Physical installation
Mount the transmitter in a standard 19-inch rack or cabinet. Leave at least 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) of clearance above and below the unit for proper ventilation.
E-Series Setup Guide
QFRF E-Series Setup Guide
Web-first setup reference for QFRF E-series manual-setup transmitters. Match the factory-marked RF input printed above the rear F connector, then use the chart and calculator to set analog and QAM levels correctly. FT1504D and FT1510D are included below only as fixed 22 dBmV reference exceptions.
Quick Start
Important: For manual-setup units, the RF input level printed above the rear F connector is for 80 analog channels. FT1504D and FT1510D use fixed 22 dBmV input for 80 analog channels. If your system carries digital QAM channels, set them 6 dB lower than the analog recommendation.
- Find the factory-marked base RF input printed directly above the rear F connector. For FT1504D and FT1510D, use fixed 22 dBmV for 80 analog channels.
- Count your RF carriers. This is the number of discrete 6 MHz RF carriers in your system lineup, not the number of virtual QAM channels.
- Look up your input level using the channel loading chart that matches the base RF input printed on your unit.
- Apply the digital adjustment. Use the Digital dBmV column for all-digital QAM systems. For mixed systems, set analog channels to the recommended analog levels and the QAM channels 6 dB lower.
- Connect and verify operation. After setting the RF drive, complete the connections below and confirm normal status on the front panel.
Where N = total number of discrete 6 MHz RF carriers and Base Level is the value printed on the unit.
Reference Specs
Find your model number on the front panel or rear label. These tables are reference specifications only. FT13xx RF input level must be taken from the value printed above the rear F connector; do not set drive by model number alone. The number after FT13 or FT15 indicates the nominal optical output power in milliwatts.
FT13xx Series - 1310nm Manual-Setup Reference Models
| Model | RF Input Setup | Optical Power | Link Loss | CNR (77ch) | BW (MHz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT1302EGI | Use printed unit label | ≥2 mW | 6 dB | 51 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1304EG | Use printed unit label | ≥4 mW | 7 dB | 52 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1306EG | Use printed unit label | ≥6 mW | 9 dB | 51.9 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1308EG | Use printed unit label | ≥8 mW | 10 dB | 51.9 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1310EG | Use printed unit label | ≥10 mW | 11 dB | 52 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1312EG | Use printed unit label | ≥10.8 mW | 12 dB | 52 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1316EG | Use printed unit label | ≥16 mW | 13 dB | 52 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1320EG | Use printed unit label | ≥20 mW | 14 dB | 52.5 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1322EG | Use printed unit label | ≥22 mW | 14 dB | 52.5 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1326EG | Use printed unit label | ≥26 mW | 15 dB | 51.2 dB | 45-1000 |
| FT1331EG | Use printed unit label | ≥31 mW | 15.8 dB | 51.2 dB | 45-1000 |
Note: FT13xx input level varies by the factory-marked value printed above the rear F connector. Do not set RF drive by model number alone.
FT15xx Series - 1550nm Fixed-Input Reference Models
| Model | Base RF Input | Optical Power (mW) | RF Mode | BW (MHz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT1504D | 22 dBmV | 4 | AGC/MGC | 47-1000 |
| FT1510D | 22 dBmV | 6-10 | AGC/MGC | 47-1000 |
FT1504D and FT1510D use fixed 22 dBmV base RF input for 80 analog channels. These models feature AGC/MGC and are included here as fixed-input reference exceptions, not as part of the variable-input economy workflow.
Channel Loading Charts
Find the chart that matches your transmitter's base RF input level as printed above the rear F connector. Then look up your channel count to find the correct input level.
Use the Analog column for analog NTSC/PAL carriers. Use the Digital column for QAM/digital carriers. In mixed systems, set analog carriers to the Analog level and QAM carriers 6 dB lower.
