AOR CU8232 User Guide

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8

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TM

The New Concept

CU8232

Remote Control Interface

for the

AR8000

Hand Portable Radio Receiver

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Index

Thank you for purchasing the CU8232 computer control interface for the AR8000 receiver.

Every effort has been made to make this manual correct and up to date. Due to continuous development of the product and by error or omission anomalies may be found and these are acknowledged.

Most apparent faults are usually due to accidental mis-operation of the product, carefully read all of the manual and relevant sections in the AR8000 operating manual before deciding to return the interface for repair.

This manual is protected by copyright AOR LTD 1994. No information contained in this manual may be copied or transferred by any means without the prior written consent of AOR LTD. AOR and the [AOR] logo are trade marks of AOR, LTD. All other trade marks and names acknowledged. E&OE.

Index

1 General ................................................................. 3

2 Supplied accessories ............................................ 3

3 AR8000/CU8232 connection & clone .................... 3,4,5,6

4 Connection for RS232 operation ........................... 6,7

5 Communication parameters ................................... 8

6 WINDOWS TERMINAL ......................................... 8,9,10,11,12

7 How to send a command ....................................... 12

8 List of commands ................................................... 13

9 Command index ...................................................... 14,15

10 Explanation of commands ....................................... 16 - end

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General : Accessories : Connection & clone

(1) General

The CU8232 interface allows computer control via the RS232 serial port of a computer. An additional piece of software will usually be required in order to address the computer’s serial port with the correct set of parameters. If using an IBM-PC or clone (with 80386 processor or higher) Microsoft WINDOWS “TERMINAL” may be used to address the computer’s serial port, configuration of “TERMINAL” is covered later in this manual.

In order to gain the greatest flexibility, a specialist software package is desirable. It is planned to later introduce a Microsoft WINDOWS package to support the AR8000 receiver.

The CU8232 interface also enables data to be copied between two AR8000 receiver when simultaneously connected to the CU8232. Memory, search and all data may be transferred enabling full CLONE of one receiver onto another. This may be accomplished without the use of a host computer and the interface is powered from the AR8000 receiver.

(2) Supplied Accessories

Please check that the following items are included in the package:

Description Quantity

CU8232 remote control interface box One Flat cable Two RS232C 9-pin to 25-pin adaptor One RS232C 9-pin male-Female adaptor One English language operating manual (this booklet) One

(3)

1. A ribbon cable is used to connect the AR8000 to the CU8232. One end of the

AR8000/CU8232 connection & clone

ribbon cable has a reinforced plate, this is used at the AR8000 end of the connection. Insert one flat cable (they are both identical) into the CU8232 [PROGRAM] socket contact (metal) side downward.

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Connection & clone

Figure 1

The [PROGRAM] socket is the primary receiver connection used for computer control. This port also takes power from the receiver (when the AR8000 is switched On).

Should you wish to CLONE data between two AR8000 receivers, connect the second ribbon cable to the socket labelled [COPY].

2. Remove the battery compartment lid of the AR8000 using a downward sliding motion.

Figure 2

Locate the remote control socket which is located at the bottom edge of the battery compartment. Insert the ribbon cable (with the reinforced plate) contact (metal) side downward.

Figure 3

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Connection & clone

It may be difficult to insert the flat cable into the CU8232 socket for the first time as they are necessarily quite tight. If this is the case, try inserting with a little upward pressure, it should become easier the next time. DO NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE STRESS TO THE FLAT CABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

A DC voltage is fed to the CU8232 by the AR8000 connected to the [PROGRAM] socket. When the receiver is switched On, the AR8000 DATA is routed to the RS232 connector.

If a second receiver is connected to the [COPY] socket and switched On, the CU8232 recognises it’s presence and routes data between receivers and not to the RS232 socket.

3. To CLONE data between two AR8000 receivers, connect each receiver to the CU8232 using a ribbon cable as outlined above. Data may be transferred in BOTH direction between the [PROGRAM] and [COPY] sockets.

