Icom IC-R1500 manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL iR1500 COMMUNICA TIONS RECEIVER[...]

i FOREWORD Thank you for purchasing this Icom receiver . The IC-R1500 COMMUNICA TIONS RECEIVER is designed and built with Icom’s state of the art technology and craftsmanship. With proper care, this receiver should provide you with years of trouble- free operation. We want to take a couple of moments of your time to thank you for making the IC-R1[...]

ii R W ARNING! NEVER connect the receiver via the OPC-254L to an AC outlet. This may pose a fire hazard or re- sult in an electric shock. R W ARNING! NEVER operate the receiver while dri- ving a vehicle. Safe driving requires your full attention— any- thing less may result in an accident. NEVER connect the receiver to a power source of more than[...]

iii T ABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD ........................................................................................... i IMPORT ANT ............................................................................................ i EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS ......................................................................... i PRECAUTIONS .........[...]

iv 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ■ AFC function ................................................................................ 13 ■ VSC function ................................................................................ 13 ■ IF filter selection ........................................................................... 14 ?[...]

1 CONNECTION 1 ■ Rear panel connection D DC power supply connection Use a 12 V DC power supply with at least 4 A capacity . Make sure the ground terminal of the DC power supply is grounded. • CONNECTING TO A DC POWER SUPPL Y OPC-254L (optional) black white R CAUTION! NEVER remove the fuse- holders from the DC power cable. Connect to a 12 V DC b[...]

2 1 CONNECTION 1 D D OPC-1 156 connection q Connect the controller plug to the OPC-1 156 jack. w Detach the ferrite core from the controller cable, then at- tach it to the OPC-1 156 as shown below . • Make sure to wind the cable on the ferrite core. e Connect the OPC-1 156 plug to the [CONTROLLER] con- nector of the receiver . ■ Antenna install[...]

3 P ANEL DESCRIPTION 2 q SET•LOCK KEY [SET•LOCK] ➥ Push to enter set mode . (p. 35) ➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to turn the lock function ON and OFF . (p. 1 1) w TUNING STEP/MODE KEY [TS•MODE] ➥ Push to enter tuning step selection mode . (p. 9) • Rotate [DIAL] to select the desired tuning step. ➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to enter rec[...]

4 2 PA NEL DESCRIPTION 2 y MONITOR•T ONE•TONE SCAN KEY [MONI•T/T -SCAN] ➥ Push to turn the monitor function ON and OFF . (p. 1 1) ➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to enter tone squelch selection mode . (pgs. 31, 33) •T one squelch, pocket beep (CTCSS), tone squelch reverse action, DTCS squelch, pocket beep (DTCS), DTCS squelch reverse action [...]

5 2 PA NEL DESCRIPTION q AFC INDICA TOR Appears when the AFC function is in use. (p. 13) w FM CENTER INDICA TORS ➥ “” or “ ” appears when the received signal is not tuned to its center frequency; or the squelch is closed. ➥ “” appears when the received signal is tuned to its center frequency . e RECEIVE MODE INDICA TORS Shows the se[...]

6 2 PA NEL DESCRIPTION 2 y DSP INDICA TOR (p. 43) Appears when the DSP digital filter function is in use. • The DSP function requires an optional UT -106 installation . u FREQUENCY READOUT Shows the operating frequency , channel names, set mode contents, etc. • Frequency decimal point blinks while scanning. (p. 26) i MEMOR Y INDICA TOR (p. 16)[...]

7 2 PA NEL DESCRIPTION q ANTENNA CONNECTOR [ANT] Connects a 50 Ω antenna with a BNC connector and a 50 Ω coaxial cable. w P ACKET JACK [P ACKET] Connects a TNC (T erminal Node Controller), etc. for data communications. The receiver can support 9600 bps packet communication (AFSK). e USB CONNECTOR [USB] Connects to a PC via the supplied USB cabl[...]

