RF401

900-MHz Spread-Spectrum Radio

The RF401 Spread Spectrum Radio has a 910 to 918 MHz operating frequency range, which is allocated to the US and Canada. Spread spectrum radios spread the normally narrowband information signal over a relatively wide band of frequencies. This improves communication performance in locations where RF noise, pagers, cellular phones and multipath could cause interfence. The RF401 reduces susceptibility to RF interference from similar spread spectrum devices by providing user-selectable frequency hopping patterns.

The RF401 spread spectrum radio modem supports point-to-point and point-to-multipoint datalogger communications. It can serve as a field modem/radio while connected to the datalogger or as a base station modem/radio when connected to a computer. The RF401 modem can also be used for general purpose wireless data communications.


Features

  • Replaces our RF400 Spread Spectrum Radio
  • Rugged, low-cost transceivers
  • 100 mW, 910 to 918 MHz frequency
  • Frequency-hops over 25 channels
  • An individual FCC license not required
  • Can be used in the field as a transceiver or in the office as the base station
  • Power provided by datalogger, PS100/A100 combination, or CH100/12Vdc battery, depending upon application
  • Transmits up to one mile with omni-directional antenna; up to 10 miles with higher gain directional antennas
  • Designed for use in PakBus networks
  • Settings stored in non-volatile memory
  • Optional extended temperature testing

Specifications

  • Operating Frequency: 910 to 918 MHz
  • Type: Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Transceiver
  • I/O Data Rate: 38.4 K, 19.2 K, 9600, 4800, or 1200 bps
  • Channel Capacity: 65,000 Network Identifiers share 25 hop channels
  • Frequency Hopping Patterns: Six different selectable patterns
  • Receiver Sensitivity: -110 dBm at 10-4 bit error rate (Campbell Scientific protocols will issue retries wherever a bit error occurs)
  • Interference Rejection: 70 dB at pager and cellular phone frequencies
  • Transmitter Power Output: 100 mW nominal
  • Antenna Connector: Reverse polarity SMA
  • FCC ID: OUR9XTREAM
  • Power: 9 to 16 Vdc
  • Average Current Drain
    • Stand-by: <1 mA (power-saving options used)
    • Receiving: 24 mA
    • Transmitting: <75 mA
  • LEDs: Power on, TX, RX, diagnostics
  • RS-232 Connector: 9-pin “D” Female (4 wire: Tx, Rx, CTS, GND)
  • CS I/O Connector: 9-pin “D” Male (newer dataloggers provide power to the radio on this connector. Dataloggers purchased before December 1997 require the #14291 Field Power Cable.)
  • Power Connector: Barrel plug, center positive 12 V; used to connect the 14291 Field Power Cable