Alan 451 User manual

pmr446
transceiver
English
The World in Communication
®
GB

INDEX
Introduction 2
Coverage 2
Table of symbols 2
Batteries 2
Care of Ni-Cd/Ni-MH rechargeable batteries 3
Accessories 3
To enjoy your radio for a long time 3
Cleaning 3
Controls description 4
And now let’s communicate! 8
Hands-free transmission mode (VOX / Baby-sitter) 8
Delay adjustment 9
Other functions 10
Roger Beep: end transmission note 10
Keypad /switching on beeps 10
SCAN and B.SCAN 11
DW (Dual Watch) 11
Automatic power save 11
Batteries level 11
Reset 11
Technical Specifications 12
Restrictions to the use 14
Index 1
English

Introduction
The PMR446 Communication Service
Congratulations for your choice! ALAN 451 is a new generation
transceiver, PMR 446 type, that can be used without license
in all the countries in which Pan-European PMR446 frequencies
are authorised.
Coverage
The operating band (446 MHz) allows clear communication,
virtually free from atmosperich interferences up to a
distance of 5 km.
The maximum range is obtained operating in a open space.
The only limit to maximum possible range are environmental
factors such as blockage caused by trees, buildings, or other
obstructions. Inside a car or a metallic constructions, the
range can be reduced.
Table of symbols
To become more familiar with your ALAN 451 and to make
your reading quicker, we have added a series of symbols that
are described herebelow:
Short cuts for use: they concern hints and
tips for a quicker use of the radio.
Cautions: they are special notices you
should carefully read and follow to avoid an
improper use of the transceiver and its
accessories. They concern international
security regulations, too.
New/unique: they emphasize peculiar
features of ALAN 451.
Batteries
ALAN 451 uses 3 AA type alkaline batteries (dry cells), or Ni-
Cd/Ni-MH batteries (rechargeables).
Notes:
•For a proper working of the unit, batteries must be in good
condition and fully charged.
•Remove batteries before storing your radio for extended
periods. Batteries corrode over time and may cause
permanent damage to the unit. This operation, besides,
preserves battery life.
•Never use different batteries from the ones suggested.
2Introduction
Remind
Suggestion
BOX
NEW
unique
English

Care of optional rechargeable Ni-Cd/Ni-MH
batteries
Allow the batteries to fully discharge before recharging.
This operation will extend the battery life.
•Full discharge will be indicated by the flashing on
the display.
•Always allow the battery to fully charge before using.
Do not perform partial cycles which reduce their capacity
in a long time.
In case Ni-MH batteries are used, it is greatly suggested
removing the unit from the optional charger at the end
of the recharge cycle.
•It is better to store Ni-Cd/Ni-MH batteries that are
discharged rather than charged.
Do not mix old and new batteries or rechargeable
batteries of different capacities.
Accessories
ALAN 451 is equipped with a 2 pin standard jack for external
speaker/microphone and recharge jack for Ni-Cd/Ni-MH
batteries.
To enjoy your radio for a long time
While ALAN 451 has been designed for many years of
reliable, trouble-free performance, it is a precision piece
of electronic equipment that should not be exposed to
dust or extreme temperatures. Never place the unit into
the water.
Do not connect the unit to a power higher than the
working one.
To power the radio in your car use only “AL25”charger
(working with rechargeable batteries only).
Cleaning
Clean the unit with a damp cloth only; do not use harsh
chemicals.
Introduction 3
English

Controls description
Top
1. “ON-OFF/VOLUME“dial. With this control you can turn
on or off the radio and adjust the volume to a comfortable
level. In OFF position the transceiver is switched off.
2. “SPK MIC.”(Speaker/microphone standard connector).
Connect this jack to a speaker/microphone or a throat
activated mic. (optional accessories).
3. Antenna
Front
4Controls description
OFF/VOL
1
2
3
MIC
BSCAN DW VOX SAVE
BEEP
9
10
6
7
8
5
4
English
UP
DOWN

4. Display
DISPLAY SYMBOLS
a Channel Indicator
b VOX activated
c DW (Dual Watch) activated
d Keypad lock
e TX-RX symbols. Transmission / Reception
f Automatic Power Save on
g Roger Beep
h Scan mode
i Keypad/switching on beep
j Discharged battery icon
5. Microphone. During transmission, keep your mouth 4/10cm
from the unit and speak with a normal voice level.
6. “/”keys. With these buttons you can select one of
the 8 following channels:
CHANNEL FREQUENCY (MHZ)
01 446.00625
02 446.01875
03 446.03125
04 446.04375
05 446.05625
06 446.06875
07 446.08125
08 446.09375
7. “ENTER/ LIGHTING”button. Hold this key down and
the display will be lighting up for 6 secs. Keeping it pressed
for longer than 2 secs, the Keypad Lock function will be
enabled. Repeat the same procedure to unlock the keypad.
8. “”(function) button. You can activate the SCAN,
B.SCAN, Dual Watch, Roger Beep functions, switching
on and keypad beeps.
9. Speaker. It allows you to listen to the signals in reception.
Should an external speaker/microphone be used, the
internal speaker will be automatically excluded.
10. “”control. By pushing for longer than 2 seconds,
you enable/disable VOX mode. Another way to activate
this function is pressing for more than 2 secs.
Controls description 5
BSCAN DW VOX SAVE
BEEP
a
hcb
f
e
g
j
i
d
English

