AOR AR3030 Receiver Operating Manual

							AR3030 operating manual
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							AR3030 operating manual
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This quarter inch socket is located on the top left hand side of the front cabinet
directly underneath the power switch.  A pair of headphones or earphone may
be connected with an impedance of 8 OHMS or greater.  When this headphone
socket is used,  the internal speaker and any external speaker will be
automatically disconnected.
5-3 Mode keys and indicators
There are two mode keys on the front panel
located between the S-meter and LCD,  there
are also seven LED indicators to show
current mode selected.  Either key may be
pressed to select mode.
5-4.Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Display of most data (excluding mode which
is displayed via LEDs) is provided via a high
contrast wide angle backlit green LCD.  A
rear panel switch is provided so that the
illumination may be switched Off to help
preserve battery power should the set not be powered via the external power
connection.
5-5 VFO key
“VFO” is not really the correct name but rather a historical title for current
tuning device,  it stands for Variable Frequency Oscillator.
As the AR3030 uses DDS no variable frequency oscillator is actually used in
this up-to-date receiver but the term is generally understood as meaning
current setting of a rotary dial.
The AR3030 has two VFOs’ (two selectable tuners) so that the user may
quickly swap between and tune around two frequency bands with a single
press of the VFO key.
VFO status is indicated by “[A]” or “[B]” on the LCD.  If the word “[MEMO]” is 
						

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displayed on the LCD,  press [VFO] to select tuning manual tuning.
5-6 SCAN key
The SCAN key is used to start the memory scan facility which will cause the
receiver to check the occupied channels of it’s memory content for activity
(busy channels).
SCAN can only be selected if the AR3030 is in VFO mode.
It is possible to select all memory channels to be
scanned or just a specified range of memory channels.
It is also possible to “lock out” unwanted channels so
they will be skipped during memory scan.
The [SCAN] key is also used in programming of SCAN
DELAY.
5-7 MEMO key
The MEMO key the receiver into MEMORY mode so that
a previously stored frequency can be monitored.
Pressing [MEMO] twice first calls up the current
memory channel then writes the contents to the
currently selected VFO so it may be tuned.
The [MEMO] key is also used in the programming of
SCAN DELAY.
5-8 BW - BandWidth key
The BW key allows selection of filter bandwidth as indicated by the “[NOR]”
(normal) and “[NRW]” (narrow) indicators on the LCD.  The AR3030 is fitted
with several standard IF bandwidths.
AM/S.AM
6kHz/-3dB in the normal position using the legendary Collins eight resonator
mechanical filter and a 2.4kHz/-6dB Murata ceramic filter in the narrow
position.  Should the narrow CW optional PCB position not be used,  it is
possible to fit an additional wider filter for AM.
USB/LSB/FAX
2.4kHz Murata ceramic filter.  An optional 2.5kHz/-3dB Collins eight resonator
mechanical filter of higher specification may be optionally fitted to replace the
2.4kHz filter. Should the narrow CW optional PCB position not be used,  it is
possible to fit the optional Collins 2.5kHz filter as an addition which will be
selected in the narrow position.
CW
2.4kHz Murata ceramic filter in the Normal position.  An optional 500Hz/-3dB 
						

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Collins seven resonator mechanical filter may be optionally fitted in the Narrow
position.
FM
15kHz Murata ceramic filter fixed.  Selection of Normal/Narrow is disabled.
5-9 TONE key
Audio quality may be tailored to suite the type of listening.  When a transmis-
sion is noisy or suffering from interference,  it may be useful to change the
audio tailoring to improve readability by making reception more 
or less “toppy”.
Status of TONE setting is displayed by “[HIGH]” and “[LOW]” indications on
the LCD.
USB/LSB/AM/S.AM/FM
HIGH position cut off frequency 3000 Hz
LOW position cut off frequency 1800 Hz
CW
TONE key inoperative.  Frequency set to 800 Hz.
FAX
TONE key inoperative.
5-10PASS key
The PASS key is used in MEMORY mode to lockout (PASS) unwanted
channels during memory scan.  Pressing the [PASS] key a second time will
reinstate a locked out channel.
Status of memory channel pass is indicated by “PASS” on the LCD.
This key is also used in the programming of MEMORY DELETE.
5-11 AGC - Automatic Gain Control key
The AGC key is used to select the Automatic Gain Control setting on all modes
except FM.  The status of AGC is indicated on the LCD by “[FAST]” and
“[SLOW]” on the LCD.  It is not possible to switch the AGC off.
Generally speaking “[FAST]” is used for CW and some data communications
reception and “[SLOW]” is used for USB & LSB.  A slow setting in SSB modes
can reduce the background noise during pauses in speech.
For AM and S.AM reception the setting will depend on reception conditions for
best setting.
5-12 ATT - attenuator key 
						

