SNG TRAINING MANUAL
This manual is designed to train
employees on how to safely operate
WSPA’S SNG Truck.
1
INTRODUCTION
Satellite News Gathering commonly called SNG, is the means which allows
live coverage of events anywhere in the world. This book will give you
information on how to operate the satellite truck. Since many of us will only
operate this truck in an emergency, you will be allowed to keep this book.
WSPA-TV requires every individual who operates the SNG truck to
complete the required SNG Certification form.
SNG Operation
Two options are available for powering equipment –shore power or the
onboard generator. The shore power twist lock connector is located on the
passenger side of the truck. This allows the truck to be powered from an
external power source of 190 VAC--240 VAC. Shore power utilizes a
transformer tap located in the rear storage compartment so you can use a
wide variety of voltages. The transformer tap must be plugged into the
correct voltage range. This tap only needs changing if you are at a remote
location that is supplying a different voltage than what is used here at the
station satellite dock. The voltage at WSPA’s satellite dock is 208 VAC.
Transformer Tap
Generator
The on-board generator is a Kohler 15kw capable of supplying 125 amps of
service.
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In order to start the generator, first hold the generator stop/preheat button
down for 15 – 30 seconds depending on how cold it is outside.
Then hold the start button up until then generator starts. If the generator
fails to start within the first 30 seconds let go of the start button and allow
the generator windings to cool and then try again after a few mins.
Power select
Once the shore power is connected or the generator is running you will need
to select the correct power source. The power select switch is located on the
left hand side as you step inside the truck. Select GEN for the generator or
EXT for shore power.
Directly above the power select switch is the Main breaker. This breaker
will need to be flipped to the up position to provide power to the other
breakers. Above the main breaker is the thermostat for Airconditioner #1
and #2.
3
Breaker Location
POWER CONTROL PANEL
AC/HTR 1 Turns on the #1 air conditioner or heater depending on what the
side thermostat is set on.
CHARGER This turns the battery charger on. Always turn this breaker on.
UTILITY Supplies power to outlets in the truck. Outlets are labeled Utility
EXTERIOR Supplies power to the outside rear outlet
HPA Supplies power to the Xicom TWTA
RACK UTILITY Supplies power to ??????????????
RACK 1&2 Supplies power to rack 1 & 2.
GEN BLK HTR Generator block heater.
4
Breaker Location
POWER CONTROL PANEL
AC/HTR 2 Turns on the #2 air conditioner or heater depending on what the
thermostat is set on.
HEATER Caution Turns the floor heater on. Make sure nothing is on the
floor in front of heater vent.
LIGHTS Turns the fluorescent lights on in the truck.
COMPRESSOR Supplies power to the compressor outlet. This was an
add-on in case we put a mast in the satellite truck.
AIMER This turns on the vertex antenna controller which is used to move
the satellite dish.
PAN & TILT Not used .. This was also an add-on
RACK 3 & 4 Provides power to rack 3 & 4
5
Breaker Location
INT LIGHTS Turns on interior dome lights
LOAD LIGHTS
SS FLOOD Driver or street side lights
CS FLOOD Passenger or curb side lights
RACK SERVICE
ANT FLOOD
MAST FLOOD
STORE COMPT
HVAC CNTRL 5 amp breaker
RADIO 50 amp breaker
RADIO CNTRL 5 amp breaker
MAST CNTRL Not connected
6
RACK # 1 Equipment Location
HPA TWTA used to send power
to the satellite.
Antenna polarity and dummy
load/antenna switch.
Upconverter # 1
Upconverter #2
Upconverter/antenna patch cables
Modulator #1
Modulator #2
Digital rx #1
Digital rx #2
Analog rx #3
Phone patch cables
Intergator IFB selector
Clearcom
Speaker select switch
Crown amp
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RACK # 2 Equipment Location
Vertex antenna controller
(AIMER)
Spectrum analyzer and waveform
monitor.
Demod/ ID generator
VHS
DSS Satellite rx
Reset switches for UC / Mod
Tx # 1 , Rx # 1 Monitors
Tx #2 , Rx #2 Monitors
Cam 1
Cam 2
Cam 3
Tx #1 Switcher
Tx #1 Mixer
Tx #2 Switcher
Tx #2 Mixer
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RACK# 3 Equipment Location
Video Patches
Video Patches
Video Da’s
Routing Swr
Camplex
Frame sync
Drawer
DVCPRO
ICP 9
Routing Swr
Routing Swr
ICP 9 input
Beta
VT 1 (P2)
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RACK # 4 Equipment Location
Audio Patch Panels
Audio Patch Panels
Audio Patch Panels
Audio Vda’s
Audio Routing Swr
DVCPRO VT3 (P1)
MON 1
MON 2
VT1
ICP 9
VT2
RX3
Editing amp
Editing mixer
DVCPRO VT2 (REC)
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ECP
EXTERNAL CONNECTOR PANEL
1
2
3
4
This is the top portion of the ECP.
