Holatron Systems RFLS1XT Users manual

OPERATION & MAINTENANCE GUIDE -

2 Channel Digital UHF Transmitter

HOLATRON SYSTEMS, LLC

7242 Alliance Court

San Diego, Ca. 92119-1522

Phone or FAX: [phone]

www.holatron.com

WARNING

Holatron Systems specializes in the design and manufactur e of standard and custom electronic
control systems where reliability and error free dat a com m unication are critical. The transmitter
described in this manual is part of a system intended to remotely actuate pyrotechnic or other
hazardous devices, and the components of this system have been carefully designed t o
minimize the possibility of accidental actuation of such devices. Holat r on’s design goal is to
ensure that data communication errors due t o r adio interference or to insuf ficient signal
strength due to low battery, exceeding specif ied r ange, or conductive objects in signal path, will
result in failure of int entional actuation rather than unintended actuation. Techniques used to
achieve this design goal are described in section 1.8. T hough the probability of unintended
actuation is extremely small, it cannot be guaranteed to be zero. Therefore,

the user not enable the receiver until all persons who might be harmed by accidental
actuation are in a safe area

As a condition of purchase, the user must acknowledge awareness and agreement that
utilization of this product and participat ion in act ivities utilizing fireworks, rockets, and explosives
is an ultra-hazardous activity carrying implied and explicit risks of inj ur ies and dam ages to the
user and other participants. User assumes the r isk connected with the utilization of this product
and all risks of participation in the act ivities for which this product is sold. User acknowledges
that he/she/it has the necessary and requir ed skill, expertise, training and licensing, as may be
applicable or necessary by custom, usage, trade or law, to engage and participate in the ultra­hazardous activities connected with the use, purchase, transportation, or employment of the
products sold under this agreement. User acknowledges that Holatron Systems, LLC, has not
and will not conduct any investigation into the skill, expertise, t r aining and licensing, as may be
applicable or necessary by custom, usage, trade or law, of t he user or of user’s agents,
employees and assigns, to engage and participate in t he ultra-hazardous activities connected
with the use, purchase, transportation, or em ployment of this product. User specif ically agrees
that Holatron Systems, LLC its of ficers, employees and agents shall not be liable for any claim,
demand, cause of action of any kind whatsoever for , or on account of death, personal injury,
property damage or loss of any kind result ing from or related t o user’s or user’s employees’,
agents’ or assigns’ use of this pr oduct, and user agrees to indemnif y, defend in any action at
law, and hold harmless Holatron Systems, LLC, from same, whether brought by the user, user’s
agent, or assigns, or any third par ty.

.

it is important that

Usage of this transmit t er is authorized under FCC Rules and Regulations as listed in 47 CFR
Ch.1 (10-1-96 Edition), part 15, subpar t C, sections 15.209 and 15.231.

modifications to the hardware not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Any changes or

This manual is divided into two sections. The first is a descr iption of the system hardware. The
second covers the recommended operating and maintenance pr ocedur e.

1.0 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION.

The model RFLS-1XT Two Channel Digit al UHF Transmitter is a low power two
channel, safety locking, hand-held r emote control transmitter with a guaranteed range of
60 yards (line of sight operation) when used with the Holatron m odel RFLS- 1RC
receiver. A range of 100 yards is typical. The two channels are digitally encoded and
amplitude modulated on a single carrier frequency of 418MHz. This frequency is
controlled by a SAW (s ur face acoustic wave) device for exceptional stability. No
alignment or tuning procedur es ar e ever r equired to maintain optimum performance.
The modulated RF output occurs continuously while one of the t wo moment ar y tr ansm it
buttons is depressed. Receiver output is continuous while this signal is being
transmitted. A digital code am plit ude m odulates the carrier to indicate to t he r eceiver
which of the transmit buttons is depressed. T he user has access to the following
components:

1.1 THE ANTENNA.

The RF signal is radiated by a quarter- wave flexible whip antenna which screws
onto the top end of the transm itter box.

operated without thi s ant enna in place, as damage to the RF components
could result.

Such operation will void the warranty.

The transmitter should never be

Be careful not to overtighten t he antenna when screwing it on, as this could
cause its mating connector to rotat e and break its internal connection.
Overtightening could also cause the connector t o r ot ate, with the same result,
when subsequent removal of the antenna is attempt ed. The recommended way
to install the antenna is to grasp it by its sm all diameter upper part and rotate
gently in a clockwise direction until increased resistance is felt. It need not be
tight to achieve a good electrical connection. When removing the ant enna for
storage, observe the base of the m at ing connector to ensure that it is not
rotating. If t he ant enna is so tight that rotation is occurring, grasp the hex base of
the mating connector with long nose pliers, and t hen unscr ew the antenna.

