AOR AR5000 User’s Manual

AOR

63(&75800$67(5

Simon Collings 1997-2000

Software Published and Distributed by:

AOR (UK) LTD., 4E East Mill, Bridgefoot, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2UA ENGLAND Tel: +44 1773 880788 Fax: +44 1773 880780 info@aoruk.com http://www.aoruk.com

Introduction

Minimum System Requirements

This software requires the following minimum requirements of your PC system:

• Pentium P60 PC processor (or higher)

• Colour graphics display with at least 800 x 600 pixel and 256 colours

• Windows

• 8M byte of system memory (640k bytes of base DOS memory); 16M bytes highly recommended if

running tuner and data base applications together

• Microsoft

• at least 8M bytes of free hard disk space (at least 2.6M bytes for tuner application and 5.3M bytes

for data base applications)

• At least one free RS-232 serial port (GPS feature requires an additional serial port and GPS unit –

not supplied)

• Windows

• AOR AR5000 Communications Receiver (with appropriate RS-232 cabling, not supplied)

Installing the Software

95, 98 operating system

mouse or equivalent (strongly recommended)

compatible printer (optional)

In this manual, it is assumed that you are familiar with Microsoft® Windows® and the hardware you are using with your computer. If you need further information on using specific Windows consult your Microsoft

You should have a CD and a floppy key disk suitable for your operating system version (either

Windows

To install, first place the CD in your CD-ROM or DVD drive and follow the instructions that should appear on-screen after a few seconds. If nothing happens when you insert the CD disk, you probably don’t have autorun enabled on your system so to start the main application on the CD manually, just navigate to it with explorer and launch it yourself by double clicking.

95 or 98).

WindowsTM help system.

features,

How do I use AR5000 Tuner?

The AR5000 Tuner package is simple and intuitive to use wherever possible. This means that a large printed manual is no longer needed. The sections below describe how to use the software in more detail in softcopy format

Use the substantial on-line help that is provided to navigate your way through the program and to find out how to do tasks.

A good place to start is the “How do I...?” section of the help which is accessible from the contents page.

Overview of AR5000 Tuner

This is a sophisticated control and spectrum surveillance application for use with the AOR AR5000 Wideband All-mode Communications Receiver - The New Horizon. It contains a number of powerful features which are accessible from both the menu and tool bar. The AOR Data Base Toolkit may be used directly with this control program to create a powerful communications monitoring system.

You can obtain context sensitive help at any time. From the main desktop, simply press open this contents page. Most dialogs contain a help push button which allows you to select specific help.

To display information about this application, click on the menu option.

The sections of this manual are organised as follows:

Menu Options

File Menu Edit Menu Setup Menu Tools Menu Log Menu Windows Menu Help Menu

symbol or select the Help|About...

F1 to

Toolbar

Toolbar Commands

Procedures

How Do I...? Operating the receiver from the Front Panel window Rules for automode bandplan data (how to check data)

Other Topics

Copy Protection About AOR

Menu Options

File Menu

The File menu provides commands for managing files of memory, automode, search and log data used by the program. This includes creating new files, opening existing files, saving files and printing. You can also exit the application from this menu.

New Open... Close Save Save As Send to RX... Get from RX... Print Print Setup Send... Exit

Note: Although new log files can be created from this menu, they cannot be used. You

should use the search, scan, bandscope, or SFW features to generate a log.

Create a new, untitled, document. Open an existing file. Close the current document. Save the current document if its contents have changed. Save the current document under a new name. Send the current document from to radio. Get a document from the radio. Print the current document. Set printer characteristics. Send the current document as e-mail. Exit from the program.

File|New Command

The File|New command opens a new, untitled file window, and makes it the active window. You can select the type of data you want (memory, automode or search) from the pop-up menu that is displayed.

The program prompts you to name untitled documents when they are closed.

Although it is possible to open a new log file, log entries are created from scan or search

operations.

File|Open... Command

The File|Open... command displays the standard ‘Open a File’ dialog box so you can select a file to load into a new window. You can also create a new window by naming a file that doesn't currently exist.

You can select the type of data you want using the “List Files of Type:” list box that is displayed in the ‘Open a File’ dialog. Choose from memory (*.mem), automode (*.aut), search (*.sch) or log (*.log).

File|Close Command

File|Close closes the currently active window. If you have modified the file without saving, you'll be prompted to save before exiting.

File|Save Command

The File|Save command saves the file in the active window to disk. If the file is unnamed, the ‘Save File As’ dialog box is displayed so you can name the file, and choose where it is to be saved.

File|Save As... Command

The File|Save As... command allows you to save a file under a new name, or in a new location on disk. The command displays the ‘Save File As’ dialog box. You can enter the new file name, including the drive and directory. If you choose an existing file name, you are asked if you want to overwrite the existing file.

File|Send to RX... Command

The File|Send to RX... command send the contents of the current window to your radio using RS-232 commands.

If you are sending memory data, you will be asked if you want to send on ly the current selected individual channel or the whole bank.

DATA IN YOUR RADIO WILL BE OVERWRITTEN

File|Get from RX... Command

The File|Get from RX... command gets a data from the radio and places it in the currently active window. You should open a new window before getting new data if you do not want to overwrite the current window.

If you are getting memory data, you will be asked to select a bank (0-9). Please note that getting a memory bank can take several minutes to complete.

DATA IN THE CURRENT WINDOW WILL BE OVERWRITTEN

File|Print... Command

The File|Print... command prints the contents of the active window. Use File|Print Setup... to select a printer, and to set printer options.

Note: blank lines are not printed in order to save paper.

File|Print Setup... Command

The File|Printer Setup... command displays the Printer Setup dialog box which allows you to select and configure the printer to be used to print documents in the application.

File|Send... Command

File|Send... launches Microsoft Exchange and pre-loads it with the current active file. You will need to have a memory file open before you can send it. Exchange can be used to send the file as an e-mail attachment over the Internet or as a FAX.

