Smarts Broadcast Systems - Troubleshooting Satellite Closuress

Sometimes we find that there is a problem with your network contact (break) closures. There are basically only two ways that something wrong is detected with the satellite closures. Either extra things are firing, such as a legal ID firing over and over or, you are missing breaks.

Extra Closures
Missing Closures

If Your Smartcaster is Getting Extra Closures

If you are getting extra closures and have Functions or breaks firing left and right, unplug the 780 card from the Smartcaster. The 780 Card, also known as a "Fan Out Card" or a "Break Out Board" is a little blue and gray terminal strip that you will find located somewhere between the satellite receiver and the Smartcaster itself. It has 20 screw down terminals on it.

Some older units will have a different kind of card; so make sure there are only twenty screw down terminals.

If you can't find it, go to the back of the Smartcaster and find the ribbon cables. One cable should go to the RIDZ Switcher, and the other to the Fan Out card. If there is only one ribbon cable, follow it. You will come to a splitter card, and from there you can find where the ribbon cables plug into the RIDZ and the 780 card.

If the closures stop coming after the 780 card has been unplugged, you will know that there is something wrong either in the satellite receiver itself, or in the wiring between it and the Fan Out card.

If the closures continue, there is something wrong inside the Smartcaster itself and you need to call our Support Line for help.

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If Your Smartcaster is Missing Closures

If you enter the Timed Events screen, then press F8, the mapping screens will come up. The number of screens depends on how many Ridz Switchers you have. In any case, the last of the items on the list is called "Input Diagnostics." Pick that one by typing in the number, usually 10, and pressing enter.

Click this image to see it full-size.

This screen will show you whether or not you're getting closures but first you need to know how to read it. The top row of numbers, one through sixteen, correspond with one through sixteen on the 780 Card. These are the only numbers with which you need to concern yourselves. When a closure comes down, a box and a checkmark appear underneath the appropriate number on the diagnostic screen. When the closure is finished, the box goes away and the checkmark stays.

If any of the numbers have a box under it that doesn't go away, it means that the receiver is sending a constant tone, please click HERE.

To test the system, make a jumper; a paperclip works great. Go to the back of the satellite receiver, and short the jumper to each pair of terminals, causing a closure signal to go to the Smartcaster. Careful, if they are working properly, they might fire out over the air or start a unattended record.

After you fire them, go look at the screen. Underneath the top row of numbers there should be the same number of checkmarks as relays that you tested. If there is, that means that the problem is with your satellite receiver or provider.

However, if the numbers do not match that means that either something is wired wrong, or something is broken. It is possible that this might be the TTL card inside the computer. This is the card that the Fan Out card plugs into.

Pressing the letter "C" on the keyboard will clear the checkmarks and allow you to repeat the test to double-check your work. If it still doesn't work, repeat the test on the Fan Out card, jumpering pins seventeen or eighteen to each pin, one through sixteen. There should be sixteen checks on the screen when you are finished. If there are, you have determined that the problem is in the wiring between the receiver and the 780 card. If all of the closures can't be seen from the Fan Out card, that means you have a problem between the 780 card and the Smartcaster. Check to make sure that everything is plugged in securely and press "C" to clear the checks. Repeat the test.

If you still can't get all the checkmarks, you probably have a problem with your TTL card and should acquire a new one. However, if you still have some pins working, you can sometimes make a creative temporary work-around by moving some wires and remapping them.

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Feel free to call the Support Line if you have any questions or comments about this, or any other problems with the Smartcaster. Our Support Line is 1(800)765-2930, our fax number is 1(800)498-0618, and our email address is support@smartsbroadcast.com.

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