AOR AR800 Operating Manual

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13-3 Program search facilities & saving “active” frequencies to memory
Starting manual search
to initiate PROGRAM SEARCH press [SRCH].  The legend “SRCH” appears
on the top left of the LCD to confirm selection.
Changing the direction of manual search
The direction of search may be reversed by rotating the [DIAL] or using the
UP/DOWN keys.
Moving on from active frequencies
Should the receiver stop on an active frequency during program search, you
may force the search to continue by pressing the UP/DOWN keys or rotating
the [DIAL].
To cancel program search
To cancel program search press [2VFO] and the display will return to 2VFO
mode.
Transfer of an active frequency to VFO
Should the search process stop on an active frequency, you may stop the
search process by pressing [ENT].  The receiver will monitor the active
frequency in VFO mode and may be tuned using the [DIAL] or UP/DOWN
keys.
To restart the MANUAL SEARCH process from the start
To start the manual search from the original frequency press [2VFO] to return
to 2VFO mode than press and hold [2VFO] for more than one second to
restart manual search over again.
To resume PROGRAM SEARCH process from the current frequency
You may resume program search from the current frequency by pressing
[SRCH].
To restart the PROGRAM SEARCH process from the start
To start the program search from the start frequency press [SRCH] followed
by the search bank identifying letter (for example [1A].
Writing active frequencies to memory and continuing program search
If an interesting active frequency is found while in program search mode, it
may be written to a memory channel.
Press [ENT] to halt program search while storing the frequency, the active
frequency will be transferred to VFO.  Press and hold the [ENT] key for more
than one second to enter memory write mode. 
						

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The legend “BANK” is displayed on the left of the third line with a memory
location to the right.  Either key in the desired memory location for storage via
the keypad or use the [DIAL] (the UP/DOWN keys change the cursor position
if you make a mistake).
Press [ENT] to accept the chosen memory location.
The cursor moves to the fourth line where a
maximum seven character comment may be added.
Use the [DIAL] and UP/DOWN keys to change the
text comment as desired then press [ENT] to accept
the complete entry.  (If you do not wish to make a
comment just press [ENT] to skip the entry and
accept the complete data).
The display returns to VFO mode with the same frequency displayed and does
not continue to search.  To resume program search from the same frequency
press [SRCH].  If the active frequency prevents the search process from
continuing, press the UP/DOWN keys to force the process onward.
PASS frequencies in program search mode
Should you encounter a permanently active frequency while in program search,
press [PASS] to lock out the frequency and force search to continue.  The
frequency will be “skipped” when the bank is next searched.  Refer to section
14 of this manual for further information regarding SEARCH PASS.
13-4 Programming and reprogramming PROGRAM SEARCH BANKS
You may wish to specify your own frequency limits or modes for program
search banks, you may also reprogram any which may be already prepro-
grammed.  There are 20 program search banks in total A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
I, J and protected banks a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j  (the later ten only being
accessible if the password code had been keyed in or the password facility not
activated).
Example of reprogramming a search bank - “J”
Let’s assume that you wish to reprogram the data contents of search bank “J”:
433.000 to 433.6000 MHz, mode to NFM, 25 kHz steps with STEP OFFSET
OFF, attenuator OFF and comment to 70CM.
To make things easier for this example, first delete the existing data.
Press [SRCH] to enter SEARCH mode.  While in search mode press [FUNC]
[9] to access the “SRCH-DATA DELETE” menu.  The highlight cursor will be
flashing over a search bank identifying letter.  Select program search bank “J”
by pressing [0J] or use the UP/DOWN keys or rotate the [DIAL].  When “J” is
displayed press [ENT] to delete the data contents.  The display will return to
SEARCH mode. 
						

