© 2013 CoachComm, LLC
Tempest NG900 Start-Up Procedure_0613
6.25.2013
Tempest
®
NG900 Start-Up Procedure
(For multi-BaseStation systems only)
Objective
The purpose of this document is to provide a start-up procedure for multi-BaseStation Tempest NG900 wireless systems on game
day as well as instruction on the new “Reset Radio” feature. Failure to follow this procedure could result in poor performance of
your NG900 wireless system. This procedure does not apply to Tempest NG (2.4GHz) systems as long as the Zero Hop Sync
Generator and Base Sync connections are properly installed on your 2.4GHz BaseStations.
Overview
The latest firmware update (v6.10.00) for Tempest NG includes a numeric “Link Quality (LQ)” metric that appears on the BeltPack
LCD display (just above the Base Name.) This LQ indicator will serve as a diagnostic tool when initially powering on your Tempest
NG900 BaseStations. Additionally, this update includes a “Reset Radio” feature in the event you do not have adequate LQ at start-
up.
What is Link Quality?
The Link Quality (LQ) is a numeric value that provides a real-time metric on the quality of
communication between the radio in the BaseStation/Remote Transceiver and the radio in the
BeltPack. The LQ serves as a diagnostic tool for proper system operation and troubleshooting
BeltPacks. Link Quality indicators can be disabled in the <Tech Menu> of each BeltPack under
<Diagnostics>. The default status is “enabled.”
What should the LQ value be during operation?
There is no exact value that LQ will remain at during system operation. Depending on what degree of outside interference or
attenuation (blocking) is present, the LQ will fluctuate during normal operation. Fluctuations in LQ can and will span a wide range of
values, however what is acceptable will vary from game to game. The lower the LQ, the poorer the audio quality will be during
operation. During start-up, within adequate range and no outside influences present, the LQ should display “
99
” which is the
highest LQ value a BeltPack can have.
What if the LQ on all my NG900 BeltPacks is below “99” at start-up?
At start-up, two NG900 BaseStation’s hopping patterns can initialize on top of one another affecting the LQ. This is likely the case if
the LQ dropped below “99” after powering up the 2
nd
NG900 BaseStation. Resetting the radio in the 2
nd
BaseStation will correct this
conflict. This start-up procedure will assist you with this process.
What if the LQ on a single BeltPack is below “99” at start-up?
This depends on where the BeltPack is located at start-up, but if the other BeltPacks on the same BaseStation are at “99” there is a
good chance it is an isolated radio issue within that BeltPack. If the LQ value has dropped considerably lower or if that unit is
experiencing poor audio quality it may require service.
Does LQ apply to both my 2.4GHz and my 900MHz Tempest NG models?
The LQ is the same for both models of Tempest NG; however the 2.4GHz model uses ZSync™ technology which prevents the need to
follow this start-up procedure as long as the ZSync components are installed properly in your Tempest NG 2.4GHz system. Those
components consist of the Zero Hop Sync Generator and the Base Sync connections.
Link Quality