DigiLink US, ECO DC Version
DIGUSDCECO
Issue
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System Overview
The Scope DigiLink DL4DCUSA & DL8DCUSA are DC powered (12 to 13.8V dc), programmable radio paging
systems which can be used to transmit both text and numeric messages direct to pocket pagers carried by
individuals or entire groups. The unit is supplied with either 4 or 8 inputs, which can be hardware configured to
accept either dry contact (no voltage) or voltage (5-18V dc) triggers. Each input is pre-programmed as either
N/O (Normally Open), N/C (Normally Closed) or C/S (Change of State). Triggering any of the inputs (zones) will
result in a pre-programmed message (up to 40 characters) being transmitted to the selected pager or group of
pagers.
The unit can be programmed to repeat transmit (1,2,3 transmissions or until reset) if required. In addition, the
trigger period can be defined (period for which the zone must remain in the active state before triggering). One
input can be configured as a Reset to clear any current transmission cycles. This can also be used as an
“Arm/Disarm” facility for the alarm inputs. Selected inputs can also be set to 24 hour (always armed) mode (for
use as “Panic” buttons etc.). Various other parameters can be programmed to suit specific user requirements.
The Configuration Data sheets accompanying your system will detail how all the various parameters have been
set. It is vital that you retain this information in a safe place as you will need to quote the unit’s serial number in
the unlikely event that you experience any problems. You will also need this information should you wish to
order more pagers (these must be matched to the identity of your system).
For advanced users who wish to program the unit themselves, a Programming Interface must be purchased.
This provides a Windows based menu driven application running on a PC serial port, allowing all functions to be
programmed and stored in the system’s secure non-volatile memory. Full details can be found in the SCPMON
Monitor Program Help files.
Section 1: Installation
The information contained in this Section is intended for use by authorized system installation
engineers only. Unqualified personnel should not undertake installation of this equipment under any
circumstances whatsoever.
Location of the hardware
Before locating the hardware in any given location, it is important to take into account the range of operation that
you require to obtain from your system. The standard transmitter can quite easily provide ranges of up to a mile
or more and will provide excellent propagation on most industrial sites, covering a considerable area with just a
quarter wave antenna (BNC terminated) connected directly to the unit.
For coverage of very large sites, or where exceptionally difficult operating conditions exist, it may be
advantageous to install an external antenna. Installing the transmitter on the second or third floor of a building
will more often than not boost overall range. However, horizontal range is not always required as much as
propagation through a multi-story building. Here it may be more useful to use a small external antenna
mounted outside the building at half the building height. Sometimes range is required more in one direction than
in the other: moving the aerial to one side of the building can provide a bias in the required direction, which may
overcome the range difficulties. (See section:
Other Antennas
).
Important:
coaxial feeds which are longer than 5 meters must employ low loss 50 ohm coax. We normally do
not recommend feeds of more than 15 meters for standard applications. However, we suggest you contact our
technical department where other considerations may prove this to be impractical.
A further consideration that must be taken into account is the length and location of the dry contact cables. To
avoid interference and possible false triggering, cable runs should be kept to a minimum (ideally less than 10
meters) and should be isolated from other cabling (e.g. mains, telecoms. PC networks, etc).
