REGENCY ACT-T-720A Digital Flight Scan User Manual

REGENCY ACT-T-720A Digital Flight Scan

DESCRIPTION

• The Regency ACT-T-720A is a programmable 16-chan­nel, AM monitor receiver. It is a double-conversion superheterodyne used to receive communications in the Aircraft band, 108-136 MHz.
• The need for crystals has been eliminated by the use of computer type circuits which permit the fre­quency of each channel to be entered by a keyboard numbered like the one used on a telephone.
• Any combination of one to sixteen channels may be scanned.
• Manual selection of channels is available to per­mit continuous monitoring of any one channel.
• Two “Priority” options are provided. Channel 1 can be programmed “Priority”. In addition, any other channel, (2 through 16) can be programmed “Priority”. These two “Priority” options may be used separately or in combination,
• A search feature permits unknown frequencies to be located. Keyboard programming permits searching any segment of any the band, or the entire band if de­sired,
• A variety of messages appear on the readout during programming and operation of the receiver.
• The ACT-T-720A may be operated from 117 VAC or 12 VDC,  Provisions are made for external antenna and ex­ternal speaker.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frequency Range   108-136 MHz

• Search Frequency” Increments:
  108-118 MHz  50 KHz
  118-136 MHz  25 KHz

• Sensitivity (10 DBS+ N/N at tune-up)  1 UV

• Adjacent Channel Rejection 55 DB

• Spurious Rejection (except Primary Image)   55 DB

• I. F. Frequencies.  ls t IF: 10. 7 ‘MHz;. Qrystal filter
  2nd IF: 455 KHz; ceramic filter

• Reference Oscillator
  (Synthesizer)…… Crystal Controlled

• Scanning Rate approx. 16 channels per second

• Search Scanning Rate
  108-118 MHz  1.2 sec. per MHz
  118-136 MHz   2.4 sec. per MHz

• Scan Delay
  Normal.  approx. 0. 6 seconds
  With Delay Option  approx. 2 seconds

• Search Delay . approx. 3 seconds

• Audio Output  1 Watt@ 5%, or less, distortion; 2 Watts maximum

• Speaker (Internal) 8 ohms; 3″ square

• Power Requirements .. 110-130 VAC, 60 Hz; 18 Watts max.
  11.5-15 VDC; 9 Watts max.

• Memory Saver Battery (optional) 9 volt, transistor radio type

• Display (Frequency and Message Readout)   7-digit, 7-segment LED type

Semiconductors:

• Integrated Circuits ……………….. 20
• Transistors…………………30
• Diodes (total) ………………… 34
• Rectifier. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
• Zener . ………………… 1
• Varactor…………………………4
• Light Emitting (LED)……………………… 18
• Signal, Silicon……………………….6
• Signal, Germanium………………………… 2

FCC Certified   Part 15, Subpart C
UL Listed  Radio Receivers,
Audio Systems and Accessories
Size   12 1/2″ wide x 3 3/411 high x 9 3/4″ deep
Weight…8 lbs.

CONTROLS

ON/OFF Switch:
Pushing the ON/OFF Switch to the right applies power to the receiver. Power is applied to the memory circuits at all times when the power cord is plugged in. Turning the switch off will NOT cause loss of  memory.

Volume:
Moving the Volume Control knob to the right will increase the sound from the internal speaker, or the external speaker if one is installed. Moving the con­trol to the left reduces the volume.

Squelch:
The Squelch Control is used to remove the back­ground noise between stations and to obtain proper scanning action. The control should be moved to the right until the scanner stops or noise is heard, and then to the left just enough to eliminate the noise and proper scan action is obtained.

BATTERY

A battery is not necessary for normal operation t however, a battery can be installed to prevent loss of channel frequency memory in the event of a power fail­ure or the power cord is unplugged. Without a battery, power failure will cause loss of all memories and 121.5 MHz will be in all channels.

The battery is not supplied with the receiver. A new battery should be purchased and installed at the time the receiver is purchased. The battery is a 9 volt battery of the same type used in transistor radios. An alkaline battery, or heavy duty battery, is recommended because of their longer life in this type of operation.

