Ritron RF320 Series, Instruction Manual

Page: 20 / 36

RF320-Series Ritron VHF/UHF Radios
independent transmit and receive frequencies. Channel selection is
accomplished by means of pins-1, 2 and 3 on the radio’s DB-15 connector.
The radio’s transmit power level is selectable between a high and low level.
The level can be programmed for each of the eight channels and is factory
preset on all channels to 5 W for the high level and 2 W for the low level.
High/low power selection is accomplished by means of pin-5 on the DB-15
connector.
Unless otherwise specified, the RF320-series radio is programmed by
Campbell Scientific to operate in narrowband mode about a singular, customer-
specified carrier frequency on all eight channels. Additionally, the Channel
Select and High/Low Power Select pins are unconnected in the standard radio-
to-modem interface cable, effectively selecting channel eight as the operating
channel and 5 W as the transmit power level. The as-shipped programmable
parameter settings are shown in TABLE 7-1. Alteration of these settings could
adversely affect the operation of the radio telemetry network. It is
recommended that Campbell Scientific be consulted before any changes are
made.
TABLE 7-1. RF320 Series Programmed Settings
Parameter Setting
Tx Time Out Time: 60 seconds
Auxiliary Out Always On: Unchecked
Quick Sleep On: Unchecked
Channel Rx/Tx Frequencies: All channels set to the same customer
specified frequency for both receive
and transmit.
Narrowband Mode: Checked
Rx/Tx Quite Call (QC) and Digital
Quite Call (DQC) Codes: None (all channels)
Other features and capabilities of RF320-series radios not relevant to data
telemetry applications, such as CTCSS/DCS signaling, voice, and audio
interfaces, are not covered in this manual. For information on these features,
refer to Ritron’s documentation.
7.1 Link Design
For a properly designed RF link, the RF320-series radios will provide reliable
communications over a distance of 25 miles, typically. Assuming that the
radios, RF cabling, and antennas are properly installed and operating within
specified parameters, the two factors that most directly affect link quality and
constitute a “properly designed” RF link are the link budget and an
unobstructed, line-of-sight path of propagation.
14