Micom RM125, RM125R Owner's Manual

RM125/RM125R

125W HF-SSB Rack-Mount/Desktop

Continuous Duty Transceivers

Owner’s Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................................... 2

Description.................................................................................................................... 2

General..................................................................................................................... 2

Equipment Versions .................................................................................................. 3

Main Features ........................................................................................................... 3

Major Accessories ..................................................................................................... 4

Performance Specifications ............................................................................................ 5

Main Technical Characteristics .................................................................................. 5

Accessories Connectors ............................................................................................. 7

Ordering Options...................................................................................................... 8

Familiarization with Equipment...................................................................................... 9

Front Panels .............................................................................................................. 9

RM125/RM125R Rear Panels .................................................................................. 10

RM125/RM125R Installation ........................................................................................ 12

Installation Planning Guidelines............................................................................... 12

Preparations for Installation ..................................................................................... 14

Installation Procedure – Basic Radio........................................................................ 14

Installation Procedure – Radio with PPS Option ...................................................... 16

RM125/RM125R Operation......................................................................................... 18

General................................................................................................................... 18

Preparations for Operation...................................................................................... 18

Operating Instructions............................................................................................. 18

RM1200 1 kW Power Amplifier Option ....................................................................... 19

1 kW System Description ........................................................................................ 19

Functional Description ............................................................................................ 20

RM1200 Main Technical Characteristics.................................................................. 22

Familiarization with RM1200 Equipment................................................................. 24

RM1200 Equipment Installation .............................................................................. 30

Preparations for Installation ..................................................................................... 31

Installation Procedure ............................................................................................. 32

RM1200 Operation................................................................................................. 34

6888882V02 1

Introduction

This manual covers the installation and operation of the MICOM RM125 and RM125R 125W HF-SSB rack-mount/desktop continuous duty transceivers, part of the MICOM-3 line of HF-SSB radio sets. It also presents the FLN3175 MICOM RM1200 1 kW linear high-power RF amplifier unit, which uses the RM125 or RM125R as exciter for a complete 1 kW transceiver.

The manual covers only procedures specific to the MICOM RM125/RM125R and RM1200; the other procedures, which are common to the whole MICOM-3 product line, are described in the “Owner’s Guide, MICOM-3E/3T/3R HF-SSB Transceivers”, Publication 6886867J01, and in other MICOM-3 Supplements that cover optional features applicable to your radio set.

Description

General

Figure 1 shows a general view of a typical 125W transceiver (the RM125 version).

MICOM RM-125

MICOM-3

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USB

Figure 1. Typical RM125, General View

The RM125/RM125R radio set includes a standard MICOM-3 transceiver, with a 110/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz power supply contained in a compact chassis, suitable for installation in a 19” rack or desktop.

Internal cooling fans enable operation over a wide range of temperatures, for continuous-duty data transmission. The radio has multiple accessories connectors, for system interconnections.

The AC input voltage range is automatically switched between 110 and 220 VAC, and therefore the equipment can be used in the United States of America as well as in other countries. As a backup, RM125/RM125R can also use 13.8 V DC power from an external lead-gel or lead-acid battery, which is automatically charged by the internal AC power supply. When an external battery is connected, the RM125/RM125R can continue operating on battery power during AC mains failure or in case the AC power is switched off.

Note

An external 13.8 VDC DC power source, suitable for powering HF-SSB transceivers, can also be used. The external source must be connected through a series protection diode and a 30A fuse.

The RM125 and RM125R are well suited for base station applications, and can be directly connected to a wide range of broadband or tuned antennas, including whip, dipole, traveling wave, delta, and

2 6888882V02

semi-delta antennas. Two main options further enhance the range of applications for the RM125 and RM125R:

• MICOM RM1200 Linear High-Power RF Amplifier, FLN3175. This compact amplifier, which covers the full transmit range of the RM125/RM125R, 1.60 to 30 MHz range, offers significantly higher transmit power (1 kW PEP and average), and thus enable improved communications under bad propagation conditions and/or strong interference.