1.2 THE SAFETY LOCKING SWITCH.

The Safety Locking Switch is a miniature cylindrical keylock with two positions,
“Safe” and “Xmtr Enabled” . In the “Safe” position no RF output occurs even if a
button is pressed. In the “Xm t r Enabled” position modulated RF output occurs
continuously while a button is pressed. Whet her transmitting or not, a r ed
warning indicator near the switch flashes whenever the switch is in its “Enabled”
position and the battery voltage is above the low battery detect threshold.
Approximately 1 milliamp is drained continuously from t he bat tery while the
transmitter is enabled and not transm itting. So this switch should always be
turned to the “Safe” posit ion while the tr ansm it ter is not being used. The k ey may
be removed from the switch in either position. Keys are int erchangeable, as all
Holatron RFLS-1XT transmit t ers are keyed the same.

1.3 THE “XMTR ENABLED” INDICATOR.

This red indicator, located at the “ Enabled” position of the lockswitch, is of
sufficiently high intensity to be visible in direct sunlight. It flashes cont inuously
while the transmitter is enabled and the battery voltage is above the low battery
detect threshold, warning the user that transmission will occur when a button is
pressed and that battery drain is occurring. It also verifies that batter y voltage is
adequate to transmit a signal over t he specified range. If t his indicator does not
flash when the lock switch is in the “Enabled” position, the batt ery should be
replaced. The low battery detect threshold is approximately 8.5 volts. Adequate
transmitter output to achieve the specified range will occur as long as the battery
voltage is above approximately 7.0 volts, allowing some additional operating time
after the batter y voltage falls below the low battery detect threshold. While this
additional time should be adequate to complete the cur r ent sequence of
transmissions, it is not absolutely predictable, and so t he bat t ery should be
replaced at the very next opportunity.

1.4 THE FIRE BUTTONS.

These buttons are snap action dome switches under a sealed overlay, labeled
“Fire A” and “Fire B”, respectively. They have a high spring constant which
requires a firm depression for actuation, decreasing t he likelihood of accidental
depression. The enabled transmitter can be kept in a shirt or jacket pocket
without fear of accidental button depr ession. If the receiver is set to Dual
Channel mode, a continuous output from receiver channel A occurs while “Fire
A” is pressed, and a continuous output fr om receiver channel B occurs while
“Fire B” is pressed. If t he r eceiver is set to Remote Arm mode, receiver channel
A alternately latches on and off each t im e “ Fire A (Enable B)” is pressed, and a
continuous output from receiver channel B occurs while “Fire B” is pr essed and
receiver channel A is latched on. While in this mode and channel A is not latched
on, no receiver output can occur from channel B. Remote Arm mode provides
added insurance against accidental actuation of devices connected t o r eceiver
channel B.

1.5 THE TRANSMIT INDICATOR.

This is a high intensity indicator, visible in direct sunlight, that lights cont inuously
while the transmitter is generating RF output. It is located between the two
buttons. It will light even if the battery voltage is below the low battery detect
threshold.

1.6 THE BATTERY.

Power is supplied from an alkaline 9 volt battery, accessible beneat h a slide- out
door on the back side of the tr ansm it t er . This battery should be replaced when
required by conditions described in section 1.3 above. In order to prevent the
possibility of damage due to batter y leak age, the battery should always be
removed if the transmitter is to be stored for a prolonged per iod. Damage due to
battery leakage is not covered under the warranty.

1.7 THE DIGITAL CHANNEL SWITCH.

A 16 position miniature rotary switch is accessible by removing the four scr ews
and the back side of the transm it t er . This switch is on the left edge of the internal
printed circuit board. It can be set t o digital channels 0 – 9 or A – F. The
transmitter will only actuate receivers whose corresponding channel switches are
set to the same channel as the transmitt er . Thus, multiple transmitter s may be
used to actuate differ ent select ed receivers even though all operate on the same
frequency. All transmitt er s ar e set to channel 0 at time of manufacture.

