Albrecht AE4090 CB Radio Operating Manual

							 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CB RADIO 
AE 4090 
 
OPERATING  MANUAL  
 
 
ALAN Electronics GmbH 
Dovenkamp 11 
D- 22952 Lütjensee 
www.albrecht-online.de 
 
  
						

							 
  2
  Index 
 
 
Important note 3 
Introduction 3 
Accessories included 4 
Safety Precautions 4 
Front view 5 
Rear view 5 
Installation of the radio 5 
Power supply 6 
Antenna connection 7 
Operation 8 
 Switching on and adjusting volume 9 
Country switch setting  9 
Selecting the operating channel 10 
 Adjusting squelch (muting) 10 
 AM / FM mode switch 10 
 Special interest channels  11 
 Direct channel access to CH 9 / 19 11 
 Scan mode 11 
 Transmitting and correct use of microphone 12 
External sockets 12 
 External loudspeaker 12 
 Microphone socket 12 
Service and Warranty informations 13  
Legal Information 14 
 Albrecht Radio Passport 14 
 Declaration of Conformity 15 
Technical Details 16 
Service contacts 16 
						

							 
 3
   
   Important Note 
 
Your Albrecht AE 4090 corresponds to the latest European CB standards. As a 
unique feature, it has a software country switching which allows selecting the 
operation mode according to the country, where You intend to use the radio. Please 
make sure that You use only the country switching which is allowed in Your country 
and according to Your CB licence! You may risk a penalty if authority members 
will find that You are operating in not allowed modes! 
 
 40 FM  40 channels FM / 4 Watt (former “CEPT” settings with 40 
Channels FM according to EN 300 135-2). This mode can be 
used in nearly all European countries (some countries still 
request an individual licence, even for 40 FM mode! See our 
latest issue of the “Radio Passport”). 
 
After installation or reconnecting to a power supply, Your radio will 
always start in this factory preselected 40 FM mode. 
 
 80/12 80 channels FM / 4 Watt, 12 channels AM / 1 Watt for Germany 
only. You need a licence to operate the radio in this mode, and 
in certain border regions transmitting on channels 41 to 80 in FM 
is not allowed. 
 
 40/40 40 channels FM / 4 Watt, 40 channels AM / 1 Watt. Latest 
European Standard EN 300 433-2, not yet applied in all 
countries. In Belgium,  France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain 
and Switzerland You need a licence to operate the radio, while it 
is already free of charges and licence in Finland and 
Netherlands. 
 Introduction 
 
Your new Albrecht CB Radio AE 4090, developed and manufactured in accordance 
with the latest CB regulations, offers you: 
 
· 40 channels FM / 4 watt       or 
· 80 channels FM / 4 watt / 12 channels AM / 1 Watt     or 
· 40 channels FM / 4 Watts / 40 channels AM / 1 Watt 
· Channel selection  UP/ Down buttons on the radio set and on the 
microphone 
· Channel scan button at microphone 
· Direct channel switching to CH 9 / 19 from microphone 
· LED channel number display   
						

							 
  4
 · 8-pin microphone socket, suitable also for amplifier microphones, 
selective calling systems or Packet Radio modems/TNC’s 
 
· Socket for external loudspeaker  
 
Please read this operating manual through carefully. This will enable you to make 
use of all the functions your new CB Radio has to offer as soon as possible. 
 
