AOR AR1500 User Guide
AR1500 Operating manualAR1500 Operating manual
Power requirement... 6V DC from built-in NiCad battery pack or 11 - 18V DC
from CHG jack or 4 x AAA dry cells (dry case provided)
Power consumption... 100mA approx
Size... 55mm (W) x 152mm (H) x 40mm (D) approx excluding
projections
Weight... 360g approx including NiCad pack
Display... Liquid Crystal (LCD) with switchable light for areas of
low level lighting
** Specifications subject to change without notice due to continuous
development of the receiver. E&OE.
(14) Index
AC mains supply 6
accessories 31
Aerial 8
Aerial connection 8
Aerial input 10
Aerial Tuning Units 8
Airband 16
AM 15, 16
AM/FM 13
Amateur band 16
ANT 10
ARROW 13, 20
attenuator 8, 10
ATU 8
auto memory 19
Automatic memory input 29
AUX 21, 22
BANK 13, 21
Bank 9 26
banks 22
BATT 7
batteries 6
battery compartment 6, 7
Beat Frequency Oscillator 9
BFO 9, 10
breakthrough 8
Broadcast 16
cables 6
Charger 14
charger 6, 7
CHG 14
clean 6
CLEAR 12, 21
Clearing 15
Clearing memories 21
Controls 9
Conventions 14
copyright 1
corruption 30
cross-modulation 8
DA3000 31
DA900 8, 10
defaults 26
DELAY 14, 20, 25
DELAY/HOLD 14
DIAL 9, 20, 26
discone 8
DOWN ARROW 13, 20
dry batteries 6
DX 10
EAR 10
Earphone 10
EARTH 6
EEPROM 19
ENTER 12
Entering 15
FM 15, 16
Fr.Err 15
Frequency list 16
Front panel 12
fuse 6
ground 6
HOLD 14, 20, 21, 25
internal NiCad pack 7
jack socket 6
(1) Introduction & accessories
Thank you for purchasing the AOR AR1500 compact all mode hand portable receiver. The
AR1500 is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment using the very latest in electronics design
and technology. It is important that you carefully read this handbook and familiarise yourself
with the receiver before placing it into operation.
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 omissions anomalies may be found and this is
acknowledged.
Most apparent faults are due to accidental misoperation of the receiver, carefully read all of
the manual before deciding to return the receiver for repair.
Although carefully designed, the receiver (like all receivers) suffers from internal noises
known as spurii. They are a product of the receiver’s circuitry and do not represent a fault.
The AR1500 is designed to be particularly sensitive for hand-held operation, for this
reason strong signal mixing or overload may be experienced if used in strong signal areas
or when connected to an externally mounted aerial such as a discone, microprocessor
noise may also be audible on certain frequencies and modes.
This manual is protected by copyright AOR (UK) Ltd 1992, 1993. No information contained
in this manual may be copied or transferred by any means without the prior written consent of
AOR (UK) Ltd.
© 1991, 1992, 1993 AOR (UK) Ltd.
1-1 Accessories supplied
DA900 single wide band whip aerial for VHF and UHF
SW-wire aerial wire terminated in a BNC plug for shortwave
AC charger
Internal NiCad rechargeable battery pack
Dry battery case (to house 4 x AAA Alkaline cells)
12V DC lead fitted with a cigar lighter plug for mobile operation
Soft case
Belt hook
Earphone
Operating manual
This manual covers the AR1500, AR1500E
and AR1500EX models.
