KENWOOD TH-78A User Manual
KENWOOD
TH-78A
144/440MHz FM Handheld Dual Bander
Instruction Manual
KENWOOD TH-78A 144/440 MHz Dual Bander
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CONTENTS
CONTROLS OVERVIEW
............................................................................................................................ 5
THE BATTERY PACK
1 NiCd Battery Pack (PB-13) ......................................................................................................................... 6
2 Recharging .................................................................................................................................................. 6
3 Installing The Battery Pack ......................................................................................................................... 6
4 Battery Voltage Level .................................................................................................................................. 6
5 Battery Operating Time ............................................................................................................................... 7
RECEIVER OPERATION
1 Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................ 7
2 Tuning Control and Volume Control ............................................................................................................ 8
3 Selecting Frequency ................................................................................................................................... 10
4 Step Size Selection ..................................................................................................................................... 11
5 Programmable VFO Tuning Limits ............................................................................................................. 12
6 Basic Receiving Functions .......................................................................................................................... 13
TRANSMITTER OPERATION
1 To Transmit ................................................................................................................................................. 13
2 Changing Transmitter Output Power .......................................................................................................... 14
3 TX. Stop Function ....................................................................................................................................... 14
4 Time Out Timer ........................................................................................................................................... 14
USING THE MEMORY
1 Microprocessor Memory Backup ................................................................................................................ 15
2 Initializing The Memory ............................................................................................................................... 15
3 Memory Channel ......................................................................................................................................... 15
4 Memory Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 16
5 Entering Memory Data ................................................................................................................................ 16
6 Entering Split Channel Frequencies ........................................................................................................... 16
7 Entering The Call Channel Frequencies ..................................................................................................... 17
8 Recalling Memory Channels ....................................................................................................................... 18
9 Memory Shift ............................................................................................................................................... 18
10 Memory Channel Character Display ........................................................................................................... 18
SCANNING
1 Hold/Resume Programming ....................................................................................................................... 19
2 Scan operation cancel ................................................................................................................................ 20
3 Scan options ............................................................................................................................................... 20
4 Scanning Memory Channels ....................................................................................................................... 21
5 Scanning Band ............................................................................................................................................ 21
6 Programmable Band Scan .......................................................................................................................... 21
7 MHz Scan .................................................................................................................................................... 22
8 VFO/Memory Scan ..................................................................................................................................... 23
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9 CALL/VFO Scan ......................................................................................................................................... 23
10 CALL/Memory Scan .................................................................................................................................... 23
11 VFO/Memory/CALL Scan ........................................................................................................................... 23
12 The Alert function ........................................................................................................................................ 23
REPEATER OPERATION
1 Transmitter Offsets ..................................................................................................................................... 24
2 Selecting the Offset Direction ..................................................................................................................... 24
3 Automatic Offset Selection ......................................................................................................................... 24
4 Manual Offset Selection .............................................................................................................................. 24
5 The REVerse Function ................................................................................................................................ 24
6 Tone Selection ............................................................................................................................................ 25
7 Autopatch Operations ................................................................................................................................. 26
8 DTMF Memory ............................................................................................................................................ 27
OPERATION AS A REPEATER
CTCSS OPERATION
.................................................................................................................................... 28
................................................................................................................ 28
THE DUAL TONE SQUELCH SYSTEM (DTSS)
1 DTSS Code ................................................................................................................................................. 29
2 Using the DTSS Function ........................................................................................................................... 29
3 Using DTSS with a repeater ....................................................................................................................... 30
PAGING
1 Paging Operation Overview ........................................................................................................................ 30
2 Paging Code Memory ................................................................................................................................. 31