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SELECT PROGRAM SEARCH BANK FOR PROGRAMMING:  To access the
SEARCH PROGRAM menu press [FUNC] [6].  The legend “SRCH PROG” will
be displayed on the top line of the LCD.
The second line of the LCD will display the legend “BANK” followed by the
search bank identifier to the right.  The highlight cursor will be flashing over a
search bank identifying letter (the current search bank
parameters will be displayed on the third and fourth
lines of the LCD in a scrolling format, if there is no
data programmed the data areas will display “- - -”).
Select program search bank “J” by pressing [0J] or
use the UP/DOWN keys or rotate the [DIAL].  When
“J” is displayed press [ENT] to select bank “J” for
programming.
The LCD top line alternates between “SRCH PROG” and “BNK-J” to indicate
programming is in process.
CHANGE MODE:  The selection symbol “>” appears on the second line of the
LCD along with available modes.  The symbol “#” indicates the current
selection.
Use the UP/DOWN keys or rotate the [DIAL] to until the “>” symbol is to the
left of and pointing at the mode “NFM”.  Press [ENT] to accept the mode
selection.
Note: If AUTO is selected, the “STEP SET” menu option will be skipped as the
data will be taken from the AUTO-MODE bandplan data programmed into the
AR8000 microprocessor.
ATTENUATOR SETTING:  The highlight flashing cursor moves to the
attenuator selection point on the second line of the LCD with the legend “ATT”
shown to the left indicating that attenuator setting is required.  The top line of
the LCD displays the indications “SRCH PROG” and “BNK-J   NFM” to indicate
that the program search data input menu is currently being used and the mode
has been earlier selected as NFM.
The options are “OFF or ON”.  Use the UP/DOWN keys or rotate the [DIAL]
until the legend “OFF” is displayed.  Press the [ENT] key to accept the
attenuator setting.
STEP SET:  The highlight flashing cursor moves to the step selection point on
the second line of the LCD over the legend “STEP” with an additional legend
“SRCH PROG / BNK-J   NFM” displayed on the top line.
The standard options are:  0.05 kHz (50 Hz), 0.1 kHz (100 Hz), 0.2 kHz (200
Hz), 0.5 kHz (500 Hz), 1.00 kHz, 2.00 kHz, 5.00 kHz, 6.25 kHz, 9.00 kHz,
10.00 kHz, 12.50 kHz, 20 kHz, 25.00 kHz, 30 kHz, 50 kHz, 100.00 kHz, 200.00
kHz, 250 kHz, 500.00 kHz. 
						

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Rotate the [DIAL] to indicate “25.00” on the third line of the LCD to select a 25
kHz step size.
If EXPERT status has been selected (as shown in section 6-3 of this manual)
the channel step may be input using the keypad.  Valid step sizes are multiples
of 50 Hz.
If specifying your own channel step remember that the receive frequency
must be divisible by the step size.  If it is not, the receive frequency will be
automatically recalculated by the AR8000 and the closest divisible frequency
later displayed.
Should you make a mistake while entering the new frequency, the  [UP] arrow
key will act as backspace edit to correct frequency input.
CHANGE FREQUENCY: The cursor moves to left of the second line of the
LCD over the legend “S” with “0.0” to the far right.  The “S” indicates that the
start (lower of the two limits) frequency is required.
Press [4] [3] [3] [ENT] to set the new start (lower) frequency to 433.000 MHz.
The cursor moves to left of the third line of the LCD over the legend “E” with
“0.0” to the far right.  The “E” indicates that the end (upper of the two limits)
frequency is required.
Press [4] [3] [3] [.] [6] [ENT] to set the new end (higher) frequency to 433.600
MHz.
Should you make a mistake while entering the new frequency, the  [UP] arrow
key will act as backspace edit to correct frequency input.
TEXT INPUT/CHANGE:  The highlight cursor will move to the fourth line to
the right of the legend “TXT”.  Rotate the [DIAL] on the top cabinet until the
chosen letter or symbol is displayed.  A maximum word length of seven
characters may be chosen and our example calls for “70CM”.  To move to the
right and left character positions use the arrow keys.
Note: If you do not wish to add or change an alphanumeric comment, simply
press [ENT] to skip the option and finalise the data input.
If you are happy with the alphanumeric description press [ENT] which also
completes the program search bank “J” data entry and returns the display at
2VFO mode.
Notes on program search bank programming
There is no need to delete program search bank data before programming.  If
data is already present, it may simply be over-written.
Should you initiate program search bank programming while in search mode,
the receiver will return to search mode upon completion of data entry.
To ABORT the SRCH-SELECT menu at any time press [CLEAR]. 
						