See your system help files for more information about setting up and using Microsoft Exchange.

This feature is only available if you are running Windows 95 and have installed MS-Exchange

(this need not necessarily be installed by default).

File|Exit Command

The File|Exit command exits from the application. You can also click on the power button in the Front Panel window to exit.

If you have modified files without saving, you'll be prompted to save before exiting.

Edit Menu

The Edit menu provides a range of commands for altering data items in the currently active window.

Cut Delete selected text and move it to the clipboard. Copy Copy selected text to the clipboard. Paste Move text from the clipboard to the current document. Clear Clear the selected text and leave a blank line. Delete Delete selected text removing it completely. Add Item... Add a new item below the selected item. Modify Item... Modify the selected item. Check Check the data (auto mode only). Renumber Renumber the items into ascending order.

Edit|Cut Command

The Edit|Cut command removes the selected items from the active window and places the text in the Clipboard. Choose Edit|Paste to paste the cut text into another window. The text remains selected in the clipboard, and can be pasted several times.

Edit|Copy Command

The Edit|Copy command leaves the selected items intact and places an exact copy of them in the Clipboard. To paste the copied text into another document, choose Edit|Paste.

Edit|Paste Command

The Edit|Paste command inserts the text currently in the Clipboard into the current window at the cursor position.

Edit|Clear Command

The Edit|Clear command removes the selected items and leaves blank lines in their place. The text is not placed in the Clipboard.

DATA CANNOT BE RECOVERED ONCE IT HAS BEEN CLEARED.

Edit|Delete Command

The Edit|Delete command deletes the currently selected items from the current window removing it completely. The text is not placed in the Clipboard.

DATA CANNOT BE RECOVERED ONCE IT HAS BEEN DELETED.

Edit|Add Item... Command

The Edit|Add Item... option allows you to add a new item of data just below the currently selected item.

The appropriate Add/Modify dialog is opened for the type of data you are editing:

Add/Modify Memory dialog Add/Modify Search dialog Add/Modify Automode dialog (automode frequency offsets can be altered using the Automode Offset Frequencies... dialog)

Edit|Modify Item... Command

The Edit|Modify Item... opens a dialog which lets you alter the current item of data in the active window.

The appropriate Add/Modify dialog is opened for the type of data you are editing:

Add/Modify Memory dialog Add/Modify Search dialog Add/Modify Automode dialog (automode frequency offsets can be altered using the Automode Offset Frequencies... dialog)

Edit|Check Command

Note: This option is only available with auto mode data.

This menu option allows you to check the syntax of each line of auto mode data and report any errors that will prevent AR5000 Tuner from creating RS-232 commands for sending to the radio. The checks that are done are explained in the help topic entitled “How Do I Check Automode Data?”

If an error is detected, you will be told what the error was and on what line it was found. Go to the relevant line, correct and try again.

YOU SHOULD CHECK AUTO MODE DATA CAREFULLY BEFORE SENDING THE DATA TO YOUR RADIO, IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE RADIO MAY OTHERWISE RESULT.

Edit|Renumber Command

The Edit|Renumber menu option allows you to renumber the lines of data items so that they are in ascending order (by channel number).

You will need to use this option after editing using Clipboard or whenever the channels are not in the right order before sending the data to the radio.

Setup Menu

The Setup menu allows you to tune your radio directly, alter key controls, cycle power to the radio remotely and configure the AR5000 Tuner application for operation with your radio.

Tune... Select frequency and mode from desktop. Increment Increments receiver frequency Decrement Decrements receiver frequency Select VFO Selects VFO A to E Power Toggle the receiver power ON/OFF Toggle Bank Toggle between banks 0 and 1 Automode Toggle automode operation Cyberscan Toggle cyberscan operation AFC Toggle automatic frequency control operation NB Toggle noise blanker operation Attenuator... Adjust the attenuator DTMF Toggle DTMF operation CTCSS... Select CTCSS tone operation Sound Recording Enabled Select use of sound card Data Base Directory... Location of AOR Data Base Toolkit. Communications... Select serial port parameters. Automode Offsets... Change frequency offsets used with automode

Setup|Tune... Command

The Setup|Tune... command opens a dialog box which allows you to set the frequency, mode,

step size, auto attenuator and auto mode by tuning the radio d irectly.

You can select auto mode operation from this dialog in addition to the push button on the tool bar. If you have ‘Auto Mode’ checked, the mode and step size in the dialog is ignored in favour of the settings stored in the radio.

Use the Tune dialog to select the parameters you want and click on OK to accept or CANCEL to abort.

The RS-232 command needed to change the radio are sent and the status display on the tool bar updated when you press OK.

Setup|Increment Command

This command tunes the radio up in frequency by one step.

Setup|Decrement Command

This command tunes the radio down in frequency by one step.

Setup|Automode Command

This command toggles auto mode operation. Automode is ON when the associated push button on the toolbar is depressed and OFF when it is up. A tick mark appears next to this menu option when the feature is enabled.

It is also possible to toggle automode operation from the Tune... menu option.

Setup|Cyberscan Command

This command toggles cyberscan operation. Cyberscan is ON when the associated push button on the toolbar is depressed and OFF when it is up. A tick mark appears next to this menu option when the feature is enabled.

Setup|AFC Command

This command toggles automatic frequency control operation. A tick mark appears next to this menu option when the feature is enabled.

This feature available only where supported by the AR5000 hardware.

Setup|NB Command

This command toggles noise blanker operation. A tick mark appears next to this menu option when the feature is enabled.

This feature available only where supported by the AR5000 hardware.

Setup|Sound Recording Enabled Command

If you have a Windows compatible sound card fitted to your PC (not supplied), you can use it to record audio from your radio to the hard disk while searching or scanning or using certain other features.

