TECHNICAL MANUAL

ULTRASONIC TEST SET

MODEL 42A12D

JUNE 15, 1998

REV 00

SEACOM DIVISION

DUKANE CORPORATION ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS 60174 PHONE: 630/584-2300 FAX: 630/584-5154
DOCUMENT NO. 03-TM-0038 1998 DUKANE CORPORATION 199806-08SC

Table Of Contents
SECTION
I General Information.......................................................................................................
1.1. Introduction....................................................................................................
1.1.1. General.............................................................................................
1.1.2. Symbols and Abbreviations...........................................................
1.2. General Description........................................................................................
1.2.1. Function...........................................................................................
1.2.2. Specifications...................................................................................
1.2.3. Block Diagram.................................................................................
1.3. Auxiliary Connections and Uses....................................................................
1.3.1. Audio Output....................................................................................

PAGE
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2

II Operation.....................................................................................................................
2.1. Operation........................................................................................................

3
3

III Maintenance...............................................................................................................
3.1. Battery Life.....................................................................................................
3.2. Battery Replacement.......................................................................................
3.3. Test Set Tuning..............................................................................................
3.3.1. Test Equipment..............................................................................
3.3.2. Tuning............................................................................................
3.3.3. Adjusting Frequency Range...........................................................
3.4. Test Set Schematic Diagram.........................................................................
3.5. Maintenance and Replacement Parts.............................................................

4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5

Figures
Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.2.
Figure 3.1
Figure 3.2.

Ultrasonic Test Set Model 42A12D.........................................................

Test Set Block Diagram............................................................................
Tuning Components.................................................................................
Schematic Ultrasonic Test Set Model 42A12D.......................................

1
2
4
5

Tables
Table 1.1.

Specifications 42A12D Ultrasonic Test Set..............................................

03-TM-0038 REV 00 PAGE i of i

SECTION I
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. INTRODUCTION

1.2.2. SPECIFICATIONS. The specifications for the

42A12D are given in Table 1.1.

1.1.1. GENERAL. This manual contains the description,

operation and maintenance of the 42A12D Ultrasonic Test
Set manufactured by Dukane Corporation, Seacom Division,
2900 Dukane Drive, St. Charles, Illinois 60174. See Figure
1.1.
1.1.2. SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS. All symbols
and abbreviations used in this manual are in accordance with
the ANSI Y14.15 and MIL-STD-12, respectively.
1.2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1.2.1. FUNCTION. The 42A12D is a battery operated heterodyne type receiver tunable over the ultrasonic frequency
range of 30 to 45 kHz. The test set was designed primarily
as a self-contained, hand-held functional tester for testing
underwater acoustic beacons. Utilizing the internal microphone and loudspeaker, the Test Set can perform an operational test on a beacon without removing the beacon from its
mount on the aircraft.

TABLE 1.1. SPECIFICATIONS 42A12D

ULTRASONIC TEST SET
Size.......................................3.0" (7.62 cm) x 4.5"
(11.43 cm) x 2.25" (5.72 cm)
Weight...............................13 ounces (368 grams)
Tuning Range....................................30 to 45 kHz
Battery*................................................9V (Qty 1)
Gain.................................87 dB min. at 37.5 k Hz
Noise.............................Less than one mW across
10 ohm load
Undistorted Output........................... 250 mW into
.
10 ohm load
Microphone Sensitivity.................-150dB re 1uPa
Battery Life......................................30 to 40 hours
Audio Output Jack........................Switchcraft type
43A, permits operation
into headphones, oscilloscope,
etc. in place of internal
loudspeaker (impedance
10 ohm nominal)
* NEDA Type 1604A.

Figure 1.1. Ultrasonic Test Set Model 42A12D.

03-TM-0038 REV 00 PAGE 1 of 5

Figure 1.2. Test Set Block Diagram.

1.2.3. BLOCK DIAGRAM. Figure 1.2. is a block diagram
and Figure 3.1. is the schematic diagram of the test set. The
microphone detects a beacon signal which is amplified and
fed into the mixer. The tunable oscillator frequency is also
fed into the mixer. When tuned above or below the incoming signal, the difference frequency is the resultant output
from the mixer, and will be in the audio range when the difference is within 1000 to 3000 Hz. When both frequencies
are the same, the difference frequency is zero, hence no output from the mixer. The signals coming out of the mixer are
amplified by the audio amplifier, where most of the gain of
the test set is provided.

1.3.1 AUDIO OUTPUT.

1.3. AUXILIARY CONNECTIONS AND USES
A. The test set AUDIO OUTPUT jack circuit is designed to
work into a load impedance of approximately 10 ohms
which is ideal for attachment of low impedance head phones.
Operation into higher impedance such as oscilloscopes, meters, chart recorders or other types of readout equipment is
permissible. No DC potential is present on the AUDIO
OUTPUT jack.
CAUTION
A SHORT ACROSS THE AUDIO OUTPUT
JACK MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TEST
SET CIRCUITRY.
CAUTION
TEST SET IS NOT WATER-PROOF OR
SPLASH
PROOF.
SOME
FORM
OF
PROTECTION SHOULD BE PRO-VIDED
WHERE SPLASH CONDITIONS EXIST.

03-TM-0038 REV 00 PAGE 2 OF 5

SECTION II
OPERATION
2.1. OPERATION
A. Turn the GAIN control to a fully clockwise position. A
pronounced background noise should be present. Lack of
noise may indicate a dead battery. Should this occur, replace
battery before resuming operational testing. See Maintenance Section 3.2.
B. Set the TUNING control to approximately midscale.
Rubbing fingers in front of microphone should produce a
rushing noise from speaker.
C. Actuate a beacon under test by immersing the water
switch in tap water, or by shorting the water switch terminal
to the case by means of a shorting tab. The beacon need not
be removed from its mount on the aircraft to perform operational testing.
D. Set the GAIN control at a comfortable listening level.

E. Point the microphone of the Test Set towards the water

switch end of the Beacon for best results. If the Beacon is
mounted, position the Test Set for maximum unobstructed
signal. Beacon operation will be indicated by an audible
pulsing tone.
F. The tuning control permits reception of an acoustic signal
operating anywhere within the 30 to 45 kHz frequency
range. The audio response is peaked at about 3200 Hz;
therefore, the test set should be tuned to produce an output
signal of approximately this frequency to achieve greatest
sensitivity.
CAUTION
TO CONSERVE BATTERY LIFE, GAIN
CONTROL SHOULD BE SET TO OFF
POSITION WHEN TEST SET IS NOT IN
ACTUAL USE.

03-TM-0038 REV 00 PAGE 3 of 5

SECTION III
MAINTENANCE
3.1. BATTERY LIFE
With intermittent usage, battery operating life will be approximately 30 to 40 hours depending on the type of and
manufacturer of the battery. In any event, battery should be
replaced when its load voltage has dropped to 7 volts (Test
Set turned ON and GAIN control set to minimum).
3.2. BATTERY REPLACEMENT

3.3.2. TUNING A. Turn the GAIN control to OFF, loosen

the screw on the back of the case and remove the test set
from the housing. Disconnect the battery snap and remove
battery. Place test set GAIN control side up on the insulated side of test plate. Pre-set power supply to 9V DC.
B.. Connect the audio oscillator to the wiper and ground
leads of the gain pot.

Any 9-volt battery may be used, but longer service will be

obtained by the use of premium batteries such as NEDA
Type 1604A. The battery is accessible in the Test Set by
removing the single screw on the bottom of the case and
dropping out the chassis. A snap type connector facilitates
change of battery and prevents reversal of polarity, but for
additional safety, always turn GAIN control knob to OFF
position before making battery change.
3.3. TEST SET TUNING
The following test equipment and procedures should be followed to tune and adjust the frequency range of the 42A12D
Test Set.
3.3.1. TEST EQUIPMENT A. Test Oscillator which is
accurate at 30 kHz, 37.5 kHz and 45 kHz and provides several volts output.
B. Output monitor and VTVM.
C. Regulated current limiting power supply capable of 9V
and 200 mA output current.
D. Necessary interconnecting cables to connect input, output and power to test set.
D. Work surface with insulated electrostatic shield plate
(see Figure 3.2.) connected to common (battery negative
terminal) of equipment.

