Cooper Wiring Devices RFUSB RF USB Controller User Manual
Cooper Wiring Devices Inc RF USB Controller
User Manual
Cooper ThinkEssential User’s Manual
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Table of Contents
Glossary of Terms
Safety Precautions
Installing software
Plugging in the USB stick and installing drivers
Starting the software for the first time
Entering your license key
Selecting the location nearest you
Setting up your network of devices
Adding devices to the network
Removing devices from the network
Removing or replacing broken devices
Controlling devices
Drawing a basic floor plan
Drawing and erasing rooms
Renaming rooms
Preventing/allowing changes
Creating scenes and groups
Adding scenes and groups
Modifying scenes and groups
Removing scenes and groups
Setting up schedules
Adding or modifying schedules for a scene or group
Viewing or modifying all schedules
Additional Features
Joining a network
Receiving network updates
Adding a controller to the network
Resetting the USB stick
Troubleshooting
Online support and user community
Federal Communications Commission Statement
Specification Information
Warranty Information
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Glossary of Terms
Astronomic Function – Allows the software to follow sunrise or sunset times.
ThinkEssentials will automatically adjust schedules as daylight length increases or
decreases without the need to be reprogrammed.
Device – Any Aspire RF or Z-Wave module, controller, or software, or an item connected
to any module (for example, a lamp)
Group – Groups can include one or more devices in your network, allowing them to be
turned on or off with the press of a button—or based on a schedule.
Network – All Aspire RF or other Z-Wave devices controlled by the software or by remote
controllers operating in the same system. Each network has its own unique
identification code to ensure that no one else can accidentally control your system.
Scene — Scenes can include one or more devices in your network, allowing each of
them to be turned on or off or set to a different level with the press of a button--or
based on a schedule.
Schedule – A timer-based event in the software that will activate a scene or turn on/off
a group at a specified time of day, or at sunrise or sunset.
Primary Controller – The controller used to set up your devices or network. This can be a
tabletop or handheld remote controller or it can be software.
NOTE: Only the Primary Controller can be used to add or remove devices from a
network.
Secondary Controller – A controller containing network information about other devices
within the network, included into the network by the Primary Controller. Secondary
controllers cannot add or remove devices from the network.
Safety Precautions
The following safety precautions are designed for your safety and comfort. You should
follow all precautions and instructions.
The software is intended to be used in normal, household and limited commercial
circumstances and is expressly not intended for use, has not been tested for use, and
should not be used in applications where health or safety are dependent on the
accurate and timely functioning of the software or in circumstances where a
malfunction or error could result in the loss of valuable property.
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You should not use this software in conjunction with wireless devices or with items
connected to or powered by wireless devices which are not designed for unattended
operation.
Installing software
To install the software:
1. Insert the Aspire RF ThinkEssentials CD into your Windows 2000, XP, or newer
computer.
2. The installer program should run automatically. If it does not, please run
SETUP.EXE from the CD.
3. Follow the instructions provided by the installer program. Once complete, a
shortcut to the Aspire RF ThinkEssentials program will be placed in your Start
menu.
4. Install the drivers for the USB stick before running the software. The software
requires the USB stick to communicate with a Z-Wave network.
Plugging in the USB stick and installing drivers
To install the USB stick:
1. Plug the USB stick into the supplied USB extension cable, and then plug the USB
extension cable into an open USB port on your computer. Optionally, you may
plug the USB stick directly into your computer, although this may reduce RF
range.
2. Once you plug the USB stick into your computer, the Found New Hardware
Wizard (or equivalent) will appear on your screen. Choose the “Install the
software automatically (Recommended)” option and press Next.
3. A message may appear indicating that the drivers for the Cooper USB Z-Wave
Controller have not been signed. This is not a requirement for the USB stick. Press
“Continue Anyway”.
4. Once your USB stick and drivers have been installed, press Finish.
5. For best performance, place the USB stick in an open area away from walls or
other dense materials or metal.
Starting the software for the first time
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Once the software and USB stick have been installed, you can run Aspire RF
ThinkEssentials on your computer. When you run the software for the first time, you will
be presented with a few quick setup items.
Entering your license key
The license key for your software is printed on a sticker on the back of the CD jacket
accompanying its installation CD. When prompted for the license key, simply enter this
number or code and then press the “Activate” button.
Selecting the location nearest you
This copy of ThinkEssentials comes with a feature which enables you to activate scenes
or turn on or off groups at sunrise or sunset. This is called the astronomic function.
