LDG RVS-8 User Manual

RVS-8 Eight Channel

Repeater Voting System

Manual Version 1.0

LDG Electronics

1445 Parran Road, PO Box 48

St. Leonard MD 20685-2903 USA

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]
www.ldgelectronics.com

Copyright © LDG Electronics 2006. All rights reserved.

RVS-8 Eight Channel

Repeater Voting System

Introduction 3
Specifications 3
Overview 4
Installation 6
Setup 7
Operation 9
Application Notes 11
Care and Maintenance 13
Technical Support 14
Warranty and Service 14
Firmware Upgrades 14
Feedback 14

2

Introduction

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Congratulations on selecting the RVS-8 voter. This system allows you to add up to eight satellite
receivers to your repeater system. It selects the one with the best signal-to-noise ratio and
channels the audio and Carrier Operated Relay (COR) output to your repeater input. A wide
variety of options is available via the front-panel controls and display. You can even "cascade"
up to eight of these units for a system of 64 satellite receivers.

LDG pioneered the automatic, wide-range switched-L tuner in 1995. From its laboratories near
the nation’s capitol, LDG continues to define the state of the art in this field with innovative
automatic tuners and related products for every amateur need.

Specifications

• 8 Channels (expandable)

• True Signal-to-Noise Voting

• Microprocessor Controlled

• Software Upgradable

• Menu Driven, 10 Menus

• Programmable COR and Disable Inputs

• Programmable Hysterisis

• Digital S/N Meter

• Frequency response 30 to 20,000 Hz

• Crosstalk > 60db

• Distortion < 1 db

• Power requirement: 12 Volts DC @ 500 ma

• Board Size: 6 x 9 inches

• Rack Size: 1 Rack unit, 7 inch depth

• Enclosure size: 19 x 7.0 x 1.25 (measured in inches)

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of the antenna, support or transmission line touches a power
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the nearest power line should be at least twice the length o
the longest antenna, transmission line or support dimension.

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING

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3

Overview

Your RVS-8 repeater system is a quality, precision instrument that will give you many years of
service; take a few minutes to get to know it.

Your RVS-8 is designed to be mounted in a standard 19" rack. The front panel is integrated with
the rack mount. Your RVS-8 comes fully assembled, tested and aligned, and is ready to install
and use.

Front panel controls include:

• Power On/Off

• Power indicator LED

• COR operation LED

• Menu button

• Parameter selection button

• Data input button

4

The LDC display shows current system status information, and menu options when selected.

On the rear panel are connections for audio and COR inputs from up to eight receivers, COR
switching output, voted audio output, and DC power input. Other useful outputs are also
provided; see Installation.

5

Installation

Your RVS-8 is intended for indoor use only; it is not water resistant. If you install it in a remote
location, you must insure that it is protected from moisture and temperature extremes.

1. Connect the audio output from each of your receivers to the screw connections on the header
labeled "Audio In J5". Each audio input is relative to the ground connection on that header.

2. Connect the corresponding COR output from each receiver to the respective screw
connections on the header labeled "COR In J4". Be sure to correctly match the COR inputs to
the audio inputs on J5; that is, COR 1 matches audio 1, etc.

3. If you wish, you can remotely disable receivers via the inputs on the header labeled "Disable
In J3". To remotely disable a receiver, set the corresponding contact on J3 to either a high or
low voltage state, depending on how you set up that channel in the menu; see Setup. You can
disable as many receivers in this manner as you wish.

4. The header labeled "Select Out" provides an output indicating which of the eight receivers is
voted. One of the eight pins on this header will be at +12vdc indicating the voted receiver.
The other pins will be at zero volts. +12vdc at 10ma is also provided on this header. All
voltages are relative to the ground connection on this header. You might use this output to
drive an array of LEDs so you could see which receiver is voted from a distance. Use of these
outputs is optional; you may simply leave them disconnected if you wish.

5. The main voter outputs are on the header labeled "Output". Audio output and its dedicated
ground are the rightmost two connectors on this header. COR output is the leftmost three,
providing normally closed, normally open and common connections. The COR outputs are
"dry" contact closures; no voltages are output on these connectors.

6. DC power input is via the coaxial connector labeled "Power". Connect this to a source of 12
volts DC capable of providing at least 500 ma, using the provided 2.5 by 5.5 mm coaxial
plug. Best practice is a regulated DC power supply connected to the AC line through a high­quality surge protector.

6