Codan Radio MT-3 User Manual
MT-3 Analog
Radio Systems
USER GUIDE
www.codanradio.com
MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
Codan MT-3
Analog Radio
Systems
User Guide
Page i
USER GUIDE | MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS
NOTE
DOCUMENT REVISION
DEFINITION
© 2013 Codan Limited.
No part of this guide may be reproduced, transcribed, translated into any
language or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written
consent of Codan Limited.
CODAN™, NGT™, Easitalk™, CIB™ and CALM™ are trademarks of
Codan Limited. Other brand, product, and company names mentioned
in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
FLEX™ is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.
The English version takes precedence over any translated versions.
Documentation uses a three-level revision system. Each element of
the revision number signifi es the scope of change as described in the
diagram below.
1-0-0
Major Revisions:
The result of a major change to
product function, process or requirements.
Minor Revisions:
The result of a minor change to
product, process or requirements.
changes in formatting, grammar or wording.
The result of typing corrections or
Three-level revision numbers start at 1-0-0 for the fi rst release. The
appropriate element of the revision number is incremented by 1 for each
subsequent revision, causing any digits to the right to be reset to 0.
For example:
If the current revision = 2-1-1 Then the next major revision = 3-0-0
If the current revision = 4-3-1 Then the next minor revision = 4-4-0
If the current revision = 3-2-2 Then the next editorial revision = 3-2-3
Document revision history is provided at the back of the document.
Codan Radio Communications
43 Erie Street, Victoria, BC
Canada V8V 1P8
www.codanradio.com
LMRsales@codanradio.com
Toll Free Canada and USA:
Phone: 1-800-664-4066
Fax: 1-877-750-0004
International:
Phone: 250-382-8268
Fax: 250-382-6139
Editorial Revisions:
PRINTED IN CANADA
Document Number:
Revision:
Revision Date:
UG-002
5-0-0
September 2013
Page ii
MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
On August 7th, 2012 - Codan Limited (ASX: “CDA”) announced
the acquisition of Daniels Electronics Limited, a leading designer,
manufacturer and supplier of land mobile radio communications
(LMR) solutions in North America. The acquisition of Daniels delivers
on Codan’s stated strategy of growing market share and diversifying
its radio communications product offering. Codan Limited designs,
manufactures and markets a diversifi ed range of high value added
electronic products, with three key business divisions; radio
communications, metal detection and mining technology.
Codan Radio Communications is a leading international designer
and manufacturer of premium communications equipment for High
Frequency (HF) and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) applications. We’ve
built our reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction over 50
years in radio communications, in some of the toughest conditions
on the planet.
For over 50 years Codan has provided customers in North America
and internationally with highly reliable Base Stations and Repeaters
that are environmentally robust to operate in rugged and extreme
temperature conditions where low current consumption (solar
powered) is a key requirement.
Codan is a pioneering member of the P25 Digital standard, for radio
system interoperability between emergency response governmental
organizations, providing enhanced functionality and encryption.
Our products operate between 29 - 960 MHz and are available in
a variety of Base Station and Repeater confi gurations for two way
voice and mobile data applications.
DANIELS ELECTRONICS
IS NOW CODAN RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS
ABOUT CODAN RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS
Our self-servicing customers range from Forestry and National Park
services through Police and Fire departments and on to Utility and
Transportation groups. Our products have been deployed in every
imaginable situation from the Antarctic to Hawaiian mountaintops to
Alaska, enabling respondents to Forest Fires, Ground Zero rescue
and routine patrols.
Codan is an industry leader in Analog and P25 radio systems design.
We offer modular rack-mounted Base Stations and Repeaters
capable of operating in Low Band VHF,VHF AM , VHF FM, UHF FM,
700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz
Page iii
USER GUIDE | MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS
RESOURCES
Codan Radio Communications provides many resources for the
testing, tuning, maintenance and design of your Codan MT-4E
Analog and P25 Digital Radio System.
Instruction Manuals
Codan instruction manuals are very comprehensive and include
information on:
Theory of operation
Detailed Specifi cations
Testing and tuning instructions
Component layout illustrations
Instruction manuals can be obtained from the factory.