8 3 SETTING A FREQUENCY 2 3 ■ T urning power ON/OFF ➥ While receiver ’s power is OFF , push [PWR] to turn power ON. • While receiver power is ON, push and hold [PWR] for 1 sec. to turn power OFF . ■ Mode selection D VFO modes VFO mode is used for the desired frequency setting within the frequency coverage. ➥ Push [V/MHz•SCAN] to selec[...]

9 3 SETTING A FREQUENCY ■ T uning step selection When using the tuning dial to change the frequency , or when a scan function is activated, the frequency changes in incre- ments determined by the set tuning step. This can be changed if desired. The following tuning step are available. • 0.01 kHz (10 Hz) • 0.02 kHz (20 Hz) • 0.05 kHz (50 Hz)[...]

10 3 SETTING A FREQUENCY 3 ■ Receive mode selection Receive modes are determined by the physical properties of the radio signals. The receiver has 6 receive modes: LSB USB, CW , AM, WFM and FM modes. The mode selection is stored independently in each memory channels. T ypically , AM mode is used for the AM broadcast stations (0.495–1.620 MHz) a[...]

11 BASIC OPERA TION 4 ■ Receiving q Push and hold [PWR] for 1 sec. to turn power ON. w Set the audio level. ➥ Push [MONI•T/T -SCAN] to open the squelch. ➥ Rotate [VOL] to adjust the audio level. ➥ Push [MONI•T/T -SCAN] to close the squelch. e Set the squelch level. ➥ Rotate [SQL] fully counterclockwise in advance, then rotate [SQL] cl[...]

12 4 BASIC OPERA TION 4 ■ Attenuator function The attenuator prevents a desired signal from being distorted when very strong signals are near the desired frequency or when very strong RF fields, such as from a broadcasting sta- tion, are near your location. The attenuator reduces signal strength by about 20 dB and this function can be activated [...]

13 4 BASIC OPERA TION ■ AFC function [ The AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) function tunes the displayed frequency automatically when an off-center fre- quency is received. It activates in FM mode and only when the selected IF filter is 6 kHz or 15 kHz. q Select FM mode. w Push [SET•LOCK] to enter set mode . e Push [SET•LOCK] or [S.MW•MW][...]

14 4 BASIC OPERA TION 4 ■ IF filter selection [ The receiver has 2 to 4 IF passband filter widths for each mode. Selectable passband widths are 3, 6, 15, 50 and 230 (depending on the selected mode). • Selectable passband width for each mode. SSB mode : 3 (2.8 kHz) or 6 kHz CW mode : 3 (2.8 kHz) or 6 kHz AM mode : 3 (2.8 kHz), 6 kHz, 15 kHz or [...]

15 4 BASIC OPERA TION Duplex communication uses two different frequencies for trans- mitting and receiving. Generally , duplex is used in communi- cation through a repeater , some utility communications, etc. During duplex operation, the transmit station frequency is shifted from the receive station frequency by the offset fre- quency . Repeater in[...]

16 5 MEMOR Y OPERA TION 4 5 ■ General description The receiver has 1 100 memory channels including 100 scan edge memory channels (50 pairs) for storage of often-used frequencies. And a total of 21 memory banks, A to H, J to R, T, U, W and Y are available for storing groups of frequencies, etc. Up to 100 channels can be assigned to a bank. D D Mem[...]

17 5 MEMORY OPERA TION VFO settings, including the set mode contents such as sub- audible tone frequency , offset and scan skip information can be programmed into a memory channel. q Push [V/MHz•SCAN] to select VFO mode . w Set the desired frequency using [DIAL] . ➥ Set other data (e.g. subaudible tone frequency , scan skip information, etc.) i[...]

18 5 MEMORY OPERA TION 5 ■ Programming channel names Each memory channel can be programmed with an alphanu- meric channel name for easy recognition and can be indi- cated independently by channel. Names can be a maximum of 6 characters— see the table below for available charac- ters. q Select the desired memory channel to be programmed. ➥ Pus[...]

