AOR AR800 Operating Manual

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AM
Amplitude Modulation - Used by broadcast services throughout the world on
medium wave and shortwave.  AM is also used by VHF Civil airband, UHF
Military airband and some PMR (Private Mobile Radio) and utility services.
NFM
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.
NFM is the most common mode used above 30 MHz with the exception of the
airbands.  NFM is widely used on the VHF bands: VHF Marine band, 2m
amateur Band (145MHz), 70cm amateur band (433 MHz), PMR (Private Mobile
Radio) and utilities.
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.
WFM
Wide band Frequency Modulation - used by VHF and UHF broadcast stations
as excellent audio quality is available due to the relatively wide frequency
bandwidth employed.  Used only for local services such as VHF band-2 stereo
(received as mono on the AR8000) and UHF TV sound channels.
When listening in VERY strong signal locations especially when using an
external aerial, the WFM I.F. amplifier may be overloaded.  This will not
damage the AR8000 but may result in “apparent signal loss”.  Should this be
encountered, use the attenuator to reduce signal strength or swap to the
standard semi-flexible whip aerial.
LSB
Lower Side Band - is a form of 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 AR8000 uses true carrier re-insertion and a dedicated SSB I.F. filter 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. 
						

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Small tuning steps of 50 Hz or 100 Hz should be used for tuning in LSB and
other similar modes USB & CW.
The AR8000 being a hand held wide band receiver cannot offer the
receive performance of a dedicated short wave receiver such as the AOR
AR3030 or base wide band receiver AOR AR3000A.  This is due to the
limitation of size, as a result the receiver’s AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
circuitry bandpass circuits and reference stability cannot be as complex.
The AR8000 will however provide adequate results for oceanic, ship to
shore and amateur band listening etc.
The SSB frequency display is not offset (like some other units). However being
such a compact wide band receiver, it will not be unusual for the SSB display
to be a few hundred Hz off frequency when listening to known frequencies such
as VOLMET (airband weather forecast service).  For example the European
5.5050 MHz VOLMET service may appear between approximately 5.5045 and
5.5055 MHz... this is considered normal.
USB
Upper Side Band -  The same comments apply as for LSB.  By convention,
Radio Amateurs also use USB above 10MHz.
All long range shipping and oceanic air traffic (as well as long range military
aircraft) use USB.  DATA modes such as RTTY, SITOR, PACKET, FAX etc
may be resolved using USB.
CW
Continuous Wave - Often referred to a Carrier Wave or Morse code “dots and
dashes”.  Commonly used on the short wave bands by radio amateurs toward
the lower end of each band allocation.  Some commercial use is still made by
shipping etc although its use is being phased out due to the introduction of
automated stations.
6-12 [ATT] Attenuator ON/OFF
The attenuator adds 10dB of signal reduction to the RF input stages of the
AR8000 to reduce the possible effects of signal overloading due to connection
to an external aerial or when the receiver is used in close proximity to strong
transmissions.
The AR8000 has two settings for ATT (attenuator), On and OFF.  When the
attenuator is ON, the legend “A” appears on the top
line of the LCD in the seventh position from the left
hand side.
To toggle the attenuator On/Off while in VFO mode
press [FUNC] [1] the legend “A” confirms selection
and incoming signals will be reduced in strength.  To
toggle On/Off again just repeat the sequence [FUNC]
[1], the legend “A” is extinguished when the 
						

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attenuator is OFF.
The selection of attenuator may also be programmed into memory channels
and when defining program search.
Please refer to sections 4-5, 22 & 23 of this manual for further information
regarding aerial suitability, and filters.
6-13 [B SCP] band scope operation
A band scope facility has been provided so that adjacent channels can be
monitored graphically for activity.
The band scope may be operated in 1VFO or 2VFO mode but cannot be
used while in scan mode, search mode or when priority (PRI CH “P”) is
engaged (switched on).  If using 2VFO mode, the stand-by (lower) frequency
will be replaced by the bar graph during band scope operation.
If the sequence [FUNC] [7] is keyed while in VFO
mode, the BAND SCOPE will be activated to check
for adjacent channel occupancy.
The band scope facility produces a bar graph
(sometimes referred to a as spectrum or panoramic -
pan display).  The bar graph uses the whole eleven
horizontal positions of the third line of the LCD (five
channels either side of the centre frequency).  The
stronger the signal then the higher the bar graph.
The first (lowest) segment of each bar is displayed even if no signals are
present so that band scope operation is confirmed at a glance.
Note: It is possible that false signal levels may appear on the band scope
due to local noise or the close proximity of computer systems.
The band scope facility is NOT designed to provide accurate spectrum
analyser displays, a purpose built test instrument is required for
specialist measurement applications.
The band scope channel spacing is determined by the receive mode (NFM,
USB etc).  The active VFO frequency is positioned in the centre of the
display with five adjacent channels above and below the centre frequency
to each side.  SET OFFSET channels may be displayed if the facility is
engaged.
The minimum spacing between each adjacent channel is 3 kHz on USB, LSB &
CW and 10 kHz on NFM & AM.
When the [DIAL] is turned or every five seconds the display will be updated.
This can be a useful feature if the “exact” frequency of a specific service is not
known.  There will be a brief interruption to the active monitored station
(centre frequency) every five seconds as the AR8000 scans adjacent channels
to update the display. 
						