Technical Notes
Technical notes outline key aspects of tuning, installing,
maintaining and servicing Codan Radio Systems.
Technical Notes can be found online at
www.codanradio.com.
Codan MT-3 and IFR 1200 / IFR COM-120 Test Procedures
Technical Notes TN900 and TN910 are aids to confi guring and
testing Codan MT-3 radios using either an IFR 1200 or IFR COM120 Service Monitor by Aerofl ex.
TN900 and TN910 can be found online at www.codanradio.com.
Application Notes
Application Notes provide an overview of the range of applications
in which Codan Radio systems can be used.
Application Notes can be found online at www.codanradio.com.
Codan MT-4E Analog and P25 Digital User Guide
The Codan MT-4E User Guide provides the reader with an
introduction to Codan Radio Communications MT-4E Analog and
P25 Digital Radio Systems
The Codan MT-4E User Guide can be found online at
www.codanradio.com.
Page iv
Contents
MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
Chapter 1: Introduction ..........................................................1
Model Numbers ..........................................................................................1
Differences Between MT-3 Series Modules ...............................................2
Frequency Bands and Oscillators ..............................................................3
Discontinued Products ...............................................................................3
Identifying MT-3 Model Numbers ...............................................................4
Chapter 2: Technical Information ...........................................7
Wide or Narrowband Operation .................................................................7
MT-3 Software ............................................................................................7
Frequency Programming ...........................................................................8
Other Settings and Confi gurations ...........................................................11
Chapter 3: Analog Radio System Confi gurations ................. 13
Simple Repeater Operation .....................................................................13
Complex Repeater Operation ..................................................................14
Multiple Link Repeater Operation (Discontinued) ....................................15
Base Station (or Repeater-Base) Operation ............................................16
Paging System Operation ........................................................................17
Chapter 4: Analog System Block Diagrams ......................... 19
Simple FM Repeater Block Diagram ........................................................ 20
FM Repeater / Base Station Block Diagram ............................................22
Paging Transmitter Block Diagram ..........................................................24
AM Base Station (or AM / FM Cross-band) Block Diagram ..................... 26
Chapter 5: Radio System Components ..............................29
Codan Analog Radio System Components ..............................................29
Subrack ....................................................................................................30
System Regulator ....................................................................................35
Power Amplifi ers ......................................................................................37
Channel Programmer ............................................................................... 38
Tuning and Maintenance Tools ................................................................39
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MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
This document is written as an introduction to Codan MT-3 Analog Radio Systems. The document
assumes the reader is familiar with conventional Two-Way Radio Communications systems.
MODEL NUMBERS
Daniels Electronics Ltd. has manufactured radio systems for more than 60 years. In the early years,
Daniels manufactured AM and SSB radiotelephones for the marine industry, and more recently, the MT
series of radios for mountain top repeaters and base station applications. Codan Radio Communications
continues to manufacture the MT series of Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems.
MT-2
The MT-2 series of radio modules were originally manufactured in the 1980s. This radio series was a
crystal controlled analog radio system capable of wideband (25 KHz) operation. Although systems are
still in operation throughout North America, this series of radio modules was discontinued in the 1990s
and is no longer supported.
MT-3
The MT-3 series of radio modules were originally manufactured in the early 1990s. This radio series
was available with both crystal controlled and synthesized analog radio modules capable of wideband
(25 KHz) or narrowband (12.5 KHz) operation. The MT-3 radio modules were discontinued in 2006,
with the exception of the VHF Lowband and VHF AM products.
Chapter 1: Introduction Page 1
USER GUIDE | MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS
MT-4
The MT-4 series of radio modules entered production during 2001. This radio series is the P25
compliant digital narrowband radio system, capable of analog (wideband and narrowband) or P25
digital operation. For more information on the MT-4 series of radios, see the MT-4R and MT-4D P25
Digital and Analog Radio Systems User Guide or Codan MT-4E Analog and P25 Digital Radio Systems
User Guide.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MT-3 SERIES MODULES
The MT-3 series of modules were designed and manufactured with three different oscillators in the
transmitter and receiver modules.
CRYSTAL
Crystal modules use a fundamental crystal in an oscillator circuit to determine the operating frequency
of the oscillator. To maintain high frequency stability, the crystal oscillator has an on-board digital circuit
board which provides temperature compensation information for each individual crystal element. To
change the transmitter or receiver operating frequency, a new crystal oscillator assembly must be
purchased. The crystal module was discontinued in the transmitter modules in 1995 and in the receiver
modules in 2005. The crystal receiver had a current draw of less than 50 mA.
LOW CURRENT SYNTHESIZED
The Low Current Synthesized modules select the operating frequency in standard channel increments
that are programmed into the synthesizer. The synthesizer uses a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
to generate RF frequencies. To maintain high frequency stability, the VCO is locked to a frequency
reference (either an internal TCXO, or an external reference) by use of a Phase Locked Loop (PLL)
circuit. The VHF (150 MHz) and UHF (400 MHz) low current synthesized transmitter module was
discontinued in 1995. The 800 MHz and 900 MHz transmitter use the low current synthesizer. The
low current synthesized receiver module had a current draw of less than 100 mA and was typically
recommended for solar sites. The low current synthesizer was discontinued in 2006.
ENHANCED SYNTHESIZED
The Enhanced Synthesized modules operate with higher performance specifi cations and higher
current draw than the Low Current Synthesized modules. The enhanced synthesizer circuitry is
distributed between two printed circuit boards which are physically isolated from each other. This
eliminates the electrical noise between the digital and analog circuitry in the oscillator. The boards
are interconnected via photo-logic optical transceivers. The VHF (40 MHz), VHF (150 MHz) and UHF
(400 MHz) transmitters all operate with enhanced synthesizers. The enhanced receiver has a current
draw of approximately 400 mA and is typically recommended for AC powered sites. The enhanced
synthesized receiver module is manufactured with an accompanied enhanced front end that has a
higher L.O. injection than the standard low current front end.
The local oscillators that are used in the MT-3 receiver and transmitter modules can be determined by
the frequency bands of those modules.
Chapter 1: IntroductionPage 2
MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
FREQUENCY BANDS AND OSCILLATORS
MT-3 analog radio systems were manufactured in a wide range of frequency bands. Table 1-1 shows
the frequency bands and the local oscillators that were available for the receiver and transmitter
modules in those bands.
Table 1-1: Frequency Bands and Local Oscillators
Band Frequency Transmitter Receiver
VHF Lowband 29 – 50 MHz Enhanced Enhanced
VHF Highband 136– 174 MHz Enhanced or Low Current
or Crystal
UHF 400 MHz 406 – 430 MHz and
450 – 470 MHz
UHF 800 MHz 806 – 824 MHz and
851 – 869 MHz
UHF 900 MHz 896 – 902 MHz and
928 – 960 MHz
VHF AM 118 – 137 MHz Enhanced Enhanced
Enhanced or Low Current
or Crystal
Low Current Low Current
Low Current Low Current
Enhanced or Low Current
or Crystal
Enhanced or Low Current
or Crystal
DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS
In 2006, the MT-3 VHF Highband, UHF 400 MHz, UHF 800 MHz and UHF 900 MHz radio modules
were discontinued. The MT-4E series of radio modules supersedes the MT-3 series. The MT-4E
product line is available with an “analog only” fi rmware version for customers that do not require P25
compliance. The MT-3 VHF Lowband and VHF AM products are still available.
Chapter 1: Introduction Page 3
USER GUIDE | MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS
IDENTIFYING MT-3 MODEL NUMBERS
Being able to identify the MT-3 module that you have is critical for understanding the capabilities and
operation of the equipment, such as frequency band, wideband or narrowband, and local oscillator
type. The model number of the MT-3 receiver or transmitter can be found on the bottom of the front
panel of the receiver or transmitter module as shown in Figure 1-1. Figure 1-2 and 1-3 show the
breakdown of the receiver and transmitter model numbers.
