Bird-technologies AT-500-Manual User Manual Page 1

INSTRUCTION BOOKOperator ManualAT-500 Antenna Tester©Copyright 2009 by Bird Electronic Corporation Instruction Book Part Number 920-AT500 Rev. C

Bird AT-500 Antenna TesterixUNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH RECHAREABLE BATTERIES. THESE ARE TO BE REPLACED BY AUTHORIZED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY!!!LAS UNIDADE

xRF VOLTAGE MAY BE PRESENT IN RF ELEMENT SOCKET - KEEP ELEMENT IN SOCKET DURING OPERATION.DE LA TENSION H.F. PEAT ÊTRE PRÉSENTE DANS LA PRISE DE L&apo

Bird AT-500 Antenna TesterxiAbout This ManualThis manual covers the operating and maintenance instructions for the following models:Changes to this Ma

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xiiiTable of ContentsSafety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiSafety Symbols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

xivChapter 2 Basic Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Messages

xvSwept Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Select Frequency Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Start Stop MHz .

xviChapter 6 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Calib

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1Chapter 1 IntroductionItems SuppliedFigure 1 Supplied Items1. Bird AT-5002. AC Mains Adapter3. Female “N”-Type Connector4. Field Strength Antenna5

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester2Component DescriptionFigure 2 Component Description1. LCD Display Backlit liquid crystal display.2. External DC Connecto

Introduction33. Cursor KeysLeft Arrow Press in swept frequency mode to move the cursor to the left. Press during data entry to erase data.Right Arrow

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester4Display DescriptionFigure 3 Display DescriptionFreqMHzUnits ManualScaleAutoScaleAudioOffLowBattVSWR1.21.569.00 Mhz1.35Bu

Introduction51. Sweep Rate IndicatorBlinks when sweeping.2. Measurement Units Indicates selected measurement units.3. Trace Graphic display of measure

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester6FeaturesSwept Frequency Mode Fast scan shows VSWR, ρ, match efficiency or return loss across an entire band. A movable curs

Introduction7Optional EquipmentAutomobile Cigarette Lighter Adapter (P/N 5A2238-1) Connects tester to standard 12V automotive cigarette lighter jack.

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9Chapter 2 Basic OperationsGetting StartedThis section describes initial quick steps to get started. For detailed information regarding connecting the

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester10Software Menuz Press the MENU key to display the software menu.Blinking Cursor (black square)The cursor will be blinking i

Basic Operations11Select KeyThe operator instructions written for this manual were based on stepping through the software menu using the keys below th

iiSafety PrecautionsThe following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to any specific part or procedure, and do not necess

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester12“Noise” Displayed if there is excessive background noise mea-sured. The measurement may not be accurate. See “Trou-bleshoo

Basic Operations131. Press the MENU key.2. Press the UTIL key.3. Press the PRESET key.Set Serial Baud RateMeasurement data can be transferred between

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15Chapter 3 InstallationThe following paragraphs will explain how to connect the Bird Antenna Tester for various operations. Refer to the component de

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester16AC Mains AdapterTo use the AC adapter, insert the adapter’s barrel con-nector into the Antenna Tester’s DC jack. Insert th

Installation17Connecting the AntennaAntenna leads and the Field Strength Antenna are connected to the test port. A known good RF cable can be used to

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester18Special consideration must be given to the RF energy present at the feed line of site antennas. At active sites, RF energy

19Chapter 4 Measure MatchUnderstanding the Operating ModesThe Antenna Tester is connected and the operating frequency band is selected. User selection

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester20Figure 6 Single FrequencyMeasurement UnitsRho (Reflection Coefficient), VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio), Match Effic

Measure Match21Match Efficiency (%)Match Efficiency (%) indicates how much of the trans-mitted power is being used and how much is wasted. If the ante

Bird AT-500 Antenna TesteriiiSafety SymbolsThe caution symbol appears on the equip-ment indicating there is important informa-tion in the instruction

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester22Figure 8 Manual Scaling Swept Frequency ModeIn the single frequency mode Auto Scaling sets the measurement unit scale s

Measure Match23Figure 10 Manual Scaling Single Frequency ModelSweep Type-Single Hold vs. ContinuousContinuous sweep continually sweeps the selected

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester24Start Stop MHz Note: The cursor will blink on the start fre-quency and Start Stop MHz will be highlighted.1. Enter the

Measure Match25Select Measurement UnitsAntenna match information can be presented using four different measurement units. Depending on the application