Line 1 consists of Camera inputs 1 thru 4, black or genlock out to cameras
1 thru 4 and the Tie Lines 1 thru 4 which are patchable.
Line 2 is the audio mixer inputs for transmitter paths 1 and 2.
For example MIC 1-1 is for the first input on TX 1 mixer.
Line 3 Consists of router inputs 7 & 8 and router outputs 4 & 5.
Switches under the RTR 7 and 8 are for breaking the sheilds on the
Incoming audio.
Line 4 Consists of TX path 1 & 2 outputs . So whatever is punched up on
TX 1 switcher is what you would get as the output of TX path 1 out.
Line 4 also consists of the Intercom A & B
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ECP
EXTERNAL CONNECTOR PANEL
5
6
7
Line 5
Ifb outs PRI primary and SEC secondary. Line 5 also
consists of the Utility RTR 7 OUT 1 thru 8. This would
be used if your truck was acting as the pool feed for other
media at an event.
Line 6
Consists of Telco #1 which can only be used if there is a
hardline phone connection near your location. The phone
RJ-11 connector is the same as the red and green screw
down terminals. Use one or the other not both. The F connector
labeled O/A out 1 is the off-air antenna output to a TV.
But remember it will be delayed a couple of seconds
from the shot you are doing due to it being a satellite
shot. This was mainly a add-on for The Utility RTR 7
left audio out is also on line 6.
Line 7
Consists of Telco # 2 which can only be used if there is a
hardline phone connection near your location. The phone
RJ-11 connector is the same as the red and green screw
down terminal. Use one or the other not both. The F connector
labeled DSS DISH is used to connect the direct TV dish.
The Utility RTR 7 right audio out is also on line 7.
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Stabilization Jacks
Before raising the satellite dish the truck parking brake should be applied
and the truck should be clear of any overhead obstructions. The stabilization
jacks should be extended if the truck is on unlevel ground. There is a level
directly above the stabilization jack control panel, which is located in the
rear storage compartment.
Leveling jack control panel
Before extending the stabilization jacks the truck air ride system needs to
have the air purged so that the jacks can level properly. This is done by
pushing a knob, located in the front of the cab next to the cell phone.
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Finding the correct satellite
Now that you know the location of the breakers and the equipment it’s time
for what many consider to be the hardest part of all, Finding the Satellite.
First and foremost you need to be 100 % sure there are no overhead
obstructions. This includes power lines, tree limbs, buildings and many
others. No news event is worth losing your life over! Now that we have
checked for clearance, turn the aimer on and prepare to raise the dish.
The Aimer is actually the Vertex antenna drive unit and is located above the
spectrum analyzer in rack #2. There is a fast/slow switch on this unit and it
should remain in the fast position until you find the satellite. First toggle the
AZ/EL switch to EL to raise the elevation to the desired position. You can
tell the degree of elevation by turning the display select knob to the ELEV
position. The red down light will remain on until the dish reaches a
elevation of 0 degrees. Until the red down light goes off you will be unable
to move the azimuth. To move the azimuth you will need to flip the AZ/EL
switch to the AZ position. Then turn the display select knob to the AZ
position. Once you have found the satellite you will need to adjust the POL.
This is done by the POL toggle switch. The POL is easy to set by
minimizing the Horizontal carrier that shows up on the Vertical side or just
the opposite. This is an adjustment that you will have to see in order to
understand fully.
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Calling the Uplink center
In order to use the cellphones in the Sat truck you must first flip on
the PHONE/RAD switch in the truck cab. The switch is located directly
under the Radio. While we are here lets touch on the rest of this panel too.
The red jacks light would indicate that the leveling jacks are still down. This
could occur because of two reasons. The first is that you just forgot to retract
them. The second is that the hydraulics may have leaked down causing the
jack to drop a few inches, either way you will need to retract the leveling
jacks. The next light is the ANT light. If this light is on it means you forgot
to lower the satellite dish. If this is the case you really need to stop and
rethink if you need to be operating this truck. The next light is the door
light, which means one of the doors is not completely shut. This can include
the ECP side panel door, the rear door, the generator door or the main side
door. The last switch and green light is the Phone/Rad, which we have
already discussed.
Now back to calling the uplink center. Each satellite has a different phone
number and a different way of accessing the satellite. So be sure you have
the correct number and call this number before your window starts. A list of
upllink centers will be put in the rear of this manual.
