Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 User manual
TX-FMBR1
FM Broadcast Repeater with
audio (MPX) and RDS back-up
Index
IMPORTANT!
Do not misconstrue any Information as our recommendation to use any
product, process, or equipment in conflict with any regulatory authority or
patent. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
OR OF ANY OTHER NATURE ARE MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY
PRODUCT.
Ensure compliance with all applicable safety requirements when installing or
using this equipment, and operate in accordance with local laws governing
the use of radio transmission equipment.
Technical Manual
Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 Technical Manual
Page 1
1. Introduction
1.1 General 3
2. Safety information
2.1 General Safety Information 4
2.2 Before Operating this unit 5
3. Controls and Connectors
3.1 Front Panel Controls and Connectors 6
3.2 Rear Panel Connectors 6
3.3 Display 9
4. Installation
4.1 Connections 10
4.2 Switching On 10
4.3 Operation 10
4.4 Settings 11
4.5 Co-channel Operation 11
5. Internal Adjustments
5.1 Transmitter Carrier Frequency Trim 12
5.2 External Audio MPX Input Modulation Level 12
5.3 Internal RDS Encoder Injection Level 12
5.4 Receiver Modulation Level 12
5.5 Updating RDS Content 12
6. RS485
6.1 Protocol 14
6.2 Message Structure 14
6.3 CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) 15
6.4 Read Commands 15
6.5 Write Commands 15
6.6 Command Descriptions 16
7. RS485 Communications Examples 21
8. Declaration of Conformity 23
9. Technical Specification 24
Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 Technical Manual
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Disclaimer
While every effort is made to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date,
we do not accept any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage
of any nature - however caused - which may be sustained as a result of reliance
upon such information.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form, by any
means, without prior written consent of the Lucoro Broadcast in the UK.
Lucoro Broadcast shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential
or other damage or loss alleged in connection with the supply or use of this product.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Lucoro Broadcast makes no warranty of any kind with respect to this information.
Lucoro Broadcast specifically disclaims the implied warranty of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose.
Lucoro Broadcast shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential
or other damage or loss alleged in connection with the furnishing or use of this
information.
Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 Technical Manual
Page 3
1. Introduction
1.1 General
The TX-FMBR1 is a 2W VHF FM Broadcast Exciter Transmitter with integral 87.5-
108MHz PLL MPX Broadcast Receiver. An external MPX input is available to allow
for back-up during parent signal loss, plus an integral RDS encoder is fitted.
The unit features Analogue to Digital measurement technology, with menu driven
LCD screens for monitoring and adjustments.
At the heart of the TX-FMBR1 is a broadcast quality exciter. Carrier frequency and
output power is selectable via the front panel LCD menu. The output includes an
efficient amplifier stage and RF filter.
The integral PLL receiver has a sensitive Front End and high performance IF section.
ensuring a high quality MPX signal is recovered with low Signal to Noise levels, thus
providing an accurate rebroadcast of the parent station.
The unit can be controlled directly using the simple rear interface to control audio
break-in and muting and to provide basic telemetry alarm functions.
A more comprehensive remote control interface uses a simple two wire RS485 data
scheme. The unit can be part of system containing up to 32 other units. Each TX-
FMBR1 can be assigned an address allowing independent or group control. The user
can select the unit’s address using the front panel LCD menu controls.
The TX-FMBR1 is designed to operate continually for many years without
maintenance. There are no cooling fans to replace and the carefully specified, quality
components ensure ultimate reliability.
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2. Safety Information
2.1 General Safety Information
Use of this device into a radiating antenna requires a valid licence from a Spectrum
Management Authority in most countries.
Never operate this device without a suitable 50 ohm load connected to the RF
OUTPUT socket, or without a suitable antenna. Although the output of this
transmitter is protected against antenna mismatches, MIS-OPERATION MAY
RESULT IN DAMAGE NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY.
Use of this device as part of a transmission system, or combined transmission
system not specified by the manufacturer, may require further testing to ensure that it
remains compliant with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
current EU Low Voltage, EMC and Radio Equipment Directives. Approval and
clearance from the Spectrum Management Authority may also be required.
RISK OF FIRE! RF (Radio Frequency) energy could cause ignition of combustible
surfaces during fault conditions. Installation should be left to qualified personnel. RF
can cause burns to skin. Ensure antenna systems and feeder cables are not situated
near – or could fall onto – any combustible surface.
Installation must adhere to safety regulations and the requirements of the relevant
authorities. We recommend that at least two people are present during installation.
Keep a file containing installation instructions and plans, including details of the
transmission system (antennas, feeders, filters, etc) and operating instructions for all
equipment at the transmission site at all times. Display posters detailing first aid
treatment and treatment for electrical shock, along with telephone numbers for
contacting the emergency services in the event of personal injury.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not remove the cover, or any screws. There
are no user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel.
