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Rain Bird The Freedom System for Maxicom Instruction Manual

Manual is about: a radio-operated system

Summary of The Freedom System for Maxicom

  • Page 1

    ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À À ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ...

  • Page 3: Contents

    Iii contents list of figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .V chapter 1: introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1...

  • Page 4

    Optional equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 battery life and charging time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

  • Page 5: List of Figures

    V figure 1 configuration of connections between the freedom system and a serial port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 figure 2 freedom system base unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    1 1 introduction welcome to rain bird freedom system the maxicom 2 freedom system is a radio-operated system that gives you control of the maxicom 2 computer and provides voice communication from the field or remote locations. The system consists of a multi-function telephone and radio terminal loca...

  • Page 9

    Packing list check to be certain that you received the following equipment in the freedom system box: • base unit note: a freedom handheld radio unit (voice only) without a keypad is also available. Contact your local rain bird maxicom distributor for ordering information. • handheld uhf radio unit ...

  • Page 10

    4 configuration you can configure the freedom system by connecting the base unit to a serial port on your maxicom 2 computer (see fig. 1). This configuration requires additional equipment that is not included with the freedom system. Be certain to obtain the additional equipment that is required for...

  • Page 11

    2 installing the freedom system 5 5 5 additional required equipment • heavy-duty antenna mast for mounting the central antenna (radio shack model #15-843). The antenna mast must be five-feet long, 16-gauge steel, enamel finished, and 1 1/4-inch diameter. • steel brackets for mounting the antenna mas...

  • Page 12

    6 installing the base unit select a suitable location for the base unit, either on a desktop or mounted on a wall (see below). To avoid possible interference with the maxicom 2 computer monitor, position the base unit at least six feet away from the monitor, but within 25 feet (the length of the com...

  • Page 13

    2 installing the freedom system 7 7 5. Connect the the communication cable’s male connector (a phone jack-type connector) to the socket on the freedom system base unit marked “remote control phone.” figure 2: freedom system base unit 6. Post a copy of the fcc license near the base unit. ; ; ; ; ; ; ...

  • Page 14

    8 installing the central base antenna and surge arrestor select a suitable site for installing the antenna that will be both safe and give it the best performance. Most antennas are supported by a pipe mast that is attached to the side wall, roof, chimney, or eaves of a building with brackets, strap...

  • Page 15

    2 installing the freedom system 9 9 figure 4: weatherproofing the coaxial cable connections 5. Attach the antenna to the top of the mast using the u-bolts, nuts, and lock washers provided with the antenna. 6. Attach a #10 ga (or larger) bare copper grounding terminal lug to one side of the u-bolt. F...

  • Page 16

    10 you can also mount the surge arrestor on the inside of the wall (see fig. 6). Securely attach the surge arrestor by using the surface mounting bracket attached to it. Place the surge arrestor as close as possible to where the grounding rod will be grounded. 11. Form a rain drip loop in the coaxia...

  • Page 17: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 11 system setup setting passwords and changing them periodically protects your system from unau- thorized use. You always have complete access to the maxicom 2 system from the computer keyboard. You only need the password to gain access to the maxicom 2 system when you are...

  • Page 18

    12 12 12 12 12 if you do not enter start and end times, both times will default to 12:00 a.M., meaning the window is always open. To set the freedom time window: 1. Select open from the site menu. The open an existing site dialog box opens. If you have not set up any sites yet in maxicom 2 , see the...

  • Page 19: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 13 13 4. Click on the contact tab. The contact sheet comes to the front. Note that at the bottom of the sheet, you are able to set the freedom time window. 5. Enter the time to start the freedom time window. Use a 12-hour time format. Or, use the scroll buttons on the righ...

  • Page 20

    14 14 14 14 14 system operation understanding the handheld radio the freedom handheld radio allows you direct access to the maxicom 2 computer from the field. By entering commands with the radio keypad, you have field control for individual stations as well as total system control. The radio can als...

  • Page 21: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 15 sending commands to use the radio to send commands: 1. Turn the volume control knob to the on position. The radio runs a quick self-test when you turn it on. If the radio works prop- erly, you will hear a short confirmation tone to indicate the radio is ready for use. I...

  • Page 22

    16 16 16 16 16 if the local user is manually on-line with a site, and a freedom user attempts to initiate contact, a message will appear on the maxicom 2 screen, informing the local user that freedom contact is being attempted. The message will ask if the local user wants to terminate contact. The d...

  • Page 23: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 17 to turn off access for a specific time period: press ##4321#2#(1 – 9)## you have closed access to the system for a specific period (1 – 9 hours, depending upon your selection). Contacting the freedom system by telephone 1. Dial the freedom system telephone number. 2. Wa...

  • Page 24

    18 18 18 18 18 18 3. Specify the site number you would like to contact. For example, to contact site number 5, enter ##5## . It takes maxicom 2 approximately 30 seconds to contact a site. You will hear wait beeps, which are short beeps occurring once every second. • if you entered a valid site numbe...

