SI-TEX MDS-15 20 Inch Radar Installation Guide

: August 16, 2024
: SI-TEX

Table of Contents

SI-TEX MDS-15 20 Inch Radar
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
FOREWORD
Features
SPECIFICATION
- ANTENNA UNIT
INSTALLATION
CONNECTION OF SI-TEX MDS-15
Introduction
CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED WARRANTY
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

SI-TEX MDS-15 20 Inch Radar

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

“DANGER”,”WARNING” and “CAUTION” notices throughout this manual. It is the responsibility of the operator and the installer of the equipment to read, understand and follows these notices. If you have any questions regarding these safety instructions, please contact an ONWA agent or dealer.

WARNING

Do not open the equipment.
Hazardous voltage which can cause electrical shock, burn or serious injury exists inside the equipment. Only qualified personnel should work inside the equipment.
Wear a safety belt and hard hat when working on the antenna unit. Serious injury or death can result if someone falls from the radar antenna mast.
Stay away from transmitting antenna.
The radar antenna emits microwave radiation which can be harmful to the human body, particularly the eyes. Never look directly into the antenna radiator from a distance of less than 1 m when the radar is in operation.
Turn off the radar power switch before servicing the antenna unit. Post a warning sign near the switch indicating it should not be turned on while the antenna unit is being serviced.
Prevent the potential risk of someone being struck by the rotating antenna and exposure to the RF radiation hazard.
Do not disassemble or modify the equipment.
Fire, electrical shock or serious injury can result.
Turn off the power immediately if water leaks into the equipment or the equipment is emitting smoke or fire.
Continued use of the equipment can cause fire or electrical shock.
Do not place liquid-filled containers on top of the equipment.
Fire or electrical shock can result if liquid spills into the equipment.
Use the proper fuse.
Use of a wrong fuse can result in fire or permanent equipment damage.
Do not use the equipment for other than its intended purpose.
Personal injury can result if the equipment is used as a chair or stepping stool, for example.
Do not place objects on top of the equipment.
The equipment can overheat or personal injury can result if the object falls.

FOREWORD

Thank you for choosing SI-TEX marine radar antenna. The radar antenna is designed and constructed to meet the rigorous demands of the marine environment. However, no machine can perform its intended function unless properly installed and maintained. Please carefully read and follow recommended procedures for installation , operation and maintenance . While this unit can be installed by the purchaser, any purchaser who has doubts about his or her technical abilities may wish to have the unit installed by SI-TEX Dealer or other qualified technician.

We want to Hear from you!
Your suggestions and comments are highly important to us, to further develop our equipment let us know if we are achieving our purpose. Please send us your feedback at customerservice@si-tex.com
Again, Thank you for purchasing SI-TEX Equipment.

Features

The main features of the SI-TEX marine radar antenna:

Traditional SI-TEX quality and reliability in a compact, lightweight and low-cost radar antenna.
Digital radar target technology.
Built-in excellent sea and rain clutter algorithm.
Fully digital signal processing.
High performance microwave front end.

SPECIFICATION

ANTENNA UNIT

Radiator: Slotted waveguide array
Radiator length: 46 cm
Horizontal beamwidth: 5°
Vertical beam width: 25 °
Sidelobe:
Within + 20° off mainlobe; less than -18 dB
Outside + 20° off mainlobe; less than -23 dB
Polarization: Horizontal
Antenna rotation speed:
Long range (3~36NM): 24RPM (+2)
Medium range (1.5~3NM): 36RPM (+2)
Short range (0.125~1.5NM): 48RPM (+2)
Wind resistance: Relative wind speed 100 knots(51.5 m/s)
Weight 19.5 Lbs

TRANSCEIVER MODULE (contained in antenna)

Transmitting tube: MSF1421B or MAF1421B
Frequency: 9410MHZ+30MHZ
Peak output power: 4KW nominal
Pulse length & pulse repetition rate:
0.08 µ S, 2100 Hz (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.5nm)
0.3 µ S, 1200 Hz (1.5, 2, 3nm)
0.8 µ S, 600 Hz (3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36nm)
Warm up time: 1:30 minutes
Modulator: FET switching method
I.F.: 60MHz
Tuning: Automatic or manual
Receiver front end: MIC (Microwave IC)
Bandwidth : Tx pulselength 0.3 µ S and 0.08 µ S: 25MHz Tx pulselength 0.8 µ S: 3MHz
Duplexer: Circulator with diode limiter

POWER SUPPLY UNIT
10. SVDC to 40VDC built-in power supply

ENVIRONMENT

Operating Temperature Range: Antenna unit: -13′ F to 158′ F
Humidity:
Relative humidity 93% or less at 104′ F

INSTALLATION

This chapter provides the procedures necessary for installation.
Installation mainly consists of the following:

sitting and mounting the display unit and antenna unit
connection of the signal cable and the power cable
establishing the ground
checking the installation, and
adjustments.

