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TriCom TCR-MBA-50 WB, Operator'S Manual, Page: 7 / 36

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TriCom TCR-MBA-50 WB Operator'S Manual Download Page 7

 

3 

 

1.3 

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

 

 
The TCR-MBA-50 and TCR-MBA-50 WB are bi-directional half duplex RF Power Amplifiers 
providing transmit amplification for  30-512 MHz FM/AM Line-of Sight (LOS), 30-88 MHz FM 
SINCGARS Frequency Hopping, 225-400 MHz AM HAVE QUICK Frequency Hopping, 292-
318 MHz (transmit band) UHF Tactical SATCOM and 225-450 MHz ANW2 and SRW 
Wideband Networking  bands (wideband networking applies only to TCR-MBA-50 WB). A low 
noise amplifier provides receive gain for the 242-268MHz UHF Tactical SATCOM receive 
band.  It is suitable for vehicular, airborne, man-portable or fixed-station applications and is 
compatible with most military and commercial radios operating in the 30MHz - 512MHz 
frequency spectrum.  The operation of the amplifier can be controlled locally via front panel 
switches or from USB and RS-232 interfaces for remote control operation.  There is also a Bias 
Tee 3 available (Tricom Research Part Number 11000-00735) for remote operation of the 
amplifier.  The amplifier has a DC input connection, a radio port and three mode specific antenna 
ports.  The LOS mode port is for AM and FM frequency hopping (non-wideband) and multiband 
Line of Site operation from 30-512MHz.  The SATCOM mode port is band limited to UHF 
TACSAT Frequencies for 5 and 25 KHz channels, DAMA and IW communications.  The WB 
mode port is used for Wideband Networking and Wideband Frequency Hopping Networking 
modes (applicable only to TCR-MBA-50 WB).  
 

1.3.1  USER SET MODES.

  

 

The following modes are available to the user via the front panel push buttons or with the remote 
interface: 

 

LOS MODE BUTTON

   

LOS FM  
FREQUENCY HOP FM  
LOS AM  
FREQUENCY HOP AM 

*

ANW2/SRW WB (Wideband Networking Waveforms) 

*

ANW2//SRW WB HOP (Wideband Networking Waveforms) 

 

SAT MODE BUTTON 

SATCOM (LNA ON) 
SATCOM (LNA OFF) 

 

*Applicable only to TCR-MBA-50 WB.  

 
The mode button selection determines which output antenna port is active.  If the LOS button is 
pressed while the amplifier is in a SATCOM mode, the amplifier will return to the last used LOS 
mode.  The next LOS button press will sequence to the next available LOS mode.  The same is 
true for the SAT button when pressed while in LOS mode.  This way, the user may toggle 
between set SATCOM and LOS modes by alternately pressing the two mode control buttons, 
without having to cycle through the entire menu structure.  Note that the WB modes are accessed 
via the LOS mode button.   
 

Summary of Contents for TCR-MBA-50 WB

Page 1: ...S MANUAL TCR MBA 50 AND TCR MBA 50 WB MULTI BAND RF AMPLIFIERS DOCUMENT 90400 01141 Tricom Research Inc http www tricomresearch com 17981 Sky Park Circle Suite M Irvine CA 92614 Ph 949 250 6024 fax 949 250 6023 ...

Page 2: ...dix B for Bias Tee installation instructions 25 Apr 2012 A Official Release 24 Oct 2012 B Changed Figure 3 7 added auxiliary connector pin 12 description 4 Dec 2012 C Added TCR MBA 50 information 15 Mar 2013 D Changed references to LVL indicator and RF input power 5 Mar 2014 E Added Figure 3 8 Auxiliary Connector Interface Updated Table 3 3 Auxiliary Connector Interface pinout 12 Dec 2016 Note The...

Page 3: ...ators and Connectors 11 13 2 3 Operation 13 2 3 1 General Information 13 2 3 2 Equipment Set up 13 2 3 3 Operating Procedures 13 2 3 3 1 Push Button Switch Operation 13 15 2 3 3 2 LNA Operation Precautions 15 2 3 3 3 Remote Control Operation 15 2 3 3 4 Out of Band Operation 15 2 3 3 5 Bypass Operation 15 2 3 3 6 Troubleshooting 15 16 3 0 INSTALLATION 3 1 General Information 17 3 2 Preparation for ...

