Ranger 2950dx Cd Tranciever Manual

							 
- 1 - RCI-2950 DX  
RCI-2970 DX  
 TABLE OF  CONTENTS    
CHAPTER 1 PAGE 
SPECIFICATIONS  
1.0 General  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2 
1.1 Transmitter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 
1.2 Receiver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 
  
CHAPTER 2   
INTRODUCTION  
2.0 Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 
2.1 Features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 
  
CHAPTER 3   
OPERATION  
3.0 Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4 
3.1 Control & Connections  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 
3.2 Microphone  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8 
3.3 Operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8 
  
CHAPTER 4  
PROGRAMMING   
4.0 Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11 
4.1 Frequency Selection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 
4.2 Frequency Scanning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     11 
4.3 Offset Frequency Operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13 
  
CHAPTER 5  
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION   
5.0 Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14 
5.1 PLL Circuit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14 
5.2 Receiver Circuit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     14 
5.3 Transmitter Modulation Circuit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14 
5.4 Transmitter Amplifier Circuit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14 
  
CHAPTER 6  
ALIGNMENT   
6.0 Required Test Equipment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 
6.1 Alignment Procedures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18 
  
CHAPTER 7  
MAINTENANCE   
7.0 Precautions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22 
7.1 Periodic Inspection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22 
7.2 Fuse Replacement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22 
  
CHAPTER 8  
DIAGRAMS AND PART LIST  
8.0 PCB Layout & Part List  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23  
						

							 
- 2 -    
RCI-2950 DX  
RCI-2970 DX  
 CHAPTER 1 SPECIFICATIONS    
1.0 GENERAL  Model RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX Frequency Range 12 meter : 24.8900 ~ 24.9900 MHz 
10 meter : 28.0000 ~ 29.6900 MHz 
Tuning Steps 100 Hz, 1 KHz, 10 KHz, 100 KHz, 1 MHz 
Emission Modes AM(A3)/FM(F3)/LSB,USB(A3J)/CW(A1)  
Frequency Control Phase-Lock-Loop (PLL) synthesizer 
Frequency Tolerance 
± 0.005 % 
Frequency Stability 
± 0.001 % 
Operating Temperature Range 
0°C to +40°C 
Microphone 400 ohm, Dynamic PTT 
Meter Function RF Output, RX Receive Signal Strength, SWR 
Calibration and SWR 
Input Voltage 13.8V DC 
Antenna Connector UHF SO239 
Dimensions For : RCI-2950 DX 
                            RCI-2970 DX 7-3/4”(W) x 10-3/4”(L) x 2-3/8”(H) 
7-3/4”(W) x 10-3/4”(L) x 3-7/8”(H) 
Weight For : RCI-2950 DX 
                     RCI-2970 DX 4 lb. 3 oz. 
7 lb. 6 oz. 
  
1.1 TRANSMITTER  RF Power Output (RCI-2950DX) AM/FM/CW : 10 W ; SSB : 25 W PEP RF Power Output (RCI-2970DX) AM/FM/CW : 50 W ; SSB : 150 W PEP 
RF Transmit Modes AM/FM/SSB/CW 
Modulation  A3E/16F3/J3E/A1A 
Spurious Emissions -50 dB 
Carrier Suppression -50 dB  
Antenna Impedance  50 Ohms 
  
1.2 RECEIVER   Sensitivity For 10dB S/N (AM; CW/SSB) 
Sensitivity for 12dB S/N (FM) < 0.5mV; < 0.15m V 
< 0.25mV Image Rejection Ratio -65 dB 
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) Figure Of Merit SSB/CW/AM : 80 dB for 50 mV for 10 dB Change in 
Audio Output 
Audio Output Power 2.5 W @ 10% THD 
Built-in Speaker 8 Ohms, 5 Watts. 
External Speaker (Not Supplied) 8 Ohms; 5 Watts. 
 
(SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
- 3 - RCI-2950 DX  
RCI-2970 DX  
 CHAPTER 2 INTRODUCTION    
2.0 INTRODUCTION 
The Ranger RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX is a solid-state, fully synthesized Amateur 10 and 12 meter 
dual band mobile transceiver with full band coverage from 28.0000 MHz to 29.6999 MHz and 24.8900 
MHz to 24.9900 MHz and all mode operation, including: AM, FM, USB, LSB, CW and PA modes. 
The 10 most commonly used frequencies can be pre-programmed by the user for easy channel access. 
 