Batteries suitable for use in this receiver are widely available at electronic stores and other places that carry a line of batteries.

A partial list of available batteries is:

Alkaline Batteries
Eveready /f522DB
Mallory MN1604

Heavy Duty Batteries
Eveready 222
Burgess 2MN6

The battery should be replaced approximately once a year in normal use. If numerous power failures have occurred, or if the channels lose memory after a power interruption, the batt:ery should be rijplac·ed. The battery should be installed while the receiver is plugged in, When done in this manner, there will be no loss of memory while replacing the battery.

NOTE: The battery is not intended for long term memory storage. If the unit is going to be unplugged for an extended period of time, it is recom­mended that the battery be removed. Also it is recommended that a dead battery be removed or replaced as soon as possible.

BATTERY INSTALLATION

The access cover on the battery compartment is held with 2 screws. One of these screws must be re­moved and the other loosened to remove the cover.
Insert the battery part way into the compartment with the terminals out. Press the snap connector onto the battery, Push the battery into the compartment and replace the cover,

HOME INSTALLATION

The receiver requires very little ventilation, however, warm areas near radiators or heating vents should be avoided.

Refer to the illustration on page 5 and assemble the telescope antenna and adapter. Make sure the plug is firmly seated in the plastic grip. Insert the adapter into the external antenna socket with the antenna straight up.

Plug the AC cord into the AC connector on the rear of the receiver. Plug the opposite end into a 117 volt AC wall outlet,
Install the battery as outlined on page 7 . To conserve battery power, do not leave the receiver for any length of time without power applied.

If the receiver fails to operate properly, espe­cially after a power failure, turn the unit off and then on again. Touch SCAN or MANUAL. If unit is still operating improperly, remove the battery and repeat the above steps.

MOBILE INSTALLATION

The ACT-T-720A will operate from any 12 volt, negative- ground electrical system. A DC power cord, Regency part number MA-17, will be required. The DC cord should be connected to the battery, not through ignition switch.

A battery should be installed in the receiver to reduce the possibility of memory loss during engine starting.

If the scanner fails to operate properly after engine starting, turn the radio off and then on to restore proper operation, The electrical system in the vehicle should be checked to determine the cause of the low voltage.
Temporary mobile operation is possible by using a DC power cord with lighter plug attachment, Regency part number MA-18. This cord will permit the unit to be operated while sitting on the seat. The telescope antenna will usually be sufficient for this type of operation.
A coupling harness, Regency part number MA-5, is available to allow the AM auto antenna to be used with the ACT-T-720A.

INITIAL POWER TURN-ON
When power is first applied, ALL 16 channels are programmed to 121. 5 MHz, the aircraft emergency fre­quency.

The receiver will come on scanning all 16 channels.

Search Delay is pre-programmed for “Hold 11• See page 16 for detailed information on Search Delay pro­gramming.

PROGRAMMING

The switches on the touch panels are located under the number or letters. The switches are operated by applying light pressure with a finger directly on the number or letters. A slight 11 click” will be felt to indicate that the switch has operated.

Whenever a specific switch is referred to in the following instructions, it will be enclosed in a box. For example, the switch designated as MANUAL will be printed as MANUAL
The frequency in any channel may be changed as de­sired.
The readout indicates the frequency whenever the scanner is stopped on a channel in either MANUAL or SCAN mode. The readout indicates continuously while in SEARCH SCAN.

PROGRAMMING CHANNEL FREQUENCIES

Touch MANUAL The scanner will stop and the readout will display the frequency in the memory of the channel indicated. If this channel has not been previously programmed, the frequency will be 121.5 MHz. It is not necessary to move the scanner to the channel to be programmed. If desired, the frequency in the memory of the channel to be programmed may be checked by touching its CHANNELINUMBER!.

Enter the desired frequency by touching the numbers on the KEYBOARD in the proper place. Be sure to enter the decimal point at the correct place.· The frequency on the readout will turn off when the first number of the new frequency is entered. If a mistake is made in entry, touch ll:}ANUAL! and start over.