Page 4: ...ls Indicators 11 Figure 2 2 Amplifier Connections 11 Figure 3 1 TCR MBA 50 WB Outline Drawing 1 of 2 18 Figure 3 2 TCR MBA 50 WB Outline Drawing 2 of 2 19 Figure 3 3 Amplifier DC Input Connector 20 Figure 3 4 Commercial Vehicle DC Power Cable 21 Figure 3 5 Military Vehicle DC Power Cable 21 Figure 3 6 Military Battery DC Power Cable 21 Figure 3 7 Auxiliary Connector Pinout 22 Figure 3 8 Auxiliary ...

Page 5: ... for the following modes of operation Multiband line of sight LOS FM and AM 30 512 MHz communications SINCGARS frequency hopping 30 88 MHz operation HAVEQUICK frequency hopping 225 400 MHz UHF Tactical SATCOM 242 268 MHz receive and 292 318 MHz transmit frequencies with Low Noise Amplifier LNA and Cosite suppression SRW and ANW2 Wideband Networking Waveforms in the 225 450 MHz band available only ...

Page 6: ...erenced to 1 milliwatt 0 dBm 1 mW FM Frequency modulation Hz Hertz IW Integrated Waveform JITC Joint Interoperability Test Center DISA kHz Kilohertz LED Light emitting diode LNA Low Noise Amplifier LOS Line of sight MHz Megahertz mW Milliwatt PT Plain text PTT Push to Talk RCV Receive SATCOM Satellite Communications SF Single Frequency SRW Soldier Radio Waveform UHF Ultra high frequency VDC Volts ...

Page 7: ...rt is for AM and FM frequency hopping non wideband and multiband Line of Site operation from 30 512MHz The SATCOM mode port is band limited to UHF TACSAT Frequencies for 5 and 25 KHz channels DAMA and IW communications The WB mode port is used for Wideband Networking and Wideband Frequency Hopping Networking modes applicable only to TCR MBA 50 WB 1 3 1 USER SET MODES The following modes are availa...

Page 8: ... modes 10 15 or 25 Watts in SATCOM and maximum current draw not to exceed 4 75 Amps Commercial Vehicle Mode 13 8 VDC nominal 25 Watts in LOS and WB modes 10 15 or 25 Watts in SATCOM and maximum current draw not to exceed 5 5 Amps Military Vehicle Mode 28 VDC nominal 25 or 50 Watts in LOS 25 Watts in WB and 10 15 25 35 or 50 Watts in SATCOM and maximum current draw not to exceed 6 8 Amps 1 3 3 POWE...

Page 9: ...n and Table 2 2 describes the different power levels that are available for each mode of operation 1 3 4 1 SATCOM MODE INDICATOR SAT The SAT LED will illuminate whenever one of two SATCOM modes is selected SAT LNA ON SAT LNA OFF 1 3 4 2 LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER MODE INDICATOR LNA The LNA LED will illuminate whenever the SATCOM LNA ON mode is selected SAT LNA ON When in SAT mode pressing the SAT button ...

Page 10: ...at a frequency that is not valid in the selected mode or over temperature conditions 1 3 4 10 REMOTE OPERATION STATUS INDICATOR RMT The REMOTE LED will illuminate when the PA has received a REMOTE ON command from an external terminal and will stay on until the REMOTE OFF command has been received Note that the front panel LOS and SAT buttons are ignored during remote operation 1 3 5 REMOTE CONTROL...

Page 11: ...eceive band filtering to suppress interference from co located radios and amplifiers in SATCOM and WB modes Amplifier front panel indication of system status 1 5 TCR MBA 50 BOTH VERSIONS SYSTEM The TCR MBA 50 WB is pictured in Figure 1 1 and the TCR MBA 50 is pictured in Figure 1 2 1 5 1 Amplifier Components The Amplifier consists of several printed circuit board assemblies a filtering and switchi...

Page 12: ...BA 5590 12 7 VDC 4 75 A max 10 15 20 Watts BB 2590 15 VDC 4 75 A max 10 15 25 Watts Commercial Vehicle 13 5 VDC 5 5 A max 10 15 25 Watts Military Vehicle 28 VDC 6 8 A max 10 15 25 35 50 Watts Filtering Cosite suppression LOS OPERATION Frequency Range 30 512 MHz with Automatic Frequency Detection Modulation AM FM AM FM Frequency Hopping Band Selection Fully automatic RF Power Input 5 Watts Avg Peak...