19 5 MEMORY OPERA TION D D To indicate the channel name [ The channel name indication can be set independently for eace memory channel. q Select the desired memory channel. ➥ Push [MR•SKIP] to select memory mode , then rotate [DIAL] to select the desired memory channel. •“ ! ” and memory channel number appear . w Push [SET•LOCK] to ente[...]

20 5 MEMORY OPERA TION 5 [EXAMPLE]: T ransferring the contents of memory channel 30 to VFO. [EXAMPLE]: T ransferring the contents of memory channel 22 to channel 23. Select the target channel. Push . Rotate for selecting memory channel. Push for 1 sec. Push to select memory mode. Rotate for selecting memory channel. Push for 3 sec. Push to select m[...]

21 5 MEMORY OPERA TION ■ Memory clearing Contents of programmed memories can be cleared (erased), if desired. q Push [V/MHz•SCAN] to select VFO mode . w Push [S.MW•MW] to enter select memory write mode . •“ ! ” and the memory channel number blink. e Rotate [DIAL] to select the memory channel to be cleared. r Push [TS•MODE] three times[...]

22 5 MEMORY OPERA TION 5 The IC-R1500 has a total of 21 banks (A to H, J to R, T , U, W, Y). Regular memory channels, 0 to 999, may assigned into the desired bank for easy memory management. q Select the desired memory channel. ➥ Push [MR•SKIP] to select memory mode , then rotate [DIAL] to select the desired memory channel. •“ ! ” and mem[...]

23 5 MEMORY OPERA TION ■ Memory bank selection q Push [MR•SKIP] to select memory mode . w Push [MR•SKIP] again to enter memory type selection mode . e Rotate [DIAL] to select the desired bank (A to H, J to R, T , U, W or Y). • Only programmed banks are displayed. r Push any key to set the bank indication. • Bank’s indicator appears at t[...]

24 5 MEMORY OPERA TION 5 e Push [TS•MODE] once to select “bAnk.” • The bank’s indicator and bank channel are displayed. r Rotate [DIAL] to select the desired bank indicator to trans- fer or erase. • Push [SET•LOCK] to toggle the bank or bank channel selection. • Select “-- --” indication when erasing the contents from the bank. [...]

25 SCAN OPERA TION 6 ■ Scan types Scanning searches for signals automatically and makes it easier to locate new stations. There are 5 scan types and 4 resume conditions to suit your operating needs. FULL SCAN (p. 26) Repeatedly scans all frequen- cies over the entire band. Some frequency ranges are not scanned according to the frequency coverage [...]

26 6 SCAN OPERA TION 6 ■ Scan start/stop D Preparation Scan resume condition (p. 29); program scan edges (p. 27); program two or more memory channels (p. 17); set skip set- tings (p. 28), if desired. D Operation q Push [V/MHz•SCAN] to select VFO mode for full/pro- grammed scan; or push [MR•SKIP] to select memory mode for memory/bank scan. •[...]

27 6 SCAN OPERA TION ■ Scan edges programming Scan edges can be programmed in the same manner as memory channels. Scan edges are programmed into scan edges, 0A/0B to 49A/49B, in memory channels. q Push [V/MHz•SCAN] to select VFO mode . w Set the edge frequency of the desired frequency range: ➥ Set the frequency using [DIAL] . ➥ Set other da[...]

28 6 SCAN OPERA TION 6 ■ Skip scan D Skip channel/frequency setting Y ou can set the selected memory channel as a skip channel which is skipped during memory skip scan. In addition, it can be set as a skip channel for both memory skip scan and fre- quency skip scan. These are useful to speed up the scan in- terval. q Select a memory channel. ➥ [...]

29 6 SCAN OPERA TION The scan resume condition can be selected a timed or pause scan. The selected resume condition is also used for priority watch. (p. 30) q Push [SET•LOCK] to enter set mode . w Push [SET•LOCK] or [S.MW•MW] several times until “SCt” or “SCP” appears. e Rotate [DIAL] to set the desired timer: • “SCP-2” : Scan p[...]

