Albrecht AE 4190 User manual

CB RADIO
AE 4190
OPERATING MANUAL
ALAN Electronics GmbH
Dovenkamp 11
D-22952 Lütjensee
www.albrecht-online.de

2
Index
Important note 3
Introduction 3
Accessories included 4
Safety Precautions 4
Front view 5
Rear view 5
Country switch setting before Installation 5
Installation of the radio 6
Power supply 7
Antenna connection 8
Operation 8
Before switching on 9
Switching on and adjusting volume 9
Selecting the operating channel 9
Field intensity meter (S-meter) 9
Adjusting squelch(muting) 9
AM / FM mode switch 10
Special interest channels 10
Direct CH 9 Access button 10
Transmitting and correct use of microphone 11
External sockets 12
External loudspeaker 12
External S-meter 12
Microphone socket 12
Service and Warranty informations 13
Legal Information 13
Albrecht Radio Passport 13
Declaration of Conformity 16
Technical Details 15
Service contacts 15

3
Important Note
Your Albrecht AE 4190 corresponds to the latest European CB standards. As a unique
feature, it has a country switch which allows selecting the operation mode according to
the country, where You intend to use the radio. Please make sure that You apply for a
licence depending on the country where You live or where You intend to use the radio,
and put the country switch on the back side of the radio into the correct position before
installing and connecting the power supply!
40 FM 40 channels FM / 4 Watt (former “CEPT” settings with 40 Channels
FM according to EN 300 135-2). This mode is free of charges and
licences in nearly all European countries (actual conditions for use
can be found in our “Radio Passport”).
80/12 80 channels FM / 4 Watt, 12 channels AM / 1 Watt (Germany). You
need a licence to operate the radio in this mode, and in certain
border regions of Germany transmitting on channels 41 to 80 in FM
is not allowed.
40/40 40 channels FM / 4 Watt, 40 channels AM / 1 Watt. Latest
European Standard EN 300 433-2, not yet applied in all countries.
In Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and
Switzerland You need a licence to operate the radio, while it is
already free of charges and licence in Finland and Netherlands.
Introduction
Your new Albrecht CB Radio AE 4190, developed and manufactured in accordance with
the latest CB regulations, offers you:
•40 channels FM / 4 watt or
•80 channels FM / 4 watt / 12 channels AM / 1 Watt or
•40 channels FM / 4 Watts / 40 channels AM / 1 Watt
•Channel selection knob on the radio set and UP/DOWN buttons on the
microphone
•Channel scan up and down the frequencies
•Direct Access button to Channel 9
•Multifunction LC display
•6-pole microphone socket, suitable for amplifier microphones, selective
calling systems or Packet Radio modems/ TNC’s
•Socket for external S-meter
•Socket for external loudspeaker

4
Please read this operating manual through carefully. This will enable you to make use of
all the functions your new CB Radio has to offer as soon as possible.
Accessories included
Your AE 4190 comes operational with the following accessories:
•mobile mount
•fixed connected DC power cable with looped-in fuse
•Electret hand-held microphone with pre-amplifier and UP/DOWN buttons
•microphone hanger
•various screws to fasten the radio and microphone fixing devices
•User manual with circuit diagram and RadioPassport
Safety Precautions
People with pacemakers are recommended as a precaution to consult their doctor
before operating the CB radio. Not all types of pacemakers are sufficiently protected
from radiation from a nearby transmitter, so do not assume it is safe to start operation
without checking! Please remember that you are in the immediate vicinity of a
transmitting antenna, particularly when used as a mobile radio or with indoor antenna. If
your doctor, or the manufacturer of the pacemaker, has recommended keeping a certain
safe distance from the antenna, then please follow their instructions!
Do not transmit without connecting the antenna and never touch the antenna during
transmission!
Please also take road safety into account! CB Radio (even when only receiving,
particularly when volume is turned up) can divert your attention from the road! Road
safety is of course to be given priority! Therefore only use your ALBRECHT AE 4190
when the traffic situation enables it to be used safely.

