AOR ARD9900 Instruction Manual

FAST RADIO MODEM

ARD9900

Multi-Mode And Digital Voice Interface

Instruction Manual

AOR LTD.

Authority On Radio communications

Thank you for purchasing the AOR ARD9900 Multi-mode and Digital Voice Interface.
The ARD9900 is designed to convert your HF radio equipment to a multi-mode and digital voice

capable radio without performing any modifications to your transceiver.
Please read through this instruction manual and familiarise yourself with the operation of the

ARD9900.
We suggest you keep this instruction manual for future reference.
We believe the ARD9900 will become a powerful tool to enhance your communication capabilities.
AOR LTD.

Supplied Accessories:

The following items are provided in the box

Quantity
Speaker microphone ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- 1
PC interface cable -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Speaker cable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- 1
DC power cable ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Microphone connector --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Instruction manual (this booklet) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1

Optional accessories:

Memory Module ME-1 (necessary for SSTV and video functions).
Interface cables for most proprietary amateur transceivers.

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Features:

z

Digital voice communications using existing analogue 2 way radios with encryption capability.

The ARD9900 uses the same audio frequencies (300 Hz ~ 2500 Hz) as

microphone audio to modulate the voice signal. This allows you to use an analogue
radio as a digital voice transceiver.

z

Digital voice communications in the Single Side Band (SSB) mode.

The automatic frequency clarifier function adjusts frequency drift automatically in the
SSB mode (approximately up to +/- 125 Hz).

z

Utilises an ODF M (Multi Carrier M odulation) circuit t hat is eff ective agains t Multi- path or Se lective
Fading.

z

Automatic digital receive.

Automatic voice signal detector recognises the received signal as analogue or digital,
automatically switching to the appropriate mode.

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Digital Slow Scan TV (SSTV). NB: Requires optional ME-1 memory module.

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Built-in video capture f unction (NTSC

NB: Requires optional ME-1 memory module.

Compresses the signal into our original adaptive JPEG format.
Send and receive images in the Digital mode.
Built-in video output connector (NTSC

purchased). Allows viewing of the picture on an external monitor.

z

Built–in high grade Vocoder (AMBE).

Utilising high-grade digital voice compression; delivers quality digital voice communications.

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Built-in FEC error correction.

A powerful error correction circuit delivers stable and reliable communications.

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Data communications on the HF band.

Data communication is possible on the HF (High frequency) bands at no extra cost.
(Speed may be limited by regulations in certain jurisdictions.)

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Small and compact unit. Easy to operate.

Simply connect the ARD9900 to the microphone jack and speaker out jack of your transceiver.

No complicated or risky radio modifications are necessary.

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Utilises a uniquely designed high performance DSP (Digital Signal Processor) engine.

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Battery operation possible for field use.

or

PAL depending on Country in which uni t is purchased).

or

PAL depending on the country in which the unit is

Please note that it is a m andatory requirement within terms of the UK

Amateur Radio License that the call sign of the stat ion is given at either

the beginning and end of each transmission, or at fifteen minute intervals

throughout the contact. This should be done by putting the ARD9900

back into analogue mode and making the announcement.

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Precautions

To prevent fire, personal injury, or damage to the unit, please observe the following

precautions:

z

z

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We are not responsible for any damage to the radio equipment due to improper
settings or interfacing.

We are not responsible for any loss of communications due to an unexpected change
of propagation or operating environment.

Do not attempt to adjust the unit unless instructed to do so by this manual.
Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight or place the unit close to heating appliances.
Do not place the unit in excessively dusty, humid or wet areas.

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Table of Contents

Supplied and optional accessories
Controls and functions

Front Panel 5
Rear Panel 7
Top Panel 9
Internal View 9
Bottom View 10

Interfacing the ARD9900

Connection to a Radio 11
Connection to a Microphone 11
Connection to a PC 12
Connection to a Power supply 12
Connection to an External speak er 12

Level Adjustment

Microphone level 12
Radio Input level 13

Code Setting

Master Key Code Setting 14
User ID Code Setting 14
Air Key Code Setting 14
Channel Switch Setting 15

Operation

Voice Communication 16
Digital Voice Communication 16
Analogue Voice Communication 16
Force Receive 16

Data Communication

Receive 17
Transmit 17

Digital Image Communication

Receive 17
Transmit 17

Type of Communications and their respective features

Communication Selection Guidance 19
Communication Mode Setting 20
Detailed functions of communication modes 22

Control Commands

Interfacing to a PC 24
Terminal Settings 24
Command format 24
Entering the System Management Screen 25
Operator’s Command List 26
Operator’s Command Details 26
Command List for the System Manager 29
Command Details of the System Manager 29
Specification 34

Page

1
5

11

12,13

14

16

17

17

18

24

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Controls and functions

Front Panel

a.
b.

