Wireless system troubleshooting tips

All wireless terminals not returning responses to audience polls or diagnostic program

1. Make sure Wireless Interface is plugged in and turned on, and the red power LED on the interface is glowing.
2. Check for solid connection of the serial cable between the interface and the computer, using the thumb-screws for secure attachments.
3. Turn off the interface, wait 5 seconds and turn it back on, then retest.
4. Check that the COM: port settings in the \windows\ars.ini file matches the port number the interface is connected to.
5. Replace the serial cable between the interface and the computer.
6. Replace the Wireless interface with a spare.
7. If a second serial port is available on the computer, switch the serial cable to that port and change the COM: port settings in the ars.ini file, then reboot the computer and retest the keypad system.
8. Replace the computer with a spare unit.

A single wireless terminal not returning response to audience polls or diagnostic program

1. If the LED on the keypad does not light or blinks rapidly when a button is pressed, change the 9V battery inside the keypad, then retest .
2. If the LED on the keypad blinks slowly (once every 2 seconds), try moving the keypad to another location in the audience, or closer to the interface.
3. Replace the keypad with a spare and return the failing pad to ARS for test and repair.

Erratic or intermittent failure of one or more keypads to return response to audience polls or diagnostic program

1. Make sure that only one interface is powered up on the same channel at one time. (Do NOT turn on a backup interface when it is not in use)
2. Turn off the interface, wait 5 seconds and turn it back on, then retest.
3. Replace the interface with a spare unit.

All keypads fail to transmit responses above a certain number

1. Turn off the interface, wait 5 seconds and turn it back on, then retest
2. Replace the interface with a spare unit

A keypad displays unexpected characters or patterns on the LCD display when a key is pressed.

1. Replace the keypad with a spare, and return the keypad for repair or replacement by ARS.
   

Reduced (less than 75') coverage for collection of responses

1. Check antenna connections to posts on the interface internal housing, to be sure that they are securely attached for both antenna sides.
2. Ensure that the long axis of the interface case (or external antenna unit) is facing in the general direction of the audience.
3. Elevate the interface or external antennas as far as possible above the plane of the distributed keypads.
4. On a soft case interface without external antenna extensions, make sure that the short wire antennas are attached to the right and left posts on the internal housing, and the longer wire is attached to the center post.

Note: Outdoor use of the Wireless Response System significantly reduces the range of the keypads. Antenna extensions should always be used in such cases.

Spurious responses collected from one or more terminals by audience polls or diagnostic program.

1. If wireless microphones or other radio equipment operating on unlicensed bands are in use in the neighborhood of the setup, check to see that the radio frequencies they use do not conflict with the Wireless Response System. The TX and RX numbers on the back of the keypads list the frequencies they use to transmit and receive data. Many wireless microphones can be adjusted to use different frequencies; however, the Wireless Response System cannot.
2. Move the interface away from short range interface sources such as LCD overhead panels, laptop and desktop computers, and video projectors.
3. Investigate the presence of other potential sources of heavy RF interference, including heavy electric motors such as those used in freight elevators and dimmers for lighting systems. RF interference is typically indicated by response data spontaneously appearing on the diagnostic map without any keys having been pressed.