Research Concepts RC2000C - Manual (Page 16)

8 RC2000C Az/El Tracking Antenna Controller Chapter 2 Basic Function Description
Research Concepts, Inc. • 5420 Martindale Road • Shawnee, Kansas • 66218-9680 • USA www.researchconcepts.com
TRACK
AZ: 1344 EL: 546 PL: 73 V S:621 TRAK K
GSTAR 3 PROGRAM IDLE 15.56.0-MENU
TRACK mode is activated to track an inclined orbit satellite. TRACK mode is slightly different than the
other modes described above in that TRACK mode cannot be reached directly through the use of the
MODE key. TRACK mode can be entered only via the SETUP, AUTO or REMOTE modes. TRACK
mode is described in Chapter 4.
More detailed information is available concerning each of the modes described above in Chapter 5 of
this manual.
2.4 Mode Access
Access to some modes is restricted in some circumstances. Here are the conditions that can restrict
access to certain modes:
1. TRACK mode can only be entered via the AUTO, SETUP or REMOTE modes - it cannot be entered
via the MODE key. When TRACK mode is active it is treated as if it were in the operational mode
group. If TRACK mode is active and the user presses the MODE key, control will transfer to the
MANUAL mode. If TRACK mode is active and the user holds the MODE key in for five seconds,
control will transfer to SETUP mode.
2. REMOTE mode is only accessible when the Remote Mode Enable CONFIG mode item is set to 1.
When enabled, REMOTE mode can be activated either via the MODE key or by the receipt of a
command on the serial port. Note that most commands received via the serial port may be
processed while TRACK mode is active.
3. The expert access system can restrict access to certain modes. The intent is to avoid corruption of
the operating parameters by inexperienced personnel. The expert access system is described in
the next section.
2.5 Expert Access
An Expert Access flag is maintained by the controller. The user can inspect and change the state of
this flag via the CONFIG mode Expert Access item. When the flag is set (1) the user has access to all
controller modes (subject to the state of the Remote Mode Enable flag described in the preceding
paragraph). When the Expert Access flag is reset (0), the user only has access to the MANUAL, AUTO,
REMOTE, RESET, and CONFIG modes.
The Expert Access flag also controls access to CONFIG mode items. When the flag is reset (0), the
user only has access to the AutoPolEnable, Simultaneous Az/El Enable, and Expert Access CONFIG
mode items. The user can toggle the state of the Expert Access flag by entering a 5-digit code at the
CONFIG mode 'EXPERT ACCESS' item. This 5-digit code is contained in a removable appendix at the
end of this manual, to safeguard from any accidental corruption of operating parameters by
inexperienced personnel. Note that the Expert Access flag is set whenever the controller's memory is
cleared via the Reset System Data CONFIG mode item.
2.6 AutoPol
The AutoPol feature slaves the RC2000C polarization control to an output derived from a satellite
receiver. The RC2000C has an AutoPol input accessible via connector J1 on the back of the unit.
When the controller is operating in MANUAL, REMOTE, or TRACK modes, this input is monitored and
the polarotor is controlled according to a digital level present at this input.
To configure the controller for AutoPol operation, the user must have:
1. a suitable output available on the satellite receiver that is connected properly to the AutoPol input of
the RC2000C,