TACTICAL ALFA LB Military Altimeter User Manual

: June 9, 2024
: TACTICAL

TACTICAL ALFA LB Military Altimeter

TACTICAL ALFA LB Military Altimeter product ALFA is a trademark of LB Altimeters, Denmark
LB Altimeters operates a policy of continuous development
Therefore, we reserve the right to make changes and improvements to any of the products described in this guide without prior notice
WARNING
The ALFA, even when used as your primary means of maintaining altitude awareness, may fail. Always use your eyes to determine your approximate altitude.
Altimeters may give erroneous readings if you are tumbling or the altimeter is in a burble (wake). Chest mount altimeters are more vulnerable to this problem compared to hand/wrist mounted altimeters. If you are in doubt about how this limitation affects your skydiving, consult a licensed instructor
DO NOT use this equipment unless you are currently participating in, or have successfully passed, an approved parachuting or free fall course
Please read ALL instructions carefully prior to use
The ALFA must be switched ON prior to entering the airplane

INTRODUCTION

The ALFA is the most high-end, accurate, and reliable visual digital altimeter to be developed by LB Altimeters to date. The ALFA software includes second- to-none error correction to ensure correct live altitude readings in any application

Features

Large high contrast, non-flicker, LCD display
Electroluminescent backlight for night jumping
Waterproof and shock resistant aluminum casing with hardened glass
Quick buttons for access to primary functions
Jump profile playback
Basic logbook and daily jump counter
IR access functionality, to use with optional AltiSet II Remote Control

Functions

Calibration to the local elevation
User selection of feet / meter and mph / kmh
Stores up to 10 min of data from last jump
Log book stores up to 200 jumps including:
- Date / time
- Exit / opening altitudes
- Free fall time
- Max / average speed

DESCRIPTION

Altitude Offset / Up
Main
Backlight / Down
Display
Battery cover
Reset button
IR port

DISPLAY

Startup

When turning ON ALFA, the unit will display the following during the startup self-test TACTICAL ALFA LB Military Altimeter 02

Main window

The main window is the default window after the unit is turned ON, and starting point for any further actions

Time/date indicator
Time/date display
mbar indicator
Altitude display (flashing when negative)
Battery indicator
Backlight indicator
IR Mode indicator
Feet / meter indicator

Altitude window

Shortly after take-off, the main window will automatically display altitude readings The displayed altitude increments (feet / meter) depend on the current altitude TACTICAL ALFA LB Military Altimeter 02

Logbook and Jump Info / Settings

Display examples, after performing ACCESS, are shown in the separate sections

Jump Profile

The jump profile window is used when playing back the last jump

Time display
Altitude display / Speed display
Feet/meter indicator

Battery Indicator

The battery indicator shows the current battery status

Full capacity: Two black bars are shown inside the battery symbol
Half capacity: One black bar is shown inside the battery symbol
Low capacity: The battery symbol is empty. The batteries must be replaced as soon as possible
Empty: The battery symbol is flashing. Do not continue jumping. Replace batteries immediately

Warning:
Do not perform night jumps, or jumps in sub-zero temperatures (Celsius) when the battery symbol shows low capacity

The ALFA menu system consists of 3 separate areas, which include the following (use road map for reference)

Quick Buttons
- Turn ON unit
- Altitude Offset IR Mode Backlight
Logbook and Jump Info
- Daily Jump Counter
- Total Jumps
- Exit Altitude
- Opening Altitude
- Freefall Time
- Average Freefall Speed Maximum Freefall
- Speed Altitude Profile – Last Jump Speed Profile – Last Jump
Settings
- Year
- Date
- Time
- Jump Counter
- Units – Altitude
- Units – Speed
- Dive Type
- Delete Last Jump
- Delete Logbook
- Turn OFF

PERFORMING ACCESS

In order to access each of the individual areas, the following steps must be performed from the main window (use road map for reference)
Quick Buttons
Press and hold the designated button for 5 seconds
Logbook and Jump Info Settings

