Specifications

October 8, 2003 Networking Alpha Signs (9700-0112C)
56 Appendix
Appendix F—Alternate sign connections
There are ways to connect signs other than the standard PC-to-sign and sign-to-sign configurations.
NOTE: Be aware that, on some signs, an internal jumper must be set to either RS232 or RS485 depending on
the cabling the sign is using. See “Appendix D—Setting the RS232/RS485 jumper” on page 53. Also,
some signs may need to be terminated depending upon which type of network and the number of
signs you are using. See “Appendix B—End-of-line termination” on page 50 for additional
information.
Multiple signs without a PC
Use this setup when you want to connect multiple signs without using a PC. In this situation, an infrared
Remote Control keyboard or an infrared Message Loader, instead of a PC, is used to send messages to a sign. See
“Appendix A—Related documentation” on page 49 for more information on these items.
Although this configuration is not as flexible or as powerful as using a PC to send and schedule messages, the
Remote Control or Message Loader is adequate for sending a limited number of messages to a group of signs.
Item Part # Description
A 1088-9107
End-of-line (EOL) terminator (Must be plugged into the RS232 or
TTL plug on the first and the last sign.)
B — Ferrite (ferrite end towards sign)
C
1088-8624 8-foot RS485 cable
1088-8636 1-foot RS485 cable
D 4331-0602 Modular Network Adapter
E
1088-8002 1000-foot RS485 shielded plenum cable
7122-0283 100-foot RS485 shielded plenum cable
7122-0284 100-foot RS485 outdoor-rated shielded plenum cable
F 1072-1111 Infrared Remote Control keyboard
G 1071-1113 IR Message Loader
NOTE:Be sure to verify whether a jumper needs to be set on the sign you are using. See
“Appendix D—Setting the RS232/RS485 jumper” on page 53.
Alpha sign
Y
Z
S
T
U
VW
X
M
NPQ
R
O
G
H
IJ
K
L
A
B
CDE
F
12
3
4
5
6
7
890
AUTO SPEED
TIME DOT
ROLL WIPE
SCROLL FLASH HOLD ROTATE
APPEND CURSOR
SPECIAL FONT WIDTH
COLOR
ON - OFF
SOUND
INSERT BACK ADV DELETE
#
¢
$
%&
*
<>
=
/
+
-
;
:
”’
,
.
?
!
PROGRAM
RUN
SELECT
SPACE
RETURN
SHIFT CAPS
SHIFT
DATA VALID
123
MEMORY LOCATION
DATA BAT.LOW
TRANSMIT
MESSAGE
LOADER
A
To use a Remote Control or an IR
Message Loader, point it at a sign’s
infrared receiver window.
Information on how messages are
sent from one to sign another can be found in the
manuals for the Remote Control and IR Message
loader. See “Appendix A—Related documentation” on
page 49.
A
To sign’s RS485 port
NOTE: To use a Personal Priority Display
at the end of a network of signs,
see “Appendix B—End-of-line
termination” on page 50.
Alpha sign
Alpha sign
To sign’s RS485 port
To sign’s RS485 port
B
B
C
C
D
D
E
F
G