Recom-10 TV signal meter

By Andrey Dement’ev

Review contents:

Measure seven times Analog TV transmitters’ parameters measure Are You Producing Legal and Valid Video? “Beta TV Com” measuring equipment Measuring devices for terrestrial and cable television from Broadcast Arsenal Group of companies Measuring TV equipment from IMOS Company TV signals level measurers Measuring tools of Planar Company RAP-TV digital measuring system Kathrein TV signals measuring tools Leader Electronics measuring equipment for broadcast sphere Promax measuring equipment Recom-10 TV signal meter Sunrise Telecom’s measuring equipment for cable TV network analysis New devices from Tektronix Equipment from Wohler Company

Recom-10 TV signal meter is designed for visual monitoring video signal and career’s level in cable common TV system, at output of network’s hardware tools (antennas, channel amplifiers, converters, direction amplifiers, subscriber’s outlets etc). TV signals measuring can be done at both active or switched off monitor.

Trying to classify measuring equipment market for cable TV networks one can divide it conditionally into three sectors (really there are more sectors):

• Sophisticated combined multi-functional devices for stationary measure in 5…2500 MHz bandwidth which have a display for picture and diagrams showing as well as a table for different digital indications;
• Mobile measuring devices often without display. Results output is being done to built-in indicator. They have limited functions set and parameters for measure;
• Mobile devices with limited features set (for example, measuring in 47…860 MHz bandwidth only) which have built-in graphical display and indicator.

Recom-10 external view

Third sector is brightly represented by devices made in Russia. Recom-10 is not exclusion. It is understandable: cable operators at present technological level feel an importance of providing not only defined parameters of network itself but having possibility visually monitoring TV signal’s picture or subscriber’s outlet in household.

Recom-10 main features:

• Audio and picture monitoring on b&w 12 cm monitor;
• Fixed tuning to channels including S channels;
• Fast channel selection with ±10 step;
• Channel frequency indication with frequency re-adjusting step of 50 kHz;
• Audio and video careers levels measuring mode;
• Combined power feed from battery (NiCd AA) and network;
• Operation with switched off monitor;
• Weight — 2.4 kg.

Device is very ease in use. Reliable aluminum chassis, minimal functional buttons set, no need in pre-adjustment make this device very convenient for line mister operation during building and exploitation of cable network and TV antennas installation.

Recom-10 technical characteristics
Frequency range, MHz	47…860
Levels measuring error, dB	±2
Input impedance, Ohm	75
Measure range, dBµV	30…110
Display	b&w, 82×104
Power	NiCd 12 V/1 Ah battery, 12 V/1 A supply
Dimensions, mm	128×228×232
Weight, kg	2.4

TV programs receiving is being performed in bands: 1…12 VHF channels, 1…40 cable TV channels, 21…60 UHF channels. Tuning to channel is fixed based on unit with frequency synthesizer and tuning prevision is defined by quartz resonator frequency. For more precise and stable signal level measure Analog Device logarithmic detector chip is used. Channel selection is being done by knob selector. Frequency re-tuning step is 50 kHz.

Device is made in aluminum chassis (1.5 mm). CRT is made in Korea. Chassis contains TV tuner, control, Atmel processor, logarithmic detector and some other cards.

Cards placement inside device’s frame

Exploitation of TV signal level indicator is being performed by personnel of TV repairing facilities, and organizations installing collective receiving antennas and performing works related to building and exploitation TV cable networks. Depending on place and work conditions indicator may be installed on pod or on desktop. Working in field, for instance on building roof at collective antenna installation the receiver using handling belt may be fixed on the neck. In this case receiver is place at waist level which provides normal ability for manual manipulation of control knobs.

For extending input levels up to 140 dBµV additional external -30 dBµV attenuator with 75 Ohm impedance can be used (optional).

Material is provided by Recom Company