RANGER RCI-99N1 10 Meter Amateur Mobile Transceiver Instruction Manual

RANGER RCI-99N1 10 Meter Amateur Mobile Transceiver Instruction Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of a 10 meter band RCl-99N2 amateur radio. Your RCl-99N2 is designed to provide trouble-free service and state-of-the-art communications, incorporating many useful features and functions into the 10-meter dual-band radio. Please read this manual carefully to ensure proper operation.

IMPORTANT
To operate this radio, you must possess an amateur radio operator’s license issued by the FCC. Operating this unit without the proper license is ILLEGAL and may result in severe fines.

NOTE
The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or 1V interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Unpacking
The following items are included with our RCl-99N2. Carefully remove and examine all materials from the packaging box. If any item is missing or appears damaged, contact your dealer immediately.
Each unit must include:

1. RCl-99N2 Transceiver
2. Dynamic Microphone (SRA-198 NOISE CANCELING MICROPHONE)
3. Power cord
4. Mounting bracket and hardware
5. Hardware installation
6. The owner’s manual

It is recommended that you save the packaging materials for future storage or shipping.

Facility
The RCl-99N2 is easy to install. All necessary parts (except antenna and coaxial cable) have been included for easy installation.

Mounting the Transceiver
Choose a suitable location for the transceiver that allows easy access to the front panel as well as adequate air circulation to the rear of the unit. If you are installing the unit in a vehicle, attach the mounting bracket first, and then connect the transceiver to the mounting bracket using the provided accessories. Before making any electrical connections, ensure that the transceiver is turned off and the vehicle battery is disconnected.

Electrical connection
The transceiver works with any 12 to 13.8 voe source. Beware of voltage drops caused by operation from cigarette lighter sockets or long DC cables. Sometimes it is best to connect directly to the battery to get the best RF output and TX audio quality.

NOTE
The condition of a vehicle’s electrical system may affect the operation of your RCl-99N2. Low battery, worn generator/alternator or vol.tag regulator will affect unit and vehicle performance.

CAUTION
voltage above 15 VDC will damage the unit. Be sure to check the source volume before connecting the power cord.

Operation

Front panel

1. MICROPHONE:  Used to connect the microphone.

2. CRUSH:  This knob is used to eliminate background noise heard through the receiver, which can be annoying when no transmissions are heard through the receiver. To use this feature, turn the knob fully counterclockwise and then slowly turn it clockwise until the background noise is removed. More clockwise rotation will increase the threshold level that a signal must exceed to be heard. Strong signals will only be heard at a maximum clockwise setting.

3. ON/OFF VOLUME:  This knob controls the volume and power of the radio. To turn on the radio, turn the knob clockwise. Turning the knob further will increase the volume of the receiver.

4. RF GAIN: Adjust this knob for the desired level of incoming signal.

5. MICROPHONE GAIN:  Adjusts the microphone gain in broadcast and paging modes. This controls the gain to the extent that the total talk power is available several inches from the microphone. In Public Address (PA) mode, the control functions as a volume control.

6. ECHO/TIME CONTROL:  The ECHO control is used for the echo effect. The TIME control is used to control the intervals of the echo sound.

7. DARK:  This knob controls the brightness level of the lamp meter, frequency display, channel display and all LED indicators except the SWR warning light.

8. TALKBACK/OFF CONTROL:  Adjust this knob for the desired Talkback volume. This is used to monitor your own voice. For example, you can use this function to compare different microphones.

9. POWER:  This control allows the user to adjust the RF power output.

10. FINE CONTROL  : Allows variation of the receive frequency above and below the selected receive frequency as shown on the screen. This control is primarily designed to tune SSB signals when communicating with multiple stations that may not be exactly on the frequency. It can also be used to optimize AM/FM signals as described in the operating procedure paragraph. The clarifier can adjust the receive frequency ±1.0 KHz but it does not affect the transmit frequency or frequency display.

11. CHANNEL SELECTOR:  This control is used to select the desired transmission and reception channel.

12. FRONT PANEL METER:  The front panel meter allows the user to monitor incoming signal strength, RF output power, AM modulation and SWR level.

13. SWR / MOD / POWER:  This switch controls the meter function during transmission mode. In the “SWR” position, the meter indicates the standing wave ratio (SWR) of the antenna (accurate at maximum output power). There are no adjustments because the SWR circuit in this radio is automatically calibrated. When the switch is in “MOD” position only in AM mode. It is accurate when tested at maximum power output. When this switch is in the “PWR” position. The meter indicates your power output.

14. BAND SELECTOR:  This switch is used to select the band.

15. BAND SWITCH  : The band switch allows the user to select the HI or LO band.

16. NB / ANL / RADIO / PA:  When the switch is in the NB/ANL position, the RF noise suppressor circuit and the automatic noise limiter are active. The noise suppressor is very effective for repetitive impulse noise such as ignition interference. In the PA position, the radio acts as a public address amplifier. Your voice will come out of the speaker that is connected to the PA. SP. Jack on rear panel. In the RADIO position, the PA function is disabled and the radio will transmit and receive on the speaker that is connected to the unit.

17. FREQUENCY COUNTER:  This screen indicates the frequency of the selected channel.

18. MODE CHANGE  : This control allows you to select one of the following operating modes: AM/USB/LSB.

19. SWR LED:  This LED illuminates red to indicate an SWR greater than around 3:1. It is not an exact indicator of a 3:1 SWR. When it lights red, check your SWR using the built-in SWR circuit.

20. Receive/Transmit LED:  This LED illuminates red to indicate that the unit is in transmit mode.
    Lights blue to indicate the unit is in receive mode.