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AR1500 Operating manualAR1500 Operating manual
(2) Table of Contents
(1) Introduction & accessories.................................................................................... 1
1-1 Accessories supplied................................................................................................ 1
(2) Table of contents (this page)................................................................................... 2
(3) Major features........................................................................................................ 4
(4) Precautions............................................................................................................. 6
4-1 Location................................................................................................................... 6
4-2 Look after your receiver........................................................................................... 6
4-3 Power requirements.................................................................................................. 6
4-4 Aerial connection..................................................................................................... 8
(5) Controls and functions........................................................................................... 9
5-1 Top panel................................................................................................................. 9
Close-up views of the AR1500.................................................................................. 11
5-2 Front panel ............................................................................................................... 12
5-3 CHG - Charger input socket...................................................................................... 14
(6) Basic operation........................................................................................................ 14
6-1 Background.............................................................................................................. 14
6-2 Conventions.............................................................................................................. 14
6-3 Basic manual operation............................................................................................ 15
1. Entering a frequency through the keypad......................................................... 15
2. Clearing incorrect frequency input................................................................... 15
3a. Changing mode................................................................................................ 15
3b. Frequency list audible from various parts of the UK: ....................................... 16
4. Tuning the receiver........................................................................................... 17
(7) Single Side Band Operation ................................................................................... 18
(8) Scan mode - memories ........................................................................................... 19
8-1 Storing frequencies to memory................................................................................. 20
8-2 Recalling previously stored memory channels........................................................... 21
8-3 Clearing memory contents......................................................................................... 21
8-4 Priority (AUX) channel............................................................................................. 21
8-5 Scanning memory channels and banks....................................................................... 22
8-6 Problems with scanning............................................................................................. 23
8-7 Program bank scan..................................................................................................... 23
8-8 Memory lockout......................................................................................................... 24
8-9 Memory bank lockout................................................................................................ 24
Notes:
This procedure resets the microprocessor and clears the contents from the memory channels they will now be blank! The search banks may differ from the defaults shown in this manual,
in this case you will need to reprogramme them.
You have instructed the operating system of the AR1500 to receive selected bands with selected
Intermediate Frequencies (IF), if your keystrokes faithfully followed the above then you will
have an unbroken coverage from 500 kHz to 1300 MHz without gaps. If you receiver a
<Fr.Err> message, you have probably made a mistake - try again.
Note: To ensure the best microprocessor stability never delete ALL memory
channels from a scan bank, it is a good idea to leave at least one active channel in
each bank... i.e. 000, 100, 200 etc. Do not limit the scan range to a memory bank
which is totally empty.
(12) Optional accessories
DA3000 Wide band discone aerial 25 MHz - 2,000 MHz *
WA7000 Active wide band compact aerial 30 kHz - 2,000 MHz *
LA320 Longwave - shortwave active desktop loop aerial *
NiCad pack Additional internal NiCad pack (State if EX 3-Pin)
ABF125 VHF Airband filter *
Service information
* See the notes regarding aerials in section 4-4
(13) Specification **
Model... AR1500
Receiver coverage... 500 kHz - 1300 MHz
Receiving modes... AM, FM(Narrow), FM(Wide) and SSB with the BFO
switched On (USB, LSB & CW)
Number of memory channels... 900 plus 100 reserved for ‘auto-memory’ in bank 9.
1000 total (10 x 100)
Scan rate... 20 channels per second (approx)
Number of scan banks... 10 total. Bank 9 reserved for ‘auto-memory’
Scan delay time... 2 seconds (approx)
Search banks... 9 standard search banks plus one search bank for the
automatic search pair of bank 9
Search rate... 20 steps per second (approx)
Search step size... Programmable in 5 & 12.5 kHz steps to a maximum of
995 kHz (i.e. 5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50 etc.)
Priority channel (AUX)... Any one of the 1000 memories may be used as priority.
Sampling is every 2 seconds (approx)
Receiver sensitivity... FM(Narrow) 0.5uV or better for 12dB across most of the
range.
AM 3.0uV or better for 10dB S/N across most of the
range.
SSB 1.5 uV or better across most of the range
Note: Reduced sensitivity below approx 2 MHz all modes
BFO range... Continuous -4 ~ +6 kHz (approx)
Aerial connection... One 50 OHM BNC socket on top case
Audio output... >100mW @ 10% distortion
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AR1500 Operating manualAR1500 Operating manual
(11) Microprocessor reset
The information stored in the memory channels (scan banks) and search bank is permanently
held in a ‘chip component’ called an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory). No battery backup is required.
In the extremely unlikely event you should encounter problems with memory loss or corruption
it may be possible for you to RESET the microprocessor. This scenario may occur due to static
discharge from mobile operation, connection to an external aerial, shipping in plastic &
polystyrene materials or from noise on the power feed to the receiver.
