AOR AR8600 Receiver Manual

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(4)  VFO enhanced facilities
As well as providing a tuning data storage, the two VFOs offer additional features including quick
memory, VFO scan, VFO search and VFO environment.
4-1  Quick memories
While monitoring in 2VFO mode, 10 ‘quick memories’ are provided for easy saving of current VFO data
and simple recall at a later time.  When all 10 quick memories have been used and further data is
stored, the oldest quick memory will be overwritten.  Quick memory channels are not numbered, they
simply form a chronological list which you may recall and scroll through.
Quick memories may also be written to automatically when using VFO SEARCH MODE.  To activate
AUTO QUICK MEMORY, the VFO environment parameters need to be first set up
The AR8600 provides 1,000 memory channels in addition to the 10 ‘quick memory’ channels and a
priority channel.  Each ‘quick memory’ channel may hold all the data for the current VFO:  frequency,
mode, step, step-adjust, frequency offset, attenuator setting, noise limiter status & AFC status.
4-1-1  Saving quick memory data
If you are not already in 2VFO mode   so that the “2VFO” legend is displayed toward
the upper left of the LCD.  While in 2VFO mode, 
 the  key to save the current active
VFO (upper of the two frequency displays with larger characters) into quick memory.
If the beep facility is active, a BEEP will be heard, if the beep facility is not active there will be no
indication that quick memory storage has taken place (until you recall the data!).
Change the displayed frequency and save two or three further quick memory channels.
&Note: Frequencies must be more than ± 10 kHz from of a frequency already stored in
quick memory or the new frequency will be ignored, this prevents all 10 quick memory
channels needlessly containing the same frequency.
Saving quick memories while in VFO search
The quick memory facility is available in VFO SEARCH mode in addition to 2VFO mode.  The procedure
is just the same, 
 the  key while the receiver is monitoring a transmission to save the
receive frequency and accompanying data to quick memory.  This quick memory data may later be
recalled for monitoring or as the starting point to tune from.  Refer to 
section 4-3 of this manual for
further information relating to VFO search.
During VFO search, quick memories may also be written to automatically when the receiver has stopped
on an active channel for more than a specified period of time between 10s and 990s, this facility is
default off.  Refer to 
section 4-4-8 of this manual for further information relating to VFO search quick
memory.
Section 4, 4-1, 4-1-1 
						

							42
4-1-2  Recalling quick memories
Once a few quick memory channels have been stored, key a different frequency into the VFO to assist
identification of recalled data (until you fully understand the process).
While in 2VFO mode 
   ð
The LCD will display one of the quick memory channels which have been stored, use the ï ð keys to
scroll through the list which contains up to ten frequencies.  The star legend “
«” is displayed toward the
upper right of the LCD to indicate that quick memory recall is in operation.
&Note: You will note that a maximum of 9 channels can be saved, this is because the
VFO frequency displayed when quick memory recall is executed is automatically stored
into one of the 10 locations… this allows you to return to the previous VFO display at a later
date without the data being lost and saves having to remember what the frequency / data
settings were.
To revert to the VFO frequency displayed prior to the execution of quick memory recall 
, the “«” legend will be removed from the LCD to confirm exit from quick memory recall.
Alternatively you may tune away from any displayed quick memory frequency using the main dial and
ñ ò keys, the “
«” legend will be removed from the LCD to confirm exit from quick memory recall.  The
effect (with careful use) is similar to adding a further 10 VFOs to the AR8600 !
4-2  VFO scan
You will be aware that the AR8600 displays two VFOs with the top VFO being the ‘active’ VFO which
monitors activity.  At present you have to manually intervene by a 
 of the  key to
change between VFOs when monitoring duplex and semi-duplex channels (split frequency working when
a base station transmits on one frequency and a mobile on another such as VHF marine and public
service PMR… as opposed to simplex which is single frequency operation), this swaps the active VFO
between “V-A” and “V-B”.
VFO SCAN causes the AR8600 to monitor the top VFO as PRIMARY and intermittently ‘flicks over’ to
check for activity on the SECONDARY frequency when the primary frequency becomes inactive.
If the active frequency remains busy then the secondary remains unchecked, if however the primary
becomes inactive (squelch closes) then the secondary is checked every few seconds for activity.  If the
secondary frequency becomes active (during the time it is checked) the AR8600 will remain on the
active second frequency for a few seconds, the active secondary VFO lower font size increases to
indicate that the secondary VFO is being ‘actively‘ monitored.
The AR8600 will then return to the primary frequency to check
for activity where it remains for a few seconds… so the process
continues over and over.
To toggle the VFO SCAN facility on, use the VFO
environment menu which is accessed with the key
sequence 
   .
The LCD will display “VFO MODE” with “VFO
SCAN” on the next line.
Section 4-1-2, 4-2 
						