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13-5 SEARCH - outline introduction to facilities available in default
NEWUSER status
During program search, the receiver tunes to every frequency between two
specified frequency limits looking for “active” interesting frequencies.  When an
“active” frequency is located (when a signal is found and the squelch is open)
the receiver will temporarily stop searching.
At default when shipped from the factory and while in “NEWUSER”
status, the receiver will remain on the active frequency until the received
signal disappears and the squelch closes.  The AR8000 will then wait an
additional 2 seconds in case a reply is audible (such as aircraft and air traffic
communications) then will resume searching.
If the UP/DOWN keys are pressed during search or the [DIAL] rotated,  the
receiver resumes searching in the direction of the arrow key. This is particularly
useful for taking a second look at frequencies which have just been searched.
Additional facilities are available in PROGRAM SEARCH mode include:
Program search banks may be “LINKED” and “UNLINKED” to effectively
make larger or smaller groups of program search banks which may be
searched in succession.
“PASS” may be used whereby constantly active frequencies can be skipped
when not required, they may be reinstated at a later time.
“AUTO-MEMORY” reserves memory bank “J” so that active frequencies
found while conducting a SEARCH may be automatically written to
memory (refer to section 15 of this manual for further information).
This is a useful tool for compiling an activity list of rarely used frequencies
especially when unattended.
13-6 SEARCH - outline introduction to additional facilities available in
EXPERT status
It is possible to alter the sequence of program search events when in EXPERT
status depending upon the SEARCH CONFIGURATION as defined in the “SET
SEARCH” sub menu.
There are 4 search parameters which may be changed to suit your preferences
and requirements DELAY, AUDIO, FREE & LEVEL.  It is possible to mix
combinations of all four parameters.  (Refer to section 13-9 of this manual for
further information).
13-7 Linking program search banks
When shipped from the factory using default settings all program search banks
are UNLINKED so may only be searched on an individual basis by selecting 
						

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the search bank identifier via the numeric keypad (“A”, “B”, “C” etc).  This is
the usual way in which program search banks would be used.
When in SEARCH MODE, the program search banks are referred to as
“SEARCH BANK A”, “SEARCH BANK B”, “SEARCH BANK f” etc rather than
using the full title “PROGRAM SEARCH BANK A”, “PROGRAM SEARCH
BANK B” etc.  This terminology has been employed to make the explanation
of and referral to PROGRAM SEARCH BANKS (SEARCH BANKS) less
long-winded.
It is possible to quickly link a choice of program search banks together so they
will be searched sequentially as one group such as A, C, H, c, e, i.
Note: Of course you may only select the password protected banks if you
have keyed in the PASSWORD or have not set the password facility.
To LINK program search banks the “SET SEARCH” menu is used.  To access
the menu press first ensure the receiver is in SEARCH mode (“SRCH” on the
top left of the LCD, if it is not in SEARCH mode then press [SRCH] which
should achieve SEARCH regardless of what the receiver is doing).
While in SEARCH mode press [FUNC] [SRCH] to
access the SET SEARCH menu, the legend “SET
SEARCH” confirms selection.  The highlight cursor
will be flashing on the left of the second line of the
LCD, to the right of the cursor is the selection of bank
link “BNK.LK” which is default OFF (no banks linked).
To set LINK BANKS ON rotate the [DIAL] (either
direction will have the same effect) to select “ON”.
Use the [DOWN] key to move to the third line of the LCD which will be
displaying blank data fields “- - - - -”.  Key in the bank identifying letters of the
non-password protected program search banks which you would like to group
(ABCDEFGHIJ).  Each letter will appear on the third line of the LCD.
Use the [DOWN] key or [.] key to move to the fourth line of the LCD where the
password protected banks may be selected in the same manner (providing you
have keyed in your password if the facility is active).
* In NEWUSER status no further parameters may be changed using this
menu.
Press [ENT] to accept the new setting of “BNK.LK ON” BANK LINK ON and
specified list of banks.
The receiver will return to SEARCH mode when all indicated program search
banks will be searched in sequence.
* Refer to section 13-9 for further SEARCH options which are available in
EXPERT status. 
						

