Initial Commit - Copy from Altus Metrum AltOS

doc/telelaunch-troubleshooting.inc

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+[appendix]
+== Troubleshooting
+
+	=== TeleFire Fails to Arm
+
+		If turning the TeleLCO key switch from "SAFE" to "ARM" does
+		not cause the selected TeleFire box to start flashing and
+		sounding its siren, the most likely cause is that the 
+		TeleFire box was left with the local safe/arm switch in the
+		safe position.  The Remote Arm LED on TeleLCO shows the state
+		of the safe/arm switch on the currently selected TeleFire box
+		and can be used to confirm this situation.
+
+		Note that in a cross-bank drag race configuration, any TeleFire
+		boxes involved in the drag race that are fully armed will
+		launch, while any TeleFire boxes involved in the drag race
+		that are not fully armed will not launch.  Pay attention to
+		make sure all involved TeleFire boxes are flashing their
+		strobe lights and sounding their sirens before launch to
+		ensure all desired rockets will actually participate in such
+		a drag race.
+
+	=== Radio Signal Strength
+
+		Each unit in the TeleLaunch system has a debugging feature
+		that can be used to view the actual received radio signal 
+		strength of each packet.  To use this feature, connect to the
+		desired unit (TeleLCO is probably the most useful place to
+		start) with a laptop and terminal program as explained in the
+		configuration section of the manual.  Then, you can enable
+		debug tracing using 'D 1' command.
+
+		Debug mode is fairly chatty, but each time the TeleLCO unit
+		queries the currently selected TeleFire unit for igniter
+		status, the return packet will print out the RSSI value.
+		RSSI is "received signal strength indicated" and is expressed
+		in decibel units relative to a milliwatt, or "dBm".  
+
+		Observing the RSSI is a great way to compare antennas, antenna
+		mounting arrangements, and so forth with more granularity than
+		provided by the red/amber/green operational LED indicators.
+
+		The system is good down to below -100dBm, and it takes about 
+		6dB to double the range.  So a reading of -80dBm means that you
+		could extend the distance between the units by a factor of
+		10 before losing the link.  Note, however, that real world
+		range is affected by terrain, vegetation, etc.  And you really
+		don't ever want to be operating close to the minimum signal
+		threshold!  Keep the RF signal indicators green with good
+		antenna choices and installations for maximum satisfaction.