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To deactivate the bandscope, repeat the key sequence [FUNC] [7] or press the
[2VFO], [SRCH] or [SCAN] keys.
(7) Memory banks & channels
It is very convenient to store commonly used frequencies into a memory bank
along with mode and attenuator status, this saves having to key the data in
over and over again.  Memory recall is very straightforward and quick when
compared to retyping all data.
Think of memory channels as pages in a notebook each of which is numbered
to identify it.  Data may be written to each new page (memory channel) and
each page may be overwritten with new data, they can be used over and over
again.
Each memory channel may hold one frequency, mode, attenuator setting,
step and step offset data.  Up to a seven character alphanumeric comment
may also be added for ease of identification at a latter date.
A total of 1000 memory channels are provided which are divided into 20 banks,
each having 50 channels.  The memory banks are identified by letters A, B, C,
D, E, F, G, H, I, J  (upper case letters) and a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j (lower case
letters) and numbered from 00 to 49.
Examples are “A00” for the first channel location in memory bank “A” and
“A49” for the last memory channel in memory bank “A”.
“e15” is the location of memory bank “e” (lower case) channel “15”.
It is possible to add a common four digit PASSWORD to the memory banks a,
b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j so that “special” frequencies may be stored and recall is
only possible once the PASSWORD has been entered... this should stop
preying eyes.  If the PASSWORD is not set,  then all memory banks may be
accessed and used in the standard manner.
When shipped from the factory in default NEWUSER mode, memory bank “J”
is reserved for auto-store of memory channels from search mode.  Please refer
to section 15 of this manual for further information regarding AUTO-STORE.
The data contents of memory and search banks are held in an EEPROM so
that no backup battery or capacitor is required for memory retention.
The stored data may be quickly and easily recalled, changed or deleted using
the memory recall, edit and delete facilities.
Note: When the receiver is switched OFF, all VFO data will be automatically
stored into EEPROM memory storage.  No battery or capacitor is required for
memory backup.  Should the NiCads (or dry batteries if in use) become
completely exhausted, the last stored memory channel or last VFO data “may”
be lost. 
						

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During the manufacture and testing of the receiver, various test frequencies are
entered into the receiver’s memory banks so the memory locations are unlikely
to be completely blank.
Note: Where memory banks etc are empty the indication “- - -” is often
displayed.
7-1 Storing receive data into memory - memory input in VFO mode
Lets assume that you wish to store the frequency of 88.3 MHz with the
attenuator Off into memory bank “A” location “00” (A00) while in VFO mode.
Start by selecting VFO mode then key in the frequency of 88.3 MHz, “mode
and step size” are set to the default AUTO.
[2VFO] to place the receiver into VFO mode
[8] [8] [.] [3] [ENT] to select the desired frequency, the mode and step
size will be automatically set by the AR8000 microprocessor.
Press and hold the [ENT] key for more than one second to enter
memory input mode.
The third line of the LCD will display the legend “BANK” and the highlight
cursor will be positioned over the bank identification letter such as “A”.
The microprocessor will automatically select the
youngest free memory location.  You may change
the bank identifier at this time by rotating the [DIAL]
on the top cabinet or by typing in a new letter using
the numeric keypad.
Note: You will notice that to the right of the keypad
numbers, there are small orange letters which are
bank identifiers.  Key 1 is “A”, key 2 is “B” etc.  The
lower case bank identifiers may be accessed using the CASE SHIFT key [.Aa].
Remember, if you take too long entering data (90 seconds) the display
will revert to it’s original condition (2VFO mode).
Assuming that you wish to store 88.3 MHz in the very first memory channel
irrespective of what may already be stored there press [1A] then select the first
channel by pressing [0] [0] Next type [ENT] to accept the memory location.
The highlight cursor will move to the fourth line to the
right of the legend “TXT”.  Should you wish to change
the alphanumeric comment rotate the [DIAL] on the
top cabinet until the chosen letter or symbol is
displayed.  A maximum word length of seven
characters may be chosen.  To move to the right
and left character positions use the arrow keys. 
						

