Raveon wireless modems have a number of ways an installer can verify that the system is working properly.  This application note describes how to verify signal strength on Raveon’s VHF and UHF data radio modems.   Read The Last Recption’s Signal Strength The command ATRSreturns the signal strength (in dBm) of the last message that the [...]

The following charts compare various type of coaxial cable used in VHF and UHF data radio systems.  All coax cable has a certain amount of signal loss.  When an antenna is connected to a radio modem using any type of coax cable, the transmit signal is attenuated as it passes through the cable, so the [...]

Obtaining an FCC license to use a narrow-band radio channel is not difficult at all.  In fact, the FCC has listed over 300 ,000 license holders in the Land Mobile Radio service alone. Raveon’s M7 radio modem operate on radio frequencies that are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  In order to transmit on [...]

The M7-USB option, and all of the USB serial bridge cables from Raveon use the FTDI FT232R chip-set.  Raveon has an application note <here> that describes how the M7-USB option works.  The driver for the FTDI chipset is included with most versions of Microsoft Windows, and it may be <Downloaded Here>. The when a USB device [...]

In a RavTrack system you will need antennas for vehicles, as well as base stations, and possibly repeaters if your particular system uses any repeaters.   Here will will discuss common antennas for all three uses. The Raveon “GX” series of tracking transponders used in a RavTrack system can be configured to operate as a vehicle [...]

A popular type of antenna mount is called an “NMO” which stand for new Motorola.  NMO mounts come in a variety of types and are frequently used especially when installing mobile antennas.  Whether you are installing an antenna on a vehicle or a fixed structure the NMO mount may be a good solution. The idea [...]

The M7 transceiver has a 5-watt RF power output rating.  In a typical application the units is in Standby or Receive mode most of the time.  A small fraction of the time, it is transmitting.  But when it transmits, the M7 begins heating up, dissapating about 8 watts of heat.   This depends upon the RF [...]

The M7 GX series of GPS transponders may be directly connected to a Lowrance Globalmap 540C or a Globalmap 840C navigation display. When connected, the Lowrance display map will show the location of the vehicle it is in PLUS the location of all other M7 transponders within radio range.  This unique feature allows one to [...]