1.8 RADIO INTERFERENCE REDUCTION.

Holatron’s design goal is to ensure that dat a communication errors due to radio
interference or to insufficient signal streng t h due to low battery, exceeding
specified range, or conductive object s in the signal path will result in failure of
intentional actuation rather than unint ended act uat ion. This goal is achieved by
transmitting a 12 bit, 3 stat e, code repeatedly while a transmitter button is
depressed. Ten of those bits must match the pattern expected by the receiver,
and the other two bits select which channel (A or B) is to be actuated. Two
successive received 12 bit patterns must be identical before an act uat ion can
occur. Thus there is one chance in 3
actuation occurring due to reception of a random signal. Thoug h the probability
of unintended actuation is extremely small, it cannot be guaranteed to be zero.
Therefore, it is im por tant that the user not enable the receiver unt il all persons
who might be harmed by accidental actuation are in a safe ar ea. Addit ional
protection is offered by use of a bit pattern that cannot produce a mat ch in the
receiver if a synchronization error occurs (as is the case with a “0101010101”
pattern), and by selection of 418 MHz as the operating frequency. This
frequency is sparsely used only by low power transmitters with a maximum range
of approximately 100 yards. It is not commonly used by auto security systems,
garage door openers, radio contr ol m odels, cordless telephones, wireless
microphones, or two way communications equipment. Because this system
operates in the UHF region, interference from lamp dim m er s , electrical
discharges, and other natural sources is also m inimal.

20

(or a probability of .000000000287) of an

1.9 SPECIFICATIONS.

Parameter Minimum Typical Maximum

Carrier Frequency, MHz. 417.96 418.02 418.08
Range, yards
(line-of-sight with RFLS- 1RC rcvr)
Battery consumption, mA
(enabled)
(transmitting)
Low Battery Detect Threshold, Volts 8.5
Transmitter Supply Voltage 7.0

60 100

1.5

4.0

2.0 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.

section describes the recommended operating pr ocedur e and maintenance for the

This

transmitter-receiver system.

2.1 OPERATION.

2.1.1

2.1.2

2.1.3

WARNING - If an activity light is on, the corresponding receiver output
will be actuated immediately upon turning the lock switch to “Enabled”.

2.1.4

Connect devices to receiver outputs. With the receiver turned off, set the
receiver key switch to its “Enabled” position. Verif y continuity through the
devices by contacting the tops of the receiver output t er m inals.

Turn the receiver key switch to its “Shunted position, and turn on the
receiver. Verify flashing “Bat tery OK” light. Enable transm it t er, and
perform range test by observing receiver activity lights while pressing
transmitter buttons. ( The receiver should be located within 60 yards of the
transmitter with no intervening conductive objects for most reliable
operation.) Verify that the t r ansmitter battery is good by observing the
flashing “Xmtr Enabled” light. Turn the t r ansm it t e r lock switch back to
“Safe” position, and turn off the receiver.

When the area ar ound the devices to be actuated is clear of persons who
might be injured by an accidental actuation, t ur n on the receiver. After
verifying that the receiver’s two red activity lights are off (no radio signal
is being detected, and channel A is not latched on), t urn the receiver’s
lock switch to its “Enabled” position.

Turn the transmitter lock switch to its “Enabled” position, and press the
appropriate button to actuate the desir ed receiver output channel. Once
the lockswitch is in its “Enabled” position, the key may be removed to
make it easier to press the butt ons. A button must be held for at least 100
milliseconds to produce a receiver output. The transmitter should be held
with the antenna in a vertical orientation, away from the body and other
conductive objects to achieve maximum range and communication
reliability. Generally, the higher the transmitter is held, the g r eater the
range.

2.1.5

When f inished, t urn off the receiver, and t ur n t he transmitter lockswitch
back to its “Safe” position to stop further drain of the transmitter battery.
You may remove the antenna to make it easier to st ore the transmitter.
Observe the precautions in section 1.1 before r emoving the antenna. If
the transmitter is to be stored for a prolonged period, rem ove the bat t er y
as described in section 1.6 above.

2.2 MAINTENANCE.

Since there are no calibration or tuning adj ust m ents in the transmitter, the only
maintanance required is periodic replacement of the 9 volt battery. This should
be done at least once per year, or at the next opportunit y if the “Xmtr Enabled”
light fails to f lash when the tr ansm it t er is enabled.

If further information or service is required, cont act:

Holatron Systems, LLC.
7242 Alliance Court
San Diego, Ca. 92119-1522
Phone or FAX: [phone]
www.holatron.com