Drake VMM860AG User Manual

MODULATOR MODULATOR MODULATO

MODULATOR MODULATOR MODULATOR

8 WARRANTY AND SPECIFICATIONS

THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTYTHREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTYTHREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC warrants to the original purchaser this product shall be free from defects in material or workmanship for 3
years from the date of original purchase.

During the warranty period R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC or an authorized Drake servicer will provide, free of charge, both parts and
labor necessary to correct defects in material and workmanship. At its option, R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC may replace a defective unit.

To obtain such warranty service, the original purchaser must:

)1( )1(

(1) Retain invoice or original proof of purchase to establish the start of the warranty period.

)1( )1(

)2( )2(

(2) Notify R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC or the nearest authorized service facility, as soon as possible after discovery of a possible defect

)2( )2(

of:
(a) the model and serial number,
(b) the identity of the seller and the approximate date of purchase; and
(c) A detailed description of the problem, including details on the electrical connection to associated equipment and the list of such
equipment.

)3( )3(

(3) Deliver the product to R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC or the nearest authorized service facility, or ship the same in its original container

)3( )3(

or equivalent, fully insured and shipping charges prepaid.

Correct maintenance, repair, and use are necessary to obtain proper performance from this product. Therefore carefully read the Instruction
Manual. This warranty does not apply to any defect that R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC determines is due to:

)1( )1(

(1) Improper maintenance or repair, including the installation of parts or accessories that do not conform to the quality and specifications

)1( )1(

of the original parts.

)2( )2(

(2) Misuse, abuse, neglect or improper installation.

)2( )2(

)3( )3(

(3) Accidental or intentional damage.

)3( )3(

All implied warranties, if any, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, terminate three (3) years from the
date of the original purchase.

The foregoing constitutes R.L. DRAKE HOLDING’s entire obligation with respect to this product, and the original purchaser shall have no
other remedy and no claim for incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses. Some states do not allow limitations on how long
an implied warranty lasts or do not allow the exclusions or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above lim itation and
exclusion may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty shall be
construed under the laws of Ohio.

®

VMM860AG/VMM860AS VIDEO MODULATORS 1

12 POSITION RACK MOUNT POWER SUPPLY

AUDIO

VIDEO

PWR

A/ V

#

CH

RF

4 POSITION

RACK MOUNT

AUDIO

VIDEO

PWR

A/ V

#

CH

RF

IO

AUDIO

AUD

AUDIO

VIDEO

VIDEO

VIDEO

PWR

PWR

A/ V

RF

PWR

A/ V

A/ V

#

CH

#

#

CH

CH

RF

RF

VMM860AG, VMM860AS

MODULATOR MODULATOR MODULATOR

AUDIO

VIDEO

PWR

A/ V

#

CH

RF

AUDIO

AUDIO

VIDEO

VIDEO

PWR

PWR

A/ V

A/ V

#

#

CH

#

CH

CH

RF

RF

OR

MODULATOR MODULATOR

AUDIO

VMM806AG

VIDEO

POWER
ERROR

PWR

AUDIO

A/ V

VIDEO

#

CH

2

5

RF

CATV

BC

CATV

TV

+100

A/ V

RF

IO

AUD

AUDIO

VIDEO

VIDEO

PWR

PWR

A/ V

A/ V

#

CH

RF

RF

and other compatible modular units

POWER SUPPLY

POWER SUPPLY

BC

VMM806AG

VMM806AG

CATV

+100

TV

5

VIDEO

POWER

ERROR

A/ V

RF

AUDIO

2

CATV

BC

TV

5

POWER

ERROR

VIDEO

A/ V

RF

AUDIO

2

CATV

CATV

+100

VMM806AG

BC

TV

5

POWER

ERROR

VIDEO

A/ V

RF

AUDIO

2

CATV

VMM806AG

CATV

+100

BC

TV

5

POWER

ERROR

VIDEO

A/ V

RF

AUDIO

2

CATV

CATV

+100

®

R.L. DRAKE HOLDINGS, LLC

710 Pleasant Valley Drive

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PARTS TELEPHONE:

WEB SITE: http://www.rldrake.com

© Copyright 2013 R.L. Drake Holdings, LLC Printed in Taiwan

Springboro, OHIO 45066

[phone]

TELEFAX:

[phone]

® is a registered trademark of R.L. Drake Holdings, LLC

The VMM860AG and VMM860AS modulators
are members of the R.L. Drake 19" Mini-Rack
Series, a professional quality modular headend
system designed to optimize rack space. An
assortment of up to (12) modular units, such as
the fixed channel series of modulators, or agile
modulators, or compatible audio/video products
can be racked alongside a single power supply
in the Drake model RMM12, 12 position rack
mount. The RMM4 rack mount accepts up to
(4) modular units.