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The third line displays “ON” and “OFF” with the “OFF” legend
displayed in reverse contrast to show that it is currently selected
(default).  To toggle the VFO SCAN on/off 
 the 
key or use the main dial or ï ð keys.
To accept the changes 
 .
While VFO SCAN is active, the “2VFO” legend is replaced with
the legend “V-SC” representing VFO SCAN.  To toggle VFO scan
off, use the same key sequence and menu.
& Note:  While the primary VFO remains active, VFO scan will not check the secondary
VFO… VFO scan will not start!  While VFO SCAN is active, the priority facility is disabled.
4-2-1  VFO SCAN sampling time
The time elapsed between samples and for remaining on the secondary VFO is set by PRIORITY
INTERVAL time.  Please refer to the section 6-2-2 detailing priority operation.  The default is time is
5 seconds.
4-3  VFO Search
It is possible to quickly assign two frequency limits to VFO-A and VFO-B then instruct the AR8600 to
automatically tune the receiver from one frequency limit to the other in the specified receive mode and
tuning step looking for active frequencies.  This process is called 
VFO SEARCH.
4-3-1  Defining VFO search
1.  Place the AR8600 into VFO mode -  .
2.  Enter a frequency into VFO-A, i.e. 
  to display “V-A” as the active
‘top’ VFO.  Enter a frequency such as 145.200 MHz
3.  
  to display “V-B” as the active ‘top’ VFO.  Enter a different frequency such
as 145.775 MHz.
&Note:  When the receive mode is set to AUTO, the AR8600 will take the receive mode,
tuning step size and other data variables from the pre-programmed auto-mode bandplan.
4-3-2  Starting VFO search
  to start VFO search, the legend “V-SR” indicates when VFO search is in operation.
Ensure that the squelch is closed in the absence of a signal (or VFO search will not work), the
search process will start from the lowest frequency and will advance in the mode and tuning step as
defined in the active ‘top’ VFO.  Data other than frequency stored in the secondary VFO will be ignored,
the data being taken from the active VFO.  
  to cancel VFO search and return to 2VFO
mode.
Section 4-2, 4-2-1, 4-3, 4-3-1, 4-3-2 
						

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&Note:  While in VFO mode, if the keypad or  key is used, the current status of the
audio with respect to the squelch control will be maintained.  If the squelch is closed before
you PUSH a key, the audio will remain muted until the key sequence is completed even if the
frequency becomes active (and vice-versa… if the squelch is open, audio remains even when
the squelch closes).
4-3-3  Forcing VFO search to resume & changing search direction
Should VFO search stop on a busy frequency, you can force the search process to resume by rotating
the main dial or by pushing any of the arrow keys ï ð ñ ò.  The direction of rotation of main dial or
arrow keys used dictates the direction of search… this is useful to backtrack over an interesting
frequency.
4-3-4  Locking out unwanted frequencies (PASS)
It is possible to lock out (PASS) unwanted frequencies while in VFO search mode, this is useful to
eliminate unwanted permanent transmissions.  It is important to understand the PASS facility before
using the 
 key or transmissions may be missed.
While stopped on an unwanted frequency  , the search process will resume.  It will
appear that all frequencies are still searched, however locked out frequencies will be ‘passed over’, the
search will not stop on locked out frequencies but the squelch may momentarily open causing a short
burst of audio before the frequency is passed… if several consecutive active frequencies are locked out,
an audio ‘chuff… chuff… chuff…’ may be encountered.
Locked out PASS frequencies are assigned PASS CHANNEL NUMBERS, there are a total of 50 PASS
channels for VFO search.  Frequencies ± 10 kHz from the assigned pass frequency will be skipped,
carefully consider the consequences of skipping ± 10 kHz when monitoring in USB, LSB and CW.
VFO pass menu
It is possible to review, delete and add pass channels using the VFO PASS menu.
If you are currently using VFO mode or VFO SEARCH, 
 , the “VFO PASS” menu will
be displayed.
Section 4-3-2, 4-3-3, 4-3-4 
						

