Drake digital VMR860AG, VMR860AS, VMD860AS User Manual

® VMD860AG VIDEO MODULATOR 1

2

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS and INDICATORS

F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10

Figure 1

This instruction manual also is applicable to the
VMD860AS, VMR860AG, and VMR860AS.

The AS models include a built-in BTSC stereo
audio encoder to provide stereo audio.

The VMR models are electrically identical to the
VMD units except that they are designed for
19" rack mounting.

In this manual, only the VMD860AG model is
discussed except where there are differ­ences. Any differences will be explained.

The R.L. Drake VMD860AG family of Audio­Video Modulators includes high quality, vestigial
sideband units with synthesized visual and
aural carriers. The frequency agile units allow
front panel pushwheel switch selection of
standard CATV channels 2 through 135, CATV
subband channels, T7 through T14, or VHF/
UHF TV channels 2 through 69. Additionally,
IRC or HRC CATV channel plans may be
selected after moving an internal jumper.
Aeronautical channels are offset positive with
a tolerance of ±5 kHz as required by FCC
rules.

The heterodyne conversion system, in
conjunction with the use of a SAW filter,
ensures optimum vestigial selectivity for
adjacent channel headends.

Broadband noise and in-channel noise are
reduced to a very low levels to provide
excellent performance in multichannel CATV
headend environments.

® is a registered trademark of the R.L. Drake Company

© Copyright 2007 R.L. Drake LLC P/N: 3852411E-04-2007 Printed in the U.S.A.

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 VMD860AS and VMR860AS can
accept stereo audio inputs and produce a
BTSC stereo audio signal.

When stereo audio is required, the preferred
method of providing a BTSC stereo signal is to
use the VMD860AS or VMR860AS model. No
special setup or test equipment is required.

Also, field-defeatable audio pre-emphasis in
the AG models allows transmission of BTSC
encoded baseband stereo audio signals from
an external BTSC stereo encoder, such as the
Drake MMTS20. Optimum performance requires
proper test equipment for setup with external
BTSC encoders.

The AG models will accept either mono or
stereo inputs and output a mono audio signal
with left and right inputs being summed in the
modulator.

The modulators are designed to accept
standard (negative sync) polarity video at 0.6
to 1.5 Vp-p level. All level controls are located
on the front panel for ease of operation. Audio
and video overmodulation indicators are
provided. Output level is +45 dBmV and is
adjustable downward.

FCC predistortion is provided in the video IF.

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 - VIDEO Level Control

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

F3 - Video OVER MODULATION LED

With a video input applied, adjust (F2) until this
indicator just illuminates, then set just below
this point.

F4 - AUDIO Level Control

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

F5 - Audio OVER MODULATION LED

With audio applied, adjust (F4) until this
indicator just illuminates on peaks.

F6 - A/V RATIO Control

This screwdriver adjustment varies the level of
the aural carrier over a range from 12 to
20 dB below the visual carrier. The aural
carrier should be adjusted to approximately 15
dB below the visual carrier (normal operation).
Clockwise rotation increases the aural
carrier level.

F7 -T CHANNEL Switch

Set this switch to the "T" channel setting to
enable "T" channel coverage. Use the Channel
Number switch (F9) to select 7 - 14. For normal
CATV or broadcast TV channels, this switch
must be set to the right to enable selection by
the mode switch (F8).

F8 - Mode Switch

Sets the type of channel, CATV or Broadcast
TV (“BCTV”). This switch does not function if
switch (F7) is in the "T" channel position. The
last position of the switch (“+100”) sets a
leading “1” for CATV channels 100 through 125.
See Item (F9) for setting the channel number.

Example 1:
Setting for CATV

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

25

channel "125"-

Example 2:
Setting for CATV

T CHANNELS

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

CHANNEL

25

channel "25"-

T CHANNELS

CHANNEL

F9 - CHANNEL Number Switch

Sets the desired operating channel for standard
CATV channels 02 through 135, "T" channels
T7 through T14, or Broadcast TV channels 02
through 69. See Item (F8) which sets the type
of channel (CATV or Broadcast TV) and sets
the leading “1” for CATV channels 100 through

125.

