Vertex Standard Pilot VXA-210 Operating Manual
Operating Manual
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AIR BAND TRANSCEIVER
VXA-210
CONTENTS
Important Notice! ........................................................... 1
Introduction .................................................................... 2
Controls & Connectors ................................................. 3
Top Panel .............................................................................. 3
Front Panel ...........................................................................4
LCD Display ........................................................................ 5
Keypad.................................................................................. 6
Left Side ............................................................................... 7
Right Side............................................................................. 8
Before You Begin ........................................................... 9
Precaution............................................................................. 9
Battery Installation and Removal ....................................... 9
Battery Charging................................................................ 10
Low Battery Indication...................................................... 11
Installing the FBA-25 (option) Alkaline Battery Case .... 11
Operation ...................................................................... 12
Preliminary Steps ...............................................................12
Operation Quick Start........................................................ 12
Squelch Adjustment ....................................................14
Accessing the 121.5 MHz Emergency Frequency........... 14
Tuning Methods .................................................................15
Transmission ......................................................................16
Reception of Weather Channel Broadcasts ...................... 16
Monitor Key....................................................................... 18
ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) Feature ......................... 18
Temperature Display .......................................................... 19
LOCK Function .................................................................19
Receive Battery Saver Setup............................................. 20
Beep On/Off ....................................................................... 21
Barometric Pressure/Altitude Metering ................... 22
Thermometer Calibration ..................................................22
Correcting the Atmospheric Pressure Meter (Barometer Offset)
.. 23
Correcting the Altimeter setting (Altimeter Offset) .........23
How to Measure the Rarometric Pressure or Altitude..... 24
Weather Sensor Mode .......................................................24
Memory Operation ....................................................... 26
Memory Storage ................................................................. 26
Recalling the Memories ..................................................... 27
Scanning Operation .................................................... 28
Channel-Skip Scanning..................................................... 29
Dual Watch Operation ................................................. 30
Priority Dual Watch Operation ................................... 31
VOR Navigation............................................................ 32
To Select the DVOR Mode ............................................... 33
Flying to a VOR Station ....................................................34
Entering a Desired Couse.................................................. 36
Position Cross-checking .................................................... 37
Split Operation ...................................................................38
Field Programming Mode ........................................... 39
Memory Storage into the Book Memory .........................39
Menu (“Set”) Mode ...................................................... 40
Menu Listing ......................................................................41
Installation of the SU-1 ............................................... 45
Accessories & Options ............................................... 46
Specifications............................................................... 48
NOTICE
There are no user-serviceable points inside this transceiver. All service jobs must be referred to your Authorized Service Center.
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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IMPORT ANT NOTICE!
FCC RF Exposure Compliance Requirements for Occupational Use Only:
This Radio has been tested and complies with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF exposure
limits for Occupational Use/Controlled exposure environment. In addition, it complies with the following
Standards and Guidelines:
r
FCC 96-326, Guidelines for Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Radio-Frequency Radiation.
r
FCC OET Bulletin 65 Edition 97-01 (1997) Supplement C, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines
for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.
r
ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio
Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
r
ANSI/IEEE C95.3-1992, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic Fields - RF and Microwave.
¦
This radio is NOT approved for use by the general population in an uncontrolled environment. This
radio is restricted to occupational use, work related operations only where the radio operator must
have the knowledge to control its RF exposure conditions.
¦
When transmitting, hold the radio in a vertical position with its microphone 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5
cm) away from your mouth and keep the antenna at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from your head and
body.
¦
The radio must be used with a maximum operating duty cycle not exceeding 50%, in typical Push-toTalk configurations.
DO NOT transmit for more than 50% of total radio use time (50% duty cycle). Transmitting more
than 50% of the time can cause FCC RF exposure compliance requirements to be exceeded.
The radio is transmitting when the red LED on the top of the radio is illuminated. You can cause the
radio to transmit by pressing the P-T-T button.
¦
Always use Vertex Standard authorized accessories.
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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INTRODUCTION
The Vertex Standard VXA-210 Pilot is a compact, stylish, solid hand-held transceiver providing communication (transmit and receive) capability on the International Aircraft Communication Band (“COM” band: 118 ~
136.975 MHz), and it additionally provides VOR and CDI navigation features on the “NAV” band (108 ~
117.975 MHz).
The VXA-210 includes Temperature display with our exclusive Omni-GlowTM display back-light for minimal
degradation of your night vision, NOAA weather band monitoring, 8-character Alpha/Numeric Display, 50
Memory Channels, and 100 “Book Memory” Channels. And the optional Barometric Pressure Unit (SU-1)
provides readout of barometric pressure, altitude, and density altitude.