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If you are happy with the alphanumeric description press [ENT] and the display
will return to VFO mode.
At any time you may abort the memory input by pressing the [CLEAR] key, the
display will return to VFO mode.
7-2 Memory recall (M.R) - Recalling receive data from memory
Once receive frequency and mode data has been stored into a memory
location, its retrieval is quick and simple.
Let’s assume that you wish to retrieve the frequency of 88.3 MHz which has
been programmed into to memory “A00” during the example in the preceding
section 7-1 of this manual.
Press [SCAN] to place the receiver into memory recall mode (M.R).  The
legend “M.RE” appears on the top left of the LCD to confirm operation.
The receiver will display a memory channel, mode, frequency and text.  If the
desired memory channel is not immediately displayed it may be RECALLED by
keying in the required location.
To recall memory channel “A00” type [1A] [0] [0] there is no need to press
[ENT]
The “M.RE SELECT” menu automatically appears
when the [1A] key is pressed so that the frequency
and comments are displayed on the third and fourth
lines of the LCD for easy recognition.
The receiver will monitor whatever memory channel
first appeared when you entered memory recall
mode.
Memory channel review / hunt
The [DIAL] may be rotated to review, hunt for and select memory channels.
From VFO mode press [SCAN] to enter memory recall “M.RE” mode then
rotate the [DIAL] to select the required memory channel.
This is a useful tool for reviewing memory contents and hunting for a specific
channel when you forget where you stored it!  Should you know the number of
the required memory channel, the keypad method of memory recall will be
much faster.
The receiver will monitor whatever memory channel is displayed in “M.RE”
mode. 
						

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Note: If you have activated the PASSWORD protection, it is not possible
to access memory banks a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j until the password has
been keyed in each time the set has been switched On.  Please refer to
the PASSWORD section (9) of this manual for further information.
7-3 Transfer of memory channel to VFO
Should you wish to tune away from the memory channel and benefit from not
having to re-enter the frequency, mode, attenuator setting, channel step and
step offset, the data may be quickly transferred from memory to either 1VFO or
2VFO modes.
Transfer to 1VFO
To transfer to 1VFO simply press [ENT].  The display will clear except for
mode, frequency, attenuator status (if the attenuator is switched ON) and
signal meter.  Tune using the UP/DOWN keys or [DIAL].
Transfer to 2VFO
To transfer to the active VFO of 2VFO mode press [FUNC] [2VFO].  The
display will change to 2VFO mode with the chosen memory data being
displayed in the upper “active” VFO position.  Tune using the UP/DOWN keys
or [DIAL].
(8) Editing, copying, moving & swapping channels
There will come a time when you have entered many frequencies into the
memory banks and may wish to edit the data contained (change frequencies,
comments or modes etc).
There are many ways in which memory data may be copied and amended.
8-1 Memory over-write
The easiest way to change the memory channel contents is simply to key new
data over the top as shown in section 7-1 of this manual.
For example, let’s assume that you wish to store a new frequency of 92.7 MHz
into memory bank “A” location “00” (A00) which has been previously used to
store 88.3 MHz.
Start by selecting VFO mode then key in the frequency of 88.3 MHz, mode and
step size are set to the default AUTO.
[2VFO] to place the receiver into VFO mode 
						

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[9] [2] [.] [7] [ENT] to select the desired frequency, the mode and step
size will be automatically set by the AR8000 microprocessor.
Press and hold the [ENT] key for more than
one second to enter memory input mode.
Press [1A] [0] [0] [ENT] [ENT] to over-write the
previous data.
At any time you may abort the memory input by
pressing the [CLEAR] key, the display will return to
VFO mode.
8-2 SET EDIT-CH - editing, copying, moving and swapping
memory channels
Comprehensive memory editing facilities are available through the
 “SET EDIT-CH” menu.
To access the “EDIT-CHANNEL” menu press [FUNC]
[8] the legend “SET EDIT-CH” appears on the first
line of the LCD.
There are four options available:
“COPY-MODE”, “MOVE-MODE”, “SWAP-MODE” and
“CHANGE-MEM”.
The highlighter cursor will initially flash to the left of the first option
“COPY-MODE”.  The UP/DOWN keys or [DIAL] may be used to change the
cursor position between selections.
8-3 COPY-MODE
COPY-MODE is used to make an exact data copy of one memory channel into
another location.  To return to the analogy of the memory channels being
pages in a book referred to at the introduction to memory banks & channels
section 7, “COPY-MODE” is just like making a photo copy of a page, all the
details are copied in exact replica and the original is not destroyed in the
process.
This facility is provided should you wish to have the contents of one particular
memory available in more than one memory bank... this can be useful for
certain scanning applications.  Please refer to section (10) of this manual for
details on SCAN.
To select the “COPY-MODE” sub menu first access the SET EDIT-CH menu by
pressing [FUNC] [8].  Use the UP/DOWN or [DIAL] until the cursor is to the
left of the “COPY-MODE” option then press [ENT].
The top line of the LCD will alternately flash between “SET EDIT-CH” and 
						

