Stereo Receiver User Manual
Adjustments 
Attenuator: Decrease signal strength (output dBmV) of modulator. 
Stereo Loop: Used to pass stereo to TV on non-stereo modulator. 
75Ω position is normal, 1KΩ position if using stereo loop. 
Video Level Adjustment: Adjust the incoming video source base 
band level. Use only to increase brightness and balance the 
channels for consistent contrast. Spectrum analyzer use is 
suggested. 
Channel Select: Used to select the input source (A, B or C), you 
wish to change. Also has a lockout feature to prevent the end user 
from changing channels. Press and hold for 2 seconds or until 
front light blinks to allow channel up/down to work. 
Channel Up/Down: Changes the modulated channel. 
DIP Switch Setting: Selection of TV frequency band.  
  UHF = Antenna, Ultra = Cable. 
System Installation Checklist 
1.  Try for 10dB of signal strength at each television. Use a little 
more for big screen TV's. Remember, Uncle Sam doesn't like 
more than 15.5dB of signal going into any TV. 
2.  When laying out your system, there will be approximately 5dB of 
signal loss per 100' of RG6. 
3.  Be sure ALL of your splitters and amplifiers are broadband. 
Splitters should be 5MHz to 1GHz, and amps should be 40MHz 
to 1GHz. 
4.  Check and make sure that all television are set up for the proper 
frequency spectrum (i.e. UHF or cable). 
5.  Make sure that the channels you want to modulate on have clean 
"snow". No lines or interference. 
6.  Use a low pass filter on every installation to clean up the 
frequencies the modulator will be assigned to and keep any 
potential interference out of the system. Model 3102, cleans up 
channel 80 and above. 
7.  Allow 1 to 2 channel spacing between modulated channels and 
"active" channels. 
8.  Always compensate for insertion loss with splitters and taps. 
There will always be a drop in antenna/cable signal strength 
when combining a modulator to an existing system (because of 
insertion loss with the combiner). 
9.  When combining an existing signal with a modulated signal, 
make sure to have equal signal strength at the point of the 
combiner so one signal does not degrade the other and cause beat 
frequencies. 
10. When possible, use the lowest frequencies available for the 
modulated channels. Lower channels (frequencies) have lower 
signal loss on the cable runs. 
11. When in doubt, run the signal a little high to the television and 
use an attenuator to lower the signal strength going into the TV. 
Attenuators may be combined (i.e. two -3dB attenuators will 
equal -6dB). 
12. Make sure to use a well shielded coax of either RG6 Quad or 
RG11 for RF distribution systems. 
13. Use RG59U Coax for composite/baseband video signals only. 
14. Combine the modulator into the video distribution system as far 
"up-stream" as possible. 
15. If the system needs to be amplified use the amplifier as far "up-
stream" as possible. 
Trouble Shooting 
Trouble shooting any system can make or break the entire 
installation. Here are the most common problems and solutions. 
After trying these solutions, call (800) 840-0288 for 24 hour 
technical assistance. Calls before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. pacific 
standard time will be returned by the technician on call. 
Stops Modulating : No Modulation 
Modulator requires proper ventilation for long life reliability and 
continued operation. Unplug unit, let it cool down, install in 
well ventilated area to continue operation. 
Snowy Picture : No Modulation 
This is a problem of the TV and the modulator not "talking" to each 
other. 
1.  Verify the modulator is set up for the proper TV channel band. 
If cable TV or antenna? If the unit uses dip switches to set the 
channel band, was the unit powered down during or after the 
switches were reset to the proper band? If the unit uses a 
jumper check for proper placement. 
2.  Verify the TV is set up on the proper TV channel band. Use 
"Air" for UHF channels or Cable for Ultraband channels . The 
TV will have an on screen set-up menu or a switch for this 
function. Also make sure the modulated channel isn't blocked 
out by auto-programming. To check for the TV being set to the 
wrong band, go to the equivalent channel on the other band (i.e. 
to check 65 cable try 14 UHF). Add 51 channels for antenna 
connection to cable channels. 
3.  Check TV manual to make sure TV works on channels above 
65. 
4.  Check all connections for a good connection. 
5.  Check splitters and amplifiers for 1GHz rating. 
6.  Try another TV, bypass all components and go directly into TV. 
Black Picture : No Modulation 
In this case, the TV and the modulator are "talking" to each other. 
The video signal is not being passed through the system. 
1.  Verify good connections to the modulator from the video source 
i.e. VCR. 
2.  Check video source (VCR, Sat Receiver etc.) by running the 
outputs directly into the video inputs on the TV. Verify video 
source is working. 
3.  Check for power at video source. 
4.  Disconnect modulator from system: 
  A) Picture goes to snow, problem is between video source and 
inputs on the modulator. 
  B) Picture stays black, hook up the modulator directly to a TV 
eliminating all the components of the system and check the 
picture. 
Grainy Local Channels : Good Modulated Picture 
1.  Disconnect the modulator from the system and connect the local 
channel feed directly to the distribution system and check TV picture 
quality. 
  A) If the picture quality is good the insertion loss of the 
combiner for the modulator is degrading the local channel 
signal. Use a CVT-15PIA to compensate for the insertion 
loss. 
  B) The other alternative is to use a 6dB tap as the combiner, put 
the local channel feed on the pass through port for a minimal 
loss of signal connect the modulator to the tap off port. 
  C) If the picture is still bad, check for a bad connection where 
leakage may occur or if the shielding braid is touching the 
center conductor. 
2.  Install model CVT-15PIA amplifier on the incoming cable 
before the combiner. See basic schematic. 
Grainy Modulated Channel : Good Picture on the Cable 
Channels 
1.  Disconnect cable channels from the system and check the 