F10 - RF OUTPUT LEVEL

This screwdriver adjustment permits decreasing
the RF output level a minimum of 10 dB as the
control is rotated counterclockwise. Set the
control for a desired output level.

3 REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS

4

SETTING THE INTERNAL JUMPERS

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

RF OUT AUDIO IN

R1 - RF OUTPUT Connector

This is the modulator output.

R2 and R3 - AUDIO INPUT Connectors

These "RCA" (phono) connector inputs accept
baseband audio from 250 mVrms to 3 Vrms
levels. NOTE: In the AG models, an internally
selected jumper can defeat the audio pre­emphasis for use with a stereo encoder. See
Diagram on page 4.

For AG mono models, the inputs from the left
and right jacks are internally summed. Input
can be from a stereo source to both inputs or
from a mono source to just one of the inputs.

LEFT RIGHT

Figure 2

For the AS stereo models, R2 and R3 are the
left and right stereo channel inputs. A mono
source connected to an AS stereo unit should
be input to both connectors using a "Y" cable.

R4 - VIDEO INPUT Connector

This is the baseband video input to the IF
circuits. This input accepts baseband input
levels from 0.6 Vp-p to 1.5 Vp-p.

R5 - POWER / DC INPUT Connector

This connector accepts the appropriate mating
DC power cable from the supplied AC adapter.

VIDEO IN POWER

ACCESSING THE JUMPERS

- First, make certain the unit is disconnected
from its power source.

- Next, remove the four #4 screws from each
side of the top cover. Save the screws for later
reassembly.

- Carefully remove the top cover by lifting it
upward from the chassis. The jumpers are now
accessible for setting as desired.

INTERNAL JUMPER FUNCTIONS

JUMPER FUNCTIONS

Refer to the INTERNAL JUMPER FUNCTIONS
diagram for a brief explanation of the two
jumpers used in the jumper settings.

Refer to the INTERNAL JUMPER SETTINGS
Diagram for proper jumper placement of the
desired mode.

Audio Pre-emphasis jumper shown
in the ON position.

Shown in standard configuration
(no jumper). Add jumper for IRC or
HRC.

INSTALLATION NOTES

Level adjustment provides optimum
performance in multichannel installations.
The modulator outputs should be checked
periodically with a spectrum analyzer or signal
strength meter to 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.

MOUNTING

Adequate ventilation is very important in
multichannel installations. Units should be
spaced apart by at least one panel height
wherever possible, and some air movement is
mandatory in enclosed rack cabinets.
Excessive heat will shorten component life and
modulator performance will be degraded without
proper ventilation.

Front of VMM860AG With Cover Removed

5 CATV CHANNEL OUTPUT FREQUENCIES

TABLE 1:

CATV

CHANNELS

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 +100
CATV
BCTV

T CHANNELS

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

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

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

CATV +100

cont'd on page 6

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

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

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

T CHANNELS

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)

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

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

T CHANNELS

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

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

+25
+25

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

6

CA TV & BR O ADCAST CHANNEL OUTPUT FREQUENCIES

TABLE 1:

CATV + 100

cont'd.

Output Channel

Switch Setting

126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135

TABLE 2:

Channel Number

TABLE 3:

VHF BROADCAST CHANNELSVHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

VHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

VHF BROADCAST CHANNELSVHF BROADCAST CHANNELS

Channel Number

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)

T CHANNELS

T CHANNELS

T CHANNELST CHANNELS

T CHANNELS

T CHANNELST CHANNELS

7
8

9
10
11
12
13
14

BCTV CHANNELS

T CHANNELS

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9
10
11
12
13

T CHANNELS

805.25

811.25

817.25

823.25

829.25

835.25

841.25

847.25

853.25

859.25

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

Visual Carrier

Frequency (MHz)

7.00

13.00

19.00

25.00

31.00

37.00

43.00

49.00

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

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
CATV
BCTV

Frequency

Offset (kHz)

NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE
NONE

NONE

TABLE 3:

BCTV
CHANNELS,
cont'd.