11. “CALL”Button / Sensitivity /
VOX delay adjustment. By
pushing this button, the radio will
send an audio signal to the other
users on the same frequency. If
pressed at the switching on of
ALAN 451, you can program the
VOX sensitivity and delay (time to
return in RX mode).
12. “PTT”(Press to talk).
Press PTT button to transmit,
(display shows ). If you release
it, you will activate the receiver
(is visible).
13. “MON”(Monitor) button. By
pressing this key, the automatic
squelch (background noises
reducer) is excluded; in this case
you can even receive low sensitivity
signals.
Back
6Controls description
14
15
16
Side
CALL
PTT
MON
11
12
1313
English

14. Battery pack. To open the battery compartment, hold the
unit face down and unhook the battery holder in the lower
part of the radio; gently slide the cover towards the bottom
of the radio. It is suggested removing the belt clip before
opening the batteries compartment.
•Automatic power save.
ALAN 451 is supplied with an automatic current economy
circuit. If the transceiver receives no signals for longer
than 5 seconds the “power save function”automatically
activates. (“SAVE”displayed). The battery life will rise
up to 50 %.
15. Belt clip. ALAN 451 comes standard with a clip to hook
up the unit to your belt. Attach it to the radio back by
sliding the top of the clip up over the two rectangular
bosses on the back of the radio until it snaps into place.
To detach it, press the lever inside the top of the clip away
from the radio body and slide the clip toward the bottom
of the unit.
16. Wrist belt hole. To knot here the supplied wrist belt.
Bottom
17. “CHG”External charger jack. We recommend to recharge
the unit with the appropriate charger only.
Attention: alkaline batteries cannot be recharged.
18. Metallic load contacts. They enable to recharge the
batteries over a desk top charger (not supplied).
Controls description 7
CHG
1818
17
English

And now, let’s communicate!!
1. Insert 3 AA type alkaline or rechargeable batteries into the
battery compartment, ensuring correct polarity (+/-).
2. Rotate the ON/OFFVOLUME dial clockwise to turn the unit
on. The radio beeps 4 successive tones with different
sounds (excludible). The LCD makes a “self-test”for 1
sec., then it switches on the channel 1.
By turning this dial, you can also adjust the volume level.
Volume adjustment
To adjust the volume level, hold “MON”button down
while rotating the ON-OFF/VOLUME dial until you reach
a comfortable listening level. Rotate it clockwise to
increase and anti-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Release the “MON”button.
Now your Alan 451 is ready to receive and trasmit.
Select the desired channel by the /keys.
The receiving mode is displayed with .
Transmission: To maximize clairity, hold the radio 4/10 cm.
far from your mouth, keep pressed the PTT button and speak
into the unit (transmission icon is visible).
To receive , simply release the PTT button.
Hands-free transmission mode (VOX)/Baby-sitter
Besides PTT function (manual transmission), ALAN 451 has
built-in VOX capability (automatic transmission).
Baby-sitter: this feature is particularly useful to keep a check
of the baby at a distance, because you can automatically
listen to all sounds or noises close to the transmitter.
VOX can be adjusted in 3 positions: from L1 (highest
sensitivity) to L3 (lowest sensitivity). L1 position is
recommended in quiet sites; L3 position is ideal for operations
with microphone/loudspeaker or for room monitoring with
large background noises.
VOX Activation
Hold the button down for longer than 2 secs.
“VOX”will appear on the display to confirm the function is
active.
Speak into the microphone: the transmission will automatically
start.
To receive, stop talking.
To deactivate the VOX mode, press again the button for
more than 2 secs.
Sensitivity and RX return time settings
1) Set the ON/OFF-volume dial in OFF position by rotating
this control anti-clockwise.
2) Hold the CALL button down while turning the radio on.
8And now, let’s communicate!!
English

The display shows:
3) Select the desired vox level (L1, L2 o L3) by means of the
/buttons. The VOX sensitivity is now adjusted.
Practically, VOX mode allows to choose between high
and low settings. For example, if you speak loudly, (L3)
should be selected; if you speak softly, (L1) should be
selected.
Note:
In sites with very loud background noises, it will be necessary
to set the switch in “L3”.
Delay adjustment
There will be a brief delay between when you finish
talking and the radio trasmits. This delay is adjustable,
and allows you to speak in your own inflexion without
the reception mode starts.
1) To enable this feature, press once the button. On the
display:
2) Use again the /keys to select the delay setting: “d1”,
“d2”or “d3”(“d1”is the shortest and “d3”the longest
delay).
To confirm the selection, press or turn the unit off.
And now, let’s communicate!! 9
L1
English

