AOR AR3030 Receiver Operating Manual

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An external speaker should have a nominal 8 OHM impedance and power
handling of 2 WATTS or greater.
5-30 FAX - FAX audio output socket
This 3.5mm mono jack socket is designed to provide a suitable audio
characteristic and constant level output to feed data facsimile decoders.
Output is 600 OHM 0dBm constant.
5-31 RS232C - Computer control port
The 9 pin female D type RS232C control socket and associated internal
circuitry is fitted as standard.  This permits the receiver to be connected
directly to a computer for “hands off” remote control.
Please refer to the COMPUTER CONTROL section (7) for a full list of facilities,
protocols and connection details.
5-32 GND - Ground connection
This “jaw” is designed to accept an external earth connection (such as a
separate earth rod or connection to a central heating radiator etc).  To operate,
lift up the plastic tag,  place the conductor into the connection hole and press
firmly closed using a downward motion.
Connection to a good external RF earth will enhance the receiver’s
performance and reduce interfering electrical noise.
Should your building use PME (Protective Multiple Earthing) ensure the
electrical wiring is well bonded.  If in doubt,  consult a qualified electrician.
5-33 WIRE ANT - Wire (aerial) connector
This aerial input “jaw” is designed to accept the conductor of a random length
wire aerial.  To operate,  lift up the
plastic tag,
place the conductor into the
connection hole and press firmly
closed using a downward motion.
The input impedance is a nominal
450 OHMS.  The aerial input is
selected by the ANT SELECTION
switch which should be placed
into the left hand WIRE ANT
position.
5-34 ANT SELECTION -
Selection switch 
						

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This three position slide switch allows selection of aerial input.
In the left position the high impedance wire input is selected.
In the centre position a small level of amplification along with impedance
matching is applied to the BNC aerial input to permit operation from a small
high impedance telescopic whip aerial.
In the right position the 50 OHM BNC aerial socket is selected allowing
connection to low impedance coaxial aerials such as dipoles, magnetic baluns,
loop aerials (AOR LA320),  coaxial fed systems (like the AOR WA7000 active
aerial) or an aerial tuning unit.
5-35 WHIP ANT / 50 OHM / LW-HF ANT socket
This is a high quality 50 OHM BNC aerial input socket.  BNC is the commercial
standard and offers superior performance to the cheaper SO239 socket.  Of
course inter-series adaptors are widely available so connection to almost any
aerial system should not present a problem.
5-36 VHF ANT - VHF socket
This is a 50 OHM BNC aerial input socket for use when an optional VHF
converter is fitted.  Suitable aerials include telescopic whips, VHF dipoles,
groundplanes and discones.
5-37 LIGHT switch
The LCD and S-meter illumination is selectable On/Off via this switch.  This
facility is particularly useful if the receiver is being operated from batteries in
order to reduce the current taken by the receiver and lengthen the operational
time.
5-38 BATT compartment
This is the battery compartment.  Access is achieved by removing (and
carefully storing) the two knurled nuts.  Inside the battery compartment is a
cradle designed to accept 8 x UM-3 (AA size) batteries.
The receiver has not been designed to operate for a long time
from batteries.  However, depending upon the type of battery
used operation is typically 30 minutes using Manganese and
45+ minutes when using Alkaline cells.
Always remove the batteries when they have expired (run down).  Should you
plan not to use the receiver for a period of time,  remove the batteries to avoid
potential leakage.
Note: The memory channel data is held by an internal EEPROM
which does not require batteries or connection to external supply. 
						

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(6) Basic manual operation of the receiver
Connect and select an appropriate aerial (antenna) to the input on the rear of
the receiver.  The selection of aerial depends upon your location and specific
requirements but may include a dipole or long wire.  There is further aerial
information in this manual (section 10).  If in doubt please consult your dealer.
Connect the AR3030 to an appropriate DC power source using either the
supplied AC adaptor or optional DC3000 DC lead.  Never connect the
receiver directly to the mains.
Before turning on the power switch, set the volume to the 10 o’clock position
and squelch control to the 8 o’clock position (fully anti-clockwise).
Press the power switch until it latches in (depressed) which is the “On
position”.
Ensure the label “MEMO” is not displayed on the LCD,  if it is then press the
[VFO] key once until the label “MEMO” is cancelled.
When the above procedure is complete the receiver is ready to accept
frequency input, change of mode etc.  As with all modern microprocessor
controlled equipment,  the AR3030 has enormous potential and capabilities.
Note:  The AR3030 uses an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory) for storage of memories,  metre
band information and other parameters.  A permanent storage EEPROM
has the advantage of not requiring a back-up battery to maintain data
even when the receiver is disconnected from a power supply. The
EEPROM may be over-written many thousands of times.
In order to provide the maximum EEPROM life span a “fuzzy logic” has
been applied to the storage system which attempts to intuitively
determine when to store new data.
For this reason,  the last frequency used in VFO mode via the tuning
control or keypad will not be recalled upon switch-On unless you had
listened to it for more than about 15 seconds (the actual time depends
upon many factors but typically ranges from 6 to 13 seconds).
Similarly when using the metre key,  if you haven’t “listened” to a new
frequency for more than 15 seconds or so,  it will not have updated the
metre band data.  This can be used as a positive asset under certain
circumstances when tuning through amateur radio bands etc and you
wish to return to the starting point...  simply re-enter the metre band.
To achieve the maximum use of the receiver’s performance and features,  it is
important to fully familiarise yourself with it’s operation through the use of this
handbook.
6-1 Tuning the receiver using the rotary control 
						