  • Page 25: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 19 summary of freedom system commands there are two sets of commands for the maxicom 2 freedom system: • the first set of commands are used while on-line with a ccu. These commands are the most commonly used commands and are available to all of the passwords. See “commands...

  • Page 26

    20 20 20 20 20 20 command name format description examples command 1 turn on station(s) ##1#cc#ss turns on stations(s) ss ##1#3#5#11#13## {#ss#ss}#tt## on channel cc for tt turns on stations 5 and 11 on channel 3 for 13 minutes. If you enter more than one station, then the time must be entered. ##1#...

  • Page 27: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 21 command name format description examples command 52 turn off the station ##52## turns off the station ##52## turned on by previously turned on the station turned on by command 51 command 51 by command 51. Turns off. You do not have to specify the channel and station bec...

  • Page 28

    22 22 22 22 22 22 command name format description examples command 76 resume a paused schedule ##76#ssss## resumes an interrupted schedule. ##76#15## resumes schedule 15. If you omit ssss, all paused schedules resume, therefore ##76## resumes all paused schedules. Command 8 hang up on the current ##...

  • Page 29: Using The Freedom System

    3 using the freedom system 23 commands used to control maxicom 2 features for the following commands listed in the table below: • t = hour(s) sss = site(s) • sss can be 1, 2, or 3 digits. • anything in brackets { } is optional and unlimited in length. Command name format description examples command...

  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    4 troubleshooting 25 the following pages contain possible problems you may encounter and solutions. Before calling rain bird, check this list. If you cannot solve the problem yourself, a simple program called “clemar 2” is available to confirm that the freedom system’s repeater, fr-200, radios, pc, ...

  • Page 32

    26 26 26 26 26 26 26 problem: a short warning tone sounds every 15 seconds while the handheld radio is on. Solution: recharge the battery pack. (a final longer tone means that the battery is discharged and the radio has turned itself off.) problem: the handheld radio does not work at all. Solution: ...

  • Page 33: Troubleshooting

    27 problem: you hear a busy signal when you try to contact maxicom 2 . Solution: if you contact maxicom 2 when it is already on-line with a site, you will hear a busy signal, which consists of many long tones, after you have entered a site number other than 0. If you hear a busy signal, enter #* and...

  • Page 35: Appendix

    29 a appendix telephone interface with the freedom system you can contact the freedom system and operate the maxicom 2 system from a remote location via telephone. You may also use the handheld radio to receive and send calls from the field through the freedom system base unit. In order to use the f...

  • Page 36

    30 using the handheld unit for telephone operations answering a phone call 1. Press and hold the ptt button and press * . 2. Answer the call as you would with a normal telephone, speaking into the microphone. Press and hold the ptt at all times when you are talking. 3. Release the ptt button in orde...

  • Page 37: Appendix

    31 a appendix setting up the base unit (6xx* commands) once you have set up the maxicom 2 computer to interact with the freedom system, you are ready to set up the freedom system base unit. All the commands that are entered into the radio that control base unit operation are know as 6xx* commands. T...

  • Page 38

    32 command name command function additional comments set the base unit to answer incoming 672* • allows the radio to transmit the handheld unit will not ring when the telephone calls commands to the base unit. Base unit receives an incoming telephone call. • sets the base unit to answer remote telep...

  • Page 39: Appendix

    33 a appendix caring for the freedom system equipment • the radio is not waterproof. Do not immerse it in water or expose it to excessive moisture. • do not expose the radio to extreme heat such as direct sunlight in a closed vehicle. • detergents, alcohol, aerosol sprays, and petroleum products can...

  • Page 40

    34 optional equipment the following optional equipment is available from your rain bird distributor: product model no. Description ftx-450-01 5 watt/uhf handheld radio w/dtmf pad, 11 channel ftx-450 5 watt/uhf handheld radio w/o dtmf pad, 11 channel ftx-450-011k 5 watt/uhf handheld w/dtmf pad and w/...

  • Page 41: Appendix

    35 a appendix battery life and charging time battery life (90-5-5 duty cycle) model bpx-8n bpx-8n-hc bpx-8n-mh capacity 650 mah 800 mah 1100 mah type nicad nicad nimh five watts battery saver enabled 8 hrs. 9.8 hrs. 15.8 hrs. Battery saver disabled 4.7 hrs. 5.8 hrs. 8.7 hrs. 90% duty cycle 7.2 hrs. ...

  • Page 42

    36 fcc regulations telephone interface information specifications ringer equivalence: 0.7b universal service order code: rj11c doc number: 1084 3399 a prohibited connections the fp-200 autopatch unit may not be connected to a. Party telephone line b. Telephone line providing phone service installati...

  • Page 43: Appendix

    37 a appendix if problems occur if a problem occurs that causes interference or difficulty within the telephone network, disconnect the freedom system (fp-200 autopatch unit) from the tele- phone network by removing the modular plug from the telephone jack (phone line input) on the freedom system ba...

  • Page 44

    38 safety standards the fcc (with its action in general docket 79-144, march 13, 1986) has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by fcc regulated equipment. We strongly recommend that you observe these standards, especially the guidelines belo...

  • Page 46

    Pn 633888.