Antenna Unit Installation Location, & handling Considerations

The antenna unit is generally installed either on top of the wheelhouse or on the radar mast on a suitable platform. Locate the antenna unit where there is a good all-round view as far as possible, no part of the ship’s superstructure or rigging intercepting the scanning beam. Any obstruction will cause shadow and blind sectors. A mast for instance, with a diameter considerably less than the width of the radiator, will cause only a small blind sector, but a horizontal spreader or crosstrees in the same horizontal plane as the antenna unit would be a much more serious obstruction; you would need to place the antenna unit well above or below it.
It is rarely possible to place the antenna unit where a completely clear view in all direction is available. Thus, you should determine the angular width and relative bearing of any shadow sectors for their influence on the radar at the first opportunity after fitting. (The method of determining blind and shadow sectors appears later in this chapter.)
Recommended Antenna spacing: 3 feet between GPS & VHF antennas. 2 feet between Radar & VHF antennas. 4 feet separation between two VHF antennas.
To lessen the chance of picking up electrical interference, avoid routing the signal cable near other onboard electrical equipment. Also avoid running the cable in parallel with power cables.
The compass safe distance should be observed to prevent deviation of the magnetic compass.
For the MDS-15, be sure to position your WIFI antenna and control display at a minimum distance of 4 ft and a maximum distance of 65 ft, limiting as much as possible interference by metal barriers, walls and other WIFI or strong electronic transmissions.

Mounting the MDS-15

Unpacking the antenna unit

Open the antenna unit packing box carefully.
All connections to the radome are done via the external connections at the base of the radome, there is no need to remove the radome cover.
Drill holes in the antenna mounting platform in accordance with the previous removal of the base mounting map.
Note: the hole is arranged in parallel with the center line of the ship.
Secure the cable with the cable clamping plate.
Connect the RJ45 wire to the WiFi Router unit. Connect the power wire to suitable 10.5 to 40 VDC Power Source, it is strongly advised to connect the power wire to a 5 Amp Circuit Breaker.
Power connector
RJ45 network connector

Fix the cable clamp. Do not pinch the cable.

3.2 MDS-15

Loosely fasten the radome fixing bolts. You will tighten them after confirming the unit is working normally. The new MDS-15 has waterproof external cable connectors so there is no need to remove the radome cover for installation. After attaching the cables make sure to install the strain relief clamp to protect the connectors from damage

Figure 1-5 How to fasten the radome base to the mounting platform. Note: the MDS-15 is supplied with two sets of mounting bolts Short and Long depending on the thickness of the mounting surface

CONNECTION OF SI-TEX MDS-15

DETAILED WI-Fl CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Go to MENU/PORTS & CONNECTIVITY/WI-FI 2
Turn WI-FI ON.
Connect to KM-ROUTER #### (numbers will match router serial number)
PWis 12345678
If successfully connected KM-router will go to top of WI-FI list and FORGET button will appear.
Press and hold PAGE button to show page icons, select radar.
If plotter has recently powered on the radar page will show a warm up countdown.
If warmup countdown is completed and no errors are displayed on screen put unit in TX (transmit) to test radar performance.
See Nav Pro Operator’s manual for detailed radar operating instructions.

Introduction

The MDS-15 Router is a WiFi and Ethernet router designed for marine use.
It features 1 – WAN port, 4 – LAN ports, and 1 – Serial port. (Only Use the LAN Ports for the Radar)
It will accept input supply voltages from 10.5VDC to 32VDC allowing it to be used on a broad range of vessels. It provides all the same functionality of wireless routers used in homes & offices.

Installation Instructions:

Connect to DC power (10.5VDC to 32VDC)
Switch on the MDS-12R Router
Wait for the green Wi-Fi indicator light to start flashing.
The Default SSID: KM-ROUTER-#### (these digits match serial number0
Password: 12345678

In case you need to change the SSID & Password you can connect the router to a PC via any LAN port and use the browser to access the management page: http://223.168.1.253

MDS-15 Wi-Fi Router

Note : Pressing the reset button will require you to connect the MDS-15 Router to a PC and Set the LAN IP Address again.

