User manual ACR ELECTRONICS THUNDERBIRD S.S.A.S.

[. . . ] A ThunderBird SSAS Ship Security Alert System FCC Type Accepted Model No. 5757 Ravenswood Road Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33312 +1(954) 981-3333 · Fax +1 (954) 983-5087 www. acrelectronics. com Email: Info@acrelectronics. com A Chelton Group company * * * WARNING * * * THIS BEACON IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE ONLY DURING SITUATIONS WHERE THE SECURITY OF YOUR VESSEL IS UNDER THREAT OR HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AND POLICE ACTION IS REQUIRED DELIBERATE MISUSE MAY INCUR A SEVERE PENALTY ***Attention*** This beacon MUST be reprogrammed by an authorized ACR distributor prior to installation and use. Failure to do so will result in incorrect routing of a security alert. To ensure covert nature of the beacon, do not place the proof of registration label onto your SSAS beacon. Attach this label and all SSAS materials securely to your SSAS Annex portion of your vessel security plan. 1 Y1-03-0180 Rev. [. . . ] If mounting on a spar or bracket, the antenna elements must be oriented approximately 45° to the horizontal support when looking from the top or bottom, as shown in Figure 6. Use one of the following methods to mount the antenna per the guidelines and general information above with all four elements in the horizontal plane: · The included mount can be used to attach to any small, flat, horizontal surface; i. e. In this case drill holes in the pattern of the mount and attach with marine grade screws as needed (not supplied). · The included mount can be used to attach the antenna to a round spar using U-bolts. · The antenna can be mounted to any bracket or mast with the standard 1" x 14 thread. 3. 4. 5 Connection to beacon Attach male TNC connector (supplied) to marine grade RG-8/U coaxial cable (Not provided) as follows: · · · · · · Strip the coax cable per Figure 7. Make sure the pin goes into the center of the connector insulator and the braid goes over the knurled part of the back of the connector. A Connect the male TNC cable assembly to the mating female TNC connector on antenna. Slide wire thru mounting bracket to connect to antenna Fasten TNC cable assembly to the mating female TNC connector on antenna Secure antenna to the mounting bracket Route cable to SSAS beacon as needed, making sure to adequately secure the cable. Provide a drip loop in the cable near the beacon to prevent water from running directly on to the beacon. Attach male SMA connector (supplied) to marine grade RG-8/U coaxial cable as follows: · Strip the coax cable per Figure 8. Make sure the pin goes into the center of the connector insulator and the braid goes over the knurled part of the back of the connector. Connect the male SMA connector on the cable assembly to the mating female SMA connector on the beacon. 3. 4. 6 Antenna Installation Verification To verify proper installation of the Cross Dipole antenna, the following procedure should be followed (requires two persons, preferably with 2-way radio communications): · · · · One person should be on the deck with an FPR-100 with line-of-sight view of the Cross Dipole antenna. The FPR-100 antenna should be oriented horizontally and ideally be located directly under the Cross Dipole antenna. With the FPR-100 ready to receive a test burst, the other person should initiate a Self-Test. If the FPR-100 successfully receives the test burst, then the Cross Dipole antenna is installed correctly. The FPR-100 can also verify that the ThunderBird SSAS is programmed correctly. A · · If the test burst was not received, the FPR-100 may be too far from the antenna. (Typically, an FPR-100 can receive a signal from the cross dipole at a maximum range of 100 ft. If the FPR-100 still does not receive the test burst, check all coaxial connections from the beacon to the antenna. SECTION 4 - OPERATION 4. 1 4. 1. 1 General The ThunderBird SSAS Beacon can only be activated manually while installed in the mounting bracket. The following two conditions must be satisfied to activate the ThunderBird SSAS: 1) The switch on the beacon must be placed in the "READY" position. The ThunderBird SSAS is designed to allow the user to perform periodic testing while SSAS is in the mounting bracket, to assure a functioning beacon. Controls Thumb Switch: The thumb switch on the top right side of the beacon controls the mode of operation of the ThunderBird SSAS. There are three switch positions (see figure 5): 1) Off: Down to the front, indicated by "O" 2) Self-Test: Vertical 3) Ready: Down to the back, indicated by "I" 4. 2. 2 Remote activation switches: These are momentary switches installed on the ship that are used to activate the beacon when the beacon is placed in READY mode. [. . . ] The LUT processes the Doppler-shifted signal and determines the location of the satellite SSAS; then the LUT relays the position of the distress to a Mission Control Center (MCC) where the distress alert and location information is immediately forwarded to an appropriate maritime Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). The RCC dispatches security forces. 6. 1. 3 6. 2 6. 2. 1 6. 2. 2 6. 2. 3 6. 2. 4 18 Y1-03-0180 Rev. A 6. 2. 5 The COSPAS-SARSAT System includes 36 LEOSAR LUT stations, 6 GEOSAR LUT stations and 19 Mission Control Centers that provide real-time as well as global-mode coverage for the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere is presently served primarily by the global mode. Additional LUTs and MCCs are planned for installation in the near future both in the northern and southern hemispheres. [. . . ]