Explorer 443d/443df
Fishfinder
Installation and Operation Manual
www.northstarnav.com
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Please read carefully before installation and use.
DANGER |
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WARNING |
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, |
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CAUTION |
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, |
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CAUTION |
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DISCLAIMER: It is the owner’s sole responsibility to install and use the instrument and transducers in a manner that will not cause accidents, personal injury or property damage. The user of this product is solely responsible for observing safe boating practices.
BRUNSWICK NEW TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN A WAY THAT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS, DAMAGE OR THAT MAY VIOLATE THE LAW.
Governing Language: This statement, any instruction manuals, user guides and other information relating to the product (Documentation) may be translated to, or
FCC Statement
has been translated from, another language (Translation). In the event of any conflict between any Translation of the Documentation, the English language version of the Documentation will be the official version of the Documentation.
This manual represents the Explorer 443d/443df as at the time of printing. Brunswick New Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates reserve the right to make changes to specifications without notice.
Copyright © 2006 Brunswick New Technologies Inc. Northstar™ is a registered trademark of Brunswick New Technologies Inc
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a normal installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an output on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced technician for help.
A shielded cable must be used when connecting a peripheral to the serial ports.
Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... |
6 |
1-1 Benefits of the Explorer 443d/443df . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1-2 How the Explorer 443d/443df works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2 Basic Operation...................................................................................................................................... |
7 |
3 Setting up the Explorer 443d/443df ....................................................................................................... |
9 |
3-1 Setup > System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3-2 Setup > Sonar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3-3 Setup > Fuel (available on 443df only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3-4 Setup > Logs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3-5 Setup > Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3-6 Setup > Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3-7 Setup > Comms (443df only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 3-8 Setup > Calibrate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4 Using the Explorer 443d/443df............................................................................................................. |
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4-1 Interpreting the display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4-2 Single and Dual frequency fishfinding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 4-3 Fish detection and display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 4-4 Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 4-5 Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
5 The Displays......................................................................................................................................... |
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5-1 Sonar display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 5-2 Sonar Zoom display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 5-3 Sonar Bottom display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 5-4 Sonar 83/200 display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 5-5 Sonar A-Scope display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 5-6 A-Scope perspective view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 5-7 Fuel display (443df only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 5-8 Data display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 5-9 About display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
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Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
6 Installation and Maintenance .............................................................................................................. |
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Wiring Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 6-1 What comes with this product? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6-2 Options and Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6-3 Mounting and removing the display unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 6-4 Systems of several instruments (443df 0nly) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 6-5 Cleaning and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Appendix A - Specifications .................................................................................................................... |
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Appendix B - Dimensions ........................................................................................................................ |
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Appendix C - Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. |
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Important
It is your sole responsibility to install and use Northstar’s instrument & transducers in a manner that will not cause accidents, personal injury or property damage. Always observe safe boating practices.
The choice, location, angle and installation of the instrument & transducers are critical to performance of the system as intended. Follow instructions in this manual carefully. If in doubt, consult your Northstar dealer.
Ensure that any holes cut are in a safe position and will not weaken the boat’s structure. If in doubt, consult a qualified boat builder.
Do not install plastic through hull transducers in solid wooden hulls. Leaking through the hull may result.
Do not install bonze transducers in metal hulls. This will cause electrolytic corrosion that may result in damage to the hull or transducer.
Sonar Performance: The accuracy of the sonar depth display can be affected by many factors, including the type and location of the transducer and water conditions. Ensure that the transducer is located and used correctly.
Fuel Computer: Do not rely on the fuel computer as the sole source of information regarding available fuel onboard. Fuel economy can change drastically depending on boat loading and sea conditions. Fuel Computer information should be supplemented by visual or other checks of the fuel load. This is necessary due to possible operator errors such as forgetting to reset the fuel used when filling the tank, running the engine with the Fuel Computer not switched on, or on other operator actions that may render the device inaccurate. Always carry adequate fuel onboard for the intended trip, plus a reserve to allow for unforeseen circumstances.
Failure to adhere to these warnings may lead to death, serious injury or property damage. Northstar disclaims all liability for installation or use of this product that causes or contributes to death, injury or property damage or that violates any law.
As Northstar is continuously improving this product we retain the right to make changes to the product at any time which may not be reflected in this version of manual. Please contact your nearest Northstar office if you require any further assistance.
Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
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1 Introduction
Congratulations on choosing a Northstar fishfinder. For maximum benefit, please read this manual carefully before installation and use.
This manual describes how to install and set up the Explorer 443d/443df and the associated
dual-frequency transom transducer. (If a through hull transducer is used, refer to the Installation Instructions supplied with that transducer.)
This manual also explains how to operate the Explorer 443d/443df effectively and provides troubleshooting information and performance tips.
1-1 Benefits of the Explorer 443d/443df
Important
It is vital to the performance of the fishfinder that the transducer is installed in the best location. Please follow the installation instructions very carefully.
The Explorer 443d/443df is a high quality, dualfrequency sonar fishfinder that is supplied with a dual-frequency transducer. It uses a 16 level greyscale FSTN display for easy daylight viewing
that can be dimmed for night fishing. The bracket mounting option also allows the fishfinder to be tilted and swivelled for optimum viewing.
The dual frequency capability enables the Explorer 443d/443df to operate and display:
•At a high frequency of 200 kHz.
•At a low frequency of 83 kHz.
•Both frequencies side-by-side on a split display.
•Both frequencies combined together into a single display.
This capability, combined with a variable power output of up to 250 watts, ensures that the Explorer 443d/443df operates effectively in shallow and deep water.
The Explorer 443d/443df can detect the bottom to a depth of 750 feet (230 metres) depending on the clarity of the water, the ultrasonic frequency chosen and the type of transducer used.
The Northstar fishfinder can be used to find fish, to locate features on the bottom such as reefs or wrecks and to help recognize favourite fishing spots from the bottom profile.
The Northstar fishfinder can also assist with navigation by providing depth information to help identify the depth contours marked on
charts. The Explorer 443d/443df is particularly suited to work with the Explorer 538.
The two instruments can be connected together using either NavBus or NMEA, so they can share data. (only applies to Explorer 443df)
! CAUTION
IMPORTANT NOTE ON USE. While any fishfinder can be used as an aid to navigation, accuracy can be influenced by many factors including the location of the transducer. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the Explorer 443d/443df is installed and used correctly.
With the optional fuel kit, the Explorer 443df also becomes a sophisticated and easy-to-use
fuel computer.
All of the Northstar 400 Series fishfinders use new proprietary SBN-II Technology for sonar processing to improve Signal enhancement, Bottom recognition and Noise rejection.
SBN-II Technology uses digital adaptive filter algorithms to enhance all returned signals. At the same time, SBN-II Technology uses active noise control to reject interference, which can often be mistaken by fishfinders for true returns.
Using SBN-II Technology, the Northstar fishfinder analyses the reflections from each pulse, filters false returns and displays what is in the water under the boat. See section 4-1 Interpreting the display, for more information.
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Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
1-2 How the Explorer 443d/443df works
The Explorer 443d/443df has two parts:
-the transducer attached to the hull
-the display unit.
The transducer generates an ultrasonic pulse (sound that is above the hearing range of the human ear), which travels down towards the bottom at a speed of about 4800 ft/sec
(1463 m/sec), spreading out into a cone shape.
When the pulse meets an object, such as a fish or the bottom, it is partly reflected back up towards the boat as an echo. The depth of the object or bottom is calculated by the Explorer 443d/443df by measuring the time taken between sending a pulse and receiving the echo. When an echo has been returned, the next pulse is sent.
The Explorer 443d/443df converts each echo into an electronic signal, displayed as a vertical line of pixels. The most recent echo appears on
the extreme right of the display, with the older echoes being scrolled towards the left, eventually disappearing off the display.
The scroll speed depends upon the water depth and scroll speed setting. See section 3-2 Setup > Sonar and section 4-1 Interpreting the display, for more information.
The appearance of echoes displayed are affected by:
•the fishfinder settings (frequency selected, range and gain settings)
•echoes (different fish types, different bottom types, wrecks and seaweed)
•noise (water clarity and bubbles).
See section 4-1 Interpreting the display, for more information.
2 Basic Operation
Key Names
If a menu is not displayed then go to the sonar ESC display. If a menu is displayed then cancel any
changes and return to the previous menu.
DISP Shows the Display menu.
,
Cursor keys move the selection highlight and 
,
change settings.