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this appliance to rain or
moisture.
To reduce the risk of fire, always replace fuses with the same type and rating.
Do not operate this appliance without a suitable 50 ohm load or a suitably matched
antenna connected to the RF OUTPUT socket. Although the output devices used in
this transmitter are intended to be open and short circuit tolerant, MIS-OPERATION
MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY.
This appliance may become warm under normal operating conditions.
Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 Technical Manual
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2.2 Before Operating This Unit
These instructions should be read in full before the transmitter is operated.
The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.
All warnings on the transmitter and in the operating instructions should be adhered
to.
All operation and user instructions should be followed.
The transmitter should not be used near water.
The transmitter should be mounted into a well-ventilated standard 19 inch equipment
rack. It should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its
proper ventilation.
The transmitter should be situated away from heat sources.
The transmitter should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in
the operating instructions or as marked on the unit.
Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarisation means of this
appliance is not defeated.
Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on, or
pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords
and plugs and the point where they exit from the transmitter.
The unit should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.
The power cord of the transmitter should be unplugged from the outlet when left
unused for a long period of time.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the
enclosure through openings.
The transmitter should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: - The power
supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or - Objects have fallen, or liquid has
been spilled into it; or - The transmitter has been exposed to rain; or - The transmitter
does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or
- The transmitter has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
The user should not attempt to service the transmitter beyond that which is described
in the Operating Instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified
service personnel.
Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 Technical Manual
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3. Controls & Connections
3.1 Front Panel Controls and Connectors
RF (Radio Frequency) Monitor BNC. Allows monitoring of the RF output. Output level
will be the output power attenuated by approximately 50dB.
AF (Audio Frequency) Monitor BNC. For monitoring of the input to the modulator (AF
spectrum).
UP Push-button. Press this control to navigate the LCD menu.
DOWN Push-button. Press this control to navigate the LCD menu.
ENTER Push-button. Press this control to navigate the LCD menu.
3.2 Rear Panel Connectors
AC POWER
Connect a power lead with an IEC connector (and a 3 Amp fuse in the plug or at the
distribution panel) to this socket. A 2 Amp time delay fuse is fitted in this connector.
MPX IN.
BNC Socket. Unbalanced multiplex input. Connect a +8dB (For 75kHz deviation)
unbalanced MPX feed to this socket.
MPX OUT.
BNC Socket. Unbalanced multiplex output. This is a fully buffered loop output for
feeding other transmitters with the same audio source. The gain is set to unity.
RF OUTPUT
'N' Socket. Connect a matched, pre-tested antenna system with a return loss of
>=14dB to this socket. Use good quality, solid copper screened Feeder systems to
ensure best RF input to output isolation and performance.
RF INPUT
'N' Socket. Connect a matched, pre-tested antenna system. Use good quality, solid
copper screened Feeder systems to ensure best RF input to output isolation and
performance.
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CONTROL I/O
9-way Female Socket. Allows monitoring of status alarms and control of input
switching and RF output switching.
PIN 1: OUTPUT: RX SIGNAL LOSS (MUTED) - Logic ‘on’ (pulls low) when active
PIN 2: OUTPUT: FORWARD POWER ALARM - Logic ‘off’ (floats) when active
PIN 3: OUTPUT: REVERSE POWER ALARM - Logic ‘off’ (floats) when active
PIN 4: INPUT: EXTERNAL MPX I/P (‘BREAK-IN’) CONTROL (Ground to activate)
PIN 5: INPUT: MUTE RF OUTPUT (Ground to activate)
PIN 6: GND
PIN 7: GND
PIN 8: GND
PIN 9: GND
Pins 1, 2 and 3 are ‘Open Collector’ outputs capable of operation up to 50V and
sinking a current of 75mA maximum. Outputs are high, (ie. pull low) when the
condition is ‘good’ provide inherent ‘power failure’ or ‘connector failure’ signalling
possibilities for the user.
Pin 4 Ground this pin to ‘AUX-IN’ (MPX input ‘Break-in’) mode.
Pin 5 Ground this pin to ‘mute’ the RF Output, if desired.
All signals must be referenced to the unit’s chassis ground (PINS 6, 7, 8 and 9).
RS485
9-way Female Socket. Allows monitoring and control using an addressable ASCII
based 2-wire RS485 control protocol (see section 9 for full details).
PIN 8: DATA +
PIN 9: DATA –
A Ground connection can be made, if desired, to Pins 1 and/or 2.
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Lucoro Broadcast TX-FMBR1 Technical Manual
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3.3 Display
Table of contents