18 dBmV Base Input
| # Channels | Analog (dBmV) | Digital (dBmV) |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | 15.8 | 9.8 |
| 110 | 16.6 | 10.6 |
| 80 | 18.0 | 12.0 |
| 60 | 19.2 | 13.2 |
| 40 | 21.0 | 15.0 |
| 30 | 22.3 | 16.3 |
| 20 | 24.0 | 18.0 |
| 16 | 25.0 | 19.0 |
| 10 | 27.0 | 21.0 |
| 8 | 28.0 | 22.0 |
| 4 | 31.0 | 25.0 |
Applies to: Manual-setup units labeled 18 dBmV
19 dBmV Base Input
| # Channels | Analog (dBmV) | Digital (dBmV) |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | 16.8 | 10.8 |
| 110 | 17.6 | 11.6 |
| 80 | 19.0 | 13.0 |
| 60 | 20.2 | 14.2 |
| 40 | 22.0 | 16.0 |
| 30 | 23.3 | 17.3 |
| 20 | 25.0 | 19.0 |
| 16 | 26.0 | 20.0 |
| 10 | 28.0 | 22.0 |
| 8 | 29.0 | 23.0 |
| 4 | 32.0 | 26.0 |
Applies to: Manual-setup units labeled 19 dBmV
20 dBmV Base Input
| # Channels | Analog (dBmV) | Digital (dBmV) |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | 17.8 | 11.8 |
| 110 | 18.6 | 12.6 |
| 80 | 20.0 | 14.0 |
| 60 | 21.2 | 15.2 |
| 40 | 23.0 | 17.0 |
| 30 | 24.3 | 18.3 |
| 20 | 26.0 | 20.0 |
| 16 | 27.0 | 21.0 |
| 10 | 29.0 | 23.0 |
| 8 | 30.0 | 24.0 |
| 4 | 33.0 | 27.0 |
| 2 | 36.0 | 30.0 |
| 1 | 39.0 | 33.0 |
Applies to: Manual-setup units labeled 20 dBmV
21 dBmV Base Input
| # Channels | Analog (dBmV) | Digital (dBmV) |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | 18.8 | 12.8 |
| 110 | 19.6 | 13.6 |
| 80 | 21.0 | 15.0 |
| 60 | 22.2 | 16.2 |
| 40 | 24.0 | 18.0 |
| 30 | 25.3 | 19.3 |
| 20 | 27.0 | 21.0 |
| 16 | 28.0 | 22.0 |
| 10 | 30.0 | 24.0 |
| 8 | 31.0 | 25.0 |
| 4 | 34.0 | 28.0 |
| 2 | 37.0 | 31.0 |
| 1 | 40.0 | 34.0 |
Applies to: Manual-setup units labeled 21 dBmV
22 dBmV Base Input
| # Channels | Analog (dBmV) | Digital (dBmV) |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | 19.8 | 13.8 |
| 110 | 20.6 | 14.6 |
| 80 | 22.0 | 16.0 |
| 60 | 23.2 | 17.2 |
| 40 | 25.0 | 19.0 |
| 30 | 26.3 | 20.3 |
| 20 | 28.0 | 22.0 |
| 16 | 29.0 | 23.0 |
| 10 | 31.0 | 25.0 |
| 8 | 32.0 | 26.0 |
| 4 | 35.0 | 29.0 |
| 2 | 38.0 | 32.0 |
| 1 | 41.0 | 35.0 |
Applies to: Manual-setup units labeled 22 dBmV. FT1504D and FT1510D use this fixed input.
Installation & Connections
Power
All QFRF rack-mount transmitters accept 85-254 VAC, 47-63 Hz. FT15xx models may include an optional 36-60 VDC floating DC input, with AC as the primary power source when both are available.
RF connection
Set the RF input level according to the channel loading chart that matches the value printed above the F connector on the unit. For digital QAM channels, use input levels 6 dB below the analog recommendation. In mixed systems, set analog channels to the analog level and QAM channels 6 dB lower.
Optical connection
All QFRF transmitters use SC/APC fiber connectors. Clean all patch cords before connecting, keep dust caps in place until ready, and verify optical output against the reference specs after enabling the laser.
Understanding Digital vs. Analog Levels
Digital QAM channels contain approximately 4 times the power of an equivalent analog carrier. Also, digital channels are measured by their average power, whereas analog channels are measured by their peak level. For this reason, the recommended RF input drive level for digital channels is 6 dB below the analog level. This ensures the transmitter operates within its linear range and prevents over-driving the laser.
All digital QAM
Use the Digital dBmV column directly when every active carrier is QAM/digital.
Mixed systems
Set analog channels to the Analog level and set QAM channels 6 dB lower.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Red LED blinking (Alarm) | Protection fault or out-of-range condition | Review the front panel alarm detail, correct the issue, then power-cycle the unit. |
| INTERLOCK message | Remote interface connection issue | Check the interlock or remote cable and confirm proper termination. |
| RF level alarm | Drive level too high | Reduce RF input to the chart value for your channel count. |
| Low optical output | Laser disabled, connector contamination, or degradation | Enable the laser, clean the connector, and verify with an optical power meter. |
| High laser temperature | Ambient conditions or cooling fault | Improve ventilation and inspect TEC/current status. |
Need a Fast Answer?
Use the RF calculator for quick checks on manual-setup E-series units, then validate against the chart that matches the value printed on your unit.