ASA Electronics MS-306 User Manual

R

Owner’s Manual

AM/FM STEREO RADIO

WITH AUTO REVERSE CASSETTE PLAYER

Designed Specifically for

the Marine Environment

MS-306

1. POWER ON/OFF VOLUME

Rotate knob clockwise past detent to turn radio “ON”. Further rotation increases the volume.
Rotate knob counter-clockwise past detent to turn the radio “OFF”. Counter-clockwise rotation
decreases the volume.

2. FADER CONTROL

Clockwise rotation shifts the signal to the Left/Right front speakers. Counter-clockwise rotation
shifts the signal to the Left/Right rear speakers.

3. EJECT BUTTON
Press this button to stop the tape playback and resume radio operation; at the same time
cassette tape will be ejected from the cassette slot.

4. CASSETTE SLOT

Hold the cassette with the exposed tape edge to the right and insert into the cassette slot.
Depress fully until the tape is engaged. Tape will enter Play immediately.

5. FAST FORWARD/REWIND BUTTONS

These buttons cause the tape to move rapidly in the direction indicated by the tape direction
arrows. For example, if the “>>” button is pushed when the tape is playing from left to right, the
tape will fast forward. If pushed when the tape is moving from right to left, the tape will rewind.
The direction of tape movement is shown by the PROGRAM INDICATORS (7). To stop fast tape
movement, lightly push the opposite button. If the tape is allowed to fast forward or rewind all the
way to the end, play will automatically begin from that point.

6. TUNING KNOB

Rotate the tuning knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to tune in the station of your choice.

Adjust the knob until the station is received with the best possible reception.

7. PROGRAM INDICATORS

Indicates tape direction for reference to the fast forward/reverse buttons. Further indicates the
direction (side) of the tape currently playing. To reverse the tape direction and play the other
side of the cassette, lightly press both << and >> (5) buttons at the same time. The change of
direction will be shown by the indicators.

8. MUTE SWITCH

Press the switch “IN” to activate the audio mute circuit. Press the switch again to return to the
previous output level.

9. BALANCE CONTROL

Clockwise rotation shifts balance to the right speakers and counter-clockwise shifts balance to
the left speakers. Detent position in the center balances the left and right speakers.

10. LO/DX SWITCH

Press the switch to the “IN” position, local reception is gained and by pressing once more to
“OUT” position, the antenna will be able to work on distant reception.

11. MONO/STEREO SWITCH

The Mono position of the switch is used when the FM stereo signal has become weak and begins
to switch the stereo light ON and OFF. For normal operation set the switch in the “IN” position for
FM stereo.

12. LOUDNESS SWITCH

This control compensates for the loss of high and low frequencies when the volume control is
adjusted to a low level.

13. AM/FM BAND SELECTOR

Press this button to the “IN” position for FM band. Press and release it to the “OUT” position for
the AM band.

14. BASS CONTROL

According to individual taste, Bass Sound can be boosted or cut by tuning this knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise respectively.

15. TREBLE CONTROL

According to individual taste, Treble Sound can be boosted or cut by tuning this knob clockwise
or counter-clockwise respectively.

AM ANTENNA TRIMMER ADJUSTMENT

The antenna trimmer can be accessed through the small hole inside the cassette door (See

diagram below) Tune radio to a weak station between 1200 and 1400 KHz AM. (If you cannot
find a weak station in this range, tune to any strong station, and adjust tuning slightly off station).
Adjust trimmer for maximum volume.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

SPECIFICATIONS

Cassette

Always check that the tape is tightly wound inside the take-up
spool on the cassette. If the tape is loose, wind it with a six-sided
pencil. Never use C-120 (120 minute) cassettes in this player.
Never use cassette player when the vehicle temperature is near
or below freezing.

Cleaning of Tape Head & Capstan

Since tapes contain oxides, you will find a black residue builds up
on the head and drive capstan (inside cassette door). These
residues should be cleaned after 50-100 hours of accumulated
tape operation. You can use cassette cleaning cartridges
available where ever stereos are sold.