This menu option must be checked (so that a tick mark is visible) before sound recording is enabled even if you have a sound card fitted and in operation. This allows you to disable audio recording and prevent large amounts of unwanted files from accumulating on your system if you don’t intend to use this feature.

To enable sound recording, ensure the tick mark is visible on the Setup menu next to Sound Recording Enabled by repeatedly selecting this menu option. To disable, simply remove the tick.

The setting you select is stored in the initial values file for re-use nex t time you run the application.

Disabling sound recording will not affect the log.

Setup|Data Base Directory... Command

This option allows you to selected the directory where the AOR Data Base Toolkit was installed. You must set this parameter so that this program can launch data base applications.

YOU MUST ENSURE THAT THE DIRECTORY SELECTED HERE IS THE SAME AS

THAT SELECTED WHEN YOU INSTALLED THE DATA BASE.

Setup|Communications... Command

The Setup|Communications... command opens a dialog box which allows you to select the parameters of the PC serial port you want to use for bi-directional RS-232 communications with your radio.

YOU MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE RS-232 PARAMETERS SET IN THE RADIO EXACTLY MATCH THOSE SELECTED FOR YOUR PC SERIAL PORT BY THE SOFTWARE HERE.

Setup|Automode Offsets... Command

Conventional automode data can be added/modified in an automode file using the Add/Modify Automode dialog. However, it is also possible to associate frequency offsets with each automode entry from a table of values stored in the AR5000’s EEPROM.

This menu option allows you to launch the Automode Offsets... dialog and add/delete frequency offsets.

EXTREME CAUTION IS REQUIRED WHEN ENTERING AUTOMODE OFFSET FREQUENCY INFORMATION. This is because the values are sorted in a lookup table in the AR5000 when they are stored in the automode area of EEPROM and recalled by index number. If you add or delete offset frequencies, then the position of each offset frequency value in the EEPROM’s lookup table could change leading to unexpected results with previously defined automode entries referencing the table.

Setup|Power Command

This menu option toggles the power on the AR5000. You can also do this by clicking on the power switch in the Front Panel window.

A tick mark appears on the Setup menu next to the Power option when the receiver is powered up and is absent when it is powered down.

Setup|Toggle Bank Command

You can operate the AR5000 on either of two independent banks of 1000 (10x100) memory channels 2000 in all!

This menu option allows you to toggles between banks 0 and 1.

When switching between banks, the Front Panel window display is blanked for about 2 seconds before normal operation is restored.

Setup|Select VFO Command

This sub-menu allows you to directly select one of the available VFOs A to E. Simply choose the VFO you require.

It is also possible to select VFOs using the VFO button on the Front Panel window to cycle through each VFO in turn.

Tools Menu

The Tools menu contains special tools for searching, scanning, traffic analysis and provides a link to the AOR Data Base Toolkit.

Maps... Tune using TX sites projected on a map. Scan Operation... Scan memory channels from file Scan Expert Options... Expert options for scan operations Search Operation... Search between two frequency limits Search Expert Options... Expert options for search Bandscope Operation... High-speed bandscope (with spectrum) Single Frequency Watch Operation... Traffic analysis of a fixed frequency Offset Simplex Reconstruction Operation... Reconstruct offset simplex transmissions

Database Toolkit II... Launch the Database Toolkit II main executable

Tools|Maps... Window

This powerful feature provides a link between the AOR Data Base Toolkit and software control of your radio. Using the map display, you can read text reports from the AOR data base, plot individual transmitter sites and tune the radio from the mouse just by clicking on a TX site.

The map window allows you to select any vantage point you want (by default it is your home location).

To start plotting a map, either select View|Vantage Point... or right-click on the window with your mouse. Next open a report (.RPT) file using the Overlay... menu option to overlay data base data on top of your map. You can then tune simply by clicking on the transmitter symbols that are displayed.

A simple system of symbols is used to indicate when there is more than one frequency active from the same site or when there is more than one transmitter at the same location. To achieve this, the

following symbols may appear just to the left of the

when more than one frequency on the same TX when more than one transmitter at the same site

The following menu options are provided from the Maps window.

File Data base overlay options Setup Select your home location View Change the map projection

Maps File menu

The Maps window File menu allows you to select and plot transmitter data read as a report from the AOR Data Base Toolkit. It has the following options:

Overlay... Open a .RPT file and plot the data Clear Clear the map display

Maps File|Overlay... Command

This menu option allows you to select a data base report and plot the transmitter data from it onto your map. You must have used the Vantage Point... dialog to plot a map before you begin.

symbol (depending on the data available):

Data base report files have a .RPT filename extension and must be opened using the standard file open dialog.

All TX sites that have a geographical location are plotted on the map with labeling telling you what the station is (either by callsign or station name depending on the type of data). If there are TX sites with no know geographical location, a dialog box with a list box in it is used to display this data: it will not be lost or ignored.

To tune your radio to a TX site, just single-click on a TX symbol. If there is more than one frequency for the selected transmitter, you can select the required one from a list box. If there is more than one transmitter at the same site, each site will also be listed in a list box.

Maps File|Clear Command

This clears the map display and all the transmitter site data.

Maps Setup menu

This menu option allows you to define your home location by latitude and longitude. This is the location on the map where the radio receiver is plotted. You enter the geographical location and a suitable name using the Setup|Home... dialog.

Maps View menu

This menu option lets you change the vantage point. The following menu options are provided.

Vantage Point... Opens the vantage point dialog Zoom In Zoom in x2 Zoom Out Zoom out x2 Antipodes Go to the opposite end of the Earth Rotate +90 Rotate through +90 degrees of longitude Rotate -90 Rotate through -90 degrees of longitude

Tools|Scan Operation... Command

This menu option opens the Scan Operation... dialog so that a scan operation can be defined and started.

Search automatically tunes the receiver through all frequencies between two specific limits looking for active frequencies. Scan recalls specific spot frequencies which have been stored into a memory file.