30 7 PRIORITY W A TCH 6 7 ■ Priority watch types Priority watch checks for signals on the frequency every 5 sec. while operating on a VFO frequency or scanning. The receiver has 2 priority watch types to suit your needs. The watch resumes according to the selected scan resume condition. See (p. 29) for details. NOTE: If the pocket beep function i[...]

31 POCKET BEEP AND T ONE SQUELCH 8 ■ Pocket beep operation This function uses subaudible tones for calling and can be used as a “common pager” to inform you that someone has called while you were away from the receiver . D Wa iting for a call from a specific station q Set the operating frequency in FM mode. w Push [SET•LOCK] to enter set m[...]

32 8 POCKET BEEP AND T ONE SQUELCH 8 i Push any key to exit tone squelch selection mode . o When a signal with a matching tone is received, the re- ceiver emits beep tones and blinks “ S .” • Beep tones sound for 30 sec. and “ S ” blinks. T o stop the beeps and blinking manually , push any key . !0 Push and hold [MONI•T/T -SCAN] for 1 s[...]

33 8 POCKET BEEP AND T ONE SQUELCH ■ T one/DTCS squelch operation The tone or DTCS squelch opens only when receiving a sig- nal with the same pre-programmed subaudible tone or DTCS code. Y ou can silently wait for a signal using the same tone. q Set the operating frequency in FM mode. w Program the CTCSS tone frequency or DTCS code in set mode . [...]

34 8 POCKET BEEP AND T ONE SQUELCH 8 ■ T one scan By monitoring a signal using with pocket beep, tone or DTCS squelch, you can determine the tone frequency or DTCS code necessary to open the squelch. q Set the desired operating frequency or memory channel to be checked for a tone frequency or code. w Push and hold [MONI•T/T -SCAN] for 1 sec and[...]

† Appears when accessing set mode from VFO mode only. ‡ Appears when accessing set mode from memory mode only. When the UT-106 is installed • Key-touch beep • Display dimmer • Auto power OFF • Beep output level • Display color • NR function * 4 • ANF function * 4 • Squelch delay • IF shift * 3 : Push : Push SSB/CW mode only * [...]

• Weather alert * 1 • TSQL frequency • DTCS code • DTCS polarity • Offset frequency • Duplex direction • Display contrast • Scan resume timer • VSC function * 5 • AFC function * 2 • IF filter • Program skip † • Scan skip area † • Bank link function ‡ • Memory name ‡ FM mode only USA/CANADA versions only Bank li[...]

37 9 SET MODE D D Key-touch beep The key-touch beep can be turned OFF for silent operation. (default: ON) Even when this item is set to OFF , the power-on beep and pocket beep function still sound. The power-on beep can not be set to OFF . D D Beep output level Adust the beep level from 1 to 9 for key-touch beep, power-on beep and pocket beep funct[...]

38 9 SET MODE 9 D D Display color The display color can be set to amber (default), yellow or green. D D Display contrast The LCD contrast can be adjusted through 9 levels. (default: 5) D D Duplex direction Sets the duplex direction. The displayed frequency shifts by the programmed offset frequency (see next item) when mon- itor function is in use ([...]

39 9 SET MODE D D T one frequency Sets subaudible tone frequency for tone squelch operation. T otal of 51 tone frequencies (67.0–254.1 Hz) are available. (default: 88.5 Hz) •A vailable tone frequency list D D DTCS code Sets DTCS code for DTCS squelch operation. T otal of 104 codes (023–754) are available. (default: 023) •A vailable DTCS cod[...]

40 9 SET MODE 9 D D VSC setting T urns VSC (V oice Squelch Control) ON and OFF . (default: OFF) D D Scan resume timer Selects scan resume timer from SCT -15 (default), SCT -10, SCT -5 and SCP-2. Scan resumes after the specified period when the received signal disappears. • SCT -15/10/5 : Scan pauses for 15/10/5 sec. when the received signal disa[...]