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The receiver may be immediately tuned via the rotary tuning control.  The free
running tuning knob is used to select receiving frequency and in memory mode
for selection of memory channel.
The tuning knob is by far the most “traditional” approach to tuning on
shortwave providing a smooth feel and the best method of user interface
especially when listening on the SSB, FAX and CW modes.
It is possible to tune the receiver through it’s entire range from 30kHz to
29.99999MHz.  Rotating the tuning control clockwise increases the displayed
frequency (and tunes the receiver upward), rotating the tuning control anti-
clockwise decreases the displayed frequency (and tunes the receiver
downward).
At some point you may wish to increase the speed of tuning,  this is
accomplished using the [kHz] and [MHz] keys.
You will note a small underscore “_” underneath one of the frequency readout
digits.  It is possible to move the underscore by pressing the [kHz] key.  The
underscore will move from the underneath of the right digit (tens of Hz),
second from right (hundreds of Hz) and third from right (kHz).  Pressing the
[kHz] key again returns the underscore to the right.
The position of the underscore determines the rate of tuning.  On shortwave,
the receiver will tune in either 5Hz steps (10Hz resolution), 100Hz steps of
1kHz steps.
In a similar way,  you may decide to change the MHz readout using the rotary
tuning control.  To accomplish this,  simply press the [MHz] key.  An under-
score “_” will appear on the LCD underneath the MHz digit to confirm selection.
To return to fine tuning press the [kHz] key.
6-2 Changing receive mode
There are two mode keys on the front panel located between the S-meter and
LCD,  there are also seven LED indicators to show the current mode selected.
Either key may be pressed to change mode.
Any receive mode may be selected at any frequency within the receiver’s
shortwave coverage.
Generally speaking the following modes will apply:
AM
Amplitude Modulation - Used by broadcast services throughout the World on
longwave, medium wave and shortwave.  AM is also used by commercial
airband 108 - 137MHz (should you have the VHF converter option fitted).
For best results,  you will have to experiment with the setting of AGC between
fast and slow.
S.AM
Synchronous AM - (the AR3030 uses double side band synchronous 
						

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detection).  This is a special form of AM reception capable of reducing fading
on longwave, mediumwave and shortwave signals especially at night.
The receiver must first be accurately tuned in standard AM mode then switched
to S.AM.  A short whistle may be heard as the set “locks” onto the received
station.  If a sustained whistle is encountered then you probably do not have
the receiver quite centred on the station,  try tuning up and down by a couple
of kHz and try again.
For best results,  you will have to experiment with the setting of AGC between
fast and slow.
FM
Narrow Band Frequency Modulation - this provides high quality communication
for relatively short distance operation.  FM uses a greater frequency bandwidth
than other modes such as SSB so is less efficient.
Typically on shortwave,  FM is used by UK Citizen Band radio and 10m
Amateur Band operation centred around 29.6 MHz.  FM is widely used on the
VHF bands: Marine band, 2m Amateur Band (145MHz) and PMR (Private
Mobile Radio) but not commercial airband which still uses AM.  If the optional
VHF converter fitted,  FM will be quite active in most areas.
In the absence of a signal,  the background white noise may appear quite loud.
For ease of listening the squelch control should be rotated clockwise until the
background noise just disappears, this should be carried out when no signal is
present.  The point where the background noise is cancelled is known as
“threshold point”.  Do not advance the squelch control more than necessary or
the receiver will appear to be desensitised and weaker signals will be missed.
LSB
Lower Side Band - is a form or Single Side Band (SSB).  LSB tends not to be
used commercially but is extensively used by Radio Amateurs on frequencies
below 10 MHz.  This assists the separation of Commercial and Amateur users
on traditionally shared bands and prevents them from speaking to each other.
SSB is a very efficient method of transmission as the unwanted second
sideband and carrier have been removed.  This allows the full transmitter
power to be employed in carrying useful information within the wanted
sideband.  As a result greater distances are possible on SSB and a smaller
frequency bandwidth is required than most other modes.
The AR3030 uses true carrier re-insertion so that voice becomes intelligible.
However due to the complexities of SSB,  audio never sounds 100% natural
and often listeners comment on it sounding a little like “Donald Duck” or “Micky
Mouse” but this is normal and with practice you soon become used to this
characteristic.
The setting of AGC is important for SSB reception.  Usually a SLOW setting
provides the best results when background noise will usually be reduced.
Rotate the RF gain control anti-clockwise so that the S-meter needle just “lifts”
with voice peaks,  this can reduce the background noise especially during 
						

