AOR AR8600m Receiver Manual

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To delete the entire contents of the current search pass list  , the legend
“PASS 00 ----.----” confirms deletion.  The search pass list may also be deleted using the DELETE
menu, refer to 
section 10-1 of this manual.
Adding new pass frequencies
Access the search pass list, If you are currently searching
 , the “SRCH PASS” menu will be displayed
along with current bank letter.  From any other point
 , the VFO-PASS menu will be displayed,
 ò to access the “SRCH PASS” menu, use the
ï ð keys at display the desired search bank letter.
 the ð key to wrap around to the end of the pass
frequency 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 search of the
current bank using MHz format and ending with 
.
 the ð key and repeat the process if you wish to add
further frequencies to be skipped.  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.
It is also possible to delete the entire frequency pass list using the DELETE menu, refer to 
section 10-1of this manual.
8-6  Search bank link
It is possible to custom define search parameters for a single bank or group of search banks.
Use the key sequence 
    to access the “SRCH GROUP” menu.
Bank “SRCH GROUP 0” contains a default listing and cannot be overwritten (so displays “LINK OFF” on
the bottom line of the LCD), banks 1 to 9 are available for custom programming.
Use the main dial or ï ð keys to select the SEARCH GROUP number, for SEARCH GROUP numbers
1 to 9 the legend “BANK LINK” will be displayed on the bottom line of the LCD indicating that
programming 
is possible.
 ò to move to the search bank letters A - T and a - t, use the ñ ò keys to move between upper
and lower case letters.
Section 8-5-1, 8-6 
						

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Next reverse highlight the letters you wish to link together as a group using the ï ð ñ ò keys,
  to mark the desired search banks, both upper and lower case letters may be
highlighted in the same group.  The selected banks (which will form a large group) will be displayed in
REVERSE contrast on the LCD.
It is also possible to use the keypad to quickly select the required banks for inclusion as a group, this
saves having to use 
 to toggle selection, The CASE SHIFT key  is used to toggle
between the upper and lower case and the SHIFT key 
 is used to access letters between
K - T and k - t.
  to accept the data input.
  to start searching (if the AR8600 is not already in search mode).  The banks grouped
together in the SEARCH GROUP will form a large group during search.  The SEARCH GROUP number
(and associated data) will be used to define current program search parameters.
For example: If you group banks “A, B, E” as SCAN GROUP number “1”, then when any one bank is
searched, all other banks in the group will be searched in sequence over and over… A > B > E > A > B
> E > A > B > E etc (providing each of the banks contains search program data).
It is possible to search ANY bank, even if it is not contained in the current SEARCH GROUP list by
manually selecting the bank using the ï ð keys or keypad while in search mode.
You can individually configure each of the nine SEARCH GROUPS 1 to 9 with a different collection of
banks.  SEARCH GROUP 0 cannot be changed as it contains the default of LINK OFF so that you
can quickly disable bank link when you wish to search only one bank.  SEARCH GROUP 0 also contains
default settings for DELAY, LEVEL, VOICE and FREE parameters.
To change the active SEARCH GROUP, access the SEARCH GROUP menu using the key sequence
   , select the desired SEARCH GROUP (0 to 9) using the main dial
or ï ð keys then 
  to accept the change and exit the menu.
8-7  Additional search facilities
(Search group environment - DELAY, LEVEL, VOICE, FREE, AUTO STORE, DELETE J).
It is possible to further customise the search parameters for each of the nine SEARCH GROUPS
(group 0 cannot be altered as it contains the default information).
Use the key sequence 
    to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use
the ï ð keys to select a SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò five times to move
down beyond the bank link facility and onto the additional search environment facilities: delay, level,
voice, free, auto store and delete J.
Section 8-6, 8-7 
						