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The attenuator facility can be useful for reducing the level of unwanted strong
signals or “overload”.  The AR3030 has three settings of attenuator (ATT),
these being 0dB (no indication on the LCD - normal setting), -10dB “[10dB]”
indicated and -20dB “[20dB]” indicated.
The AR3030 does not contain RF amplification prior to the band-pass filters,
all gain is applied in the more selective IF stages.  This ensures the highest
immunity to intermodulation effects sometimes caused by a large number of
strong signals encountered on the shortwave bands.
The [ATT] key is also used in the programming of PROGRAM MEMORY
CHANNEL SCAN.
5-13 M.in - Memory input key
The [M.in] key is used to enter frequencies from the currently selected VFO into
memory.  When [M.in] is pressed a flashing two digit memory channel number
indicates memory input selection in progress.  To abort memory input without
executing simply press [M.in] a second time or press [MEMO] or [SCAN].
The [M.in] key is also used in the programming of MEMORY DELETE.
5-14 Numeric keypad - 0 to 9 keys
The numeric keypad is located on the
front panel underneath and to the right of
the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).  The
keypad is laid out in a logical manner and
is split into numeric and command areas.
The numeric keys are used for entering a
frequency, memory channel, memory
lockout, memory delete and other
functions.
5-15 [.] decimal and separator key
Press the [.] key once to act as a
decimal point separator when entering
frequency in MHz
i.e. while in VFO mode [1] [4] [.] [1]
[MHz] (MHz frequency entry)
This key is also used as a separator when programming memory scan limits
and memory delete limits.
5-16 [MHz] MHz key 
						

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The [MHz] key is used to complete frequency entry when MHz selection is
required
i.e. while in VFO mode [4] [.] [7] [2] [2] [MHz]
While in VFO mode,  this key alters selection of tuning rate to MHz.  An
underscore “[ _ ]” indicates the selection of MHz tuning speed on the LCD.
Note: Frequencies below 1.8 MHz are treated as kHz.  For this reason
1 MHz cannot be selected using the [MHz] key in conjunction with
the rotary tuning control.
5-17 [kHz] kHz key
The [kHz] key is used to complete frequency entry when kHz selection is
required
1.e. while in VFO mode [4] [7] [2] [2] [kHz]
While in VFO mode,  this key alters selection of tuning rate from 5Hz (10Hz
indication) to hundreds of Hz and kHz.  An underscore “[ _ ]” indicates the
current tuning speed on the LCD.
While using the VHF converter,  frequency step size range is 5Hz, 10Hz,
100Hz, 1kHz, 100kHz.  When tuning in 5Hz steps, a square box appears to the
right hand side of the LCD.
5-18 [mtr] metre key
The [mtr] key is used to complete frequency band entry.
i.e. while in VFO mode, to call the 49m broadcast band type [4] [9] [mtr]
Pressing [0] [mtr] while in VFO mode selects manual BFO tuning for CW and
SSB modes.  An “[o]” indicator appears on the LCD to confirm selection.  The
same sequence de-selects manual BFO.
5-19 ENT/BS - ENTer and BackSpace key
This key is not used for frequency entry but to complete sequences of
various data such as memory scan and delete.  During keypad frequency
entry this key may be used to backspace delete incorrect entries.
If you wish to abort the completed keypad frequency entry press [MEMO] to
return to VFO mode.
While in VFO mode,  pressing the [ENT/BS] key activates keypad and
rotary tuning lock.  A row of five underscores “[_ _ _ _ _]” indicates
keypad / VFO lock.  Press the key a second time to deactivate keypad
lock. 
						