Other functions
ROGER BEEP:
End trasmission tone
At PTT released, the radio beeps to confirm to the other users
that you transmission has finished. This feature is disabled
as default.
To activate it, follow these step:
1. Press repeatedly the key until the LCD shows:
= lampeggiante
2. Select “oN”using the key.
3. Press for confirmation.
To confirm the Roger Beep activation, the icon appears
on the display.
Keypad/switching on beeps
When you switch the radio on or press any other controls
(except CALL, MON and PTT) the radio beeps. To deactivate
it, follow these instructions:
1. Press repeatedly the key until the LCD shows “oN”
and “BEEP”blinks.
2. Select “oF”by means of / keys.
3. Push to confirm the setting; “BEEP”disappears.
SCAN and B.SCAN
The SCAN mode monitors the busy channels.
It is used to check the traffic radio on the 8 channels before
trasmitting.
The B.SCAN allows the radio to stop on the channels not
in use.
It is useful when you’re looking for open channels in use.
SCAN in detail
It allows the unit to stop on a channel that someone is talking
on. When the radio stops on a busy channel, the scan will
stop and start after about 5 seconds.
To enable this function:
1. Press button. “SCAN”blinks on the display.
2. Hold or controls down to activate scan. The unit will
now begin scanning through the channels.
3. To stop the SCAN function, push or CALL or PTT.
10 Other functions
oF
English

B. SCAN
It monitors periodically for 5 secs only the channels not in use
(without carrier).
To activate B.SCAN:
1. Press twice , until “B.SCAN “flashes on the display.
2. Hold down or to start the scanning mode.
3. To stop it, press again , CALL or PTT keys.
DW (Dual Watch)
This feature allows to scan only 2 channels at your choice.
It’s useful when you want to keep track of two other people.
To enable it:
1. Turn on the radio.
2. Select by /keys the first channel you want to monitor.
3. Press repeatedly the button until ”DW”blinks on the
display.
4. Select the second channel to be scanned by /controls.
Now the radio begins switching on these 2 channels until
activity is heard on either channel. The scanning restarts when
the carrier disappears.
To stop Dual Watch, press the or CALL or PTT keys.
Auto power save
This function allows an automatic save of the battery life up
to 50%. If you receive no signals for longer than 5 secs.
the “Power save“feature enables, reducing at minimum
the consumption and extending the battery life.
Battery level
The icon will flash on the LCD when the batteries are in
need of charging: it is necessary replacing the alkaline batteries
or recharge the Ni-Cd/NiMH ones.
Reset
In case your ALAN 451 does not properly work or you want
to cancel all the settings, it is necessary to hold button
down for 3 secs. while switching the unit on.
With this procedure, all the settings made by the constructor
are restored.
Other functions 11
English

12 Technical specifications
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
Number of channels 8
Channel spacing 12.5 KHz
Frequencies CH1:446.00625 MHz
CH2:446.01875 Mhz
CH3:446.03125 Mhz
CH4:446.04375 Mhz
CH5:446.05625 Mhz
CH6:446.06875 Mhz
CH7:446.08125 Mhz
CH8:446.09375 Mhz
Batteries 3 AA type alkaline 1.5V or 1.2V Ni-Cd/NiMH
Temperature -20°C to +55°C
Frequency control PLL synthesiser
Frequency stability ±2.5 PPM
Weight 105 gr. (without batteries)
Dimensions 50 x 95 x 25 mm
RECEIVER
Sensitivity 12dB SINAD better than 0.35µV
Squelch automatic
Audio output power 0.3Watts (max)
Frequency response 300 - 3000 Hz
English

Technical specifications 13
Intermediate Frequency 1'ST IF : 21.7MHz - 2'ND IF : 0.450MHz
Spurious rejection within European legal terms
Image rejection within European legal terms
Intermodulation within European legal terms
TRASMITTER
Output power 500mW ERP
Type of modulation FM
Deviation ±2.5 KHz (max)
Spurious emission within European legal terms
Frequency tolerance ±2.5PPM (-20°C / +55°C)
Current drain < 350mA / 4.5V (dry cells)
Jack for ext.microphone jack mono 2,5
Jack for ext.speaker jack mono 3,5
Modifications are subject to change without notice.
English

RESTRICTIONS TO THE USE
CHART DERIVED FROM ERC/DEC (98) 25-26-27
COUNTRY PMR446 introduced Deviations from ERC Decisions and other comments
AUSTRIA Yes Hobby use excluded
BELGIUM Yes Individual licence is required
DENMARK Yes Free Use
FINLAND Yes Free Use
FRANCE Yes Not allowed use ch 1 (446.00625 MHz) and ch2 (446.01875 MHz)
GERMANY Yes Free Use
GREECE No Not allowed
ICELAND Yes Free Use
IRELAND Yes CTCSS or DCS Tone Control mandatory! Free circulation
ITALY No Not Allowed
LUXEMBOURG No Not allowed
NETHERLANDS Yes Free Use
NORWAY No Not allowed
PORTUGAL Yes Free Use
SPAIN Yes Free Use
SWEDEN No Not Allowed
SWITZERLAND Yes Individual licence restricted to business use. Visitors have free circulation in the sense of ERC/DEC/(98)27.
TURKEY Yes Individual licence required (but licence exemption is being considered). Test Reports recognised.
UNITED KINGDOM Yes Free Use
14 Deviations from ERC decisions
English