3 Setting Paging Codes ................................................................................................................................. 31
4 Sending Pages (Calling) ............................................................................................................................. 33
5 Receiving Pages (Wait) .............................................................................................................................. 34
6 Canceling Signal Squelch ........................................................................................................................... 35
7 Locking Out Codes ..................................................................................................................................... 35
8 Answer-Back ............................................................................................................................................... 36
MESSAGE TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION
1 Message Transmission modes ................................................................................................................... 36
2 Using the Message Memory ....................................................................................................................... 36
3 Message Memory Check ............................................................................................................................ 37
4 Message Memory Transmission ................................................................................................................. 37
5 Message reception ...................................................................................................................................... 37
6 Receive Message Memory ......................................................................................................................... 38
ENHANCED RECEIVER FUNCTIONS
1 The Tone Alert System ............................................................................................................................... 39
2 Monitor ........................................................................................................................................................ 40
3 Beep Off ...................................................................................................................................................... 40
4 Lamp ........................................................................................................................................................... 40
5 Key Lock ..................................................................................................................................................... 40
6 Volume adjustment when you use an earphone ......................................................................................... 40
7 Switching speaker output when a speaker-microphone is connected ........................................................ 41
8 Automatic Band Change Function .............................................................................................................. 41
9 Simultaneous Receive Function of Two Signals in the Same Band ........................................................... 41
10 Single Band Operation ................................................................................................................................ 42
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11 MHz Mode ................................................................................................................................................... 42
12 Channelized Frequency Display .................................................................................................................. 42
POWER SAVER FEATURES
1 The Battery Saver Mode ............................................................................................................................. 43
2 Automatic Power Off (APO) ......................................................................................................................... 43
CLOCK FUNCTION
1 Timer Setting ............................................................................................................................................... 44
2 Timer Function ............................................................................................................................................ 44
DUPLEX OPERATION
................................................................................................................................. 45
POWER ON MESSAGE AND FUNCTION
1 Power On Message .................................................................................................................................... 46
2 Function Message ....................................................................................................................................... 46
TROUBLESHOOTING
.................................................................................................................................. 48
ACCESSORIES
1 Installing the CTCSS Unit (TSU-7) ............................................................................................................. 49
2 Memory Expansion Unit (ME-1) .................................................................................................................. 50
3 Programming the SMC-33 Remote Control Speaker Microphone ............................................................. 51
4 Using other microphones ............................................................................................................................ 52
SPECIFICATIONS
QUICK REFERENCE
ACCESSORIES
Antenna T90-0444-XX
Belt Hook J29-0465-XX
Hand Strap J69-0312-XX
Rubber Cap B09-0330-XX
NiCd Battery Pack (PB-13) W09-0563-XX
Battery Charger (BC-14, 120VAC) W09-0565-XX
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CONTROLS OVERVIEW
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THE BATTERY PACK
1 NiCd Battery Pack (PB-13)
You must charge the battery pack before you can use it. It has not been charged at the factory in order to provide
you with the greatest number of charge/discharge cycles. It takes several charge/discharge cycles before the
battery pack will operate for its maximum period. If you store the battery pack for more than two months, recharge it
before use.
2 Recharging
Insert the charge plug from the charger (BC-14) into the terminal on the top of the transceiver. Then plug the
charger into the AC line. Do not allow the battery to charge for greater than 15 hours. The useful life and battery
performance will be reduced of you exceed the recommended charge period.
NOTE
Recharging should be done within an ambient temperature between 5ºC ~ 40ºC (41ºF ~ 104ºF).
Recharging performed out of this range may not fully charge the battery.
3 Installing The Battery Pack
Insert the battery pack into the transceiver until it locks in place. You may have to manually slide the battery
Release button (on the rear of the transceiver case) in order for the battery to fully seat into position.
To remove the battery pack, slide the Release button to the right and pull the pack down.
4 Battery Voltage Level Indication
The meter indicates the relative battery voltage during transmit. Recharge or replace the battery pack when the
level reaches the LOW indicator level. A fully charged battery should indicate eight (8) blocks on the display. A fully
discharged battery should indicate five (5) or fewer blocks showing on the display.
NiCd Battery pack
Fully charge Fully discharged
Approximate battery condition
Manganese or Alkaline Batteries
Load 6 X R6 (AA) maganese or alkaline batteries in series in the optional battery case (BT-8). Be sure to
observe the polarities. We recommend use of high performance Alkaline batteries.
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Manganese or Alkaline batteries
Fully charge Fully discharged
Approximate battery condition
5 Battery Operating Time (hours)
144 MHz 430/440 MHz
Batteries H L EL H L EL
Alkaline 7.5 13 36 6 10 32
Manganese 3 3.5 11 2 2.5 10
PB-13 4.5 7 20 3.5 5 14
PB-17 3 7 20 2.5 5 14
PB-18 711315.5822
• 6 seconds transmit, 6 seconds receive, 48 seconds reception with no signal recommended.
AF output 0.2W/8 ohms.