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester26Manual Scale Note: The cursor will blink on the mini-mum scale value and Manual Scale will be highlighted.1. Enter the

Measure Match271. Press the MENU key.2. Press the SWEPT FREQ key.3. Press the SWEEP TYPE key.4. Do one of the following, depending on desired mode:z P

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester28Figure 11 Save a TraceThe desired units, band, and scale should be selected. You should be in the single hold mode and

Measure Match29Recalling a TraceFollow the steps below to recall a saved trace.1. Press the MENU key.2. Press the SWEPT FREQ key.3. Press the TRACE ke

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester304. Press the CLEAR TRACE key.5. Press the REG-n key for the desired trace, press the MORE CLEAR key to access 5-8 and agai

Measure Match31Selecting Limit ValuesValid limit values depend on measurement units selected. Valid entries are:VSWRBetween 1.0 and 100.0% MatchBetwee

ivWarning StatementsThe following safety warnings appear in the text where there is danger to operating and maintenance personnel, and are repeated he

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester32Using a Trace as the LimitThe trace you want to use for the limit must be saved. You can have the current antenna test run

Measure Match33Clearing a LimitFollow the steps below to clear either an operator defined limit value or a trace limit. The trace will still be stored

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester34Select Measurement UnitsAntenna match information can be presented using three different measurement units. Depending on y

Measure Match35Manual ScaleThe cursor will blink on the maximum scale value and Manual Scale will be highlighted.1. Enter the desired value using the

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37Chapter 5 Field StrengthField Strength MeasurementWith the field strength antenna installed, the Antenna Tester can be used to optimize the radiated

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Maintenance39Chapter 6 MaintenanceCleaningClean the antenna tester and the display with a soft cloth dampened with mild detergent and water only.Calib

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester40Fully charged batteries will provide a minimum of 2 hours continuous operation with the backlight on. Charging time is typ

Maintenance41Operational TestsPower-upThere are several operational tests run at power up. The test is displayed only if any of the tests fail. The re

Bird AT-500 Antenna TestervOn page 45.Caution StatementsThe following equipment cautions appear in the text and are repeated here for emphasis.On page

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester42Battery TestThe battery test checks the output voltage of the bat-teries. The result is displayed in a simulated analog me

Maintenance43Display TestThe display test is used to be sure that each area of the display is functional. When the test is started the dis-play is fil

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester441. Press the MENU key.2. Press the TEST key.3. Press the SELF TEST key. 4. Press each key (except ESC and ON) to test keyp

Maintenance45For models equipped with minimum 2000 mAh Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries (p/n 5B2230): Note: To retain trace data stored in no

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester467. Be sure P2 is connected and the shock strips are still in place.8. Place the back cover over the front cover making sur

Maintenance47TroubleshootingOperator maintenance or service is limited to battery and fuse replacement. Any other required service must be performed a

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester48ROM, EEPROM, RAM, A/D, TEMPR, PLL Test FailsEnsure the results are valid by repeating the self test or turning the unit of

Maintenance49magnitude is subtracted from the magnitude of the measurement signal. For relatively small interferers (i.e. interfering signal smaller t

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester50Customer ServiceAny maintenance or service procedure beyond the scope of those in this chapter should be referred to a qua

Maintenance51Parts ListPart Name Part NumberAT-500 Complete 7000A501Parts Supplied withAT-500 Complete, or installed when shipped.Battery (6 required)

viOn page 17.On page 17.On page 39.On page 46.CAUTIONAVOID STATIC DISCHARGEUse proper Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) precautions to avoid static discha

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester52SpecificationsFrequency Range 2 to 520 MHzFrequency Resolution 20 kHzMeasurement RangeVSWR 1.00 to 100.00Match Efficienc

Maintenance53Storage Temperature -40° to 71°C (-40° to 160°F)Humidity 95% ± 5% max (non condensing)Size (including connector) 8" x 4-5/8" x

Bird AT-500 Antenna Tester54Menu StructureSwept FreqVSWR% Match Return Loss ReturnUnits Manual Scale Auto ScaleReturnSingle Hold Cont ReturnSave Trace

55Limited WarrantyAll products manufactured by Seller are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year,

Bird AT-500 Antenna TesterviiSafety StatementsUSAGEANY USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER MAY IMPAIR THE INSTRUMENT’

viiiSERVICESERVICING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USE BY SERVICE - TRAINED PERSONNEL ONLY. TO AVOID DANGEROUS ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICING UNL