GME TX4600 User Manual

0 (0)

Ingress protected 5 watt UHF CB radio

I N S T R U C T I O N M A N U A L

TX4600

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

1

 

 

 

CONTENTS

IMPORTANT INFORMATION.........................................

3

SAFETY INFORMATION................................................

3

EMERGENCY CHANNELS.............................................

3

TELEMETRY CHANNELS...............................................

3

FEATURES ...................................................................

4

CONTROLS..................................................................

5

Front Panel............................................................

5

LCD Display...........................................................

5

Microphone...........................................................

5

GENERAL OPERATION.................................................

6

Function Key .........................................................

6

Volume On/Off ......................................................

6

Selecting Channels ................................................

6

Transmitting ..........................................................

6

Squelch Control.....................................................

6

Squelch Sensitivity.................................................

6

Priority Channel.....................................................

7

Duplex Operation ..................................................

7

CTCSS.........................................................................

7

Overview...............................................................

7

Monitoring the Channel........................................

7

Selecting the Tone Set ...........................................

7

Selecting the Required CTCSS Tone........................

7

Enabling CTCSS on a Channel................................

7

Disabling CTCSS on a Channel...............................

8

SCANNING .................................................................

8

Overview...............................................................

8

Scan Groups..........................................................

8

Selecting the Scan Group.......................................

8

Programming Scan Channels .................................

8

To Start Scanning ..................................................

9

To Stop Scanning...................................................

9

OPEN SCAN MODE .....................................................

9

Using Scan in the Open Scan Mode .......................

9

GROUP SCAN MODE...................................................

9

Setting Up the Group Scan ..................................

10

Scanning in the Group Scan Mode .......................

10

Using Two Group Scan or Two Open Scan Modes .10

SELECTIVE CALLING..................................................

11

Overview.............................................................

11

SelCall Identification Number...............................

11

SelCall Indent Names ..........................................

11

The Quiet Mode (Q).............................................

11

SelCall Memories.................................................

12

USING SELCALL ........................................................

12

Entering a SelCall Indent .....................................

12

Sending a SelCall ................................................

12

Call Acknowledge................................................

12

Storing SelCall Indents.........................................

12

Recalling SelCall Indents From Memory................

13

Naming Your SelCall Indents................................

13

Displaying Alpha Names ......................................

13

Entering and Storing a SelCall Name....................

13

Receiving SelCalls................................................

14

Cancelling the SelCall Alert..................................

14

Quiet Mode.........................................................

15

Setting Up the Quiet Mode..................................

15

Activating the Quiet Mode...................................

15

De-activating the Quiet Mode..............................

15

Receiving Signals in the Quiet Mode ....................

15

Scanning in the Quiet Mode ................................

16

To Scan in the Quiet Mode ..................................

16

Receiving Signals while Scanning in the Quiet Mode 16

GROUP CALLING.......................................................

16

Programming and Sending Group Calls................

17

LISTENING CHANNELS ..............................................

17

Setting the Frequency Steps.................................

18

Activating Listening Channels ..............................

18

Programming the Frequencies..............................

18

Setting Alpha Labels for your Listening Channels..

18

SEEK MODE ..............................................................

19

Enabling the Seek Mode......................................

19

Scanning for Active Frequencies in Seek Mode .....

19

Setting Seek Mode Frequency Limits ....................

19

MENU SETTINGS.......................................................

20

Overview.............................................................

20

Frequency / Alpha Adjustments ............................

21

Setting the Squelch Sensitivity .............................

21

Selecting the Scan Mode .....................................

21

Selecting Duplex..................................................

22

CTCSS Tones .......................................................

22

Lamp Colour .......................................................

23

Battery / S Metre / Alpha Selection.......................

23

LCD Contrast.......................................................

24

Beep Tone Level ..................................................

24

INSTALLATION ..........................................................

24

General...............................................................

24

Installing the Unit................................................

25

DC Connections ..................................................

25

Antenna Installation............................................

26

Noise Suppression...............................................

26

Disconnecting the Microphone.............................

26

UHF CB OPERATING FREQUENCIES ...........................

27

CTCSS TONE FREQUENCY CHART..............................

28

SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................

29

SC CONTRACT WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS..........

30

PAGE 2

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TX4600

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CONCERNING UHF CB RADIO

The use of the Citizen Band radio service is licensed in Australia by the ACMA Radio

communications (Citizens Band Radio Stations) Class Licence and in New Zealand by the Ministry of Economic Development New Zealand (MED). A General User Radio Licence for Citizens Band radio and operation is subject to conditions contained in those licences.

The class licence for users and equipment operating in the CB/PRS 477 MHz band has been amended. This radio meets the new 80 channel standard.

In simple terms the same amount of spectrum is available; however, radio transceivers can now operate in a narrower bandwidth and hence use less spectrum. These radios are generally referred to as narrowband or 12.5 kHz radios. By using 12.5 kHz channel spacing instead of 25 kHz, the 40 channels originally allocated can now be expanded to 80 channels thereby doubling the channel capacity and relieving congestion in the UHF CB/PRS band.

Original 40 channel wideband Radios will continue to operate on the original 40 channels, however they will not be able to converse on the newer channels 41 – 80. The newer narrowband radios will be able to converse with all older 40 channel wideband radios on all channels 1 to 40 as well as the newer channels allocated from 41 to 80.

The mixing of narrowband and wideband radios in the same spectrum can cause some possible operating issues of interference and varying levels of received volume.

SAFETY INFORMATION

The TX4600 is a radio transmitting device.

When transmitting, keep the antenna more than 25 mm from any part of the head

or body.

Do not transmit near electrical blasting equipment or in explosive atmospheres.

Do not allow children to operate a radio transmitter unsupervised.

POSSIBLE ISSUES

When a new narrowband radio receives a transmission from an older wideband radio the speech may sound loud and distorted - simply adjust the radio volume for best performance.

When an older wideband radio receives a signal from a new narrowband radio, it may sound quiet - simply adjust your volume for best performance.

There can be interference from a transmitting radio if it is close to another transmitting radio using a channel adjacent to the channel you are listening to. Simply try going up or down a few channels from the currently selected channel.

The above situations are not a fault of the radio but a symptom of operating wideband and narrowband radios in the same bandwidth. This possible interference will decrease over time as the population of wideband radios ages and decreases.

Further information and updates are available from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at www.acma.gov.au and the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Radio Spectrum Management at: www.rsm.govt.nz

EMERGENCY CHANNELS

The ACMA has allocated channels 5/35 for emergency use only. Channel 5 is the primary Simplex Emergency Channel.Where a Channel 5 repeater is available, you should select Duplex on CH 5.

NOTE: Channel 35 is the input channel for the Channel 5 repeater therefore Channel 35

should also not be used for anything other than emergency transmissions.

TELEMETRY CHANNELS

ACMA regulations have allocated channels 22 and 23 for telemetry only applications and have prohibited the transmission of speech on

these channels. Consequently the TX4600 has a transmit inhibit applied to channels 22 and 23.

In the event additional telemetry/telecomand channels are approved by the ACMA, these channels shall be added to those currently listed where voice transmission is inhibited. Currently transmissions on channels 61, 62 and 63 are also inhibited and these channels are reserved for future allocation.

T X 4 6 0 0

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

PAGE 3

FEATURES

TRANSMIT (TX)

Individually Programmable DUPLEX function: User selectable for only those individual channels in your area that have repeaters, leaving the others free for use as extra simplex channels.

RECEIVE (RX)

User Programmable Receive-Only Channels: Use the TX4600’s front panel controls to program up to 19 of your own receive-only channels in the 403-520 MHz frequency range.

Preset Squelch Control with user-selectable sensitivity.

SCANNING AND MEMORY FUNCTIONS

Microprocessor Controlled Frequency Synthesiser: Allows user programmable control of scanning, channel memories and selected feature options.

Frequency Seek Function: With Band Edge Selection.

Programmable Scan Function: Scans the programmable UHF CB channels with both Group and Open scan functions available.

Priority Channel: A user programmable Priority Channel feature allows your working or local repeater channel to be instantly recalled at the press of a button.

PRIVACY FUNCTIONS

In-Built Selcall: Selective Calling with five digit ANI and fully user-adjustable 5 tone transmitted SelCall Ident. Also allows naming of Idents for easier caller identification.

Unique Page (Transpond) mode: Allows you to transfer an incoming SelCall to another radio if your radio is unattended.

Quiet Mode: Selectable on individual channels, Quiet mode prevents incoming signals from being heard on selected channels unless preceded by your SelCall code.

CTCSS: A built-in Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System option provides quiet channel operation.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Overvoltage Protection: Special overvoltage detection circuitry protects the radio and warns of excessive voltage conditions by flashing the display.

Front Facing Speaker: Projects the sound forward for greater clarity.

Water & Dust proof IP67: Provides protection against dust and temporary immersion in water.

USER CONTROLS AND INTERFACE

Large High Contrast Liquid Crystal Display: Fully detailed LCD provides a visual indication of the selected channel and all selected functions at a glance. Backlit for viewing at night.

Feature Disabling Function: Allows Scanning, Squelch, Duplex, Priority, Channel selection and CTCSS features to be enabled or disabled to make the radio simpler to operate.

PAGE 4

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TX4600

GME TX4600 User Manual

CONTROLS

FRONT PANEL

(Dim) Channel Down

(Bright) Channel Up

LCD Display

Volume On/Off

TX4600

 

 

 

 

OFF .

 

MENU

SCAN

PRI

SQL

 

 

F

DIM

QUIET

ALPHA

 

Speaker

Menu

Scan

Priority

Squelch

Microphone

 

FUNCTION

DIM

QUIET

ALPHA

Socket

LCD DISPLAY

 

 

 

 

 

Channel Number

 

 

 

 

Channel in

Transmit

 

 

 

 

Memory

 

 

 

 

Indicator

Indicator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy

 

 

 

 

QUIET Mode

Indicator

 

 

 

 

QUIET Tag

Scan Indicator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CTCSS

Duplex

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicator

indicator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SelCall

CALLTO

 

 

 

Alpha Numeric

CALL FROM

 

 

 

Call Mode

 

 

 

Display

 

 

 

 

MICROPHONE

 

 

 

 

Call/Skip

 

 

 

 

 

 

Channel Down

 

 

 

Channel Up

 

Push To Talk

 

 

 

 

 

PPT

 

 

 

 

Priority

T X 4 6 0 0

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

PAGE 5

GENERAL OPERATION

FUNCTION KEY

The four keys beneath the TX4600’s display have both primary and secondary functions. Their primary functions are printed in Black while their secondary functions are printed in Red.

To access the primary functions

Simply press the required key. eg. To control the Squelch, briefly press the SQL key.

To access the secondary functions

Press the F key followed immediately by the required key. Eg. To Dim the display, briefly press the F key (‘F’ is displayed), then press the DIM key. The display will dim.

NOTE: If the secondary key is not pressed within 10 seconds the F key selection will be cancelled.

VOLUME ON/OFF

Rotate the volume control clockwise past the ‘click’ to turn the TX4600 on. Continue to advance the control clockwise to increase the volume. Rotate the control counterclockwise to turn the radio off.

NOTE: At minimum volume setting there is still sufficient volume to be heard in a quiet cabin environment.

SELECTING CHANNELS

Briefly press the Channel key to step upwards one channel or the Channel key to step downwards one channel. A high beep will be heard at each press.

Press and hold the or key for 1.5 seconds to scroll quickly upwards or downwards through the channels at a rate of 10 channels per second. When the key is released channel scrolling stops.

TRANSMITTING

Prior to transmitting, always check the channel is not being used. This can be done by either listening or by checking the ‘Busy’ indicator is not lit.

To transmit, press the PTT (Push-to-Talk) button on the microphone. Hold the microphone about 5-8 cm from your face and speak at a normal voice level. The microphone is quite sensitive so it is not necessary to raise your voice or shout. Release the PTT when you have finished talking.

SQUELCH CONTROL.

The Squelch control is used to eliminate the background noise when there are no signals present. The TX4600 features a preset Squelch system. The Squelch sensitivity has been factory set to provide optimum performance in most environments, however the sensitivity can be altered by the user if required, to suit varying environmental situations.

The Squelch can be opened or closed with the SQL key. When the Squelch is open, the receiver’s background noise can be heard and ‘BUSY’

is displayed. When the Squelch is closed, the receiver remains quiet when there are no signals present but an incoming signal will override the squelch and be heard in the speaker.

To open the Squelch

Briefly press the SQL key. A low beep will be heard. If there are no signals present you will hear the receiver’s background noise.

To close the Squelch

Briefly press the SQL key again. A high beep will be heard and the receiver will become quiet.

NOTE: If an incoming signal is very weak and is close to the minimum squelch level, it may become broken or ‘chopped’ by the squelch action. To prevent this, simply open the Squelch to allow the signal to be heard

clearly. Alternatively you can reduce the Squelch sensitivity as described below.

SQUELCH SENSITIVITY

The sensitivity of the Squelch to incoming signals can be set to suit your operating environment. For example, excessively noisy environments may cause the squelch to open on local noise. The TX4600 has ten preset Squelch sensitivity settings that can be selected using the MENU function.

PAGE 6

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TX4600

To adjust the preset Squelch sensitivity

Please refer to the MENU settings on page 21.

PRIORITY CHANNEL

The Priority Channel feature allows you to store one of the channels as a Priority Channel that can be instantly recalled at the press of a key. This can be used to provide instant access to your working channel or your local repeater channel.

To store a Priority Channel

1.Select the required channel.

2.Press and hold the PRI key until a high beep is heard. The selected channel will be stored.

To recall a Priority Channel

Briefly press the PRI key. The radio will switch straight to the selected Priority Channel. Any active functions (such as Scanning or Quiet) will be cancelled.

DUPLEX OPERATION

Duplex operation allows the radio to transmit on a different frequency to that which is receives. This allows operation through local repeater stations. These repeater stations automatically re-transmit your signal over a wider area, providing greatly increased range.

Duplex operation is only available on channels 1-8 and 41-48. When duplex is selected on these channels, the radio receives on that channel but actually transmits 30 channels higher.

To select Duplex operation please refer to the MENU settings on Page 22.

CTCSS

OVERVIEW

CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) is a squelch quieting system that allows several groups of users to share the same channel without disturbing each other. It uses a preset sub-audible (very low frequency) tone to open and close the squelch on your radio. There are up to 50 tones available in two optional tone sets. The system applies a continuous low-level tone

to your transmission and uses a matching tone decoder to control your receiver’s squelch. With CTCSS enabled, the channel remains quiet to all incoming signals unless they carry the correct tone. When a transmission with the correct tone is received, the squelch opens and remains open for as long as the signal is present. When the transmission ends, the channel becomes quiet again. Transmissions that do not use the correct tone will not be heard.

The TX4600 allows CTCSS to be enabled or disabled on individual channels.

NOTE: The CTCSS tone you select will be used for all CTCSS enabled channels in your radio.

MONITORING THE CHANNEL

It is useful to be able to temporarily open your radio’s squelch to allow you to listen for signals from other CTCSS users outside your group. Because their CTCSS tone is different to yours, your squelch would normally remain closed, preventing you from hearing them. You can use the SQL key to open the squelch and listen to the channel to check that it is clear before transmitting. This will help prevent you from

accidentally transmitting over the top of someone.

To monitor the Channel

Press the SQL key. If there are no signals present, you will hear the usual hiss of an empty channel. Press the SQL key again to restore the Squelch to its previous setting.

SELECTING THE TONE SET

There are two standard tones sets available, one comprising 50 tones and the other comprising 38 tones. Both tone sets are included in the TX4600 to provide compatibility with other GME radio systems.

SELECTING THE REQUIRED CTCSS TONE

To preselect the CTCSS tone on your radio, please refer to the MENU settings on page 22.

ENABLING CTCSS ON A CHANNEL

If a CTCSS tone has been selected, it can be enabled on individual channels.

T X 4 6 0 0

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

PAGE 7

1. Press the

or

keys to select the required

channel.

 

 

2.Press and hold the SQL key. A high beep will be heardand ‘SILENT’ will appear on the display.

You may activate CTCSS on as many channels as you wish except channel 5/35 which is designated for emergency use.

DISABLING CTCSS ON A CHANNEL

Repeat steps 1 and 2 above. A low beep will be heard and ‘SILENT’ will disappear.

NOTE: You will not be able to activate CTCSS if the CTCSS tone is set to ‘oF’.

SCANNING

OVERVIEW

The TX4600 has a SCAN function that allows groups of user programmable channels to be scanned for signals. Channels can be scanned at 20 channels per second. When a signal is found, scanning will pause on that channel to allow the signal to be heard, then resume scanning when the channel is clear again.

SCAN GROUPS

The TX4600 features two scan groups - Open Scan and Group Scan.

Open Scan

Allows any of the installed channels to be scanned for activity. If a busy channel is found, scanning will pause to allow the signal to be heard. Once the channel has been clear for 5 seconds, scanning will resume automatically.

eg: Scanning channels 1 - 8 in Open Scan

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Group Scan

Also allows any of the installed channels to be scanned for activity, but in addition, it also inserts your Priority channel into the scan sequence. This means that your Priority channel will be monitored regularly while scanning to ensure that no calls are missed. Any signals received on your Priority channel will take precedence over any signals received on the other channels.

1 2 3 4 20 5 6 7 8 20

eg: Scanning channels 1 - 8 with Priority channel 20 in Group Scan.

SELECTING A SCAN GROUP

To preselect a Scan Group

The radio is initially set to Open Scan Mode. Please refer to the MENU settings on page 21 to change the Scan Group.

PROGRAMMING SCAN CHANNELS

Your TX4600 is supplied with all 80 UHF CB channels programmed into the Open Scan memory. Any channels not needed, can be removed if required. The Group Scan memory is empty by default and you will need to add channels to it before use.

To add or remove Channels from either Scan Memory

1.Ensure that the radio is not already scanning. If it is, briefly press the SCAN key to cancel the scan function.

2.Ensure you have the required scan group preselected (See MENU settings on page 21).

3.Select the required channel using the or

keys.

If ‘M’ is visible to the right of the channel number, the selected channel is already in the scan memory. It can be removed by holding the SCAN key in for a few seconds until a

PAGE 8

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TX4600

low beep is heard. ‘M’ will then disappear indicating the channel is no longer in memory

If ‘M’ is not visible, then the selected channel is not in the memory. To add it, hold the SCAN key in for a few seconds until a high beep is heard. ‘M’ will now appear.

4.Repeat step 3 to add or remove other channels in the scan memory.

TO START SCANNING

To begin scanning, briefly press the SCAN key. A high beep will be heard, ‘SCAN’ will appear in the display and the radio will begin scanning. In addition the selected scan group will be displayed below the channel number.

NOTE: If there is only one channel programmed into the Open Scan memory or none in the Group Scan memory, a long low beep will be heard when you press the SCAN key and the command will be ignored.

TO STOP SCANNING

To cancel the Scan, briefly press the SCAN key. A low beep will be heard and ‘SCAN’ will disappear from the display.

OPEN SCAN MODE

USING SCAN IN THE OPEN SCAN MODE

If a busy channel is found, scanning will pause on that channel to allow the signal to be heard and will remain there for as long as the channel remains busy. Once the channel has been clear for 5 seconds, scanning will resume automatically.

If your radio pauses on a busy channel and you don’t wish to listen to that conversation, briefly press the SKIP button on the microphone (or one of the channel selector keys). The radio will skip over that channel and resume scanning from the next channel in the sequence.

If your radio is paused on a busy channel and you wish to remain there, briefly press the SCAN key. The radio will exit the Scan mode and remain on the busy channel.

To transmit while paused on a busy channel, simply press the PTT button. The radio will exit the Scan mode and remain on the busy channel. You can now converse on that channel in the usual way. When you have finished your conversation, briefly press the SCAN key to resume scanning.

If your radio is scanning and you need to use your Priority channel (for an urgent call or an emergency), briefly press the PRI key. The Scan mode will be cancelled and the radio will jump straight to the Priority channel.

NOTE: In the Open Scan mode your TX4600 will not allow you to transmit while it is scanning. If the PTT button is pressed while scanning, the radio will give a low beep and will ignore the command. Your radio will only transmit while it is paused on a busy channel.

GROUP SCAN MODE

Group Scan allows you to transmit and receive normally on your priority (working) channel, while continuing to scan several other channels. The receiver will scan the other channels ONLY

WHILE THERE ARE NO SIGNALS ON THE PRIORITY CHANNEL.

If a signal appears on the Priority channel it will override any signals being received on any of the other channels. In addition, if you press the PTT button at any time, the radio will transmit on the priority channel in the usual way.

T X 4 6 0 0

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

PAGE 9

SETTING UP THE GROUP SCAN

Referring to the appropriate sections of this manual:

1.Preselect the Group Scan mode (see MENU settings on page 21).

2 . Store your preferred working channel into the Priority channel memory (see ‘Priority Channel’).

3.Program the required ‘other’ channels into your Group Scan memory (see ‘Programming Scan Channels’).

SCANNING IN THE GROUP SCAN MODE

To scan in the Group Scan mode, briefly press the SCAN key. A high beep will be heard, ‘SCAN’ will appear in the display and the radio will begin scanning.

NOTE: If there are no channels programmed in the Group Scan memory when you press the SCAN key (or there is only one channel programmed and it is the same as the Priority channel), a low beep will be heard and the command will be ignored.

When scanning, the TX4600 scans all the channels programmed into the Group Scan memory, with the Priority channel being scanned after every fourth channel (Dealer programmable option, if you require different timing for your priority channel, please contact your dealer).

If a signal appears on the priority channel - at any time - the receiver will switch straight to the Priority channel and will stay there for as long as the channel is busy. During this time you can transmit on the priority channel in the usual way. Once there has been no activity for 5 seconds, the radio will resume scanning the other channels.

If a signal appears on one of the other channels, scanning will pause on that channel and will remain there while the channel is busy, as long as there are no signals on the priority channel. During this time the receiver

will continue to check the priority channel for signals every 2 seconds, resulting in a series of small ‘breaks’ in the reception of the paused channel. Once there has been no activity

on any channel for 5 seconds, the radio will resume scanning.

If your radio pauses on a busy channel and you don’t wish to listen to that conversation, briefly press the SKIP button on the microphone (or one of the channel selector keys). The radio will skip over that channel and resume scanning from the next channel in the sequence.

If your radio is paused on a busy channel and you wish to remain there, briefly press the SCAN key. The radio will exit the Scan mode and remain on the busy channel. Note that the radio will no longer be monitoring the Priority channel (unless it is the same as the busy channel). To resume scanning, press the SCAN key again.

To transmit on a scanned channel, press the

PTT button while the radio is paused on that channel, then talk in the usual way. The radio will resume scanning when you have finished your conversation and there has been no further activity on the channel for 5 seconds.

To transmit on the priority (working) channel

AT ANY TIME, simply press the PTT button while the radio is scanning. The radio will switch straight to the priority channel. When you have finished your conversation and there has been no further activity on the priority channel for 5 seconds, the radio will resume scanning the other channels.

To go directly to the Priority channel,briefly press the PRI key. The radio will exit the Scan mode.

USING TWO GROUP SCAN OR TWO OPEN SCAN MODES

If you prefer, the TX4600 can be re-programmed to have two Group Scan modes or two Open Scan modes instead of one of each.

For example there may be applications where you have no need to scan the Priority channel and

PAGE 10

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TX4600

Loading...
+ 22 hidden pages