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 If PASS channels have already been tagged for VFO SEARCH the legend “PASS xx” will be displayed
where “xx” indicates that data is present.  If no pass frequencies have been tagged, the legend
“PASS 00 ----.----” will be displayed.
The frequency pass contents may be reviewed using the ï ð keys or main dial.
To delete the current VFO pass frequency, key in a nul value (zero) 
  .
The frequency pass channel will be deleted and the list will reshuffle.  The frequency is once again
available in search mode.
To delete the entire contents of the VFO pass list 
 , the legend “PASS 00 ----.----”
confirms deletion.  The VFO search pass list may also be deleted using the DELETE menu, refer to
section 10-2 of this manual.
Adding new pass frequencies
While in the VFO PASS menu 
 the ð key to wrap around to the end of the frequency pass list,
the legend “PASS xx ----.----” will be displayed where “xx” is the next available frequency pass channel.
The ‘dashes’ indicate that the channel is currently unused.  Key in a frequency which you wish to skip
during VFO search using MHz format and ending with 
.  if you wish to add further frequencies to
be skipped 
 ð and repeat the process.  To accept the data entry and exit the menu
 .  This facility is particularly useful if you know what frequencies are unwanted prior to
searching, such as constant carriers etc.
&Note:  You may add frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 2040 MHz via this menu but only
those within the current search limits will be acted upon.
4-3-5  Saving active frequencies to memory
When you encounter interesting busy frequencies, you may save them to the quick memories or
memory banks where they may be monitored at a later date (and scanned).
1.  Quick memory
While paused on a busy frequency 
 , if the keypad beep is active a confirmation
tone will be audible.  Quick memories may be recalled for later monitoring or to tune from in VFO
mode.  Please refer to 
section 4-1 of this manual regarding use of the quick memories.
2.  Main memory storage
While paused on a busy frequency 
 , the memory input menu will be displayed
with the first available blank memory channel offered.  Enter the desired memory location
(optionally, use the ò key to select additional menu items of text comment and write protect),
  to save the data.
Please refer to 
section 5-2 of this manual regarding memory channel writing.
Section 4-3-4, 4-3-5 
						

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4-3-6  Exiting VFO search
To exit VFO search,   to return to the VFO mode (the frequencies in use before VFO
search was initiated will be displayed).  Alternatively use the 
 or  keys to exit VFO
search.
4-4  VFO environment menu
The VFO has a special menu to enable VFO scan to be toggled, VFO search to be customised, VFO
auto store to be toggled on/off, memory bank “J” (which is used as the target for auto store) to be
deleted and quick memory auto write to be configured.
Use the key sequence 
    to access the VFO environment menu.
The following options are available:
1. VFO SCAN ON / OFF (default off)
2. DELAY OFF / HOLD / 0.1 - 9.9 seconds (default 2.0s)
3. LEVEL OFF / 1 - 255 (default OFF)
4. VOICE OFF / 1 - 255 (default OFF)
5. FREE OFF / 1 - 60 seconds (default OFF)
6. AUTO STORE OFF / ON (default OFF)
7. DELETE J Delete bank J
8. QUICK  MEMORY OFF / 1- - 990 seconds (default OFF)
You may abort the menu at any time by pushing 
.
4-4-1  VFO SCAN
This facility is used while monitoring in 2VFO mode, the secondary VFO will be checked for activity at
specified intervals.  VFO scan is toggled on/off via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence
    to access the VFO environment menu.  Use the  key to
toggle the status on/off, the default is off.  Please refer to 
section 4-2 of this manual for further details of
VFO scan.
4-4-2  VFO search DELAY
The VFO search DELAY parameter affects the time the AR8600 will remain on an active frequency in
VFO search mode once the received signal has disappeared and the squelch has closed.  This is
particularly useful for customising how long the receiver will wait for a reply before resuming VFO
search.  For example, when communications are passed back and forth between a control tower
/ aircraft which may take a few seconds.  The limits are OFF / HOLD and 0.1 to 9.9 seconds in 0.1s
increments (default 2.0 seconds).
Section 4-3-6, 4-4, 4-4-1, 4-4-2 
						

