Acoustic transponding communication requires three elements:
a
receiver
(VR2Tx or VR2AR), a
VR100-200
receiver, and a
69kHz
transponding hydrophone
like the one shown below.
Connect the transponding hydrophone to the first connector on the
side of the VR100-200 case (see photo, far right).
Place the transponding hydrophone in the water so it is at least
5m
below the hull of the boat. The hydrophone needs line-of-sight to
the receiver.
Make sure the hydrophone doesn’t bang against the hull. Turn off your boat’s depth sounder,
and if possible, the engine. These can interfere with communication.
This Field Communication Quick Guide provides information on key acoustic transponding procedures. Full details for
transponding procedures are found in the VR100 user manual and at
www.vemco.com
. We strongly recommend you study the full
manual before using this quick guide.
Equipment and Setup
SCANNING....Found 3
VR2AR:012344 100m
T-13
63dB▐▐▐
M00
Mute
Before deploying a VR2Tx or VR2AR receiver, watch
the Status Light for
two quick red flashes
every 5
seconds indicating receiver is in
Recording Mode
.
If there are
no flashes
, the
VR2Tx/VR2AR is not powered.
Green
flashes indicate acoustic
pings were transmitted, but
only if the transmit feature is
enabled.
Status Light
1. Turn on the VR100-200.
2.
On the main menu, select
Transpond
.
3. To scan for VR2Tx and VR2AR receivers in the area, select
Auto
Scan
or
Manual Scan
. Alternately, select
Add Device
and
enter the receiver serial number.
4. Wait while the “wake-up” command is broadcast, and again
for responses from units in the area. These wait times are fixed
and displayed with a “T-_” counter. The VR100-200 will not
respond to user input until the wait times are completed.
5. Select the desired unit from those that responded. If your
desired unit is not listed, select
Rescan
to try again.
Connect
1. Select
Status…
2. Select
Get Range…
3. Wait while range/depth information is gathered from the
receiver and then displayed.
From top:
•
serial number & slant range
•
horizontal range (AR only)
•
depth (AR only)
To refresh the information
onscreen, select
Resend
.
Range
You are encouraged to use
Get Health
to establish
communications, as it takes less time (at 69kHz).
1. Select
Status…
2. Select
Get Health…
3. Wait while health information is gathered from
the receiver and then displayed. From top:
•
serial number & slant
range
•
battery life
•
memory used
•
tilt angle from vertical
Health
VR2AR:012345 170m
hRange: 80m
Depth: 150m
Resend
VR2AR:012345 170m
Batt: <25%
*
left
Mem: 0-30%
used
Tilt: 0-11°
Resend
*
The remaining battery capacity displayed on the VR100 (Batt: xx%) is a soft counter intended to estimate the unit’s remaining battery life. For the counter to
display the correct battery capacity, you must connect to VUE and initialize the receiver each time the receiver battery is replaced (see receiver manual for details).
VR2AR/VR2Tx Receivers
Field Communication Quick Guide