Tait TB7300 Transportable Base Station/Repeater User's Guide
Brand: Tait Communications
Document Type: User's Guide
Contact Information
Tait Communications Corporate Head Office
Tait International Limited
P.O. Box 1645
Christchurch
New Zealand
For regional office addresses and telephone numbers, visit: www.taitradio.com
Copyright and Trademarks
All information contained in this document is the property of Tait International Limited. All rights reserved. This document may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, stored, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, without prior written permission from Tait International Limited. The word TAIT and the TAIT logo are trademarks of Tait International Limited. All trade names referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of the respective manufacturers.
Disclaimer
There are no warranties extended or granted by this document. Tait International Limited accepts no responsibility for damage arising from use of the information contained in the document or of the equipment and software it describes. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that use of such information, equipment and software complies with the laws, rules and regulations of the applicable jurisdictions.
Inquiries and Comments
If you have any enquiries regarding this document, or any comments, suggestions and notifications of errors, please contact your regional Tait office.
Updates of Manual and Equipment
In the interests of improving the performance, reliability or servicing of the equipment, Tait International Limited reserves the right to update the equipment or this document or both without prior notice.
Intellectual Property Rights
This product may be protected by one or more patents or designs of Tait International Limited together with their international equivalents, pending patent or design applications, and registered trade marks. A comprehensive list of these is provided in the original document.
Environmental Responsibilities
Tait International Limited is an environmentally responsible company which supports waste minimization, material recovery and restrictions in the use of hazardous materials. The European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive requires that this product be disposed of separately from the general waste stream when its service life is over. For more information about how to dispose of your unwanted Tait product, visit the Tait WEEE website at www.taitradio.com/weee. Please be environmentally responsible and dispose through the original supplier, or contact Tait International Limited. Tait International Limited also complies with the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive in the European Union. In China, we comply with the Measures for Administration of the Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products. We will comply with environmental requirements in other markets as they are introduced.
Publication Record
| Issue | Publication Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 03 | December 2020 | Minor updates throughout; Updated battery placement section. |
| 02 | November 2019 | Updated name of battery select switch and replaced battery select switch photo, section 3.1; Added charge button photo, section 3.1; Updated section 3.3; Updated section 3.4; Updated section 3.6.3. |
| 01 | July 2019 | First release. |
1 General Safety and Compliance Information
This chapter provides general information on safety precautions for operating the transportable base station/repeater.
1.1 Personal Safety
1.1.1 Explosive Environments
[Warning] Do not operate the equipment near electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere. Operating the equipment in these environments is a definite safety hazard.
1.1.2 High Temperatures
Take care when handling a repeater which has been operating recently. Under extreme operating conditions (+140°F [+60°C] ambient air temperature) or high duty cycles, the external surfaces of the base station can reach temperatures of up to +176°F (+80°C).
[Warning] If the unit is operated in a high duty cycle environment with the lid closed, the maximum output power should not exceed 15W.
1.1.3 LED Safety (EN60825-1)
This equipment contains Class 1 LED Products.
1.1.4 Proximity to RF Transmissions
To comply with the RF Field Limits for Devices Used by the General Public for (Uncontrolled Environment)ª, a safe separation distance of at least 12 feet (3.6 metres) from the antenna system should be maintained.
This figure is calculated for a typical installation, employing one 50W base station transmitter. Other configurations, including installations at multi-transmitter sites, must be installed so that they comply with the relevant RF exposure standards.
a. Reference Standards:
- Health Canada's Safety Code 6: Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3kHz to 300GHz
- USA Federal Communications Commission OET bulletin 65 (47CFR 1.1310)
- IEEE C95.1 2005: Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3kHz to 300 GHz
1.2 Equipment Safety
1.2.1 Installation and Servicing Personnel
The equipment should be installed and serviced only by qualified personnel.
1.2.2 Preventing Damage to the PA
The repeater has been designed to operate safely under a wide range of antenna loading conditions. Transmitting into a low VSWR will maximize the power delivered to the antenna.
[Notice] Do not remove the load from the TB7304 while it is transmitting.
Load transients (switching or removing the load) can damage the PA output stage. See MBD-00001-xx TB7300 Installation and Operation Manual, especially section 5.4, for recommendations.