We recommend that you read this manual in its entirety, so as to understand the many features of the VXA-210
completely. Keep this manual handy, so you may use it for reference.
NOTE: The VXA-210’s VOR and CDI Navigation features are supplemental aids to navigation only, and are
not intended to be a substitute for accurate (primary) VOR/CDI or landing service equipment. And also, the
Barometric/Altitude features of the optional SU-1 are not designed to be a substitute for accurate, calibrated
Barometer or Altimeter devices used for navigation critical to personal safety.
Congratulations!
You now have at your fingertips a valuable communications tool-a Vertex Standard two-way radio!
Rugged, reliable and easy to use, your Vertex Standard radio will keep you in constant touch with your
colleagues for years to come, with negligible maintenance down-time.
Please take a few minutes to read this manual carefully. The information presented here will allow you to
derive maximum performance from your radio, in case questions arise later on.
We're glad you joined the Vertex Standard team. Call on us anytime, because communications is our
business. Let us help you get your message across.
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (TOP PANEL
)
Antenna Jack
This SMA jack accepts the supplied flexible antenna, or another antenna designed to provide 50
W impedance on the Aircraft Communication
Band.
POWER/VOLUME Knob
Turn this control clockwise to turn the radio on
and to increase the volume. Counterclockwise rotation into the click-stop will turn the radio off.
BUSY/TX Indicator Lamp
This lamp glows green when a signal is being
received and red when transmitting.
DIAL Selector Knob
This 20-position detended rotary switch tunes the
operating frequency or selects the memory channels.
Pressing this knob downward momentarily selects the tuning methods among the VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator), MR (Memory Recall), BOOK (Pre-Programmed Memories), and
WX (Weather Channel Memories) mode.
Note: The WX mode is available in the USA ver-
sion only.
VOL
DIAL
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (FRONT PANEL
)
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
The display shows the selected operating conditions as indicated on the next page.
Loudspeaker
The internal speaker is located in this position.
Microphone
Speak across this opening in a normal voice level
while pressing the PTT switch, to transmit.
Keypad
Several keys have dual functions.
The primary functions are labeled on the key top
(activated by simply pressing the key momentarily), while the secondary functions are labeled
in yellow above the top edge of the key (activated by pressing the [F] key first, then the indicated key).
These functions are described in detail on page 6.
Battery Pack Latch
Open this latch for battery removal.
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VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (LCD DISPLAY
)
This field displays the course
heading in degrees. See page 33.
This is the Course Deviation Indicator, used
during VOR Navigation. See page 32.
This icon indicates that
the “Book” Memory Bank
is in use. See page 15.
This icon is the “Low Battery” indicator, which
blinks when the battery
voltage becomes too low
for proper operation.
These digits provide frequency or alphanumeric
information about the channel you are using.
This indicator confirms
that Secondary Key Function is active. See page 6.
This indicator confirms
that this channel will be
skipped during scan. See
page 29.
This icon is used
during VOR navigation, to indicate that
the displayed information is based on
a course from the
VOR station. See
page 33.
This icon is used
during VOR navigation, to indicate that
the displayed information is based on
a course to the VOR
station. See page
33.
This indicator confirms that the AUTO-
MATIC NOISE LIMITER is
activated. See page
18.
This indicator confirms that DUAL
WA TCH is active. See
page 30.
This indicator confirms that the “Split”
(Duplex) mode is
activated during
VOR operation. See
page 38.
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (KEYP AD
)
Primary Function
(
Press Key
)
Secondary Function
(
Press +
)
Primary Function
(
Press Key
)
Primary Function
(
Press Key
)
Primary Function
(
Press Key
)
Frequency Entry
Digit 1
Frequency Entry
Digit 2
Frequency Entry
Digit 3
Frequency Entry
Digit 4
Frequency Entry
Digit 5
Frequency Entry
Digit 6
Frequency Entry
Digit 7
Frequency Entry
Digit 8
Frequency Entry
Digit 9
Frequency Entry
Digit 0
Selects Memory Display
Type (page 27)
Locks the Keypad
Selects Emergency
Channel (121.5 MHz
)
Activates the
Altimeter Set function
Activates the Sensor
Functions
None
None
NoneNone
Activates Automatic
Noise Limiter
Activates Split (Duplex
)
mode
On/Off Switch for
Keypad Beeper (page 21)
Allows Skipping of
Channel during Scan
Activates Scanning
Activates “Secondary”
Key mode
Activates Dual Watch
Memory “Write”
Command
Split-Memory “Write”
Command
Secondary Function
(
Press +
)
Secondary Function
(
Press +
)
Secondary Function
(
Press +
)
Selects
“FROM” VOR mode
Selects
“TO” VOR mode
Activates DVOR mode
Activates Course
Deviation Indicator mode
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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PTT (PUSH TO TALK) Switch
Press this button to transmit when you are operating in the COM band. Release this button to
return to the “RECEIVE” mode. See page 16.
