Summary of Contents for ACR Electronics Vecta 3
- Page 1 PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL Vecta™ Direction Finder With LCD display Product No.: 2869, 2869.1, 2869.2 Y1-03-0235-1 Rev. C...
- Page 2 Electronics’ product, please read this Product Support Manual in its entirety. If you have questions regarding the contents of the manual, please contact our Technical Service Department at ACR Electronics, Inc., Telephone +1 (954) 981- 3333. Please be ready to provide the technician with the page number you wish to discuss.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS PRODUCT DESCRIPTION _____________________________________ 4 OPERATION _______________________________________________ 7 UNDERSTANDING THE LCD DISPLAY __________________________ 10 RANGE EXERCISES _________________________________________ 12 APPENDIX A – EMERGENCY SCENARIOS ________________________ 16 APPENDIX B – Vecta™ DISPLAY REFERENCE GUIDE _______________ 18 APPENDIX C – OPTIONAL BRACKET INSTALLATION ________________ 27 APPENDIX D –... -
Page 4: Product Description
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 1. Vecta™ Direction Finder with LCD display The Vecta™ Direction Finder provides an LCD display for viewing radio signal strength, and can detect an AM radio signal typically down to 0.5µV. The signal strength indicator is used to determine bearing by pointing the Vecta™... - Page 5 Your new Vecta™ following components. Figure 1 3. Unpacking the Vecta™ This kit is packed for those needing additional Direction Finders. It includes the following items (see figure 1 above): 2. Vecta™ Direction Finder 3. Water resistant carrying case 5. AC power adapter (110- 240V AC / 12V DC) 4.
- Page 6 5. Direction Finder and test beacon features Antenna elements External antenna connector LCD display SELECT/ ENTER button MENU button UP button DOWN button ON/ OFF button NUMBERS/ MICRO button External headphone jack External 12VDC power jack Mini B™ Y1-03-0235-1C Test/Training beacon Figure 2...
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Page 7: Operation
OPERATION 1. Operation steps TURN THE UNIT ON. The system will boot to a screen that has a large area for numbers, and displays the operational frequency of the receiver. VERIFY THE OPERATIONAL FREQUENCY. Default is 121.5MHz. If you will be searching for a training beacon, change the receiver frequency of the Vecta™... - Page 8 NOTE: The left-hand front antenna element of the Vecta™ electrically active element and the body’s effect on the front to back ratio of the antenna is minimized when in this position. The unit will work in either hand but, if no signal is heard when searching, you may want to try different polarization positions.
- Page 9 When determining bearing you can fine tune your bearing by using the MICRO scale and looking for the highest power reading, slowly scanning from left and right. You should see where the power starts to drop off from the highest power reading and proceed forward in that highest readings’...
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Page 10: Understanding The Lcd Display
which direction had the highest radio signal level. Then switch the Vecta™ from the NUMBERS display to the MICRO display, and place the unit in a hand held searching position- in the direction of the highest reading- immediately upon pushing the NUMBERS/MICRO key. Scan the area a few degrees to the right and a few degrees to the left to more accurately pinpoint the bearing that you want to proceed on. - Page 11 Figure 6 Y1-03-0235-1C...
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Page 12: Range Exercises
RANGE EXERCISES 1. Selecting a location for the test beacon Range exercises involve placing the test beacon in an area similar to where rescues are expected to take place, then moving away from the beacon in measured distances and recording the signal strength. For open water searches, anchor the beacon in an area where there is at least 8 nautical miles of open water in all directions. - Page 13 3. Conducting a blind search A partner hides the test beacon within a realistic search area. Place the test beacon in an area that does not inhibit the signal, i.e., Avoid situations such as in a hole, submerged under water, lying on its side, laying on a metal plate, etc.
- Page 14 Follow the strengthening signal. If it starts to fall or weaken, STOP! Slowly move the Vecta™ signal direction. LAND SEARCH: A cross-directional search pattern is useful when there are a lot of false signals. Start the search heading in a straight line until the signal weakens (Figure 8, A).
- Page 15 A method to deal with signal reflections, if the signal strength is strong, is to fold the antennas and hold the unit very close to the body. This will reduce the sensitivity of the Vecta™ signal sources. For great sensitivity when searching, use the optional Hand Held Direction Finding Antenna.
