A strong twin metal case with die cast front panel characterises the multi-purpose role. All mode receive capability is provided including Single Side Band with programmable tuning steps down to a resolution of 50Hz with the frequency established by a highly accurate Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO). An RS232 port further extends the capabilities with free supporting control software available from the AOR web sites. Many microprocessor features have been adopted from the trendsetting AR8200 Series-2 hand portable receiver, with the addition of a lamp dimmer and squelch operated lamp. The AR8600 MarkII RF front-end is an all new design with additional RF bandpass filters, sharper I.F. filters, SPM aerial switching devices for minimal signal path loss and Mini-Circuits mixers. RF preselection is provided through the crowded areas of VHF and UHF to ensure the highest levels of adjacent channel rejection with software spurii cancellation. In addition to a hinged telescopic whip aerial, the AR8600 Mark II is supplied with a detachable plug in medium wave bar aerial which locates on the rear chassis of the receiver for localised medium wave monitoring. An additional BNC socket is mounted on the rear chassis so that 10.7MHz i.f. output may be extracted for use with external spectrum display and vector analyser units such as the AOR SDU5500. The TCXO ensures high stability with minimal internal spurii and is usually only seen in top of the range (more expensive) table-top models such as the AR5000 and AR7030. Centre stage is a custom multi-section back-lit LCD, numeric keypad, navigation keys, rotary tuning control and separate controls for volume and squelch control, the LCD can also display alpha-numeric text comments. The all important 8.33 kHz airband channel step is correctly implemented (eight-and-one-third, 33, 66, 00). Channel steps are provided in a menu and may be programmed. Step may be programmed by the operator in any receive mode using multiples of 50 Hz in any mode (i.e. 5 kHz, 12.5 kHz or even 1.25 kHz). Extensive step-adjust and frequency offset facilities are also provided (as per AR5000) to ensure tracking of the most obscure band plans, AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) is included for spot on tuning ensuring that nothing is missed.
A wide frequency coverage is provided from 100 kHz to 3000 MHz (no gaps). All mode receive: WFM, NFM, SFM (Super Narrow FM), WAM, AM, NAM (Wide, standard, Narrow AM), USB, LSB & CW. A 3.0 kHz SSB filter is employed with true carrier re-insertion resulting in non-offset frequency readout for easy tuning of SSB transmissions. Optional substitute SSB and AM Collins mechanical filters are also available. An attenuator and noise limiter are also featured. A meaningful band plan is factory programmed specific to market area, this ensures that the AR8600 Mark2 automatically selects the correct receive mode and tuning step (although mode and tuning step may be manually selected at any time), the band plan may be edited via computer control. A group of four front panel navigational keys provide a natural and intuitive path through the on-screen menus. Tuning is primarily accomplished via the main tuning dial, arrow keys and keypad. The back-lit LCD with contrast control provides operational data with the ability to add 12 character text comments to each memory channel, memory bank and search bank, a text search feature simplifies identification and recall of stored information. Many text prompts aid operation making programming of search banks etc straight forward. Two frequencies may be displayed along with operating legends and high resolution signal meter and multi-function band scope. The band scope provides adjustable span width from 10 MHz to 100 kHz , you can move the marker, operate peak hold, transfer the marker frequency to VFO and save trace for later recall. Flexible dynamic memory bank layout is provided (memory banks may be varied in size between 10 and 90 channels each i.e. bank ‘A’ 80 channels / bank ‘a’ 20 channels with bank ‘B’ 40 channels / bank ‘b’ 60 channels etc). A total of 1,000 memories are provided in 20 memory banks, lockout, select scan, priority and auto store are also provided. In addition 40 search banks are provided with 50 pass channels per search bank and a further 50 for VFO search lockout. Comprehensive edit, move, swap and delete facilities are provided, it is possible to move whole memory & search banks. In addition you may write PROTECT memories, banks and search banks to prevent accidental over-writing of stored data including protection of the entire receiver! Scan & search rates provide a maximum of approximately 37 increments per second. FlashROM memory storage ensures that data is automatically saved without the need for a backup battery or capacitor. Computer control is available via a standard 9-pin RS232 D-type connector on the rear chassis, just a standard RS232 cable is required for connection to a PC, the
extensive RS232 command list is printed in the operating manual. A FREE software package is available as a download from the AOR web sites, this provides frequency control & management, searching, scanning, logging with support for geographic data from a GPS and audio recording to disk. In addition, 'optional internal SLOT CARDS' (which fit into the rear chassis of the AR8600 Mark2) extend the capabilities even further, five cards may be fitted with two operational simultaneously lMemory slot card (increase storage to 4,000 memories, 160 search banks). lCTCSS slot card squelch & search. lRecord chip slot card (records up to 20 seconds of audio) with 'continuous loop' capability. lTone eliminator slot card. lVoice inverter card. The slot cards are common to the AR8600, AR8600 Mark2, AR8200 and AR8200 Series-2. Portable operation is a reality, when the optional BP8600 battery is fitted, several
hours operation is provided away from the base or vehicle power supplies. (Note, considering the BP8600, a 15V regulated d.c. supply is recommended for charging purposes so that the battery obtains a full charge, full charging time 48 hours. This may also be used as a power supply).
Technical specifciations:
- Frequency coverage 100 kHz ~ 3000 MHz no gaps
- All mode reception with Super narrow FM plus Wide and Narrow AM in addition to the standard modes
- True carrier re-insertion in SSB modes
- New front end with RF preselection of VHF-UHF bands
- Detachable MW bar aerial
- Tuning steps programmable in multiples of 50 Hz in all modes, 8.33 kHz airband step correctly supported
- Step-adjust, frequency offset, AFC
- Noise limiter & attenuator
- Versatile band scope with save trace facility
- Twin frequency readout with bar signal meter
- Separate controls for volume & squelch
- Write protect & keypad lock, lamp dimmer
- Programmable scan & search including LINK, FREE, DELAY, AUDIO, LEVEL, MODE
- RS232 computer socket
- Flash-ROM memory (no battery required)
- Slot card sockets
- BNC socket for 10.7MHz i.f. output
Package:
- 1 x AR 8600 MK2 Scanner
- 1 x Whip
- 1 x Medium Wave (MW) bar aerial
- 1 x Power supply
- 1 x Operating manual English