1.3 Environmental Conditions
1.3.1 Operating Temperature Range
The operating temperature range of the equipment is –22°F to +140°F (–30°C to +60°C) ambient temperature with external DC, battery isolated, or –22°F to +122°F (–30°C to +50°C) ambient temperature with internal battery and AC input.
Note: Ambient temperature is defined as the temperature of the air at the intake to the cooling fans.
1.3.2 Humidity
The humidity should not exceed 95% relative humidity through the specified operating temperature range.
1.3.3 Dust and Dirt
For uncontrolled environments, the level of airborne particulates must not exceed 100µg/m³.
1.4 Regulatory Information
1.4.1 Distress Frequencies
The 406 to 406.1 MHz frequency range is reserved worldwide for use by Distress Beacons. Do not program transmitters to operate in this frequency range.
1.4.2 Compliance Standards
This equipment has been tested and approved to various national and international standards. Refer to the latest issue of the Specifications Manual for a complete list of these standards.
1.4.3 Unauthorized Modifications
Any modifications you make to this equipment which are not authorized by Tait may invalidate your compliance authority's approval to operate the equipment. The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
1.4.4 Health, Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility in Europe
In the European Community, radio and telecommunications equipment is regulated by Directive 2014/53/EU. The requirements of this directive include protection of health and safety of users, as well as electromagnetic compatibility.
Intended Purpose of Product: This product is a radio transceiver. It is intended for radio communications in the Private Mobile Radio (PMR) or Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR) services, to be used in all member states of the European Union (EU) and states within the European Economic Area (EEA). This product can be programmed to transmit on frequencies that are not harmonized throughout the EU/EEA, and will require a license to operate in each member state.
Declaration of Conformity: You can download the formal Declaration of Conformity from https://www.taitradio.com/our-resources/compliance#European.
1.5 Device and Network Security
If this radio network equipment is used for mission-critical applications, it is important to be able to ensure security and continuity of operation. For IP-network-connected equipment, it is also important to ensure that this equipment is not a means of compromising other equipment in the network.
All network elements should be physically secured, where possible. This includes the use of locked cabinets and locked rooms. Seals on connectors can also provide a visual indication of unauthorized tampering.
Tait recommends that all network and audio connectors should be sealed with the stick-on type of seal. The seal should reveal if any of the connectors have been unplugged, or if any unauthorized equipment has been plugged in.
The seals should be difficult to remove without breaking, and should bridge between the cable and equipment side (plug and socket) of the connection.
Seals should cover any unused network or audio sockets. This includes the Ethernet connector on any adaptor front panels, any spare switch ports, and the console port on the router and switch.
The seals should be difficult to reproduce. A sticker initialed or signed by the technician should satisfy this.
Seals must be replaced if they need to be disturbed during maintenance.
2 Introduction
The Transportable Base Station/Repeater is a complete transportable radio solution in a rugged case with three power supply options. It consists of:
- A TB7300 repackaged into a rugged Pelican case with an internal AC supply
- An internal 12V, 15AH SLA battery
- A charge circuit for AC supply to charge the internal battery
- Switching circuits for AC and DC supplies
- An external DC supply input
[Notice] The Transportable Base Station/Repeater was designed to be waterproof, but should not be operated in the rain with the lid open.
Image Description: The unit is housed in a rugged Pelican case. External connectors include an N-type antenna connector and an Amphenol screw-lock connector for DC input. The case has an Ethernet connection via a waterproof RJ45 connector. Four LEDs indicate the repeater status, and two additional LEDs on the inside top panel show battery charging status. A Shurter three-pin mains socket is located on the left side for AC mains connection.
3 Basic Operation
3.1 Battery Select Switch
[Warning] When shipping and charging the transportable base station, set the battery select switch to EXTERNAL AC/DC, BATTERY ISOLATE to comply with safety regulations.
The battery select switch is protected with a raised red surround to avoid accidental switching on when the lid is closed.
Image Description: A rotary switch with positions labeled "INTERNAL BATTERY", "EXTERNAL AC/DC", "BATTERY CHARGE [AC ONLY]", and "BATTERY ISOLATE [FOR TRANSPORT]".
[Warning] Risk of missing calls! Switching between Internal Battery and EXTERNAL AC/DC, BATTERY ISOLATE will likely cause the transportable base station to restart!
When the switch is set to Internal Battery, the transportable base station runs from the internal battery only.