DE-MAGNITIZING

The movement of the magnetic tape across the tape head and
metal parts causes a magnetic field to develop. We recommend
you have the tape player demagnetized at least twice annually.
You can purchase an inexpensive tape head demagnetizing tool
to do this yourself.

Size: 7” (W) x 2” (H) x 6 5/8” (D)
178mm x 50mm x 168mm
Operating Voltage: 12V DC, Negative ground
Output Power: 50 Watts max. Stereo power
Output Wiring: Floating ground type designed
for 4 speaker use. May also be
used with 2 speakers.
Output Impedance: Compatible with 4 or 8 Ω
Speakers
Tuning range: (AM) 530 – 1710 KHz
(FM) 88 – 108 MHz
Sensitivity: (AM) less than 25uV
(FM) less than 5uV
FM Stereo Separation: More than 23 dB
Frequency Response: 50 –10000 Hz
Wow & Flutter: Less than 0.3%

AM/FM RADIOS

Symptom Cause Possible Solution

No Power No 12VDC Check circuit fuse at source

Check in-line fuse on power lead
(wall mount units are located in
rear cabinet)

Power lead disconnected
Ground connection

Power indicated; No audio
output

No 12VDC to memory lead
(electronically tuned units only)

Speaker Output shorted Check continuity of speaker

Speaker out cross channeled Check for proper speaker wiring.

Circuit fuse at source
In-line memory lead fuse

leads to ground

Note: Radios have a sticker on
them explaining wiring color
code.

Only one channel (right or left
side)

Radio Balance Check radio function
Speaker Disconnected Check speaker connection at

radio and/or speaker
Speaker lead shorted or
grounded

Check speaker wiring continuity

to ground w/tester or meter

Popping in one or both channels Speaker wiring shorted or

positive lead grounded
Speaker terminals grounded or

shorted

No AM Reception

Antenna disconnected Connect antenna
Antenna mast grounded or

shorted

Antenna center lead broken Check antenna or substitute with

Note: Antenna leads can be tested with continuity or multi-tester.
Some may have electronic component (capacitor) built-in which will
not allow it to be tested.

Leads from speaker cone to

terminal touching metal basket

or speaker

Check antenna or substitute with

antenna known to be good

antenna known to be good

Audiovox Specialized Applications, LLC

T E C H N I C A L B U L L E T I N

AM/FM RECEPTION

Many vans and RV’s have more than one
AM/FM radio. The best way to insure good reception
is to supply a separate antenna for each radio. Other
options available to supply adequate AM/FM reception
to these radios are listed below, along with some
general information in regards to radio reception.

“Y” ADAPTERS

The “Y” adapters used to connect one antenna
to two radios will only provide AM reception to one of
the radios and will compromise both AM and FM
reception.

AMPLIFIED AM/FM ANTENNA

A popular second antenna that can be used is
our AB-100 amplified AM/FM antenna. It is small
and has a retractable mast that can be mounted
vertically or horizontally. This antenna provides
good FM reception, but the AM reception will be
compromised to some degree because of the length
of the mast.

MAST LENGTH

AM/FM antennas compromise AM reception
by design. The optimum mast length for FM is
approximately 30 inches which is standard for most
automotive antennas. The optimum mast length for
AM reception is over 100 inches which is not
practical for mobile applications.

Special circuitry in electronic tuned radios

FAX: [phone]

or AM trimmers in mechanically tuned radios,
make up for some of this difference in optimum
mast length for AM reception.

ANTENNA CABLE

Increasing the antenna lead cable (adding
extensions) will reduce sensitivity of AM with
electronic tuned radios.

GROUND PLANES

Ground planes are also important when
considering antenna performance. Most
automotive antennas are designed to be
mounted on the metal body of the vehicle.

FM RECEPTION

FM reception can be received with a very
limited antenna and strong local FM stations can
be received without an antenna, depending on the
circumstances.