Power on/off switch
TX switch

This switch performs two functions:

1. In the Digital Image Communication mode:
Set the mode switch to [10101] (digital mode).
Press this switch to capture and send an image.

Note: When the Video Through Function is activated (AVT command
is ON), pressing this switch will enable output of the video signal
connected to the Video Input to also be sent to the video output
port, so that you can monitor the transmitted video image.

through

command is OFF),

the radio equipment.

pressing this switch will automatically capture the video image and then transmit
it through the radio equipment.

Refer to: Operation -- Digital Image Communication at page 16 for details.)

(

2. Digital Voice Communication mode (non encryption or fixed scramble
code mode)
Set the mode switch to [~] (analogue mode).
Press and hold this switch to force the ARD9900 to decode digital
voice signals.

Caution: Frequency tolerance for both parties must within the range of +/- 125 Hz.
(Refer to Operation -- Digital Voice Communication “force receive” on page 16 for details).

Bus LED (two colour)

c.

Illuminated red The unit is in the transmit mode.
Blinking
red

Illuminated Green The unit is in the receive mode.
Unlit The unit is in the receive standby mode or in the

Status LED (STA LED) (orange)

d.

Lit when unsent data remains in the memory.
It is illuminated when the Video Through Function is activated in digital video
communication mode.
It is not lit when Video Through Function is deactivated by the dedicated

•b

•›

POWER

a

MMFEDOOIDARTSA

DRA

009

9

9

7

6

5

MaxMin

4

3

2

F

0

1

BUS

c d

b

SP CHANTX STA MODE

f

e

g

Press this switch again to capture and send the image
When the Video Through Function is de-activated (AVT

In the digital communic ation mode, it blinks while th e
header information is being sent ( approximatel y one
[1] second).

analogue voice receive mode.

10101

A

B

C

D

E

OVER

h

i

MIC

j

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command (AVT_OFF) using the PC because the TX switch then activates a
sequential function of capturing and transmitting the data.

.

e. Speaker volume adjustment

Adjustment for the internal speaker output level (or the external speaker output level
when one is connected).

f. MODE LED (Operation Mode LED)

Indicates the current operation mode:

Illuminated green ------------------------- Digital voice mode
Illuminated red --------------------------- Analogue voice mode
Illuminated orange------------------------ Data communication mode
Not illuminated ---------------------------- Digital image communication mode

g. CHANNEL switch

Select preloaded encryption code.

(Refer to: Channel Switch Setting on page 15 for details.)

h. OVER-LED

Lit when the microphone input is overloaded (too high).
A proper microphone input level will cause the LED to flash from time to time
when speaking into the microphone at a normal level.
The microphone level can be adjusted with the microphone level controller.

(Refer to: Level Adjustment on page 12 for details.)

In addition, the OVER-LED operates in receive mode as an input level indicator:

To set the optim um lev el of audio from the transcei ver (crucial for good decoding of
digital signals) , the OVER-LED operates as an in put level indicat or in receive m ode in
the following ways:

Operation of input level indicator (transceiver squelch control fully open):

Input level indicator flashes whilst receiving Input level is too low
Input level indicator extinguished Input level is optimally set
Input level indicator is soli dl y lit Input level is too high

NB: When the squelch is closed on the transceiver t he OVER–LED will flash
continuously indicating that no signal is being fed to the ARD9900.

i. Mode switch

Selects the Digital voice mode [10101] or the Analogue voice mode [~].
When the Analogue voice mode [~] is selected, ordinary analogue voice
communications will be made.
In the receive mode however, the ARD9900 will automatically detect the
mode of the incoming signal and decode signals accordingly.
The LED indicates the respective operation mode.

j. Microphone connector

Connect the supplied microphone to this connector.
Below are the pin assignments of the connector:

1. SPEAKER OUTPUT -- Monitor output signal available at this pin.

2. BIAS ---------------------- Power source for an electret condenser type of
microphone. (5V DC through 2.2K Ohm resistor).

3. GND ---------------------- Chassis ground.

4. TX-------------------------- Taking this pin to the ground will enable the transm it mode;
the same as operating the TX switch on the front panel.

5. D/A ------------------------ Taking this pin to the ground will force the unit into the
digital voice communication mode. When this pin is left
open, the operation mode will be set by the m ode switch
on the front panel.