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1. DELAY OFF / HOLD / 0.1 - 9.9 seconds (default 2.0s)
2. LEVEL OFF / 1 - 255 (default OFF)
3. VOICE OFF / 1 - 255 (default OFF)
4. FREE OFF / 1 - 60 seconds (default OFF)
5. AUTO STORE ON / OFF (default OFF)
6. DELETE J Yes / No (using 
 key)
8-7-1  Search DELAY
The search DELAY parameter affects the time the AR8600 will remain on an active frequency in 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 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).
Search DELAY is configured via the SRCH-GROUP menu.  Use the key sequence 
 
  to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use the ï ð keys to select the
SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò five times to display the search environment
parameters starting with the DELAY.
  to toggle the status between 2.0s / HOLD / OFF, the default is 2.0s.  Use the main
dial to increment delay time 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 search.
HOLDThe AR8600 will stop indefinitely when an active frequency is located, this is
very useful when you don’t want to miss that once-in-a-lifetime transmission!
OFFThe AR8600 will resume search instantaneously when the squelch closes.
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the SEARCH
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (search LEVEL squelch) by pressing
the ò key.
Section 8-7, 8-7-1 
						

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8-7-2  Search LEVEL
The search 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).
Search LEVEL is configured via the SRCH-GROUP menu.  Use the key sequence 
 
  to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use the ï ð keys to select the
SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò six times to display the search environment
parameter of LEVEL.
  as a short cut to off (which is the default).  Use the main dial to increment value
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.
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the search
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (search VOICE squelch) by pressing
the ò key.
While searching, the LCD legend “LSQ” is displayed to indicate that search LEVEL squelch is in
operation.
8-7-3  Search VOICE
The search 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).
Search VOICE is configured via the SRCH-GROUP menu.  Use the key sequence 
 
  to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use the ï ð keys to select the
SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò seven times to display the search environment
parameter of VOICE.
Section 8-7-2, 8-7-3 
						

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  as a short cut to off (which is the default).  Use the main dial to increment value
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 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 search
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (search FREE time) by pressing
the ò key.
While searching, the LCD legend “VSQ” is displayed to indicate that search VOICE squelch is in
operation.
8-7-4  Search FREE
The search FREE time parameter determines how long the AR8600 will remain on an active frequency
before resuming search even though the frequency is still active.  This is useful if you wish to gain a
snap shot of activity without the AR8600 being tied to a busy frequency for long periods of time
(such as when monitoring active amateur band repeaters etc).  Search FREE time saves you having
to manually intervene to force the search process to resume and saves the need to lockout (PASS)
busy frequencies.  The limits are OFF and 01 to 60 seconds (default OFF).
Search FREE time is configured via the SRCH-GROUP menu.  Use the key sequence 
   to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use the ï ð keys to select the
SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò eight times to display the search environment
parameter of FREE.
  to toggle between OFF and 5 seconds (the default is off).  Use the main dial to
increment value in 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 search
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (AUTO STORE) by pressing
the ò key.
While searching, the LCD legend “FRE” is displayed to indicate that search FREE time is in operation
and the search process will only pause on active frequencies for the specified time.
Section 8-7-3, 8-7-4 
						

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8-7-5  AUTO STORE
Auto store causes the first 50 active frequencies located during search to be automatically written to
memory bank  “J” (channels J00 to J49).  If bank “J” is full, auto store will not function.
&Note:  Memory banks are dynamically configurable so that bank “J” has 50 channels at
default buy 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.
Search auto store is configured via the SRCH-GROUP menu.  Use the key sequence 
 
  to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use the ï ð keys to select the
SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò nine times to display the search environment
parameter of AUTO STORE.
  to toggle between OFF and ON (the default is off).
  to accept the changes and return to the display prior to accessing the search
environment menu.  Alternatively you may move to the next option (DELETE J) by pressing the ò key.
While searching, the LCD legend “AS” is displayed to indicate that 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.  As busy frequencies are located and entered
automatically into memory bank “J”, any associated search bank text comment will also be stored into
memory to help identify from which search bank the frequencies originated.
8-7-6  DELETE bank “J”
To simplify the VFO auto store feature, 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 search with the auto store feature enabled.
‘DELETE J’ is configured via the SRCH-GROUP menu.  Use the key sequence 
 
  to access the “SRCH-GROUP” menu.  Use the ï ð keys to select the
SRCH-GROUP number between 1 and 9.  
 ò ten times to display the search environment
parameter of DELETE J.
If bank “J” contains data, the legend “J00” will be displayed, 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
sections 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.
Section 8-7-5, 8-7-6 
						