The R.L. Drake VMM860AG Audio-Video
Modulator is a high quality, vestigial sideband
unit with synthesized visual and aural carriers.
The frequency agile VMM860AG allows front
panel pushwheel switch selection of standard
CATV channels 2 through 135, or VHF/UHF TV
channels 2 through 69. Aeronautical channels
are offset positive with a tolerance of ±5 kHz as
required

by FCC rules.

The VMM860AS has all of the features and
specifications of the VMM860AG plus the
additional capability of BTSC stereo audio.

The heterodyne conversion system, in
conjunction with the use of a SAW filter,
ensures optimum vestigial selectivity for
adjacent channel headends. A FCC
predistortion SAW response is standard.

The modulators are designed to accept any
standard audio/video source such as NTSC
video and audio baseband signals from a
satellite receiver, TV camera, videotape
recorder, TV demodulator, or similar signal
source. The VMM860AS has both a left and
right audio input to accomodate stereo sources.

All level controls are located on the front panel
for ease of operation. Output level is +45
dBmV and is adjustable over a 10 dB range.

On the VMM860AG, an audio pre-emphasis
defeat, rear pane

l switch allows transmission of
BTSC encoded baseband stereo audio signals
when used with the external Drake MMTS20
stereo encoder. A stereo encoder is built into
the VMM860AS model.

2 FRONT PANEL CONTR OLS and INDICATORS

SPECIFICATIONS 7

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6

CATV
+100

VMM860AG

POWER/
ERROR

AUDIO

VIDEO

2

CATV

A/V

RF

VMM860AG VMM860AS

5

BC
TV

F7

F1 - POWER/ERROR Indicator

Lights when the unit is connected to the
required source of DC power via the rear panel
DC INPUT connector. A flashing condition
indicates an invalid channel setting or other
conditions that would cause the unit to operate
on an invalid channel. The RF output is
switched off for flashing (ERROR) conditions.

F2 - AUDIO Level Control

The setting of this screwdriver adjustment
determines the aural carrier deviation. Clock­wise rotation increases the carrier deviation.

F3 - VIDEO Level Control

The setting of this screwdriver adjustment
determines the video modulation level. CW
rotation increases the modulation depth.

F4 - Channel Number Switch

Sets the desired operating channel for standard
CATV channels 02 through 135 or Broadcast
TV channels 02 through 69. See also Item F5
which sets the type of channel (CATV or
Broadcast TV) and sets the leading “1” for
CATV channels 100 through 135.

F5 - Mode Switch

Sets the type of channel, CATV or Broadcast
TV (“BC TV”). The first position of the switch
(“+100”) sets a leading “1” for CATV channels
100 through 135. See also Item F4 for setting
the channel. Here are two examples:

VMM860AS

PWR P.LK

A

V

5

2

C AT V

CATV

BCTV

+100

A / V

R F

Figure 1

Setting for CATV Setting for CATV
channel "125"- channel "25"-

2

5

CATV
+100

CATV

BC
TV

CATV
+100

F6 - A/V Ratio Control

This screwdriver adjustment varies the level of
the aural carrier over a range from 12 to 22 dB
below the visual carrier. Typically, the aural
carrier should be adjusted to approximately 15
dB below the visual carrier. Clockwise rotation
increases the aural carrier level.

F7 - RF Output Level

This screwdriver adjustment permits adjustment
of the RF output level over a minimum of 10 dB
range. Maximum output is at full CW.

F8 - P. LK (Pilot Lock)

This LED indicates that the BTSC circuitry in
the VMM860AS has locked to the video sync
reference.

F9 - Audio Overmodulation

This LED illuminates when the audio input level
reaches full modulation. Set F2 for just an
occasional flicker. (VMM860AS)

F10 - Video Overmodulation

This LED illuminates at 87.5% video modula­tion. Advance F3 CW until F10 just lights then
back off until F10 just goes out. (VMM860AS)

2

CATV

5

F8
F9
F10

BC
TV

Frequency Range:

RF

FCC Frequency Offsets:

Output level:

Output Impedance:

A/V Ratio:

Frequency Stability:

Output Flatness:

Output Amplitude Stability:

Intercarrier Frequency:

Spurious Outputs (5 to 900 MHz):

In-Channel C/N:

Broadband Noise:

VIDEO

Input Level for 87.5% Modulation:

Video Over-modulation LED:

Input Impedance:

Frequency Response:

C/L Delay:

Differential Gain:

Differential Phase:

AUDIO , VMM860A G

Input Level for +/- 25 kHz Deviation:

Input Impedance:

Pre-emphasis:

Frequency Response:

S/N ratio:

