Introduction Welcome to Rain Bird Freedom System The Maxicom Freedom System is a radio-operated system that gives you control of the Maxicom computer and provides voice communication from the field or remote locations. The system consists of a multi-function telephone and radio terminal located at the Maxicom central location.
• Battery pack Note: A Freedom handheld radio unit (voice only) without a keypad is also available. Contact your local Rain Bird Maxicom Distributor for ordering information. • Handheld UHF radio unit with DTMF • 120 VAC power supply (battery charger)
Installing the Freedom System Additional required equipment • Heavy-duty antenna mast for mounting the central antenna (Radio Shack model #15-843). The antenna mast must be five-feet long, 16-gauge steel, enamel finished, and 1 1/4-inch diameter. • Steel brackets for mounting the antenna mast. Choose one of the following options: –Gable roof mount (Radio Shack model #15-889) –Eight-inch wall mount (Radio Shack model #15-885)
Installing the base unit Select a suitable location for the base unit, either on a desktop or mounted on a wall (see below). To avoid possible interference with the Maxicom computer monitor, position the base unit at least six feet away from the monitor, but within 25 feet (the length of the communication cable) of the Maxicom computer.
Installing the central base antenna and surge arrestor Select a suitable site for installing the antenna that will be both safe and give it the best performance. Most antennas are supported by a pipe mast that is attached to the side wall, roof, chimney, or eaves of a building with brackets, straps, or a tripod- type mount.
Installing the Freedom System Figure 4: Weatherproofing the coaxial cable connections Attach the antenna to the top of the mast using the U-bolts, nuts, and lock washers provided with the antenna. Attach a #10 GA (or larger) bare copper grounding terminal lug to one side of the U-bolt.
You can also mount the surge arrestor on the inside of the wall (see fig. 6). Securely attach the surge arrestor by using the surface mounting bracket attached to it. Place the surge arrestor as close as possible to where the grounding rod will be grounded.
Using the Freedom System System setup Setting passwords and changing them periodically protects your system from unau- thorized use. You always have complete access to the Maxicom system from the computer keyboard. You only need the password to gain access to the Maxicom system when you are using the Freedom handheld radio unit or remote telephone.
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If you do not enter start and end times, both times will default to 12:00 a.m., meaning the window is always open. To set the Freedom Time Window: Select Open from the Site menu. The Open An Existing Site dialog box opens. If you have not set up any sites yet in Maxicom , see the Maxicom manual for instructions on setting up...
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Using the Freedom System Click on the tab. Contact The Contact Sheet comes to the front. Note that at the bottom of the sheet, you are able to set the Freedom Time Window. Enter the time to start the Freedom Time Window. Use a 12-hour time format.
System operation Understanding the handheld radio The Freedom handheld radio allows you direct access to the Maxicom computer from the field. By entering commands with the radio keypad, you have field control for individual stations as well as total system control. The radio can also be used to contact other radios at your site or to receive and make telephone calls from the field.
If the radio does not work properly, consult Chapter 4, Troubleshooting the Freedom System on pg. 25. If you still have difficulty with the radio, contact your Rain Bird Maxicom distributor. Select the proper channel with the channel select knob. See the handheld radio manual for information on selecting channels.
If the local user is manually on-line with a site, and a Freedom user attempts to initiate contact, a message will appear on the Maxicom screen, informing the local user that Freedom contact is being attempted. The message will ask if the local user wants to terminate contact.
Using the Freedom System To turn off access for a specific time period: Press ##4321#2#(1 – 9)## You have closed access to the system for a specific period (1 – 9 hours, depending upon your selection). Contacting the Freedom System by telephone Dial the Freedom System telephone number.
Specify the site number you would like to contact. For example, to contact site number 5, enter ##5## It takes Maxicom approximately 30 seconds to contact a site. You will hear wait beeps, which are short beeps occurring once every second. •...
Using the Freedom System Summary of Freedom System commands There are two sets of commands for the Maxicom Freedom System: • The first set of commands are used while on-line with a CCU. These commands are the most commonly used commands and are available to all of the passwords.
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Command name Format Description Examples Command 1 Turn on station(s) Turns on stations(s) ss ##1#cc#ss ##1#3#5#11#13## on channel cc for tt Turns on stations 5 and 11 on channel 3 for {#ss#ss}#tt## 13 minutes. If you enter more than one station, then the time must be entered.
