82
This is a useful diagnostic tool.
MOD: Shows dial-up or cellular modem activity.
RAD: Shows T when the controller radio is transmitting,
and R when it is receiving data from another radio.
HW: Shows T when the controller is trans mitting over
GCBL cable, and R when receiving data via GCBL.
#: Shows the count of individual packets of data as they
are exchanged. This number continues to increase as
events are counted until it reaches 255, then begins
again at 1. Digital communications are divided into
packets of data, and sent in pieces called “packets”. After
each packet is sent, a confirming response is expected.
This counter tracks all communications in the module via
radio, hardwire, and modem.
The * may indicate other radio traffic (from other
sources). Communications problems that cannot be
explained by hardware issues are sometimes caused
by interference from other sources. If * is frequently
present when no ACC communications are taking place,
it may indicate that the frequency is very busy.
RADIO TONE TEST
If the controller does not have a RAD3 radio module
installed, the screen will show NONE for this diagnostic
function. Press the left arrow button twice to display the
Radio Tone Test, and press Enter to start the test. The
radio module will transmit a 5-second burst of data, to
confirm whether the radio is working. The burst can be
heard with another radio or scanner tuned to the same
frequency.
For this test to be effective, you will need a two-way radio
or scanner on the same frequency as the radio module.
• When the radio test is started, a burst of data
indicates a working radio module in the controller.
• If nothing is heard, either the radio is inoperative or
the wrong frequency has been selected for receiving.
• If a broken, rough-sounding, or very faint signal is
heard, there may be a problem in the antenna, antenna
cable, or connectors. This may also indicate
a problem in the radio module, although antenna/
cable/connectors. This may also indicate a problem
in the radio module, although antenna/cable/
connectors are more likely the cause. The easiest
way to check this is to swap the radio module with a
known good unit, connect to the same antenna and
cable, and repeat the test... if the sound cleans p, the
problem was the module. If the sound is still poor, it is
probably the antenna/cable/connector setup.
PING TEST
The ping test allows any controller to exchange
communications with another controller for test purposes.
Select a Target controller from the Source controller.
Enter the target address by pressing the + button while
the address number is blinking in the main Ping Test
screen. Press Enter when the address is correct, and the
Ping Test will begin. When the test is started, the Source
controller will “ping” the Target controller repeatedly and
show success or failure of the communications. Any other
controllers which can hear the test will also show the
results, while the test is taking place.
PING HUB
This test is used in Surveyor systems to ping test the
central interface (AGCHUB) instead of another controller.
SOFT RESET
This “reboots” the communications module if it is
temporarily confused. If the display or controls appear
to be locked up, soft reset will restart the module without
erasing data.
TOTAL RESET
This completely resets all data in the Com module. It
will erase any settings including the address! If the com
module is unresponsive and a soft reset does not solve
the problem, Total reset allows you to start over with a
clean installation. This is also useful when moving a Com
module from one installation to another, or when you are
uncertain what previous operators may have programmed
into the module.
OPERATING THE COM MODULE
With the Com module installed and operational, the two
most important steps are to verify that the controller
address is correct, and that the software is set up correctly
to connect to the Site.
The software documentation provides information on
configuring Sites and the connections for each Site. In
general, a com port must be assigned in the computer
for outbound communications, the Site must be created,
and a telephone number for the Site must be entered and
saved.
When the software has this information, any
communications for the Site will use the data to
automatically dial and connect to the Master controller
and anyh other controllers on the Site.
