Optoelectronics Xplorer User Manual

®

160 West Camino Real #233

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

www.optoelectronics.com

Copyright © 2009, Optoelectronics, Inc.

Printed in U.S.A

XXPPLLOORREERR

UUSSEERR MMAANNUUAALL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTION 1
INTRODUCTION 2
SPECIFICATIONS 3
FRONT PANEL 4
MENUS 5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 6,7
MODES (SWEEP) 8
MODES (VFO) 9
MODES (CONFIG) 10
MODES (LOCKOUTS) 11
MODES (BLOCKS) 12,13
MODES (MEMORY) 14,15
MODES (TIME/DATE) 16
REACTION TUNE 17
REACTION TUNE & PCR1000 18
PC DOWNLOAD 19
CAPABILITIES 20
ACCESSORIES 21
TROUBLESHOOTING 22
FACTORY SERVICE 23
FCC NOTICE 24
LEGAL NOTICE 25

2

LEGAL NOTICE

All rights are reserved by Optoelectronics, Inc. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic or man­ually, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Optoelectronics, Inc.

All features, specifications, and the information included in this manual are subject to change without notice or obligation. Optoelectronics,
Inc. reserves the right to change or modify the Xplorer without notice or obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes.

ICOM, AOR and OPTOELECTRONICS ARE ALL REGISTERED TRADEMARKS.

The Optoelectronics logo is a registered trademark of Optoelectronics, Inc.

The Xplorer® is a registered trademark of Optoelectronics, Inc.

© Copyright 2008 Optoelectronics, Inc.

160 West Camino Real #233

Boca Raton, FL 33432

The Xplorer is covered under

U.S. Patent No.

5,471,402

10

25

FCC NOTICE

The Xplorer contains Nickel Cadmium rechargeable batteries that must be recycled or disposed of properly. Use of the improper power
adapter may cause damage to the Xplorer battery pack or charging circuitry.

*In compliance with US FCC Regulations, an Xplorer shipped in the U.S. is disabled in the following frequency bands: 824.010 -

848.970MHz and 869.010 - 893.970MHz.
*Except for FCC approved users.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules.

FCC NOTICE

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that the interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to the
radio of television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

4. Consult Optoelectronics or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Note: Optoelectronics is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment.
Such modifications could void the users authority to operate the equipment.

24

9

CAUTION

WARNING - Maximum input voltage is 12VDC. Automotive voltages may exceed 12V caus­ing damage to internal circuitry. Damage resulting from excessive input voltage is readily appar­ent and will not be covered under warranty. Units returned for warranty service that have damage
resulting from excessive supply voltages will incur service charges.

WARNING - Maximum antenna input signal is +15dBm (50mW). Under no circumstances
should the Xplorer be directly connected to an RF transmitter or be used in close proximity to a
radio transmitter of more than 5 watts. Damage to the input amplifier circuitry is readily apparent
and will not be covered under warranty. Units returned for warranty service that have damage to
the input circuitry will incur service charges.

This manual covers connection and operating instructions for the
Optoelectronics XplorerTM. The Optoelectronics XplorerTM is covered
under U.S. Patent Number 5,471,402.

!

1

INTRODUCTION

The Xplorer is a completely unique nearfield test receiver. It is not a single frequency radio receiver in the conventional sense, or a high
speed scanner. It is actually a frequency sweeper using multiple swept harmonic LO frequencies that enable the Xplorer to lock on to virtu­ally any two-way FM signal in less than one second. Its unique frequency conversion system allows it to search for and acquire new fre­quencies much more quickly than a conventional receiver.

Nearfield refers to the relative strength of a transmitter as compared with the background RF floor. The nearfield refers to an approximate
distance where the signal strength radiating from an antenna is relatively strong. As you approach an antenna, the observed signal strength
increases to a point where its amplitude becomes greater than any other signal sources. At this point you are in the nearfield of the trans­mitter. The Xplorer will pick up signals in the nearfield of a transmitter.