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Using the Freedom System Command name Format Description Examples Command 52 Turn off the station Turns off the station ##52## ##52## turned on by previously turned on The station turned on by command 51 command 51 by command 51. turns off. You do not have to specify the channel and station because Maxicom main- tains that information.
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Command name Format Description Examples Command 76 Resume a paused schedule ##76#SSSS## Resumes an interrupted schedule. ##76#15## Resumes schedule 15. If you omit SSSS, all paused schedules resume, therefore ##76## resumes all paused schedules. Command 8 Hang up on the current Hangs up on the site currently ##8## ##8##...
Using the Freedom System Commands used to control Maxicom features For the following commands listed in the table below: • t = hour(s) SSS = site(s) • SSS can be 1, 2, or 3 digits. • Anything in brackets is optional and unlimited in length. Command name Format Description...
Troubleshooting The following pages contain possible problems you may encounter and solutions. Before calling Rain Bird, check this list. If you cannot solve the problem yourself, a simple program called “Clemar 2” is available to confirm that the Freedom System’s repeater, FR-200, radios, PC, cable, and telephone interface are properly functioning.
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Problem: A short warning tone sounds every 15 seconds while the handheld radio is on. Solution: Recharge the battery pack. (A final longer tone means that the battery is discharged and the radio has turned itself off.) Problem: The handheld radio does not work at all. Solution: •...
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Troubleshooting Problem: You hear a busy signal when you try to contact Maxicom Solution: If you contact Maxicom when it is already on-line with a site, you will hear a busy signal, which consists of many long tones, after you have entered a site number other than 0.
Appendix Telephone interface with the Freedom System You can contact the Freedom System and operate the Maxicom system from a remote location via telephone. You may also use the handheld radio to receive and send calls from the field through the Freedom System base unit. In order to use the Freedom System’s full capabilities, you will need to connect a dedicated phone line to the Freedom System base unit.
Using the handheld unit for telephone operations Answering a phone call Press and hold the button and press Answer the call as you would with a normal telephone, speaking into the microphone. Press and hold the PTT at all times when you are talking. Release the PTT button in order to listen to the person on the other end of the line.
Appendix Setting up the base unit (6xx* commands) Once you have set up the Maxicom computer to interact with the Freedom System, you are ready to set up the Freedom System base unit. All the commands that are entered into the radio that control base unit operation are know as 6xx* commands.
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Command name Command Function Additional comments Set the base unit • Allows the radio to transmit The handheld unit will not ring when the to answer incoming 672* commands to the base unit. base unit receives an incoming telephone call. telephone calls •...
Appendix Caring for the Freedom System equipment • The radio is not waterproof. Do not immerse it in water or expose it to excessive moisture. • Do not expose the radio to extreme heat such as direct sunlight in a closed vehicle.
Optional equipment The following optional equipment is available from your Rain Bird Distributor: Product model No. Description FTX-450-01 5 Watt/UHF handheld radio w/DTMF pad, 11 channel FTX-450 5 Watt/UHF handheld radio w/o DTMF pad, 11 channel FTX-450-011K 5 Watt/UHF handheld w/DTMF pad and w/high cap.
Appendix Battery life and charging time Battery life (90-5-5 duty cycle) BPX-8N-HC BPX-8N-MH Model BPX-8N 650 mAh 800 mAh 1100 mAh Capacity NiCad NiCad NiMH Type Five watts Battery saver enabled 8 hrs. 9.8 hrs. 15.8 hrs. Battery saver disabled 4.7 hrs.
FCC regulations Telephone interface information Specifications Ringer equivalence: 0.7B Universal service order code: RJ11C DOC number: 1084 3399 A Prohibited connections The FP-200 autopatch unit may not be connected to a. party telephone line b. telephone line providing phone service Installation requirements All subscriber connections to the telephone system are to be made with standard plugs and telephone company supplied jacks (or their equivalent).
FP-200 autopatch PC board, or the RR-454 PC board. Any unauthorized repair may seriously affect the compliance with the rules under which the unit is registered. Remove the unit from service and contact Rain Bird through your Rain Bird Distributor.
Rain Bird Distributor from whom you purchased the equipment. In most cases, the Rain Bird Distributor will be able to determine the cause of the problem and take the necessary action to correct it. If he is unable to...
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