•
Battery Saver function ON.
CAUTION
The display indicator flashes and the POWER switch will not work when the battery starts to go
flat. When this happens, recharge or replace the battery pack.
We recommend use of the NiCd battery pack for long transmission or extended operation.
Manganese batteries (except Alkaline manganese batteries) may be used for Low or EL position.
RECEIVE OPERATION
1 Getting Started
Connect the battery pack and the supplied antenna.
Press the POWER switch to turn the transceiver on. One of the default frequencies should appear on the display.
If the display shows incomplete data, or you think the displayed frequency is wrong, reset the microprocessor
Memory Initialization (see page 15).
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2 Tuning Control and Volume Control
This transceiver assigns two volume and tuning control functions to the two controls on the top of the radio.
Before proceeding to the next step, master these functions. The default setting is as follows:
Functions as the Functions as the
volume control for tuning control of
the UHF band. The UHF band.
You can control the band for
Which the PTT indicator lights.
When you press the
The inside knob of the LEFT control functions as the VOLUME control for the selected band, and the inside knob
of the RIGHT control functions as the TUNING control for the selected band.
You can control the selected BAND for which the
above the LCD display. Each time the
When you press and hold the
and tuning (using the same controls as above) temporarily passes to the uncontrolled band.
We recommend that you use this function in order to temporarily change the volume or frequency of the normally
uncontrolled band.
BAND
key, control of each function is transferred to the VHF band.
PTT
indicator lights by pressing the
BAND
button is pressed, PTT control switches between VHF and UHF.
E.CHG
key (or within two seconds of pressing the
BAND
E.CHG
button immediately
key), control of the volume
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Separate VOLUME control function
Press the F key then press the
Functions as the Functions as the
volume control for volume control of
the VHF band. The UHF band.
The inside knob of the LEFT control functions as the VOLUME control for the VHF band, and the inside knob of
the RIGHT control functions as the VOLUME control for the UHF band.
VHF BAND UHF BAND
This indicates the volume level
Separate TUNING control function
While operating in the
Functions as the Functions as the
tuning control for tuning control of
the UHF band. The UHF band.
separate volume control mode,
E.CHG
key.
press the F key then press the
E.CHG
key.
The inside knob of the LEFT control functions as the TUNING control for the VHF band, and the inside knob of
the RIGHT control functions as the TUNING control for the UHF band.
Returning to the original mode
Press the F key for longer than one second and then press the
Whenever you are selecting frequencies, your first step should be to set the squelch control. The squelch helps to
eliminate 'white noise' or static until you receive active communications on a frequency.
There are two squelch controls, one for the VHF band (outside knob of left control), and one for the UHF band
(outside knob of right control). To set the squelch controls:
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E.CHG
key.
VHF band. UHF band.
1) Rotate the
2) Rotate the
3) Rotate the
as the Squelch Threshold point.
4) Press the
5) Repeat steps 1-3, and adjust the squelch threshold for the other band.
3 Selecting a Frequency
You have several ways to select frequencies:
♦ By entering a specific frequency via the keyboard
♦ By using the tuning control
♦ By selecting a memory channel (see page 15)
♦ By pressing the
Direct Keyboard Frequency Entry
You can enter specific frequencies directly into the transceiver. If you don't have a particular frequency to enter, we
suggest you try 145.050 MHz.
1) If necessary, press the
2) If the transceiver is in Memory mode or CALL mode, press the
3) Press the numeric 4 key. A '4' is entered as the 10 MHz digit of the VHF frequency display, and the 1 MHz and
below digits change to '-' (e.g.
SQL
control fully counter clockwise.
VOL
control clockwise until a signal or noise is heard coming from the speaker.
SQL
clockwise until the noice just disappears and the
BAND
key.
CALL
key
BAND
key to make VHF the primary band.
14-.00
)
BUSY
indicator turns off. This point is known
VFO
key to select the VFO mode.
4) Press numeric keys 5, 0, 5, and 0.
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5) The transceiver actually changes frequency only after the 1 kHz digit is entered. The 1 kHz digit is not
displayed if it is a zero.
If you do not enter the 1 kHz digit, the 1 kHz indicator flashes and the transceiver defaults to the previous
operating frequency.
Notes
1 If the frequency step of the UHF band is 10 or 20 kHz, the 1 kHz digit becomes zero
automatically when you enter the 10 kHz digit.
