AOR AR8600 Receiver Manual

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(1) AR8600 Index
(1)  Index  .......................................................................................................................... 1
1-1  Introduction  ................................................................................................................ 5
1-2  Take care of your radio  .............................................................................................. 5
1-3  Attention while operating  ............................................................................................ 6
1-4  Accessories supplied  ................................................................................................. 7
1-5  Controls & functions  .................................................................................................. 7
1-5-1  Keypad  ................................................................................................................... 9
1-5-2  Summary of keys  .................................................................................................... 10
1-5-3  Important controls  ................................................................................................... 15
1-6  Power supply  .............................................................................................................16
1-6-1  Optional internal battery (BP8600)  .......................................................................... 16
1-6-2  Charging the optional BP8600 battery  .................................................................... 17
1-6-3  Battery considerations  ............................................................................................ 18
1-6-4  Cigar lighter lead  ....................................................................................................18
1-7  i.f. output and spectrum display  ................................................................................. 19
(2)  Making the AR8600 ready for operation  .................................................................. 20
2-1  LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  ...................................................................................... 20
2-2  Connect the aerial (antenna)  ..................................................................................... 21
2-3  Connect power  .......................................................................................................... 21
2-4  Keypad and knobs... what you need to know ‘most’  .................................................. 22
2-4-1  ENTER key  ............................................................................................................ 22
2-4-2  FUNCTION key  ...................................................................................................... 22
2-4-3  PASS key  ...............................................................................................................22
2-4-4  CLEAR key  .............................................................................................................23
2-4-5  MONITOR key  ........................................................................................................ 23
2-4-6  KEY lock  ................................................................................................................ 23
2-4-7  STANDBY key  ........................................................................................................ 23
(3)  Basic manual operation of the receiver  .................................................................. 24
3-1  Switching on for the first time  .................................................................................... 24
3-2  2VFO twin VFO selection  .......................................................................................... 24
3-3  Entering a frequency using the numeric keypad  ........................................................ 26
3-4  Correcting frequency input  ........................................................................................ 27
3-5  Changing frequency using the ñ and ò keys  ............................................................ 27
3-6  Changing frequency using the main dial  .................................................................... 28
3-7  Changing receive mode  ............................................................................................. 29
3-7-1  Auto-mode selection  ............................................................................................... 29
3-7-2  Receive mode selection menu  ................................................................................ 29
3-8  Changing tuning STEP size  ....................................................................................... 31
3-9  STEP-adjust  ..............................................................................................................33
3-9-1  Automatic calculation of step adjust  ....................................................................... 33
3-9-2  Cancelling step adjust  ............................................................................................ 34
3-9-3  Manual setting of step adjust  .................................................................................. 34
3-10  FREQUENCY OFFSET  ........................................................................................... 36
3-10-1  Using pre-programmed frequency offset data  ....................................................... 36
3-10-2  Entering new frequency offset data  ...................................................................... 37
3-11  Attenuator  ................................................................................................................ 38
3-12  Noise limiter  ............................................................................................................. 38
3-13  AFC - Automatic Frequency Control  ........................................................................ 39
(4)  VFO enhanced facilities  ........................................................................................... 41
4-1  Quick memories  ........................................................................................................ 41
4-1-1  Saving quick memory data  ..................................................................................... 41
4-1-2  Recalling quick memories  ...................................................................................... 42
4-2  VFO scan  .................................................................................................................. 42
4-2-1  VFO SCAN sampling time  ...................................................................................... 43
Section 1 
						

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4-3  VFO Search  ...............................................................................................................43
4-3-1  Defining VFO search  .............................................................................................. 43
4-3-2  Starting VFO search  ............................................................................................... 43