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13-8 Searching a program search bank which is not specified in BANK
LINK
It is still possible to SEARCH a single deselected bank by manually bypassing
the BANK LINK programming.  To SEARCH 
any deselected bank simply key
the desired identifying bank letter through the keypad.
If initially the bank selected is not linked and does not contain data, the sub
menu “SRCH SELECT” will appear.  Select the desired bank identifying letter
(which does contain data) using the keypad and [.Aa] key as appropriate.  The
receiver will search only the selected single unlinked bank over and over and
will not attempt to search the group of banks as specified in BANK LINK.
13-9 Additional SEARCH options in EXPERT status
It is possible to alter the sequence of scanning events when in EXPERT status
depending upon the SEARCH CONFIGURATION as defined in the “SET
SEARCH” sub menu.
There are 4 search parameters which may be changed to suit your preferences
and requirements.  The list of search defaults is shown below:
SEARCH TYPE NEWUSER EXPERT
DELAY 2.0 seconds 0.1 - 9.9 seconds/OFF/HOLD
AUDIO OFF OFF/ON
FREE OFF 01 - 99 seconds/OFF
LEVEL OFF 0 - 7 /OFF
* It is possible to mix combinations of all four parameters. *
It is strongly recommended that NEWUSER mode is used during
familiarisation of the AR8000, use EXPERT status only if you have fully
familiarised yourself with all operations.
To select EXPERT configuration the CONFIGURATION menu is used.  To
access the menu press [FUNC] [LOCAL] and the “INITIAL SET” menu will be
displayed.
Select the NEWUSER/EXPERT option of the fourth
line of the LCD, the cursor will be to the right of the
“NEWUSER” setting which is the default.  To change
the setting to “EXPERT” rotate the [DIAL] (on the top
panel) one click, the direction is unimportant.  The
legend “EXPERT” confirms selection.
The new setting may be saved by pressing [ENT] at
this point.
If you have selected “EXPERT” status then further options become available by
pressing the [DOWN] key.  These include AUTO-STORE, POWER-SAVE and
REMOTE.  These options are covered later in the operating manual. 
						

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To access the additional options of “SET SEARCH-SCAN”
Once in EXPERT status five additional options are available.  To access the
“SET SEARCH” menu first place the receiver into SEARCH mode (“SRCH”
displayed in the top left of the LCD - press [SRCH] if necessary) then press
[FUNC] [SRCH].
Press the [DOWN] key three times (only one press is required if bank link is
OFF) to select the first of the four options.
Continue using the [DOWN] key until the required option is selected.  When
you are happy with the changes press [ENT] to accept the changes and the
receiver will revert to SEARCH mode.
Note: Make 
small changes and assess the effect as incorrect setting may
degrade the effectiveness of SEARCH capabilities.  If things appear to go
wrong, return the settings to their defaults or return to NEWUSER mode
which forces the AR8000 back to SEARCH defaults.
In extreme cases, reset the microprocessor which will revert the search
options back to defaults by placing the receiver into NEWUSER mode.
SEARCH - DELAY time
The DELAY search parameter affects the time the receiver will remain on an
active channel in search mode once the received signal has disappeared and
the squelch closed.
This is particularly useful for customising how long the receiver will wait for
a reply before continuing with the search process.  For example, with
communications hand-over between a control tower / aircraft which
may take a few seconds.
The limits are 0.1 to 9.9 seconds with “0” being interpreted as DELAY OFF.  If
“HOLD” is selected then the timer will be set to infinity and the search will not
resume automatically.
Either use the [DIAL] to change the value or key in a
two digit number through the numeric keypad.  [0] is
accepted as zero seconds (OFF) and [5] [3] as 5.3
seconds.  The decimal point is automatically added by
the AR8000.  The [ENT] key toggles the setting of
DELAY between 2.0 seconds (default), HOLD and
OFF.
Notes:
DELAY - Setting DELAY to “0” turns the delay OFF.  Under this condition,
the receiver may resume searching before the transmission has finished
due to signal level changes such as mobile flutter or signal fading. 
						

