> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.aethlabs.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/on-board-operation.md).

# 8. On-Board Operation

Using the MA600 on-board display and button interface: menu navigation, starting and stopping measurements, filter tape cartridge replacement, and the status indicator reference.

The MA600 can be operated from its front-panel LCD display and three-button interface, without a connected computer. This chapter covers the screen and button layout, menu navigation, starting and stopping measurements, replacing the filter tape cartridge, and interpreting the on-screen status indicators.

## 8.1 Screen and Button Interface

The MA600 has a monochrome LCD display and three buttons: **Left (←)**, **Center (●)**, and **Right (→)**.

* **Left (←)** — move to the previous menu item, or decrement a value.
* **Right (→)** — move to the next menu item, or increment a value.
* **Center (●)** — select the highlighted item, or confirm a value.

**Powering on:** With the instrument connected to 12V DC power at the rear-panel **12V DC IN** connector, press and hold any one of the three front-panel buttons for approximately 2 seconds. The display shows the AethLabs logo, the firmware version, the serial baud rate, and the AutoSample state during startup, then loads the top-level menu.

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1. Connect the MA600 to external 12V DC power via the rear-panel **12V DC IN** connector.
2. Press and hold any one of the three front-panel buttons for 2 seconds.
3. The display shows the AethLabs logo, firmware version, serial baud rate, and AutoSample setting, then loads the top-level menu.

![MA600 front-panel display at startup — the 3U rack-mount unit showing the AethLabs logo, MICROAETHALOMETER MA600 label, the LCD screen, and the three front-panel control buttons](https://272274374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1fOQ2MnLWcq0ntHW3LLY%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ca7dba18fc1c2f92b50ddc678c38a0e92da15936%2Fma600-front-panel-startup.jpg?alt=media)
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1. Connect to 12V DC power at the rear-panel 12V DC IN connector.
2. Press and hold any button for \~2 seconds.
3. The startup sequence displays the AethLabs logo, firmware version, serial baud rate, and AutoSample state, then loads the top-level menu.
   {% endtab %}
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**Top-level menu options:**

* Start Measurement
* Display All Settings
* Change Timebase
* Change Flow
* Change Tape Adv. ATN
* Advance Tape
* Release Tape
* Clamp Tape
* Calibrate Flow
* Test Flow
* Calibrate Optics
* Change Data Mode
* Change Serial Baud
* Change AutoSample
* Turn Off

## 8.2 Menu Navigation

Navigate the menu with Left (←) and Right (→); select with Center (●). The top line of the LCD display rotates through status information (measurement state, tape remaining, attenuation, date/time, and environmental conditions) above the active menu option.

| Button     | Function                      |
| ---------- | ----------------------------- |
| Left (←)   | Scroll menu left / decrement  |
| Center (●) | Select / OK / confirm         |
| Right (→)  | Scroll menu right / increment |

Many settings can be viewed and changed from the on-board menu — timebase, flow rate, and tape-advance ATN threshold. For full field-by-field configuration, [Chapter 7: microAeth® Manager Software](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/6rxWlVGc1QCXvhFlnucJ#id-7.3-configuring-settings-via-software) §7.3 is recommended.

## 8.3 Starting and Stopping Measurements

### 8.3.1 Pre-Measurement Checklist

Before starting a measurement session, confirm:

* Filter tape cartridge installed and clamped (§8.4).
* Inlet and outlet tubing connected ([Chapter 4: Installation](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/JI7mcCGZqmB7gqPbF4B7#id-4.2.2-inlet-and-outlet) §4.2.2).
* 12V DC power supply connected and stable ([Chapter 4: Installation](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/JI7mcCGZqmB7gqPbF4B7#id-4.2.1-power) §4.2.1).
* Settings configured — timebase, flow rate, wavelengths, sampling mode ([Chapter 6: Instrument Settings](/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/instrument-settings.md)).
* Date/time synchronized via microAeth Manager ([Chapter 7: microAeth Manager Software](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/6rxWlVGc1QCXvhFlnucJ#id-7.3-configuring-settings-via-software) §7.3; the MA600 clock is set manually — see [Chapter 6](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/Wdh3XfSYR8hfsnx78Z6A#id-6.8-time-synchronization) §6.8).
* If using RS-232: serial connection verified ([Chapter 4: Installation](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/JI7mcCGZqmB7gqPbF4B7#id-4.2.3-rs-232-serial) §4.2.3).
* If using the Nafion dryer: dryer purge circuit connected and the purge-air flow set ([Chapter 4: Installation](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/JI7mcCGZqmB7gqPbF4B7#id-4.3-optional-nafion-dryer) §4.3).

Allow approximately **30 minutes of warm-up** before recording data for best accuracy.

### 8.3.2 Starting a Measurement

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**Using the front panel:**

1. Navigate to **Start Measurement** using the Left/Right buttons.
2. Press the Center (●) button to begin.
3. The tape advances automatically to a fresh position, then the display shows the sampling indicator (▶), "Press Center to Stop", the DS/SS mode, the target flow, and "SAMPLING".

**Using microAeth Manager:**

1. Connect the MA600 to your computer via USB ([Chapter 7](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/6rxWlVGc1QCXvhFlnucJ#id-7.2-connecting-to-the-ma600) §7.2).
2. Open microAeth Manager.
3. Click the **Start** button in the device pane.
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**Front panel:** Navigate to Start Measurement → press Center. The tape advances to a fresh position, then the display shows ▶, the DS/SS mode, target flow, and "SAMPLING".