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pauses in speech.
Do remember that reducing the RF GAIN control (which increases deflection of
the S-meter) reduces the sensitivity of the receiver,  the normal position is fully
clockwise.
USB
Upper Side Band -  The same comments apply as for LSB.  By convention,
Radio Amateurs also use USB above 10MHz.
An optional Collins 2.5kHz 8 resonator mechanical filter of high specification
may be fitted in place of the standard 2.4kHz Murata ceramic filter for
improved selectivity.
CW
Continuous Wave - Often referred to a Carrier Wave or Morse code.  Selection
of CW changes the audio tailoring to best suite reception of “dots and dashes”.
A 500Hz Collins 7 resonator mechanical filter may be optionally fitted in the
NARROW filter position and will greatly aid rejection of unwanted signals on
this mode.
FAX
Facsimile - Selection of [FAX] optimises the receiver for reception of weather
and news facsimile.  The 2.4kHz standard SSB filter is employed but audio
tailoring is optimised for facsimile reception.  A constant level 0dBm 600 OHM
audio output is available through a rear panel 3.5mm FAX OUTPUT socket
ready to feed an external facsimile decoder / printer such as the AOR
WX-2000.
6-3 Changing VFO A/B
In the true sense of the word,  “VFO” stands for Variable Frequency
Oscillator.  Of course as technology improved so modern receivers do not
strictly use a VFO,  in the case of the AR3030 a Direct Digital Synthesizer
(DDS) is employed.
However,  the term “VFO” has generally come to mean “current tuning
parameters” and refers to the tunable frequency currently displayed along
with mode and other settings such as attenuator, filters etc.
In this sense,  the AR3030 has two VFOs’ available A and B.
Two VFOs’ can be useful for listening to split frequency communications such
as a DX pile up on the Amateur bands where a much sort after station is
transmitting on one frequency but listening on another.  Another example
would be coastal marine communications where split frequencies are
employed.
Should the optional VHF converter be fitted then split frequency operation
(known as DUPLEX) is common place.  (Single frequency operation is known
as SIMPLEX).
The currently selected VFO is indicated on the LCD by [A] or [B].  To change
from one to another simply press the [VFO] key.  To return to the original VFO 
						

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press the [VFO] key again.
Note: The rotary tuning control is also often historically
referred to as the VFO.
6-4 TONE - Audio tailoring
The audio characteristic is adjustable on most modes via the [TONE] key on
the front panel.
Selecting a high tone setting may improve the listening quality of strong
broadcast services such as longwave but where adjacent interference is
experienced selecting the low setting may reduce the levels of annoying
heterodynes.
The current setting of tone is indicated on the LCD as [HIGH] or [LOW].
The actual audio tailoring characteristics are:
USB/LSB/AM/S.AM/FM
TONE High position cut off frequency 3000 Hz
TONE Low position cut off frequency 1800 Hz
CW
TONE key inoperative.  Frequency set to 800 Hz
FAX
TONE key inoperative
6-5 Bandwidth and filters
The AR3030 is fitted with several standard
IF bandwidths including a cascade 8kHz/-
6dB ceramic filter (CFU455G2) for AM/
SSB/FAX/CW plus two audio bandwidths:
AM/S.AM
6kHz/-3dB in the normal position using the
legendary Collins eight resonator
mechanical filter (526 8636 010) and a
2.4kHz/-6dB Murata ceramic filter
(CFJ455K6) 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 such as
Collins 8.5kHz/-3dB 526 8561 020.  Due
to the I.F. cascade filter,  the widest
possible filter is 8.5kHz.
USB/LSB/FAX
2.4kHz Murata ceramic filter (CFJ455K6). 
						

