This is a project I’ve been working on recently to help maintain my Quasar packs. I thought I’d document how to use it here. I’ll post separately on the inner workings. Full details will be available in time on https://github.com/Trikkitt/QTester
User Guide
The QTester unit performs two main functions, it can test cables for breaks or shorts, and can test infrared transmission and reception on Quasar / Q-Zar packs.
It is powered from a single USB C port at the back. It will work with simple USB power bricks or PowerDelivery capable power supplies. It only needs 5v at 1amp to function, so will operate from most power supplies or battery packs. To power on the unit connect it to a suitable power supply via the USB C port at the back, then press and hold the red power button for a couple of seconds until the front panel lights up. To power off you can either remove the power connection or press and hold the red power button again until the front panel flashes.
Cable Testing
To perform a cable test you simply need to connect a cable between the two ports. Either connect an RJ45 connector to each of the RJ45 sockets or connect a 6 pin molex to each of the 6 pin connectors. When a connection between the two is detected the front panel section that shows numbers 1 to 8 will illuminate in blue, it’ll pause for a moment perform a short swipe animation and then start testing the cable.
Cable testing runs continuously while a cable remains connected. If a numbered connection is good and remains good throughout the test it will light up green. If the cable is totally broken it will light up red. If it is intermittent it’ll flicker between red and pink as the connection is made and broken. If two wires appear to be shorted together it will flicker yellow while the short is detected.
When testing cables always ensure the cable is not connected to anything else before plugged it to the tester. You may damage the tester or the other device if you connect it to another device via the cable test port.
When you are happy the testing is complete simply unplug the cable and the test lights will go out. Cable testing mode works at any time except when the unit is the volume control or configuration menu.
Idle Mode
While in idle mode the heartbeat light will pulse on the software version of Quasar/Q-Zar it is targeting, while the IR RX and TX lights will not be illuminated. While in this mode if you use a Q phaser to shoot the unit it will respond with a good shot signal to the phaser. This allows a simple transmit / receive test to be completed, with the phaser making a dink sound and saying Good Shot.
You can also press the Energise button on the unit, this will cause it to transmit in many directions an energise signal for the currently selected game configuration. If you want to energise a different pre-set game configuration press the Game button until your desired game slot is selected, then press the energise button. The game button will update the LEDs on the front with different colours and letter illuminated, this allows you to identify the selected game easily without having to press the game button and cycle through all the games.
IR RX Testing
To enter this mode press the Mode button until the IR RX option is illuminated on the front panel. In this mode it will test the RX (Receive) of the pack. You can use the energise button in this mode to start the pack up. The best game mode for this is one with no defence shields, as per Slot 1 configuration.
On the top right corner of the unit are two fibreoptic cables, the right-most one is used for this mode. Note: you must calibrate this before using it the first time. See IR RX Test Calibration.
Place the end of the fibreoptic cable connector over the receiver on the pack you wish to test. The pack should successfully receive a shot signal and lose a life. Repeat this at different distances to verify it is working at a distance you expect. Repeat this across all receivers on a pack to confirm they all work and are sensitive enough.
IR RX Test Calibration
Before you use the IR RX testing you should complete this calibration procedure. Get a small crosshead screwdriver and turn both the Course and Fine controls to max. Energise a known high quality pack on game mode slot 1. Point and hold the fibreoptic cable connector pointed square on to a receive sensor on the front pack and confirm the pack gets hit. Now keep this in exactly the same position while slowly turning down the course control until it stops hitting the pack. Then slowly reverse the direction until it the pack starts getting hit again. Then use the fine control and repeat this process, turning it down until it stops hitting the pack the back up very slowly until it resumes hitting the pack. Your IR RX Test is now calibrated. You may need to revisit this process from time to time especially if you transport the tester or put it through significant temperature changes.
IR TX Testing
To enter this mode press the Mode button until the IR TX option is illuminated on the front panel. In this mode it will test the TX (transmit) of the pack. You can use the energise button in this mode to start the pack up. The best game mode for this is one with no defence shields, as per Slot 1 configuration.
On the top right of the unit are two fibreoptic cables, the left-most one is used for this mode. Point the end of the fibreoptic cable connector at a transmitter on the pack. The unit will be constantly blasting shot signals out across the room you are in. If the fibreoptic cable picks up a Good Shot response from the pack then a white light will illuminate on the front panel right the right of the IR test mode indicator and it will say “Confirmed”. Move the fibreoptic cable around to each transmitter and confirm you have successfully received the a response from each transmitter. Be careful to only point the fibreoptic connector directly square on to the transmitter or you can get a reflected signal from a different transmitter.
As this mode constantly sends shot signals, it is best to return to idle mode when you have finished testing a pack.
Volume Control
The Vol button when pressed will enter volume control mode. Use the + and – buttons to raise or lower the volume as you desire. You can either wait a few seconds to return to whichever mode you were in, or press the Vol button again.
If you press and hold the Vol button you will toggle Mute mode. When mute is engaged there will be no sound and a row of red LEDs will illuminate in the centre of the front panel for a few seconds. You can toggle mute mode simply by pressing and holding the vol button for a few seconds.