To enable ThinkEssentials to automatically adjust the sunrise and sunset time, simply
select your location during this step. Select your country first, then your state/province,
and then your city. If your city does not appear in this list, select the city nearest you
instead.
To change your location at any time, switch to the Advanced Settings tab in the
software and select the new location there.
NOTE: Sunrise and sunset times are based on your location as well as your time zone
and the current date and time. Please ensure that the correct date, time, and time
zone are selected in the Windows® “Date and Time Properties” (accessible via the
Control Panel).
Setting up your network of devices
NOTE: Setting up your network refers to assigning devices to the USB stick’s network. All
devices must be assigned to the USB stick’s network before any programming or remote
control functions can be accomplished.
NOTE: Items (such as lamps) should be plugged into Aspire RF devices before adding
devices to the network. These items should be turned to the ON position.
Adding devices to the network
1. From the design pane, press the ADD DEVICE button. The software will ask you to
press the button on the device to add.
2. Press and release the PROGRAM button on the device. If successful, the
software will indicate that the device has been successfully added. If a failure is
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indicated instead, it will be necessary to repeat this step until the device is
successfully added.
3. Most devices will appear as icons in the ThinkEssentials software, typically near
the lower-right corner. You may move these icons around by clicking and
dragging them into open spaces or into rooms (see Drawing a basic floor plan,
page # # ).
Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each device you wish to add to the network.
NOTE: For your security, the USB stick must be within a few feet of the device to be able
to add it to your network. If this is not possible, please set up your network with a
portable remote controller and then copy this information to the USB stick (see Joining a
network, page # # ).
NOTE: To add a remote controller to the network, or to add any other device that does
not have a PROGRAM button, press the ADD DEVICE button and then put the device
into RECEIVE CONFIGURATION or REPLICATION RECEIVE mode.
NOTE: The process of adding a device to a Z-Wave network is often referred to as
INCLUSION.
Removing devices from the network
To remove a device from your network, follow the same procedure as Adding devices
to the network (see page # # ), but press the REMOVE DEVICE button instead of the ADD
DEVICE button.
NOTE: You can also reset devices from other networks using the REMOVE DEVICE button.
If the target device is part of another network, it will be reset instead of removed from
your network.
NOTE: The process of removing a device from a Z-Wave network is often referred to as
EXCLUSION.
Removing or replacing broken devices
If a device is broken or has been removed from your system:
1. Press-and-hold the left mouse button or right-click on the broken or missing
device’s icon.
2. To remove the device from the network, select the REMOVE BROKEN DEVICE
option.
3. To replace the device with another device, select the REPLACE BROKEN DEVICE
option. Then, follow steps 2 and 3 in the Adding devices to the network
procedure (see page # # ).
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NOTE: You should remove devices from the network, such as Christmas light plug-in
modules, before unplugging them for a period of time. For best results, this functionality
should only be used in case of actual device failure.
Controlling devices
To turn devices on or off, simply click on the icon of a device. Clicking repeatedly will
typically toggle the device on and off.
In the case of window shades, clicking on the device’s icon will typically open or close
the shade.
Advanced functionality for a device can be accessed by pressing-and-holding the left
mouse button while hovering over an icon or by right-clicking the icon. For example,
lamp modules and dimmable light switches pop up a dimmer bar.
NOTE: Many types of devices have not been invented yet or are not known to the
software, and may appear as question marks in the software interface. Additionally,
some devices will not react when their icons are clicked on. There may be a free
upgrade available online at http://www.controlthink.com which enables functionality
for more types of devices.
Drawing a basic floor plan
You may optionally draw a basic floor plan (room layout) in the software. This will allow
you to organize your devices by room or floor, position in the room, etc.
Drawing and erasing rooms
To draw a room, click the DRAW ROOMS button in the Design pane. This will enable
DRAW ROOMS mode. To exit this mode, click the DRAW ROOMS button again.
Once in this mode, you may draw one or more rooms. To draw a room:
• Move your mouse pointer to the location in the open center area of the software
interface where you would like to draw your room. This will be one corner of the
room.
• Press the left button on your mouse and then move your mouse diagonally to
where the opposite corner of the room should be.
• To complete the room, release the left mouse button.
• When prompted, type a name for the room.
To draw a non-rectangular room:
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• Draw the largest rectangular section of the room per the above instructions.
• To draw an additional segment of the room, press the left mouse button inside
the room and then move your mouse diagonally to an empty area outside of
the room.
• To complete the extension to the room, release the left mouse button.
