Research Concepts RC4000 - Manual (Page 59)

RC4000 Antenna Controller Chapter 3 Software
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AUXILLARY FUNCTIONS
According to the RC4000’s configuration and current conditions, several additional functions may be
initiated via the MANUAL mode.
3.2.1.1 Heading Fix
From the MANUAL mode the user is given the ability to correct the mount’s true heading based on where
the selected satellite is found. This HEADING FIX capability is available when all of the following
conditions are true:
1) MANUAL mode was automatically entered following a LOCATE
2) The selected satellite is geostationary (inclination = 0 )
3) The mount’s position has not already been saved
4) The RC4000 is equipped with the GPS and Fluxgate compass options
When the above conditions are present, the “<0-9>JOG ANTENNA” message will alternate with a
“<ENTER>FIX HEADING” message. The user should positively identify that he is on the selected
satellite (the satellite named in the SAT: field) and then manually peak up in azimuth and elevation.
When the Enter key is pushed the MANUAL mode will switch to the following screen.
PREDICTED AZIM: -50.9 HEADING FIX
CURRENT AZIM: -48.7 SAT:galaxy 7
DIFFERENCE: 2.2
<BKSP>APPLY DIFF. TO HEADING <MODE>EXIT
The HEADING FIX screen shows the name of the selected satellite in the SAT: field. The PREDICTED
AZIM field shows the target azimuth originally predicted by the LOCATE function based on the mount’s
current position. The CURRENT AZIM field shows the where the user peaked up on the satellite while in
MANUAL mode.
The DIFFERENCE field shows the value obtained by subtracting the predicted azimuth from the current
azimuth. This difference should reflect the error in the mount’s true heading currently in use. Pushing the
BKSP key will apply the difference to the mount’s heading for use in subsequent LOCATE operations. In
the above example, if the current true heading of the mount was 195.0 it would be “fixed” to 197.2.
NOTE: to make this “fixed heading” persist through the next powering down of the RC4000, the mount’s
position would need to be “saved” via the POSITION mode. If the difference is applied, the RC4000 will
proceed to the POSITION screen.
If the user is unsure that applying the difference is the correct thing to do, pressing the Mode key will
return the RC4000 to the MANUAL mode.