In case you need to change the SSID & Password you can connect the router to a PC via any LAN port and use the browser to access the management page: http://223.168.1.254
Username: admin Password: admin

Packaged with every unit

1 – MDS-15 Router
1 – Wi-Fi Antenna
1 – Power Cord
1 – RJ45 Ethernet Cable (1 meter)
User Manual

Parameters

Network standard

| Wireless standard: IEEE 802.11n IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b
---|---
Wired standard: IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u

Wireless transmission rate

parameters

|
---|---
WIFI

working mode

| STA/AP/Wireless Router
Repeater mode| Support wireless bridge
Wireless security| | •

–

| __Wireless MAC address filtering

__Wireless switch security function 64/128/152bit WEP encryption

WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK, WPA-TKIP/WPA2-TKIP SECURITY MECHANISIM

| | |
| |
---|---|---
Network management| __Web interface management

__Configure file lead-in/out

WEB interface software upgrade

UART to network|
TCP socket

connection

| Max connection num ber >20
UDP socket

connection

(

x SV

| –|
| both WIFI and f1 NET ports work WIFI both WIFI and five NET| p
Repeater mode ( bridge mode )| 160SV| | |

CONNECTIONS
For any questions of connections and installation please consult SI-TEX dealer or distributor or email to customerservice@si- tex.com

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED WARRANTY

Providing you present valid proof of purchase, SI-TEX Marine Electronics warrants all parts of each new product against defects in material and workmanship under normal use and will repair or exchange any parts proven to be defective at no charge for a period of two years from the original date of purchase, except as provided below under Limited Warranty Exceptions. Defects will be corrected during normal working hours by an authorized SI-TEX Marine Electronics dealer, service center, or at the SI-TEX office in Riverhead, NY. There will be no charge for repair labor for a period of one year from the date of purchase, except as provided below under Limited Warranty Exceptions. This Warranty and Proof of Purchase must be made available to the authorized SI-TEX Marine Electronics service location or dealer at the time of service.

LIMI TED WARRANTY EXCEPTIONS
SI-TEX Marine Electronics will not be responsible for equipment which has been subjected to water or lightning damage, accident abuse, or misuse, nor any equipment on which the serial number has been removed, altered, or mutilated. SI-TEX Marine Electronics assumes no responsibility for damage incurred during installation. This Limited Warranty is effective only with respect to the original purchaser. Any cost associated with transducer replacement, other than the cost of the transducer itself,is specifically exduded from the Limited Warranty. Travel cost incurred will not be accepted by SI-TEX Marine Electronics.
THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES WHICH EXTEND BEYOND THE DESCRIPTION ON THE FACE HEREOF.

SPECIFIC EXCLUSIONS
Charges for overtime, stand-by, holiday, and per diem are specifically excluded from the Limited Warranty. fuses are consumable items and are not covered by this Limited Warranty. Installation workmanship or materials, except as provided directly by SI-TEX Marine Electronics are not covered by this Limited Warranty. SI-TEX Marine Electronics equipment or parts thereof which have been repaired or altered except by an authorized SI-TEX Marine Electronics dealer or service center are not warranted in any respect. Transducers, software updates, batteries, magnetrons and microwave components, are items excluded from the two-year warranty and are covered by warranty for a period of one year for both parts and labor.
SI-TEX Marine Electronics will not, at any time assume any costs or labor charges for checkout or external line fuse replacement or problems not found to be at fault in the equipment itself.

THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WHICH EXTEND BEYOND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FACE HEREOF, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY. SI-TEX MARINE ELECTRONICS HAS NO OTHER LIABILITY TO PURCHASE FOR DIRECTOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE OR ANY THEORY INCLUDING ABSOLUTE LIABILITY, TORT, OR CONTRACT. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY CANNOT BE ALTERED OR MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND SHALL BE INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO THE CONTINENTAL U.S.A., ALASKA, HAWAII, AND CANADA.

MAILING ADDRESS:
SI-TEX Marine Electronics
25 Enterprise Zone Drive, suite #2
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-996-2690

HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE UNDER THIS WARRANTY
To provide greater flexibility, SI-TEX Marine Electronics gives you the option to obtain service under the warranty by either:

Contacting an authorized SI-TEX Marine Electronics service station (The closest service station may be found by contacting your dealer of purchase)
OR
Shipping your equipment prepaid via UPS, FED-EX or truck with insurance prepaid to SI-TEX Marine Electronics. at the address provided below. SI-TEX Marine Electronics will whenever possible, make all repairs covered by Limited Warranty within two weeks of receiving the equipment in New York and return the same to you, freight prepaid.
Please do not use the Mail Service due to delays in tracing lost packages.
You must present a copy of your Purchase Sales Slip at the time you request warranty service.

A product return form can be downloaded from the support section of our website at www.si-tex.com
SHIPPING ADDR ESS:
SI-TEX Marine Electronics
25 Enterprise Zone Drive, suite #2
Riverhead, NY 11901

References

tex.com

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