Tools|Search Operation... Command

This menu option opens the Search Operation... dialog so that a search operation can be defined and started.

Tools|Bandscope... Command

This feature is very similar to the search feature, except that the search is run in a special mode with no dwell on active frequencies and there is no audio recording.

The Bandscope Operation... dialog allows you to define and start a bandscope.

Tools|Single Frequency Watch... Command

This feature allows you to collect log data for activity on a fix ed frequency.

The Single Frequency Watch Operation... dialog allows you to start and stop an SFW.

Tools|Offset Simplex Reconstruction... Command

This feature allows you to switch between VFOs D and E automatically to reconstruct offset simplex transmissions.

The Offset Simplex Reconstruction Operation... dialog allows you to start and stop an OSR.

Tools|Database Toolkit II... Command

This menu option launches the main application in the AOR Data Base Toolkit. Further details of using the database are given in the help that is available direct fro m within the application.

You need to have installed the AOR Data Base Toolkit to use this feature.

Log Menu

This menu lets you replay audio collected in a log while searching or scanning. You can select and replay all the entries or just select entries corresponding to one particular frequency.

Skip Backwards Play previous log entry Skip Forwards Play next log entry Play Play all log entries Pause Pause playing the current log entry Stop Stop playing the current log entry Select By Frequency Play previous log entry Select All Select all entries in the log Clear selections Unselect all entries in the log Report by Tally... Produce a text-format report for the log sorted by tally Report by Freq... Produce a text-format report for the log sorted by frequency Aging... Set aging of audio files in logs Delete Delete the entire log

You can replay and review a single log entry using the digital audio tool by double-clicking on the required line in a log window.

You need to have a sound card installed in your system and connected to your radio to use these features. If you do not have wave audio installed and working on your system, these menu options are greyed out. Logs can still be created and analysed using the Report feature.

Log|Skip Backwards Command

Step backwards one entry, play it then stop.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Skip Forwards Command

Step forwards one entry, play it then stop.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Play Command

Play selected audio log entries.

You can select and replay one or more log entries by single-clicking on the listing shown in a log window. Either single-click on an entry then select the play option from the log menu, or just doubleclick on the entry to replay and review it using the digital audio recorder tool.

You can select a block of entries to replay by clicking on the first and shift-clicking on the last (clicking with the mouse while holding down the SHIFT key). When you press the play button all the log entries in the block will be played in sequence.

You can control-click (single-click on an entry while holding down the CTRL key) to select individual entries one-by-one. You can also control-click to toggle the select status of an individual entry.

Use the Log|Select By Frequency menu option to select entries with the same frequency for replaying.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Pause Command

Pause playing the selected log entries. You can resume playing by selecting pause again.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Stop Command

Stop playing the selected log entries.

Log|Select By Frequency Command

This option allows you to select all the entries in the log that have the same frequency. This is useful for replaying activity from a single frequency that was found during a search or scan.

To select all entries having the same frequency, first select an entry then select the Log|Select By Frequency menu option.

You can now play all the entries that are highlighted one after another automatically simply by using the play option in the log menu.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Select All Command

This option selects all the entries in the current log. This is useful if yo u want to eliminate a few entries by control-clicking them before playing.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Clear Selections Command

This option allows you to clear the selection on every entry in the log. It does not delete any data, use the Log|Delete menu option to erase a log.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Report by Tally... Command

The Log|Report by Tally... command generates a text-based summary report of the signal activity in the current log and loads it into Windows Notepad for you to review. The data is sorted by tally (ie the number of hits on each frequency).

Log|Report by Freq... Command

The Log|Report by Freq... command generates a text-based summary report of the signal activity in the current log and loads it into Windows Notepad for you to review. The data is sorted into descending frequency order.

Reports

The Log|Report by Tally... or Log|Report by Freq... menu options generates a text-based summary report of the signal activity in the current log. The d ata may be cop ied and pasted into other documents or kept on disk as required.

The report filename assumes the same base name as the log, but with a “.TXT” extension. This helps to avoid confusion. Note: an existing file w ill be overwritten by a report as it is created.

A report can be generated from any kind of log data created by AR5000 Tuner. To generate a report you first need to have created a log and opened it from the desktop. Selecting the Log|Report... menu option will cause the currently opened log to b e analysed and Windows Notepad to be launched with the report pre-loaded into it for your inspection.

Note that Single Frequency Watch logs include the duration of each transmission, so an additional line is included with the report for these logs which gives the occupancy as the total number of seconds that activity was seen in seconds and also as a percentage of the duration of the log.

You need to have Windows Notepad installed on your machine for this feature to work.

Log|Delete Command

The Log|Delete command removes the current log and all the wave audio files that it contains from your hard disk.

YOU CANNOT RECOVER ANY OF THE FILES IN THE LOG ONCE YOU HAVE DELETED IT.

This feature is only available if you have a sound card fitted.

Log|Aging... Command

This option allows you to set the maximum number of audio files that can be stored in a log (when using a sound card). The Log Entries Audio Aging dialog is opened when this menu option is selected.

Window Menu

The Window menu provides commands to control the position and layout of application's windows.

Cascade Resize and position all windows in an overlapping pattern. Tile Resize and position all windows in an non overlapping pattern. Arrange Icons Align all iconized windows along a grid. Close All Close all windows.

Window Cascade Command

The Window|Cascade command arranges all document windows from the top-left position of the application's main window so that the title bar of each is visible.

Window Tile Command

The Window|Tile command arranges all document windows side-by-side in a non-overlapping pattern.

Window Arrange Icons Command

The Window|Arrange Icons command arranges all iconized windows into rows along the bottom of the application's main window.

Window Close All Command

The Window|Close All command closes all document windows open in the application.

Help Menu

The Help menu provides access to the help system and the about dialog.

Contents Help topic contents.

Help table of contents

The Help|Contents displays the help contents page.