MONITOR Switch
This button may be pressed to “open” the squelch
manually, allowing you to listen for very weak
signals. Press and hold this button for 2 seconds
to “open” the squelch continuously. Press this
button again to resume normal (quiet) monitoring. See page 18.
LAMP Switch
Pressing the LAMP switch momentarily will illuminate the display and keypad for five seconds,
after which the back-lighting will automatically
turn off. Press and hold this switch for 2 seconds
to activate the back-lighting lamp continuously.
To turn the lamp off, press this switch again. The
LAMP switch may be configured in several ways
via the Menu; see page 43 for details.
CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (LEFT SIDE
)
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (RIGHT SIDE
)
MIC/EAR Jack
You may connect the supplied CT-60 Headset
Cable or the (optional) MH-44A4B Speaker/Microphone to this jack.
Never connect any Speaker/Microphone
that is not recommended by the manufacturer. Because these jack connections are unique,
using a Speaker/Microphone that is not specified
by Vertex Standard may damage the VXA-210.
EXT DC Jack
When an external 12-Volt DC power source is
available, you may connect the (optional) E-DC-
5B External DC Cable here. Do not connect any
wire to this jack if that wire is connected directly to a 28-Volt DC source. Connecting the
VXA-210 directly to a source which exceeds 15.0
Volts DC will result in damage to the unit.
MIC
/SP
EXT
DC
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Precautions
r This apparatus is capable of two-way communi-
cation on channels used for critical aviation safety
communications. Therefore, it is important that
this radio be kept away from children or other
unauthorized users at all times.
r When making DC connections via the (optional)
E-DC-5B DC cable, be absolutely certain to
observe the proper voltage level and polarity
guidelines. Do not connect this radio directly to
any 24 ~ 28 Volt DC source, nor to AC power of
any kind. Connecting the VXA-210 directly to a
source which exceeds 15.0 Volts DC will result
in damage to the unit.
r Do not dispose of the Ni-Cd Battery Pack in a
fire. Do not carry a Ni-Cd Battery Pack in your
pocket, where keys or coins could short the terminals. This could create a serious fire/burn danger, and possibly cause damage to the Ni-Cd
pack.
r Although the VXA-210 is designed to be water
resistant, the enclosure is not “waterproof.” Do
not allow the radio to become submersed in water, and do not expose it and/or its Ni-Cd Battery
Pack to water spray under pressure.
Battery Installation and Removal
¦ To install the battery, hold the transceiver with
your left hand, so your palm is over the speaker
and your thumb is on the top of the Belt Clip.
Insert the battery pack into the battery compartment on the back of the radio while tilting the
Belt Clip outward, then close the Battery Pack
Latch until it locks in place with a “Click.”
¦ To remove the battery, turn the radio off and re-
move any protective cases. Open the Battery Pack
Latch on the bottom of the radio, then lift the
battery upward and out from the radio while tilting the Belt Clip upward.
Do not attempt to open any of the recharge-
able Ni-Cd packs, as personal injury or damage to the Ni-Cd pack could occur if a cell or cells
become accidentally short-circuited.
M
I
C
/
S
P
E
X
T
D
C
Tilt the Belt Clip
Close the Battery Pack Latch
I
n
s
t
a
l
l
t
h
e
B
a
t
t
e
r
y
Pack
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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low the appropriate instructions provided with
the charger/battery. Contact your Dealer if you
have any doubts about the appropriateness of the
particular charger or battery pack you intend to
use.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Battery Charging
It is necessary to fully charge the Ni-Cd battery before its first use. Follow these procedures:
¦ Install the supplied FNB-64 Ni-Cd battery pack
onto the transceiver. Ensure that the transceiver
is switched off.
¦ Plug the NC-77 into the AC line outlet.
¦ Insert the transceiver and battery pack into the
NC-77; the antenna jack should be at the left
side when viewing the charger from the front.
¦ If the transceiver and battery pack are inserted
correctly, the RED indicator will glow. A fullydischarged pack will be charged completely in
10 hours.
