Albrecht AE540 User Guide
User Manual
AE 540
2-m VHF Amateur Transceiver
© Alan Electronics GmbH
Daimlerstr. 1 k
D-63303 Dreieich
Contents:
Regulatory notes, Declaration of Conformity.....................................................................................3
Installation and Setup ........................................................................................................................ 4
General remarks for operating this radio........................................................................................... 4
Installation as mobile radio ................................................................................................................ 4
Connecting to DC power ...................................................................................................................5
Rear side connections ....................................................................................................................... 5
Antenna selection .............................................................................................................................. 5
Mobile (car) antenna.......................................................................................................................... 5
AE 540 as Base Station..................................................................................................................... 6
Operation........................................................................................................................................... 6
Front panel - and microphone knobs and - keys............................................................................... 6
Direct entry key functions (basic functions) ....................................................................................... 7
On / Off, Volume and Squelch settings ............................................................................................. 7
The LC Display of AE 540 ................................................................................................................. 7
Push-to-talk button (PTT) .................................................................................................................. 8
TONE CALL 1750 Hz ........................................................................................................................ 8
Direct access to „Call“ channel.......................................................................................................... 8
Frequency search mode SCAN......................................................................................................... 8
Recalling memory-channels MR / MS ...............................................................................................8
Microphone lock ................................................................................................................................ 8
Second level of functions (two-touch-functions)................................................................................ 9
MHz-key ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Activate repeater shift (offset) .......................................................................................................... 9
Activate Tone Squelch (CTCSS) ....................................................................................................... 9
Prioriy channel „Dual Watch“.......................................................................................................... 10
Monitor key ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Complete key locking .............................................................................................................. 10
Transmit power switching Hi / Low .................................................................................................. 10
The Setup Menu .............................................................................................................................. 11
Flow-chart for the Setup Menu ........................................................................................................ 11
More about the menu steps............................................................................................................. 11
Terminating the setup menu............................................................................................................ 13
Reset to factory default settings and erasing all memories............................................................. 14
Technical informations .................................................................................................................... 14
Saving and backup of user settings ................................................................................................ 14
Connecting points for accessory items............................................................................................ 14
Mikrofonbuchse: .............................................................................................................................. 14
Ext. Speaker socket ........................................................................................................................ 14
Note to packet radio modem connection......................................................................................... 14
Programming different options (for service only after opening the cabinet) .................................... 15
Technical data AE 540 .................................................................................................................... 16
Where to find service hints and documentation .............................................................................. 17
2
Regulatory notes, Declaration of Conformity
General informations,
Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
This amateur radio transceiver corresponds to the essential requirements of the EU Directive(s)
89/336/EEC (EMC), Low-Voltage-Directive 73/23/EEC, R&TTE Direktive 1999/5/EC, fulfills the
harmonised European technical standards for commercially available amateur radios EN 301 783-2, EN
301 489-1, EN 301 489-15 and EN 60 950 and is marked with CE and „Alert Sign“.
The original issues of our conformity declarations in their latest versions, as well as all technical
documentations, may be downloaded anytime from our service-homepage www.hobbyradio.de
The radio may be used under following regulatory conditions and requirements:
In most European and overseas countries only licenced amateur radio operators are allowed to
use this radio (e.g. in Germany § 1 „Gesetz über den Amateurfunk“, BGBL, Part III, Nr. 9022-1).
Even licenced radio operators are only allowed to use the radio on frequencies, which are
allocated to the amateur radio service of their licence class. In some countries restrictions are in
force, where the physically switchable frequency range must not exceed the allocated frequency
range limits. In such countries operators must set the programming jumpers correctly before
connecting and using the radio. Exposure of persons to radiated emissions is also limited in
some countries. Please respect the power limits and safety distances, if requested by the local
radio authority. This radio may be used only for amateur radio purposes.
Use for commercial radio purposes is subject to special licences and approvals in certain
countries.
The radio must be operated together with all connected accessory items in accordance to the EMC
directive, so that the directive requirements are fullfilled with the complete configuration. Additonal
power amplifiers may need additional harmonics filters to maintain radiation limits of unwanted spurious
emissions. The amateur radio operator is responsable for compliance of the complete configuration of
his amateur radio station
ALAN Electronics GmbH
The German or other language’s manuals (if supplied) may be different in some parts according to
national special settings and requirements.
Technical modifications improving the state of the art of this radio may be subject without prior notice.
Technical documents are provided in their latest issue for free download on our service homepage
www.hobbyradio.de or www.alan-albrecht.info
Please see chapters „Amateurfunk / Amateur Radio“ for more informations.
3
Installation and Setup
General remarks for operating this radio
Our 2m FM transceiver AE 540 is one of the smallest available compact 12 V transceivers. It can be
used everywhere provided that a suitable 12 V power supply and an external 2 m antenna is available,
e.g. as base station, portable (Fieldday) station, on boats , caravans, in motor homes and – with
restrictions- in road vehicles. The radio is designed for intermitting duty cycle operation- like in a typical
amateur radio station setup working via repeaters (10 % transmission, 90 % receive time periods). This
radio is not intended to be used for continuous transmission without allowing cooling-down periods.
Longer transmission periods are acceptable with reduced (10 Watt) power setting.
Please do not exhibit your radio to extreme climatic or environmental conditions, like excessive humidity,
dust, high temperatures or direct sunlight. Do not open the radio unless you are able to repair SMD
electronics - there are no user serviceable parts inside. For alignment and repair appropriate test
instruments are necessary.
