TESCOM XR-3 Satellite Meter Instruction Manual

: June 12, 2024
: TESCOM

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TESCOM XR-3 Satellite Meter Instruction Manual

Installing C Band System with XR-3(W) satellite meter

Requirements:
XR-3(W) base unit with the VSAT S2X or VSAT S2X w/NIT satellite module.

Connections: Coax cable connected from LNB output port to XR-3 satellite meter module’s ODU / LNB port Meter set-up Press the SYST System shortcut soft key (located near top left corner of LCD screen) to enter the System Setup menu.

Then select the following:

REGION your geographic region (i.e. NE Continental US)
SERVICE Generic C Band
SYSTEM Selection based on the style of your LNB and feed horn (most likely H/V Sngl Pol LNB in the USA, but may also be Circ Sngl Pol LNB for Atlantic Arc satellites with circular polarized signals)
LNB MODEL depends on your LNB model specs, but the most common in the USA is LO= 5.15 3.8-4.2 Red or LO=5.15 4.0-4.2 Blue (5G filter selections). You may choose another LNB model if applicable.
SWITCH TYPE defaults to none assuming you’ll have meter connected directly to LNB with no multi-switch in line

To make selections, arrow up or down to the item to change (using the meter’s Up and Down arrow buttons) and press Enter, then arrow up or down to the desired option and press Enter. Press EXIT or DONE to return to Run Mode.
Meter set-up

Antenna Pointing
Install the mast plumb, preset the antenna vertical angle, mount to mast, grossly align azimuth, and preset the polarization offset by rotating the feed horn assembly or skew of antenna reflector (if applicable). You may want to use the AZ/EL lat/long or postal code look-up feature to obtain rough antenna settings.

Use left / right arrow keys to select the desired satellite (orbital position displayed in upper left). Refer to your service paperwork to know which satellite to aim dish at (i.e. SAS1 at 101).
Press the AZ/EL soft-key (located near lower left corner of main Run screen), type in the local postal code or latitude and longitude, and press ENTER. Approximate antenna settings (i.e. magnetic compass heading, azimuth, elevation, and polarization offset) will be displayed. Press EXIT soft-key to return to the main Run screen.

Run Mode

Select the vertical or horizontal receive polarity (VT or HZ) or left hand or right hand circular polarity (RGHT or LEFT) with the upper right soft key. Refer to your service paperwork to know which receive polarity to choose. Important:
You must have your feed horn physically oriented for the same downlink/receive polarization that you specify to the meter.
Press LNB soft key (located near middle right side of LCD screen) to power the LNB.
Adjust antenna reflector alignment (azimuth and elevation) to obtain maximum signal level (shown on left bar graph in dBm or dBmV or dBµV), signal quality (shown on right bar graph in IRD, C/N, Eb/No, or Es/No), and LOCK status.
Rotate the LNB and feed horn assembly (adjusting the polarization offset) or skew of dish antenna reflector (if applicable) to maximize signal level and quality.
Press the ID soft key to verify the satellite. “ID VERIFIED” means you are pointed correctly.
If “ID FAILED” is displayed, press SCAN soft key and XR-3 will find which satellite you are aimed at.

NIT Feature

If you have the VSAT S2X w/NIT module, the meter will display the Network ID, if available, once a “LOCK” is obtained.
The meter will display the Network ID above the two bar graphs in place of the “LOCK” status.
If there is no Network ID in the data stream of the carrier, the meter will display the “LOCK” status as normal.

Other Notes:

The Turbo S2 satellite module can be used for C-Band applications but is not ideal due to signal compatibilities.
It is NOT recommended to keep XR-3 meter in line while checking IRD/receiver/modem status due to attenuation from the meter’s circuitry.
Various Ku Band VSAT systems are offered in the market. Examples are iDirect™, Sagenet™, StarBand™, Gilat™, HughesNet™, etc.