Total Harmonic Distortion:

AUDIO , VMM860AS

Input Level:

Over Modulation Indicator:

Input Impedance:

Channel Separation:

Frequency Response:

S/N Ratio:

THD:

GENERAL

DC Power Input:

Operating Temperature:

Size:

Weight:

54 to 864 MHz; Standard, HRC, or IRC CATV channels 2 to
135, Broadcast TV channels 2 to 69.
Automatic (+12.5 kHz, +25 kHz, or none as required).
+45 dBmV minimum (10 dB adjustment range).
75 Ohms, 8 dB return loss.
Audio carrier level, adjustable from -22 to -12 dB
referenced to video carrier level.
Within ±5 kHz
From 54 to 864 MHz, less than 3 dB change.
±1 dB

4.5 MHz

-60 dBc, (-15 dB A/V ratio and output level of +45 dBmV).
65 dB typical, 4 MHz bandwidth.

-78 dBc typicial, 4 MHz bandwidth @ +45 dBmV output.

0.65 Vp-p to 1.5 Vp-p. Gain adjust with front panel control.
Trips at 87.5 % depth of modulation. (VMM860AS only)
75 Ohms, return loss of 26 dB minimum.
20 Hz to 4.2 MHz, ±1 dB.
Within 50 nSec. of FCC predistortion.
3% maximum (10 to 90% APL).
30 maximum (10 to 90% APL).

125 mV rms to 2.5 V rms. Manual gain adjust with
front panel control.
Greater than 10 K Ohms, unbalanced.
75 µSec. normal, defeatable (flat) by rear panel switch for
BTSC baseband stereo compatibility.
40 Hz to 15 kHz, ±1.0 dB referenced to 75 µSec.
pre-emphasis curve.
40 Hz to 100 kHz, ±0.5 dB if pre-emphasis is defeated.
65 dB.
Less than 0.5 %.

250 mV to 2.5 V rms for 25 kHz L+R deviation.
Trips at ±25 kHz L+R deviation.
Greater than 10 K Ohms, unbalanced.
> 30 dB from 100 Hz to 10 kHz.
> 25 dB from 10 kHz to 14 kHz.
±1 dB of 75 µSec pre-emphasis curve, 50 Hz to 14 kHz.
> 60 dB
Less than 0.5 %

+12 V ±5% at 200 mA (AG) or 220 mA (AS).
+5 V ±5% at 350 mA (AG) or 400 mA (AS).
00 C to +500 C ambient.
1” W x 3.5” H x 7.5” D (AG) or 8" D (AS)
12 oz. (AG) or 13.5 oz. (AS)

Specifications subject to change without notice or obligation.

6 BRO ADCAST TV CHANNEL OUTPUT FREQUENCIES

CATV

TABLE 2:

VHF BROADCAST CHANNELSVHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

VHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

VHF BROADCAST CHANNELSVHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

BC TV

CATV
+100

Channel Number

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

9
10
11
12
13

BC
TV

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)

55.25

61.25

67.25

77.25

83.25

175.25

181.25

187.25

193.25

199.25

205.25

211.25

CATV
+100

UHF BROADCAST CHANNELSUHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

UHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

UHF BROADCAST CHANNELSUHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

Channel Number

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69

CATV

BC
TV

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)

471.25

477.25

483.24

489.25

495.25

501.25

507.25

513.25

519.25

525.25

531.25

537.25

543.25

549.25

555.25

561.25

567.25

573.25

579.25

585.25

591.25

597.25

603.25

609.25

615.25

621.25

627.25

633.25

639.25

645.25

651.25

657.25

663.25

669.25

675.25

681.25

687.25

693.25

699.25

705.25

711.25

717.25

723.25

729.25

735.25

741.25

747.25

753.25

759.25

765.25

771.25

777.25

783.25

789.25

795.25

801.25

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS / INTERNAL JUMPERS 3

R1

R2

R3

R4

R1 - VIDEO INPUT

This is the nominal 1 Vp-p baseband video
input to the modulator.

R2 - LEFT/MONO AUDIO INPUT

This is an unbalanced audio input to the
modulator circuits. This “RCA” (phono)
connector input accepts mono audio in the
case of the VMM860AG or the left channel
audio input in the case of the VMM860AS.

R3 - DC INPUT Connector

This 3-pin connector (Male) accepts the
appropriate mating DC power cable.

VIDEO INPUT

FLAT

NORM

AUDIO INPUT

+5V

+12V

GND
DC INPUT

RF OUT

VMM860AG

R5

R1

R2

R6

R4

VIDEO INPUT

PWR

+12V

GND

RF OUT

AUDIO L

+5V

AUDIO R

R3

VMM860AS

Figure 2

R4 - RF OUTPUT

This is the modulator output.