• To erase unwanted sections of the room, use the ERASE mode (below).
To erase a room or rooms, or parts of a room or rooms, click the ERASE button in the
Design pane. This will enable ERASE mode. To exit this mode, click the ERASE button
again.
Once in this mode, you may erase part or all of one or more rooms. To erase:
• Move your mouse pointer to the location in the open center area of the software
interface where you would like to begin erasing. This will be one corner of your
erasing block.
• Press the left button on your mouse and then move your mouse over the area
you would like to erase.
• When you have finished selecting the area you would like to erase, release the
left mouse button.
To erase an entire room, you may also press-and-hold the left mouse button over that
room or right-click the room and then select REMOVE ROOM from the pop-up menu.
Renaming rooms
To rename an existing room, press-and-hold the left mouse button over the room or
right-click the room and then select RENAME ROOM from the pop-up menu.
Preventing/allowing changes
You may desire to lock your configuration to prevent accidental modifications or to
prevent others from adding or removing devices from the network.
If the lock icon in the corner of the software interface is accompanied by the text
CHANGES PREVENTED, you cannot add or remove devices, modify device or room
layouts, or modify scenes or groups.
If the lock icon is accompanied by the text CHANGES ALLOWED, you can add or
remove devices, modify device or room layouts, or modify scenes or groups.
To toggle between these two modes, simply click on the lock icon in the corner of the
software interface or its accompanying text.
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NOTE: Some options, such as ADD DEVICE and REMOVE DEVICE may still be unavailable
when changes are allowed if your USB stick is a Secondary Controller in the network.
Only Primary Controllers can add or remove devices to or from a network.
Creating scenes and groups
ThinkEssentials makes it easy to set up scenes and groups. These two features are very
similar but are uniquely powerful.
Scenes activate a certain set of devices together, with each device changing to its
own preset level. An example of this is “movie mode”, where the living room lights dim
to the OFF position, the living room blinds close, and the kitchen light turns on to 20% for
a bit of background light. Other popular scenes include “romantic”, “dinnertime”, etc.
Be creative!
Groups turn on or off a set of devices together. The devices do not change to preset
modes, but instead all of them turn on or off. This is very useful for turning on porch or
holiday lights or outdoor lighting at sunset, and turning them off again around midnight,
as one example.
Adding scenes and groups
To add a scene or group:
1. Click the ADD SCENE or ADD GROUP button, respectively. This button is found at
the bottom of the list of scenes or groups.
2. The software will prompt you to name the scene or group. Enter a name, and
then press the button to continue. You may also be presented with additional
instructions.
3. To include devices into this scene or group, simply click on the icon of the device.
The device’s icon will be circled on the screen indicating that it is now part of the
scene or group.
a. When including devices into a scene, the device’s level will be recorded
for use when the scene is activated. To change the device’s desired level
for the scene, press-and-hold the left mouse button or right-click on the
device’s icon and utilize the pop-up options.
b. There are two special scenes built into the scenes tab: ALL ON and ALL
OFF. These scenes will turn the selected devices to the ON or OFF position
when activated, and changing these scenes will affect the ALL ON and
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ALL OFF features of all remotes in the network. Changing the device’s
current level will not be reflected in these scenes.
c. When including devices into a group, the current level of the device is not
relevant. Devices in a group all turn on or off together.
4. To record the scene or group, press its button in the Scenes or Groups pane. The
highlight on the button will then go away.
Modifying scenes and groups
To modify a scene or group:
1. Press-and-hold the left mouse button or right-click the button for the scene or
group you wish to modify.
2. To rename the scene, select the Rename Scene or Rename Group option.
3. To modify a scene, select the Modify Scene or Modify Group option. Follow
steps 3 and 4 in Adding scenes and groups to select or deselect devices and re-
record the scene or group.
Removing scenes and groups
To remove a scene or group:
1. Press-and-hold the left mouse button or right-click the button for the scene or
group you wish to modify.
2. Select the REMOVE SCENE or REMOVE GROUP option respectively.
Setting up schedules
ThinkEssentials can help you save energy, make life more convenient, or increase the
security of your home by automatically activating scenes or groups at certain times of
the day or at sunrise or sunset. These schedules can be activated or deactivated at
any time, and can occur on one or more days of the week.
Adding or modifying schedules for a scene or group
To modify the schedule for a scene or group:
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1. Press-and-hold the left mouse button or right-click the button for the scene or
group.