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The receiver will always deactivate keypad/VFO lock when switched Off/On.
5-20 Volume control
The volume control is located on the front panel underneath the mode
switches. It is used to to set the required audio output through the loudspeaker
or headphone.  When turned fully clockwise the volume is at maximum,  when
rotated fully anti-clockwise the volume is reduced to minimum.
5-21 BFO PITCH control
This control is active only when the “[o]” indicator is displayed on the LCD.
The BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) allows manual reinsertion of carrier in
CW, USB, LSB and FAX modes.  This forms a manual passband tuning
mechanism useful to remove unwanted interference.
To activate while in VFO mode,  press [0] [mtr].  The same sequence
deactivates the BFO circuit.
In the default position (BFO Off - no “[o]” indicated), carrier reinsertion is
automatic making tuning easy and resolving SSB pleasurable.
5-22 SQL - squelch control
The squelch control is a smaller rotary control located on the front panel
underneath the volume control.  This control is used to eliminate unwanted
background noise when monitoring a normally inactive frequency such as
5.680MHz international search & rescue or when memory SCAN is required.
The squelch is not usually used when listening to shortwave transmissions due
to the relatively high background noise levels.  The usual setting for the control
is fully anti-clockwise.
The squelch setting is by the receiver’s microprocessor to decide when to stop
during memory scan.  The squelch opening / closing also controls the tape
recorder switching circuitry so a small internal “click” may be heard when the
squelch activates.
The squelch control requires careful setting to achieve optimum operating
performance.  Rotate the control
clockwise until the background
noise just disappears (threshold),
this is the most sensitive setting of
the control.  In practice the control
is usually rotated a little further
clockwise beyond the threshold
point to prevent the receiver from
stopping on noise or very weak and
unreadable signals. 
						

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If the control is rotated too far clockwise then weaker signals will be totally lost
and only local strong signals will be heard.
5-23 RF GAIN control
This small rotary tuning control is located on the front panel underneath the
BFO PITCH control.
The RF GAIN control reduces the level of amplification applied to the receiver’s
I.F. circuits.  This has the effect of reducing the  sensitivity of the receiver in
much the same way as the attenuator but is more controllable.
The usual position for the RF GAIN control is fully clockwise when the set is at
its most sensitive.  As the control is rotated anti-clockwise the S-meter will
advance to indicate what strength signal is required to produce solid and
readable results.
The control is most useful on SSB where the RF GAIN should be adjusted so
that the “peaks” of SSB signals just deflect the S-meter.  This will greatly
reduce the level of background noise especially during pauses in speech or
inactivity.
5-24 Rotary tuning control
The large rotary tuning control is prominently located on the front of the
cabinet.  This control changes the received frequency up and down in whatever
step increment is selected by the [kHz] and [MHz] keys.  The minimum tuning
rate is 5 Hz.  This control is often referred to as the “VFO”.
5-25 S-meter (signal strength meter)
The rear illuminated analogue SIGNAL METER is located to the left hand side
of the front panel.  Relative strength of incoming signal is indicated in standard
“S” points where S1 is weak and S9 is strong.  Calibration above S9 is in dB.
As with other receivers,  the calibration may not be reliable on FM mode.
5-26 Loudspeaker (internal)
The AR3030 is fitted with a large 66mm 3 WATT internal loudspeaker.  Due to
clever design,  sound is projected through a small front mounted speaker grille.
When an external speaker or headphone is connected,  the internal speaker is
automatically disconnected.
Rear panel5-27 EX POWER - external power connection 
						

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This is a special switching three pin socket designed to accept external DC
input of a nominal 13.8V DC @ 0.7A negative ground.  You may either connect
the power supply provided or another suitable supply such as a 12V car battery
using the optional DC3000 DC lead and observing the correct polarity:
RED     = positive
WHITE = negative
At no time must AC mains power be connected directly to this socket
or serious damage may occur and a risk of personal injury.
When the power plug is removed from the EX POWER socket,  supply is
automatically switched to internal batteries should they be fitted.
5-28 AUX socket
This 8 pin DIN socket provides various control facilities for connection to
external peripherals such as tape recorders.
The pin connections are as follows:
1  AGC output approximate level 0 to +3V. Do not ground.
2  Ground
3  External RF gain.  0 to +1.5V.
This connection may be used as transmit mute by
applying +1.5V to this point during transmit.
Should you wish to monitor your own transmit
audio reduce the voltage toward 0V to find an
acceptable level.
4  I.F. output.  Frequency 455kHz, level between -
    30 to -20 dBm / 50 OHM.
5  Record audio output,  level -20dBm (77mV) /
    600 OHM.
6  Tape switch relay controlled.  Normally open with squelch closed.
7  Tape switch relay controlled.  Normally open with squelch closed.
8  Ground.
5-29 SP - Speaker output socket
This 3.5mm mono jack socket provides audio output to drive an external
speaker unit.  Connection to this socket automatically disables the internal
speaker but not a headphone if connected to the front panel socket.