Becker Avionics AR6203 User Manual

VHF Transceiver

Article-No.: 0638.420-071

AR6201, AR6203, RT6201, RCU6201

Software Versions:

from Software Version
SCI1050S305 Version 4.06
SCI1051S305 Version 2.06

Operating Instructions

http://www.becker-avionics.com • E-mail: [e-mail]

Issue 03 July 2015

Becker Avionics GmbH • Baden-Airpark B108

77836 Rheinmünster • Germany •

 +49 (0) 7229 / 305-0 • Fax [phone] / 305-217

Operating Instructions

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................................................................ 2

List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................... 3

Units ..................................................................................................................... 4

1. Introduction ................................................................................................. 5

1.1. General Safety Definitions ............................................................................ 5

1.2. Warranty Conditions ..................................................................................... 6

1.3. Conditions of Utilization ................................................................................ 6

1.3.1. Purpose of Equipment ................................................................. 6

1.3.2. Additional Conditions of Utilization .............................................. 6

1.4. Non Warranty Clause ................................................................................... 6

2. Operating Instructions ............................................................................... 7

2.1. Device Description ........................................................................................ 7

2.1.1. Device Assignment...................................................................... 7

2.1.2. Type Specification Label ............................................................. 8

2.1.3. Safety-Conscious Utilization ........................................................ 9

2.2. Controls and Indicators ............................................................................... 10

2.3. Start-Up ...................................................................................................... 12

2.4. Receive and Transmit Mode ....................................................................... 12

2.4.1. Receive Mode ........................................................................... 12

2.4.2. Transmit Mode .......................................................................... 12

2.5. Frequency Selection Modes ....................................................................... 13

2.5.1. Standard Mode .......................................................................... 14

2.5.2. Direct Tune Mode ...................................................................... 16

2.5.3. Channel Mode ........................................................................... 17

2.5.4. Frequency Storage Functions ................................................... 18

2.5.5. Automatic Storage Function ...................................................... 20

2.5.6. Scan Mode ................................................................................ 20

2.6. SQUELCH .................................................................................................. 21

2.7. RX Field Strength Indication ....................................................................... 22

2.8. Channel Spacing Mode .............................................................................. 22

2.9. Auxiliary Audio Input ................................................................................... 23

2.10. Intercom Operation ..................................................................................... 24

2.11. VOX & Speaker Operation .......................................................................... 26

2.12. Menus ......................................................................................................... 26

2.12.1. Intercom Menu .......................................................................... 26

2.12.2. Pilots Menu ............................................................................... 28

2.13. Warning and Failure Indications ................................................................. 30

3. Index .......................................................................................................... 32

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Operating Instructions

List of Abbreviations

List of Abbreviations

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration

AC

Alternating Current

AF

Audio Frequency

AR

Airborne Radio

ATT

Attenuation

AUX

Auxiliary

AWG

American Wire Gauge

BNC

Bayonet Neill Concelman

CBIT

Continuous Built-In Test

CFG

Configuration

CH

Channel

CM

Chassis Module

COM

Communication

DC

Direct Current

EASA

European Aviation Safety Agency

EMI

Electro Magnetic Interference

ETSO

European Transmission System Operators

EUROCAE

European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment

GND

Ground (Aircraft Ground)

GPS

Global Positioning System

HMI

Human Machinery Interface

HIRF

High Intensity Radiated Fields

IC

Intercom

I&O

Installation & Operation

LCD

Liquid Crystal Display

MFD

Multi-Function Display

M&R

Maintenance & Repair

N/A

Not Applicable

NAV

Navigation

PBIT

Power-On Built In Test

PTT

Push To Talk

PWR

Power

RCU

Remote Control Unit

RSSI

Received Signal Strength Indication

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Operating Instructions

List of Abbreviations

RT

Remote Transceiver

RX

Receive

SQL

Squelch

SPKR

Speaker (Loudspeaker)

SRC

Source

SW

Software

TSO

Technical Standard Order

TX

Transmit

VOX

Voice Operated IC Threshold

VHF

Very High Frequency

VDC

Voltage Direct Current

VSWR

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio

VU

Volume Unit

Units

V

Volt

mV

Millivolt

A

Ampere

mA

Milliampere

W

Watt

mW

Milliwatt

kHz

Kilohertz

MHz

Megahertz

s

Second

dBm

Power ratio in Decibel

dB

Decibel

Ohm (Ω)

Resistor

kg

Kilogram

°C

Degree Celsius

mm

Millimetre

cm

Centimetre

Units

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Operating Instructions

General Safety Definitions

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.

Is used to address practices not related to physical
injury.

Safety instructions (or equivalent) signs indicate
specific safety-related instructions or procedures.

1. Introduction

Before use of the VHF Transceiver it is recommended to study this
instruction manual carefully because it contains safety as well as operating
instructions.

Include this manual to the documentation carried on board the aircraft.

For further descriptions we are using following terms for VHF transceivers,
VHF remote transceiver and remote control unit, instead writing their
complete model number.

620X in general for the device family

AR620X for: AR6201, AR6203 (Single Block Transceiver)

RT for: RT6201 (Remote Transceiver)

RCU for: RCU6201 (Remote Control Unit)

1.1. General Safety Definitions

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Operating Instructions

Non Warranty Clause

The user is responsible for protective covers and/or

damages to persons and electric accidents.

1.2. Warranty Conditions

User Conversions and Changes are Not Permitted

Any change made by the user excludes any liability on our part (excluding
updates for the navigation data base).