Toolbar

The Toolbar is a row of buttons at the top of the main window which represent application commands. Clicking one of the buttons is a quick way of choosing a command without having to use the main menu (not all buttons on the tool bar have a corresponding menu option).

Buttons on the toolbar are enabled and disabled automatically according to the state of the program and the type of data your are working with.

There is also a status display on the toolbar which shows you what frequency and mode the radio is currently tuned to.

Button Action

Create a new file File|New

Locate and open a file File|Open

Save the file in the active window File|Save

Send the file via e-mail File|Send...

Get a file from the radio File|Get from RX...

Send a file to the radio File|Send to RX...

Modify the current data item Edit|Modify Item...

Decrement frequency Setup|

Set frequency and mode Setup|Tune...

Menu Equivalent

Decrement

Increment frequency Setup|

Set serial port parameters Setup|Communications...

Automode Setup|

Cyberscan Setup|

Print the active window File|Print

Display help file contents Help|

Increment

Automode

Cyberscan

Contents...

Procedures

How do I connect my receiver to the computer?

You must connect your radio to an RS-232 port of your computer before you can operate the software. A screened cable with a minimum of 5 conductors is required for connecting the PC to the receiver.

If screened cable is not used then digital noise may radiate from the conductors of the cable and cause interference to reception. All cable connections should be high quality for durability.

Full details of the connection required (including the pin configuration) is given in

REMOTE - RS-232computer port

required (unlike other manufacturer’s receivers), you just connect a serial port of your computer directly to the radio.

First, you need to select appropriate parameters for operation of the RS-232 interface from your AR5000 - these must be exactly matched by the computer for correct operation. Instructions for setting the RS-232 interface parameters are given in

AR5000 Operating Manual

of the

You can check your physical connections before using the AR5000 Tuner program using a terminal program such as Windows Terminal (for Windows 3.x) or HyperTerminal (for Windows 95). Suitable parameter files for each of these utilities are provided and are accessible from the group of icons that is installed onto your system.

To check your system, double-click on the icon you want to use (either “HyperTerminal File” or “Terminal Settings”) then check the parameters are correct for your system as follows:

For Windows Terminal (Windows 3.x):

Select the Settings|Communications... menu option to launch the “Communications” dialog and check that the parameters selected match those your AR5000 is setup for. You must also ensure that the correct serial port on your PC is selected in the “Connector” list box.

For HyperTerminal (Windows 95):

AR5000 Operating Manual

of the

Section 6-19 CONFIG - Computer control BPS

. No level shifting interface is

Section 5-17

Select the File|Properties... menu option to launch the “AR5000 Properties” dialog. You must ensure that the “Connect Using” list box has “Direct to Com 2” (or whichever port you are using). The RS232 parameters are set using the “Configure...” push button to launch the “COM Properties” dialog for the port you have selected.

Once you have done this, you can test the interface by manually controlling the AR5000 from the keyboard. Try entering the following:

RF <enter>

If you get a response of the form:

VA RF0125650000 ST025000 AU0 MD1

Your interface is setup and you are ready to begin using the program. If not, you need to review the connections and parameter settings for both PC and radio.

If problems persist, check that the electrical connections in your cable are sound and correctly wired.

How do I connect a GPS unit to the computer?

Later versions of Spectrum Master supports the use of a GPS unit compatible with the NMEA 0183 v2.0 protocol. This is a marine standard for serial data exchange between navigation and other equipment, but can be used to transfer position information into a PC using a spare RS-232 serial port. If you have a mobile application for this software and are using a PC with two serial ports, you can connect you GPS unit to one serial port and have the AR5000 on the other. As you change position while searching/scanning or using the single frequency watch feature with logging enabled, you position is added to the log. This is useful wh en returning from the field to determine the proximity or range of the transmissions you were monitoring when on the move. Log reports show your last position associated with the active frequency.

To check that your GPS is compatible, it must comply with the NMEA 0183 v2.0 standard and include the RMC sentence as follows:

$GPRMC,120741,A,5152.985,N,00205.733,W,000.0,349.4,230100,004.1,W*7F You can confirm this by configuring your GPS unit for NMEA 0183 v2.0 output, connecting it to your

PC (usually your GPS manufacturer supplies a suitable adaptor cable) and running a standard Windows RS-232 terminal program such as HyperTerminal or Windows terminal. You need to select the appropriate serial port and a baud rate of 4800 bps (the baud rate is fixed). You should then see a continuous stream of GPS NMEA sentences (each beginning with a "$GP"). Amongst them you should see an RMC sentence in the same format as above.

How do I get started with using AR5000 Tuner?

To launch AR5000 Tuner from Windows 95:

Select the AR5000 Tuner shortcut from the AOR Spectrum Master option of the Programs menu on the Windows 95 task bar.

To launch AR5000 Tuner from Windows 3.x:

Select the AR5000 Tuner icon from the AOR Spectrum Master group of icons in program Manager.

The AR5000 Tuner program should then appear on your screen. The main window has a number of components as follows:

• Menu

The main menu provides access to all the features of the program and is located just below the top edge of the window. The Menu Options section on the contents page of this help file lists the menu options available and provides links to further section on each.

• Tool bar

Underneath the main menu is the toolbar. This contains a number of push buttons which provide rapid access to the most frequently used menu options. If you move your mouse over any of the tool bar buttons, a line of text is displayed on the status bar in place of the copyright notice on the bottom edge of the main window telling you what the button does.

• Status display

Next to the tool bar push buttons is a status display showing the current frequency, mode and step size the radio is tuned to.

• S-meter display

Next to the status display is a simple bargraph-based S-meter display. An open squelch is indicated by a “:” symbol, whereas a close squelch is indicated by a “.”. The signal level is shown using shevrons.