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Transpoders
Now lets discuss the LNR upconverter menu.
In order to change the frequency press the menu button,
then the following menu will appear.
Scroll over to the FREQ and press enter.
Now you can use the left and right arrow keys to select the digit you need to
change. Then press the up and down button to actually change the number.
After the desired FREQ is obtained you will need to press the ENT key and
then the ENBL (Enable) key. If you do not press enable it will not change
the frequency.
Put horiz / vert switch info
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HPA HIGH VOLTS ON
The HPA is what sends the RF power to the satellite. This unit takes about
5 mins to warm up. You will not be able to power up until the standby light
comes on.
HPA is not in standby
Filament Time Delay lit
HPA is in standby
FTD off
In order to turn the TWT on press the Enable button and the HV ON button
at the same time.
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POWERING UP
Now when the guy at the uplink center tells you to raise power you will hold
the enable button and turn the gain knob clockwise. To power down hold the
enable button and turn the gain knob counterclockwise.
This is a normal display on the HPA. The display tells us that there is
.63 watts out which for all concerned means we are powered down.
This display also tells us the attenuation is 27 db and the TWT temp is
24 C degrees. This temperature is important because you never want to turn
the HPA off until the temp has cooled off. You can turn the High voltage
off by pressing enable and HV OFF but do not turn the entire unit off untill
the TWT TEMP has cooled back down to 24 c degrees.
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Closing remarks
Intro
Operating a transportable satellite truck improperly has the potential of
causing physical harm and immeasurable financial damage. The secret of
operating your SNG truck safely is to use common sense, follow the rules
and understand the hazards.
Rf Related Hazards
SNG trucks have high power microwave amplifiers which should be treated
with great respect. Preventing exposure to microwave radiation hazards
only takes a little common sense. Avoid areas with known unsafe levels like
around the antenna. Never climb onto a truck around the antenna while
transmitting, nor allow anyone else to. This includes photographers who
may want to use the top of the truck as a camera platform. Ensure that you
have a clear line of site to the satellite from trees, buildings, overpasses, etc.
Remember that reflected microwave signals are not only a hazard to you but
others around you. When the truck is connected to shore power, make sure
that a good ground is established to prevent accidental electrocution.
Truck Hazards
At all times you should be mindful that a satellite dish is mounted on top of
your truck, which therefore can’t be driven like a sports car. A truck needs
to be handled like a truck. It has a high center of gravity, and is heavy
requiring greater braking distances than a typical automobile. The antenna
needs to be treated with respect. Don’t raise the antenna into wires, keep an
eye on the winds, and inspect it regularly for damage. Because the truck is
much taller than you are use to, keep an eye on those height clearance signs,
not just on the road but also at gas stations, fast food restaurants, etc. When
operating the generator, keep in mind that the fumes from the exhaust may
get into the operating compartment of the truck, so use common sense.
KU-Band satellites
The KU-Band uplink transmits at a frequency of 14 to 14.5 GHz and the
satellite re-transmits back to Earth at 11.7 to 12.2 GHz. The round trip can
take as much as .52 seconds. Some satellites are in an inclined orbit, which
means they need to be re-peaked every 15 minutes. But luckily most all
satellites we will be using are geostationary meaning they don’t move.
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MPEG Systems
The MPEG compression system includes an MPEG encoder and a data
modulator, which are built into one unit. The MPEG system interfaces into
the transmit path by having an output of 70 MHz which is inserted into the
KU-Band upconverter. In order to transmit using the MPEG compression,
you will need to set several parameters. Some settings you will need are
Data rate, Viterbi rate, Symbol rate, and code rate.
High Power Amplifier (HPA)
The upconverter output is routed to the HPA to be amplified to its operating
power. Normally a TWT (Traveling Wave Tube) is used because of its loe
A/C power requirements and its frequency agility. HPA’s are made to be
turned on for long periods of time. If the HPA is left in the standby mode
for a long period of time the tube will have a tendency to gas up which could
shorten its life. The Helix is the most sensitive element in the TWT. The
helix current is one of the best indicators of the TWT’s condition. If it is
high, the tube could be close to failure. The HPA requires anywhere from 5
to 10 minuets to warm up after first being turned on. This warm up period is
to prevent the tube from shock. You should allow 8 to 10 minuets to cool
down the tube after turning the high voltage off.
Stabilization Jacks
Because of the narrow beam of the antenna, stabilization jacks are used on
SNG trucks to stabilize the truck from effects of wind, personnel movement
or anything else that may move the truck enough to disturb a satellite feed.
Closing remarks taken from Wolfcoach SNV Training Supplement 4th edition
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