Figure 1-1: Model Number Location
RECEIVER
FREQUENCY (MHz)
REFERENCE
INPUT
MADE IN CANADA
MODEL # CODE
SQ . DI SAB LE
NORMO
FF
RF NI
Model Number
TRANSMITTER
FREQUENCY (MHz)
REFERENCE
INPUT
TX
NORM
OFF
KEY TX
MIC
MADE IN CANADA
MODEL # CODE
RF OUT
Chapter 1: IntroductionPage 4
MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
MT-3 FM AND AM RECEIVERS
EXAMPLE: UR-3/420-SNC200
MT-3 UHF low current synthesized Receiver, (406-430 MHz),
12.5 KHz channel width, no added options
Bands:
V = VHF
U = UHF
Modulation:
/ = FM (Low Current)
H = FM (Enhanced)
A = AM (Air - Gnd)
Range Within Band:
VHF/040:
035 = 029 - 038 MHz
045 = 038 - 050 MHz
VHF/130 (AM):
130 = 118 - 137 MHz
Figure 1-2: Receiver Model Numbers
Example: VT-3/160-SNC800
MT-3 VHF Transmitter, (150-174 MHz), 12.5 KHz channel width
8 Watts, no added options
U R - 3 / 420 - S N C 2 00
Oscillator Type:
S = Synthesized
(Low Current
or Enhanced)
C = Crystalized
(Low Current)
VHF/150:
140 = 132 - 150 MHz
160 = 150 - 174 MHz
UHF/400:
420 = 406 - 430 MHz
460 = 450 - 470 MHz
MT-3 FM AND AM TRANSMITTERS
Channel
Bandwidth:
W = 25 KHz
N = 12.5 KHz
Y = AM
UHF/800:
815 = 806 - 824 MHz (W only)
860 = 851 - 869 MHz (W only)
UHF/900:
900 = 896 - 902 MHz
930 = 928 - 935 MHz
950 = 935 - 960 MHz
Options:
00 = None (Standard)
10 = AM FP freq. select
11 = AM, no FP freq. select
Bands:
V = VHF
U = UHF
Modulation:
/ = FM (Enhanced
where available)
H = FM (Enhanced
VHF/040 only)
A = AM (Enhanced)
Range Within Band:
VHF/040:
035 = 029 - 038 MHz
045 = 038 - 050 MHz
VHF/130 (AM):
130 = 118 - 137 MHz
VHF/150:
140 = 132 - 150 MHz
160 = 150 - 174 MHz
Figure 1-3: Transmitter Model Numbers
V T - 3 / 160 - S N C 8 00
Occupied
Oscillator Type:
S = Synthesized
C = Crystal
UHF/400:
420 = 406 - 430 MHz
460 = 450 - 470 MHz
UHF/800:
815 = 806 - 824 MHz (W only)
860 = 851 - 869 MHz (W only)
UHF/900:
930 = 928 - 935 MHz
950 = 935 - 960 MHz
Channel
Width:
W = 25 KHz
N = 12.5 KHz
Y = AM
RF Power Output:
VHF/040:
3 = 3 Watts
VHF/130 (AM):
4 = 3 Watts
VHF/150:
8 = 8 Watts
Options:
00 = None (Standard)
10 = AM FP freq. select
11 = AM, no FP freq. select
UHF/400:
2 = 2 Watts
8 = 8 Watts
UHF/800:
3 = 3 Watts
UHF/900:
3 = 3 Watts
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Chapter 1: IntroductionPage 6
CHAPTER 2: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
WIDE OR NARROWBAND OPERATION
MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE
VHF and UHF receivers and transmitters were available in both wideband (25 KHz) and narrowband
(12.5 KHz) bandwidths. Receiver modules that have been ordered as wideband can be converted
to narrowband using a narrowband modifi cation kit. The conversion from wideband to narrowband
requires replacing crystal fi lters, shields and a number of surface mount components. Transmitter
modules can be converted to narrowband by re-tuning deviation levels and typically component
replacement is not required. It is usually recommended that the transmitter and receiver modules be
returned to the factory for this conversion.
MT-3 SOFTWARE
MT-3 radio equipment does not use any software programming. Frequency selection, level adjustments,
bandwidths, power outputs, etc. are all hardware programmable through variable resistors, capacitors,
inductors, switches, and in some cases, parts selection.
Chapter 2: Technical Information Page 7
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