Helo Mini MAQ Operator's Manual

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Operators Manual

(Mini MAQ)

Revised 2024

©MAQ Sonar Company

Division of Helo Enterprises

9 Church Street, Finch, ON

Canada K0C 1K0

Phone - 613-984-9000

info@maqsonar.com

www.maqsonar.com

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Summary of Contents for Helo Mini MAQ

Page 1 Operators Manual (Mini MAQ) Revised 2024 ©MAQ Sonar Company Division of Helo Enterprises 9 Church Street, Finch, ON Canada K0C 1K0 Phone - 613-984-9000 info@maqsonar.com www.maqsonar.com...
Page 3 REVISED 2024 © 2024 MAQ Sonar Company Division of Helo Enterprises No part of this document may be reproduced without express written permission from MAQ Sonar. MAQ Sonar is not legally responsible for any errors or omissions in this document or for any damage or injury as a result of the operation of the system.
Page 5 Notes: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________...
Page 6 Notes: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________...
Page 7 Preface Note: MAQ Sonar makes every effort to ensure the information contained within this document is correct. However, our equipment is continuously updated, so we cannot assume liability for errors, which may occur. Warning: MAQ Sonar disclaims any responsibility for damage or injury caused by improper installation, use or maintenance of the equipment.
Page 8 Table of Contents Chapter 1 Basic Principles of Sonar……………………………………………………… 1 Maximize Sonar Detection …………………………………………………. Chapter 2 Turning on the Power…………………………………………………………. Controlling Hoist………………………………………………………………… On Screen Display……………………………………………………………… Operation of the Joystick……………………………………………………. Menu Panel………………………………………………………………………… Default Settings…………………………………………………………………… 8 Keypad and Trackball Controls……………………………………………. Chapter 3 Mode of Operation………………………………………………………………...
Page 9 Tables and Figures Chapter 1 Figure 1 Comparison of Omni and Searchlight Sonar……………………………….. Figure 2 Transducer Beam Diagram…………………………………………………………. Chapter 2 Figure 3 Joystick Control………………………………………………………………………….. Figure 4 Hoist Control………………………………………………………………………………. 4 Table 1 Hoist Control Functions……………………………………………………………… Figure 5 On Screen Items………………………………………………………………………… Figure 6 Menu Panel Breakdown…………………………………………………………….
Page 10 Figure 36 Audio Selection…………………………………………………………………………… 22 Figure 37 Audio Sector Mode…………………………………………………………………….. Figure 38 Audio Sector Mode…………………………………………………………………….. Figure 39 Audio Discrimination Mode………………………………………………………… Figure 40 Audio Discrimination Mode………………………………………………………… Figure 41 Joystick Audio Adjust………………………………………………………………….. 23 Figure 42 A-Scan Audio………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Figure 43 A-Scan Signal Display………………………………………………………………….. Figure 44 A-Sweep Audio……………………………………………………………………………...
Page 11 Figure 81 Estimate Select…………………………………………………………………………… Figure 82 Save Select…………………………………………………………………………………. Figure 83 Tonnage Readout……………………………………………………………………….. 39 Figure 84 Reset Estimation………………………………………………………………………… Figure 85 Net Indicator………………………………………………………………………………. 40 Figure 86 Net at Cursor Position………………………………………………………………… Figure 87 Net in Locked Position………………………………………………………………… Figure 88 Net Button Selection…………………………………………………………………..
Page 12 Warning: Review Before Operating 1. Never turn on the sonar when the boat is not in the water. 2. The transducer is designed to operate immersed in water only. The unit can be damaged if the system is forced to transmit when exposed to open air. 3.
Page 13 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 1 Introduction Basic Principles of Sonar Maximize Sonar Detection P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 15 Basic Principles Sonar is the transmission of sound waves in beam form from the transducer. Targets reflect the sound and are detected when the beams return to the transducer which is displayed on the monitor. Speed of sound through water is about 1500 m per second. MAQ has been told how a fish school can be seen moving on the display at 250 m range.
Page 16 Maximizing Sonar Detection Many conditions can affect how the Sonar works. Water conditions, different terrain, temperature are the major ones. Depth of the Water:  The 10 ° beam height is 1/5 of the range that is selected. As an example at 400 m the beam will be 80 m in height.
Page 17 Temperature of the Water and Thermocline:  Air temperature and sunlight can heat and cool the surface water to varying depths of the ocean which can affect performance.  As cold water meets warm water a thermocline layer is in evidence. A thermocline can have the effect of refracting the Sonar beam and reducing the detection distance.