Because of its high rate of sweeping, the Xplorer is essentially a self tuning receiver. The primary reason for a nearfield receiver is to trade
distance for speed. A conventional scanning receiver will receive signals from greater distances than the Xplorer but suffers from being able
to scan only 25 to 100 frequencies per second. It could take several minutes to several hours to tune an unknown frequency using a scan­ner. (An FCC data base search shows over 5,000 licensed transmitters within 5 miles of the Optoelectronics facility.)

The self tuning feature along with its measurement and decoding capabilities makes the Xplorer valuable for testing two-way radios. The
Xplorer is also able to locate strong RF signals located nearby in order to evaluate interference. The Xplorer is useful for checking com­mercial FM wireless microphones and other low power transmitters, as well as commercial two way radios.

2

FACTORY SERVICE

WARRANTY

Products under warranty must be returned, transportation prepaid, to Optoelectronics’ Boca Raton Service Center. All parts replaced and
labor performed under warranty are at no charge to the customer.

NON-WARRANTY

Products not under warranty must be returned, transportation prepaid, to Optoelectronics’ Boca Raton Service Center. Factory service will
be performed on a time and materials basis at the service rate in effect at the time of repair. A repair estimate prior to commencement of
service may be requested. Return shipping will be added to the service invoice and is to be paid by the customer.

RETURN POLICY FOR REPAIRS

The Optoelectronics Service Department will provide rapid turnaround of your repair. Enclose complete information as follows:

1. Copy of sales receipt if under warranty.

2. Detailed description of problem(s).

3. Complete return address and phone number (UPS street address for USA).

4. Proper packaging (insurance recommended). Note: Carriers will not pay
for damage if items are improperly packaged.

Order,.etc.).

5. Proper remittance including return shipping, if applicable (Visa/MasterCard number with expiration date, Money

Address all items to:

Optoelectronics, Inc.
Service Department
160 West Camino Real #233
Boca Raton, FL 33432

Note: Optoelectronics is not responsible for packages lost or damaged during shipment.

If in question, contact the factory for assistance. Service Department: [phone]

8

23

TROUBLESHOOTING

Following are a list of questions and/or suggestions when encountering certain problems. If your question is not covered on this page
please contact the Optoelectronics Service Department at 954-642-8997, Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM Eastern time.

Q: My Xplorer does not seem to be locking onto any signals, what am I doing wrong?
A: If using the external squelch mode check to make sure squelch is not turned too far to the left or right.. If using internal

Q: I have tried all of the above and it still does not seem to lock onto any signals, even if I key a transmitter next to it. Why?
A: The Xplorer could have a damaged front end amplifier. Excessive RF input can damage the amplifiers.

Q: Every now and then it seems to lock onto the harmonic of the fundamental frequency. Why?
A: When the Xplorer is sweeping it is sensing the harmonic as being 15dB above the background RF, therefore it will lock onto

Q: Why does the Xplorer lock onto a frequency after I have locked it out individually and blocked it out in blocks mode?
A: Go to CONFIG mode and make sure that both lockouts and blocks are turned on.

Q: Why won’t my Xplorer automatically store the frequency information when it locks onto a signal?
A: Go to CONFIG mode and make sure that Auto Store is turned on.

Q: How do I get my Xplorer to stay locked on a frequency without it sweeping for another signal?
A: Go to CONFIG mode and turn Auto Hold on.

Q: Is there a way to reset my Xplorer?
A: Yes. Turn the Xplorer off. When you go to turn it on again press the FNCTN / SHIFT and MODE/POWER button all at the

squelch switch to external squelch Also, try different antennas.

the harmonic. This generally happens when testing a radio a few feet away from the Xplorer. Either turn the squelch up or
move away from the transmitter a few more feet.

same time. This will reset all parameters back to factory defaults. All data in memory, lockouts etc.. will be lost.

22

7