Testing Antenna Safeguards

The host computer provides no elevation limit protection in the velocity servo mode. Protection is provided by the RCP. You must use the Antenna utility to verify with the that the RCP provides limit protection.

All antenna systems are equipped with safeguards against damaging the antenna during elevation scanning. During installation these safeguards may not be in place.

After installation, you must test the safeguards with the Antenna utility.

  1. The first time you use elevation velocity scanning, position an observer safely near the antenna to watch and listen for signs that the antenna drive is trying to push against the stops.
  2. In the terminal prompt, type antenna&
  3. Set the antenna controls as follows:
    1. Set the elevation position to 75.

      This positions the antenna elevation close to the upper limit.

    2. Set the Elevation Velocity field to 5° per second (first + then -) to move the antenna slowly up, then down.
      cautionCaution For the safety of the observer, be ready to stop the antenna if there is a problem.
  4. Start the antenna and be prepared to stop.
  5. Make sure you hear the antenna drive stop when the RCP soft limit is encountered.

    The soft limit must be encountered before the limit switch is encountered. If the antenna tries to power up past the soft limit, you must signal the operator to stop the antenna.