Page 19 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 2 Quick Start Turning on the Power Controlling the Hoist On Screen Display Operation of the Joystick Menu Panel Default Settings Keypad and Trackball Controls P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com...
Page 21 Turning on the Power: Press and hold down on the button to the front/left of the joystick paddle using your left hand. Press down on the ﬁre button on the top of the joystick using the thumb of your right hand, and then release both buttons.
Page 22 Table 1: Hoist Control Functions Item Description Up Push Button When pressed the hoist will move to the UP position. Green LED will flash if hoist is moving and will be solid if hoist is in the UP position. In the UP position the transducer will not transmit.
Page 23 On Screen Display: Below is a typical Sonar screen which has a brief explanation of the various items which might be seen on a sonar screen. On the right hand side is the Main Menu and in this particular screen shot the Operator OPR panel is on the display.
Page 24 Operation of the Joystick: The Joystick has several additional features and uses. The operator can change menus, change selections and hover over targets to set tracking marks or check tonnage indication (if system is programmed). When the operator holds down the red button on top of the joystick handle, menus are able to be changed;...
Page 25 Default Settings: At start up the system will default to the following settings as seen on the OPR screen or last setting used. 0° Figure 7 : Default Settings *The range on screen is variable and can be used as meters, feet, etc. and will depend on the transducer which is in use.
Page 26 Keypad Control (Optional): The Keypad Control allows operators to change various settings with the push of a button. Controls available on the keypad are listed below. Keypad is backlit for night operations. PST (Pre-sets) BR (Monitor Brightness) AM (Auto Mark) MM (Manual Mark) GN (Gain) Cursor Movement Direction...
Page 27 Trackball Control (Optional): Trackball allows the operator to change a variety of settings, place manual marks, deploy and retract hoist and change presets, all available in one control. The trackball is backlit for night operation. Figure 9 : Trackball Control...
Page 29 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 3 Operator Panel Mode of Operation Operator Panel P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 31 DR: Directional Receive: Figure 10 : Stabilized Selection The Mini MAQ 90kHz transducer is directionally stabilized, meaning when DR is selected the screen will be stabilized in the direction of the cursor on the display.
Page 32 Operator Panel: AO: Auto Operations: There are seven selections for Auto Operations: Figure 12 : Auto Operations Select AT Auto Track: The Auto Track operating characteristics are dependent on the presence of GPS information (latitude/longitude must be present). Constant depth automatically adjusts the system tilt angle to maintain the target depth.
Page 33 Vertical Proﬁle: The system forms a slice of the area in the direction of the cursor allowing the operator to determine the vertical shape of the target. The image is displayed in a triangle window on the center of the display. Figure 15 : Vertical Profile Example 2°3 Vertical Proﬁle The Sonar beams automatically tilt up from one 2°...
Page 34 EM: Event Marker: Figure 16 : Event Marker Select This feature requires that latitude, longitude, speed and bearing information are available through the GPS port. There are three selections for Event Marker: AM Auto Mark: The system will automatically place a mark on the target under the cursor each time the external navigation information is updated.
Page 35 When two or more Manual Marks are entered (without any Vessel Marks entered) the estimated speed and heading between the current and previous marks are calculated (this data shown in the Menu Item Description area of the Operate Panel). If any Vessel Marks are entered this area will be captured by the Vessel Mark Run and Estimated Time data.
Page 36 DT Delete Target: Deletes all marks stored using the Manual Mark Mode. To reduce the chance of accidental erasure, right click multiple times on the joystick to access this parameter. Viewing the Mark History: The Latitude/Longitude history of Event Marks and Vessel Marks is available on the AFL Panel while the Process Message item is set to 2.