41 9 SET MODE D D Memory name setting Sets memory name appearance ON (appear) and OFF (does not appear; default). This item appears when set mode is accessed from memory mode only . D D Memory bank link function Sets the memory bank link function ON and OFF (default). The link function provides continuous banks scan, that scans all contents in the [...]

42 9 SET MODE 9 D D AFC setting T urns AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) function ON and OFF . (default: OFF) D D Filter setting Select the IF filter passband width from 3, 6, 15, 50 and 230 (depending on the selected mode.) D D W eather alert function T urns weather alert function ON and OFF . D D IF shift frequency setting Select the IF shift fr[...]

43 9 SET MODE D D ANF setting Tu rns ANF (Automatic Notch Filter) function ON and OFF . The ANF function automatically attenuates up to 3 beat tones, tuning signals, etc. even if they frequency varies. The ANF function can be used in SSB, AM, FM and WFM modes. ☞ This item appears when optional UT -106 is installed. D D NR setting Selects NR (Nois[...]

44 10 OTHER FUNCTIONS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 D D W eather channel selection q Push [MR•SKIP] twice and rotate [DIAL] to select weather channel group, then push [MR•SKIP] again. w Rotate [DIAL] to select the desired weather channel. e To cancel the weather channel, repeat step q and select the memory channel group, “bAnk --” [...]

D D ANF function [ The ANF (Automatic Notch Filter) function automatically at- tenuates beat tones, tuning signals, etc., even if they are moving. This function can be activated in SSB, AM, FM modes. q Select any of SSB, AM or FM mode. w Push [SET•LOCK] to enter set mode . e Push [SET•LOCK] or [S.MW•MW] several times until “AnF” appears. [...]

46 10 OTHER FUNCTIONS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Cloning allows you to quickly and easily transfer the pro- grammed contents from a personal computer to a receiver using the IC-PCR1500 control software. D Cloning using a personal computer Data can be cloned to and from a personal computer (Mi- crosoft ® Windows ® XP/2000/Me/98SE) and [...]

47 10 OTHER FUNCTIONS ■ Partial reset If you want to initialize the operating conditions (VFO fre- quency , VFO settings, set mode contents) without clearing the memory contents, a partial reset function is available. ➥ While pushing [V/MHz•SCAN] and [SET•LOCK] , push and hold [PWR] for 1 sec. to reset CPU partially . ■ All reset The func[...]

48 10 OTHER FUNCTIONS 10 The internal switch must be set properly to use an external speaker , headphones or earphone. Before removing the top cover , turn the receiver power OFF , then disconnect the DC power cable. q Tu rn the power OFF , then disconnect the DC power cable. w Unscrew the 8 screws and disconnect the connected ca- bles, then remove[...]

49 TROUBLESHOOTING 11 PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION REF . If your receiver seems to be malfunctioning, please check the following points before sending it to a service center . Does not turn on. No sound comes from the speaker . Sensitivity is low and only strong signals are audible. Frequency cannot be set. Program scan does not operate. Memory [...]

50 12 DOC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 DECLARA TION OF CONFORMITY We Icom Inc. Japan 1-1-32, Kamiminami, Hirano-ku Osaka 547-0003, Japan Declare on our sole responsibility that this equipment complies with the essential requirements of the Radio and T elecommunications T erminal Equipment Directive, 1999/5/EC, and that any applicable Esse[...]

1-1-32 Kamiminami, Hirano-ku, Osaka 547-0003, Japan A-6477H-1EX- q Printed in Japan © 2006 Icom Inc. <Intended Country of Use> ■ GER ■ ■ FRA ■ ESP ■ SWE ■ AUT ■ NED ■ POR ■ DEN ■ ■ GBR ■ BEL ■ IT A ■ FIN ■ IRL ■ LUX ■ GRE ■ SUI ■ NOR <Intended Country of Use> ■ ■ GER ■ ■ FRA ■ ■ ESP ■[...]