4-3-3  Forcing VFO search to resume & changing search direction  .................................. 44
4-3-4  Locking out unwanted frequencies (PASS)  ............................................................ 44
4-3-5  Saving active frequencies to memory  ..................................................................... 45
4-3-6  Exiting VFO search  ................................................................................................ 46
4-4  VFO environment menu  ............................................................................................ 46
4-4-1  VFO SCAN  ............................................................................................................. 46
4-4-2  VFO search DELAY ................................................................................................ 46
4-4-3  VFO search LEVEL squelch .................................................................................... 47
4-4-4  VFO search VOICE squelch .................................................................................... 48
4-4-5  VFO FREE search ................................................................................................... 48
4-4-6  VFO AUTO STORE ................................................................................................. 49
4-4-7  VFO DELETE bank “J” ............................................................................................ 49
4-4-8  VFO QUICK MEMORY ............................................................................................ 50
(5)  Memory channels & banks  ...................................................................................... 51
5-1  Memory channel overview  ......................................................................................... 51
5-2  Storing VFO frequencies & data into memory  ............................................................ 52
5-2-1  Another example of memory write  .......................................................................... 54
5-2-2  Automatic memory allocation  ................................................................................. 55
5-3  Memory write protect  ................................................................................................. 55
5-4  Memory read “M.RD”  ................................................................................................. 56
5-4-1  Memory channel review / hunt  ................................................................................ 57
5-5  Deleting memory channels  ........................................................................................ 57
5-5-1  Memory channel editing  ......................................................................................... 57
5-5-2  Adding text names to memory banks  ..................................................................... 58
5-6  Transfer of memory channel to VFO  .......................................................................... 58
5-7  Dynamic memory bank resizing  ................................................................................. 58
(6)  Priority operation  ..................................................................................................... 59
6-1  Engaging PRIORITY channel  .................................................................................... 60
6-2  Changing PRIORITY channel data  ............................................................................ 60
6-2-1  Changing the priority channel data pickup channel  ................................................ 61
6-2-2  Changing priority interval time  ................................................................................ 61
(7)  SCAN - scanning memory channels & banks  ......................................................... 62
7-1  SCAN - outline introduction  ....................................................................................... 62
7-2  SCAN considerations  ................................................................................................ 62
7-3  Starting to SCAN  ....................................................................................................... 63
7-3-1  Transfer of active memory to VFO  .......................................................................... 64
7-4  Selecting a scan bank  ............................................................................................... 64
7-5  Channel PASS  ........................................................................................................... 64
7-5-1  Toggling memory channel PASS  ............................................................................ 65
7-5-2  Removing ALL memory PASS tags in one go  ........................................................ 65
7-6  Deleting memory channels  ........................................................................................ 66
7-6-1  Deleting single memory channels  ........................................................................... 66
7-6-2  Deleting whole memory banks in one go  ................................................................ 66
7-7  Scan bank link (scan group)  ...................................................................................... 66
7-8  Additional scan facilities  ............................................................................................ 67
7-8-1  Scan DELAY  .......................................................................................................... 68
7-8-2  Scan LEVEL  ........................................................................................................... 68
7-8-3  Scan VOICE  ........................................................................................................... 69
7-8-4  Scan FREE  ............................................................................................................ 70
7-8-5  Scan (receive) MODE  ............................................................................................ 70
7-8-6  Write protect of memory channels & banks  ............................................................ 71
7-9  Select scan  ................................................................................................................ 71
7-9-1  Adding select scan channels in memory read  ........................................................ 71
7-9-2  Starting  / stopping select scan  .............................................................................. 71
Section 1 
						

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7-9-3  Select scan environment  ........................................................................................ 72
7-9-4  Editing the contents of the select scan list  .............................................................. 72
7-9-5  Deleting all select scan channels  ........................................................................... 73
(8)  Search mode  .............................................................................................................74
8-1  Search types  .............................................................................................................74