• The device must not be opened.

• Do not make any modifications to the device, except for those

described in the manual.

• Make connections to the inputs, outputs and interfaces only in
the manner described in the manual.

• Fix the devices according to the mounting instructions.
We cannot provide any guarantee for other mounting methods.

Conditions of Utilization

1.3.

General introductory notes

With this device you bought a product which was manufactured and tested
before delivery with the utmost care. Please take your time to read the
following notes which you ought to follow closely during installation and
operation. Unless, all claims under the warranty will become void and a
reduced service life or even damages must be expected.

additional safety measures in order to prevent

1.3.1.

Purpose of Equipment

The VHF transceiver enables voice communication in the very high
frequency band between 118.000 to 136.9916 MHz (radio communication
part of air-band) with a selectable channel spacing of 25 or 8.33 kHz.

1.3.2.

Additional Conditions of Utilization

Please refer to "Safety-Conscious Utilization", page 9.

1.4. Non Warranty Clause

We checked the contents of this publication for compliance with the
associated hard and software. We can, however, not exclude discrepancies
and do therefore not accept any liability for the exact compliance. The
information in this publication is regularly checked, necessary corrections
will be part of the subsequent publications.

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Operating Instructions

Device Description

In this section the figures for illustrating display

operation modes.

from Software Version

2. Operating Instructions

The chapter "Operating Instructions" contains general information and
instructions to ensure safe operation of the VHF transceivers.

Device Description

2.1.

2.1.1.

Device Assignment

This manual is valid for the following devices:

• AR6201-(XX2)

• AR6203-(XX2)

• RT6201-(XX0) with RCU6201-(X12)

content mainly show transceivers working in

8.33/25 kHz mixed mode. Dedicated pictures for
25 kHz mode are not explicitly shown (they differ
only in number of digits for frequency).
The HMI actions described in this section can be
performed on primary controller or on optional
secondary controller RCU6201.
The following graphics of the display content show
the 8.33 kHz channel spacing for all possible

SCI1050S305 Version 4.06

SCI1051S305 Version 2.06

0638.420-071 Issue 03 July 2015 VHF Transceiver Family 620X 7

Operating Instructions

Device Description

PN:

XX2: white illumination colour on black panel

SN:

Unique number of the particular device

AN:

Article number

DoM:

Date of Manufacturing

Software:

Corresponding to the displayed version

Compliance and Certifications

Corresponding to the displayed text and logos

2.1.2. Type Plate

The device type is defined by the type plate (on the housing):

Figure 2-1: Type plate (example)

Explanation:

Type designation:

AR6201 = Single Block VHF Transceiver 58 mm (2¼ inch)
AR6203 = Single Block VHF Transceiver 160 mm (6.3 inch)
RT6201 = Remote VHF Transceiver
RCU6201 = Remote Control Unit 58 mm (2¼ inch)

Options:

0XX: 8.33/25 kHz channel spacing capability
1XX: 25 kHz channel spacing capability only
X1X: 10 W at 28 V
X2X: 6 W at 12 V

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Operating Instructions

Device Description

Switch OFF the device before starting or shutting
down engines.

A voice communication test shall be performed

possible.

If the power supply voltage drops below 10 V the

2.1.3. Safety-Conscious Utilization

before starting the engine.
It should be noted that, if the communication test is
carried out close to a ground station, the results may
be positive even if the antenna cable is broken or
short-circuited. In such a case, at a distance of 5 to
10 km and above, communication might not be

• Speak always loud, clear and not too fast for optimal voice
communication.

• Keep the microphone always close to the lips otherwise a
special suppressing circuit in the VHF COM will not be capable
to suppress normal cabin noise.

• Use only microphones or headsets which are suitable for use
in an aircraft.

o In aircraft made of wood, synthetic materials or in gliders or

helicopters, incoming radiation can affect the integrated
amplifier of the microphone (feedback), noticeable in the

ground station by whistling and/or heavy distortion.
If the power supply voltage drops below the "Low Battery Threshold"
(default value is 10.5 V), the "LOW BATTERY" message will appear each
3 seconds in the lower part of the display.

system enters power saving mode:

• Speaker output of the transceiver is automatically
switched "OFF"

• Speaker sign will no longer be presented on LCD
display

• The pilot must use headphones to continue
listening.

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Operating Instructions

Controls and Indicators

AR620X and RCU6201

AR6203

Symbol

Description

Main Function

IC/SQL

"Short press" during normal operation

activates Intercom Menu.

MDE

"Short press" during normal operation

activates the pilots menu.

STO

"Short press" during normal operation

↨/SCN

"Short press" during standard mode, or

"Long press" activates scan mode.

Power ON/OFF,

Switches the transceiver ON/OFF and

Rotary encoder

Turning "ROTARY ENCODER" changes

an enter key.

2.2. Controls and Indicators

1

(Intercom/Squelch)

2

3

4

(Mode)

(Store)

(Exchange/SCAN)

Figure 2-2: Controls and indicators

toggles the RX -SQL ON/OFF.
"Long press" during normal operation

changes the frequency selection mode.
"Long press" during normal operation

activates storage procedure.

scan mode toggles between preset and
active frequency.

5

Volume Knob

adjusts volume level of received signal.

the settings of several parameters

6

(frequency, IC-volume, VOX, …).
Pushing the "ROTARY ENCODER"
toggles between the digits and acts as

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