The radio comes with a preprogrammed frequency range depending on the amateur radio regulations in
country of sales. The tuning range may exceed the 144-146 MHz European amateur band limits where
allowed. Some countries do not tolerate amateur equipment exceeding the band limits on transmitter /
receiver side. Setting to various limits is internally possible by hardware jumpers. Even if the radio may
be able to operate outside of the band limits 144-146 MHz, we cannot give any guarantee for keeping
the specifications on out of band frequencies.
Installation as mobile radio
The AE 540 is designed as allround 2 m
transceiver for various installations. You can
either operate it at home as a base station or
on boats, motor homes, caravans and cars. For
installation as a mobile station in the car, a
mobile mount device is enclosed. Mount the set
in such a way that it is not exposed to direct
sunlight if possible, as this will lead to an
increase in temperature and can decrease the
(set’s) working life. The set should also not be
installed near a heater. Mount the set in such a
way that it is exposed to as little vibration as
possible. The mobile fixing device should be
attached to the dashboard, the tunnel slot or to
any other suitable place using the enclosed
tapping screws. Do not install the set in a place
where it could cause injuries in case of an
accident (be particularly careful to ensure free
leg movement). Take care not to damage any
underlying wires during installation!
Insert the radio into the fixing device. Secure
the set with the large knurled screws (using the
enclosed plastic washers) firmly at the required angle. Also mount the microphone fixing device using
the enclosed screws in an easily-accessible place. In order to prevent interference to the vehicle
electronics from transmission in the vehicle, please make sure to follow any mounting instructions by the
vehicle manufacturer for radios and antennas.
Important note: the end of the transition period of the new European „automotive directive“ imposes
restrictions on installing and operating electronic devices in motor driven vehicles. The interpretation of
the requirements of this directive for amateur radios is not quite cleared. Some authorities request that
even radios, not primarily intended to be used exclusively in cars should have an additional e-approval
mark, while other authorities respect a special treatment of two way radios under the R&TTE directive
and EMC directive with their normal CE and alert sign marking. Some authorities request that such
radios shall not be operated while the car is in motion and the engine is running.
Generally, the car manufacturers have the right to issue restrictions for using two way radios in new cars
(which have been put into service since 1.10.2002). Please consult the car manufacturer and ask for
their installation hints, especially for EMC compatible antenna locations and DC connecting points.
4
Connecting to DC power
Connect the power cable of the radio to 12 V DC power supply of your car, motor home or boat. In
caravans or at home we recommend to use a suitable AC/ DC power supply, capable to deliver 6-8 A at
stabilized supply voltage between 10.8 and 15.6 V.
If possible, do not increase cable length and connect the power cord as close as possible directly to the
battery terminals. The cable has a looped-in glass fuse for 10 A protection. If this fuse should blow, try to
find out the reason, and replace the fuse only with its original value and never with wires, silver paper or
aluminum foils!
Connect the red wire with the positive + terminal, the black wire with the
negative (-) terminal of the battery.
The negative wire terminal is grounded (standard in most cars). However, do not use the car body as
negative terminal and try to connect the (–) terminal of the battery instead, wherever possible! Please
note that grounding of the housing may cause electrolytic and galvanic corrosion effects in steel or
aluminum boats. Insulating of the radio housing and antenna may be necessary in such cases.
Rear side connections
Power cable assembly
12 V (13.8 V) DC
Antenna socket for
PL-259 (UHF)
External Speaker terminal
(3.5 mm mono, 4-8 Ohms)
Antenna selection
Mobile (car) antenna
Simple reduced size magnetic base antennas or car antennas with window mount or glass mount are
not the best choice for 25 W-30 W powerfull radios! Please install a powerfull VHF mobile antenna with
grounded antenna foot. Keep maximum possible distance to passengers and place the antenna
accorcing to the car manufacturer’s instructions as far away as possible from sensitive electronic circuits
of the car wiring. Check the good ground connection to the car body of the antenna foot.
Please remember that you and the passengers are in the immediate vicinity of a transmitting aerial,
particularly when used as a mobile. In case you are wearing a pacemaker, and the doctor or the
manufacturer of the pacemaker has recommended keeping a certain safe distance from the aerial, then
please follow their instructions!
Any antenna must be checked and aligned for best possible SW R (standing wave ratio). The final power
amp transistor of your AE 540 is able to tolerate an SWR up to 1:2.
Use a PL 259 type plug for antenna connection. A good, VHF usable quality has teflon insulation! Do not
transmit without connecting the aerial and never touch the aerial during transmission!
5
AE 540 as Base Station
Please respect possible restrictions in some countries (e.g. Germany), where safety distances from
antennas to other persons have to be declared when certain output power levels are exceeded.
For safety reasons, please do not operate this radio in high power position (25-30 Watts RF) with any
kind of indoor antennas. Indoor antenna radiation may interfere with other electronic devices in the
neighbourhood of your radio.
Operation
The operating elements, knobs and buttons are located on the microphone and front panel of your radio.
Front panel - and microphone knobs and - keys
• All knobs and keys are located in a way so
that you can key-in directly the most
important basic functions via one-touch
keys.
•
A second level of feature settings is
available as two-touch-functions. Initially,
you will press the FUNC key on the
microphone for less than 0.5 seconds,
followed by the other function key
•
You can reach the Setup Menu, used for
programming memory locations, DTMF and
CTCSS tones incl. Decoder / encoder
options, repeater shift settings, beep tones
and other rarely used features like TOT (timeout-timer), by touching the FUNC key longer
than 0.5 seconds!
6
Loading...