• Interface for Pre-Selector/Post-Selector (PPS), option G65: the PPS is intended for RM125 and RM125R installed in multiple-transmitter or split sites, as it permits operation of collocated receivers and transmitters on frequencies separated by as little as 10%. The PPS operating frequency range is 1.60 to 29.99 MHz.

Note

The G65 option does not include the Pre-Selector/Post-Selector (PPS) unit, which must be separately ordered.

Being part of the MICOM-3 line, RM125 and RM125R offer similar capabilities and characteristics and use common operating procedures, thereby enabling personnel familiar with the operation of MICOM-3 equipment to start using the RM125/RM125R with minimal training.

Equipment Versions

MICOM RM-125

MICOM RM125

Transceiver for long range wireless voice, fax, data and email communications.

MICOM RM125R

Ruggedized transceiver with military handset and connectors, for applications requiring the utmost dependability and reliability.

MICOM-3

MICOM RM-125R

MICOM-3

AUDIO

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GPS

USB

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GPS

USB

Main Features

• Automatic Link Establishment per FED-1045 & MIL-STD-188-141B standards (JITC certified)

• ISB (Independent Side Band) ready

• Full interoperability with other manufacturers' radios complying with the same ALE standards.

Voice that's loud & clear

• Built-in voice quality system utilizes proprietary algorithms to filter out background noises, giving users exceptional communication clarity.

• Selectable bandwidth allows fine tuning for optimal voice and data communications.

• Voice-activated digital squelch.

6888882V02 3

User-friendliness

• New control head features a large LCD, full-dot matrix digital display and an enhanced keyboard for programming and set-up.

• Radio operation can be executed using any standard USB keyboard.

• Multiple language display available.

• Transceiver can be controlled using PC and programming application.

• Remote control configuration, allows the transceiver to be operated from a remote location (at

a distance of up to 5 km) using the optional 2-wire remote control head.

Years of trouble-free, most advanced communications

• Upgrading to future technologies easily done by installing new software into the transceiver's DSP unit.

• Easily replaceable digital components ensure cost-effective maintenance.

• Very high MTBF, as with all MICOM radios.

• Unique Built-In self Test (BIT) system provides exceptional dependability.

• Protection circuits enable transmission at maximum safe power

Comprehensive communication and networking services

• Office-quality communication services integrating fax, e-mail and data transmission and reception.

• MultiNet option, enables integration of different HF radio networks into one seamless network, allowing excellent coordination between different operational nets.

• AMD (Automatic Message Display) for free and pre-set text messages.

A proven family of radio products

• RM125 and RM125R are members of the MICOM transceiver family – fixed and mobile stations – covering the long-range wireless communication needs of thousands of organizations worldwide.

Major Accessories

• Antenna system and grounding kit

• 1 kW linear power amplifier

• Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

• ATUs

• FM to HF repeater

• Automatic telephone interconnect

• HF modems

• Secure voice and data

• Vocoder

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Performance Specifications

Main Technical Characteristics

This section presents the main technical characteristics of the RM125 and RM125R. For a listing of the additional performance specifications, refer to the “Owner’s Guide, MICOM-3E/3T/3R HF-SSB Transceivers”, Publication 6886867J01, and to the applicable MICOM-3 Supplements that cover the optional features available on your radio set.

Models

General

RM125

RM125R

Number of channels

Transmission frequency range

Transmit power (PEP and average)

Reception frequency range

Sensitivity (SINAD)

Audio bandwidth

Data bandwidth

Frequency stability

Frequency resolution

Number of accessories connectors

M91AMN0KV5-K with G638

M95AMN0KV5-K with G638

200

1.6 to 30 MHz

User-selectable levels

• Max: 125W

• High: 100W

• Medium: 62.5W

• Low: 25W

100 kHz to 30 MHz

0.3 µV for 10 dB SINAD

350 to 2700 Hz

300 to 3300 Hz

0.6 ppm (0.1 ppm optional)

