Campbell Scientific RF401-series and RF430-series Spread Spectrum Data Radios/Modems - Manual (Page 101)

Appendix J. Monitor CSAT3 via RF401
Series
Procedure for installing a pair of RF401 series spread spectrum radios for
monitoring a CSAT3 system at a distance. This function has traditionally been
implemented by running a short haul modem cable between CSAT3 and PC.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
• Two RF401s (mounting bracket option available)
• Two RF401 antennas (and possibly cables, see Section 4.4,
Compatible Antennas, for options)
• Remote station 12V Field Power Cable Item # 14291 or (if 120 Vac is
available) AC adapter Item # 15966
• 9 pin male to 9 pin male null-modem serial cable (CSI Item # 14392)
• PC with DevConfig for RF401 setup (if neighboring RF401s).
• Spare PC COM port (COMx)
RF401 SETUP
(1) Plug AC adapter into 120 Vac outlet; plug barrel connector into
“base” RF401 and wait 10 seconds for RF401 to initialize.
(2) Connect 6 ft. cable (from base kit) between PC COM port and base
RF401 RS-232 port.
(3) Access DevConfig (see Section 5.1, DevConfig).
(4) Configure the base radios s follows:
(a) Active Interface – leave at default “Auto Sense”
(b) Network Address – can be default “0” if no neighboring RF401
networks are operating; otherwise choose a different network
address (see RX LED Test below).
(c) Radio Address – can be default “0”
(d) Hopping Sequence – can be default “0” if no neighboring RF401
networks are operating; otherwise choose a different hopping
sequence.
- RX LED Test -
To determine if there is a neighboring RF401 network in
operation using the same hopping sequence as yours, stop
communications on your network and observe RF401 green
LEDs for activity. At this point, any green LED activity would
indicate that there is a nearby network using the same hopping
sequence.
The other network’s network and/or radio addresses might be
different than yours, so having the same hopping sequence isn’t
necessarily a serious problem but having an exclusive hopping
sequence results in fewer retries.
(e) Standby Mode – leave at default “2”
(f) Retry Level – if RF noise is a problem, try “Low” or a higher
level to see if response improves.
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