Touch !EWTERI. If “Error” appears on the readout, the frequency is not in the Aircraft band (108-136 MHz), Touch !MANUAL! and enter a correct frequency.
Toueh the CHANNEL !NUMBER! of the channel to re­ceive the frequency entry. If the scanner is not on the selected channel, the indicator will immediately jump to the selected channel and the readout will in­dicate the frequency.

Repeat this procedure for each of the channels to be programmed.

When all desired channels are programmed, touch SCAN. If necessary, adjust the squelch control to obtain proper scan action. The channels that are not to be scanned may be turned off by touching the CHANNEL NUMBERS of these channels. The channels may be turned back on by touching the CHANNEL NUMBER again. Each time the CHANNEL NUMBER is touched, the channel will turn off and on alternately. Whenever a channel is turned either on or off, the scanner will jump to that channel and then resume scanning.

When channels are selected manually, an “L” will appear after the frequency on the readout on each channel that has been “locked out”. The lockout in­dication applies only to Scan; the channels will be received when selected manually, If an attempt, is made to lockout all 16 channels, the last remaining channel will not turn off:
The frequency in any channel memory may be put into any other channel memory.

Touch MANUAL

Touch the CHANNEL!NUMBER! of the channel con­taining the frequency to be put into anocher · channel. The readout will indicat.e the frequency.

Touch ENTER
Touch the CHANNEL I NUMBER! of the channel to re­ceive the frequency entry. The channel light will jump to the channel and the readout will indicate the frequency. The frequency is not removed from the original channel, the frequency will be in both chan­nels.

SCAN DELAY SELECTION
When the receiver is in SCAN mode, there are two scan delay times available. One of these is approxi­mately 1/2 second, the other is approximately 2.0 sec­onds. When the 2 second delay is selected, a “d” will appear on the readout whenever the channels are being scanned. The scan _delay is changed by touching DELAY. Each time )DELAY! is touched, the scan delay time will change from one to the other.

PROGRAMMING PRIORITY

Two “PRIORITY” channels are available. One of these must be Channel 1. The other may be any one of the remaining channels (2 through 16) . These two PRIORITIES may be used individually, or they may be used in combination. Whenever either PRIORITY alone is programmed 11 0N11 , and the scanner is stopped on an active channel, the PRIORITY channel will be sampled approximately once a second for ac ti vi ty. In this mode, the scanner will switch to the PRIORITY chan­nel whenever a signal is received on that channel.

When both “PRIORITIES” are programmed “ON”, and the scanner is stopped on another active channel, the PRIORITY channels are sampled alternately for activity. In this mode, the scanner will switch to Channel 1 if a signal is received on Channel 1, or to the other PRIORITY channel if a signal appears on that chan­nel. However, while stopped on the second PRIORITY channel, Channel 1 will be sampled approximately once a second for activity. If a signal appears on Channel 1 during the time the scanner is stopped on the second PRIORITY channel, the scanner will switch to Channel 1. Thus, Channel 1 has preference. When the scanner stops on either PRIORITY channel, the readout will display the channel frequency followed by a “P”.
No fnore than two “PRIORITY” channels may be pro­grannned.
The receiver must be in SCAN mode or MANUAL mode to enter or remove the Priority feature.
The scanner does not have to be on Channel 1 to enter or remove Channel 1 Priority, it may be scanning or locked on any channel.
Any frequency in the band may be used as a Priority frequency in Channel 1. Make sure the desired fre­quency has been entered in Channel 1 before Channel 1 Priority is activated.

ENTER CHANNEL 1 PRIORITY

Touch PRIORITY “Prior” will appear on readout.

Touch CHANNEL NUMBER If the receiver is in MANUAL mode, “Prior” will disappear on readout and be replaced with the channel frequency followed by a “P”. If in SCAN mode, the channel will jump to the next channel and resume scanning.

REMOVE CHANNEL 1 PRIORITY
Touch PRIORITY. “Prior” appears on readout.

Touch CHANNEL NUMBER 1 In MANUAL mode, “Prior” will disappear and be replaced with the channel fre­quency without “P”. In SCAN mode. the channel will jump to the next channel and resume scanning.

