Chapter 6 — RA.DAR AND SATELLITE EQUIPMENT 



technical manuals.) After all controls are prop- 

 erly set, the operator places the complete system 

 Jn a standby condition. At 12 minutes before 

 zenith time, the operator places the antenna 

 system in the PROGRAM mode of operation. 

 The antenna begins to track the satellite auto- 

 matically. The received signal automatically 

 turns on the tape recorder and the facsimile 

 recorder. NOTE: Although the antenna system 

 is energized (turned on) 12 minutes before zenith 

 time, the system will not start to operate until 

 the subcarrier signal from the satellite is re- 

 ceived. The subcarrier signal activates the auto- 

 matic start circuit which, in turn, energizes 

 the tape and facsimile recorders automatically. 



At the beginning of transmission, the op- 

 erator uses meters provided with the equip- 

 ment to monitor the signal applied to the tape 

 recorder, and makes minor adjustments if nec- 

 essary. Minor adjustments are also made, if 

 necessary, to change the printing density on 

 the paper output of the facsimile recorder. 



At the end of a satellite pass, the equip- 

 ment continues to operate for about 10 to 30 

 seconds, and then turns off automatically. If 

 an additional set of pictures is required, the 



tape is rewound, the recorder is placed in the 

 PLAY mode of operation, and the output is fed 

 to the facsimile recorder. At the end of op- 

 eration, all controls are turned to their non- 

 operating positions. 



M aintenance 



Most maintenance will be performed by the 

 Electronic Technicians, however, some main- 

 tenance procedures can be performed by the 

 operator. These are contained in table 6-1. 



For more detailed information on data per- 

 taining to the maintenance and operation of 

 this equipment, refer to NAVAIR 50-30SMQ6-1, 

 Operations and Maintenance Instructions Manual, 

 Receiver Recorder Set Meteorological Data AN/ 

 SMQ-6(V). 



AN/TMQ-29 NAVY TRANSPORTABLE 

 TERMINAL AND AN/SMQ-10 

 SHIPBOARD READOUT EQUIPMENT 



These are greatly advanced and uniquely 

 designed systems that receive high resolution 

 satellite picture data from the DMSP polar 

 orbiting weather satellites. The systems can 

 process and develop satellite pictures within 



Table 6-1. — Maintenance Schedule. 



Frequency 



Maintenance 



Daily, before the first 

 satellite pass 



Clean tape transport. 



Demagnetize tape transport head. 



Daily, after each 

 satellite pass 



Clean facsimile recorder head. 



Weekly 



Clean blower filter. 





Clean antenna. 



After 500 hours of 



Replace the facsimile recorder helix wire. 



operating time 



Replace the facsimile recorder helix 

 strip. 



After 1000 hours of 

 operating time 



Replace the facsimile recorder loop 

 electrode blade. 



After 6 months 



Clean the facsimile recorder tray. 



115 