• Status bar

Along the bottom edge of the window is a copyright notice which can be used to display a dialog showing the version of the AR5000 Tuner program and the firmware version installed in your

AR5000.. Click on the

• Desktop

The main part of the window (the application’s desktop) is used to display files of data in individual windows. A specially developed style of list box is used for display and provides a flexible and fast way to handle data. Data windows can be reduced to icons and appear along the bottom edge of the desktop as minimised windows.

To setup the software:

You need to use the Setup|Communications... dialog to configure the serial port used with your radio.

Select the PC serial port and the baud rate you want from the dialog and click on the “OK” push button to continue. The parameters you select are stored in the "AR5000.INI" initial values file so that they can be reused next time you run AR5000 Tuner.

YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE BAUD RATE IS SET TO THE SAME VALUE AS THE AR5000 IS SETUP FOR.

Once you have setup your PC serial port for the radio you are using, you can begin to use AR5000 Tuner.

or © symbol to display the dialog.

How do I use the on-line help?

AR5000 Tuner has a extensive context sensitive help available at all times. You can obtain help from the desktop simply by pressing

also provided from a push button in each dialog.

The help information that is provided is hypertext based and fully inter-referenced for your convenience.

You can also access the SWL working aids from the help menu. Comprehensive information is provided on the international bandplan (regions 1, 2, and 3), modulation, propagation and foreign language recognition (non-English).

F1 or by selecting the “Help” option from the main menu. Help is

How do I operate the radio using the front panel window?

Full details on how to operate the AR5000 via the front panel window are given in the description.

How do I edit memories?

Memory data is stored in .MEM files in text format. You can use the File|Send to RX... to send data to the radio or the File|Get from RX... to read memory data from the radio.

Editing is done when a .MEM file is opened into a window on the program’s desktop.

The format of the data displayed is as follows:

024 S 123.975000 25.00 AM 0.5k 0dB CIV AIR 025 P 124.000000 25.00 AM 0.5k 0dB CIV AIR 026 121.025000 25.00 AM 0.5k 0dB CIV AIR 027 92.700000 100.00 AUTO FM 110k 0dB 028 P 121.075000 25.00 AM 0.5k 0dB CIV AIR

Where the fields are:

channel number, pass, sel, frequency, step size, automode, mode, bandwidth, attenuator, comment

To edit the parameters of a memory channel, highlight it with your mouse by single-clicking on the

relevant line then click on the modify menu option to launch the Add/Modify Memory Channel dialog.

Once edited, memory channels must be sent to the radio before they can be used in a scan.

push button on the toolbar or select the Edit|Modify Item...

How do I edit search banks?

Search banks are stored in .SCH files in text format. You can use the File|Send to RX... to send data to the radio or the File|Get from RX... to read search bank data from the radio.

Editing is done when a .SCH file is opened into a window on the program’s desktop.

The format of the data displayed is as follows:

10 153.740000 154.450000 12.50+ FM ---- 0dB 11 153.740000 154.450000 12.50+ AM ---- 0dB 12 410.000000 425.000000 25.00 FM ---- 0dB USAF 13 156.000000 163.000000 25.00 FM ---- 0dB MARINE

Where the fields are:

bank number, lower frequency, upper frequency, step size (+ = adjust), mode, automode, attenuator, comment

To edit the parameters of a search bank, highlight it with your mouse by single-clicking on the relevant

line then click on the modify option to launch the Add/Modify Search Bank dialog.

Once edited, search banks must be sent to the radio before they can be used in a search.

push button on the toolbar or select the Edit|Modify Item... menu

How do I edit the automode bandplan?

Automode bandplan data is stored in .AUT files in text format. You can use the File|Send to RX... to send data to the radio or the File|Get from RX... to read memory data from the radio.

Editing is done when a .AUT file is opened into a window on the program’s desktop.

The format of the data displayed is as follows:

069 88.000000 FM 100 110k 070 108.000000 AM 50 6k 071 118.000000 AM 25 6k

072 137.050000 FM 1 30k ... 078 145.000000 FM 25 15k -600.0 ... 105 872.000000 FM 25 15k 12.5

Where the fields are:

band number, starting frequency, mode, step size, bandwidth, step adjust and optional frequency offset

To edit the parameters of a entry, highlight it with your mouse by single-clicking on the relevant line

then click on the modify to launch the Add/Modify Memory Channel dialog.

Once edited, bandplan data must be sent to the radio before they can be used in a scan.

EXTREME CAUTION IS URGED WHEN EDITING THE BANDPLAN - ESPECIALLY THE OFFSET FREQUENCIES - AS INCORRECT OPERATION OF THE RECEIVER MAY RESULT.

The automode data can be check before it sent to the receiver using the Edit| Check menu option. The checks that are done are explained in the help topic entitled “How Do I Check Automode Data?”

push button on the toolbar or select the Edit|Modify Item... menu option

How do I edit pass frequencies?

A bank of 100 pass frequencies is provided for the VFOs and further banks for each of the search banks.

To add a pass frequency for the current VFO, click on the “PASS” button in the front panel window. To list current pass frequencies and delete any that are no longer required, click and hold down for about one second the “PASS” button so that the pass list dialog is launched.

When searching or scanning, you can review and delete current pass frequencies from the search or scan dialogs. Frequencies may be added when the search or scan paused on an active channel and the ”Pass” push button in the dialog is enabled.

How do I search between two frequency limits?

Use the search feature, which is accessible from the Tools|Search Operation... menu option. This allows you to select a search bank from those programmed into the AR5000 and to set the expert options you want applied to the search. This can also be done from the Tools|Search Expert Options... menu option.

You can edit search bank, send them to the receiver, then select them for the search from the search dialog.

It is also possible search using a spectrum display which indicates the signal level on each frequency found, or the number of times each active frequency is encountered. This is a separate feature accessible from the Tools|Bandscope Operation...menu option.

The search is done using the search engine provided in the AR5000 firmware. This means that it is done at the full speed of the receiver and does not require constant polling of the radio for status information. When active frequencies are found, these are reported by the radio automatically.