Figure 4

4. Switch both receivers On and run the CLONE functions as detailed on page

102 section 19 of the English language operating manual.

Caution! Make sure that no low / flat batteries occur while the data clone is in progress. Although no significant extra current is required for clone operations, flat batteries may cause corrupted data transfer. It is advisable that the receivers are both powered from their chargers (which were supplied with the receivers) during clone operation.

5. If a data clone fails retry the procedures of clone operation after checking the following:

¶ Make sure that all connections are correct and there is no loose contact. ¶ Ensure that one receiver is in TRANSMIT mode and the other is in

RECEIVE mode.

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Connection & clone : RS232

¶ Always press the [ENT] key of the AR8000 in RECEIVE mode first so that it is ready to accept data.

¶ Press the [CLEAR] key of the receiver prior to the retry if the failure is due to incorrect connections or an error in key sequence.

6. An alternative method may be used to connect two AR8000 receivers for data CLONE. Two CU8232 interfaces may be employed with each AR8000 connected to the [PROGRAM] socket. The RS232 9-pin connectors are linked using a three wire crossed cable:

CU8232 CU8232

Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 3 Pin 2 Pin 5 Pin 5

No other pins are used.

Figure 5

(4) Connection for RS232 operation

The remote facility enables the AR8000 to be operated via a computer such as an IBM-PC or similar, basic remote control terminal or dedicated software will be required to address the AR8000 through the CU8232.

Switching the receiver On/Off, setting of volume and adjustment of squelch cannot be achieved via the RS232 port.

Computers “always” generate RF noise which may interfere with the AR8000 reception if the standard helical rubber aerial is used. To reduce the effects of noise, use of a remote aerial is highly recommended with good quality 50 OHM coaxial cable employed.

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RS232 operation

Connect the AR8000 to the [PROGRAM] socket of the CU8232 as outlined earlier in section (3) and figure 1.

Connection to a computer is via the rear panel RS232C 9-pin “D” type female socket. Should you require a male socket then a 9-pin gender changer is supplied in the package. Should you prefer to use a 25-way “D” type female socket, an adaptor is also supplied as standard.

Always use a straight RS232 cable (null modem is not to be used!). The RS232 cable should be of good quality and no more than 2m in length. As the CU8232 is powered from the AR8000, excessive cable length may cause lost data between the AR8000 and computer.

Connection for an IBM-PC or clone is as follows:

CU8232 9-PIN IBM-PC 9-PIN

22 33 5 5 (Ground)

All other pins not used but pins 4, 6 & 8 are linked together inside the CU8232. Some software requires the linking of CTS/RTS at the computer end of the cable (pins 7 & 8).

CU8232 9-PIN IBM-PC 25-PIN

23 32 5 7 (Ground)

All other pins not used but pins 4, 6 & 8 are linked together inside the CU8232. Some software requires the linking of CTS/RTS at the computer end of the cable (pins 4 & 5).

Figure 6

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Communication parameters : WINDOWS TERMINAL

(5) Communication parameters

Communication between the AR8000 and computer (via the CU8232) uses semi-duplex. Refer to both the English language operating manual (page 101 section 18-1) and the computer handbook for correct settings.

Baud rate: 2400, 4800, 9600 selectable Delimiter: CR or CR,LF selectable Stop bit: 2 BIT Parity check: None

The PC requires X-parameter flow control.

Both the computer and AR8000 must use the same parameters for correct operation.

If data is regularly lost or corrupted, try using a slower speed such as 4800 or 2400 baud. Use of a slower baud rate should not greatly reduce overall communications transfer rate since the processing time within the receiver and PLL lock-time ultimately restricts the whole process.

Note: When changing BAUD rate, switch the AR8000 Off/On to

ensure the new speed is selected.

(6) Use of Microsoft WINDOWS “TERMINAL”

Assuming you have DOS and WINDOWS 3.1 (or later) loaded on an IBM-PC compatible computer, WINDOWS “TERMINAL” may be used to address the CU8232 and AR8000 receiver to enable basic remote operation.