QUICK BUTTONS

Quick Buttons are accessible from the Main Window and do not require ACCESS

Turn ON unit
Turn ON ALFA on the ground before use. The unit runs a self-test and calibrates to the current ground level The ALFA will stay turned ON for 14 hours after the last jump or after last ACCESS performed
With the unit OFF, press and hold any button for 5 seconds
If ALFA is turned on during flight, the present altitude must be adjusted manually
Altitude Offset
Use Altitude Offset to adjust for altitude difference between landing zone and take-off elevation To ensure proper ground reference on landing zone:
Select a positive altitude offset, if take-off elevation is HIGHER than the landing zone
Select a negative altitude offset, if take-off elevation is LOWER than the landing zone
Alternatively enter the absolute air pressure for the landing zone: Select the mbar value registered/calculated for the landing zone
Press and hold for 5 seconds
Press to increase altitude/Mbar
Press to reduce altitude/Mbar
Press to confirm Altitude Offset setting
The Altitude Offset will now be displayed in the main window (flashing when negative)
Altitude Offset must be confirmed within 15 seconds following an altitude change
Altitude Offset is cancelled if no button is pressed within 15 seconds
Note: If using Altitude Offset during flight either use the aircraft altimeter for reference, or enter the absolute air pressure for the landing zone
IR Mode
Activate/Deactivate IR Mode for communication with AltiSet II remote control
Press and hold for 5 seconds
IR will flash and IR mode is active for 2 minutes
Activate IR Mode on AltiSet II
Point the AltiSet II at the IR port
ALFA adjusts to the AltiSet II preset altitude and/or backlight
Press to exit IR mode
Note: Refer to the AltiSet II manual for more information on using the AltiSet II remote controls
Backlight
Indicates if backlight is ON or OFF
Enable/disable backlight:
Press and hold for 5 seconds
The backlight intensity can be set in 10 steps after backlight is turned ON Step 1 = lowest intensity, step 10 = highest intensity
Press to increase intensity
Press to decrease intensity
ALFA stores the last setting Press to continue
Backlight will turn OFF automatically after 10 minutes, if ALFA is not in Flight Mode Backlight will remain ON while ALFA is in Flight Mode

LOGBOOK AND JUMP INFO

Logbook and Jump Info contain detailed information regarding previous jumps
Perform ACCESS to enter the first entry of Logbook and Jump info
Press to scroll through all the entries
ALFA exits Logbook and Jump info if no button is pressed within 15 seconds

Daily Jump Counter
Displays daily jump counter for individual dates
Press to select later date(s)
Press to select earlier date(s)
Press to continue
Total Jumps
Displays total number of jumps
Select jump number to display more information
Press to select next jump
Press to select previous jump
Date and time for the selected jump is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Exit Altitude
Displays exit altitude for selected jump
Press to select next jump
Press to select previous jump
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Opening Altitude
Displays opening altitude for selected jump
Press to select next jump
Press to select previous jump
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Freefall Time
Displays freefall time registered for selected jump
Press to select next jump
Press to select previous jump
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Average Freefall Speed
Displays average speed for selected jump
Press to select next jump
Press to select previous jump
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Maximum Freefall Speed
Displays maximum speed for selected jump
Press to select next jump
Press to select previous jump
Selected jump number is shown at the top of the screen Press to continu
Altitude Profile – Last Jump
Displays the altitude profile, at a given time, for the last jump
Press to scroll forward in time (seconds)
Press to scroll backwards in time (seconds)
Holding down either will fast scroll
Time is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Speed Profile – Last Jump
Displays the speed profile, at a given time, for last jump performed
Press to scroll forward in time (seconds)
Press to scroll back in time (seconds)
Holding down either will fast scroll
Time is shown at the top of the screen Press to continue
Note: Freefall time must be minimum 6 seconds to store a speed profile
Exit Logbook and Jump Info
is flashing
Allows manual exit from menu
Press or to exit from menu
Press to start from the beginning

SETTINGS

Settings are used to customize the ALFA
Perform ACCESS to enter the first entry of Settings
Press to scroll through all settings
ALFA will exit Settings if no button is pressed within 15 seconds