Each time !PRIORITY! -Channel [jJ is touched, the CHANNEL 1 PRIORITY will alternately turn on and off.

ENTER SECOND PRIORITY
(Channel 2 through 16)
The second “PRIORITY” may be entered into any chan­nel except Channel 1.

Any frequency in the band may be used as the priority frequency in the “SECOND PRIORITY” channel.

The scanner does not have to be on the selected channel to enter “SECOND PRIORITY”, it may be scan­ning or locked on any channel.
Touch PRIORITY “Prior” appears on readout.

PROGRAMMING “SEARCH” FREQUENCIES

Two frequencies are used in the Search Mode. These frequencies are designated “START” and “STOP” fre­quencies. The “START” frequency MUST. be lower than the “STOP” frequency. After the “START” and “STOP” frequencies have been programmed and the Search is started, the unit will start searching at the “START” (lower frequency) and search towards the “STOP” (higher frequency) . Upon reaching the “STOP” frequency, the Search will automatically go back to the “START” fre­quency and start over.

During Search programming the Channel 1 or Chan­nel 2 light will be on. The light will change from one to the other alternately each time !SEARCH PROGRAM! is touched. The frequency displayed by the readout will be the ”START” frequency when Channel 1 light is on, and the “STOP” frequency when Channel 2 light is on. The readout will indicate the last frequency pro­grammed into the search memories. If the search has not been previously programmed, the “START” frequency will be 108. 000 MHz and the “STOP” frequency will be 135.975 MHz.

There are two Search Scan frequency increments used, depending upon the segment of the band that is being searched. From 108 to 118 MHz, a 50 KHz in­crement is utilized. A 25 KHz increment is used in the 118 to 135. 975 segment. Any increment keyed in that does not match either of these two specified choices will automatically be corrected to a proper increment.

Programming the Search feature has no effect on the frequencies stored in the Channel 1 and Channel 2 memories for SCAN or MANUAL purposes, these are com­pletely separate functions and memories.

ENTER SEARCH “START” FREQUENCY

Touch SEARCH PROGRAM! on the Search panel. Chan­nel 1 light will be on and the readout will display the frequency in the Search “START” memory.
Enter the desired frequency by touching the [NUMBERS! on the KEYBOARD in the proper order. Be sure to enter the decimal point at the co·rrect place.
Touch IENTER[. If “Error11 appears on the readout, the frequency is invalid (out of band). Key in a cor­rect or valid frequency and touch IENTER!.

ENTER SEARCH “STOP” FREQUENCY

Touch [SEARCH PROGRAM[.
Enter the frequency by touching the KEYBOARD NUMBERS! in the proper order. Be sure to enter the decimal point at the correct place. Touch !ENTERI. If “Error” appears on the readout, the frequency is in ­valid. Key in a valid frequency and touch ENTER.

Touch CHANNEL NUMBER 2 The frequency will be entered and the readout will indicate the frequency.

SEARCH SCAN
Touch SEARCH SCAN to start the search.

If noise is heard and the readout indicates the START frequency, move the Squelch Control to the left just enough to eliminate the noise and touch SEARCH SCAN again.

If “Error” appears on the readout, the START fre­quency is not lower than the STOP frequency. Touch ISEARCH PROGRAM(. Key in a proper START, or STOP, frequency touch ENTER Touch Channel IT) , or Ii], and touch !SEARCH SCAN

The Search may be stepped manually if desired. Move the Squelch Control to the right until noise is heard and the search stops. Touch !SEARCH SCAN!. Each time !SEARCH SCANI is touched, the search will move one increment (50 KHz from 108 to 118 MHz; 25 KHz from 118 to 135.975 MHz).

SEARCH DELAY PROGRAMMING

A choice of two modes of search delay is provided. “Hold” and “Delay”. With “Hold”, the Search Scan will remain on the active frequency indefinitely until SEARCH SCAN( is touched to restart the search. In “Delay”, the Search will move on approximately three seconds after the signal goes away. Initially, the delay feature is automatically programmed “Hold”.

These two modes are selected by touching !DELAY! while the Search is scanning. Each time !DELAYI is touched, the delay will change from one to the other.