Page 37 Table 2: Range Units 90kHz 90 kHz Feet 1000 1200 1400 1600 1900 2200 2600 3200 4000 90 kHz Meters 1000 1200 90 kHz Fathoms 90 kHz Yards 1000 1200 TL: Tilt: Figure 25 : Tilt Select The Tilt control sets the tilt angle of the Sonar beam. The range of selection is 10° to -46°. If the tilt angle is too severe upwards surface echoes near to the vessel may be received.
Page 38 FG: Far Gain: Figure 28 : Far Gain Control The Far Gain control adjusts the gain curve to compensate for signal attenuation at long ranges due to water temperature and salinity eﬀect. If a target of a given size and density changes strength as it approaches the vessel from the outer regions of the display the Far Gain setting must be corrected: Reduce the setting if the target strength decreases as it moves in.
Page 39 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 4 Preset Panel Enabling PST Function Setting Presets Editing Presets Using Presets P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 41 Preset Panel: Enabling PST function: If PST is coloured grey on the OPR panel the Pre-sets need to be enabled to allow selections.  On the main menu select PST.  Using the Joystick, select EN, and change from OFF to ON.
Page 42 Edit a Pre-set: Pre-set panel must be turned off to edit pre-sets.  Go to the OPR panel.  Make your new selection of the settings required.  Go to the DIS panel to change the clutter control CL or peak discrimination PD.
Page 43 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 5 Setup Panel System Setup Audio Mode System Adjustments P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 45 System Setup: TRL: Trawl Mode Figure 33 : Trawl Mode Select Trawl Mode allows the operator to simultaneously operate the Sonar at two separate ranges, tilt angle, gain and ﬁlter settings using a single transducer. Each Sonar presentation is renewed on alternating transmissions.
Page 46 Audio Mode: AS: Audio Select: Audio Sector Mode: Figure 36 : Audio Selections The system will sound an audible alarm on high strength targets within the selected angles of coverage which is positioned by the cursor. The true audio will track the strongest target found within the angle of coverage (indicated by a dotted yellow line).
Page 47 Audio Discrimination Mode: The audio alarm is triggered by echo strength within the colors displayed by the color bar in the menu description area. The area of coverage is a 180° sector centered on the bow of the vessel. The true audio will track the position of the cursor. Figure 39 : Audio Discrimination Mode Figure 40 : Audio Discrimination Mode True Audio:...
Page 48 A-Scan: This feature is disabled when the system is in Trawl Mode or in Simulator Mode. The A-Scan feature displays the information stored by the audio channel in the direction of the cursor. This feature provides an eﬀective method of detecting weak echoes in a noisy environment such as bait or reverberation.
Page 49 A-Sweep This feature is disabled when the system is in Trawl Mode or in Simulator Mode. The A-Sweep feature is identical to the A-Scan feature with an expanded sweep window to view the waveform area highlighted on either side of the cursor position. The window position will shift to the upper section of the Sonar display when the cursor is moved to the lower half of the display.
Page 50 System Adjustments: PC Picture Correlation: Figure 46 : Picture Correlation Selection The purpose of this filtering feature is to reduce the effect of transient echoes on the display. Of importance will be the elimination of noise caused by sounders and other sonar devices. Rings can appear on the screen, caused by sounders or sonar, which can most times be eliminated with this feature.
Page 51 MMT: Manual Mark Tracking Figure 49 : Manual Mark Tracking Manual Mark Tracking when enabled will automatically tilt to maintain the depth at a manual mark The “RDT” key on the trackball will now turn Manual Mark Tracking (MMT) ON/OFF. Figure 50 : MMT Indicator Indicator has been added on the OPR Panel beside the Event Mark (EM) to show when Manual Mark Tracking (MMT) is ON.
Page 52 NR: Noise Rejecter: Figure 53 : Tilt Select Noise rejection is used to eliminate propeller noise from the display. It is strongly recommended the vessel’s propellers be properly maintained to minimize propeller noise. The Noise Rejecter will only work on tilt settings between 10° up and 10°...
Page 53 FS: Fish Speed: This control determines the highest amount of Doppler Figure 61 : Fish Speed Adjust (frequency shift due to movement) the sonar will accept from ﬁsh echoes. FS allows for a wider Bandwidth (frequency) response of the sonar relating to the fish. This control will also affect targets which are up or not solid.