Page 13: ...C female LOS Antenna Connector BNC female SAT Antenna Connector BNC female WB Antenna Connector BNC female not installed on TCR MBA 50 DC Connector MS3112E10 6P Auxiliary Connector Optional RS 232 Cable PN 77500 00390 Optional USB Cable PN 77500 00391 High Temperature High Temperature Indication Fold back DC Off Routes Radio signal to LOS port Operating Temperature 30 to 60 C Cooling Natural Conve...

Page 14: ...S3112E10 6P mating connector for cable use is MS3116F10 6S 12 32 VDC Input GND Commercial Vehicle Select 12 V Military Vehicle Select 28 V Auto Power On Select Reserved RADIO RF from radio Type BNC female LOS SAT WB To LOS Antenna To SATCOM Antenna To WB Antenna Type BNC female Type BNC female Type BNC female Available only on TCR MBA 50 WB ...

Page 15: ...ns has three push button switches to control Power ON OFF LED intensity and RF power level selection PWR button SAT Modes of Operation SAT button LOS Modes of Operation LOS button WB Modes of Operation LOS button TCR MBA 50 WB only There are also several status indicators on the amplifier s front panel as shown in Figure 2 1 The functions of these are specified in Tables 2 1 2 2 and 2 3 Figure 2 1...

Page 16: ...put power is being adjusted and will revert back to their normal function 2 seconds after the desired power level is selected The power level indication will also momentarily illuminate when the modes are changed and at initial turn on of the amplifier MODE OF OPERATION LED LOS MODES SAT LNA WB LOS FH AM LOS FM ON LOS FREQUENCY HOP FM SINCGARS ON ON LOS AM ON ON LOS FREQUENCY HOP AM HAVE QUICK ON ...

Page 17: ...R MBA 50 DC Power input connection Circular Mil connector Used to apply DC power input to amplifier Auxiliary Port Custom 12 pin flat contact connector Used for remote control and other special functions 2 3 Operation 2 3 1 General Information The TCR MBA 50 both versions can be used for operation once it has been installed as described in Section 3 2 3 2 Equipment Set up Refer to Paragraph 2 2 fo...

Page 18: ... indication will revert back to their normal function approximately 2 seconds after the last button press Note that in some modes only a single power level is available so the power level display will not change PWR button LED Intensity Level Select Press and hold the PWR button for more than 2 seconds to select one of four available LED intensity levels high medium medium low low As the button is...

Page 19: ... these interfaces 2 3 3 4 Out of band operation Operating outside the frequency band for the selected mode of operation 30 88 MHz FM SINCGARS Frequency Hopping 225MHz 400MHz AM HAVEQUICK Frequency Hopping 225MHz 450MHz WB and 292MHz 318 MHz UHF SATCOM will cause the FLT light to flash The amplifier will go into a failsafe LOS bypass mode The fault will be cleared when the transmit signal is remove...

Page 20: ...ower connector Verify that the proper DC power cable is being used Decrease input RF power to less than 10 Watts Check DC voltage while transmitting and radio output power setting Note The LVL LED will not flash to indicate a low drive condition when operating from a battery low battery voltage even though the output power may be low FLT light flashes Constantly output power is reduced FLT light O...

Page 21: ...ons can be mounted using existing mounting holes for the TCR MBA 25 power amplifier refer to Figure 3 1 These holes accommodate 10 32 screws which screw into tapped 10 32 X 0 220 deep holes on the amplifier Ensure the proper length screw is used to prevent damage to the threaded holes on the amplifier The power amplifier can also be mounted by using two mounting tabs in the front and two mounting ...

Page 22: ...18 Figure 3 1 TCR MBA 50 WB Outline Drawing 1 of 2 Mounting Tab Tricom Part 31002 01677 Use 100º 8 flat head screw ...

Page 23: ...19 Figure 3 2 TCR MBA 50 WB Outline Drawing 2 of 2 ...

Page 24: ...ocated on the rear of the amplifier WB antenna connection is only available on TCR MBA 50 WB Figure 3 3 Amplifier DC input connector MS3112E10 6P Table 3 1 DC Input Power Connector Pinout Pin I O Connection Pin A I 12 32 VDC Pin B I GND Pin C I Commercial Vehicle Select Pin D I Military Vehicle Select Pin E I Auto Power ON Select Pin F I O Reserved Table 3 2 DC Input Power Control Pin Functions Pi...