R5 - AUDIO PRE-EMPHASIS SWITCH
VMM860AG only. This switch allows selection

of either normal audio pre-emphasis or flat
audio response. For normal mono audio, set
switch to NORM position. If the MMTS20 BTSC
stereo encoder is used, set this switch to FLAT
and connect stereo audio to the MMTS20. The
encoder will in turn connect to R2.

R6 - RIGHT AUDIO INPUT
VMM860AS only. This is the an unbalanced

input for the right channel stereo audio.

INTERNAL JUMPER SETTING: STD, HRC, IRC

STD Drawing is not to scale. AG and AS

models differ. The correct set of pins

HRC is located directly next to the 45.75

MHz crystal. No jumper installed gives

IRC STD setting.

Figure 3

4 INSTALLATION

CONNECTIONS AND CONTROLS

All connections to and from each modulator are
made through the rear panel. Figure 4
illustrates an installation with (12) modulator
units combined through a passive signal
combiner. Additional channels can be added by
using additional fixed channel or agile type
modulators and either multi-port combiners or
combinations of two-port combiners.

INSTALLATION NOTES

Level adjustment provides optimum
performance in multi-channel installations.
The modulator outputs should be checked
periodically with a spectrum analyzer to

AC POWER

CORD

DC POWER
CABLE

RF COMBINER

POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT

Power for modulators mounted in the RMM12
rack mounting cage is to be supplied by a
Drake model PSM121 power supply. Up to 12
modulators may be powered.

The power supply in the four position rack
system can power up to four VMM860AG or
VMM860AS modulators or any mix of fixed and
agile VMM models up to four total modulators.

AUDIO INPUTS
VIDEO INPUTS

maintain a ±1 dB variation of adjacent channel
carriers. Aural/Visual (A/V) ratios should be
held to -15 dB or less. The output ‘RF’ and ‘A/V
(Ratio)’ controls are used respectively to make
these adjustments.

RACK MOUNTING

Adequate ventilation is very important in
multi-channel installations. The RMM12 or
RMM4 cages should be spaced apart vertically
by at least one rack unit (1.75") height wherever
possible. Some air movement is mandatory in
enclosed rack cabinets. Excessive heat will
shorten component life and modulator perfor­mance will be degraded without proper cooling.

MODULATOR UNITS

(Fixed channel and/or Agile types)

SYSTEM OUT

Figure 4

FREQUENCY CHART

The chart on the following page shows the
standard CATV channel coverage for these
agile models. Where an offset is indicated, this
amount of positive frequency offset is added to
the frequency indicated in the middle column.
As shown, this occurs only on channels
required to be offset by the FCC.

HRC or IRC frequencies can be set by means
of an internal jumper. See Figure 3. No jumper
will result in the STD channel plan selection.

TABLE 1:

Output Channel

Switch Setting

02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69

CATV

CATV

55.25

61.25

67.25

77.25

83.25

BC
TV

CATV
+100

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)

175.25

181.25

187.25

193.25

199.25

205.25

211.25

121.25

127.25

133.25

139.25

145.25

151.25

157.25

163.25

169.25

217.25

223.25

229.25

235.25

241.25

247.25

253.25

259.25

265.25

271.25

277.25

283.25

289.25

295.25

301.25

307.25

313.25

319.25

325.25

331.25

337.25

343.25

349.25

355.25

361.25

367.25

373.25

379.25

385.25

391.25

397.25

403.25

409.25

415.25

421.25

427.25

433.25

439.25

445.25

451.25

457.25

463.25

469.25

475.25

481.25

487.25

493.25

CATV CHANNEL OUTPUT FREQUENCIES 5

CATV

499.25

505.25

511.25

517.25

523.25

529.25

535.25

541.25

547.25

553.25

559.25

565.25

571.25

577.25

583.25

589.25

595.25

601.25

607.25

613.25

619.25

625.25

631.25

637.25

643.25

91.25

97.25

103.25

109.25

115.25

649.25

655.25

661.25

667.25

673.25

679.25

685.25

691.25

697.25

703.25

709.25

715.25

721.25

727.25

733.25

739.25

745.25

751.25

757.25

763.25

769.25

775.25

781.25

787.25

793.25

799.25

805.25

811.25

817.25

823.25

829.25

835.25

841.25

847.25

853.25

859.25

CATV
+100

BC
TV

Frequency

Offset (kHz)

NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE

CATV

BC
TV

NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE

+25
+25

Frequency

Offset (kHz)

NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE

±12.5
±12.5

±12.5
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+12.5

+25
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5
+12.5

NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE

Output Channel

Switch Setting

70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99

CATV +100

100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135

CATV
+100

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)