Sutron SatLink2 Troubleshooting Instructions A. SatLink2 (SL2) symptoms: Missing or partial data on LRGS (check DIS-MSG for frequency and EIRP; use HDR DCP Message header list. B. Equipment and tools needed: New battery, voltmeter, wattmeter with dummy load, new antenna coax cable, new GPS antenna, GOES satellite antenna, Sutron DCP, coax jumper cables. C. Troubleshooting Steps: 1. Check all connections in gage house: coax connectors for GPS and satellite antennas, positive and negative power connections throughout power system, terminal strips, termination points, check for corroded wires, check that cable ties are not crushing the GPS antenna coax. 2. Connect laptop or handheld computer to SL2 using RS-232 (serial) cable, Bluetooth, or other means. 3. Start Satellite Logger Communicator program on computer and download logged data. 1
a. Click Proceed to Setup, go to File tab, export Setup and Status files, change destination for files in popup box b. Export setup and status files, save on computer as.txt files 2
4. Review SL2 Main tab System Status for error messages, failed transmissions, no GPS sync, etc. 5. If a message is displayed, see status and error message list a. Determine if error is fatal or if SL2 should self-correct b. If fatal error, replace DCP, tag removed unit with error(s) displayed, go to Step 14 c. If no errors or SL2 self-corrects, check System Time, Satellite ID, and all tabs to ensure that DCP is programmed correctly, go to Step 6. WARNING: DO NOT CHANGE SETTINGS ON ADVANCED TAB UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY SUTRON TECHNICAL SUPPORT! 6. Check battery voltage under load. a. If loaded voltage is less than 11 or fails load test, replace battery, retest b. If loaded voltage is greater than 11 or passes load test, go to Step 7 3
7. Check that antenna azimuth and elevation are set correctly a. If antenna azimuth and elevation are correct, go to Step 8 b. If antenna azimuth and/or elevation are incorrect, realign, go to Step 8. 8. Measure forward and reflected power at the DCP NOTE 1: Forward and reverse power readings from the SL2 should not be used in place of a wattmeter and dummy load to troubleshoot. The SL2 does not make these measurements at the antenna connector; the wattmeter does. NOTE 2: Dummy load and antenna connect to right side of wattmeter, DCP connects to left a. Disconnect GOES antenna cable at DCP b. Attach wattmeter with 25-watt element dummy load to DCP GOES antenna connector c. Rotate arrow on wattmeter toward dummy load to check forward power, d. Go to diagnostic tab, set Open Debug File to display only, click Capture Debug Info, click yes in Confirm Debug window, move Listen to Packets debugging box to right, off main window, 4
e. Click Test TX tab, if DCP is running, stop it by pressing STOP in lower right corner of main screen (DCP must be stopped!), set channel 151, satellite type GOES 100, transmission type Carrier Only, 5
f. Press Start Transmission after rechecking correct wattmeter and dummy load setttings, click Yes in confirmation box, look at Listening for Packets window, Locking Loops, Waiting for TCXO warm-up may take one minute, g. When message says Transmitting, verify output for 10 seconds and record wattage; click OK in Info box to stop transmission, h. If recorded watts are less than 5, go to Step 12. h. Keep wattmeter with 25-watt element dummy load connected to SL2 and keep windows open, rotate the arrow on wattmeter toward DCP to check reflected power i. Wait two minutes j. Repeat steps c, d, e, and f k. If reflected power is greater than 1-watt, go to step 9 l. If reflected power is less than 1-watt, go to Step 12 6
9. Measure forward and reflected power at the end of the GOES antenna cable a. Reconnect GOES antenna cable at DCP b. Disconnect GOES antenna cable at antenna c. Attach wattmeter with 25-watt element dummy load to end of GOES antenna cable d. Rotate arrow on wattmeter toward dummy load to check forward power, e. Wait two minutes f. Ensure that Listening for Packets window is still open, Locking Loops, Waiting for TCXO warm-up may be as long as one minute, g. Click Test TX tab, if DCP is running, stop it by pressing STOP in lower right corner of main screen (DCP must be stopped!), set channel 151, satellite type GOES 100, transmission type Carrier Only, h. Press Start Transmission after rechecking correct wattmeter and dummy load setttings, click YES in confirmation box, look at Listening for Packets window, Locking Loops, Waiting for TCXO warm-up may be as long as one minute, i. When message says Transmitting, verify output for 10 seconds and record wattage; click OK in Info box to stop transmission j. If recorded watts are less than 5, go to 10. k. If recorded watts are greater than 5, keep wattmeter with 25-watt element dummy load connected to SL2 and keep windows open, rotate the arrow on wattmeter toward DCP to check reflected power l. Wait two minutes m. Repeat steps f, g, h, and i n. If recorded reflected power is greater than 1-watt, replace GOES antenna cable, go to Step 10 o. If recorded reflected power is less than 1-watt, go to Step 11 10. After replacing GOES antenna cable, repeat Step 9 11. Send to Sutron or Xmit on random channel here? 12. Contact Sutron technical support at (703) 406-2800; tell receptionist if you are calling from field. 7
13. If fatal error, replace DCP, tag unit with error(s) displayed a. Once at office, print our status and error files downloaded from DCP in field, and put inside DCP enclosure. b. Call Terry Colgan, Sutron s central states sales manager (512-351-9208) for RMA number. c. Put office location and RMA number on DCP tag and ship to Sutron Corporation, 21300 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 2016, with RMA number prominently written on box. 8
Miscellaneous comments Battery drawdown is first diagnostic key (down 0.3-0.4 v is OK, at 10.4 v SL2 won t transmit but will keep logging, hook up dummy load and set channel/baud to 300. Random channel to test, at DCP, connect wm between the DCP and the new coax. If you get a low f or high ref, replace antenna After replacing antenna, leave wm connected between and use random channel; if good xmssn as verified by Sutron or USGS. Tag bad component so it is not reused. If bad xmsn, wait two minutes and repeat test on random channel and verify good xmsn 8210 with SatLink (SL) Troubleshooting Document Troubleshooting Steps: 1. If 8210 with SL or SL2, do not change any program settings in the SL. There is a different type of setup in the SL(2) than in the 8210. 2. A COM1 error will occur if communication with the SL2 is attempted through the 8210 front panel or serial port. Recording: no com Reason you have computer hooked to SL; prevents programming from 8210 keypad All testing should be done through SL external comm port following guidelines. When making a change to the 8210 setup, you must turn recording off and back on 8210 for writing changes to SL Do not rely on fwd and reflected power readings on diagnostic tab on old SL2s 9