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HOLD - To resume search when HOLD has been set, press either the [UP]
or [DOWN] keys.  “FREE search” will be ignored if SEARCH DELAY TIME
has been set to “HOLD”.
To accept the changes to DELAY search, you must first use the UP/DOWN
key to change the cursor position to another line then press [ENT] to return
to SEARCH mode as the [ENT] key has a special function in DELAY
programming as mentioned above.
Alternatively you may move to the next option (AUDIO SEARCH) by pressing
the [DOWN] key.
SEARCH - AUDIO search
The AUDIO search parameter affects the way in which an “active” frequency is
determined.  When the AUDIO search is “ON”, the search process will only
stop on active channels which have modulation (voice) present.  The AR8000
will then not remain on unmodulated frequencies (such as blank carriers).
The options are ON or OFF, the default is OFF.  Rotate the [DIAL] to toggle
the option On / OFF.
To accept the changes to AUDIO search press [ENT] to return to SEARCH
mode.
Alternatively you may move to the next option (FREE SEARCH) by pressing
the [DOWN] key.
SEARCH - FREE search
The FREE search parameter determines how long the receiver will remain on
an “active” frequency before resuming search.
This is useful if you wish to gain a picture of what is happening on a particular
program search bank without the receiver being tied to a frequency for long
periods of time (such as when monitoring active amateur band repeaters etc).
Free search saves you having to manually intervene to force the search
process to continue or use PASS (lockout) frequencies.
The limits are 01 to 99 seconds with zero being interpreted as FREE search
OFF.
Either use the [DIAL] to change the value or key in a two digit number through
the numeric keypad.  [0] is accepted as 00 seconds (OFF) and [4] [1] as 41
seconds.
Note: FREE search will be ignored if SEARCH DELAY TIME has been set
to “HOLD”. 
						

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To accept the changes to FREE search press [ENT] to return to SEARCH
mode.
Alternatively you may move to the next option (LEVEL SEARCH) by pressing
the [DOWN] key.
SEARCH - LEVEL search
LEVEL search causes the receiver to check the signal strength of “active”
frequencies and only stops when signal strength is above a predetermined level
which is programmable in 7 steps plus OFF.
The limits are 1 to 7 levels with zero being interpreted as LEVEL search OFF.
Note: It is possible that false signal levels may upset the operation of
LEVEL search due to local noise or the close proximity of computer
systems.
Either use the [DIAL] to change the value or key in a one digit number through
the numeric keypad.  [0] is accepted as zero (OFF) and [4] as level 4.
To accept the changes to LEVEL search press [ENT] to return to SEARCH
mode.
13-10  Deleting program search bank data
It is possible to delete the programming of a search bank in two ways.  Of
course it is also possible to simply type new program search data over an
existing search bank.
Delete program search bank data while in SEARCH mode
Ensure the receiver is in search mode (“SRCH” in the top left corner of the
LCD).
Press [FUNC] [9], the “SRCH-DATA DELETE” menu
is displayed with the highlight cursor flashing over the
bank identifier of the current search bank being
searched.
If this is not the program search bank which you wish
to delete, use the keypad, [DIAL] or UP/DOWN keys
until the desired bank identifier is displayed.
Remember, if you have set the password then it must
be keyed in to access the protected banks.
When the desired program search bank identifier is displayed, press [ENT] to
delete the data.
The receiver will return to SEARCH mode but will move to the next program
search bank either above or below the deleted bank depending upon the