Why is the website is not displaying some of the graphics properly?
If you are using Internet Explorer 6 or earlier, please update to Internet Explorer 7 or later.
I haven’t used my Beacon Tester for a while. Now, I can’t find the Beacon Tester icon.
The Beacon Tester software will need to be re-installed. Tap Start > Programs > File Explorer > My Device > Built-in Storage > BTInstaller > BTInstaller.exe. Follow the procedure in the Downloads section. The procedure is very simple.
How do I update the Beacon Tester software?
Go to the Downloads section and follow the instructions.
When I updated the Beacon Tester software I now have two Beacon Tester icons on the Program screen. How do I remove the second icon?
The second Beacon Tester icon can be easily removed by tapping Start > Programs > File Explorer > My Device > Windows > Start Menu > Programs. Tap and Hold on one of the Beacon Tester icons. When the pop-up menu appears, select delete.
Why is my PDA not responding?
>Occasionally the PDA will go into a mode where it will not respond to any input. Doing a soft reset by pressing the RESET button on the PDA usually fixes this problem. Refer to the PDA manual.
Why does nothing happen when I launch the Beacon Tester program?
Occasionally the Beacon Tester application does not terminate properly. Try tapping Start > Settings > System > Memory > Running Programs > Stop All. Then try to re-launch the program.
Why can’t I see the graphics on my Test Report?
1. Ensure that JavaTM is installed and enabled on your computer.
2. Ensure the proper security setting in Internet Explorer (see here).
3. Each measurement folder contains a copy of the file named graphics_enabler.class that is required for the graphics to be displayed on the Test Report. Ensure a copy of this file is present in the same folder as the measurement HTML file.
My Beacon Tester won’t receive either 406 MHz or 121.5 MHz.
Ensure that the proper Input mode is selected. If you are receiving a beacon self test transmission through its antenna, then select Internal Antenna. If you are testing a beacon in a screen box and connecting via the coax cable, then select External Coax. If you are connected directly to the ELT then select 5 Watt.
My GPS coordinates are being displayed in degrees/decimal minutes (dd° mm.mm’). I prefer degrees/minutes/seconds (dd° mm’ ss”). How do I change this?
Tap Options > Printing/Configuration Options. Selected the desired format under the GPS Coordinates heading.
How do I change a file name?
Select Options > Files. Select the file that you wish to change. Tap Rename. From the pop-up keyboard enter the desired new file name and tap OK.
When I activate the beacon in self test mode, the measurements produce questionable results. Is there a problem with the beacon?
1. In order to meet all of the Cospas-Sarsat requirements, a beacon is allowed a 15 minute warm-up period. When testing a beacon in self test, there is no warm-up period, hence some measurements may be somewhat skewed.
2. Also, in self-test, the 121.5 homing transmission may be different depending on the particular beacon. Some beacons transmit a short modulated signal, some beacons transmit a shorter unmodulated signal and some beacons transmit no signal. The Beacon Tester may indicate “unable to measure details” or unmodulated carrier” depending on the beacon characteristics.
I am testing an ELT with separate 121.5 and 406 output connectors. How do I get the results printed on one Test Report?
Connect to the 121.5 transmitter first, then tap the Receive button. Once the Beacon Tester gives the indication that the 121.5 signal has been received, switch the cable to the 406 transmitter without stopping the test. Once the 406 burst is received on the Beacon Tester, the measurement will be complete.
I want to test a C91 or C91a ELT that has 121.5/243 MHz (no 406 MHz). How do I measure this?
Go to Options > Printing/Configurations Options and check the “Receive 121 MHz only” box.
I have a BT100S/AVS model. How do I import the stability measurement delimited text file into Microsoft Excel?
From Excel, click File > Open. From the pop-up window under Files of Type select Text Files (*.prn, *.txt, *.csv). Go to the directory where your measurement file is saved. Click on the desired text file and click Open. The Text Import wizard will be displayed. Under the Original data type section select delimited. Click Next. In the next window under the Delimiters section select Comma or Semicolon (depending on which delimiter you have selected on the Beacon Tester). Click Finish.
To size the columns, select all columns then Format > Column > AutoFit Selection.
The data is now available to easily graph or analyze the data as desired.
Is the characteristic swept tone audio that I hear when the Beacon Tester receives a 121.5 MHz signal the actual demodulated audio from the beacon?
No, the swept tone audio is just an audio file played when the tester has received a 121 MHz signal. The actual demodulated 121/243 demodulated audio can be heard using the Listen to 121/243 Audio buttons in the Options menu (BT100AV series). |