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VFO search DELAY is configured via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence
    to access the VFO environment menu.   the ò key once
to move to the DELAY parameter.  
  to toggle the status between 2.0s / HOLD / OFF,
the default is 2.0s.  Use the main dial to increment in 0.1s or the ï ð keys to increment in 1.0s.
2.0sThe AR8600 will wait the specified time after the squelch closes
before resuming VFO search.
HOLDOnce a busy frequency has been detected, the search process will
be paused indefinitely.
OFFThe AR8600 will resume VFO search instantaneously when the
squelch closes.
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the VFO
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (VFO search LEVEL squelch) by
pressing the ò key.
4-4-3  VFO search LEVEL squelch
The VFO LEVEL squelch parameter causes the AR8600 to check the signal strength and to only open
the squelch when the signal strength is above the stated level (which is programmable in 256 steps).
The limits are OFF and 1 to 255 (default off).
&Note:  VFO LEVEL squelch affects both VFOs and VFO search.
VFO LEVEL squelch is configured via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence
    to access the VFO environment menu.   the ò key twice
to move to the LEVEL parameter.  
  as a short cut to off (which is the default).  Use the
main dial to increment value in by 1 or use the ï ð keys to increment by 10.
While adjusting level squelch, the “
¬” legend will be displayed to the left of the value “LEVEL  ¬  3”
indicating that the current value will 
not cause the squelch to close.  Increase the value until the “¬”
legend is just extinguished (this may typically be around a value of 5 - 60), the current transmission and
signals below this level 
will be skipped.  There will be no audio produced when a transmission is
encountered below the level configured even though the “S” squelch legend is displayed.   This is a
useful alternative to regular squelch on noisy bands such as short wave.
The approximate relationship between signal meter segments and ‘level value’ is as follows:
             1         2         3         4        5        6        7        8         9       10      11      12       13      14
             8        13      18       24       29      35      39       44      50      55      58       62       71      77
&Note:  When level squelch is in operation, the rotary squelch control is usually best
rotated to the fully anti-clockwise position.
Section 4-4-2, 4-4-3 
						

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  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the VFO
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (VFO VOICE squelch) by
pressing the ò key.
While in VFO or VFO search, the LCD legend “LSQ” is displayed to indicate that VFO level squelch is in
operation.
4-4-4  VFO search VOICE squelch
The VFO VOICE squelch parameter causes the AR8600 to check the current frequency for valid audio
and to only open the squelch when audio above a specified level (which is programmable in 256 steps)
is detected.  The limits are OFF and 1 to 255 (default off).
&Note:  VFO VOICE squelch affects both VFOs and VFO search.
VFO VOICE squelch is configured via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence
    to access the VFO environment menu.   the ò key three
times to move to the VOICE parameter.  
  as a short cut to off (which is the default).
Use the main dial to increment value in by 1 or use the ï ð keys to increment by 10.
While adjusting voice squelch, the “
¬” legend will be displayed to the left of the value “VOICE   ¬  12”
indicating that the current value will 
not cause the squelch to close.  Increase the value until the “¬”
legend is just extinguished (this may typically be typically around a value of 1 to 100), the current
transmission and signals with audio below this level 
will be skipped. There will be no audio produced
when a transmission is encountered with audio below the level configured even though the “S” squelch
legend is displayed.
&Note:  When voice squelch is in operation, the rotary squelch control is usually best rotated
to the fully anti-clockwise position.
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the VFO
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (VFO FREE search) by pressing the
ò key.  While in VFO or VFO search, the LCD legend “VSQ” is displayed to indicate that VFO voice
squelch is in operation.
4-4-5  VFO FREE search
The VFO FREE search parameter determines how long the AR8600 will remain on an active frequency
before resuming VFO search even though the frequency is still active.  This is useful if you wish to gain
a picture of what is happening on a band without the AR8600 being tied to a busy frequency for long
periods of time (such as when monitoring active amateur band repeaters etc).  VFO FREE search saves
you having to manually intervene to force the VFO search process to resume and saves the need to
lockout frequencies using the FREQUENCY PASS facility.  The limits are OFF and 01 to 60 seconds
(default is off).
VFO FREE search is configured via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence
Section 4-4-3, 4-4-4, 4-4-5 
						