2 If you press an invalid key, the valid value nearest to that number is entered.
3 If you do not press a key within 10 seconds, the normal frequency display returns.
4 If you press the VFO key during input, the digits showing - return to the values that appeared
before the direct entry mode was selected.
If the frequency step is 12.5 or 25 kHz, the input ends with the 10 kHz
digit. The 10 kHz keys and frequencies set with the keys are listed
below.
Key Frequency Key Frequency
000 5 50
1 12.5 6 62.5
225 7 75
3 37.5 8 87.5
4 37.5 9 87.5
Using the Tuning Control
The tuning control selects frequencies in up or down sequentially.
Rotate the tuning control clockwise or counterclockwise to select the desired operating frequency.
4 Step Size Selection
The transceiver must be in the VFO mode to select frequency steps.
To select the desired tuning or scan step size use the following procedure:
1) Press the F key for longer than one second then press the 3 key. The current frequency step size will be
displayed.
2) Rotate the Tuning control until the desired tuning step size appears in the display. The frequency step is
indicated in the chart below.
VHF BAND
5!10!15!20!12.5!25!5
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UHF BAND
3) Press any key
The displayed step size is set, and the normal frequency display returns.
Changes in the Displayed Frequency
As you change from one step size to another, the displayed frequency also changes, as illustrated in the
accompanying charts.
For example, assume you are presently displaying 439.920 MHz at a 20 kHz step size. If you were to change
the step size to 12.5 kHz, the display would read 439.925 MHz.
From step size 5, 10, 15, or 20 To step size 12.5 or 25
Frequencies Display as
0, 5, 10, 15 0
20, 25, 30, 35 25
40, 45, 50, 55 50
60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 75
From step size 12.5 or 25 To step size 5, 10, 15, or 20
Frequencies Display as
00
12.5 10
25 20
37.5 30
50 50
62.5 60
75 70
87.5 80
5 Programmable VFO Tuning Limits
This radio provides the capability of programming the VFO tuning range, in 1 MHz band segments, as well as
providing a separate programmable band scan function. (See page 21).
For example, you could tell the transceiver that you only wish to tune the 144.000 MHz and 145.000 MHz band
segments by specifying any frequency within these two segments.
The Tuning control would then only tune within these specific bands. The procedure for specifying then bands is
described below.
1) Select the desired lower tuning limit. For example, you might want to select the 144 MHz band and dial up
144.100 MHz.
2) Press and hold the M key for longer than one second, then press the 1 key. This selects the lower frequency
limit for the programmable VFO.
10!20!12.5!25!10
except
the POWER, LAMP, and MONI keys.
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3) Select the desired upper tuning limit. For example, you might want to select the 145 MHz band and dial up
145.100 MHz.
4) Press and hold the M key for longer than one second, then press the 2 key. This selects the upper frequency
limit for the programmable VFO.
5) To confirm that the programming was properly performed, rotate the Tuning control. The transceiver should
not go above or below the programmed band limits.
← VFO tuning range →
144.000 145.000 146.000 147.000
──┼────────┼───────────┼───────────┼───
To clear the programmed limits simultaneously, reset the VFO memory using the procedures discussed on
page 13.
You can reprogram either limit independently by following the appropriate instructions above.
6 Basic Receiving Functions
When receiving a signal, the Main/Sub S-meter deflects and the Main/Sub BUSY indicators appear.
Rotate the volume control to the desired level.
Note
For information about more advanced receiving capabilities, see Enhanced Receiver Function on page 39.
TRANSMITTER OPERATION
WARNING
Before you attempt to transmit, attach an antenna with a low standing wave ratio to the antenna
connector. Failure to provide a proper load may cause damage to the final amplifier section. Always
check that the frequency is clear before transmitting.
1 To transmit, follow these steps:
1) Use any of the frequency selection methods discussed on page 10 to select an operating frequency.
2) Listen to the frequency to see if it's occupied before attempting to transmit on it.
3) Press the
PTT
(Press to Talk) switch. The ON AIR indicator and battery level meter will appear.
4) Speak into the microphone from the recommended distance of 2 inches. Talking closer or farther away can
result in loss of clarity, an excessively wide transmit signal, or weak audio.