MENU Press to show the Options menu on a display; press again to show the Setup menu.
ENT Confirms any changes or from a sonar display shows the Gain controls.
+Increases the Range.
—Decreases the Range.
AUTO Select fishing/cruising or manual operating mode
Powers On and Off; shows the Backlight control.
Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
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Power On / Auto Power
Press 
to turn the fishfinder on.
If the fishfinder is wired for auto power, it turns on automatically whenever the boat’s ignition is turned on. This ensures that the engine hours
counter and optional fuel functions are activated.
A title display appears briefly. This is followed automatically by the Installation menu the first time the fishfinder is switched on. Use this menu to specify the language (see section 3-1 Setup > System) and units (see section 3-6 Setup > Units).
At all other times, the title display is followed by the display that was used most recently.
If the transducer is not connected, the message: Enter simulate mode? will appear. Press 
or 
to switch between Yes, No or Never. (If the transducer was not
intentionally disconnected, turn off the fishfinder and refer to the section on Troubleshooting in Appendix B.)
Press ENT to confirm the selection and the startup sequence will continue.
Key Operation
The fishfinder is operated through menus.
To select a menu item:
1.Press DISP or MENU
2.Press 
or 
to move the highlight to the item.
3.Press ENT to select the item.
To change a number, word or setting:
1.Use the cursor keys, 
, 
, 
, 
to highlight the number, word or setting and to make the change(s).
2.Press ENT to confirm; ESC to cancel.
Power Off
To turn the fishfinder off, hold 
. A countdown box appears. Continue to hold 
for 3 seconds until the fishfinder turns off.
Note: If the unit is wired for Auto Power (section 6-5 Wiring options) the fishfinder can be turned off only when the boat’s ignition is turned off.
Backlight Adjustment
To change the backlight level:
1.Press 
briefly to show the display controls.
2.The display and keys are backlit, with a choice of 16 brightness levels.
Press 
to dim or 
to brighten.
3.To change contrast: i Press 
Menu Note:
Some menu items in the Explorer 443d/443df menu’s utilize checkboxes.
If the box is selected or ‘checked’ (contains a check or tick), then that function is enabled or ON.
If the box is de-selected or ‘un-checked’ (does not contain a check or tick), then that function is disabled or OFF.
To select or de-select a checkbox, highlight the menu item and press ENT.
ii Press <, > to adjust
4.Press ENT to save settings.
5.Press ESC to exit.
Press 
twice to return to the maximum backlight setting and default contrast.
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Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
Simulate Mode
An internal simulator allows users to learn how to operate the fishfinder off the water.
In Simulate mode the word Simulate flashes on the bottom of the display. The fishfinder generates data so that all the main displays appear to be operational.
Use Setup > Simulate as follows:
1.Press MENU twice to show the Setup menu.
2.Highlight Simulate.
3.Press ENT to select or de-select.
Manual, Fishing and Cruising Modes
Press AUTO to select one of the three following operating modes:
•Cruise mode. Use this when on the move. The Explorer 443d/443df prominently displays the water depth and automatically adjusts Range and Gain so that the bottom trace is displayed. Depth is displayed in large digits.
•Fishing mode. Use this when fishing.
The Explorer 443d/443df prominently displays fish, the bottom profile, wrecks, rocks and all the details that help to find fish. Gain and Range are optimized automatically, increasing the sensitivity and fishfinding ability.
•Manual mode. Use this to fine-tune the fishfinding ability of the Explorer 443d/443df. Best results are often achieved in manual mode, but practice and experience are required to obtain the
optimum settings for different conditions. Gain, gain threshold and pulse power can all be adjusted. Manual mode stores the most recent settings, so these do not have to be reset each time manual mode is selected.
3 Setting up the Explorer 443d/443df
Press MENU twice, to show the Setup menu, then select a particular option using the 
or 
cursor keys. (Section 2 Basic Operation, describes the basic use of keys.)
The Setup menu and options are summarized below. The factory default settings are shown where applicable.
Each Setup menu option is explained in the following sections.
Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
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The Setup menu and options
System - see section 3-1
Sonar - see section 3-2
Fuel - see section 3-3
Logs - see section 3-4
Alarms - see section 3-5
Units - see section 3-6
Comms - see section 3-7
Calibrate - see section 3-8
Simulate - see section 2
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Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
3-1 Setup > System
Press MENU once or more until the Setup menu |
Auto power off |
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is displayed, then select System: |
Select |
to have the fishfinder power off |
automatically every time the boat’s ignition is switched off. This applies only if the display unit is wired for Auto Power. See section 6-5 Wiring Options.