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“COPY-MODE” to indicate that a sub menu has been selected.
The cursor will be positioned over the memory bank identifier (LETTER).  Use
the [DIAL] or keypad to select the memory channel which you would like to
copy (like the original of a photo copier!).
The third line will alternate between MODE and STEP while the fourth line will
alternate between TXT and FREQUENCY so that easy identification of the
desired memory channel may be made.
Once you have chosen the desired memory channel to be copied press [ENT].
The “original” memory channel number moves to the
left hand side of the second line of the LCD and a
symbol “=>” points to another memory channel
toward the right of the second line of the LCD.  The
cursor is positioned over the new memory channel.
This new memory channel number is the location
where you wish to place the copied data.  Use the
[DIAL] or keypad to select the memory channel
where you would like the data copied to.
The original data will not be deleted, instead you now have two identical
memory locations but with different memory channel locations.
For example, let’s assume that memory channel “A00” contains the frequency
92.7 MHz with the mode WFM, step set to AUTO, attenuator OFF and
alphanumeric comment (as previously programmed in section 8-1 of this
manual).  You may decide to COPY this memory data to memory location
“D15”:
Press [FUNC] [8] to access the “SET EDIT-CH” menu.
Move the cursor to the left of the “COPY-MODE” option using the UP/DOWN
keys or [DIAL] then press [ENT] to access the “COPY-MODE” sub menu.
Key in the channel number which you wish to copy using the keypad [A] [0] [0]
or rotate the [DIAL] to locate the channel number “A00”.  Press [ENT] to select
channel number “A00” which is to be copied.
Key in the channel number of the location to where the memory data is to be
copied using the keypad [D] [1] [5] or rotate the [DIAL] to locate the channel
number “D15”.  Press [ENT] to select channel number “D15” where the data
will be copied to.
There is now an identical copy of data 92.7 MHz, WFM, AUTO step,
attenuator off and alphanumeric comment in both memory locations “A00”
and “D15”. 
						

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8-4 MEMORY CHANNEL COPY - alternative method using memory recall
Other AR8000 facilities may be manipulated in order to achieve data copying
of memory channels.  In particular memory recall and memory input may be
used to copy frequency, mode and step data but not alphanumeric comment
to another memory location.
To carry out the same example as shown in section 8-3 (COPY-MODE) but
copying the data of memory channel “A00” to “C23” proceed as follows:
Press [SCAN] to access memory recall mode, the legend “M.RE” appears on
the LCD to confirm operation.
Select the memory channel to be copied by keying in the memory location [A]
[0] [0] or by rotating the [DIAL].
Press [ENT] to transfer the data contents of memory channel “A00” to 1VFO.
Press and hold the [ENT] key for more than one second to access a short
memory input menu.
Key in the memory location where you would like the memory data to be
copied [C] [2] [3] or find the location by rotating the [DIAL].
Press [ENT] to confirm the new memory location where the data will be copied.
At this point you may specify up to seven alphanumeric characters for the
“TXT” text comment on line four of the LCD using the [DIAL] and UP/DOWN
keys.  If you do not wish to add a comment but wish the data field to remain
blank, or have added a new comment press [ENT].
There is now an identical copy of data 92.7 MHz, WFM, AUTO step and
attenuator off in both memory locations “A00” and “C23” but the “TXT”
comments may be different.
8-5 MOVE-MODE
MOVE-MODE is used to make an exact data copy of one memory channel into
another location in the same way as “COPY-DATA” in section 8-3 of this
manual but the original memory channel is left BLANK (deleted)...  The
memory channel data is MOVED rather then COPIED.
To select the “MOVE-MODE” sub menu first access the SET EDIT-CH menu
by pressing [FUNC] [8].  Use the UP/DOWN or [DIAL] until the cursor is to the
left of the “MOVE-MODE” option then press [ENT].
The top line of the LCD will alternately flash between “SET EDIT-CH” and
“MOVE-MODE” to indicate that a sub menu has been selected.
The cursor will be positioned over the memory bank identifier (LETTER).
Use the [DIAL] or keypad to select the memory channel which you would like
to move.