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8-7-7  Deleting search banks
A delete menu is provided so that you can delete program search data (of course you may simply
over-write the data too) and frequency pass channels.  You cannot delete search banks which have
been write protected.
While in search mode, the DELETE menu is accessed using the key sequence 
 
 .  (While in SCAN or VFO mode use the key sequence  
  and use ï ð to select the required search bank).
The “HI” and “LO” frequency limits will flash on the LCD along
with any associated text comment to aid the identification of the
required search bank.  To delete the program search data
 , the legend “----.----” confirms data deletion.
  to exit the menu returning to the standard
display, alternatively 
 ò to move to the “DEL PASS”
selection point.
When deleting program search data, the associated FREQUENCY PASS channels are not deleted
just in case you wish to go back to the same programming at a later data, after all they will be ignored if
a different frequency range is programmed into program search for this bank.  With this in mind, you
may leave regularly used pass frequencies relating to several frequency ranges in the bank to save
reprogramming at a later date when different program search ranges are used (there are a total of 50
pass frequencies per bank and are only acted when searching the current bank).
If frequency pass channels exist for the current bank, the legend “DEL PASS xx” will be displayed
with the “xx” number (00 to 49) indicating that data is present.  If no data is present the legend
“DEL PASS --” will be displayed.  To delete the frequency pass data 
 , the
legend “DEL PASS --” confirms deletion.
  to exit the menu returning to the standard display.
8-7-8  Write protect and copying search banks
It is possible to write protect search banks to prevent accidental
deletion of stored data, this is accomplished using the EDIT menu.
It is also possible to copy search data from one bank to another
using the same menu.  Refer to 
sections 9-7 & 9-3 of this manual
regarding the write protect and copy options.
Section 8-7-7, 8-7-8 
						

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(9)  EDIT menu
The EDIT menu is a powerful feature which simplifies the management of data and provides the
following operations:
COPY MEM-CHloads one memory channel to save to another location
COPY MEM-BNKloads one whole memory bank to save to another location
COPY SEARCHloads one search bank to save to another location
MOVE MEM-CHloads one memory channel to save to another location
leaving the original memory location blank
SWAP MEM-CHswaps the data of two memory channels with each other
EDIT MEM-CHenables the contents of a memory channel to be changed
including mode, step, frequency, text comment and write
protect
MEM PROTECTenables you to toggle the write protect status of memory
channels
SRCH PROTenables you to toggle the write protect status of search
banks
The edit menu is called with the key sequence 
   
9-1  EDIT COPY memory channel
The COPY MEMORY CHANNEL menu enables you to make an exact copy of one memory bank into
another bank location, the original memory bank is left intact and completely unaffected.  Due to
dynamic memory bank resizing, it is possible that the highest channel number in any memory bank
could be in the range of 09 to 89 (default is 49).
The “COPY MEM-CH” menu is accessed using the key sequence 
   .
Two data input lines are presented LOAD and SAVE.
The cursor will be positioned on the LOAD line.  “LOAD”
represents the memory channel which you would like to make a
copy of (this is the data you want).  Use the main dial to select
channel number and the ï ð keys to select bank, alternatively
type in a three digit memory location via the keypad.
 ò to move to the SAVE line.  “SAVE” is the target
memory location where data is to be written.  Use the main dial
to select channel number and the ï ð keys to select bank,
alternatively type in a three digit memory location via the keypad.
  to copy the memory channel data to the target location.  Both LOAD and SAVE
displayed memory channel locations revert to LOAD location.
The process may be repeated for other locations.
Section 9, 9-1 
						

