Specifications

(3) Basic manual operation of the receiver

The following information explains how to tune to a specific frequency, change receive mode etc.

Note: When the AR8600 is switched OFF USING THE STANDBY KEY, all VFO

data will be automatically stored into flash-ROM memory storage. No battery or capacitor is

required for memory backup. If the AR8600 is switched off using the PWR/VOL control prior to

use of the key, the VFO data may be lost. If the optional BP8600 battery is fitted and

becomes completely exhausted, the last stored memory channel or last VFO data ‘may’

be lost.

CURSOR

The CURSOR may apparently ‘go to sleep’ at times when menus are called. This is because of the

many tasks called by the microprocessor, it is simply doing something else at the time you call it. This

is particularly noticeable when recalling memory banks when only a few channels have been stored.

3-1 Switching On for the first time

Set the squelch control to the ‘mid point’ and rotate the PWR/VOL control to the ‘mid

point’, as you start to rotate the PWR/VOL control a ‘click’ will be heard as the power

isolation switch contact switches on. For future switching on and off, the

key. It is never a good idea to switch on any receiver with an earphone connected, there may be an

audible click when the unit is switched on or the volume may be accidentally set uncomfortably high.

In the default state, the LCD will show the opening message “WELCOME TO THE NEW

WORLD OF AR8600” across the first four lines, at the same time the microprocessor

generates the ‘boot up data’ required to control the receiver. When the key is

used, the opening message is bypassed.

In normal use, the squelch control should be rotated clockwise until the background noise

is just cancelled, this is known as ‘threshold’ and is the most sensitive setting for the

squelch control. Do not rotate the control too far clockwise or only the stronger local

signals will be heard. If you find setting the squelch control difficult, try removing the aerial

from the receiver.

Should you encounter problems in setting the volume level, the key to

momentarily defeat (open) the squelch so that a comfortable volume level may be set.

It is best to the key at this time to place the AR8600 in a known state of operation.

The condition of “VFO” (1VFO) or “2VFO” is generally referred to as manual mode. The “2VFO” legend

will be displayed in the upper left of the LCD to confirm selection.

Note: If the AR8600 has no data input via the keypad or other controls for 90 seconds,

some menus will time out and the AR8600 will return to its previous task just as if the

key had been operated.

3-2 2VFO twin VFO selection

The AR8600 receiver has a twin VFO system being identified as “V-A” and “V-B” on the LCD to the left

of the frequency readout. The term VFO historically means ‘Variable Frequency Oscillator’ and today

refers to a tuneable data store which contains frequency, mode, step, step-adjust, attenuator etc.

Section 3, 3-1, 3-2