2.1 RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX FEATURES 
 ·  25 Watts PEP of Output Power (RCI-2950 DX) 
 ·  150 Watts PEP of Output Power (RCI-2970 DX) 
   ·  Full Band Coverage 
 ·  All Mode Operation 
 ·  Brightness Control 
   ·  CTCSS Encoder/Decoder (Optional) 
 ·  Repeater/Offset Switch 
 ·  Programmable Frequencies 
   ·  Built-in Dual VFO 
 ·  RIT (RX Incremental Tuning) 
 ·  Squelch 
   ·  Noise Blanker 
 ·  RF Gain Control 
 ·  RF Power Output Selector 
   ·  External Speaker Connection 
 ·  PA Mode  
 ·  LCD Display 
   ·  Multi-Function LCD Meter 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
- 4 - RCI-2950 DX 
RCI-2970 DX  
 CHAPTER 3 OPERATION     
 
Figure 3-1 Front Panel 
 
3.0 INTRODUCTION 
This section explains the basic operating procedures for the RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX Amateur 10 
and 12 meter dual band mobile transceiver. 
 
3.1 CONTROL AND CONNECTIONS 
 
3.1.1 FRONT PANEL 
Refer to the above Figure 3-1 for the location of the following controls. 
 
1. FREQUENCY SELECTOR 
This control is used to select a desired transmit and receive frequency. 
 
2. RF POWER CONTROL 
This control allows the user to adjust RF power output. 
 
3. MIC GAIN CONTROL  
Adjusts the microphone gain in the transmit and PA modes. This controls the gain to the extent that full 
talk power is available several inches away from the microphone. In the Public Address (PA) mode, the 
control functions as the volume control. 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
- 5 - 4. ON/OFF VOLUME CONTROL    
This knob controls the volume and the power to the radio. To turn the radio on, rotate knob clockwise. 
Turning the knob further will increase the volume of the receiver. 
 
5. SQUELCH CONTROL 
This switch is used to eliminate background noise being heard through the receiver which can be 
disturbing when no transmissions are being received. To use this feature, turn the switch fully 
counterclockwise and then turn clockwise slowly until the background noise is just eliminate. Further 
clockwise rotation will increase the threshold level, which a signal must overcome in order to be heard. 
Only strong signals will be heard at a maximum clockwise setting.  
 
6. RF GAIN CONTROL 
This control is used to reduce the gain of the RF amplifier under strong signal conditions. 
 
7. CLARIFIER CONTROL 
Allows tuning of the receive frequency above or below the assigned frequency by up to 500 Hz. 
Although this control is intended primarily to tune in SSB/CW signals, it may be used to optimize 
AM/FM signals. 
 
8. MODE (FM/AM/USB/LSB/CW/PA) SWITCH 
This switch allows you to select one of the following operating modes: FM/AM/USB/LSB/CW/PA.  
 
9. NB/ANL BUTTON (NB/ANL) 
In the NB/ANL position, the RF Noise Blanker and Aotumatic Noise Limiter in the audio circuits are 
also activated. The Noise Blanker is very effective in eliminating repetitive impulse noise such as 
ignition interference. 
 
10. ROGER BEEP BUTTON (R.BEEP) 
In the Roger Beep position, the radio transmits an audio tone at the end of your transmission to indicate 
that transmission has ended. As a courtesy to others, use the Roger Beep only when necessary. 
 
11. SPLIT BUTTON (SPLIT) 
This control activates the offset frequency function. It causes the transmit frequency to be offset either 
above or below the receive frequency by a user programmable amount to allow operation of an FM 
Repeater. 
 
12. PROGRAM BUTTON (PRG) 
This button is used to program operating or scanning frequencies into memory. See the OPERATION 
section of the manual for further details. 
 
13. MANUAL BUTTON (MAN) 
This is used to return the unit to manual mode. 
 
14. SHIFT BUTTON (SHF) 
This is used to select 100 Hz, 1 KHz, 10 KHz, 100 KHz or 1 MHz frequency steps. 
 
15. DIM BUTTON (DIM) 
This button adjusts the display backlighting in four different steps to best match the ambient light. 
 
  
						

							 
- 6 - 16. SWR BUTTON (SWR) 
This control is used to check SWR. 
 
