ACR Electronics VECTA 2 User Manual Rev A2
@
Vecta2™
Dual Scale
PRODUCT SUPPORT MANUAL
Direction Finder
Product No. 2769.4
121.5MHz
121.775 MHz
Y1-03-0227
Rev. A2
5757 Ravenswood Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Tel: +1(954) 981-3333
Fax: +1 (954) 983-5087
www.acrelectronics.com
Email: info
ACR Electronics, Inc.
acrelectronics.com
IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE
WITH YOUR PRODUCT,
DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE STORE!
CALL ACR ELECTRONICS AT
+1 (954) 981-3333. WE WILL HELP YOU
RESOLVE ANY PROBLEMS YOU MAY BE
EXPERIENCING. MANY PROBLEMS CAN
BE CORRECTED OVER THE PHONE.
LIMITED WARRANTY
This product is warranted against factory defect in material and workmanship for a period of five years
from date of purchase or receipt as a gift. During the warranty period ACR Electronics, Inc. will , at its
option, repair or replace the unit at no cost to you for labor, materials or return transportation,
provided you obtain a Return Authorization from ACR Electronics, Inc., 5757 Ravenswood Road, Ft.
Lauderdale, FL 33312-6645.
To obtain a Return Authorization, call our Customer Service Department at (800) 432-0227. This
warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident or misuse, or as a result of
service or modification by other than the factory. Except as otherwise expressly stated in the previous
paragraph, the COMPANY MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER
MATTER WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT. The Company shall not be liable for consequential or
special damages.
You must complete the accompanying registration card and be return it to us within ten days of
purchase. Failure to do so may void the warranty.
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Y1-03-0227 Rev. A2
Foreword
Thank you for purchasing from ACR Electronics, Inc. We design, manufacture and distribute
quality products knowing they are used to save lives. Many of our products are required to be
tested and approved by regulatory bodies worldwide. We believe in going beyond those
specifications to insure our products work when needed in real world conditions. With proper care
and maintenance your ACR product will last for years. It is important that you thoroughly read this
product support manual to understand the proper care and use of your ACR product.
ACR is proud to be certified to ISO 9001:2000, the International Standard for Quality.
This manual provides installation, operation and maintenance instructions for the Vecta2 Dual
Scale Direction Finder.
Table of Contents
1.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................3
1.1 Introducing the Vecta2 Dual Scale Direction Finder............................................................3
1.2 Unpacking the Vecta2 P/N 2769.4......................................................................................3
1.3 Unpacking the Vecta2 P/N 2769.5......................................................................................3
1.4 Direction Finder and Test BEACON Features....................................................................4
2.0 Installation............................................................................................................................5
2.1 Remote Omni-Directional Antenna (Rooftop, Pole, etc…)..................................................5
2.2 Folding Handle / Mounting Bracket.....................................................................................5
3.0 Operation..............................................................................................................................5
3.1 Holding the Vecta2..............................................................................................................5
3.2 Headphones.......................................................................................................................5
3.2 Headphones.......................................................................................................................6
3.3 Searching for a BEACON...................................................................................................6
3.4 Polarization of the BEACON and the Vecta2......................................................................6
4.0 Understanding the Dual Scale ............................................................................................7
4.1 Reading Power Measurements to Determine Bearing and Direction..................................7
5.0 Range Exercises ..................................................................................................................8
5.1 Selecting a Location for the Test BEACON........................................................................8
5.2 Recording Observations.....................................................................................................8
5.3 Conducting a Blind Search.................................................................................................8
5.4 Search Patterns..................................................................................................................8
6.0 EMERGENCY SCENARIOS................................................................................................10
6.1 Lost Diver .........................................................................................................................10
6.2 ELT False Activation.........................................................................................................11
6.3 Hiker Rescued..................................................................................................................11
7.0 Technical Data....................................................................................................................12
7.1 Optional Accessories.............................................................................................................12
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Y1-03-0227 Rev. A2
1.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
1.1 Introducing the Vecta2 Dual Scale Direction Finder
The Vecta2™ Dual Scale Radio Direction Finder (DF) provides a Dual Scale signal strength meter
that can detect an AM radio signal typically down to .5µV. One scale is for COARSE power
readings and one scale for FINE power that is user friendly for use on land or at sea. These 2
scales work together to show the received signal strength and to determine bearing by pointing the
Vecta2 towards the highest power reading and then moving in that direction until the BEACON is
found. This product is capable of monitoring and finding BEACONs transmitting on 121.5 MHz
which includes PLBs, EPIRBs and ELTs. In this document, these products are collectively referred
to as BEACONs.
The Vecta2 Direction Finding Kit comes with a training BEACON that operates on the TRAIN
channel of your Vecta2. The Vecta2 is very intuitive for the novice user. Radio direction finding
practice using the Training BEACON for simulated real searches will have the most Novice user
Radio Direction Finding like a seasoned professional. With practice, the user will learn to overcome
reflected signals in heavily reflecting areas and determine the true signals direction.
The Vecta2 has an open and closable small beam, directional-finding antenna that is connected to
a very sensitive AM receiver that has been calibrated with a micro processor that interprets the
strength of a received signal. The dual LED scales are maximized when the Vecta2 is within a few
feet of the typical 75 mW emergency transmitter. Under ideal conditions the Vecta2, at two meters
above water line, will detect a BEACON floating at sea level from a distance of up to 8NM. Land
based distances may vary due to changes in topography that can block and reflect signals.
Figure 1
2
1
3
4
5
6
1.2 Unpacking the Vecta2 P/N 2769.4
Your new Vecta2 Dual Scale Direction Finder
comes with the following components:
1. Heavy Duty Pelican Case
2. External Antenna, 3ft
3. Vecta2 Dual Scale Direction Finder
4. Water Resistant Carrying Case
™
5. Mini B
ILS Training BEACON with Float
300
Collar
6. AC Power Adapter & 12V Power Adapter
7. Vecta
Training CD
2
8. Headphone
Not shown: Mounting bracket
Training Beacon Flotation Collar
1.3 Unpacking the Vecta
P/N 2769.5
2
Optional kit for those needing additional Direction
7
Finders:
3. Vecta
Dual Scale Direction Finder
2
4. Water Resistant Carrying Case
6. AC Power Adapter
7. Vecta2 Training CD
8
3
Y1-03-0227 Rev. A2
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