When the switch is set to EXTERNAL AC/DC, BATTERY ISOLATE, the internal battery is disconnected from all circuitry in the transportable base station. In this situation, all the circuits in the transportable base station, including the repeater, can only run from an external DC or AC supply.
When connected to a mains lead (AC supply), the repeater will run and charge the battery if the battery switch is set to EXTERNAL AC/DC.
3.2 Battery Power
With a fully-charged battery, an operating regime of 10% transmit at 15W, and 90% standby time will keep the transportable base station running for approx. 8 hours (with a new battery). Note that the internal battery is rated to operate to max +50°C ambient temperature.
3.3 Battery Charging
[Warning] Risk of fire! The lid must be open when charging. The VRLA battery may vent when charged at a current greater than 3A. This does not occur during normal charging.
The transportable base station will shut itself down when the internal battery voltage drops too low. When that level of discharge has been reached, it will take up to 12 hours to recharge the battery using an AC mains connection. When charging, press the recessed button located at the left of the Charge LED to turn charging off and on.
[Notice] The internal battery can only be charged when AC Mains is connected and the battery select switch is set to EXTERNAL AC/DC.
3.4 Replacing the Battery
If you need to replace the battery, see the following instructions:
Removing the Battery:
- Press the “External DC/Battery Isolate” button.
- Unscrew the two captive panel screws (as indicated by the [red arrow]) and carefully lift the battery out by its handle.
Inserting a New Battery:
Ensure you observe the orientation of the battery before installing. The correct orientation is defined by the white protruding connector block.
- Carefully lift the new battery and place it in the battery slot.
- Screw and tighten the captive panel screws.
- Flick the switch button to the "Internal Battery" position.
Before tightening the captive panel screws, ensure the battery connector is fully engaged. To do this, firmly push the battery using the handle and check that it is sitting flush with the outside rim.
3.5 External DC Power
A DC input cable with red and black clamps (clips) is supplied with the transportable base station for connection to external DC Supplies between 11 and 15 VDC. Refer to the product label for the input voltage range.
To operate the unit from an external DC source, set the battery select switch to EXTERNAL AC/DC.
External DC supply will not charge the internal battery.
[Notice] When the transportable base station is not in use, always switch the battery select switch to External DC/Battery Isolate.
3.6 External AC Mains Connection
External AC mains must be connected to the unit using an AC power cable (see "Mains Socket Wiring") made up from the supplied Shurter AC plug with female socket (IEC320 10A IP67). AC mains can be used to charge the internal battery and to operate the unit.
3.7 LED Indication Details
3.7.1 Repeater
| LED | Indication | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Repeater Power | green | Repeater power is on. |
| All LEDs/Alarm | flashing | Power up sequence is in progress. |
| Alarm | on | Repeater is in offline mode. |
| Alarm | flashinga | An alarm condition needs to be cleared. |
| Receive | orange | Receiver is receiving. |
| Transmit | orange | Transmitter is keyed. |
a After the four power-up sequences.
3.7.2 Status
This LED is lit when running on AC power, or switched to internal battery.
| LED | Indication | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Status | green | Battery is fully charged or above 20% charged. |
| Status | red, flashing | Battery is low. |
| Status | off | Battery has been disconnected due to low voltage. |
3.7.3 Charge
This LED is only lit when an AC supply is connected. Set the battery select switch to EXTERNAL AC/DC when charging the battery with AC Mains.
| LED | Indication | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Charge | red | Battery is being charged. |
| Charge | off | Battery is fully charged. |
External DC supply will not charge the internal battery.
3.8 Antenna
The transportable base station is a 15W Repeater that requires a remote mounted antenna with a suitable ground plane. This antenna and internal duplexer must be tuned to the frequency of the Repeater. The transportable base station has an N-type antenna connector.
[Caution] Risk of harm from RF radiation! While the Repeater is operating (transmitting), you must ensure that there is always a distance of 0.9m between people and the antenna. This is the minimum safe distance.
3.9 Mains Socket Wiring
The repeater is shipped with a Schurter waterproof AC Mains socket this will need to be wired by an electrician or electrically registered person.
Image Description: A diagram illustrating the wiring for the Schurter Mains Socket.
[Warning] Incorrect wiring of AC mains could result in death or serious injury.
TB7304 is operation-ready. To change any settings, refer to MBD-00001-xx TB7300 Base Station Installation and Operation Manual.