The mode that has been selected will be indicated immediately on the readout. Delay” is indicated with the frequency followed by a “d”. “Hold” is indicated by the readout showing only the frequency.

Operation HINTS
Following the instructions presented thus far should result in a properly operating receiver, how­ever, there are, in addition to the specific instruc­tions, some hints that may prove helpful and improve the overall operation.

1. Set the Squelch Control halfway between threshold (the point where the noise just disappears) and the full left position. This setting will reduce any tendency the receiver may have to respond to undesired frequencies. Some experimenting with the Squelch Control setting is recommended to obtain the best results in any particular lo­cation.
2. If a desired signal appears to be received at more than one frequency, select the frequency that results in clearest reception (voice not garbled, least noise, etc.). Ths effect is most likely to occur on very strong signals.
3. In the Search mode, limit the search range to one megaHertz or even less. This will increase the chance of catching an unknown station while it is transmitting. The transmissions are usually short.
4. Select the Start and Stop frequencies of the Search mode to avoid known birdies. This may be done by limiting the range to be searched to small segmeJlts just above or below the birdies. This will help to avoid the search being stopped by undesired frequencies.

FUNCTION DESCRIPTIONS

The FREQUENCY READOUT will read the frequency whenever the scanner is stopped on a channel in either MANUAL, SCAN, or SEARCH. During programming, the fre­quency will disappear when the first number of the new frequency is touched.
The readout will indicate the frequency contin­uously in the search mode.

If “Error” appears on the readout during program­ming, the frequency to be entered is not the Aircraft band. The ERROR indication may be removed by touching MANUAL or it may be written over it with a new fre­quency. “Error11 will disappear when the first number of the new frequency is touched.

The memories will accept three numbers AFTER the decimal point. Whenever the numbers AFTER the decimal point are invalid, the unit will round them to the nearest valid frequency when !ENTER! is touched.

If the decimal point is misplaced in a valid fre­quency, the unit will move the decimal point to the correct place.
KEYBOARD NUMBERS, zero through 9 and decimal point, are used to enter frequencies into the channel memories, and the “START” and “STOP” frequencies into the search feature. The decimal point is shared with the DELAY function.

CHAh’NEL NUMBERS, 1 through 16, are used to select channels. The frequency in the channel memory will be displayed when any channel is selected. If the chan­nel has not been previously programmed, the frequency will be 121.5 MHz.

CHANNEL NUMBERS 1 and 2 are also used when pro­grannning the “START” and “STOP” frequencies into the SEARCH feature. Programming the SEARCH frequencies has no effect on the frequency in the channels 1 and 2 memory for SCAN and MANUAL functions.

ENTER) is used when programming frequencies into the channel memories and the SEARCH memories.

DELAY which is shared with decimal point, is used to enter and remove the 2 second delay when in the scan mode. The 2 second delay may be turned on at any time in SCAN mode, whether scanning or stopped on a signal. A “d” will appear on the readout when the scanner is scanning. Each time (DELAY! is touched, the 2 second delay will turn ON and OFF alternately.

In SEARCH mode, DELAY is used to turn the three second 11 SEAF.CH DELAY” ON and OFF. The readout will show a d” when the delay is turned on. When the “SEARCH DELAY” is “ON”, the search will stop on an active frequency and remain for three seconds after the signal goes off· then resume searching. Without the delay turned on, the SEARCH will stop on an active frequency and remain indefinitely after the signal goes off, until !SEARCH SCAN( is touched to resume the SEARCH.

BIRDIES
Every complex receiver has frequencies that are difficult or impossible to receive. These frequencies are called “Birdies”. Three of these birdie fre­quencies that occur in the ACT-T-720A are:

112.700 MHz
122.950 MHz
134.100 MHz

In addition, there are other frequencies that have difficulty because of interference from T.V. stations, other receivers, and sources of man-made noise. These frequencies will vary from location to 1,ocation and are therefore impossible to list. When this type of in­terference is encountered, the interference can some­times be eliminated by moving the Squelch Control to the left, (increase squelch action).

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