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&Note: If the SAVE location is write protected, the legend “PROTECT” will be displayed.
You must remove write protect from the SAVE memory location before you can copy new
data to that location.  You may remove the write protection for one or all memory channels,
refer to 
sections 11-1 & 11-5 of this manual.
  to exit the menu returning to the standard display, alternatively  ò to move
to the “COPY MEM-BNK” selection point.
9-2  EDIT COPY memory bank
The COPY MEMORY BANK menu enables you to make an exact copy of one memory bank into another
location, the original memory bank is left intact and completely unaffected.
Due to dynamic bank resizing, it is possible to write a large memory bank into a small memory bank
location, in this case an exact copy of bank is not possible and data will be lost from the target bank.
For example, if BANK “A” has 80 channels and the target BANK “e” has only 20 channels available, the
last 60 channels will be lost.  If banks are the same size (at default all banks are 50 channels in size)
then no data will be lost and exact copies of memory banks will be made.
The “COPY MEM-BNK” menu is accessed using the key sequence  
 .   the ò key twice to move the cursor to the “COPY MEM-BNK”
selection point.  Two data input lines are presented LOAD and SAVE.
The cursor will be positioned on the LOAD line.  “LOAD” represents the memory bank which you would
like to make a copy of (this is the data you want).  Use the main dial or ï ð keys to select bank,
alternatively type in the required bank via the keypad.
 ò to move to the SAVE line.  “SAVE” is the target bank location where data is to be written.
Use the main dial or ï ð keys to select bank, alternatively type in the required bank via the keypad (the
load and save bank locations must be different).
  to copy the memory bank data to the target location, the legend “MEM BANK COPY !!”
will be displayed, after a few seconds both LOAD and SAVE displayed memory bank locations revert to
LOAD location.
The process may be repeated for other locations.
Section 9-1, 9-2 
						

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&Note: If the SAVE bank location is write protected, the legend “PROTECT” will be displayed.
You must remove write protect from the SAVE memory bank before you can copy new data to
that location, individual memory channel write protect is ignored.  Refer to the write protect
section 11 of this manual.
  to exit the menu returning to the standard display, alternatively  ò to move to
the “COPY SEARCH” selection point.
9-3  EDIT COPY search bank
The COPY SEARCH BANK menu enables you to make an exact copy of one search bank into another
location, the original search bank is left intact and completely unaffected.
The “COPY SEARCH” menu is accessed using the key sequence 
   .
 the ò key four times to move the cursor to the “COPY SEARCH” selection point.  Two data
input lines are presented LOAD-BNK and SAVE-BNK.
The cursor will be positioned on the LOAD-BNK line.  “LOAD” represents the search bank which you
would like to make a copy of (this is the data you want).  Use the main dial or ï ð keys to select bank,
alternatively type in the required bank via the keypad.
 ò to move to the SAVE-BNK line.  “SAVE” is the target bank location where data is to be
written.  Use the main dial or ï ð keys to select bank, alternatively type in the required bank via the
keypad (the load and save locations must be different).
  to copy the search bank data to the target location, both LOAD and SAVE displayed
search bank locations revert to LOAD location.
The process may be repeated for other locations.
&Note: If the SAVE location is write protected, the legend “PROTECT” will be displayed.
You must remove write protect from the SAVE search bank before you can copy new data to
that location.  Refer to the write protect 
section 11 of this manual.
  to exit the menu returning to the standard display, alternatively  ò to move
to the “MOVE MEM-CH” selection point.
9-4  EDIT MOVE memory channel
The MOVE MEMORY CHANNEL menu enables you to make an exact copy of one memory bank into
another bank location while leaving the original memory empty (data is erased).  Due to dynamic
memory bank resizing, it is possible that the highest channel number in any memory bank could be in
the range of 09 to 89 (default is 49).
The “MOVE MEM-CH” menu is accessed using the key sequence 
   .
 the ò key six times to move the cursor to the “MOVE MEM-CH” selection point.
Section 9-2, 9-3, 9-4