**mAM:** Connect via USB → open microAeth Manager → click Start.
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{% hint style="warning" %}
Each time a measurement is started, the tape advances and consumes one filter tape position. Avoid unnecessary start/stop cycles to conserve tape. Stopping a measurement discards the current incomplete averaging interval.
{% endhint %}

### 8.3.3 During Sampling

* The display rotates through measurement status, flow rate, elapsed time, and the active menu option. The status indicator shows ▶ while sampling is active.
* The tape automatically advances when ATN reaches the configured threshold; a brief data gap occurs during each tape-advance cycle.
* Data is logged to internal memory at the configured timebase interval.
* If serial streaming is enabled, data is output in real time on the RS-232 port during sampling ([Chapter 9: Data Management](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/XkOnqlVBs8XTUOoUNENj#id-9.6-serial-output-protocol) §9.6).

### 8.3.4 Stopping a Measurement

On the instrument front panel press and hold the Center (●) button for \~2 seconds. The display confirms sampling has stopped.

### 8.3.5 AutoSample (Unattended Operation)

When **AutoSample** is enabled ([Chapter 6: Instrument Settings](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/Wdh3XfSYR8hfsnx78Z6A#id-6.9-autosample) §6.9), the MA600 automatically begins sampling after the startup sequence completes, using the last saved settings. This is essential for continuous monitoring stations that must resume unattended after a power interruption — no operator interaction is required, and sampling resumes automatically when power is restored.

## 8.4 Filter Tape Cartridge Replacement

The MA600 uses the **MAFT-L85** filter tape cartridge (85 sampling locations). When the tape reaches its final position, the instrument reports the tape-at-end condition and sampling cannot continue until a new cartridge is installed.

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**Removal:**

1. Ensure the instrument is **not sampling** (stop the measurement first).
2. Unscrew the cartridge door screw on the front panel and remove the door.

![MA600 front panel with the filter tape cartridge door removed and the cartridge out, showing the empty cartridge slot, the two tape capstans, and the optical head in the center](https://272274374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1fOQ2MnLWcq0ntHW3LLY%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8fae8258efd55994d277a39cd1327a764b1cf5d3%2Fma600-optical-head-released.jpg?alt=media)

3. From the on-board menu, select **Release Tape**. Record the displayed tape position — you will need it if reinstalling a partially used cartridge.
4. Wait for the optical head to open (\~6 seconds).

![MA600 optical head in the released (open) position — the head is raised off the filter tape, ready for cartridge removal or insertion](https://272274374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1fOQ2MnLWcq0ntHW3LLY%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8fae8258efd55994d277a39cd1327a764b1cf5d3%2Fma600-optical-head-released.jpg?alt=media)

![MA600 optical head in the clamped (closed) position — the head is seated down onto the filter tape for sampling](https://272274374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1fOQ2MnLWcq0ntHW3LLY%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-dcf340ebc5faf540eb592dd22a2705eaf03c8b3b%2Fma600-optical-head-clamped.jpg?alt=media)

5. Pull the cartridge out by the pull tab.

![MAFT-L85 filter tape cartridge seated in the MA600, viewed through the cartridge door — the two filter tape spools and the central sampling window are visible](https://272274374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1fOQ2MnLWcq0ntHW3LLY%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e6c240fcefd4eeafe756481a4f69c1f32c7f9051%2Fma600-filter-tape-cartridge.jpg?alt=media)

**Installation:**

1. Ensure the optical head is in the released position.
2. Insert the new cartridge, aligning its holes with the capstans. Push fully in until it sits flat.
3. From the on-board menu, select **Clamp Tape**, then choose the tape position mode:
   * **Old** — enter the previously recorded position (for a partially used cartridge).
   * **New** — resets the position counter to 0 (for a fresh cartridge).
   * **None** — no position change.
4. Wait for the optical head to clamp (\~6 seconds).
5. Replace and secure the cartridge door.
   {% endtab %}

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**Removal:** Ensure the instrument is not sampling. Remove the cartridge door. Select **Release Tape** and record the tape position. Wait for the optical head to open (\~6 s). Pull the cartridge out by the pull tab.

**Installation:** Align the new cartridge's holes with the capstans and push fully in. Select **Clamp Tape** → choose **Old** (enter recorded position), **New** (resets to 0), or **None**. Wait for the optical head to clamp (\~6 s). Replace and secure the cartridge door.
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**Replacement cartridges:**

| Part number | Description                 | Sampling locations |
| ----------- | --------------------------- | ------------------ |
| MAFT-L85    | MA600 Filter Tape Cartridge | 85                 |

{% hint style="warning" %}
**IMPORTANT:** Do not rewind the filter tape cartridge or reuse previously sampled tape locations. See [Chapter 6: Instrument Settings](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/Wdh3XfSYR8hfsnx78Z6A#id-6.12-filter-media) §6.12.
{% endhint %}

After installing a new cartridge, resume sampling from the top-level menu (§8.3). Starting a measurement advances the tape to a fresh position automatically.

## 8.5 Status Indicator Reference

The display shows the current instrument state. Common indicators:

| Indicator         | Meaning                                            |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| SAMPLING          | Actively measuring                                 |
| STOPPED           | Measurement stopped                                |
| SAMPLER PREPARING | Advancing tape / preparing to sample               |
| TAPE END          | Cartridge at final position — replace tape         |
| TAPE JAM          | Tape did not advance correctly — inspect cartridge |
| TAPE NOT READY    | Tape not clamped / cartridge not seated            |
| FLOWCAL OK        | Valid flow calibration present                     |
| WARNING           | Non-fatal condition — check settings               |
| FAIL              | Fault condition — see troubleshooting              |
| BAD DATA IDS      | Data integrity flag - Contact AethLabs Support     |

The numeric status codes recorded in the data file (a summed bitmask) are described in [Chapter 9: Data Management](https://docs.aethlabs.com/microaethalometer-tm-ma600/manual/pages/XkOnqlVBs8XTUOoUNENj#id-9.4-status-codes) §9.4.