 
 Accessories included  
 
 
Your AE 4090 comes operational with the following accessories: 
 
· mobile mount 
· 2 knurled screws for the mobile mount 
· 2 rubber washers for the mobile mount 
· fixed connected DC power cable with looped-in fuse 
· spare fuse 
· Electret hand-held microphone with pre-amplifier and UP/DOWN, PTT, 
CH 9/19 and SCAN buttons 
· microphone hanger 
· various screws to fasten the radio and microphone fixing devices 
· User manual with circuit diagram and Radio Passport 
 Safety Precautions 
 
People with pacemakers are recommended as a precaution to consult their doctor 
before operating the CB radio. Not all types of pacemakers are sufficiently protected 
from radiation from a nearby transmitter, so do not assume it is safe to start 
operation without checking! Please remember that you are in the immediate vicinity 
of a transmitting aerial, particularly when used as a mobile. If your doctor, or the 
manufacturer of the pacemaker, has recommended keeping a certain safe distance 
from the aerial, then please follow their instructions! 
Do not transmit without connecting the aerial and never touch the aerial during 
transmission! 
Please also take road safety into account! CB Radio (even when only receiving, 
particularly when volume is turned up) can divert your attention from the road! Road 
safety is of course to be given priority! Therefore only use your ALBRECHT AE 4090 
when the traffic situation enables it to be used safely. 
  
						

							 
 5
   Front view 
 
 
 
 Rear view 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 Installation of the radio 
 
You can either operate your ALBRECHT AE 4090 in the car or at home as a  base 
station. For installation as a mobile station in the car, a mobile mount device is 
enclosed. Mount the set in such a way that it is not exposed to direct sunlight if 
possible, as this would lead to an increase in the temperature and can decrease the 
(set’s) working life. The set should also not be installed near a heater. Mount the set 
in such a way that it is exposed to as little vibration as possible. 
The mobile fixing device should be attached to the dashboard, the tunnel slot or to 
any other suitable place using the enclosed tapping screws. Do not install the set in 
a place where it could cause injuries in the case of an accident (be careful to ensure Squelch   Receive Volume Antenna socket 
50 Ohms PL-259 Standard DC power cable  13.2 V External speaker 8 Oms, min. 2 W On / Off LED-Channel Display Transmit LED 
(not all versions) Double Function 
Channel / Country switch AM - FM Switch Brand Plate with 
country switching decription  
						

							 
  6
  free leg movement). Take care not to damage any underlying wires during 
installation!  
Then insert the radio into the mobile mount device. Secure the set with the large 
knurled screws (using the enclosed plastic washers) firmly at the required angle.    
Also mount the microphone hanger using the enclosed screws in an easily-
accessible place.  
In order to prevent interference to the vehicle electronics from transmission in the 
vehicle, please make sure to take any mounting instructions from the vehicle 
manufacturer for radios and antennas into account.   
Please note: European directives allow the car manufacturers to decide, whether or 
not private radio transceivers may be operated in cars, this is also valid for antenna 
installations. Please install Your mobile CB station only in accordance to car 
manufacturer’s installation instructions. 
 
 
 Power supply 
 
Your AE 4090 receives power from the 2 pin fixed power cable. 
 
The red and black wires in the cable are for the power supply. The cable has a 
looped-in fuse.  
 
You can choose from two methods when connecting to the power supply (red and 
black): 
 
Example 1 
The channel and the last used mode should be maintained after switching 
off; the set should be able to be switched on and off at any time using the 
volume / on/off switch. 
 
Connect up the red to the positive pole on the vehicle battery (or elsewhere 
in the vehicle’s electrical system with permanent plus) or to a 12 volt power 
unit. 
 
Connect up the black wire to the negative pole on the vehicle battery or the 
power unit or to a well-conductive part of the car body.  
 
Example 2 
The set should be automatically switched on and off with the ignition switch 
of the car. The radio shall always start in the factory default mode on CH 1 in 
FM with 40 CH FM CEPT mode. 
 
Attach the red wire to a part of the vehicle electrical system which is 
interconnected to the ignition.  
 
Connect the black wire to the negative pole on the battery or the vehicle 
body.   
						

							 
 7
   
Note for all connecting methods: 
 
For EMC reasons, the cable used to connect to the power supply should be no 
longer than 3 metres.  
If  you wish to operate your set at home from the mains supply then please only use 
a stabilized power pack with at least 2 amps permanent current-carrying capacity. 
Under no circumstances should you use a car battery charger, as these are not 
stabilized and during open circuit reach such high voltage levels that your radio set 
could be destroyed.    
 