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    to access the VFO environment menu.   the ò key four
times to move to the FREE parameter.  
  to toggle between OFF and 5 seconds
(the default is off).  Use the main dial to increment value by 1s or use the ï ð keys to increment by 5s.
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the VFO
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (VFO AUTO STORE) by pressing
the 
ò key.
While in VFO search, the LCD legend “FRE” is displayed to indicate that VFO free search is in operation
and the search process will only pause on active frequencies for the specified time.
4-4-6  VFO AUTO STORE
The VFO auto store causes the first 50 active frequencies located during VFO search to be
automatically written into memory bank  “J” (channels J00 to J49).  If bank “J” is full, VFO auto store will
not function.
&Note:  Memory banks are dynamically configurable so that bank “J” has 50 channels at
default but may be configured to provide 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 channels.
Refer to 
section 5-7 of this manual regarding dynamic memory bank resizing.
VFO auto store is configured via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence 
 
  to access the VFO environment menu.   the ò key five times to move to the
AUTO STORE parameter.  
  or use the ï ð keys to toggle VFO auto store on/off
(default is off).
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the VFO
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (DELETE J) by pressing the 
ò key
(which is useful before exiting the environment menu).
While in VFO search, the LCD legend “AS” is displayed to indicate that VFO auto store is in operation.
Frequencies closer than ± 10 kHz to a frequency already stored in bank “J” will be ignored, this prevents
the same frequency being stored over and over again.
4-4-7  DELETE bank “J”
To simplify the results of VFO auto store, it is possible to delete the contents of memory bank “J” using
this menu… this allows you to quickly ‘dump’ the unwanted contents of the auto store memory bank “J”
before starting a new VFO search with the auto store feature enabled.
DELETE BANK “J” may be executed via the VFO environment menu, this is best carried out
immediately after the auto store facility has been activated.  Alternatively you can ‘dump’ the contents of
the auto store bank “J” at any time.  Use the key sequence 
    to
access the VFO environment menu.  
 the ò key six times to move to the “DELETE J”
parameter.
Section 4-4-5, 4-4-6, 4-4-7 
						

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Section 4-4-7, 4-4-8
If bank “J” contains data, the legend “J00” will be displayed (the number indicating the presence of data),
if no data is held in bank “J” the legend “J--“ will be displayed.  
   to delete the contents
of bank “J”, this will take a few seconds to action by the CPU.  The legend “J--“ will be displayed to
confirm deletion.
  to return to the display prior to accessing the VFO environment menu.  Alternatively
you may move to the next option (QUICK MEMORY) by pressing the 
ò key.
4-4-8  VFO QUICK MEMORY
It is possible to automatically save the current VFO frequency or frequencies found during VFO search
(as an alternative to VFO search auto store) to the 10 quick memories for rapid recall.  To automatically
distinguish between ‘interesting’ and ‘uninteresting’ frequencies, you may set the length of time you
need to monitor the frequency before the automatic save takes place.  The available range is
OFF / 10s - 990s in 10 second increments (default is off).
VFO quick memory is configured via the VFO environment menu, use the key sequence
    to access the VFO environment menu.   the ò key
seven times to move to the QUICK MEMORY parameter.  
  to toggle between off and
60s or use the main dial to increment in 10s and the ï ð keys to increment in 100s.
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the VFO
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the top of the VFO environment option list by
pressing the 
ò key.
While in VFO or VFO search mode, frequencies monitored for longer than the specified quick memory
period will be automatically saved to the 10 quick memories.  To prevent duplication, frequencies closer
than ± 10 kHz to a frequency already held in quick memory will be ignored.  While in VFO mode, you
may still manually write to quick memories by pushing 
.  Once all 10 quick memories have been
used, the oldest will be overwritten in sequence.
To recall quick memories while in VFO mode, 
   ð, to cycle through the quick
memories use the ï ð keys.
For further information regarding quick memories, refer to 
section 4-1 of this manual.