8-1-1  Program search overview  ....................................................................................... 74
8-2  Starting program search  ............................................................................................ 75
8-2-1  Reversing the direction of search  ........................................................................... 75
8-2-2  Forcing the search to resume  ................................................................................. 75
8-2-3  Stopping the search  ............................................................................................... 75
8-2-4  Copying an active frequency to the VFO or memory location  ................................. 76
8-3  Selection of search bank  ........................................................................................... 76
8-4  Programming a search bank  ..................................................................................... 78
8-5  Locking out unwanted active frequencies (PASS)  ..................................................... 80
8-5-1  Search pass menu  ................................................................................................. 80
8-6  Search bank link  ........................................................................................................81
8-7  Additional search facilities  ......................................................................................... 82
8-7-1  Search DELAY  ....................................................................................................... 83
8-7-2  Search LEVEL  ....................................................................................................... 84
8-7-3  Search VOICE  ........................................................................................................ 84
8-7-4  Search FREE  ......................................................................................................... 85
8-7-5  AUTO STORE  ........................................................................................................ 86
8-7-6  DELETE bank “J”  ................................................................................................... 86
8-7-7  Deleting search banks  ............................................................................................ 87
8-7-8  Write protect and copying search banks  ................................................................ 87
(9)  EDIT menu  ................................................................................................................88
9-1  EDIT COPY memory channel  .................................................................................... 88
9-2  EDIT COPY memory bank  ......................................................................................... 89
9-3  EDIT COPY search bank  ........................................................................................... 90
9-4  EDIT MOVE memory channel  .................................................................................... 90
9-5  EDIT SWAP memory channel  ................................................................................... 91
9-6  EDIT memory channel  ............................................................................................... 92
9-7  EDIT Search protect  .................................................................................................. 93
(10)  DELETE menu facilities  ......................................................................................... 94
10-1  DELETE search banks and search PASS frequencies  ............................................ 94
10-2  DELETE VFO PASS  ................................................................................................ 95
10-3  DELETE memory bank  ............................................................................................ 95
10-4  DELETE select scan channels  ................................................................................. 96
10-5  DELETE memory channel protect  ........................................................................... 96
10-6  DELETE memory channel pass  ............................................................................... 97
(11)  Write protect  ...........................................................................................................98
11-1  Memory CHANNEL write protect  ............................................................................. 98
11-2  Write protect during memory input  ........................................................................... 98
11-3  Channel protect status for existing memory channels  .............................................. 98
11-4  Channel protect delete  ............................................................................................ 99
11-5  Memory BANK write protect  .................................................................................... 99
11-6  Search bank write protect  ........................................................................................ 100
11-7  Global write protect  ................................................................................................. 100
(12)  TEXT search and input  ........................................................................................... 101
12-1  Text input menus  ..................................................................................................... 101
12-2  Text search  ............................................................................................................. 102
(13)  SHORT CUT keys  ................................................................................................... 103
13-1  Short cut menu access  ............................................................................................ 103
13-2  Short cut text entry  .................................................................................................. 104
13-3  Short cut text entry, keypad with ïðñò keys  ........................................................ 105
Section 1 
						

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(14)  Configuration menu  ................................................................................................ 106
14-1  CONFIG BEEP  ........................................................................................................ 106
14-2  CONFIG LAMP  ........................................................................................................ 106
14-3  CONFIG CONTRAST  .............................................................................................. 107
14-4  CONFIG Auto power off  ........................................................................................... 107
14-5  CONFIG Remote RS232  ......................................................................................... 108
14-6  CONFIG FREQ DISP  .............................................................................................. 108
14-7  CONFIG GLOBAL write protect  ............................................................................... 109
14-8  CONFIG Opening message  ..................................................................................... 109