If in base station use it is important to you that the stored stations are kept even after 
switching off and on again, then please do not switch the external power supply 
power unit off when you switch your set off for a short time. Only use the on/off 
switch on the transceiver itself. 
 
 Never repair a blown fuse with silver paper or with alumunium foil! If the 
fuses keep blowing, then please give your radio set to your servicing dealer 
to be repaired or hand it in to Albrecht’s service station. 
 
The maximum allowed voltage variation for this radio is up to 15.6 volts. 
Never exceed this voltage under no circumstances! The transmitting stages 
for your AE 4090 are electronically stabilized, and therefore it is impossible 
to increase output by means of excessive supply voltage. Such attempts may 
lead to serious damage to the radio set but will never increase output power! 
  
 Antenna connection 
 
Connect your CB antenna to the ANT socket on the rear side of your ALBRECHT AE 
4090. Most CB antennas must be tuned to best radiation during installation to give 
highest effective communication range. CB specialists do that job with a standing 
wave meter to check and adjust the aerial. Tune the antenna to the best standing 
wave ratio (SWR) on an intermediate channel e.g. using Channel 1 in 80/12 mode 
(26.965 MHz) or Channel 20 in all other modes. 
 
On this channel you should obtain a SWR of approx. 1.5 or less. If the SWR 
deteriorates on the highest (Channel 40) and  lowest (Channel 41) channels up to a 
value of 2.5, then your aerial is still acceptable. SWR above 3 is too bad for good 
communication range. A bad SWR may also indicate that there is perhaps an 
installation error or missing ground. Problems may be caused through missing 
ground, especially in boats and motor homes with fiber glass body. For these cases, 
Albrecht offers a special connecting cable with matching box as “artificial ground” 
(AKM 27) 
 
Some antennas, like “Gamma II” are broadbanded and do not need any 
retuning during installations.  
  
						

							 
  8
 Even if your AE 4090 has a particularly robust transmitter high-
level stage which can even withstand mismatching of SWR=3, you 
should still never transmit without an antenna!  
    
 Operation 
 
Before switching on 
· Turn SQUELCH control left as far as possible 
 
Switching on and adjusting volume 
The on/off switch is combined in the VOLUME control.  To switch on: 
 
· Turn VOLUME control from OFF position slightly right. LED display will be 
illuminated. Then turn further until desired volume is reached. 
 
Selecting the correct country code 
 
Starting with European 40 CH FM system 
When You switch on Your new CB radio for the first time, it will start with the Europe-
wide used 40 Channels FM mode. If You are not sure what is allowed in Your 
country please ask local authorities before using the radio. If You should not need  
any individual CB licence in Your home or guest country, You should use this factory 
default setting: 
  
40 FM This is former “CEPT” mode, the programming which is allowed in most 
countries. Here the radio works on the international 40 Channels in FM 
mode. The Mode switch  AM – FM on the front side allows only receiving 
in AM and FM, but only transmitting in FM mode ( in some countries You 
need a licence, even for 40 CH FM only!) 
 
Programming Country codes for AM and FM 
If You live or are travelling in a country allowing AM and FM, You may now select 
between two different settings: The international AM / FM system for 40 channels 
and the German  AM – FM channel system with 80 channels FM and 12 channels 
AM.  
Please read carefully the “Radio Passport” in the last chapter of this manual 
before reprogramming the unit Take Your home country licence with You 
when travelling abroad and using 40/40 or 80/12 mode. 
 
 
Switching to 40/ 40 system (B, CH, D, E, F, Fin, I and P)  
40/40 This position can be used in those countries, where already all 40 
international channels are allowed to be used in AM and FM. AM was 
traditionally used by CB from the beginning in the early 60’s in USA, and it 
is still the preferred mode of all truck drivers in the world. Please use this 
mode only in countries according to the list in the Radio Passport, and 
please apply for an individual licence where requested.  
						