Page 55 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 6 Trawl Panel Enabling Trawl Panel Trawl Panel Trawl Depth Trace P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 57 Trawl Panel: Trawl Mode allows the operator to simultaneously operate the sonar at two separate Range, Tilt, Gain and Near Gain settings using a single transducer. Each sonar presentation is renewed on alternating transmissions. Figure 57 : Dual Beam Diagram Enabling the Trawl Panel: The Trawl Panel is only present when the Trawl Mode (TRL) is engaged and is inserted between the Operate Panel and the Setup Panel in the Panel Select area.
Page 58 Trawl Panel (Dual Beam Control): The Trawl Panel presents two sets of distinct display controls for operation of the sonar. Range (RG), Tilt (TL), Gain (GN) and Near Gain (NG) settings are adjusted independently for the upper and lower displays. Auto Operations (AO), Event Marker (EM) and Reverberation Controlled Gain (RCG) selections are duplicated here from the Operate Panel for easy access while in Trawl Mode.
Page 59 Trawl Depth Trace When in Trawl Mode changes in depth at the cursor, between transmissions, will be reﬂected on screen as seen in the picture on the next page. The green line indicates the distance between the points while the change in depth is shown in yellow text at the vessel position of the upper display.
Page 61 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 7 Display Panel Display Prefrences P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 63 Display Prefrences: CL: Clutter Level Figure 66 : Clutter Level The Clutter Level control features two modes of operation: Color Elimination (Settings 1 - 6) Adjust to eliminate the lower strength signal display colors. A setting of 0 disables the elimination whereas 6 is the maximum elimination level. Clutter Reduction (Settings 1a - 6a) Alters the response curve of the system colors to reduce the display reaction to lower strength signals.
Page 64 8 Colors (Peak Discrimination OFF) 8 Colors (Peak Discrimination 1) 8 Colors (Peak Discrimination 2) 64 Colors (Peak Discrimination OFF) 64 Colors (Peak Discrimination 1) 64 Colors (Peak Discrimination 2) CR: Color Resolution Sets the color resolution of the Sonar display palette. Figure 69 : Color Resolution The 8 color palette produces a more distinct hard edge to the display while the 64 color palette produces a smoother look sensitive to minor variations in the signal strength.
Page 65 CS: Control Side: Sets the location of the Menu Panel: LF for left side or RT Figure 71 : Control Side for right. RR: Range Rings: Adjust to select the range ring format on the sonar display. Figure 72 : Range Rings Select Selections: Range rings disabled.
Page 66 DE: Display Enhancement Display Enhancement magniﬁes sonar targets which allows Figure 73 : Display Enhancement the operator better discrimination of targets. Selections: Normal operation Window Zoom displays a magniﬁed (2.5 X) rectangular window of the area surrounding the cursor. When Auto Track is in operation, the Window Zoom displays the area surrounding the target.
Page 67 TxT: Text Colors Figure 74 : Text Color Adjusts the color scheme used by the system for menu text. Selections (Highlight color/Secondary color): Uses the same color scheme as matching parameters above but reduces brightness of all other controls on Operate Panel except Range, Tilt and Gain for night operation of the sonar (only when Range, Tilt or Gain are the selected menu item).
Page 69 MAQ SONAR COMPANY DIVISION OF HELO ENTERPRISES INC. CHAPTER 8 Tonnage Panel Using Tonnage Estimator Reset Estimation Net Indicator P.O. Box 199, Tel: (1) 613-984-9000 Finch, ON, Canada Email: info@maqsonar.com K0C 1K0...
Page 71 Tonnage Panel: The tonnage feature gives the operator the ability to predict with some accuracy the mass of a target seen on the display in tonnes. The tonnage predictions may aid the operator in the decision to set on a target. The accuracy of the tonnage data is based on the accuracy of the information entered into the computer after storing pictures and entering catch totals via the Tonnage Panel.
Page 72 The Menu Panel expands to include two additional menu items for estimation and storage. The date and time of the chosen capture are just above the temperature readout at the boom/left of the sonar display. Figure 80 : Tonnage Panel Example Move to the Estimate (Est) menu item and enter the tonnage of the catch.
Page 73 Net Panel: NL Net Length Sets the net length used to determine the size of the indicator from 50 to 580 fathoms. NI Net Indicator Figure 85 : Net Indicator Select Sets the method used to position the net indicator. There are three selections available In this position the net indicator is disabled With this selection the net indicator will follow the cursor position.