10 Hz

4 (see Table 1)

Dimensions

6888882V02 5

Operating voltage

Power requirements

External battery

Operating temperature range

Humidity

See Figure 2

• 110 /220 VAC, 50/60 Hz, with automatic switching

• 13.8 VDC nominal from external battery or DC power source

• Maximum 28 A from DC source

• Maximum 500W from AC source

(without charging)

Lead-gel or lead-acid, 13.8 VDC, max. 45Ah

C to +60°C/14°F to +140°F

-10

Up to 95% relative humidity @ 50

C/122°F

465

432.5

MICOM RM-125

MICOM-3

325

482.5

424

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177

101.6

USB

REMOTE CONTROL

OFF

RF OUT

ACC-J1

ACC-J2

TX IN

RX IN

ACC-J4

ACC-J3

AMP-CONT

PPS-CONT TX OUT RX OUT

BAT

13.8V

110/220V

169

AC Power

Cable

515

192

420

583.1

Figure 2. RM125/RM125R Dimensions

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Accessories Connectors

The functions of the 25-pin accessories connectors, ACC-J1 to ACC-J4, are listed in Table 1. The connectors include PTT and CW control lines, audio and baseband lines for external equipment, auxiliary power output, serial RS-232 asynchronous data interfaces, and additional dedicated handshaking and control lines. The functions supported by the serial data interfaces are determined by the RM125/RM125R software.

Table 1. 25-Pin Accessories Connector, Pin Functions

Pin Designation Description

1 SPKR-

2 EXT RX DATA-

3 SPKR+

4 EXT RX AUDIO+

5 EXT RX AUDIO-

6 EXT TX AUDIO+

7 EXT TX AUDIO-

8 PTT IN VOICE Transmission command (short to ground) for voice signals

9 PTT IN DATA Transmission command (short to ground) for data signals

10 PTT IN CW Transmission command (short to ground) for CW (Morse) signals

11 SW A+ Primary DC voltage current limited output (max 1A)

12 DSI/KW C C BDM – Data serial in/kW amplifier channel change

13 KW ON/OFF kW amplifier power on/off output

14 EXT RX DATA+

15 RXA Receive input (point-to-point protocol to host/HLC)

16 TXA Transmit output (point-to-point protocol to host/HLC)

Differential output to the external 8Ω, 8W speaker

Baseband output (0 dBm, 600 Ω)

Differential output to the external 8Ω, 8W speaker

Differential received audio output (0 dBm, 600Ω; not controlled by volume, but affected by squelch)

Differential transmit audio input (600Ω input impedance; 0 dBm is required for full power)

Baseband output (0 dBm, 600 Ω)

17 EX RESET External RESET input (for BDM)

18 GND Ground

19 KW PTT PTT output to kW amplifier

20 EXT ALARM External alarm output (open collector, pulled to ground when external alarm is

activated

21 VPP Flash programming voltage, input to BDM

22 DSC/KW_ALC BDM – Data serial clock/kW amplifier ALC

23 SQ GATE Squelch open/closed indication output

24 DSO/FAN ON/OFF BDM – Data serial out/Fan control

25 FREEZE/KW TU BDM – Freeze/kW amplifier tune

6888882V02 7

Ordering Options

G424 (FVN4841) Add PC control and programming software package

S809 (FLN2515) Enhanced Interface cable kit for CW key & headphones

G112 Enhanced High frequency stability option (0.1 ppm)

G849 Add Interface option for external voice privacy device (VP-116)

G419 Enhanced USB COM port for connecting external keyboard

G423 Add ALE DTM/DBM (data transfer message/data block message)

S308 (FLN2517) Add Interface cable kit for phone patch

G561 (FLN2530) Add Interface cable for MICOM link unit

G65 Add Interface for Pre/Post-Selector (PPS) for co-site and split-site

applications

G420 Add 2-wire remote control head

G156 Add Interface cable kit for MICOM RM1200 1 kW linear amplifier

FLN3175 Add MICOM RM1200 1 kW (PEP and average) continuous duty linear

amplifier unit

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Familiarization with Equipment

Front Panels

The front panels of the RM125 and RM125R include a standard MICOM-3 control panel and the additional items identified in Figure 3, respectively Figure 4.