2. Select the MODIFY SCHEDULE option.
3. To add a new schedule item, click on the CLICK TO ADD SCHEDULE ITEM pull-
down. To modify an existing schedule item, locate the item in the list. If you
cannot locate the item, check the “Show All Schedules” checkbox in the lower-
left corner.
4. If the desired scene or group is not already selected, select it now. In the case of
groups, select whether to turn the group on or off.
5. Click on the days of week when the schedule item should occur.
6. Click on the time pull-down near the right to change the time of day when the
schedule item should occur. You may also choose sunrise or sunset.
7. To enable the schedule item, make sure that the checkbox on the left side is
checked. To disable the schedule item, uncheck its checkbox.
8. When done, close the Schedules pop-up window.
NOTE: You may choose to let your computer go to sleep (into standby mode) when it is
not used for a period of time. ThinkEssentials will attempt to wake your computer from
standby when a schedule item should occur. If your computer has trouble waking from
standby mode, disable standby on your computer.
NOTE: The sun does may not rise or set on certain days for locations in the Arctic and
Antarctic circles. On these days, any schedule items assigned to sunrise or sunset may
not be activated.
Viewing or modifying all schedules
To view or modify all schedules:
1. Press-and-hold the left mouse button or right-click the button of any scene or
group.
2. Check the “Show All Schedules” checkbox in the lower-left corner of the
Schedules pop-up window.
NOTE: To restrict the Schedules pop-up window to show only schedule items for the
scene or group selected, uncheck the “Show All Schedules” checkbox.
NOTE: From time to time, the ThinkEssentials icon may appear in the Windows system
tray, typically located in the bottom-right corner of your display screen. You may also
right-click this icon and select “Modify Schedules…” when it is visible to view or modify
all schedules.
Additional Features
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Aspire RF ThinkEssentials allows your USB stick (and thus your computer) to join an
existing network, or to add another controller to its network.
Joining a network
To join an existing Z-Wave network:
1. Activate the REPLICATION SEND mode on your Primary Controller. This option
may also simply be referred to as ADD DEVICE.
2. Switch to the ADVANCED SETTINGS tab, and then press the JOIN EXISTING
NETWORK button.
The controller will then automatically send the USB stick a full listing of all the devices in
the network as well as placement and routing information. The software will indicate if
the process was successful. If it was not successful, it will be necessary to repeat this
step.
NOTE: If the USB stick joins an existing network and becomes a Secondary Controller,
you cannot use the software to add or remove devices from the network.
NOTE: Any time you add or remove a device using the Primary Controller, the software
and other Secondary Controllers should be updated. See Receiving network updates
(see page ## ).
NOTE: The process of joining a network is often referred to as RECEIVE CONFIGURATION
or REPLICATION RECEIVE mode. The overall process is often called CONTROLLER
REPLICATION.
Receiving network updates
When you add or remove devices using the Primary Controller, those changes will
generally not be reflected in the software. To update your USB stick and the software:
1. Activate the REPLICATION SEND mode on your Primary Controller. This option
may also simply be referred to as ADD DEVICE.
2. Switch to the ADVANCED SETTINGS tab, and then press the RECEIVE NETWORK
UPDATE button.
The controller will then automatically send the USB stick a full listing of all the devices in
the network as well as placement and routing information. The software will indicate if
the process was successful. If it was not successful, it will be necessary to repeat this
step.
NOTE: Any time you add or remove a device using the Primary Controller, the software
and other Secondary Controllers should be updated by repeating this process.
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NOTE: The process of receiving network updates is often referred to as RECEIVE
CONFIGURATION or REPLICATION RECEIVE mode. The overall process is often called
CONTROLLER REPLICATION.
Adding a controller to the network
To add another controller to your network, follow the same procedure as Adding
devices to the network (see page # # ), but put the target controller into RECEIVE
CONFIGURATION or REPLICATION RECEIVE mode.
NOTE: The process of adding a controller to a Z-Wave network is often referred to as
SEND CONFIGURATION or REPLICATION SEND mode. The overall process is often called
CONTROLLER REPLICATION.
Resetting the USB stick
WARNING: If your USB stick and software are the Primary Controller in a network, and
you reset your USB stick, you will no longer be able to add or remove devices from your
network without recreating the entire network.
To reset the USB stick:
1. Switch to the ADVANCED SETTINGS tab, and then press the RESET USB STICK
button.
NOTE: If the USB stick is serving as a secondary controller, remove it from the network by
pressing the RECEIVE NETWORK UPDATE button and instructing the Primary Controller to
remove the USB stick. This may be referred to as REMOVE DEVICE.
