AOR AR8600 Receiver Manual

31
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.
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 conveying useful information within
the wanted sideband.  As a result, greater distances are possible on SSB with a smaller frequency
bandwidth being required than...

32
Should you wish to change the default tuning step size    .
The third main text line of the LCD will display the current default
size (perhaps “25.00” kHz).  If the reverse LCD legend “AUT”
displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD, this indicates that
AUTO MODE / STEP is currently selected.
The bottom line of the LCD displays the legend “STEP SET” to
indicate that the AR8600 is inviting you to change the step size.
Use the main dial or ï and ð keys to select the required step size.
The list is...

33
The display doesn’t correct immediately upon frequency entry to allow you to enter the ‘STEP-ADJUST’
menu to change the step size and step-adjust in order to help track unusual band plans.
&Note: AUTO-STEP, STEP-ADJUST and AUTO-MODE are linked to the pre-programmed
bandplan data.  When one of the parameters is changed from the default “AUTO” the bandplan
will be ignored.
To reinstate AUTO step size, the receive MODE must be returned to “AUTO” using the “MODE SET”
menu or by using the key sequence...

34
         
   
Access the STEP menu using the key sequence
   .  Use the main dial to
select a step size of 20 kHz (do NOT press enter!).
  to access the STEP-ADJUST menu.
Accessing this menu will activate the step-adjust facility,
the “ADJ” legend will be displayed on the LCD
to confirm selection.  You will note that the
calculated step adjust value is displayed on the
bottom of the LCD as “ADJ+ 10.00” representing
a positive offset of +10 kHz with a step size of
20 kHz.  
  to accept the
displayed...

35
However, the STEP-ADJUST facility is used to address this situation.
With the above in mind, 58.445 MHz with 15 kHz steps in mind, while in VFO mode, key in the start
frequency of 58.445 MHz
         
   
Access the STEP menu using the key sequence    .  15 kHz is not a
standard size provided by rotating the main dial so key in the required 15 kHz step size.
  
    (do NOT press enter!).    to access the
STEP-ADJUST menu.  Accessing this menu will activate the step-adjust facility, the “ADJ” legend...

36
With this example of 145.210 MHz with 14 kHz steps in mind, while in VFO mode, key in the start
frequency of 145.210 MHz
         
   
Access the STEP menu using the key sequence    .  14 kHz is not a
standard size provided by rotating the main dial so key in the required 15 kHz step size.
    (do NOT press enter!).
  to access the STEP-ADJUST menu.  Ignore the step-adjust value displayed (10 kHz),
  to let the AR8600 automatically calculate the requirement, you will need to
  a second time to exit...

37
The third line will display “OFFSET 00” with “00”
indicating that frequency offset is currently off,
there will be no “DUP” legend displayed when the
frequency offset is OFF.  The bottom line of LCD
will display “- - - . - - - -“ indicating that no offset
is stored.  Use the main dial or ï ð keys to
review the offset locations, particularly numbers
20 to 47 where useful factory
programmed offsets may be stored.
As soon as you shift from location
00, the “DUP” duplex legend is
displayed on the LCD to...

38
For example, use the main dial until the LCD displays “OFFSET 01”, the bottom line of LCD will display
“- - - . - - - -“ indicating that no offset has been previously stored.  If data is stored, the offset value will be
displayed on the bottom line of the LCD and may be overridden.
Key in the desired offset in MHz format, the ð key may be used as a backspace should an error be
made.  i.e. for an offset of +1.600 MHz 
      (don’t
push enter!)  
 the  key to toggle the frequency offset direction...

39
The noise limiter has two settings, on and off.  When the noise
limiter is ON, the legend “NL” appears on LCD.
To toggle the noise limiter on/off 
  
  The legend “NL” confirms selection and the noise limiter
will be active in AM and SSB modes.  To toggle on/off again just
repeat the sequence 
   , the
legend “NL” is extinguished when the noise limiter is OFF.
The selection of noise limiter is held separately in each VFO, each memory channel and may also be
toggled during search (in scan mode, the...

40
The distance in kHz which the AR8600 can ‘pull’ depends upon receive mode, IF bandwidth and signal
strength… the wider the filter and stronger the signal then the further AFC can pull.
Typically AFC will pull in the region of ± 5 kHz to ± 15 kHz, the maximum value for AFC is set to
± 25 kHz so that the receiver does not continually tune across the frequency spectrum looking for
‘anything’ to centre tune.
The AFC process usually takes a few seconds to ‘settle down’ after which time it is normal for...