Quick Start Guide for operating 2640

This quick start guide will give you instructions to setup the basic parameters on the 2640 to get a quick field strength reading quickly.  The setup parameters that will be covered are the following:

Note:  This guide assumes the user has already reviewed the Instrument Overview chapter in the instruction manual.

1. Function setup
2. Center frequency setup
3. Span setup
4. Level setup

Before proceeding, press the POWER button to turn on the instrument.  It will take a few seconds for the meter to boot up.  Once it begins to display a graph screen with lots of indicators, proceed to the following instructions to get started.

Function Setup

This is one of the most important parameter to setup, because it determines how the meter will behave.  The function setup allows you to choose between AM, SSB, Wide FM, and Narrow FM.  The selected function is indicated by an icon indicated at the very top of the display.  It will say: AM, SSB, W-FM, N-FM accordingly.  To set this, follow the steps below:

1. Press the "Mode MHz" blue button at the top of the keypad.
2. Each time this is press, the icon indicator at the top will change.
3. Keep pressing until you see one that's suitable for your test.  For example, if you want to measure AM, push the "Mode MHz" button until the AM indicator is displayed.

Center Frequency Setup

This parameter is the frequency that you want to see from the meter at the very center of the graph.  First, determine what type of frequency or range of frequencies you'd like to see.  Then, enter it as the center frequency.  The center frequency is indicated in large numbers right above the graph display.  To its left, it has the label "CENT" with a right arrow next to it.  This is the currently displayed center frequency.  To set/change this, do the following:

1. While the instrument is still showing "CENT" label, type in the numeric value of the frequency you want to see.  In this example, lets set it to 1800 MHz.
2. Type 1800 using the numeric keypad.  Then, press "MODE MHz" button for MHz as the unit.  You will notice your numeric entry at the top of the display as you type.
3. After pressing the unit, in this case MHz, the center frequency is set to 1800 MHz.
4. Similarly, if you want to set the unit in GHz, use the "Run GHz" button in place of the "MODE MHz" button.  For kHz, use "Sweep kHz" button.
5. Now, at the very center of the graph display, there is a marker above that indicates "C".  This marks your center frequency, which is 1800 MHz.

Span Setup

The span defines the range of frequencies that will be displayed on the graph, from the very left to the very right side of the display.  It is important because it will determine the span of frequencies that you will be seeing from your input.  The limitations of the span range and resolution are defined in the specification.  To change this, follow the below steps:

1. Suppose we want to set the span to 10 MHz, and assume our center frequency is set to 1800 MHz from the above example and operating in Wide FM mode.  This means that the display will show the spectrum within the frequency range of 1795 MHz to 1805 MHz, since our span is 10 MHz.  1795 MHz will be showing at the very left, and 1805 MHz will be showing at the very right of the graph.
2. To set span to 10 MHz, first check to make sure you are not in any parameter adjustment modes.  (The screen should look similar to when you first power up the instrument).
3. Press "Shift" and "2" button to get the secondary function of "2", labeled "SPAN".  Notice the top center frequency indicator will change from "CENT" to "SPAN".
4. Right now, you are prompted to enter the span value.  Type "1" "0" for 10, and then press "Mode MHz" for MHz unit.
5. Immediately, the display indicator at the top will change back to showing your center frequency with "CENT" indicator and the frequency next to it showing 1800.00000 MHz.
6. You can see that the "SPAN" has changed as it is indicated at the bottom of the graph display, where it says "SPAN: 10.00000 MHz".

Level Setup

The level defines the top level of the graph display.  By default, it is set to -55 dBm.  Thus, the graph is marked at the top from -55 dBm down to -105 dBm.  Users can change this level.  To do this, follow the below steps:

1. Suppose we want to change the level to -40 dBm.  First, press "Shift", and then "3" to choose the secondary function labeled "LEVEL".
2. The "CENT" indicator at the top will change to "RLEV", and the large numeric display will indicate -55 dBm.
3. To increase this value, press the UP arrow button.  It will increment in 5 dBm steps.  So press it 3 times until the large numeric display shows "-40 dBm".  Press "Enter".  If you want to decrease the value, press the DOWN arrow button instead.
4. Next, the "RLEV" indicator will change to "DIFF".  The default is "10 dBm".  This allows you to setup the scale of the levels.  "10 dBm" means the vertical grid lines are spaced 10 dBm apart.  For example, you will see -40 dBm, -50 dBm, -60 dBm, etc.  You can change this using the UP or DOWN arrow buttons.
5. After you made the selection, press "Enter".  The "DIFF" indicator will not change back to "CENT".  Your level parameter is now setup.