CONCLUSION

AM/FM reception is subject to the choice of
an antenna and it’s application. There can also be
a variety of methods used to supply signal to both
primary and secondary radios, but AM
performance is the ultimate “test”.

It appears that consumers or end users are
becoming much more critical when it comes to
acceptable antenna performance. It may be
necessary for manufacturers to re-evaluate what
was once considered acceptable.

The metal body reflects the signal
interference generated by the vehicle’s electrical
system while it also provides the ground for the
antenna lead shield. All this is necessary in order
to maintain a good signal, especially AM.

Audiovox Specialized Applications, LLC
23319 Cooper Dr. Elkhart, IN 46514
Phone: [phone]

Audiovox Specialized Applications, LLC

Voltage

T E C H N I C A L B U L L E T I N

This bulletin will discuss DC Power sources and
how they relate to 12 volt DC video products.

The voltage of a fully charged battery (engine not

DC (Direct Current) Power

A large number of our products are designed for
12 volt DC applications. The power is supplied by
a variety of sources i.e., the battery, converters,
ignition systems and solar power.

General Specifications

Our general specification for the voltage range of
operation is 10 to 16 volts DC. TV’s and VCP’s
(video cassette players) require slightly more than
10 volts to function properly. Normally this 10.5 to
11 voltage requirement does not create a problem,
but keep in mind the following points:

running) is approximately 12.5 VDC. Once a load
(items being powered represent the “load”) is
applied, the voltage will drop. How much the
voltage is reduced will depend on the following:

1. Current draw (amount of amperage); the
higher the draw the greater the voltage
will drop.

2. This size and length of the conductor
(wire) supplying power.

Amperage

A TV will draw considerably more amperage than
a VCP. For instance, a 14” TV will draw
approximately 3.5 amps compared to a VCP that
draws 1 amp while the tape is being loaded or
ejected. Checking the voltage of a TV while it is
playing shows an approximate 1 volt drop, (11.5
VDC). The voltage at the VCP can be another
.5VDC (11 VDC) less than the TV.

In conclusion, operating these video products

Ignition Systems

without the engine running will drain the battery
to the point where these products will perform
unacceptably in a short period of time.

Many RV OEM’s incorporate converters as
a source of 12VDC when connected to shore
power (110-120 VAC). Some models put out a
very clean DC supply where others may have a
considerable amount of AC ripple under
maximum load.

This AC ripple is filtered by the coach
battery when connected into the circuit, but
when the battery is removed or disconnected the
amount of AC ripple can create major problems
for audio and video products. Noise may result
and the line fuse may fail.

Converters

ACCESSORY LIST

Description
AVT-988 9” Color Television with Remote (12V) AVT988
AVT-597 5” Color Television with Remote (12V) AVT597
AVT-1498 13” Color Television with Remote (12V) AVT1498
AVP-7000 Video Cassette Player (12V) AVP7000
AVP-7285 Video Cassette Player (12V) AVP7285
Wireless Headphone Kit: Includes 2 sets Wireless Headphones and Transmitter WRFKIT1
BPA-501-12 4 Amp Adapter for use with AVT-988 9” and AVT-1498 13” Televisions 0891412
AC2A- 2 Amp Adapter for use with AVT-597 5” TV and AVP-7000 Video Cassette
Player
Unified Remote Control 0892325
VAC-21- 12 Volt Corded Vacuum VAC21
AVF-1 12 Volt Rechargeable Flashlight AVF1
HP-175 Headphones with Pivoting Ear Cup HP175
HP-275 Headphones with Volume Control on Cord HP275
HP-375 Studio Quality Headphones HP375

Part Number

0891436

Unlike household electronics, all of our products have been specifically designed and tested for the
mobile environment and are only available through ASA. To order any of these products, please
contact Audiovox Specialized Applications at www.asaelectronics.com or 800-688-3135.

88-00236-00