Page 25: ...Military Battery DC Power Cable part number 77500 00413 optional NC NC NC Optional connection for Auto Power On green wire NC To side Contacts GND NC Remove cap to replace fuse Replace with 3AG 10A 250 VAC fast blow fuse A B C D E To tip MS3116F10 6S A B C D E 28V GND MS3116F10 6S 60 Optional connection for Auto Power On green wire A B C D E 60 4 5 1 2 MS3116F10 6S 60 ...

Page 26: ...use the USB connection follow the Windows instructions to install the appropriate USB driver for a virtual serial port The USB driver can be downloaded from http www ftdichip com drivers D2XX htm CAUTION The AUX CONN cover should be installed whenever the auxiliary port is not being used to maintain the environmental integrity of the PA and to prevent damage to the auxiliary connector contacts Fig...

Page 27: ...ction 1 RS 232 RXD 2 RS 232 TXD 3 5 USB 4 USB D 5 USB D 6 GND 7 5 OUT 100 mA 8 MODE INDICATION LOW ON LOS OTHERWISE OC 9 REMOTE DC RF POWER SWITCH MOM CONTACT TO GND DEBOUNCE RECOMMENDED 10 TX INDICATION LOW ON RCV OC ON TX 11 RESERVED 12 MODE INDICATION 3 3 LOGIC LEVELS HIGH IN WB MODES OTHERWISE LOW ...

Page 28: ...re 3 9 USB Remote Control Cable part number 77500 00391 optional Figure 3 10 RS 232 Remote Control Cable part number 77500 00390 optional 60 3 5 4 6 1 2 3 4 3 5 4 6 60 1 2 6 2 3 5 2 1 RDX TXD GROUND 9 position D SUB connector ...

Page 29: ...te off Turns off remote control mode on the PA RMT light turns off Displays command list status Displays current status of the PA firmware versions mode power temperature los fm Selects LOS FM mode los am Selects LOS AM mode los fm hop Selects LOS SINCGARS mode los am hop Selects LOS HAVE QUICK mode wb Selects LOS WB single frequency mode does not apply to TCR MBA 50 wb hop Selects LOS WB frequenc...

Page 30: ...s USB serial adapter port both versions by going to the advanced comm port settings in the Device Manager s menu Comm port reassignment procedure 1 Ensure that the USB driver for the USB to serial adapter in the PA is installed on the computer The driver is loaded on the CD that ships with the PA or it can be downloaded from http www ftdichip com drivers D2XX htm NOTE The driver must be installed ...

Page 31: ...ort 9 Click OK on the advanced settings window and verify that the reassigned comm port settings are 9600 bps 8 bits no parity 1 stop bit and no flow control 10 Click OK on the USB Serial Port Properties COM2 in this example window to return to the Device Manager main window Currently assigned comm port COM12 Desired comm port COM2 ...

Page 32: ...C is communicating with the PA NOTE Any communications terminal software such as HyperTerminal can be used to communicate with the PA Windows 7 does not include the popular HyperTerminal software but there are several freeware communications terminal emulation utilities available for download on the internet such as PuTTY which can be downloaded from http www putty org Reassigned comm port COM2 ...

Page 33: ...both Bias Tee ends is OFF b Press and hold the power button on TCR BT 01 1 until DC ON illuminates 2 3 seconds c Verify that DC ON at TCR BT 01 2 is also illuminated d Verify that the power amplifier is ON and select the appropriate mode of operation and power level e Turn on the radio and select the appropriate channel for operation f Key the radio and observe that the TX light on the TCR BT 01 1...

Page 34: ...ary Vehicle DC Power Cable part number 1035 77200 00006 included Figure B 2 Bias Tee 3 PA Installation 60 A B E C D 28V GND MS3106A 14S 5S 4 EACH 6 32 X 0 375 100º FLAT HEAD SCREW 2 EACH 4 40 X 0 375 100º FLAT HEAD SCREW ...

Page 35: ...n coaxial cable between the two Bias Tees This condition indicates that the power amplifier is NOT drawing any current PA may be either turned off or in a fault condition i e wrong frequency for mode selected on the PA Disconnect coaxial cable from TCR BT 01 01 and verify that DC ON illuminates Replace coaxial cable if necessary Verify that the coaxial cable between the two Bias Tees is good and p...

Page 36: ...terconnect Diagram SATCOM ANTENNA 12 28 VDC 28 VDC recommended TCR BT 01 1 TCR BT 01 2 TCR MBA 50 LOS ANTENNA WB ANTENNA Maximum effective distance between amplifier and radio will depend on type of coax cable used and DC voltage ...

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