5
Front view
Rear view
Country switch setting before installation
Before You install Your new CB radio, You should preset the country switch on the rear
side of the radio according to the local authority requirements. If You should not need
any individual CB licence in Your home country or the country where You want to travel
to, You should use the factory default setting of the switch: This is the lowest position on
Channel switchSquelch
Receive Volume
AM-FM-switch
CH 9 switch
ON / OFF
Brand plate with country list
Country switch in 80/12 position
DC power cable
13.2 V
External speaker
8 Ohms, min. 2 W
Socket for
external S-meter

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the picture, 40 FM. Please note: the latest list of country specific requirements can be
found in our “Radio Passport”.
40 FM This is former “CEPT” mode, the position which is allowed in most countries.
Here the radio works on the international 40 Channels in FM mode. The
Mode switch on the front side is disabled in this mode. (Caution: In some
countries You may still need a licence, even for 40 CH FM!)
40/40 This medium position can be used in those countries, where already all 40
international channels are allowed to be used in AM and FM. AM was
traditionally used by CB from the beginning in the early 60’s in USA, and it is
still the preferred mode of all truck drivers in the world. Please use this mode
only in countries according to the list in the Radio Passport, and please apply
for an individual licence where requested.
80/12 This position (the upper position) is only allowed to be used in Germany, and
an individual licence is necessary. Restrictions are still in force in the border
regions to other countries (except to Czechia), where transmitting on
channels 41 –80 is not allowed or only with a special licence.
Re-Programming to another country code
This is possible at any time, but You must
•disconnect the radio completely from power supply (disconnect the DC cable or take
out the fuse!)
•wait about 10 seconds
•switch to the new position
•connect the radio again to power supply.
Note: never shift the country switch to another position while the radio is in use or
connected to a power supply. Malfunctions may result!
Installation of the radio
You can either operate your ALBRECHT AE 4190 in the car or at home as a base
station. For installation as a mobile station in the car, a mobile mount device is
enclosed. Mount the set in such a way that it is not exposed to direct sunlight if possible,
as this would lead to an increase in the temperature and can decrease the (set’s)
working life. The set should also not be installed near a heater. Mount the set in such a
way that it is exposed to as little vibration as possible.
The mobile fixing device should be attached to the dashboard, the tunnel slot or to any
other suitable place using the enclosed tapping screws. Do not install the set in a place
where it could cause injuries in the case of an accident (be particulary careful to ensure
free leg movement). Take care not to damage any underlying wires during installation!
Then insert the radio into the mobile mount. Secure the set with the large knurled screws
(using the enclosed plastic washers) firmly at the required angle.
Also mount the microphone hanger using the enclosed screws in an easily-accessible
place.

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In order to prevent interference to the vehicle electronics from transmission in the
vehicle, please make sure to take any mounting instructions from the vehicle
manufacturer for radios andantennas into account.
Power supply
Your AE 4190 receives power from the fixed mounted 2 wire power cable.
The cable has a looped-in fuse in a plastic holder.
You can choose from two methods when connecting to the power supply (red and black):
Example 1
The channel and mode last used should be maintained after switching off; the
set should be able to be switched on and off at any time using the POWER
on/off switch.
Connect up the red coloured wire to the positive pole on the vehicle battery (or
elsewhere in the vehicle’s electrical system with permanent plus) or to a 12 volt
external power supply unit.
Connect up the black wire to the negative pole on the vehicle battery or the
power unit or to a well-conductive part of the car body.
Example 2
The set should be automatically switched on and off with the ignition. There is no
last used mode and channel memory and the radio always re-starts on Channel
1 in FM.
Attach the red wire to a part of the vehicle electrical system which is
interconnected to the ignition.
Note for all connecting methods:
For EMC reasons, the cable used to connect to the power supply should be no longer
than 3 metres.
If you wish to operate your set at home from the mains supply then please only use a
stabilized power pack with at least 2 amps permanent current-carrying capacity. Under
no circumstances should you use a car battery charger, as these chargers are not
stabilized and during open circuit reach such high voltage levels that your radio set could
be destroyed.
In any case, please set the country switch on the rear side to the correct country position
before You connect the DC cable! Do not change country switch position while radio is
still connected to power supply.
If in base station use it is important to you that the last used mode and channel is kept in
memory even after switching off and on again, then please do not switch the external
power supply power unit off when you switch your set off for a short time. Only use the
on/off switch on the set itself.