Language
Select the language for the displays. The options are: English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Portuguese, Finnish Greek and Croatian.
Tip: In case you can’t read the current language, the language setting is found at the top of the system menu.
Backlight
Snooze Mode
This power saving option slows the sounding rate (time between each ultrasonic pulse) to a user specified interval from 5 minutes to 2 hours. The fishfinder appears to turn off, however all alarms operate normally. To return to normal operation, press Power 
button. Ideal to be used as an anchor alarm.
Factory reset
This option returns all of the fishfinder settings (except the language) to the default factory settings shown in section 3 Setting up the Explorer 443d/443df.
A warning box asks: Are you sure? Select Yes and press ENT to confirm.
Select this option to adjust backlighting and contrast controls.
Key beep
Enables or disables the beep when a key is pressed.
Sonar (FISH 443df)
Select to enable sonar functions. Deselect if the unit is to be used as a SmartCraft only display.
SmartCraft (FISH 443df)
Select to enable SmartCraft functions. SmartCraft is only available with certain Mercury engines, and requires an optional SmartCraft Gateway.
3-2 Setup > Sonar
Press MENU once or more until the Setup menu |
Beam |
is displayed, then select Sonar: |
There is a choice of Narrow (200kHz), |
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Wide(83kHz), Mixed and Auto. For more info |
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about selecting a suitable frequency for water |
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conditions, see section 4-2 Single and Dual |
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Frequency Fishfinding. |
Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
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Scroll speed |
Fish sensitivity |
Use this to set the scroll speed on the display. There is a choice of: Very Fast, Fast, Medium, Slow and Pause. The depth of the water also affects the speed of the display.
Faster scroll speeds combined with a slow boat speed (typically between 2 and 6 knots) shows the most fish detail. Medium or Slow scroll speeds result in sonar information being displayed over a longer period, but with less
detail. See Section 4-1 Interpreting the display, for more information.
Fish symbols
These appear only in the main sonar displays. Fish symbols can be shown in three ways:
•As a fish symbol (Symbol).
•As a fish symbol with the depth (Symbol+depth). The depth is shown beside the fish symbol.
•As a depth (Depth). The depth is shown above where the fish was detected
•Switched off (Off) so that echoes are not converted to fish symbols but are displayed directly.
See section 4-3 Fish detection and display, for more information about fish symbols.
3-3 Setup > Fuel (available on 443df only)
Use this function to adjust the minimum fish detection level. Select Low to reject noise and small fish. Select High to detect maximum number of fish.
Digit size
Use this to remove or change the size of the depth display on the sonar displays. There is a choice of: Small, Medium and Large.
Palette
Use this to select a color palette. Each color within the palette represents a different echo strength, as shown on the sonar displays.
There is a choice of three color palettes: Black,
White and High Contrast.
Interference filter
This filters the echo signal to reduce high-level, spiky interference, such as engine noise and makes small fish harder to see.
Select
to add filter.
Pulse power
This can be used to specify the power output of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse. Low power output conserves the boat’s battery, but only works in shallow water.
There is a choice of Auto, Low, Medium or High. The Auto setting is recommended.
These features can be used only when the optional single or twin engine fuel kit has been installed.
Press MENU once or more until the Setup menu is displayed, then select Fuel:
It is recommended that the fuel tank capacity is measured by draining the fuel tank, then filling it to capacity. After filling, note the reading from the fuel dispenser’s gauge.
Note: Beware of air pockets, especially in underfloor tanks.
! WARNING
Northstar fuel kits are only suitable for petrol/ gasoline engines. Fuel consumption can change drastically depending upon the boat loading and the sea conditions. Always carry adequate fuel for the journey, plus a reserve.
Tank full
Select Tank full each time the fuel tank(s) are completely refilled. When asked Are you sure? select Yes. Otherwise, the reading on the Fuel display (see section 5-6 Fuel Display) and the Low Fuel Alarm (see section 3-5 Setup > Alarms) are meaningless.
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Northstar Explorer 443d/443df Installation and Operation Manual |
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