# Setup Guide | How to Setup the ALTA X Tether System

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### Prerequisites

Before continuing the Setup Procedure guide:

* Read and understand: [safety-information-or-eon800-tether-system](https://xm2labs.gitbook.io/eon800-user-guide/freefly-altax-tether-eon800-xm2/safety-information-or-eon800-tether-system "mention")
* Follow the [installing-eon800-altax](https://xm2labs.gitbook.io/eon800-user-guide/freefly-altax-tether-eon800-xm2/installing-eon800-altax "mention") to install the air unit on the Alta X.
* Setup the Alta X telemetry settings according to [mavlink-telemetry-eon800-altax](https://xm2labs.gitbook.io/eon800-user-guide/freefly-altax-tether-eon800-xm2/reference/mavlink-telemetry-eon800-altax "mention").
* Unpacked and setup your Alta X according to the instructions from Freefly Systems .
* Fully charge and balance the batteries installed on the APU Battery Tray.
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## Step A: Select a Location to Setup & Fly the Drone 

1. Select an appropriate location to set-up the Tethered Drone System, away from ground debris, divots and general obstructions. An appropriate set-up location is one which includes a 30x30 meter zone of clear terrain. This unobstructed ***Drone Zone*** will become the area between the **Tether Ground Station**, the **Drone** and the un-spooled **Tether FIber Cable**. The 30x30 meter space required is measured as a radial distance around the drone. We recommend setting up the ground station on the border of this zone.
2. To ensure the safety of you and your comrades, the 30x30 meter *Drone Zone* must be kept clear of personnel at all times during flight. This is because in the case of an emergency, the **Drone** will automatically land. The only exception to entering the 30x30 meter *Drone Zone* is when all power is switched-off and the drone is grounded.
3. Remove any objects or obstructions within the 30x30 meter *Drone Zone* surface. This includes any constraint which could hinder the **Tethered Drone System** during take-off, flight or landing.

<figure><img src="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2FRdo47HdMLaALTdv3Fqxx%2Fdronezone.png?alt=media&#x26;token=453060ad-d10f-4616-816f-21ca772209d8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Step B: Setup Tether Ground Station

1. The **Red Missile Switch** on the **Tether Ground Station (TGS)** Front Panel needs to be switched OFF and in the DOWN position.
2. DO NOT feed power to the **Tether Ground Station (TGS)**.
3. The ***Power Button*** on the *top-right* of the **Tether Ground Station (TGS)** should be in the OFF position. The Power Button is in the OFF position when it is flush with the **Tether Ground Station** (**TGS)**.
4. Optional: Connect a laptop running Alta QGroundcontrol to the Tether Ground station using an Ethernet cable.

## Step B: Unspool Tether Cable

* Unspool the tether cable in long loops between the TGS and the Drone

## Step C: Attach Tether Cable to the Alta X

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* The Fiber Connector assigned to the Alta X is a blue LC Connection. This connection allows you to control the aircraft.
* Power is delivered to the Aircraft and APU via the Tether Cable LEMO power connector.
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1. Plug the **FIBER Connector** labeled *Drone* into the APU's Fiber Input.&#x20;
2. Plug the LEMO Power Connector to the APU's Power Input.
3. Clip the strain relief cord to a hard-point on the drone, we recommend the lower side of the ALTA X *Damper Ring*.

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2F8HZkvmW4vdxbAPz0B1wH%2FDamper-with-carabener-strain-relief-eon800-white.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e5af8ebf-a82e-4547-8afb-17a1f5c844a7" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2FyfAu710qixTZjd4nku4S%2FDamper-with-carabener-strain-relief-eon800-black.png?alt=media&#x26;token=88c77b4d-c33b-4d26-907a-124e927efc19" alt=""></picture><figcaption><p>3. The strain relief cord is clipped onto the lower side of the ALTA X Damper Ring</p></figcaption></figure></div>

4. Securely adjust the cable to hold spare fiber cables in place. During flight, the strain relief bears the tether cable's weight, preventing stress on connectors
5. Use velcro or zip ties to secure all cables, including payload cables. The goal is to prevent the cables from making contact with the propellers.

## Step D: Connect the Tether Cable to the Tether Ground Station

1. Plug the **HV Power+Data Patch Lead** (GREY) between the **Tether Spool** port labelled ***POWER*** and the Tether Ground Station port labelled ***TETHER HV OUTPUT**.*
2. Connect the **HV Power+Data Patch Lead** between the **Tether Spool** port labelled ***DRONE*** and the **Tether Ground Station** port labelled ***FIBER FLY-BY-WIRE***.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2Fx2DcYNgBYvthAXtR38NZ%2FTGS-LC-EON800-Drawing-invert.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cf5b49fe-da27-4cfd-a756-953427e7ab4b" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2FRbtrorxv5gIy68SGnJxf%2FTGS-LC-EON800-Drawing.png?alt=media&#x26;token=09883322-3f3f-4a15-ae4d-c8cba5c74db7" alt=""></picture><figcaption><p>EON800 Tether Ground Station.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Step E: Connect Generator to Tether Ground Station

1. Plug the **Generator Input Lead** between the **Tether Ground Station** port labelled ***AC INPUT*** (240V | 30A) and the 240 VOLT generator output.

## Step F: Install Drone Batteries to the ALTA X

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The Drone Battery Strap Brackets on the APU are adjustable. If the batteries are too large or too small for the battery strap configuration, adjust the brackets accordingly to fit.
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<div align="center"><figure><picture><source srcset="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2F3qKYpHvrXuPbKtJL61Di%2Finvert-APU-Battery-Bracket-adjust-eon800.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=34d2e92b-2e50-4eba-a1cb-46c3eb137cc0" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2FyjzEvfnATUhy5iv9OVuB%2FAPU-Battery-Bracket-adjust-eon800.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=9853246e-bedd-4256-8b6b-3be7c295e005" alt=""></picture><figcaption><p>Adjustable Drone Battery Strap Brackets on the APU.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

1. Install and strap the Drone Batteries into the APU on the ALTA X.
2. DO NOT PLUG the Drone Batteries into the  APU XT90 inputs.

<figure><img src="https://1270400736-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FDvUtG0wwo8M9GUsLBYrO%2Fuploads%2FHOUeIu9JI41o96OMdwcO%2FEON800_XM2_Large_Drone-Battery-Strap.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8db519a0-e2f7-4d0f-9690-deb49768100c" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Install and strap the Drone Batteries into the APU on the ALTA X</p></figcaption></figure>

3. Move onto the [Start-Up Procedure](https://xm2labs.gitbook.io/eon800-user-guide/freefly-altax-tether-eon800-xm2/startup-procedure-eon800-tgs).