SAM-III Construction Manual
See last page for document and copyright information, File: SAM-III Magnetometer Construction.doc, Page 25
SAM - Simple Aurora
Monitor
by DG3DA & DL3HRT
Initial tests
or, more likely, if the initial screen timer expired during
display adjustment, it will read:
Keyboard:
Successively press
F1-F4...
You can view the initial screen anytime by press the reset
pushbutton (S1) on the controller PCB. This will reboot the SAM-III controller and start over. In the
following tests, you may press S1 anytime you would like to return to the initial screen and start over.
If you have problems, measure the Vcc pins on the ICs. You will have to refer to the schematic to
determine the pins. Also, measure the current drawn by the SAM-III. It should be nominal 50 mA. A
current draw significantly higher or lower indicates a problem with a component or the soldering. Use
normal troubleshooting procedures to clear the problem before going to the next test.
If the display works, go to the next test. If the display does not work, do not go to the next step until the
problem is corrected.
Test the Keyboard
Press the keys F1 to F4 in order.
Keyboard:
Successively press
F1-F4
F1 F2 F3 F4
The text F1 F2 F3 F4 appears on the screen as you press each key.
Shortly after F1 through F4 have been pressed the display should show:
Test okay...
If the keyboard test was successful, the next text appears:
RS-232:
Connect PC and
Press F1 if data
is readable
At this time, the SAM-III is transmitting on its serial port; however. DO NOT press F1 yet. The
preliminary tests are done. Go to the next test.
Test the EIA-232 Serial Interface:
P3
