5.
Connect the surface station to a PC and connect the surface station sonar transducer
cables
6.
Test the noise levels
Charge Station Batteries
The STM-10, and VLT series transponders are equipped with rechargeable batteries. The TLT
series transponders use replaceable alkaline batteries. The STM-1 is not equipped with a battery.
Plug each station into the wall with the provided charging units, and turn them on (they will not
charge
unless they are on
). The red LED light on the end of each station equipped with batteries
should settle into a blink pattern of one second on and one second off. When it is done charging the
pattern will change to one second on and three seconds off.
If the batteries were completely dead they should require about 3.5 hours to finish charging (7 hours
for STM-10). If any other LED blink patterns occur please see the hardware manual (for the VLT-1)
for the table of blink patterns that will tell you what it means.
Always try to charge the batteries a day or two before a mission. The nickel cadmium batteries in the
baseline stations slowly discharge themselves over a period of 6 months, even if they’re not being
used. The batteries provide about 20 hours of continuous use with standard power.
Prepare the Hardware
The stations should be operational after you have charged them. These are the tasks to complete
before they’re ready to put in the water.
1.
Check blink patterns:
Check that each station turns on and settles into the appropriate
blink pattern of a single short blink once per second. If any other blink pattern occurs
please see the blink pattern table below and/or the hardware manual for the RBS-1
transponder to troubleshoot it.
2.
Check dummy plugs:
Check to make sure that a dummy plug is plugged into each
exposed waterproof connector on the stations. VLT series transponders require a dummy
plug if the external connector is not being used during in water operations.
3.
Mount the mobile station on the ROV, diver or other target.
Blink Pattern
Station Status
One short blink per
second
Ready to go, standby