Be aware that changing the volume affects all aspects of the unit. If you mute the unit and then enter the configuration menu, you will not know where in the menu you are!
Configuration Menu
To access the configuration menu simply press and hold the Menu button. After a couple of seconds it’ll say Configuration menu.
To cycle through the options in the menu press the menu button. Each time you press it you’ll move on to the next menu item. When you find the menu item you want press the Set button. If at any time you want to escape the item you selected press the Menu button. If you want to completely exit the configuration menu press and hold the Menu button.
Configuration – CPU Firmware
When you select this option it will say the current firmware version the unit is targeting. Press the + and – keys to move between versions. When you reach the version you wish to use press the Set button and it will update the unit mode.
The selected version affects the format of the energise signal transmitted, the ability to learn new game formats, and the options offered within the game configuration menu item.
Configuration – Learn Game Mode
It will first ask you to select an available game slot. There are a total of 10 game configuration slots available. Use the + and – keys to select the slot you’d like to use, you will hear each slot number being announced and the Game A/B lights will illuminate with the selected slot’s colour combination, then press the Set button.
It will then say it is waiting for game configuration. You can either present the unit to an energiser and it will download as a pack would to obtain the game format from the energiser, or you can point a minigiser or learning remote that is already programmed with the game format you desire.
Formats that are learnt are stored in a CPU version agnostic format. If you change the target CPU version the format will be translated as best it can into the new format. Not all game options can be applied to all CPU versons.
Once it has successfully received the format it will confirm it has been saved and return to the configuration menu.
Configuration – Setup Game Mode
In this mode you can manually create a new game format. It works exactly the same as the Learn Game Mode, but instead of sending the game settings via Infrared you pick the options using the buttons on the unit. Use the + and – buttons to cycle through the possible values of an option, once you have found your desired value press the Set button.
Some modes for example Battlefield or Shutdown will not prompt for anything further. Some game options will only be asked if relevant, for example if you do not enable kill-bonus or HQ hit-bonus then it will not ask you for the bonus shots per second.
This is a one-way process. If you want to go back and change a game option you will have to erase the game and start the setup again.
Configuration – Describe Game Mode
In this mode you will be asked to select one of the configured game mode slots. Use the + and – buttons to cycle through the slots that contain a game mode. When you have found the game mode you wish to learn the settings of press the Set button. The game configuration will then be spoken.
Configuration – Erase Game Mode
In this mode you will be asked to select one of the configured game mode slots. Use the + and – buttons to cycle through the slots that contain a game mode. When you have found the game mode you wish to erase press the Set button, and the game will be removed freeing up the slot to be used by a different game format.
Note that you cannot erase Slot 1, this game format is fixed and cannot be changed. If you erase the current default game format, the default will automatically be reset to slot 1.
Configuration – Set Default Game
In this mode you will be asked to select one of the configured game mode slots to use as the default game mode on power-up. Normally slot 1 is ideally suited as it represents the best mode for testing a pack.
When the slot you wish to use as your default is selected press the Set button to save the selection.
Configuration – Heartbeat Flash
You might find the heartbeat light distracting, so this allows you to turn the pulsing heartbeat light in to a solid light. Just use the + and – buttons to cycle between enabled and disabled. Once selected press the Set button to store your selection.
Configuration – Heartbeat Colour
The default heartbeat colour is red. If you’d prefer a different colour then use the + and – buttons to cycle through a variety of different colours. Use the Set button to store your selected colour.
Configuration – Exit Menu
Just press the Set button to exit the menu when this is selected. You can always press and hold the Menu button to exit the configuration menu at any time.
Side Mounts
On each side of the unit are a threaded insert. You can use these to mount the unit somewhere secure. Always use both inserts to mount the unit, if you only use one you are likely to stress and break the unit. Two brackets are included for you to mount the unit to a desk or workbench.
Fibreoptic Replacements
If your fibre optic cables become damaged or too loose then they can be replaced. These are normal low cost Toslink cables. There is a small securing screw on the rear of the vertical black holder, remove this and then pull the cable straight up. Secure the new one with the retaining screw.
Cable Test Extenders
It is difficult to test cable still attached to the pack with this tester. To get around this issue there are two extender PCBs included. These have two 6 pin molex-style connectors on them. Get two made-up front to back cables, connect one end to the test unit and the other end to the extender. The extenders can then be placed one at each end of the cable to be tested. Avoid touching the metal pins of the extenders, while there is some limited protection it cannot withstand static discharge. Always make sure both ends of the cable are unplugged from the pack before you connect either end to the tester.
Advanced!
All the audit is located on a MicroSD card within the unit. You are free to change the content of the memory card as you wish. Files are numbered and you must retain this exact numbering and file order. It is recommended that you copy the content of the memory card to a safe location. When you wish to reload the memory card with new sounds first format the memory card to make it blank, then copy all the files across in one batch.
For reference files numbered 40 to 49 are “Slot 1” through to “Slot 10”. If you wish to give you game slots more descriptive titles then replace these files with content of your choice.