21. COLOR CHANGE: This touch switch allows you to select one of seven backlight colors (blue, light blue, light red, orange, white, red, green). All letters on the faceplate will be fully illuminated to allow user viewing at night. This unique solid-state backlight is designed to maximize night vision and minimize eye fatigue. Therefore, it is ideal for recognizing switches and controls day or night.

22. CHANNEL INDICATOR:  The numbered LED indicates the selected channel you wish to operate on.

23. HIGH/LOW POWER:  Selectable high/low power (200/50 watts) toggle switch.

Back panel

1. POWER:  This plug accepts a 13.8 VDC power cord with built-in fuse. The power cord provided with the radio consists of a blue (negative) wire and a red (positive) wire.

2. ANTENNA:  This connector accepts 50 ohm coaxial cable with a PL-259 style plug.

3. EXTERNAL SPEAKER:  This jack accepts a 4 to 8 ohm, 5 W external speaker.
   When an external speaker is connected to this jack, the built-in speaker is disabled.

4. ESP SP.:  This connector is for public address operation. Before operating in PA mode, you must first connect a PA speaker (8 ohms, 4 W, 1/8″ or 3.5 mm diameter plug) to this connector.

PUSH-TO-TALK MICROPHONE
The receiver and transmitter are controlled by the push-to-talk switch on the microphone. Press the switch and the transmitter activates, release the switch to receive. When transmitting, hold the microphone two inches from your mouth and speak clearly in a normal “voice.” The radios come complete with a low impedance (500 ohm) dynamic microphone. For installation instructions on other microphones, see the following section, “ALTERNATIVE MICROPHONES AND INSTALLATION.”

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE TO RECEIVE

1. Make sure the power supply, microphone, and antenna are connected to the appropriate connectors before proceeding to the next step.
2. Turn on the unit by adjusting the VOL control clockwise on your transceiver.
3. Adjust the VOLUME for a comfortable listening level.
4. Set the MODE switch to the desired mode.
5. Listen to background noise from the speaker. Turn the SQUELCH control slowly clockwise until the noise JUST disappears (no signal should be present). Leave control at this setting. The SQUELCH is now correctly adjusted. The reception will remain silent until a signal is actually received. Do not advance the control too far, or some of the weaker signals will not be heard.
6. Set the CHANNEL selector switch to the desired channel.
7. Adjust the RF gain control fully clockwise for maximum RF gain.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE TO TRANSMIT

1. Select the desired broadcast channel.
2. Adjust the MIC GAIN control fully clockwise.
3. If the channel is clear, press the push-to-talk switch on the microphone and speak in a normal voice.

ALTERNATE MICROPHONES AND INSTALLATION

For best results, the user should select a low impedance dynamic type microphone or a transistorized microphone.
Transistorized type microphones have a low output impedance characteristic. Microphones must be provided with a four-conductor cable. The audio conductor and its shielded cable comprise two of the cables. The fourth wire is for receive control and the third is for transmit control. The microphone should provide the functions shown in the following diagram.
4-WIRE MICROPHONE CABLE

Fig. 1 Your transceiver microphone schematic.

If the microphone to be used is provided with pre-cut cables, they must be checked as follows.

1. Cut the conductors so that they extend 7/16″ beyond the plastic insulating jacket of the microphone cable.
2. All cables must be cut to the same length. Strip the ends of each wire 1/8″ and tin the exposed wire.

Before you begin the actual wiring, carefully read the circuit and wiring information provided with the microphone you select. Use the minimum head required to solder the connections. Keep exposed cable lengths to a minimum to avoid short circuits when reassembling the microphone plug.

B. MICROPHONE CONNECTOR DISASSEMBLED FOR WIRING
Fig. 2 Microphone plug wiring

1. Remove the retaining screw

2. Unscrew the housing from the pin receptacle body

3. Loosen the two cable clamp retaining screws.

4. Feed the microphone cable through the housing, knurled ring and washer as shown Fig. 2.
   The wires must now be soldered to the pins as indicated in the above wiring tables. If a vise or clamping tool is available it should be used to hold the pin receptacle body during the soldering operation, so that both hands are free to perform the soldering. If a vise or clamping tool is not available, the pin receptacle body can be held in a stationary position by inserting it into the microphone jack of the front panel. The numbers of the pins of the microphone plug are shown in Fig. 3, as viewed from the back of the plug. Before soldering the wire to the pins, pre-tin the wire receptacle of each pin of the plug.
   Fig.3 Microphone jack pin numbers viewed from the rear of the pin receptacle.Make sure the housing and the url ring in Fig. 2 are replaced on the microphone cable before you start soldering. If the washer is not captive to the pin socket body, make sure it is positioned on the threaded portion of the pin socket body before soldering.If the microphone connector is used to hold the pin receptacle during the soldering operation, best results are obtained when connections to pins 1 and 3 are made first and then connections to pins 2 and 4. Use a minimum quantity welding and be careful. to prevent excessive solder buildup on the pins, which could cause a short circuit between the pin and the microphone plug housing.

5. When all solder connections to the microphone plug pins are complete, press the ring and housing forward and screw the housing into the threaded portion of the pin receptacle body. Note the location of the screw clearance hole in the plug housing relative to the threaded hole in the pin receptacle body. When the housing is fully threaded into the pin socket body, a final fractional turn clockwise or counterclockwise may be required to align the screw hole with the threaded hole in the pin socket body. When these are aligned, the retaining screw is screwed into place to secure the housing to the body of the plug receptacle.

6. The two cable clamp retaining screws should now be tightened to secure the housing to the microphone cable. If the cutting directions have been carefully followed, the cable clamp should be secured to the insulating sheath of the microphone cable.

7. When completing the microphone plug wiring, connect and secure the microphone plug to the transceiver.

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