Year
Sets current year
Press to select next year
Press to select previous year
Year is displayed at the top of the screen Press to continue
Date
Sets current date
Press to select next date
Press to select previous date
To change month:
Scroll DAY until reaching 31 or 1, then ALFA will scroll MONTH up/down Press
Press to continue
Time
Sets current time in 24-hour format
Press to add minutes/hours
Press to subtract minutes/hours
Holding down either will fast scroll time
Press to continue
Jump Counter
Sets the current total number of jumps
Press to add jumps
Press to subtract jumps
Holding down either will fast scroll
Press to continue
Units – Altitude
Sets altitude display in either feet or meters
Press or to switch units
Press to continue
Units – Speed
Sets altitude display in either miles/hour or kilometers/hour
Press or to switch units
Press to continue
Dive Type
Sets the current dive type used for logging data:
0: Standard
1: Slow The exit and deployment parameters are designed to fit very slow fall rates, such as WinG suiting Freefall detection is very sensitive, and may register jumps if the airplane descends
2: Student The descent rate parameters are changed to fit very short free falls (2 seconds)
Press or to switch between Dive Types
Press to continue
Delete Last Jump
Deletes the last jump in the logbook
To avoid unintentional deletions, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘5’
Press and to match counter to ‘5’
Press to accept deletion of last jump
WARNING:
If the counter is set at ‘5’, cannot be used to scroll through settings and will delete last jump. Once deleted, the jump data is lost
Press to continue
Delete Log Book
Deletes the entire logbook
To avoid unintentional deletions, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘19’
Press and to match counter to ‘19’
Press to accept deletion of entire logbook
WARNING:
If the counter is set at ‘19’, cannot be used to scroll through settings and will delete the entire logbook. Once deleted, the logbook data is lost
Press to continue
Turn OFF
Turns ALFA OFF
To avoid unintentionally turning the ALFA OFF, the counter at the top of the screen must be set to ‘5’
Press and to match counter to ‘5’
Press to accept turning ALFA OFF
Warning:
If the counter is set at ‘5’, cannot be used to scroll through settings and will turn ALFA OFF
Press to continue
Exit Settings
is flashing
Allows manual exit from menu
Press or to exit from menu
Press to start from the beginning

FUNCTIONALITY

Automatic Calibration / Flight Mode
After the ALFA is turned ON, it will continue to automatically calibrate itself to the field elevation where it is currently located. This will continue after each jump / landing, to ensure the unit is always zeroed before jumps are made and will take into account weather related pressure changes.
After take-off, the ALFA will enter Flight Mode.
Altitude Offset
When performing Altitude Offset, the ALFA enters Flight Mode and will retain any offset for 14 hours if no jump is made. After 14 hours the unit calibrates itself to the field elevation where it is located.
To exit Flight Mode, turn the unit OFF, then ON.
Manual Zeroing
If the unit does not display the correct altitude when arriving at the drop zone, it must be manually zeroed Turning the unit OFF, then ON, will clear any Altitude Offset and re-enter automatic calibration
Automatic OFF
The ALFA automatically switches OFF if no jump has been made within 14 hours, no button has been pressed within 14 hours, or the unit has not been in Flight Mode within 14 hours

MAINTENANCE

Reset ALFA

A reset may be necessary for troubleshooting and firmware verification
Locate the small hole on the side of the battery cover Insert a paper clip or similar into hole, press and release Battery system calibrates
The firmware version will be displayed after reset

Battery Change

Only use Renata CR-2325 batteries (2 ea.)
Battery cover screw specs: M3/T6 head (4.5mm length)
Remove the screws and battery cover
Remove both batteries and note the polarity
Install 2 new batteries
Install battery cover, and ensure rubber seal is in correct placement Place and tighten screws, using a torque screwdriver set at 0.4 Nm
Reset ALFA after battery replacement
All settings and logbook is kept in a non-volatile memory and will not be lost, however time may need to be set again after battery change
WARNING: The battery cover and seal must be installed correctly, using correct screws and torque, before any water jumps are made

Air Filter Change

The ALFA is waterproof to a depth of 5 feet, for 24 hours
If the ALFA is submerged into water, allow the unit and air filter to dry in a warm place for 48 hours
The air filter must be replaced if jumping is to be resumed immediately, or if the air filter is suspected to be contaminated
Remove the screws and battery cover
Install new battery cover and ensure rubber seal is in correct placement Place and tighten screws using a torque screwdriver set at 0.4 Nm
Reset ALFA after battery cover replacement
Air filter, and filter removal tool, are accessories that can be purchased separately

Trouble Shooting

If the ALFA detects an issue, an error symbol is shown (ERR) with a number at the top of the screen
Error codes:

1: Transducer defective
2: Transducer out of range
3: Transducer Time Out too long
4: Crystal defective
5: Communications error to flash
100: Flash defective

