STAS, no problem, just paraphrasing the manual. Initially our manuals did not give us this information, they only had information on replacing parts and testing the system. Then we noticed about two years ago that two of our aircraft types had included the antenna information in the 34-45-00 Page 100 section, even though all of our airplanes use the system. While technically we have to stick to the information given to us in the applicable manuals, being the airport rats we are and using any resource available to get the job done, we would use the antenna information from the other manuals to be sure we actually had an antenna fault (since it was a common part used on all fleets), or to find out if the TCAS computer was faulting the antenna when it actually had a cable fault. I think someone in our engineering support or technical training departments submitted the request to the technical publications department to add the information to the maintenance manuals. (A procedure slightly easier than getting the Vatican to endorse a miracle) Try to get your organization to contact the vendor for support information. Usually the vendors are interested in supplying all sorts of paperwork on their products, you just have to get around the folks who get in the way of you receiving this information.
One of the dirty secrets in our field is how little information is given to us to work with, compared to what the manufacturers and vendors will supply to the airline. Some Boeing representatives gave us a briefing class once when we started operating 747-400s, and they had a meter high stack of service bulletins and technical information. My company never processed any of that information to us on the floor level. My personal belief is that our tech pub department’s goal is to get each ATA chapter down to one page each. Sometime I am envious of auto mechanics and their manuals. Granted, they only have one engine and four brakes to be concerned with, but still we should have better manuals. Another point is that if I have a problem following a procedure in a manual, I can just imagine what it would be like for someone who does not speak english as their primary language.
I wouldn’t doubt that Latvia has good beer. American beer and food leaves a lot to be desired.