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===== FAQ  =====

==== What computer will I need?  ====

Current version of detection stations have an built-in computer based on ARM architecture. Therefore, there is no other computer necessary for a station to operate.

You will only need another computer if you want to [[en:vizualizace|visualisee the data]] at other place than the one with a station (e.g. in a lecture room). In that case you mainly need a computer with a graphic performance corresponding to the planned quality of visualised output.

==== What do I have to do in order to relocate a station ====

Before moving a station or disconnecting an antenna it is necessary to turn the station off and mainly to unplug the power supply.
The station has one switch on a module with connected power supply. This switch has to be pressed. Then it is possible to disconnect antennae and further manipulate with the station.

After moving the station it has to be turned on again and wait several minutes until the blue LED on the station’s computer starts to flash again. If the LED does not flash even after several minutes, the file system on the station has been damaged.

=== LED on the power module is not working ===

Is the module’s switch switched correctly? Isn’t there a short-circuit somewhere?

=== LED on the power module is not emitting the light continually ===

If the power module’s LED flashes, it is probable that the overcorrect protection has been activated. So the module is either overloaded or there is short-circuit somewhere.

In case of 12V power supply (yellow marking) supplying the LNA, this situation is of special significance. Mostly it means that the input LNA’s transistor has been destroyed.

==== There are no meteors visible on waterfall, what should I do? ====

There may be several reasons for this and it is necessary to proceed systematically.

- Check all the station’s wiring, cables and power supply
  - Check that disconnecting the coaxial cable from the station causes a noise reduction
  - Observe the live spectrogram for a longer period of time using for example an  [[en:pysdr|pySDR]] programme. Make sure that you cannot see any changes in the intensity of signal that may indicate a presence of an intensive local interference
  - Check the local oscillator calibration with the nearest transmitter, see [[en:rmds&#lokalni_oscilator_prijimace|LO calibration]].
  - Check if the preamplifier is not damaged (it can manifest as LED flashing on the power module)

==== I cannot tune the local oscillator ====

- Check I²C cabling, which is used to control the local oscillator
  - Check if the GPS sees the satellites (e.g. using xgps utility) 
      * If the GPS sees them and has a fix, restart a frequency-guard
      * If the GPS does not have a fix, check its antenna and its coaxial cable. 
  - Check the connectors on both sides of wires connected to [[http://wiki.mlab.cz/doku.php?id=cs:clkgen|CLKGEN]] module
  - Replace the GPS antenna
  - Use shorter cable with GPS antenna

==== Where can I find more detailed documentation ====

* More detail documentation to stations can be found on MLAB brick system server under [[http://wiki.mlab.cz/doku.php?id=en:rmds|Radio Meteor Detection station]].

==== I see some weird images on waterfall, what is it?  ====

Most probably it is some kind of interference. You can try to find an answer in our [[en:noise_interference|interference gallery]].

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