17. SCAN BUTTON (SCAN) 
This is used to scan frequencies in each band segment. The OPERATION segment of this manual 
provides detailed information on using the SCAN control. 
 
18. MEMORY BUTTON (MEM) 
This button is used to program memory channels. Detailed information on how to use this control is 
provided in the OPERATION section of this manual. 
 
19. ENTER BUTTON (ENT) 
This is used to program frequencies in memory. See the OPERATION section of this manual for more 
information on using this control. 
 
20. LOCK BUTTON (LOCK) 
This button is used to lock a selected frequency. Press it to activate the switch. In this position, it 
disables the Frequency Selector Control, up/down buttons on the front control panel and remote 
up/down buttons on the microphone. Repressing the switch will unlock the frequency. 
 
21. UP/DOWN SELECTOR (st) 
These buttons are used in conjunction with the shift key to move the frequency upward or downward to 
select a desired frequency. 
 
22. METER 
This meter indicates received signal strength, transmitter RF output power and SWR level. 
 
23. LCD DISPLAY 
The LCD displays the frequency selected, functions and memory channel. 
 
24. MIC JACK 
Accepts 6 pin female connector with a type Philmore T616C or Calrad 30445 style connector. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
- 7 - 3.1.2 REAR PANEL   
Figure 3-2 represents the location of the following connections: 
  
 
Figure 3-2 Rear Panel 
 
1. ANTENNA 
This jack accepts 50 ohms coaxial cable with a PL-259 type plug. 
 
2. CW KEY 
This jack is for Morse code operation, To operate, connect a CW key to this jack and place the MODE 
switch in the CW position. 
 
3. EXT. SP. 
This jack accepts 4 to 8 ohms, 5 watts external speaker. When the external speaker is connected to this 
jack, the built-in speaker will be disabled. 
 
4. PA. SP.  
This jack is for PA operation. Before operating, you must first connect a PA speaker (8 ohms, 5 W) to 
this jack. 
 
5. POWER 
This connector accepts 13.8V DC power cable with built-in fuse. The power cord provided with the 
radio has a black and red wire. The black goes to negative and the red goes to positive. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
- 8 - 3.2 MICROPHONE 
 
1. PTT SWITCH 
The receiver and transmitter are controlled by the push-to-talk switch on the microphone. Press the 
switch and the transmitter is activated, release switch to receive. When transmitting, hold the 
microphone two inches from the mouth and speak clearly in a normal voice. 
 
2. REMOTE UP/DOWN SWITCH 
An operating frequency can be incremented or decremented simply by pushing either of these buttons. 
 
3.3 OPERATION 
 
3.3.1 CHANNEL SELECTION 
Frequency selection for the RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX is simple. Select a desired operating 
frequency by rotating the Frequency Selector, or using the (s) Up and (t) Down buttons on the front 
panel or the microphone. Press the LOCK button to lock into the selected frequency. This will disable 
the Frequency Selector and the up/down buttons on the front panel and the microphone. Repressing the 
LOCK button unlocks the frequency. Use the SHF button to step frequency in either 100 Hz, 1 KHz, 10 
KHz, 100 KHz or 1 MHz increment when you select a band segment. The frequency step is indicated by 
a small triangle directly under the corresponding digit on the frequency display. 
 
3.3.2 MODE SELECTION 
To select an operating mode on your RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX, simply rotate the MODE selector 
and place it in the desired operating mode position. 
 
FM/AM/USB or LSB modes are for your voice communications. In the CW position, you can transmit 
CW if you have connected an external key to the accessory jack provided on the back of the radio. In the 
PA position, the transceiver can be used as a Public Address system. Before operating in PA mode, you 
must first connect a PA speaker (8 ohms, 5 Watts) to the jack located on the rear panel. 
 
3.3.3 RF POWER CONTROL  
This feature allows the adjustment of the RF output power continuously for the RCI-2950 DX (AM 1W 
to 10W; SSB: 10W to 25W), and (AM: 8W to 50W; SSB: 18W to 100W) for the RCI-2970 DX. 
 
3.3.4 RECEIVE SCANNING 
Receive scanning allows you to find active frequencies in the entire band segment. To begin scanning, 
slowly turn the Squelch control clockwise until the receiver noise disappears. Press the Scan button. The 
unit should start scanning from the lower to the higher frequencies. Pressing the Scan button again will 
change the direction of scanning. Each time you press the Scan button, “SCAN+” or “SCAN-” will 
displayed on the LCD display. The radio will stop on any active frequency for the entire duration of the 
transmission. When the transmission stops, the RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX will wait approximately 2 
seconds before it resumes scanning. If you want to deactivate Scan mode while it is scanning, press the 
MAN (manual) button or turn the Squelch control counterclockwise until you hear the receiver noise. 
The Manual button will disable Scan function. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
- 9 - 3.3.5 SPLIT FUNCTION 
This function enables you to offset the transmit and receive frequencies for FM repeater operation. The 
transmitter frequency can offset either higher or lower than the receive frequency. To split frequencies, 
press the MAN button and the Split button to select either +/- split frequency. If the + split is selected, 
the transmit frequency will be higher than the receive frequency. If - split is selected, the transmit 
frequency will be lower than the receive frequency.  
 
3.3.6 MEMORY FUNCTION 
The RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX can store up to 10 most frequently used frequencies (from 0 to 9). To 
program a frequency into memory, follow the procedure described below: 
 
(1)  Press the MAN button. 
 
(2)  Press the PRG button. 
           
(3) Press the MEM button (“MEMORY” and “0” should appear on the left-hand side of the LCD 
display). Pressing the MEM button will advance the channel number from “0” to “9”. 
 
(4)  Select the desired frequency you wish to store in memory. 
 
(5)  Press the ENT button. 
 
(6)  Repeat the same procedure to program other memory channels. 
 
3.3.7 MEMORY CHANNEL SCANNING 
You can scan and select any of these 10 preset frequencies by following the procedure described below: 
 
(1)  Press the MAN button. 
 
(2)  Press the MEM button. 
 
(3)  Slowly turn the Squelch knob clockwise until the receiver noise disappears. 
 
(4)  Press the Scan button. The unit will scan from lower to higher frequencies. When you press the 
button again, it will scan from higher to lower frequencies. 
 
(5) To stop scanning a certain channel, press the MAN button, or turn the Squelch knob 
counterclockwise until you hear the receiver noise. 
 
3.3.8 METER 
The meter built into your RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX on the left hand side of the LCD display 
provides the following information: 
 
1. S/RF METER 
In transmit mode, it provides a visual indication of transmit output power and received signal strength 
on the receive mode. 
 
 
 
2. SWR METER  
						

							 
- 10 - In order to achieve maximum radiated power, it is important that your antenna be in good condition, 
properly adjusted and matched to your transceiver. The built-in SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meter 
allows you to measure your antenna condition. To operate this function, connect your antenna to the 
transceiver antenna connector, set the mode switch to AM and adjust the MIC GAIN to minimum. 
Select a frequency near the middle of the band you plan to use most. Activate the SWR function and 
press the PTT button on the microphone. A bar on the meter is an indication of the antenna matching. If 
there is no bar, it indicates that your antenna system is perfectly matched. The fewer bars, the better 
matched. If several bars appear, your antenna needs adjusting. 
 
3.3.9 CTCSS - OPTIONAL 
The RCI-2950 DX / RCI-2970 DX can operate with CTCSS frequencies for accessing repeaters, with an 
optional CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) encoding device installed. 
 
3.3.10 PROCEDURE TO RECEIVE 
(1)  Be sure that power source, microphone and antenna are connected to the proper connectors before 
going to the next step. 
 
(2)  Turn unit on by running VOL knob clockwise on transceiver. 
 
(3)  Set the VOL to a comfortable listening level. 
 
(4)  Set the MODE switch to the desired mode.   
 
(5)  Listen to the background noise from the speaker. Turn the SQ knob slowly clockwise until the noise 
just disappears. The SQ is now properly adjusted. The receiver will remain quiet until a signal is 
actually received. Do not advance the control too far or some of weaker signals will not be heard. 
 
(6)  Set the CHANNEL selector switch to the desired channel. 
 
(7)  Set the RF GAIN control fully clockwise for maximum receive gain. 
 
(8)  Adjust the CLARIFIER control to clarify the SSB signals or to optimize AM/FM signals. 
 
3.3.11 PROCEDURE TO TRANSMIT 
(1)  Select the desired channel of transmission 
 
(2)  Set the MIC GAIN control fully clockwise. 
 
(3)  If the channel is clear, depress the push-to-talk switch on the microphone and speak in a normal 
voice.