(15)  Band scope  .............................................................................................................11 0
15-1  Starting the band scope  .......................................................................................... 110
15-2  Exit from band scope  ............................................................................................... 111
15-3  Setting frequency span width (waveform enlargement)  ........................................... 111
15-4  Moving the marker  ................................................................................................... 112
15-5  Marker to strongest signal (peak search)  ................................................................. 112
15-6  Entering a new centre frequency  ............................................................................. 112
15-7  Transfer of marker frequency to VFO  ...................................................................... 112
15-8  Peak hold  ................................................................................................................ 113
15-9  Saving active trace to memory  ................................................................................ 113
15-10  Loading stored band scope traces from memory  ................................................... 113
(16)  Sleep  ....................................................................................................................... 114
(17)  Computer control RS232  ........................................................................................ 114
17-1  How to send an RS232 command  ........................................................................... 114
17-2  Brief command index (RS232)  ................................................................................. 115
17-3  Detailed RS232 command listing  ............................................................................. 116
17-4  Clone of data via the RS232 socket  ......................................................................... 122
17-4-1  How to clone data  ................................................................................................. 123
(18)  Slot card socket  ...................................................................................................... 124
18-1  Optional slot cards  ................................................................................................... 124
18-1-1  Fitting the slot card  ............................................................................................... 125
18-1-2  Removing the slot card  ......................................................................................... 125
18-2  Slot card option menu - registering cards  ................................................................ 125
18-3  TE8200 optional tone eliminator slot card  ................................................................ 126
18-4  CT8200 optional CTCSS slot card  ........................................................................... 127
18-4-1  CTCSS tone squelch  ............................................................................................ 128
18-4-2  CTCSS search  ..................................................................................................... 129
18-5  VI8200 optional voice invertor slot card  ................................................................... 129
18-6  RU8200 optional record & playback slot card  .......................................................... 130
18-6-1  Recording  ............................................................................................................. 130
18-6-2  Playback  .............................................................................................................. 131
18-7  EM8200 optional external extended memory slot card  ............................................ 132
18-7-1  Initialising (formatting) the EM8200 before use  .................................................... 132
18-7-2  EM8200 ALL-DATA save and load  ....................................................................... 133
18-7-3  EM8200 ALL-MEM save and load  ........................................................................ 134
18-7-4  EM8200 MEMORY BANK save and load  ............................................................. 135
18-7-5  EM8200 ALL-SRCH save and load  ...................................................................... 135
18-7-6  EM8200 SEARCH BANK save and load  .............................................................. 136
18-7-7 EM8200 internally stored band scope save and load  ............................................ 137
(19)  Trouble shooting  .................................................................................................... 139
19-1  Soft reset of microprocessor  .................................................................................... 139
19-2  Other trouble shooting suggestions  ......................................................................... 139
19-3  Trouble shooting - Take note of the following  .......................................................... 140
(20)  Optional accessories  ............................................................................................. 141
(21)  Aerial (antenna), earths & propagation  ................................................................. 142
(22)  Specification  ........................................................................................................... 143
Section 1 
						

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1-1  Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the AR8600 transportable wide band all mode receiver.  The AR8600 is
designed using the very latest technology to ensure the highest levels of performance and reliability.
To get the best possible results from your AR8600 we recommend that you read this manual and
familiarise yourself with the receiver.  Although carefully designed, this receiver (like all receivers) suffers
from a degree of internal noises known as spurii.  They are a product of the receiver’s circuitry and do
not represent a fault.  Apparent faults may be due to accidental misoperation of the receiver, if you think
there is a problem, carefully read all of the manual before deciding to contact your equipment supplier
for advice.
It is acknowledged that sections of this manual are repetitive, this is to enable the manual to be used as
a reference book (you don’t have to read it all from cover to cover in one go).  Due to the international
nature of the product, some graphics contain Japanese characters.
Every effort has been made to make this manual correct and up to date.  Due to continuous
development of the receiver and by error or omission anomalies may be found and this is
acknowledged.
© This manual is protected by copyright AOR Ltd 2000.  No information contained in this manual may be
copied or transferred by any means without the prior written consent of AOR Ltd.  AOR and the AOR
logo are trade marks of AOR Ltd.  All other trade marks and names are acknowledged.  
E&OE
1-2  Take care of your radio
There are no internal operator adjustments.  In the unlikely event of servicing being required, please
contact your dealer for technical assistance.