Important Notes:
r The NC-77 is not designed to power the trans-
ceiver for operation (reception or transmission).
r Do not leave the charger connected to the trans-
ceiver for continuous periods in excess of 24
hours. Long term overcharging can degrade the
Ni-Cd battery pack and significantly shorten its
useful life.
r If using a charger other than the NC-77, or if
using a battery pack other than the FNB-64, fol-
VXA-210/NC-77
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Low Battery Indication
¦ As your battery discharges during use, the volt-
age will gradually become lower. When the battery voltage reaches 6.0 Volts, the “ ” icon
will blink on the LCD display, indicating that
the battery pack must be recharged before further use.
¦ Avoid recharging Ni-Cd batteries before the
“Low Battery” indicator is observed, as this can
degrade the charge capacity of your Ni-Cd battery pack. Vertex Standard recommends that you
carry an extra, fully-charged pack with you so
you will not lose communications capability due
to a depleted Ni-Cd battery.
This “deep cycling” practice will help to maintain longer overall battery life after many recharging cycles.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Installing the FBA-25 (option) Alkaline
Battery Case
The optional FBA-25 Battery Case allows operation of the VXA-210 using six “AA” size Alkaline
batteries.
When installing batteries, insert the (–) end first, then
press in the (+) end so the battery snaps into place.
Always replace all six batteries at the same time, paying attention to the polarity indicated inside the case.
The FBA-25 must not be used with re-
chargeable cells. The FBA-25 does not contain the thermal and over-current protection circuits (provided in the “FNB” series of Ni-Cd Battery Packs) required when utilizing Ni-Cd cells.
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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OPERATION
Preliminary Steps
¦ Install a charged battery pack onto the transceiver,
as described previously.
¦ Screw the supplied antenna onto the Antenna
jack. Never operate this transceiver without an
antenna connected.
¦ If you have an optional Speaker/Microphone or
headset, we recommend that it not be connected
until you are familiar with the basic operation of
the VXA-210.
Operation Quick Start
r To turn the radio on,
rotate the VOLUME
knob out of the
click-stop.
r After three “initial-
ization” beeps are
heard, a channel frequency should appear on the display.
If not, press downward (momentarily)
on the DIAL selector knob (repeatedly, if necessary) so that “- VFO -” appears on the display,
followed by a channel frequency.
r Directly entering frequencies from the keypad is
the easiest method if you know the frequency on
which you wish to operate. Just enter the five
digits of the frequency to move to that frequency.
For example, to set 134.35 MHz,
press [1] à [3] à [4] à [3] à [5].
Press
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
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To set 118.275 MHz, you do not need to press
the final “5” in the frequency:
[1]
à [1] à [8] à [2] à [7].
r You may also turn
the top panel’s DIAL
selector knob to
choose the desired
operating frequency.
The channel frequency will appear
on the LCD.
r To change fre-
quency in 1 MHz
steps, press the [F
]
key momentarily,
then rotate the DIAL
selector knob to select the MHz digit
desired. Press [F] once more to resume normal
channel selection in 25-kHz steps.
OPERATION
r Rotate the VOL-
UME knob to set the
volume level. If no
signal is present,
press and hold the
MONITOR button
for 2 seconds; background noise will
now be heard, and
you may use this
noise to set the
VOLUME knob for
the desired audio
level. Press the
MONITOR button momentarily to silence the
noise and resume normal (quiet) monitoring.
r Press and hold the
LAMP button for 2
seconds, to illuminate the display continuously. To disable
the illumination,
press the LAMP button momentarily.
F
+
VXA-210 PILOT OPERATING MANUAL
14
r To turn the radio off,
turn the VOLUME
knob fully counterclockwise into the
click stop position.
OPERATION
Accessing the 121.5 MHz Emergency Frequency
The VXA-210 can quickly access the 121.500 MHz
Emergency Frequency. This function can be activated
even when the keypad lock function is in use.
r To access the Emer-
gency Frequency,
press the [121.5
]
key momentarily.
r To exit the Emer-
gency Frequency,
press downward on
the DIAL selector
knob.
Squelch Adjustment
1. Press the [F] key momentarily, then press
downward on the DIAL selector knob to
activate the Menu (“SET”) mode.
2. Rotate the DIAL selector knob to select the
Menu Item 01 “SQL.”
3. Press downward on the DIAL selector
knob, then rotate the DIAL selector knob
to set the squelch threshould (0 to 8) so
that the receiver is just silenced. A higher
number indicates that a higher signal level
is required in order to open the squelch.
4. Press downward on the DIAL selector knob
to save your new setting.
5. Press the PTT switch to exit the Menu
(“SET”) mode.
3
6
9
2
5
8
0
F
Press
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