Powering up before connecting to the radar

To avoid damaging the antenna system, you must perform an initial RCP power-up with no connections to the radar before configuring the safety parameters. This is because RCP must go through an antenna stabilization procedure before you can activate the fail-safe features (see in Stabilizing the Antenna).

warningWARNING Turn off power to RCP before installing or removing PCI boards. For safety, disconnect the line cord before opening the RCP.
cautionCAUTION When performing the initial RCP power-up, make sure no damage is done to the antenna system.
cautionCAUTION The circuit boards contain static-sensitive components. Wear a properly grounded wrist strap to handle the PCI boards.
  1. Install RCP in its rack on the slides provided by Vaisala.

    For additional structural support, install the rack-mount slide brackets supplied with the unit.

    You can convert a table top unit for rack mount by installing rack mount ears. Install the rack ears with #8-32 flat head screws.

  2. Install the connector panel in the rack and cable it to the I/O-62 card in RCP8 using the 1.8 m (6 ft) cable provided.

    See RCP8 Connector Panel.

  3. Connect the mouse, monitor, and keyboard.

    You use these for local diagnostic and configuration work. They can be disconnected after the installation is completed.

  4. Turn on the monitor.
  5. Disconnect all I/O from the connector panel for the initial power-up.
    The connectors are installed later, one-at-a-time, and then configured and tested according to Stabilizing the Antenna.
  6. Push the power button on the front panel.

    When RCP8 is powered-up, the Linux operating system boots up and RCP8 software process starts, first running a set of diagnostic self-tests.