Do not use or leave the receiver in direct sunlight (especially the LCD).  It is best to avoid locations
where excessive heat, humidity, dust and vibration are expected.  Always keep the AR8600 free from
dust and moisture.  Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the set clean, never use abrasive cleaners or
organic solvents which may damage certain parts.  Treat the AR8600 with care, avoid spillage or
leakage of liquids into the receiver and associated power supply.  Special care should be taken to
avoid liquid entering around the controls, through the speaker grille or via the connection jacks.
The AR8600 is designed for operation from a good quality regulated d.c. supply of 12 to 14V, which
should be capable of supplying 1Ampre.  Never connect the AR8600 directly to the a.c. supply.
The AR8600 also has the provision of the optional BP8600 NiCad battery pack, see 
section 1-6-1.
The d.c. input socket uses a 2.1mm power connector.  This connector is configured CENTRE
POSITIVE, the chassis of the receiver is at negative ground. Where provided (depending upon world
market location), the power supply is pre-wired and provides a nominal 12V d.c. output with suitable
connectors being fitted as standard for the a.c. power input and connection to the AR8600.
    SAFETY NOTICE - Always disconnect the power supply from the a.c. socket when not in use.
If used mobile, it should be noted that the AR8600 has not been manufactured
or tested to meet any specific mobile safely requirements.  The AR8600 has no internally
user adjustable parts, refer any technical work such as the fitting of the optional
BP8600 internal NiCad battery pack to an authorised service engineer.
If using the AR8600 in a base station situation, the best short wave reception is usually achieved by the
fitting of a separate external earth rod, however consider the implications carefully if your a.c. building
supply uses a Protective Multiple Earth (PME) system.  If in doubt consult an expert electrician.  Never
earth to a gas pipe!
The AR8600 has a single BNC aerial socket for all frequencies.  This is intended for connection to its
supplied whip aerial or preferably a 50 OHM (unbalanced) coaxial fed aerial such as a discone, dipole,
unipole, yagi etc.  When sighting the aerial, avoid power cables.  Ensure that you do not confuse the
aerial and i.f. output sockets as they both employ BNC sockets.
Section 1-1, 1-2 
						

							6
Operating anomalies
Should the AR8600 appear to behave strangely, normal operation may be easily achieved by resetting
the microprocessor.  Two scenarios may be encountered due to power transients etc:
1.
Symptom:LCD remains on, no control of the keypad.Action:Remove any connection to external power such as the power supply or cigar
lead (remove the optional BP8600 internal NiCad battery pack if fitted) and
count to thirty!  Reconnect power (or refit the battery) and switch on again.
Normal operation should be restored but the last used frequency will be lost, the
AR8600 will restore the last but one frequency to display.
2.
Symptom:The AR8600 fails to power up.
Action:Try the suggestion given in (1) then hold the  key while powering up the
AR8600 to ‘Soft reset’ the microprocessor.
1-3  Attention while operating
1.  Certain key operations are acted upon when the key is RELEASED, not while it is pressed.  Allow
time for the AR8600 to register such actions before pressing another key.
2.  The keylock 
 is intentionally made to be difficult to operate to prevent accidental operation.
To release keylock, the 
 key has to be held for more than one second, the key legend on the
LCD confirms operation.  The 
 key is disabled during keying sequences (such as when
entering frequencies).
3.  If a key sequence is not completed, the microprocessor will automatically abort most operations
after about 90 seconds of keypad inactivity.
4.  Currently displayed VFO data is saved at power down (to increase speed of operation and to
reduce write cycles).  For this reason, if the AR8600 is powered down using the PWR/VOL control or
external power is removed (without the optional internal BP8600 battery fitted or becomes
exhausted), the last displayed frequency will be lost and the frequency used prior to this will be
displayed when next powered up.