A small RESET slide switch is located in the battery compartment of most (BUT NOT ALL)
AR1500 receivers. This switch is covered by a protective tape and is connect to a short length
of wire. If you cannot locate the switch and are not comfortable with ‘lots of button pressing’
please contact your dealer.
1. Switch the AR1500 Off and remove the battery cover and NiCad pack.
2. Remove the protective tape from the slide switch.
3. The switch has two positions, carefully slide the switch from the first to the second
position.
4. Insert the NiCad pack and switch on the receiver.
5. The display should be blank at this time.
6. Carry out the following key strokes very carefully, take your time. If you make a
mistake switch the receiver Off/On and start again. If the first sequence of [BANK]
[PROG] has no effect repeat these key presses as required. The key strokes should
appear on the LCD as you progress.
(9) Search mode ........................................................................................................... 25
9-1 Notes on scan & search ............................................................................................. 25
9-2 Pre-programmed search banks.................................................................................. 26
9-3 Searching all banks................................................................................................... 26
9-4 Problems with searching.......................................................................................... 27
9-5 Program search bank................................................................................................ 27
9-6 Search bank lockout................................................................................................. 27
9-7 Releasing Search bank lockout (or individually locked out frequencies).................. 28
9-8 Re-programming search bank limits......................................................................... 28
9-9 Storing search frequencies into memory................................................................... 28
(10) Automatic memory input....................................................................................... 29
(11) Microprocessor reset............................................................................................... 30
(12) Optional accessories................................................................................................ 31
(13) Specification............................................................................................................ 31
(14) Index......................................................................................................................... 32
7. Execute exactly as shown! (ignore the " - "separator):
AR1500 & AR1500E
BANK - 1 - PROG - 0.5 - LIMIT - 1.995 - SEARCH - 556.325 - ENTER
2 - PROG - 2 - LIMIT - 299.995 - SEARCH - 556.325 - ENTER
3 - PROG - 300 - LIMIT - 419.995 - SEARCH - 249.125 - ENTER
4 - PROG - 420 - LIMIT - 606.995 - SEARCH - 249.125 - ENTER
5 - PROG - 607 - LIMIT - 797.995 - SEARCH - 58.075 - ENTER
6 - PROG - 798 - LIMIT - 1105995 - [DOWN KEY] - 249.125 - ENTER
7 - PROG - 1106 - LIMIT - 1300 - [DOWN KEY] - 556.325 - ENTER
AR1500EX (it's slightly shorter)
BANK - 1 - PROG - 0.5 - LIMIT - 95.995 - SEARCH - 556.325 - ENTER
2 - PROG - 96 - LIMIT - 299.995 - SEARCH - 556.325 - ENTER
3 - PROG - 300 - LIMIT - 512.995 - SEARCH - 249.125 - ENTER
4 - PROG - 513 - LIMIT - 797.995 - SEARCH - 58.075 - ENTER
5 - PROG - 798 - LIMIT - 1105995 - [DOWN KEY] - 249.125 - ENTER
6 - PROG - 1106 - LIMIT - 1300 - [DOWN KEY] - 556.325 - ENTER
8. Switch Off the receiver and remove the NiCad pack.
9. Carefully slide the switch into it’s original position and replace the protective tape.
10. Insert the NiCad pack once again and switch On.
11. Test the receiver fully.
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AR1500 Operating manualAR1500 Operating manual
(3) Major features
The AR1500 is the World’s first true hand-held wide range receiver offering SSB as standard
from the factory. Coverage is from 500 kHz all the way to 1300 MHz without any gaps in the
range.
Channel steps are programmable in multiples of 5 kHz and 12.5 kHz up to 995 kHz, the BFO
will allow tuning between these steps for SSB operation.
All popular modes are provided NFM, WFM, AM and SSB (USB, LSB & CW) with the BFO
switched on. A rotary tuning control is fitted to the top panel to further increase operating
pleasure, convenience and versatility.