NOTE: If you reset your Primary Controller before removing all the devices from your
network, you must reset each of the devices (see Removing devices from the network,
page # # ) before adding devices to the network again.
Troubleshooting
Problem:
• I cannot add or remove devices to or from my network. The ADD DEVICE and
REMOVE DEVICE buttons are faded out (dimmed).
Solution:
• The USB stick might be a Secondary Controller. Only a Primary Controller may be
used to add or remove devices to or from a network. Use the Primary Controller
to add or remove devices, and then update your USB stick and software (see
Joining a network, page # # ).
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• The software may be in CHANGES PREVENTED mode. Click on the lock in the
corner of your screen until the text CHANGES ALLOWED appears.
Problem:
• I cannot add or remove a device to or from my network. I press the PROGRAM
button on the device but the software never responds.
Solution:
• If you cannot successfully add a device, try removing it from your network first
using the REMOVE DEVICE button. Even if it is not in your network, this operation
will reset the device. Once the device has been reset, try adding it again.
• For your security, the USB stick must be within a few feet of the device to be able
to add it to your network. If this is not possible, please set up your network with a
portable remote controller and then copy this information to the USB stick (see
Joining a network, page # # ).
Problem:
• I cannot add a device to my network. I cannot find its PROGRAM button.
Solution:
• Refer to the product’s instructions. For many light switches, turning on or off the
switch will activate its PROGRAM button. For remote controllers, the PROGRAM
button is often replaced with RECEIVE CONFIGURATION or REPLICATION RECEIVE
mode.
Problem:
• I tried to reset a device, but another device was removed from my network
instead.
Solution:
• The device had not been properly reset previously, and another device with its
assigned ID was mistakenly identified. Reset the device again if necessary, and
then re-add the device which was mistakenly removed.
Problem:
• I cannot join another network. I press JOIN EXISTING NETWORK but the process
never starts.
Solution:
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• To join a network, or to receive a network update, the USB stick must be within a
few feet of the controller adding it to the network or sending the update.
Problem:
• I joined a network instead of adding another controller to my network. Now,
neither the software nor the controller can control anything.
Solution:
• You have accidentally overwritten your Primary Controller with a blank network.
Reset both controllers and all devices in your network, and set up your network
again.
Problem:
• I cannot control a device in my network, or am experiencing intermittent device
failures or sluggishness controlling my devices.
Solution:
• Check to make sure that there is power supplied to the device.
• For plug-in modules, ensure that the outlet is not a switched outlet, or that the
outlet is switched on.
• For devices with no neutral connection (such as dimmers), ensure that the
attached load (such as a light bulb) is not burned out.
• For best performance, attach the USB stick to the USB extension cable included
in this package. Then, place the USB stick in an open area away from walls or
other dense materials or metal.
Problem:
• I moved a device, and now I cannot control it.
Solution:
• Remove the device from your network, and then add it while it is powered in its
new location.
Problem:
• I am setting up a scene, but the software will not let me add a particular device
to the scene.
Solution:
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• If the device’s icon is covered by a red circle-slash (i.e. “broken” symbol), follow
the troubleshooting steps for a broken device and then select the device again.
• Some devices do not support the functionality required to add them to a scene.
Problem:
• I have set up a schedule for a group or scene, but the schedule is not being
activated on time or is not being activated at all.
Solution:
• Check to make sure that the schedule item is enabled (by checking the check
box to the left of the scene), and that it is enabled on the desired days of week
(by clicking on the desired days of the week between the event name and the
event time).
• Check to make sure that your computer’s date, time, and time zone are set
correctly. You can access these through “Date and Time Properties” in the
Windows Control Panel.
• Your computer must be turned on for the schedule items to occur on time.
ThinkEssentials will also attempt to wake your computer out of low-power
standby mode, but some computers do not reliably wake up from standby. If
your computer does not wake reliably from standby mode, ensure that it is
always powered on so that the schedules work properly.
Online support and user community
Support for the software is available through peer support forums at the following
website:
http://forums.controlthink.com
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1: This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2: This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
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a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC CAUTION:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by Cooper Wiring Devices could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Specification Information
<to be completed by Cooper>
Warranty Information
<to be completed by Cooper>
Copyright © 2006 Cooper Wiring Devices or Cooper Lighting, All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2005-2006 ControlThink LC, All Rights Reserved
FCC Warning:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Modifications not authorized by the manufacturer may void users authority to operate
this device.