CATV +100
CATV
BCTV

T CHANNELS

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

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

7 SPECIFICATIONS

8

WARRANTY

Frequency Range:

RF

FCC Frequency Offsets:

Output level:

Output Impedance:

A/V Ratio:

Frequency Stability:

Intercarrier Frequency:

Spurious Outputs (5 MHz to 900 MHz):

In-channel C/N:

Broadband Noise:

VIDEO

Input Level for 87.5% Modulation:

Input Impedance:

Frequency Response:

C/L Delay:

Differential Gain:

Differential Phase:

Video S/N:

AUDIO

Input Level for 25 kHz Peak Deviation:

Input Impedance:

Pre-emphasis:

Frequency Response

AG models:

AS Models:

Stereo Separation:

S/N ratio:

T otal Harmonic Distortion:

7 to 864 MHz;
Standard CATV channels 2 to 135, IRC or HRC by moving
an internal jumper. CATV T Channels, T7 - T14.
Broadcast TV channels 2 to 69.
Automatic (+12.5 kHz, +25 kHz, or none as required for
each channel).
+45 dBmV (typical with 12 dB adjustment range).
75 Ohms, 12 dB return loss.
Audio carrier level, adjustable from -20 to -12 dB refer­enced to video carrier level.
±5 ppm.

4.5 MHz ±5 ppm.

-60 dBc typical, measured at -15 dB A/V ratio and with
modulator output level of +45 dBmV.
65 dB typical, 4 MHz bandwidth.

-75 dBc typical, 4 MHz bandwidth @ +45 dBmV output.

0.6 Vp-p to 1.5 Vp-p. Manual gain adjust with
front panel control. Over modulation indicator provided.
75 Ohms, return loss of 26 dB minimum.
20 Hz to 4.2 MHz, ±1 dB.
Within 50 nSec. of FCC Predistortion curve.
3% maximum (10 to 90% APL).
30 maximum (10 to 90% APL).
65 dB minimum, luminance weighted.

250 mVrms to 2.5 Vrms. Manual gain adjust with
front panel control. Over modulation indicator provided.
10 K Ohms, unbalanced.
75 µSec., defeatable by inter nal jumper for BTSC baseband
stereo encoder 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.
50 Hz to 14 kHz, ±1.0 dB referenced to 75 µSec.
pre-emphasis curve.
>30 dB, 100Hz to 10kHz, >20 dB, 50 Hz to 100 Hz,
>25 dB, 10 kHz to 14 kHz.
65 dB.
.5% maximum.

THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

R.L. DRAKE COMPANY warrants to the original purchaser this product shall be free from defects in material or
workmanship for three (3) years from the date of original purchase.

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

To obtain such warranty service, the original purchaser must:

(1) Retain invoice or original proof of purchase to establish the start of the warranty period.
(2) Notify the R.L. DRAKE COMPANY or the nearest authorized service facility, as soon as possible after discovery

of a possible defect, 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) Deliver the product to the R.L. DRAKE COMPANY or the nearest authorized service facility, or ship the same in
its original container 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 COMPANY determines is
due to:

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

(2) Misuse, abuse, neglect or improper installation.
(3) Accidental or intentional damage.

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 COMPANY’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 limitation 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.

GENERAL

DC Power Input:

Supplied AC Adapter:

Operating Temperature:

Size:

Weight:

+10 to +18 VDC / 475 mA - from supplied AC adapter.
Input, 120 VAC / 60 Hz, wall adapter.
Output, 12 VDC / 800 mA maximum.
00 C to +500 C ambient.

8.25” (21 cm) W x 1.75” (4.45 cm) H x 7” (17.78 cm) D.
2 lbs. 6 oz. (1.08 Kg).

Specifications subject to change without notice or obligation.

®

R.L. DRAKE COMPANY

230 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PARTS TELEPHONE:

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

FRANKLIN, OHIO 45005 U.S.A.

[phone]

TELEFAX:

[phone]