Start WINDOWS by typing WIN at the DOS prompt. Locate the [TERMINAL] ICON in the program manager ACCESSORIES group and double-click.

Figure 7

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WINDOWS TERMINAL

If the terminal program has not be configured an error message will appear (depending upon the serial port / mouse configuration). Click on [OK] to continue.

Figure 8

TERMINAL will open and appear on the screen. You may re-size or maximise the screen at this point.

Figure 9

Click on the Settings heading toward the top of the screen so that the communications and terminal parameters may be configured. Click on “TERMINAL EMULATION” then select “ANSI” then click on [OK].

Figure 10

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WINDOWS TERMINAL

Click on the Settings heading toward the top of the screen so that the communications and terminal parameters may be re-configured. Click on “TERMINAL PREFERENCES” then select the options as shown in figure 11. Finally click on [OK].

Figure 11

Click on the Settings heading toward the top of the screen so that the communications and terminal parameters may be re-configured. Click on “COMMUNICATIONS” then select the options as shown in figure 12. The choice of COM port (COM1, COM2 etc) will depend upon your computer serial port and mouse configuration. Finally click on [OK].

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WINDOWS TERMINAL

Figure 12

Finally click on the File heading toward the top of the screen and select SAVE_AS. This will enable the chosen parameters to be saved in a file which may be OPENED next time TERMINAL is selected so that the parameters will not require future re-configuration. Figure 13 shows a file name of AR8000.TRM, (.TRM being the default extension). The file is saved in the main WINDOWS sub directory.

Figure 13

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Sending a command

¶ For further information regarding WINDOWS TERMINAL and configuration, please refer to the operating manual supplied with Microsoft software and the computer.

Click on “COMMUNICATIONS” then select the options as shown in figure 11. The choice of COM port (COM1, COM2 etc) will depend upon your computer serial port and mouse configuration. Finally click on [OK].

(7) How to send a command

Each command comprises of two upper case letters (header) along with options as required. All commands use ASCII code which MUST BE IN UPPER CASE (except for the “ARROW” é ê which uses the control code of ASCII).

A multiple command entry is only valid where specified. Where a multiple command entry is allowed, each command MUST be separated with a space “h20” (HEX DECIMAL).

Each command is completed with a [CR] or [CR],[LF] whichever is specified in the AR8000 receiver configuration (page 101 section 18-1 of the English language AR8000 operating manual), thereafter described as [ï].

Although there is no local echo, either [ï] or a specified response should come back from the receiver after confirming the correct command.

A space is often shown as "_" in the following examples.

REMOTE indication

When the AR8000 has received a command via the RS232C port the receiver’s LCD with alternate between the top line of data and the wired “REMOTE”. When remote mode is engaged the receiver’s keypad becomes inoperative. To restore operation to the receiver’s keypad press [LOCAL] - effectively remote operation is cancelled. Remote mode is re-engaged when a new command is received via the RS232C port.

The receiver always acknowledges the receipt of a command by sending [ï] (as specified in the receiver configuration) or will respond with the requested data. Only send a second command after the first command has gained a response.

If no response has been gained after a short while, the receiver has failed to receive the command properly. Send a [ï] then re-send the command. Should problems persist, check your serial / CU8232 connections and try reducing the RS232 baud rate.

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List of commands

(8) List of commands

Application Command

VFO Freq Input RF VA VB Receiver Function AT AU MC MD RX ST SQ, S-Meter LC LM MG SG Receive Mode DD MR MG MS SG SM SS VF Search BN BQ BS SA SB SD SE SG SO SP SQ SR SS Search Data Write AT AU MD SE SL SU ST TT Pass Freq PD PR PS PW Memo CH, Scan BM BN MA MG ML MP MQ MR MS XA XB XD XM

XO XP XQ Memo CH Data Write AT AU MD MX RF ST TM Select Scan GA GD GR SM Others EX PA PI SC SI SN TI

é[UP] (1E) ê[DOWN] (1F) ( )= Hex Decimal

Arrow is a control code of ASCII.