SSB (Single Side-Band)
SSB is a general term given to two additional modes of operation. SSB is used by many
services especially those on shortwave (including oceanic airband) to increase the operational
coverage of their radio transceivers.
It’s inclusion on the AR1500 adds a new dimension in listening potential to the receiver. The
two forms of SSB are Upper Side Band (USB) and Lower Side Band (LSB), it is also possible
to receive Morse code (CW) using this method. The BFO control allows selection of either side
band and tuning in between the 5 kHz channel steps.
All Mode
As well as SSB, the AR1500 can receive all other popular modes: AM (Amplitude Modulation) used by broadcast stations airband and some other services. NFM (Narrow band
Frequency Modulation) used by VHF Marine band, Amateur band and most other services.
WFM (Wide band Frequency Modulation) used by Band-2 VHF broadcast stations and TV
sound. Any mode can be selected on any frequency within the receiver’s operating range.
High sensitivity
The AR1500 has been designed to provide maximum VHF-UHF sensitivity in a hand-held
format. The unit should easily compare or better other hand-held wide band receivers on the
market place today in this respect.
A top panel attenuator is provided to help combat cross-modulation and mixing effects in areas
of strong signals (such as built-up areas or hill top locations).
Memories, Scan and Search
There are 1000 memories in total arranged in 100 memories x 10 banks, there are also 10
additional programmable search banks. Each memory will store frequency and mode (NFM,
WFM or AM - not SSB), the search banks will also store the step increment. There is a
massive EEPROM store for all memories and search banks so that no memory backup battery is
required. The memories may be over-written time and time again.
Automatic memory
The AR1500 has a new ‘automatic memory’ feature which automatically stores busy channels
found when hunting for activity using search bank number 9 into the 100 memory channels of
scan bank number 9 (900 - 999).
Press [ENTER] the bank indicator will flash
[6] the channel indicator will start flashing
[73] you don’t press enter - that’s it.
It is sometimes worth pressing the [DELAY/HOLD] key so that <HOLD> is
indicated on the LCD, this prevents the set from continuing it’s search and gives you plenty of
time to enter the memory details.
(10) Automatic memory input
The AR1500 features an Automatic memory function. Search and Memory Bank 9 is reserved
for this special function. For this reason you should not manually enter frequencies into bank
number 9.
To perform the automatic memory function, you first need to program a pair of frequencies,
mode and step size into bank 9 as shown in section 9-8.
Carefully set the squelch threshold to allow the receiver to search then press [SEARCH] [9].
As soon as an active frequency is detected the AR1500 stops searching and automatically writes
the frequency to the first (indexed) channel of memory bank 9. The receiver waits for about 2
seconds then resumes searching even if there is still activity on the frequency and continues
until another active frequency is located. When all of the 100 memory channels of bank 9 are
filled, the process starts all over again.
As the receiver will search in this mode even if there are constant signals, the unit may be left
unattended building a library of activity. The same busy frequency may however be ‘Auto
saved’ a number of times.
When you are sure plenty of active channels have been located, you may place the receiver into
SCAN mode and select bank number 9. All the active frequencies located during automatic
mode will be quickly scanned to ensure that nothing is missed.
Lockout may be used to remove unwanted channels from the list of channels to be scanned.
Memory contents may also be ‘copied’ to other memory banks for later scanning, this reduces
the risk of them being accidentally over-written.
For example, let’s say memory channel 912 has an interesting frequency which we wish to copy
to memory channel 123. First recall memory channel 912 [MANUAL] [BANK] [9] [1] [2] then
copy it [PROG] [1] [2] [3] .... easy! This will save hours of searching and button pressing.
Note: Auto memory only operates in AM and NFM (not WFM).
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AR1500 Operating manualAR1500 Operating manual
9-7 Releasing Search bank lockout (or individually locked out frequencies)
Search bank lockout functions by locking out the first frequency in the search bank. To release
the lockout status requires this frequency to be released.
Note the frequency you are looking for (if still using defaults, refer to the table in section 9-2).