How do I scan memories?

Use the scan feature, which accessible from the Scan Operation... menu option. This allows you to scan memories programmed into the AR5000 from any of the ten banks provided. It is also possible to change the expert options used for the scan or directly from the Tools|Scan Expert Options... menu option.

You can edit memories, send them to the receiver, then select banks for the search from the scan dialog.

The scan is done using the search engine provided in the AR5000 firmware. This means that it is done at the full speed of the receiver and does not require constant polling of the radio for status information. When active frequencies are found, these are reported by the radio automatically.

How do I change the bandplan settings?

The bandplan is changed by editing the automode data for the receiver. There are two types of data that can be edited: the automode data applied to successive frequencies and automode offset data

EXTREME CAUTION IS URGED WHEN EDITING THE BANDPLAN - ESPECIALLY THE OFFSET FREQUENCIES - AS INCORRECT OPERATION OF THE RECEIVER MAY RESULT.

All automode data must be before being sent to the receiver.

To edit the automode data

You can use the File|Send to RX... to send data to the radio or the File|Get from RX... to read automode data from the radio.

Editing is done when a .AUT file is opened into a window on the program’s desktop.

To edit the parameters of an automode entry, highlight it with your mouse by single-clicking on the

relevant line then click on the modify menu option to launch the Add/Modify Automode Data dialog.

Once edited, automode data must be sent to the radio and the power cycled for the changes to take effect.

To edit the automode frequency offset data:

Select the Setup|Automode Offsets... menu option to change the list of frequency offsets available for use with the automode data.

EXTREME CAUTION IS REQUIRED WHEN ENTERING AUTOMODE OFFSET FREQUENCY INFORMATION

AR5000 when they are stored in the automode area of EEPROM and recalled by index number from the table. If you add or delete offset frequencies, then the position of each offset frequency value in the EEPROM’s lookup table could change leading to unexpected results with previously defined automode entries referencing the table.

. This is because the values are sorted in a lookup table by the

push button on the toolbar or select the Edit|Modify Item...

How do I record audio from the radio when scanning or searching?

Audio recording needs virtually no setting up, but you will need to install a WindowsTM compatible sound card, such as one of the Sound BlasterTM cards (not supplied). Follow the installation instructions that come with your sound card before attempting to use the audio feature. If you have test software, use that after installation to ensure that your sound card is working properly.

Some adjustment of the audio levels may be necessary for best results. There is usually an audio mixer utility supplied with your sound card which can be used to adjust the levels correctly. If you are using

Windows® 95, you can use the Volume Control utility to make alterations to sound levels by double-

clicking on the

To connect your radio to the sound card, you need a screened coaxial audio cable with a 3.5mm mono jack on one end and a suitable connector for the “Line In” socket on your sound card. It may be necessary to adjust the volume level on the radio to prevent clipping or an excessively low audio level before proceeding. The ACC 1 accessory socket provides a number of options for connecting audio related devices to the AR5000.

Once installed, you can enable or disable audio recording from the Setup|Sound Recording Enabled menu option.

When enabled, audio is recorded to hard disk via your sound card whenever the “Log” check box is ticked in the search or scan dialogs.

symbol in the bottom right hand corner of the Windows® 95 desktop.

How do I get a text-based report after a search, scan or a single frequency watch?

Reports are generated from activity logs. You generate a log of this type whenever the “Log” check box is ticked in the search or scan dialogs.

To generate a report, you need to use the File|Open... menu option and open a .LOG file.

Select the Report by Tally... or Report by Freq... menu options to generate the report and launch Windows Notepad to view the file automatically. The two different report formats allow you sort activity by tally (ie the amount of activity) or in descending frequency order. You will see data of the following form (for an SFW):

=== Single Frequency Watch Log Report ===

Started: Sun Jul 06 16:45:20 1997 Ended: Sun Jul 06 16:52:06 1997

Duration of log = 0.11 hours ( 6.8 minutes) Number of hits observed = 35 Overall mean traffic density = 309.7 hits/hr ( 5.2 hits/min) A total of 1 individual active frequencies were found.

Analysis by individual frequency

---------------------------------------------------

Frequency tally density(hits/hr) mean s-meter Your last GPS location

132.40000 2 79.1 55 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

132.42500 2 79.1 53 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

132.80000 2 79.1 56 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

132.95000 2 79.1 54 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

126.80000 2 79.1 60 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

133.70000 2 79.1 27 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

134.12500 1 39.6 45 --°--.---N / ---°--.---W

Searches and scans will produce reports with multiple frequencies.

How do I setup the database toolkit?

The optional AOR Data Base Toolkit is installed separately from AR5000 Tuner and so you need to set the directory you used for the data base to enable the program to launch data base applications.

You just need to type in the appropriate directory name into the dialog that is displayed.

The directory name you choose is stored in the initial values (“.INI”) file so you only need to do this once. The directory name you type in must be exactly the same as that chosen when installing the data base.

How do I check automode data?

When editing automode data, you can check that the data is correct using the Edit|Check menu option. Each line of auto mode data is checked and any errors reported that will prevent the program from creating valid RS-232 commands for sending to the radio.

The following syntax checks are made:

Invalid channel number Channel number not in ascending order Invalid frequency Invalid step size Invalid mode type Frequency is not divisible by current or previous step Invalid step offset

If an error is detected, you will be told what the error was and on what line it was found. Go to the relevant line, correct and try again.

