This section describes how to attach the antennas to the radio modem.
Remove the two protective caps from the RF ports (G).
Remove the Silvus antennas from the upper right compartment of the flight case, and connect the two antennas to the RF ports (G).
To disconnect the antennas, follow the steps above in reverse order.
This section describes how to attach the Silvus battery to the radio modem.
Take the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP and the Silvus battery out of the upper right compartment of the flight case.
Connect the top of the battery to the bottom of the radio modem.
Align the battery in a 45-degree angle.
Connect both units and turn to align them. The battery locking mechanism will make an audible click sound.
To detach the battery for storage or charging, pull up the battery release latch on the side of the radio modem and turn the battery until it is released.
This section describes how to charge the Silvus battery.
Take the Silvus charging dock and the charging cable out of the lower right compartment of the flight case.
Connect the power adapter to the charging dock.
Connect the power adapter to a power outlet.
The Silvus battery can be charged either while assembled with the radio modem and antennas or by charging the battery alone. Place the unit in one of the available charging slots (A or B) in the charging dock.
When charging the radio in its fully assembled state, make sure to power down the radio before charging.
While charging, the LED indicators will blink yellow. When charging is complete, the LEDs will be solid green.
The Silvus charging dock can be used as a stand-alone stand during field operations when a flat and stable surface is not available. Do not charge the battery while using the dock as a stand and when the Silvus radio is powered on.
The following chapter gives a basic overview of the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP.
The DeltaQuad Evo TAC/TAC+ comes with the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP, which consists of a handheld radio modem, two omnidirectional antennas, and a detachable battery. A breakout cable is included to establish the connection to the DeltaQuad Toughbook.
At the top of the radio modem, you find the following connections:
For operation with the DeltaQuad Evo TAC/TAC+, only the RF Ports (G), the Primary Port (A), and the Battery Port (E) will be used.
This section describes how to connect the breakout cable to the radio modem.
The Silvus StreamCaster comes with a breakout cable.
Remove the protective cap from the Primary Port (PRI).
Connect the end of the cable with one plug to the PRI Port on the radio modem.
To properly connect the plug to the socket, ensure that the red dots on both are aligned.
To detach the cable for storage, simply pull the plug out of the PRI socket by gripping the base of the plug and pulling it upward.
This section provides important information on how to properly store the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP.
When disassembling and storing the Silvus StreamCaster, it is best practice to detach the Silvus battery from the radio modem and store both items separately in their designated flight case compartments.
Important Guidelines for Storing the Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP:
Never store the Silvus StreamCaster in the flight case while powered on and with the antennas detached. The high transmission power can cause significant damage to the radio module, particularly when the antennas are not installed.
Reflected Power and Overload: When a radio modem transmits, the energy must be radiated through the antenna. Without an antenna, the transmitted power has nowhere to go and reflects back into the radio’s circuitry, especially the transmitter. This can lead to overheating or damage to critical components, particularly the power amplifier.
Impedance Mismatch: Antennas are designed to match the radio modem's impedance. Without an antenna, a significant impedance mismatch occurs, preventing the efficient transfer of RF energy. This mismatch causes high voltage standing wave ratios (VSWR), which can result in damage to the modem.
The Silvus StreamCaster 4240-EP is equipped with advanced features like automatic power control, designed to protect the system in situations where the antennas are not properly connected. This feature, known as power throttling, reduces transmission power to prevent damage to internal components in the event of an antenna connection issue. Additionally, the device may issue warnings or errors if it detects that the antennas are not attached, further reducing the risk of damage due to reflected power.
However, even with these safeguards in place, it is still best practice to avoid powering on the radio without the antennas properly installed.
While power control features help protect the device, they are not a guarantee against potential damage if the issue persists.