The following process allows you to scroll through the list of locked out frequencies, the first
locked out frequency in the bank may be easily located:
[SEARCH] [BANK] [PROG] [LOCKOUT]
The first of the locked out frequencies will appear on the display. The <L.OUT> indicator will
be flashing on the LCD to show the status. You must unlock frequencies one-by-one.
To unlock a frequency press [LOCKOUT]. To skip over the frequency without altering it’s
lockout status press [ENTER]. Locate the first frequency of the desired search bank and unlock
it. To escape from this procedure, press [MANUAL].
9-8 Re-programming search bank limits
Before you change the pre-programmes search bank limits, it is a good idea to note the existing
data (section 9-2) so that they may be re-programmed back to their original defaults at a later
date. In fact you may be happy with the defaults, in which case you may choose not to alter
their content.
Let’s assume you wish to re-programme SEARCH BANK 2 to cover a specific part of the 2m
Amateur Band:
For example, imagine you wish to store all active VHF airband channels automatically into
memory. First program search bank number 9 with the lower and upper frequency limits of the
VHF airband (118 - 138 MHz), the required step size (25 kHz) and mode (AM). Press search
then key number 9, the AR1500 quickly locates active channels and automatically stores them
into the 100 memory channels of scan bank number 9 (900 - 999).
After a short while you need only scan the contents of scan bank number 9 knowing that all
active local channels have been automatically stored there for you. This makes the job of
locating and storing active channels easier and the use of the receiver more pleasurable.
Of course you can choose to search any frequency range you wish by simply reprogramming the
parameters of search bank number 9. If you prefer, you can still locate and store frequencies
into the receivers vast memory store using conventional manual methods.
Lockout
Memories and search banks may be ‘locked out’ for the days when you don’t wish to listen to
something you have previously programmed. The search banks may be programmed time and
time again by the user. In search mode up to 1000 continuously occupied frequencies (100 in
each of the 10 search banks) may be locked out so that annoying noises and unwanted signals
can be eliminated. Should you encounter noise, mobile control signals or beacons, they can be
locked out with a single press of a button so that the frequency will be skipped when next
searched.
Versatility
The AR1500 can meet a number of requirements to satisfy Airband or Marine enthusiasts,
Professional off air monitoring and of course casual listening too. The World’s shortwave and
Amateur bands can be monitored, even the longer range Oceanic Airband and ship to shore.
The AR1500 is supplied with all the accessories required to enable you to start listening straight
away.
145.600 - 145.775 MHz, 25 kHz steps in NFM
The format is:
[SEARCH] [PROG] [START FREQUENCY] [LIMIT] [END FREQUENCY] [ENTER] [STEP]
[ENTER] [MODE] [ENTER] [BANK NUMBER] [ENTER] [SEARCH]
Example: [SEARCH] [PROG] [1] [4] [5] [.] [6] LIMIT] [1] [4] [5] [.] [7] [7] [5] [ENTER]
[2] [5] [ENTER] [FM] [ENTER][2] [ENTER]
The previous stored frequency will be permanently over-written. Press [SEARCH] [2] to start
searching the new programmed band.
9-9 Storing search frequencies into memory
When in search mode, you may find an interesting frequency which you wish to store for later
listening. Let’s assume that the receiver has stopped on 133.700 MHz AM during search and
you wish to store the information to memory bank 6 channel 73:
The AR1500 is powered from an internal NiCad rechargeable battery pack (supplied). This
pack can be recharged using the supplied AC charger or 12V DC lead and may be used over and
over again. Spare NiCad packs may be purchased and the internal pack replaced by a fully
charged pack within a few moments adding to the operational time when away from the home or
vehicle.
When connected to a nominal 13.8V DC power source using the supplied lead (in the car or at
home) the AR1500 may be operated with the NiCad pack still fitted.
A dry battery case is provided as a standard accessory. 4 x AAA Alkaline cells may be fitted
and carried with you as an assurance against flat batteries just when you need to use the receiver
most.
Aerial input
The aerial input is of the standard BNC type allowing straight forward connection to almost any
VHF / UHF aerial. There is also a top panel switchable attenuator to increase versatility in areas
of strong signals.
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