When editing auto mode data, a simple set of rules must be followed so that the radio works correctly when the data is transferred to it. The rules are as follows:

1. The frequencies must be listed in ascending order and be within valid range.

2. Each step frequency must be within the valid range for the radio.

3. The current frequency must have a whole number of steps in it. For example:

046 26.515000 FM 1 6k N

because 26.515 is integer-divisible by 1 kHz, but

001 0.153000 AM 10 6k N

because there are not a whole number of 10 kHz steps in 0.153 MHz

4. The current frequency must be divisible by a whole number of steps used in the previous band definition. For example, for line 65:

052 29.700000 FM 25 6k N 053 47.450000 FM 12.5 15k N

because 47.450 is divisible by a step size of 25, but

001 0.153000 AM 9 6k N

002 1.820000 CW 0.05 3k N

because 1.820 is not divisible by a whole number of 9.0 kHz steps

YOU SHOULD CHECK AUTO MODE DATA CAREFULLY BEFORE SENDING THE DATA TO YOUR RADIO, IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE RADIO MAY OTHERWISE RESULT.

How do I switch to the alternate bank of 1000 memory channels?

To select the alternate bank of 1000 memory channels, select the Setup|Toggle Bank menu option.

How do I move the copy protection token?

A simple utility has been provided so you can move the copy protection “token” that is installed by your AOR software back onto the distribution floppy disk or between hard disks.

You may need to move the copy protection token back onto you original distribution disk in the following circumstances:

When installing disk compression software.

)

When upgrading your AOR software

)

When moving the program to a new computer.

)

When returning the original disk to your AOR distributor (for updates etc.)

)

To transfer the token onto the distribution floppy disk, run the Copy Protection Move utility:

To transfer the token onto the distribution floppy disk, click on the “Move to master floppy...” push button. If the token is already on the floppy disk, you can transfer it to hard disk using the “Move from master floppy...” push button. You can use this utility to have copies of the program on several computers at once, however the program will only work on the machine that has the copy protection token on it.

This AOR software product comes with a single license and two tokens. Contact your AOR dealer to obtain additional copies of the software.

How do I prevent my system from running out of disk space when using sound recording?

The amount of space required to store audio on your system can be limited using the Log| Aging... menu option to set the maximum number of audio files permitted in each log.

How do I send data from AR5000 Tuner by e-mail or FAX?

If you are using Windows 95, you can use an interface to MS-Exchange to send the contents of your memory (.MEM), automode (.AUT) or search bank (.SCH) files via e-mail or FAX.

With a suitable file loaded into the program, select the File|Send... menu op tion.

You must have MS-Exchange installed on your system in the default location for this to work.

How do I switch quickly between VFOs?

You can switch between each VFO (A - E) in sequence using the VFO button in the front panel window. However, this is quite slow if you want to switch between the VFOs out of sequence.

To select the radio’s VFOs in any order, use the Setup|Select VFO menu option.

How do I exit from the application?

To exit the application, choose File|Exit from the menu.

You can also switch off the radio using the power button on the Front Panel window or from the Toggle Power menu option.

If you have modified files without saving, you'll be prompted to save before exiting.

How do I drag/drop from Explorer or File Manager?

A memory (.MEM), automode (.AUT), search (.SCH) or log (.LOG) file can be opened into a window on the AR5000 Tuner’s desktop by dragging the file from the Explorer (or File Manager if you are using Windows 3.x), and dropping it on the main window.

How do I print files?

There are two commands on the File menu which support printing of documents from the application. File|Print Setup is used to select and configure a printer device. File|Print causes the current document to be printed.

Note: blank lines are not printed in order to save paper.

How do I edit files?

Data in this application is presented to you in re-sizable list boxes. This means editing the data is different to using a text editor but is much more convenient to use with your radio data.

You must first select a line of data before you can work with it. To do this, just single-click on the line you require with your mouse. To can select a continuous block of data by clicking on the first line

then again on the last line with the of lines that are not in a block by single-clicking on each with the

You will get slightly different behavior depending on the type of data you are working with (memory, search bank or auto mode). Some of the Edit Menu options will be disabled at certain times if they cannot (or should not be used).

SHIFT key held down. Alternatively, you can select a number

CNTRL key held down.

Operating the Reciver from the Front Panel window

The Front Panel window aims to mimic the real AR5000 front panel as closely as the RS-232

command set permits. This means in practice that most of the features of the AR5000 can be accessed

via software including volume and squelch settings, IF configuration settings, keypad frequency display, etc... Some functions described in the AR5000 User’s Manual require front panel keys to be held down for about a second - supported functions using this method of access can be used in exactly the same way via software.

Please refer to your AR5000 Operating Manual for details of how to operate your radio. Differences between the real radio and the software emulation are summarised below:

Power switch - this toggles power to the AR5000 but permits RS-232 operation to continue (so that power can be restored via RS-232). See the Toggle Power menu option.

Search/Scan - Selecting any search or scan parameter setting individually will launch th e Expert dialog permitting all parameters to be altered. Refer to the Tools|Scan Operation... and To ols|Search Operation... menu options for further details.

Audio level - You can adjust the audio level using a slider control having a logarithmic characteristic by single-clicking on the volume knob to open a dialog.

Squelch level - The squelch level can be controlled using a slider control which is displayed when you single-click on the squelch knob.

Direct Frequency entry, mode, step, attenuator, up/down, IF bandwidth, AGC, antenna, memory operation, pass operation, Key lock - Use in the same way as described in the User’s Manual for the

AR5000

AF set - Selecting the AF set function will launch a dialog allowin g any of the audio parameters (LPF, HPF, de-emphasis and CW pitch) to be changed

VFO - The VFOs can be selected or VFO function restored using the VFO key (as per the AR5000 User’s Manual). It is possible to select any of the available VFOs directly from the Select VFO menu option.

Options - Selected features only (see below)

The following functions are not supported by this package: Clock functions, alarm, sleep, T-ELMT, DE-SCR, priority operation, RF Gain control, S.SET, SR.PROG, S.SCAN, OFFSET, CONFIG

The front panel display follows the status of the receiver wherever possible, however, some operations do not permit full tracking of status - this could lead to slight discrepancies betweenthe radio hardware and this software in some circumstances.

AOR AR5000 User’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual