A LONG-RANGE, OVER-THE-AIR RADIO WAVEFORM ANALYZER
AFC Meter
AUTOMATIC FREQUENCY CONTROL (AFC) METER
Two-way radios can drift out of alignment over time, even when they appear to be operating normally. Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) can temporarily correct that drift, masking an underlying issue that could eventually lead to communication failure.
The DiagnostX AFC Meter reveals how much correction is taking place, giving agencies visibility into radios that may be at risk.
SEE WHAT THE AFC METER REVEALS
IDENTIFY FREQUENCY DRIFT BEFORE FAILURE
DiagnostX evaluates frequency stability to show how much Automatic Frequency Control is correcting a radio’s frequency error. As correction increases, the AFC Meter provides an early indication that a radio may be drifting out of alignment.
Results are displayed by Radio ID, allowing technicians to quickly identify which radios should be evaluated for service.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
Radios contain oscillator circuits that can drift over time. These oscillators are affected by factors like voltage, aging electronics, battery power, temperature, environment, and mounting conditions, leading to detuning, and communication degradation.
This is where Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) comes in; it temporarily controls and corrects the oscillator drift of a unit until the radio is turned ‘off’. AFC works within defined limits to compensate for frequency drift, which can temporarily mask the underlying condition as the radio continues to age and operate.
