PathAlign-R
Spectracom Corporation
2200 / 2240 / 2241 PathAlign-R Manual
2-14
2. Place the 5/16” open-end wrench on the longer section of the installation/removal tool
and turn the wrench counter-clockwise, removing the old sparkplug connector from the
mixer block.
3. Check to see that the coax center conductor (inside the block) in centered and has not
been bent.
Note:
If the center conductor of the internal coax (inside the mixer block) is found to be bent, the
entire instrument must be returned to Spectracom for repair. Attempting to straighten this center
conductor will only deform it and correct mating with the sparkplug will no longer occur.
2.6.4 Sparkplug Installation
1. Attach the installation/removal tool per the above instructions.
2. Apply a single drop of a low strength removable thread-locking fluid only on the threads
that will enter the threaded hole in the block of the new sparkplug connector.
3. Using a Q-tip (cotton swab), wipe away 90% of the fluid, so only a trace remains in the
threads of the connector that enter the threaded hole in the block.
4. Carefully screw the new sparkplug connector into the mixer block, by hand, until finger
tight.
5. Place the 5/16” box-end of the wrench on the shorter section of the installation/removal
tool and tighten to a firm but not hard torque. Torque specification is 1.8 N-meters.
6. Using the 5/16” open end wrench, carefully hold the longer section stable while
loosening the shorter section with the other wrench. Be careful not to stress the
sparkplug connector while performing this operation.
7. When loose, hand-remove the tool from the connector.
Note 2:
Using a 3.5 mm terminated cable with the instrument's 2.92 mm front panel connector
will mate properly but the physical difference in construction between these two different size
connectors will slightly degrade the VSWR specification. The same is true when using a 2.4 mm
terminated cable with the 1.85 mm front panel connector.
2.7
Incoming Confidence / Verification Check
Prior to packaging the instrument for shipment, extensive operational and calibration procedures
were performed by Spectracom to verify that the instrument is operating to specifications. To
ensure the electronic integrity of the instrument on your receiving bench, you must perform the
following confidence / verification check.
Battery Note: It is necessary to first completely
charge the battery
. This may be accomplished by placing the battery in the instrument,
connecting the Battery Charger to the PathAlign-R, and connecting the Charger’s AC cord to an
appropriate AC MAINS supply (charging time is approximately 3-hours to fully charge the
battery).
1. Turn on the power. The meter display turns on and displays a number (path loss).
2. Set the thumbwheel switches to a frequency within Band 1 (1.5 – 2.5 GHz) range
(shown over Band 1 front panel in/out connector). The appropriate annunciator LED over
the connector will illuminate. Using the thumbwheels, change the frequency setting to
verify operation throughout the Band 1 range (the Band 1 LED will stay illuminated as