6. MIC PTT ----------------- PTT (Push To Talk) input.

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7. MIC GND ---------------- Microphone ground signal.

8. MIC IN -------------------- Microphone signal input.

Rear Panel

k.

Communication Connector (mini DIN 8 pin)

Connector to PC (RS-232C)

Pin Number

1 TX ARD9900----->PC
2 DTR ARD9900----->PC
3 DSR ARD9900<-----PC
4 GND GND
5 RX ARD9900<-----PC
6 RTS ARD9900----->PC
7 CTS ARD9900<-----PC
8 NC No Connection
Shell FG Frame ground

l.

VIDEO - IN connector

NTSC

or

connector).
Connect a video signal source such as a video camera, VCR output, etc.

m.

VIDEO – OUT connector

NTSC

or

connector).
Connect a video m onitor t o this co nnec t or to monitor a received image or a pictur e to be

sent.

n.

RADIO Connector

The pin connections of this port conform to those used by the manufacturer Adonis and
many of the current amateur radio transceivers are catered for by ready made cable
assemblies available from AOR. Otherwise, use the supplied 8-pin connector to connect
the ARD9900 to your radio equipment.
You will need to wire a c ab l e ac cor din g to th e microphone connector spec if ic at ion s of your
radio.
Below are the pin assignments of the connector on the ARD9900:

AOR,LTD.

k

VIDEO

IN OUT

l

RADIO

m n

OUT

SP

IN

o

pq r

+-

DC IN

Signal

Signal Direction

Baud Rate 9600
Data bit 8
Start bit 1
Stop bit 1
Parity None
Synchronisation Asynchronous
Flow control Hardware

PAL depending on country of purchase, 1V p – p, 75 ohm (RCA type

PAL depending on country of purchase 1V p – p, 75 ohm (RCA type

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Pin number

Signal Details

1 MIC GND Microphone ground
2 MIC OUT Microphone Output
3 PTT PTT (Push To Talk) output
4 GND PTT ground
5 NC No connection
6 NC No connection
7 GND Ground
8 NC No connection

Caution: MIC GND and GND must not be connected together in the ARD9900

connector, or RF feedback will result.

o. SP IN Connector (3.5 mm mono jack )

Connect to the radio equipment’s external speaker jack.
(Input level: 0.5 V – 5 V p-p)

p. SP OUT Connector (3.5 mm mono jack)

Connect an external speaker to this jack (the internal speaker will be disabled).

q. DC IN Connector (EIAJ Type 4)

Connect to a regulated power supply. (10.7 ~ 16.0 V DC, Centre pin – positive)
For lower voltage battery operation, set the internal jumper JP 9 for battery
operation, and then connect external batteries (see page 9 for details).

Caution: If you have changed the internal jumper for low-voltage battery operation, the

battery voltage must be within the range of 5.6 ~6.5 VDC.
(DO NOT apply 12.0V or severe damage will result, and the warranty will be void!

Note: No low battery voltage detector is built-in the ARD9900.

r. FG

Frame Ground

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)

Top Panel

s.

Internal speaker

Internal View

s

v

w

x

t

u

t.

Factory setting jumper (JP 8)

Must be set between 2-3. (Do not change this setting at any time.)
u. Memory module

Optional memory module for use with Digital SSTV functions.

v. Battery operation selector (JP 3)
Place the jumper between 1 – 2 (NOR) for normal operation.

Change it between 2-3 (BATT) for battery operation.
If you have changed the internal jumper for low-voltage battery operation,
battery voltage must be within the range of 5.6 ~6.5 VDC.
DO NOT apply 12.0V or severe damage will result, and the warranty will be
void!

Note: No low battery voltage detector is built-in the ARD9900.

w. Internal speaker setting (JP 6)
Jumper setting

1 -- 2 Activates internal speaker (default).
2 -- 3 Disables internal speaker and enables output from pin #1 of the

microphone connecto r. Use this position when using the speaker of the
speaker microphone provided.

Note: The SP OUT (external speaker output) has priority regardless of the

above jumper setting.)

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x. Output level setting (JP 10)

Jumper setting
1 - 2 Normal level (default) (LOW)
2 - 3 High level (HIGH)

If the microphone output level is too low to drive your radio equipment,
place the jumper in the 2-3 position.

(Refer to: Radio Input Level setting on page13 for details.)

Bottom View

y. Microphone output (Radio Input) level

(Refer to setting level adjustment on page 13 for details)

y

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