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

Document Number:

Revision:

Revision Date:

© 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 signifies 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.

Editorial Revisions:

The result of typing corrections or changes in formatting, grammar or wording.

Three-level revision numbers start at 1-0-0 for the first 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 [e-mail]

Toll Free Canada and USA:

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

International:

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

PRINTED IN CANADA

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 diversified 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 configurations for two way voice and mobile data applications.

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

DANIELS ELECTRONICS IS NOW CODAN RADIO

COMMUNICATIONS

ABOUT CODAN RADIO

COMMUNICATIONS

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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 Specifications
		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 configuring and
		testing Codan MT-3 radios using either an IFR 1200 or IFR COM-
		120 Service Monitor by Aeroflex.
		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.

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MT-3 ANALOG RADIO SYSTEMS | USER GUIDE

Contents
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 Configurations...........................................................	11
Chapter 3: Analog Radio System Configurations.................	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 Amplifiers ......................................................................................	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.

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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 specifications 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.

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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	Enhanced or Low Current
		or Crystal	or Crystal
UHF 400 MHz	406 – 430 MHz and	Enhanced or Low Current	Enhanced or Low Current
	450 – 470 MHz	or Crystal	or Crystal
UHF 800 MHz	806 – 824 MHz and	Low Current	Low Current
	851 – 869 MHz
UHF 900 MHz	896 – 902 MHz and	Low Current	Low Current
	928 – 960 MHz
VHF AM	118 – 137 MHz	Enhanced	Enhanced

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” firmware version for customers that do not require P25 compliance. The MT-3 VHF Lowband and VHF AM products are still available.

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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.

RECEIVER

FREQUENCY (MHz)

SQ. DISABL E

NORM

OFF

RF IN

REFERENCE

INPUT

MADE IN CANADA

MODEL # CODE

TRANSMITTER

FREQUENCY (MHz)

TX

NORM

OFF

KEY TX

MIC

RF OUT

REFERENCE

INPUT

MADE IN CANADA

MODEL # CODE

Model Number

Figure 1-1: Model Number Location

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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

U

R - 3

/

420

-

S

N

C

2

00

Bands:

V = VHF

U = UHF

Oscillator Type:

Channel

Modulation:

S = Synthesized

Bandwidth:

Options:

/ = FM (Low Current)

(Low Current

W = 25 KHz

00 = None (Standard)

H = FM (Enhanced)

or Enhanced)

10 = AM FP freq. select

N = 12.5 KHz

A = AM (Air - Gnd)

C = Crystalized

11 = AM, no FP freq. select

Y = AM

(Low Current)

Range Within Band:

VHF/040:

VHF/150:

UHF/800:

035 = 029 - 038 MHz

140 = 132 - 150 MHz

815

= 806 - 824 MHz (W only)

045 = 038 - 050 MHz

160 = 150 - 174 MHz

860

= 851 - 869 MHz (W only)

VHF/130 (AM):

UHF/400:

UHF/900:

130 = 118 - 137 MHz

420 = 406 - 430 MHz

900

= 896 - 902 MHz

460 = 450 - 470 MHz

930

= 928 - 935 MHz

950

= 935 - 960 MHz

Figure 1-2: Receiver Model Numbers

MT-3 FM AND AM TRANSMITTERS

Example: VT-3/160-SNC800

MT-3 VHF Transmitter, (150-174 MHz), 12.5 KHz channel width 8 Watts, no added options

V

T - 3

/

160

-

S

N

C

8

00

Bands:

V = VHF

U = UHF

Occupied

Modulation:

Oscillator Type:

Channel

Options:

/ = FM (Enhanced

S = Synthesized

Width:

00 = None (Standard)

where available)

W = 25 KHz

10 = AM FP freq. select

H = FM (Enhanced

C = Crystal

11 = AM, no FP freq. select

N = 12.5 KHz

VHF/040 only)

Y = AM

A = AM (Enhanced)

Range Within Band:

RF Power Output:

VHF/040:

UHF/400:

VHF/040:

UHF/400:

3 = 3 Watts

2 = 2 Watts

035 = 029 - 038 MHz

420 = 406 - 430 MHz

VHF/130 (AM):

8 = 8 Watts

045 = 038 - 050 MHz

460 = 450 - 470 MHz

4 = 3 Watts

UHF/800:

VHF/130 (AM):

UHF/800:

VHF/150:

3 = 3 Watts

130 = 118 - 137 MHz

815 = 806 - 824 MHz (W only)

8 = 8 Watts

UHF/900:

VHF/150:

860 = 851 - 869 MHz (W only)

3 = 3 Watts

140 = 132 - 150 MHz

UHF/900:

160 = 150 - 174 MHz

930 = 928 - 935 MHz

950 = 935 - 960 MHz

Figure 1-3: Transmitter Model Numbers

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CHAPTER 2: TECHNICAL INFORMATION

WIDE OR NARROWBAND OPERATION

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 modification kit. The conversion from wideband to narrowband requires replacing crystal filters, 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