Figure 3.1. Tuning Components.

C. Set the Audio Oscillator to 37.5 kHz, with an output of
35 mvrms.
D. Monitoring the Audio Output Jack, adjust the TUNING
knob for peak signal at either the upper or lower peak. With
the GAIN pot at MAX, at least 1.5 Vrms should be observed
E. Tune the slug of T1 for peak signal output. The response
will be very subtle. Locate adjustment T1 on Figure 3.3.
CAUTION
USE AN INSULATED TOOL TO MAKE THIS
ADJUSTMENT

03-TM-0038 REV 00 PAGE 4 OF 5

3.4. TEST SET SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM.

3.3.3. ADJUSTING FREQUENCY RANGE.

A. The frequency range for the Test Set is 30 to 45 kHz.
The audio output is tuned for approximately 3200 Hz.

Figure 3.2. is the schematic diagram for the 42A12D Ultrasonic Test Set.

B. Set the TUNING knob to the maximum frequency (45

kHz). Place an oscilloscope probe or frequency counter on
the output of the local oscillator circuit, pin 14 of U2. See
Figure 3.3.

3.5. MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT PARTS.

A. Tuning or Gain
1 control knob....................P/N 809-440-0004
B. GAIN control R13.......................P/N 601-315
C. TUNING control R23..................P/N 601-372
D. Battery.............................NEDA Type 1604A

C. Monitoring the frequency, adjust R16 for the maximum

L.O., approximately 42 kHz or as high as possible.
D. Set the TUNING to the minimum frequency (30 kHz).
E. Tune R22 for the minimum L.O., approximately 27 kHz.
F. Repeat steps C through E as many times as necessary
until both ends are tuned.

BT1
9V

R13
10K
SW
1
SWPOW
ER

C1
68

R1
33. 2K

R7
15K
C3

Q2
2N5088

D2
1N4005 T1

Q1
2N5088
R3
3. 16K

Y1
TRANSDUCER
D1
1N4005

1408

R29
75K
R9
68. 1K

R6
221K

. 01

R8
100K

Q3
2N5086

C6
. 01

C15
. 01

C2
. 01

R4
3. 32K

L2
2. 7MH

T2

C7
.1

J2
AUDI O OUTPUT

5
3
C8
22

R18
120

C9
. 047

R31 R32
10 10

C14
LM386M
. 02

C13
68

C4
22

R20
10

LS1
SPEAKER

R28
7. 15K

D4
1N4454
R24
2. 00K

C5
560pF
R14
511K
R15
511K

C12
330

8U?

6 1

D3
1N4454

C16
.1

C18
68

C11
10

R19
75K

R11
6. 8

R10
47. 5K

C10
68

R30
2. 7

1408

Q4
2N5088

R12
4. 75K
R2
150

R17
750

L1
2. 7MH

R5
68. 1K

3
2

4
1
1

U2A
1
LF444

C17
470pF
R22
10K

6
5

1
1

U2B

7
LF444

R26
56. 2K
R25
56. 2K

9
10

1
1

U2C

8
LF444

R27

13
12

22. 6K
1
1
U2D
14
LF444
4

R21
47. 5K
R16
50K

R23
100K

NOTES:

UNLESS OTHERW
I SE SPECI FI ED;
1. ALL RESI STORS ARE I N OHMS, K=1, 000,
M=1, 000, 000, 1/ 3 W
ATT +/ - 1%.
2. CAPACI TORS ARE I N MICROFARADS.

Figure 3.2 Schematic Ultrasonic Test Set Model 42A12D

03-TM-0038 REV 00 PAGE 5 of 5