No delimiter is required when sending Arrow.

Commands which have dual roles are duplicated in

this list.

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Command index

(9) Command index

AT Register the attenuator position ON/OFF. AU Register the auto mode ON/OFF. BM Register the scan bank link ON/OFF. BN Change the search/scan bank.

BQ Register the search bank link function ON/OFF. BS Register the search bank link ON/OFF. DD Recall the VFO mode. EX End the Remote mode (RS232C).

GA Register the select scan channel from Memory channel. GD Delete the select scan channel from Memory channel. GR Recall the select scan channel. LC Respond with the received freq and S-level when SQ opens.

LM Respond with the S-level reading and SQ open/close. MA Respond with the contents of the present bank or specified

bank. MC Select the monitor switch position. MD Select the receive mode. MG Start the scan mode. Respond with receive freq and S-level

reading when SQ is open (as LC). ML Register the scan bank link function ON/OFF. MP Register the present memory channel as Pass channel. MQ Delete the present bank or memory channel.

MR Switch to the memory read (M.RE) mode. MS Switch to the scan (SCAN) mode. MX Write data into memory channel. PA Register the delay time of Power Save mode.

PD Delete the Search Pass Freq PI Register the interval time of Power Save mode. PR Recall the Search Pass Freq PS Register the Search Pass Freq

PW Register the presently receiving freq as Pass Freq RF Key in the Freq in VFO RX Respond with the presently receiving data SA Register the Audio Search ON/OFF.

SB Register the Level Search ON/OFF. Set the S-level. SC Change the operating code of the option unit (when fitted - not

available in the UK). SD Change-over HOLD/DELAY in Search mode. Register the delay

time.

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SE Register the Search data. SG Start the Search mode. Respond with freq and S-level reading

when SQ is open.

SI Switch the option unit ON/OFF (when fitted - not available in the

UK). SL Write the start freq of Search. SM Start the Select Scan.

SN Write the Pass Word. Recall the Pass Word. SO Recall the Search operating mode. SP Register the Free Search ON/OFF and delay time. SQ Check the SQ setting.

SR Recall the Search data. SS Start the Search. ST Register the step size in search mode. SU Register the end freq of search mode.

TI Register the interval time of Priority channel. TM Write the text for memory channel TT Write the text for search bank VA Initiate the AVFO mode.

VB Initiate the BVFO mode. VF Initiate the 2VFO mode. XA Register the Audio Scan ON/OFF. XB Register the Level Scan ON/OFF.

XD Register the delay time in Scan mode. XM Register the Mode Scan ON/OFF. XO Recall the Free Scan operating mode. XP Register the Free Scan ON/OFF and timing.

XQ Recall the SQ operating mode. Arrow Mark

é[UP] ê[DOWN] similar to the receiver’s keyboard.

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Explanation of commands : AT : AU

(10) Explanation of commands

AT

ATTENUATOR ON/OFF. ATn[ï] n = 0 ATT OFF

n = 1 ATT ON

Multiple commands in conjunction with other commands are possible with a space in between: AT, AU, MD, RF, ST, VA, VB.

Example: AU0_MD3_RF145.2_AT1[ï] AT[ï] checks the current attenuator setting, the response being: AT0 = ATT OFF

AT1 = ATT ON Related commands MD MX RF SE VA VB

AU

AUTO MODE (and step) ON/OFF. AUn[ï] n = 0 AUTO MODE OFF

n = 1 AUTO MODE ON

Multiple commands in conjunction with other commands are possible with a space in between: AT, AU, MD, RF, ST, VA, VB.

Example: AU0_MD3_RF145.2[ï] AU[ï] checks the current auto mode setting, this is not valid when “M.RE” or

“SCAN” is in use. The usual response to the AU request being: AU0 = AUTO MODE OFF

AU1 = AUTO MODE ON - step size and receive mode set automatically. Related commands MD MX RF SE ST VA VB

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AOR CU8232 User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual