Icom IC-A5 User Manual

iA23
iA5

VHF AIR BAND TRANSCEIVER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.Operation is sub­ject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired oper ation.

i

FOREWORD

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely

before using the transceiver.

SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL— This in-

struction manual contains important operating instructions for
the IC-A23/A5.

EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS

The explicit definitions below apply to this instruction manual.

CAUTION

R WARNING! NEVER hold the transceiver so that the

antenna is very close to, or touching exposed par ts of the
body, especially the face or eyes, while transmitting. The
transceiver will perform best if the microphone is 5 to 10 cm
away from the lips and the transceiver is vertical.

R WARNING! NEVER operate the transceiver with a

headset or other audio accessories at high volume levels.
Hearing experts advise against continuous high volume op­eration. If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce the
volume level or discontinue use.

NEVER connect the transceiver to an AC outlet or to a

power source of more than 14 V DC. Such a connection will
damage the transceiver.

NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source that is

DC fused at more than 5 A. Accidental re verse connection will
be protected by this fuse, higher fuse values will not give any
protection against such accidents and the transceiver will be
ruined.

NEVER short the terminals of the battery pack. Also, cur-

rent may flow into nearby metal objects, such as a necklace,

WORD DEFINITION

RWARNING

Personal injury, fire hazard or electric shock
may occur.

CAUTION

Equipment damage may occur.

NOTE

Inconvenience only. No risk of personal
injury, fire or electric shock.

FCC caution: Changes or modifications to this transceiver, not
expressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority to
operate this transceiver under FCC regulations.(U.S.A.only)

ii

etc.Therefore, be careful when carrying with, or placing near
metal objects, carrying in handbags, etc.

DO NOT allow children to play with any radio equipment

containing a transmitter.

DO NOT operate the transceiver near unshielded electrical

blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere.

AVOID using or placing the transceiver in direct sunlight or

in areas with temperatures below –10°C (+14°F) or above
+60°C (+140°F).

The use of non-Icom battery packs/chargers may impair
transceiver performance and invalidate the warranty.

Even when the transceiver power is OFF, a slight current still
flows in the circuits. Remove the battery pack or case from
the transceiver when not using it for a long time. Otherwise,
the battery pack or installed dry cell batteries will become ex­hausted.

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES

Accessories included with the transceiver: Qty.

q Antenna........................................................................... 1

w Belt clip............................................................................ 1

e Handstrap........................................................................ 1

r Battery pack (BP-200L)*.................................................. 1

t Wall charger* .................................................................. 1

•Carrying case (LC-147)* ............................................... 1

•HEADSET ADAPTER (OPC-967)* ............................... 1

* The battery pack, wall charger, HEADSET ADAPTER or carry-

ing case may differ depending on version. Some versions do not
include a battery pack, wall charger, HEADSET ADAPTER or
carrying case.

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FOREWORD .................................................................................... i

EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ................................................................. i

CAUTIONS ....................................................................................... i

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES............................................................. ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................iii

1 ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT .................................................. 1

2 PANEL DESCRIPTION ........................................................ 2–7

■Panel description ............................................................... 2–5

■Function display ................................................................ 6–7

3 BASIC OPERATION .......................................................... 8 –11

■DIAL↔[Y]/[Z] trade function...................................................8

■Setting a frequency ................................................................ 8

■Accessing 121.5 MHz emergency frequency ......................... 8

■Selecting a weather channel................................................... 9

■Setting a squelch level ........................................................... 9

■Side tone function .................................................................. 9

■Beep tone ............................................................................... 9

■Lock function ........................................................................ 10

■Display backlighting ............................................................. 10

■Low battery indicator ............................................................ 10

■REC/PLY of recorded signals/messages ............................. 10

■Receiving ............................................................................. 11

■Transmitting .......................................................................... 11

4 MEMORY OPERATION ................................................... 12 –15

■Memory channel selection ................................................... 12

■Transferring memory contents ............................................. 12

■Programming a memory channel ......................................... 13

■Memory names ............................................................. 14 –15

5 SCAN OPERATION ......................................................... 16– 17

■Scan types ........................................................................... 16

■COM band scan ................................................................... 16

■Memory scan ....................................................................... 16

■Weather channel scan ......................................................... 17

■“TAG”channels ................................................................... 17

6 VOR NAVIGATION (IC-A23 only) .................................... 18– 24

■VOR indications ................................................................... 18

■VOR functions ...................................................................... 19

■Flying to a VOR station ................................................. 20 –21

■Entering a desired course .................................................... 22

■Crosschecking position ................................................. 22 –23

■Duplex operation ................................................................. 24

7 BATTERY PACKS ........................................................... 25– 27

■Charging precautions ........................................................... 25

■Battery pack charging ................................................... 25 –26

■About the battery pack ......................................................... 27

■Battery pack CAUTION ........................................................ 27

8 CLONING ................................................................................ 28

9 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................ 29

10 SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................. 30

11 OPTIONS ......................................................................... 31 –32

(■OPC-967 connection ......................................................... 32)

12 OPERATION GUIDE ....................................................... 33 –34

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

1

ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT

D Antenna
CAUTION:

Transmitting without an antenna may damage

the transceiver.

Insert the supplied antenna into the antenna connector and
screw down the antenna as shown below.

Keep the jack cover attached when jacks are not in use to
avoid bad contacts from dust and moisture.

D Belt clip

Conveniently attaches to your belt.

To attach:

Slide the belt clip into the plastic loop on the back of the bat­tery case/pack.

To remove:

Push the top of the belt clip towards the transceiver and at
the same time, push it downward and free of the plastic loop.

2

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

■ Panel description

e[DIAL]

r[MIC/SP]

w[PTT]

t[ANT]

!0[CLR(DIAL/ÙÚ)]
!1[ANL(REC)]
!2[BANK(PLAY)]

!3[FUNCTION]

!4[MR(MW)]

!5[ENT(WX)]

q[LIGHT]

yDisplay

u[UP/DOWN]
i[SQL(SCAN)]

Tx/Rx
indicator

!6[DIGIT KEYS]

o[PWR]

u

i

!0

!1

!2

!3

!4

!5

o

!6

3

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

q LIGHT [LIGHT] (p.10)

Turns the light for display and keypad ON or OFF.

w PTT SWITCH [PTT] (p.11)

Push and hold to transmit; release to receive.

e TUNING DIAL [DIAL] (p.8)

➥Rotate [DIAL] to select the desired frequency. (default)
➥Rotate [DIAL] to select the BANK number. (default)
➥Rotate [DIAL] to select the memory channel or WX

channel number.(default)

➥Rotate [DIAL] to adjust the audio level.

r EXTERNAL SPEAKER AND MICROPHONE JACKS

[MIC/SP]

Connect an OPC-967

HEADSET ADAPTER or headset, if

desired.

t ANTENNA CONNECTOR [ANT]

Connects the supplied antenna.

y FUNCTION DISPLAY (pgs.6, 7)
u UP/DOWN KEYS [Y]/[Z] (p. 8)

➥Push [Y] to increase the audio level, push [Z] to

decrease the audio level.(default)

➥Push to select the operating channel or fre-

quency.

➥Push to select the BANK number.

i SQUELCH KEY [SQL (SCAN)] (p.9)

➥Push [SQL], then rotate the [DIAL] (or push

[Y]/[Z]) to select the squelch level.

• 24 squelch levels and squelch open (0) are available.

➥Push , then push [SQL] to starts scan func-

tion:
Frequency mode:Frequency scan function.
MEMORY mode:Bank scan or Full memory chan-

nel scan function.

o POWER SWITCH [PWR]

➥Push and hold for 0.5 sec.to turn the power ON

or OFF.
➥While pushing and holding [Y]/[Z] key, push

[PWR] to enter the cloning function mode.

(OPC-

967 must be connected.)

!0 CLR KEY [CLR (DIAL/YZ)] (p. 8)

➥Push , then push [CLR] to exchange the e

tuning Dial function and u UP [Y]/DOWN [Z]

switch function;

- Dial: tuning (default)

- UP[Y]/DOWN[Z]:audio level setting (default)
NOTE: You can adjust the audio level via [DIAL]

and select the frequency, memory channel or
BANK number via UP[Y]/DOWN[Z] keys.

➥Push [CLR] to turn to the frequency mode, when

memory channel, WX channel or 121.5 MHz is

selected.

4

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

!0 CLR KEY [CLR(DIAL/YZ)] (continue)

➥Push [CLR] to cancel the SCAN function.
➥Push [CLR] to cancel the direct frequency enter-

ing with digit key.

➥Push [CLR] to turn the squelch level adjusting

mode OFF.

!1 ANL KEY [ANL (REC)]

➥Push to turn the ANL function ON or OFF.
➥Push , then push [ANL (REC)] to turn the

recording function ON. (p. 10)

- The transceiver records the receiving signal or opera­tors voice message by push and holding [PTT] for 20
sec.

!2 BANK KEY [BANK (PLAY)]

➥Push [BANK] to enter the BANK selection mode

while memory channel is selected, push [CLR]
to exit the BANK selection mode.(p. 12)

➥Push , then push [BANK] to play the

recorded signals.(p. 10)

!3 FUNCTION KEY [F]

Push to call up the function indicator, “”, then
push another key to access its secondary function.

•“ ” appears for 3 sec.after [F] is pushed; at this time
pushing [F] again cancels the indication. (p.6)

NOTE: In general, “”disappears when another key is
pushed to activate a secondary function. However, some
keys which hav e more than one secondary function, (such
as [DUP]), do not cancel “”.In this case, “”disappears
automatically after 3 sec.

!4 MEMORY MODE KEY [MR (MW)] (pgs.12, 13)

➥Push [MR] to call the memory channel mode,

push [CLR] to exit the memory channel mode.

➥Push , then push [MR (MW)] to program the

contents into the memory channels.

➥Push [MR] to program the memory comment

when the memory comment function is enabled.

!5 ENTER KEY [ENT(WX)]

➥Push [ENT] to enter the numeral input. Enters

consecutive zero digits.(p.8)

➥Push , then push [ENT] to enter the weather

channel selection mode.(U.S.A.version only) (p.

9)

•Rx/Tx indicator

➥Lights red during the transmit mode.
➥Lights green during receiving a signal or squelch is

open.

NOTE:Some functions may not be available depending on
version.Please consult your dealer.

5

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

!6 DIGIT KEYS

➥Input the specified digit during frequency input, memory

channel selection, etc.

➥In addition, each key has one or more secondary func-

tions after pushing as follows:

➥Push , then push [0 (121.5)] to select the

121.5 MHz emergency frequency. (p.8)

➥Push , then push [1 (DVOR)] to select the

DVOR display from the CDI display in NAV band.
(p.19)*

1

➥Push , then push [2 (TO)] to change the

course indicator characteristics to “TO”flag in the
DVOR display in NAV band. (p. 19)*

1

➥Corrects the deviation while using “TO”flag.*

1

➥Push , then push [3 (FROM)] to change the

course indicator characteristics to “FROM” flag
in the DVOR display in NAV band. (p. 19)*

1

➥Corrects the deviation while using “FROM”flag.

*

1

➥Push , then push [4 (CDI)] to select the CDI

display from the CDI display in NAV band. (p.

19)*

1

➥Push , then push [5 (DUP-W)] to set the du-

plex frequency in NAV band. (p.22)*

1

➥Push , then push [6 (DUP)] to turn the du-

plex function ON and OFF in NAV band. (p.

22)*

1

➥Push , then push [7 (KEY LOCK)] to turn

the key lock function ON and OFF. (p.10)

➥Push , then push [8 (BEEP)] to turn the

beep tone adjusting mode ON.

• Adjustable level;0 to 9 (p.9)

➥Push , then push [9 (TAG)] to set the dis-

played memory or weather channel as a “TAG”
channel. (p.17)

*

1

These functions available on the IC-A23 only.

6

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

■ Function display (COM)

q FUNCTION INDICATOR (p.4)

Appears when is pushed.

w ANL INDICATOR (p.4)

Appears while the ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) function
is in use.

e LOCK INDICATOR (p.10)

➥Appears while the lock function is in use.

r DUPLEX INDICATOR (IC-A23 only) (p.22)

➥“DUP” appears when the duplex function is activated in

NAV mode.

➥“DUP” blinks while setting the duplex frequency.

t LOW BATTERY INDICATOR (p.10)

➥Appears when the battery is nearing exhaustion.The at-

tached battery pack requires recharging.

➥Appears and flashes when battery replacement is nec-

essary.

y RECORD INDICATOR (p.10)

➥”REC” blinks while the internal recorder is recording the

signal.

u PLAY INDICATOR (p.10)

➥“PLAY” appears during play back of the recorded signal.

i TAG CHANNEL INDICATOR (p.17)

➥“TAG” appears when the memory channel is set as a

TAG channel.

o MEMORY CHANNEL INDICATOR (p. 12)

➥Shows the memory channel number.

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!0

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7

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

!0 MEMORY BANK NUMBER INDICATOR (p. 12)

Shows the selected memory bank number.

!1 FREQUENCY DISPLAY (p.8)

➥Shows the operating frequency.
➥Shows the channel name when the memory name func-

tion is selected.

!2 COURSE INDICATORS (IC-A23 only) (p.19)

➥Indicates where your aircraft is located on a VOR radial

in DVOR mode.

➥Indicates where your desired course is located on a

VOR radial in CDI mode.

!3 TO-FROM INDICATOR (IC-A23 only) (p.19)

➥Indicates whether the VOR navigation information is

based on a course leading to the VOR station or lead­ing away from the VOR station.

!4 COURSE DEVIATION NEEDLES (IC-A23 only) (p.22)

➥Indicates the deviation between the desired course and

your actual flying course every 2 degrees.

!5 OVERFLOW INDICATOR (IC-A23 only) (p.22)

➥Appears when the deviation between the desired course

and flying course is over 10 degrees.

!5



!4

!3!2

■ Function display (COM/NAV)

8

3

BASIC OPERATION

■ DIAL↔[Y]/[Z] trade function

The transceiver is equipped [DIAL]↔[Y]/[Z] keys tr ade func­tion. Push then push [CLR (DIAL/YZ)] to trade each
function.

Default setting:

DIAL: •Setting the frequency, •Selecting the memory chan-

nel, •Selecting the bank number

YZ keys:•Increasing or decreasing the audio level

Following explanation is according to the default setting.

■ Setting a frequency

ï Using keypad

q Push [PWR] for 0.5 sec. to turn power ON, then push

[CLR] to select the frequency mode when memory CH
number or WX CH number appears on the function displa y.

w Push 5 appropriate digit keys to input the frequency.

•Enter [1] as the 1st digit.

• When a digit is mistakenly input, push [CLR] to clear,

then start again.

• Push [ENT] to enter consecutive zero digits.

•Only [2], [5], [7] and [0] can be entered as the 5th and
final digit.

ï Using the tuning dial

q Push [PWR] for 0.5 sec. to turn power ON, then push

[CLR] to select the VFO mode when memory CH number
or WX CH number appears on the function display.

w Rotate the [DIAL] to set the desired frequency.
e To select the 1 MHz tuning step, push

,

then rotate the

tuning dial. Push again to return the normal tuning.

■ Accessing 121.5 MHz emer-

gency frequency

The IC-A23 and IC-A5 can quickly access the 121.5 MHz
emergency frequency. This function can be activated even
when the key lock function is in use.
q Push , then push [121.5] to call the emergency fre-

quency.

w Push [CLR] to exit from the emergency frequency.