Terminology - Search & Scan
If you have not used a wide range monitor before or are not familiar with the terminology used, it is very
important to understand the difference between SEARCH and SCAN modes.
SEARCH:  The AR8600 provides several operations where transmissions (active frequencies) may
be automatically located by sweeping the receiver over a wide frequency range, either from the
currently displayed frequency travelling upwards (or downwards) in a specified tuning increment
(step) or by sweeping over-and-over between two specified frequency limits.  This process is known
as SEARCHING, as the title implies, it can take a long time to find transmissions due to their ‘often
intermittent’ and brief nature.  For this reason it is best to slice large frequency ranges into smaller,
more manageable pieces where they may be intensively studied.
When examining large frequency bands, it is common to find that 90% of frequencies are inactive
and only a small number of the remaining constitute what you really want.  Searching still remains
the best way to initially locate active and interesting transmissions (in conjunction with a good
frequency listing and band plan).
SCAN:  Once active transmissions have been identified (either by searching or by using a good
frequency guide), it is more efficient to store the data into memories which can be rapidly and
automatically monitored in succession stopping when activity is encountered.  This forms a much
more efficient means of monitoring the most wanted frequencies as you have targeted 100% what
you most want to hear, by contrast searching is very inefficient for day-to-day monitoring.
Section 1-2, 1-3 
						

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&Note: It is very important that the squelch is advanced to cancel background noise for the
search & scan facilities to operate.
  This is because the AR8600 believes that it has found an
active frequency when the squelch opens and “S” ‘squelch open’ legend is displayed to the left
of the signal meter.  Advance the squelch control clockwise until the background noise is just
cancelled, this is known as the threshold position.  If the squelch control is advanced too far,
weaker signals may be missed.
No noise and no “S” legend displayed (with squelch advanced clockwise passed
threshold) = squelch closed.
Signal received or ‘noise’ emanating from speaker (squelch fully anti-clockwise, below
threshold) with “S” legend displayed = squelch open.
1-4  Accessories supplied
The following items are provided in the carton box:
1 x AR8600  receiver
1 x Whip aerial on a right-angle BNC connector (RA8600)
1 x Medium Wave (MW) bar aerial
1 x Power supply (may be supplied in some world market areas and in a separate carton)
1 x Operating manual (this booklet)
1-5  Controls & functions
Controls are located on the front with most connection sockets on the rear of the AR8600, a brief
identification is given here:
See over for a further description...
Section 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 
						

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Front cabinet
1.  Rotary volume control plus isolate power On/Off
2.  Rotary squelch control
3.  Phones socket 3.5mm (mono or stereo may be used)
4.  Standby key, for daily use as On/Off
5.  Key Lock key
6.  Monitor key
7.  Function key
8.  Clear / option key
9.  LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
10.  Main keyboard (ten keys plus decimal and enter)
11.  Arrow keys (frequency change and menu manipulation)
12.  Main rotary dial (frequency change and menu manipulation)
Section 1-5
Rear cabinet
13.  IF output (10.7MHz) for connection to the SDU5500
      Spectrum Display Unit (requires internal activation in a workshop)
14.  Serial number plate
15.  BC ANT, medium wave bar aerial connection
16.  ANT BNC aerial socket (all frequencies)
17.  REMOTE RS232 socket (9-pin D-type)
18.  ACC socket, 8-pin mini-DIN, tape record etc
19.  EXT.SP speaker socket 3.5mm mono 8 OHMS
20.  DC 12V d.c. input nominal 12V @ 1A (centre positive)
21.  RU8200 socket for record / playback slot card
22.  EM8200 socket for external memory slot card
23.  VI8200 socket for analogue voice inverter slot card