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An optional 2.5kHz/-3dB Collins eight resonator mechanical filter (526 8635
010) of higher specification may be optionally fitted (workshop fitting) 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
Collins seven resonator mechanical filter (526 8634 010) may be optionally
fitted (workshop fitting)in the Narrow position.
FM
15kHz Murata ceramic filter (CFU455E2) fixed.  Selection of Normal/Narrow is
disabled.
The AR3030 is fitted with several standard I.F. bandwidths:
Selecting a narrow filter setting can improve intelligibility under some
circumstances when listening to AM and S.AM.  The fitting of a narrow
500Hz CW filter greatly improves the rejection of unwanted adjacent
signals.  Indication of current setting is provide on the LCD as [NOR] or
[NRW].
6-6 AGC - Automatic Gain Control
This key is used to select the Automatic Gain Control setting on all modes
except FM.  The status of AGC is indicated on the LCD as [FAST] or [SLOW].
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 on SSB can
reduce the background noise during pauses in speech.
For AM and S.AM reception the setting will depend on receiving conditions.
6-7 ATT - Attenuator operation
The attenuator can be useful for reducing the level of unwanted strong signals
or overload.  The AR3030 has three settings for 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 I.F. stages.  This ensures the highest
immunity to intermodulation effects sometimes caused by a large number of
strong signals on the shortwave bands.
6-8 RF GAIN control 
						

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The usual position for this control is fully clockwise.
The setting of RF GAIN is particularly important for SSB reception to prevent
an unpleasant rise in background noise especially during pauses in speech.
When listening to SSB transmissions,  rotate the RF gain control anti-
clockwise so that the S-meter needle just “lifts” with speech peaks.  This will
greatly reduce background noise levels.
Do remember that reducing the RF GAIN control (which increases
deflection of the S-meter) reduces the sensitivity of the receiver,  the
normal position is fully clockwise.
6-9 SQUELCH control
In the absence of a signal, background white noise may appear quite loud
especially in FM mode.  For ease of listening the AR3030 is fitted with an “all
mode” squelch circuit.  The squelch control should be rotated clockwise until
the background noise just disappears and be carried out when no signal is
present.
The point where the background noise is cancelled is known as “threshold
point”.  Do not advance the squelch control more than necessary or the
receiver will appear desensitised and weaker signals will be missed.
It is important for the squelch control to close when using an optional VHF
converter as it’s status is used by the microprocessor to determine when a
frequency is clear and when it is busy.
The usual position for the squelch control is fully anti-clockwise.
6-10 BFO PITCH control
Due to the complexities of SSB,  audio never sounds 100% natural and often
listeners comment on it sounding a little like “Donald Duck” or “Micky Mouse”,
this is normal and with practice you soon become used to this characteristic.
The AR3030 uses automatic carrier re-insertion to make tuning of SSB/FAX/
CW as easy as possible.  However should you wish to change the beat note on
CW reception or alter the tonal characteristics of SSB/FAX it is possible to
engage a manual BFO.  “BFO” stands for Beat Frequency Oscillator and
takes the place of automatic carrier re-insertion.
One benefit of the manual BFO setting is to form a simple manual type of
passband tuning to reduce the potential interfering effects of adjacent strong
signals.
The normal position for the BFO PITCH control is 12 o’clock.
To activate the BFO in VFO mode press the [0] key followed by [mtr].  The
LCD will display a “o” to indicate that manual BFO mode has been selected.  If 
						

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the BFO PITCH
control is rotated it
will initially sound like
a fine tuning control.
To practice using the
BFO find an SSB
transmission
suffering from
adjacent channel
interference and tune
away by a few kHz
using the main rotary
tuning control.
Ensure the BFO
PITCH control is
selected and rotate
the BFO PITCH
control from side-to-
side until the signal
becomes readable
again.  You should
experience a
reduction or
elimination in
adjacent channel
interference in many
cases.
To return to
automatic carrier re-
insertion repeat the
key strokes [0] [mtr]
while in VFO mode.
6-11 VFO and keypad lock
At times you may wish to lock the receiver onto a specific frequency or prevent
accidental changing of data through the keypad.  For this reason a “dial lock”
facility has been provided.
To activate dial lock while in VFO mode simply press the [ENT/BS] key.  A row
of underscores “_ _ _ _ _” will appear underneath all the LCD frequency
display segments to confirm dial lock is on.
To deactivate dial lock simply press [ENT/BS] again.  The row of underscore
characters will be removed from the LCD.
Regardless of the dial lock selection,  if switched Off/On,  the AR3030 will
always power up with dial lock off.