Always restart ALFA to attempt to remedy a single ERR code
If the ERR code persists, then also perform battery change
After unsuccessful restart of the ALFA, a Factory Reset is necessary:
Press and hold during reset, to perform Factory Reset
WARNING: All logbook data will be lost with Factory Reset
If the ALFA is still faulty after Factory Reset, it must be serviced by an LB Altimeters Service Center

Calibration and Maintenance Requirements

Calibration and maintenance by LB Altimeters Service Center is optional every 4, 8, and 12 years, following the ALFA original date of manufacture
If the ALFA exceeds mbar tolerances listed in the Specifications section, and absolute air pressure is required for DZ elevation or offset, calibration can be performed by LB Altimeters Service Center
NOTE:
When turned ON the ALFA unit runs a self-test and calibrates to the current ground level, and the ALFA will use measured air pressure for altitude calculations
The ALFA can continue to be used until calibration is possible
When setting/changing the altitude using the mbar setting via Altitude Offset, the ALFA will use absolute air pressure for altitude calculations
It is recommended the ALFA is calibrated by LB Altimeters Service Center before continued use

SPECIFICATIONS

Mechanical :
- Casing: Rugged and precision machined aircraft aluminum
- Screen glass: 2mm thickness – Hardened glass lens
- Dimensions: 64mm x 44mm x 15mm
- Weight: 68g
- LCD viewing area: 34mm x 29.5mm
- Backlight intensity steps: 10
- AltiSet II IrDA compatible: yes
Altitude Adjustment:
- Altitude in mbar offset: yes
- Altitude mbar offset range: 200 to 1075 mbar (20,67 to 31,74 In Hg)
- Present mbar steps: 0.5 mbar
- Altitude in feet /meter offset: yes
- Altitude feet /meter offset range: -19900 ft. to +19900 ft. (-6000 m to +6000 m)
- Present altitude steps: +/- 10 ft. (5 meters)
Tolerances :
- Altitude display: +/- 1%
- Exit altitude: +/- 1.2%
- Deployment altitude: +/- 1.2 %
- Freefall time: +/- 1sec
- Speed: +/- 3 mph
- mbar: +/- 1mbar
Logbook:
- Minimum freefall time for logbook generation in Normal mode: 8 sec
- Minimum freefall time for logbook generation in Student mode: 3 sec
- Maximum logging altitude (Normal mode): 30,000ft
- Maximum logging altitude (Student mode): 40,000ft
- Maximum Profile storage (last jump): 10 minutes
- Accumulated number of jumps: 999
- Exit Altitude, Deployment, Freefall Time, Speed: 200 jumps
- Storage principle: First In First Out
Factory default settings:
- Feet / meter: Feet
- Mph / kmh: Mph
- Type of Dive: 0
- Date: 2018:1:1 (year : month : date)
- Time: 12:00:00 (hours : minutes : seconds)
Other:
- Operating altitude: 0 to 40,000 ft. (0 to 12,200 m)
- Clock: +/- 4 min/month
- Storing Temperature: – 20C to +70C
- Operating Temperature Range: 30C to +60C continuous operation
- Will operate at -50C for 10 minutes
- Storing Pressure: 200 to 1075 mbar
- Maximum allowable humidity: Up to 99,9% relative humidity
- Waterproof: 5 feet for 24 hours
- Function Period: 14 hours
- Maintenance: Optional 4, 8 and 12 years, from date of manufacture
- Battery type: 2 x Renata CR 2325
- L&B part no.: 285828
- NATO Stock no. 6675-22-630-2342

WARRANTY

The following conditions apply to the ALFA warranty:
If within 24 months of the purchase of ALFA a defect or damage is identified by faulty manufacture, LB ALTIMETERS will repair the unit at no cost to the end user
To make a claim under this warranty, send the unit to an authorized dealer or directly to LB ALTIMETERS together with the dated purchase invoice or receipt.
The warranty becomes void if damage is caused by external circumstances or if the unit has been serviced or repaired by third parties unauthorized by our national agents or LB ALTIMETERS. All further claims, especially for defects after skydiving accidents, are excluded. LB ALTIMETERS has no obligation to honor any extension of warranty granted by any national agent
WAIVER OF LIABILITY
The buyer and user of the ALFA indemnify the manufacturer and vendor from any liability for damage incurred before, during and after skydiving with the instrument