WorkHorse Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Last Updated: 1March1998

Details: This file contains our answers to the most Frequently Asked 
Questions for the WH ADCP.

How to Update to latest version: To download a;l of the latest FAQ Questions
click on the download button.  Once downloaded double click on the 
file and the self-extracting file will open allowing access to
the text file FAQ-WH.TXT.

Next Scheduled Update:  Regular updates will occur.  Updates will be 
posted as part of the Last Updated date at the top of this file.

Send all questions to the Customer Service Department.

EMAIL Address: rdifs@rdinstruments.com

Current List of FAQs:
1.  What are Battery-Saver and Deployment-Saver modes?
2.  Does the ping beeper drain the batteries?
3.  Can I disable the ping beeper? (REVISED 01NOV97)
4.  Can I control the interval between pings myself?
5.  Why do Sentinels need degaussed batteries?
6.  How close can I put an external battery case to the compass?
7.  What do I need to calibrate the compass?
8.  Can the Workhorse output beam-coordinate data?
9.  What is the difference between Workhorse binary data and
    Broadband binary data?
10. Can I use Broadband software on a Workhorse or vice versa?
11. Does Workhorse software work in Windows 95?
12. What memory cards work in the Workhorse?
13. Can I put memory cards in a Workhorse Monitor?
14. When using PLAN (or WHPLAN) to set up for a deployment, I
    find that I do not have access to all commands. How can I
    enter some special commands that I need for my deployment?
15. Can I connect an external battery pack without modifying the
    Workhorse?
16. Can I use antifouling paint?
17. Is the Workhorse as susceptible to barnacles as earlier
    ADCPs?
18. What happens if two ADCPs are placed back-to-back, one
    looking up and one looking down; will they interfere with
    each another?
19. Can I use the ADCP's backscatter data to find the sea
    surface?
20. How tight should I fasten the transducer head bolts and the
    end-cap bolts on the Workhorse and DR/SC-BBADCP systems?
21. Does RDI have any programs that run in a Windows environment?
22. What is the accuracy of the heading, pitch, and roll sensors
    installed in Workhorse ADCPs?
23. When installing RDI software, why do I get the error message
    "Not enough environment space"?
24. What are the internal ADCP thresholds that exclude informa-
    tion from the Workhorse Monitor and Sentinel data output
    streams?
25. How do I change the baud rate in a Workhorse ADCP?
26. Can I calculate Absolute Backscatter using the Workhorse?
27. How can I test a system for interference with another sensor?
28. When I use the Workhorse DEPLOY batch file it says, "ADCP is
    now pinging," but I entered a FIRST PING DATE and TIME, and
    the ADCP should not start pinging until that time is reached.
    Is my Workhorse ADCP actually pinging?
29. Do you have any information on using backscatter as a measure
    of turbidity?
30. Can I use TRANSECT with my Workhorse ADCP? If so, how?
31. I collect data in an area where salinity is more than 40 ppt.
    This exceeds the WHADCP limit. This will affect the speed of
    sound calculation. How do I compensate?
32. What is "ringing," and what do I do about it?
33. Regarding battery capacities, what are the lower operating
    voltage limits at which the ADCP will operate satisfactorily?
34. How can I do a manual unconditional data dump of my WHADCP
    recorder board?
35. How can I do a manual data dump of a specific file on my
    WHADCP recorder board?
36. Can you give some recommendations for the Depth Cell Size and
    Blank After Transmit settings for workhorse systems?
37. What is the typical battery capacity for a fresh Workhorse
    battery pack?
38. In TRANSECT, the menus display "garbage" characters. What can
    I do?