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Page 16: Appendix A - Emergency Scenarios
APPENDIX A – EMERGENCY SCENARIOS 1. Lost diver Scenario: A yacht is cruising the Caribbean. A small group of SCUBA divers have launched a dingy to a nearby shallow reef for a day of diving. All the divers have been outfitted with a Mini B™ personal beacon. - Page 17 3. Hiker rescued Scenario: Three hikers set off for a weekend of climbing a local peak. One hiker has a 406 GPS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) in his emergency kit. The hikers have properly registered it with NOAA, told loved ones their itinerary, left a message on the dashboard of their SUV and hiked to an altitude of 11,420 ft.
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Page 18: Display Reference Guide
APPENDIX B – Vecta™ GUIDE This section explains how the Vecta™ it functions and how you may interact with it. Please read this section in its entirety. PART ONE – Interacting with the Keypad Y1-03-0235-1C DISPLAY REFERENCE user interface is organized, how SELECT/ENTER MENU DOWN... - Page 19 PART TWO – Performing the DF Function Y1-03-0235-1C WELCOME SCREEN The welcome screen is the first screen to appear each time the Vecta™ is turned on. It is present for about three (3) seconds, then automatically changes to the NUMBERS view of the active Search mode.
- Page 20 PART THREE – User Preferences and Settings Y1-03-0235-1C POWER DOWN If the system is not interacted with for >59 minutes, the system will automatically shut down to save battery charge. You will be alerted visually as well as via beeps that the system is getting ready to shut down.
- Page 21 To change the operational frequency of the Vecta™ , highlight FREQUENCY using the up arrow key or down arrow key. Press the Select/Enter arrow key to indicate that you want to change the training frequency. The FREQUENCY screen will appear (below). FREQUENCY SCREEN When in the FREQUENCY screen, press the up arrow key or down arrow key to select your preferred operating frequency.
- Page 22 Highlight BARS, using the up arrow key or down arrow key, if you wish to view the entire range of real time data in a vertical bar graph format. Press the Select/Enter arrow key. The BARS screen will appear (below). Once the BARS mode is selected, the system enters the search mode using BARS as the view of the data.
- Page 23 Once the DEFAULT view is selected, the system enters the search mode using DEFAULT color scheme on all screens. If you do not interact with the system 10 seconds, the system will return to normal operational use. No changes are made. Press the Menu key to go back one menu level.
- Page 24 SIGN OFF SCREEN This screen is the first of three screens to appear when the system is powered down. This screen informs you that OFF has been selected. This screen is the second of three screens to appear when the system is powered down.
- Page 25 PART FOUR – User Interface Behaviors Default settings User programmable settings retained User programmable settings not retained Length of time to view Peak Reading Time- outs Length of time a screen can be viewed User cancellation Y1-03-0235-1C Vecta™ default settings include: ...
- Page 26 If MICRO view reaches maximum data display Battery save mode System beeps Return to main search screen To enable On or Off Y1-03-0235-1C If the MICRO mode reaches its maximum data display and you want to continue to use MICRO mode, reset the system by depressing the NUMBERS/ MICRO key.
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Page 27: Appendix C - Optional Bracket Installation
WARNING: Do not attempt to use the Vecta™ antennas. The Search-and-Rescue frequencies are not standard, and using the wrong antenna can seriously degrade performance of the Vecta™ . Only use remote antennas approved by ACR Electronics. See Accessories section. 2. Folding Handle / Mounting Bracket The Vecta™... -
Page 28: Appendix D - Technical Specifications
APPENDIX D – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Vecta™ LCD Display Direction Finder Frequency Received Frequency Stability Operating Temperatures Operating Life: Activation Size Weight Color Limited Warranty Mini B™ test beacon Frequency Power Output Operating Life Battery Emission Modulation Attachments Y1-03-0235-1C Search Channel: 121.5 MHz Training Channel: 121.375, 121.600, 121.650, 121.775 MHz .005% (crystal controlled) -
Page 29: Appendix E - Warranty, Notices
1 (one) year* from date of purchase or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc. will repair or, at its option, replace the unit at no cost to you for labor, materials and return transportation from ACR. - Page 30 Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. ACR Electronics diligently works to provide a high quality Product Support Manual, however, despite best efforts, information is subject to change without notice, and omissions and inaccuracies are possible.
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Page 31: Appendix F - Accessories
APPENDIX F – ACCESSORIES The following is a list of accessories and commonly replaced items. Item Whip antenna Hand Held Direction Finding Antenna Test Beacon Test beacon, custom (for 121.375, 121.600 or 121.650MHz frequencies) Battery for Test Beacon Y1-03-0235-1C Description 3ft, marine mount, includes antenna cable adapter (source... -
Page 32: Ec Declaration Of Conformity
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ACR Electronics, Inc. hereby declares that the following product is in conformity with Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE). In accordance with the Directive, the product will be...