshold values are between 2-20 dBmV.

  • Page 31: Appendix A: Keypress Reference

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix A: Keypress Reference KEYPRESS ACTIVITY or RESULTS ON/OFF Toggles Qualifier meter on and off. Quick-Tune Selection 1: defaults to picture carrier; press again for sound carrier, press again to return to picture carrier* Quick-Tune Selection 2: defaults to picture carrier; press again for sound carrier, press again to return to picture carrier* Quick-Tune Selection 3: defaults to picture carrier;...

  • Page 32: Appendix B: Channel Line-Up Set And Country Set Codes

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix B: Channel Line-Up Set and Country Set Codes CODE NAME Custom User Set US STD EIA US HRC EIA US IRC EIA Australia BCST US (US Off Air) Belgium Canada China Denmark France Germany Hong Kong India Israel Japan...

  • Page 33: Appendix C: Feature Installation Utility

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix C: Feature Installation Utility The Feature Installation Utility is a Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT program necessary for the customization and installation of a user defined channel line-up set or group. Digital channel definitions can only be installed by use of the utility. A special interface cable is used with a standard DB-9 serial communications port.
  • Page 34 Appendix - Qualifier System Modify the Channel Group From the Edit Menu or by use of the Command Buttons select and modify these properties. Group Information • Function Key (Quick-Tune) Channels • Add Channel • Delete Channel • Modify Channel •...
  • Page 35 Appendix - Qualifier System Save the Channel Group From the File Menu select Save Group As to rename the group. Modified factory default groups must be renamed. If the current group is a user group and is to be saved under the same name, select Save Group. Print the Channel Group Information From the File Menu select Print.

  • Page 36: Appendix D: Pressure Relief

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix D: Pressure Relief The Qualifier meter case is sealed against water. Because of this seal, taking the Qualifier meter to extremes of air pressure (e.g., from sea level to a very high elevation) may cause air pockets within the keypad.

  • Page 37: Appendix E: Battery Replacement

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix E: Battery Replacement Eventually, repeated depletion and recharging of the battery will decrease the battery’s efficiency and require its replacement. Care must be taken when replacing the battery so as to maintain the Qualifier meter’s waterproof seal. The following instructions have been provided to make this possible.

  • Page 38: Appendix F: Theory Of Operation

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix F: Theory of Operation Home Qualification System - Transmitter Block Diagram Dual Band Antenna Transmitter Test Signal Enable Transmitter Switch Diplex Filter Activation Activation Power Receiver Decoder Input The transmitter is mounted in and powered from a vehicle. The antenna is mounted on the vehicle’s roof.

  • Page 39: Meter Block Diagram

    Appendix - Qualifier System Home Qualification System - Signal Level Meter Block Diagram Internal Activate Antenna Activate Activate Battery Transmitter Encoder Power Input Tuner Test Signal Display Test Signal Section Detector Converter Connection User Data Visual Interface Memory Display The Qualifier meter is powered by an internal battery and is portable in design. A test sequence consists of the following steps: Meter is connected to ground block or tap / pedestal of home under test.

  • Page 40: Appendix G: Home Qualification System Generalized Theory Of Operation

    Appendix - Qualifier System Appendix G: Home Qualification System Generalized Theory of Operation Exhibit A CATV Distribution System Local Tap Private Home Drop Cable Downstream Path Upstream Path Ground Block Typical CATV overhead routing to private home. A cable television system distributes signals by a cable suspended on utility poles or by a cable buried in the ground.
  • Page 41 Appendix - Qualifier System Exhibit B Private Home Underground Drop Cable CATV Pedestal Downstream Path Upstream Path Ground Block CATV Pedestal with Local Tap Typical CATV underground routing to private home. The underground distribution system has the cable buried in the ground. The cable surfaces into above ground enclosures called pedestals.
  • Page 42 Appendix - Qualifier System Exhibit C Local Tap Drop Cable Antenna Inside Cables Transmitter Service Vehicle Ground Block The CATV cabling inside a home is usually hidden in areas such as craw spaces, behind walls, attics, and basements. The effects of aging on the cable (especially metal connectors), rodent damage, and possibly improper installation reduce the shielding integrity of the system within the home.
  • Page 43 Appendix - Qualifier System Exhibit D Local Tap Drop Cable Antenna Inside Cables Transmitter Service Vehicle Receiver Ground Block To qualify the shielding integrity of the cabling within the home, the drop cable is disconnected from the ground block. A receiver is connected to the ground block (to the connection the drop cable was removed from) with a length of quality jumper cable.
  • Page 44 Appendix - Qualifier System Exhibit E Local Tap Drop Cable Antenna Inside Cables Transmitter Service Vehicle Receiver Ground Block A further test involves testing the drop cable section of the home system. The drop cable is disconnected from the ground block and the drop cable is connected to the receiver. With the mobile transmitter powered on and the receiver tuned to the frequency of the transmitter, the level of test signal is measured.
  • Page 45 Appendix - Qualifier System Exhibit F Local Tap Drop Cable Transmitter Antenna Transmitter Activate Antenna Inside Cables Service Vehicle Receiver Activate Signal Ground Block An enhancement to the integrity (ingress) test system is the function of the receiver activating the transmitter only when measurements need to be made. Thereby reducing vehicle power drain, transmitter heating, and general RF pollution.

  • Page 46: Appendix H: European Community Declaration Of Conformity

    Council Directive 73/23/EEC (February 19, 1973), on Low Voltage. The Technical File required by these directives, including the original of this Declaration of Conformity, are maintained at the corporate headquarters of ComSonics, Inc. (as listed above) and within the European Community at ComTec Cable Accessories, Ltd., Over Industrial Park, Over, Cambridge CB4 5QE, United Kingdom.

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