5) Release the PTT switch to return to the receive mode. The ON AIR and battery level meter indicators should
go out.
Page 13
2 Changing Transmitter Output Power
Press the F key, then the
D/LOW
key to select three different transmitter power output levels. Repeat this function
to step through the power level selections. The actual transmitter output power for this unit depends upon the
power supply used. Indicators will appear on the left-bottom line of lower display to tell you which level you have
selected.
The "E" and "L" indicators show the Economic Low power for line-of-sight short-distance communication.
The "L" indicator shows the Low power for short-distance communication.
No indicator means the high power position has been selected. Use high power for maximum transmitter power.
See the high power caution on page 13.
Output Power (watts)
(Approx.)
144 MHz 440 MHz
HLELHLEL
PB-13,18 2.0 0.5 0.02 2.0 0.5 0.01
PB-14,17 5.0 0.5 0.02 5.0 0.5 0.01
Alkaline Battery 2.0 0.5 0.02 2.0 0.5 0.01
External Power 5.0 0.5 0.02 5.0 0.5 0.01
Supply (13.8VDC)
3 TX.Stop Function
The TX.Stop function allows you to temporarily disable the transceiver transmit, preventing accidental or
unauthorized transmission.
Press the F key, then press the
2
/TX.s
f
key to turn the TX.Stop function on or off.
4Time-Out Timer
This transceiver has a time-out timer function to prevent possible problems caused by continuous transmission.
This function forcibly stops continuous transmission after 10 minutes. When the timer times out, the transceiver
beeps and automatically returns to the RX mode. Press the PTT switch to transmit again.
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The time-out-timer function cannot be turned on or off.
USING THE MEMORY
1 Microprocessor Memory Backup
All memory channel data is backed up in EEPROM. It is not lost unless you reset the memory.
All other data that you set is retained by a secondary lithium battery that will provide memory backup for about 20
days if you remove the battery pack or external DC power.
A fully discharged (backup) battery will require about 10 hours to reach full charge after installing a NiCd battery
pack or external DC power.
2 Initializing The Memory
Press and hold the M key and turn on the power to reset the memory. All the LCD indicators will appear on the
display. Release the M key. This resets all user programmed data to the factory defaults.
Factory Default Settings
144 MHz Band 440 MHz Band
VFO Frequency 144 MHz 440 MHz
CALL channel 144 MHz 440 MHz
Frequency
Frequency Step 5 kHz / 12.5 kHz 25 kHz
Tone Frequency 88.5 Hz / 1750 Hz 88.5 Hz / 1750 Hz
VFO Reset
Press and hold the F key and turn on the POWER switch to reset the microprocessor's VFO memory, without
destroying the memory channel, CLOCK data, message memory data, automatic dialer DTMF memory,
programmable SCAN tuning range, PAGING code, or CALL channel data.
3 Memory Channel
This transceiver provides 50 memory channels. In addition to serving as a normal memory channel, Memory
Channel 1 is used to store the frequency for the Priority Alert function.
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4 Memory Contents
Each memory channel can store information as shown in the chart below.
X = Can be stored in memory
Normal Split
Channel Channel
RF frequency X X
TX frequency N/A X
Tone (CCSS) frequency X X
Tone (CTCSS) status X X
Frequency step X X
Shift statue, REV on/off X N/A
DTSS code, DTSS status X X
5 Entering Memory Data
Entering memory data is a simple operation requiring just a few keystrokes to store all the data you require.
Entering Normal Simplex/Repeater Channels
1) Select the desired receive frequency, offset, and any other information you desire. If the desired frequency is
already on the display, continue to step 2.
2) Press the M key.
3) Use the keypad to select any desired memory channel number (0-49). Use a two-digit number, such as 02
for channel 2 or 15 for channel 15, to enter the data in memory.
4) Press the MR key.
5) The memory channel number will turn off, indicating that the receiver data has been properly stored.
Clearing a Memory Channel
Use the following procedure to clear the contents of an individual memory channel:
1) Select the memory channel to be cleared.
2) Press the M key for longer than one second, then press the MR key.
3) The selected memory channel number is removed from the display and the data is cleared from the memory.
6 Entering Split Channel Frequencies
1) Use the numeric keypad to select the desired receiver frequency, tone and other information. If the desired
frequency is already on the display, continue to step 2.
2) Press the M key. The memory indicator will flash.
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