24.  CT8200 socket for CTCSS slot card
25.  TE8200 socket for audio tone eliminator slot card
RS232 connection requirements:
The REMOTE RS232 socket (17 above) is designed for connection directly to an RS232 serial port of a
computer such as a PC.  No interface is required, just a standard RS232 lead... avoid nul-modem leads
as they are not suitable.  Connections for a PC are as follows:
AR8600 PC 9 way RS232
22
33
5 5 GROUND
77
88
AR8600 PC 25 way RS232
23
32
5 7 GROUND
74
85
ACC connections
1  12V d.c. output max
    current 30mA
2  Detector output (without audio
   filtering).  180mV RMS @
   100k OHMS or greater
3  N/C
4 & 5  Tape motor switching contact for low voltage 12V d.c.,
          max current 350mA with insulating voltage of 40V
           Switch on impedance is 1.2 OHMS
6  High level audio output 15mV RMS @ 10k OHMS
7  Low level audio output 0.7mV @ 10k OHMS
8  Ground 
						

							9
1-5-1  Keypad
Keypad conventions
Most keys have multiple functions, their functions are printed on the cabinet.  However due the
restriction of available size, not all facilities can be shown on the keypad printing.  To ease access to
the many facilities, two formats are employed:-
Push and release the key quickly to access the required facility.  This applies to
primary facilities of keys such as numeric 1, 2, 3 etc.  Also for example, quickly 
 the
 key while in 2VFO mode to toggle between the two VFOs VFO-A and VFO-B.
Press and HOLD the key for more than one second to access the second
function, sometimes this is in conjunction with the 
 key.
 Function key manipulation
The 
 key also may be used by PUSH and PRESS depending upon the specific
requirement, in most cases however the 
 key will require a simple PUSH.
“FUNC” LCD legend 
solid=   
“FUNC” LCD legend flashing=   
Section 1-5-1 
						

							10
1-5-2  Summary of keys
The keypad is split into four areas of the front cabinet of the AR8600, the ‘ten keys’ for frequency
access, the bottom row for VFO, SCAN, SEARCH operations, three on the left for standby, key lock,
monitor and a group of four arrow keys on the right for frequency control and manipulation of menus.
When initially powered, the lamp is configured to AUTO, the lamp will be permanently illuminated when
connected to external power and when running from the optional BP8600 internal battery pack, the lamp
will automatically illuminate when keys are pressed and will stay illuminated for five seconds after the
last key press.  It is possible to configure the lamp to OFF and CONTINUOUS in addition to AUTO.
An RS232 lead is required for computer control, various optional SLOT CARDS are available which
further extend the AR8600 facilities (and menus).
PUSH this key to place the AR8600 into SEARCH mode, the LCD “SRCH” legend confirms operation.
    to access the bank link menu where up to ten different selections
of linked search banks may be grouped, this is useful where a large frequency band has been split up
into smaller more manageable sizes for close scrutiny.
Additional search related parameters may be set up to optimise each search group independently using
this menu:-
DELAY OFF / HOLD / 0.1s to 9.9s (default = OFF)
LEVEL OFF / 1 to 255 (default = OFF)
VOICE OFF / 1 to 255 (default = OFF)
FREE OFF / 1s to 60s (default = OFF)
AUTOSTORE ON / OFF (default = OFF)
DELETE J (deletes the current data from bank J)
PUSH this key to place the AR8600 into MEMORY READ mode, the LCD legend “M.RD” confirms
selection.  
  again to initiate SCAN, the LCD legend “SCAN” confirms selection
    to access the bank link menu where up to ten groups of memories
may be selected to be scanned in succession, effectively forming one large scan bank.  Additional scan
related parameters may be set up to optimise each scan group independently using this menu:-
DELAY OFF / HOLD / 0.1s to 9.9s (default = OFF)
LEVEL OFF / 1 to 255 (default = OFF)
VOICE OFF / 1 to 255 (default = OFF)
FREE OFF / 1s to 60s (default = OFF)
MODE SCAN ALL / WFM / NFM / SFM / WAM / AM
/ NAM / USB / LSB / CW (default = ALL)
    to set the ratio of bank size between memory channels sharing a
common letter in upper and lower case.
Section 1-5-2