For a description of the MICOM-3 control panel, refer to the “Owner’s Guide, MICOM-3E/3T/3R HF-SSB Transceivers”, Publication 6886867J01.

AC Power

ON/OFF Switch

Internal Speaker

ON/OFF & Volume Control Turns transceiver on and off and controls the speaker volume

MICOM RM-125

Standard MICOM-3

PanelControl

Headphone

Jack

AC Power

ON/OFF Switch

Telegraphy Key

Jack

Internal Speaker

MICOM- 3

Connector for Optional

External USB Keyboard

Figure 3. RM125 Front Panel

ON/OFF & Volume Control Turns transceiver on and off and controls the speaker volume

MICOM RM-125R

MICOM-3

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Standard MICOM-3

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W X

GPS

USB

PanelControl

AUDIO

Audio Connectors for

External Speaker

and Handset

Internal Speaker ON/OFF Switch

Connector for Optional

External USB Keyboard

USB

Figure 4. RM125R Front Panel

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RM125/RM125R Rear Panels

Figure 5 shows the rear panel of the RM125 and RM125R. The functions of the various items are explained in Table 2.

13 12 11 10

REMOTE CONTROL

OFF

ACC-J1

ACC-J2

RF OUT

Figure 5. RM125/RM125R Rear Panel

Table 2. RM125/RM125R Rear Panel Items

Item Description Function

TX IN

9 6

RX IN

ACC-J4

ACC-J3

AMP-CONT

PPS-CONT TX OUT RX OUT

BAT

13.8V

110 /22 0V

53214

1 Grounding Screw Connection of ground to the RM125/RM125R

2 RF OUT Connector UHF connector for connection of feed cable to antenna. Serves as the radio

set RF input in the receive mode, and as the RF output in the transmit mode

3 AMP-CONT Connector 15-pin D-type male connector, for connection of control signals to the 1 kW

power amplifier, RM1200

4 DC Connection Strip Connection to external 13.8 V rechargeable lead-gel or lead-acid battery, or

input for 13.8 VDC from external power source (via series protection diode and fuse)

5 AC Power Cable Connection to 110/220 VAC power source

6 RX OUT Connector BNC RF output connector, for connection of unfiltered RF receive signal to

the optional Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

7 TX OUT Connector BNC RF output connector, for connection of unfiltered RF transmit signal to

the optional Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

9 PPS-CONT Connector 9-pin D-type female connector, for connection of control signals to the

optional Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

11 ACC-J1 to ACC-J4

Connectors

Four 25-pin D-type male connectors, for connection to external options, for example, voice privacy devices, modems, vocoders, etc.

Connector ACC-J2 is used for connection to the parallel I/O interface of the optional Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

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Table 2. RM125/RM125R Rear Panel Items (Cont.)

Item Description Function

11 TX IN Connector BNC RF input connector, for connection of filtered RF transmit signal from

the optional Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

12 REMOTE CONTROL

Connection of 2-wire line to optional 2-wire control head

Terminals

12 RX IN Connector BNC RF input connector, for connection of filtered RF receive signal from

the optional Pre/Post-Selector (PPS)

13 REMOTE CONTROL

Enables/disables remote control by the optional 2-wire control head

Switch

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+ 25 hidden pages

Micom RM125, RM125R Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introduction

Description

General

Equipment Versions

Main Features

Voice that's loud & clear

User-friendliness

Years of trouble-free, most advanced communications

Comprehensive communication and networking services

A proven family of radio products

Major Accessories

Performance Specifications

Main Technical Characteristics

Accessories Connectors

Ordering Options

Familiarization with Equipment

Front Panels

RM125/RM125R Rear Panels