							 
 9
  To switch to this system  
· Switch the radio off 
· Press Down button and keep button pressed 
· Switch on the radio at the same time 
· Release the button 
 
The radio has now  switched to AM / FM on all 40 channels. You may select any of 
these channels and operate in Am or FM. The last used channel is kept in a memory 
depending on the mode.  
Example: If You have used CH 1 in AM before, then switch to FM, and select CH 8 
for FM, You may later toggle between CH 1 /AM and CH 9 / FM with the AM/FM 
switch. In Germany, use of this software position is legal, but transmitting in AM is 
only allowed on channels 4 to 15. 
 
Switching to 80/12 channel system  (Germany only) 
 
80/12 This position is only allowed to be used in Germany, and an individual 
licence is necessary. Restrictions are still in force in the border regions to 
other countries (except to Czechia), where transmitting on channels 41 – 
80 is not allowed or only with a special licence.  
 
To switch to this system 
· Switch off the radio 
· Press UP button and keep pressed 
· Switch On the radio again 
· Release UP button 
 
You can now receive on all 80 channels in FM and AM, but You can transmit on all 
these channels only in FM. In AM the channels 4 to 15 are enabled for transmitting. 
If You should try to transmit in AM on other channels, the LED will blink to warn You. 
Transmission on such channels is technically deactivated. 
 
Programming back to European 40 FM system 
 
You may switch back to the initially used FM only system at any time either by: 
 
· Disconnecting power supply  for some seconds (disconnect cable or take 
out fuse, or switch off the external power supply) 
or 
· Switch off the radio 
· Press UP and DOWN together and keep both buttons pressed 
· Switch on again 
· Release both buttons 
 
Note:  This radio utilizes a CPU system especially developed for this radio. Other 
(illegal) channel systems are not stored in the CPU system and are not available at 
all. 
 
  
						

							 
  10
  Selecting the operating channel 
On the radio set: 
· Up or Down buttons You can continuously select channels. The present channel 
is displayed.  
  
On the microphone: 
· Press the Ù or Ú button on the microphone briefly, to switch up or down a channel.  
· Press the respective button longer to run up or down through the channels. The 
present channel is displayed.  
 
 
Adjusting squelch (muting) 
Particularly in FM, noise can be a nuisance on a free channel. With the muting 
control (SQUELCH) You can suppress this noise - but also signals which are too 
weak to be received properly. 
 
This is how to adjust the signal strength required to switch on the loudspeaker, using 
the  SQUELCH control knob:  
 
The further the control knob is turned to the right, the stronger a signal has to be in 
order to be audible through the loudspeaker.  
 
In order to adjust the set to be the most sensitive to incoming signals, switch to a 
free channel: 
 
· Use the up / down switches to find a free channel, where no signal is 
displayed. 
· Then turn the SQUELCH control carefully to the right until the noise just 
about disappears. 
 
Now the loudspeaker stays off when on a free channel but it switches back on when 
receiving even very faint signals.  
 
The muting adjustment is particularly important during channel 
scanning. In this mode the point to which the set is adjusted 
decides whether scanning is stopped at the signal or not. 
Therefore you should test the various muting settings for various 
signal strengths and get to know this function.  
 
 
AM / FM mode switch 
 
In all country programming modes FM modulation (transmit and receive) is possible 
on all selectable channels. AM receiving is also allowed and possible on all 
channels, but AM transmission is disabled completely in 40FM mode and in the 
German mode 80/12 on channels 1 to 3 and 16 to 80. In 80/12 mode You can only 
transmit AM on channels 4 to 15.  If You should try to transmit on a forbidden 
channel in the German mode in AM, the display will blink. 
 
Where allowed, You can switch with the AM/ FM switch between both modulation 
modes.