Repeaters are one of the key components of an ALERT/IFLOWS data collection network. Often an entire network or a significant portion of the system’s gauges report through a single repeater. Given the critical nature of the role the repeater plays in a system, High Sierra Electronics has always paid particular attention to repeater applications to insure system integrity. Over the years we have incorporated innovations to our repeater such as Echo Suppression which eliminates the “ping pong” or echo affect that could be a problem in some systems. The Programmable Store & Forward Repeater – Model 3300-00 includes Echo Suppression as a standard feature.
The Programmable Store & Forward Repeater can be supplied in a rack mount case for rack or wall mounting, or optionally in a NEMA 4 enclosure for installation in a standpipe. The speaker, speaker switch, external reset, and external LED’s are not available with the NEMA 4 option.
User Programmable
The field technician can alter the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater configuration parameters in just minutes on-site with a laptop utilizing a Windows based set-up screen. These parameters include: Status Report ID and report interval, Command ID for remote control activation or de-activation of the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater and the Pass/Reject IDs. This in-field programming capability saves time and site visits for the field technician.
The Programmable Store & Forward Repeater – Model 3300-00 can be programmed to pass all valid ALERT/IFLOWS IDs, pass or reject blocks of IDs and/or pass up to 255 individual IDs and reject up to 255 individual IDs.
An optional precipitation input allows the connection of a Rain Gauge. The software will allow the setting of an initial value for the precipitation accumulator and to enable/disable the precipitation input.
Duplex Mode
An optional duplex mode, Model 3300-20, adds a second radio to the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater and the associated electronics. This enables the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater to continue to receive while messages are being transmitted. To prevent feedback from the transmit antenna to the receive antenna, a minimum frequency separation must be 2MHz between the receive and transmit frequency.
Remote Control of Repeaters
An optional feature, Model 3300-09, of the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater allows remote control of the repeater from the base station. This command capability allows for remote activation or de-activation of the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater. This command signal capability can also be applied in applications where a back up or standby Programmable Store & Forward Repeater is desired. If the primary Programmable Store & Forward Repeater stops reporting, a signal can be sent from the base station to activate the standby repeater. This feature can minimize system downtime in the event the primary Programmable Store & Forward Repeater fails.
Status Reports
Programmable Store & Forward Repeater status reports containing battery level can be set by the user at intervals from two to twenty four hours. This allows the base station software to monitor Programmable Store & Forward Repeater operation and issue an alarm if status reports are not received or if battery levels drop below an acceptable level or at an unacceptable rate.
Digital Filtering-Improved performance in noisy environment
There are times when Programmable Store & Forward Repeaters must be installed in the midst of mountain top antenna farms with a great deal of other radio equipment operating in close proximity. This equipment at times includes high power transmitters such as TV broadcasting and NWS Weather Radio. A digital filtering process enables the Programmable Store & Forward Repeater to pick out valid ALERT/IFLOWS data out of noise even with a completely unsquelched radio.