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Never repair a blown fuse with “silver paper” or with aluminium foil! Use only
“USA” type glass fuses with 2 to 2.5 Ampere. If the fuses keep blowing, check
for correct DC polarity, and if necessary, please give your radio set to your
servicing dealer to be repaired or hand it in to Albrecht’s service station.
voltage variation for this radio is up to 15.6 volts. Never exceed this voltage
under no circumstances! The transmitting stages for your AE 4190 are
electronically stabilized, and therefore it is impossible to increase output by
means of excessive supply voltage. Such attempts may lead to serious damage
to the radio set but will never increase output power!
Antenna connection
Connect your CB antenna to the ANT socket on the rear side of your ALBRECHT AE
4190. Most CB antennas must be tuned to best radiation during installation to give
highest effective communication range. CB specialists do that job with a standing wave
meter to check and adjust the aerial. Tune the aerial to the best standing wave ratio
(SWR) on an intermediate channel e.g. using Channel 1 in 80/12 mode (26.965 MHz) or
Channel 20 in all other modes.
On this channel you should attain a SWR of approx. 1.5 or less. If the SWR deteriorates
on the highest (Channel 40) and lowest (Channel 41) channels up to a value of 2.5, then
your aerial is still acceptable. SWR above 3 is too bad for good communication range.
A bad SWR may also indicate that there is perhaps an installation error or missing
ground. Problems may be caused through missing ground, especially in boats and
motor homes with fiber glass body. For these cases, Albrecht offers a special
connecting cable with matching box as “artificial ground” (AKM 27)
Some antennas, like “Gamma II” are broadbanded and do not need any
retuning during installations.
Even if your AE 4190 has a particularly robust transmitter high-level
stage which can even withstand mismatching of SWR=3, you
should still never transmit without an antenna!
Operation
Before switching on
•Turn SQL (squelch control) left as far as possible
•Turn VOL (Receiving volume) control from counter-clockwise position slightly right.

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•Push POWER switch. Initially, all LC display icons and buttons are illuminated, while
radio makes a short self-test. Then CH 1 will appear in FM.
•turn VOL further until desired volume is reached.
Selecting the operating channel
On the radio set:
•With the channel knob You can continuously select channels. The present channel is
displayed.
On the microphone:
•Press the ∧or ∨button on the microphone briefly, to switch up or down a channel.
•Press the respective button longer to run up or down through the channels. The
present channel is displayed.
Field intensity meter (S-meter)
On the graded bar display You can see approximately how strong the receiving signal is.
The scale under the bar display (S1 to +30) helps with orientation for an input signal in
the stages S1 to S9+30dB.
Please note: the field intensity meter only registers a signal when the muting control has
opened.
Adjusting squelch (muting)
Particularly in FM, noise can be a nuisance on a free channel. With the muting control
(SQL) You can suppress this noise -but also signals which are too weak to be received
properly.
This is how to adjust the signal strength required to switch on the loudspeaker, using the
SQL control knob:
The further the control knob is turned to the right, the stronger a signal has to be in order
to be audible through the loudspeaker.
In order to adjust the set to be the most sensitive to incoming signals, switch to a free
channel:
•Use the rotary switch or the microphone buttons to find a free channel, where
no signal is displayed.
•Then turn the SQL control carefully to the right until the noise just about
disappears.
Now the loudspeaker stays off when on a free channel but it switches back on when
receiving even very faint signals.
The muting adjustment is particularly important when You intend
to receive far away stations. Please do not tune the SQL knob too
much into clockwise direction, unless You really intend only to
receive local signals. Therefore you should test the various
muting settings for various signal strengths and get to know this
function.

10
AM / FM mode switch
In the two programming modes 40/40 and 80/12, FM modulation is available on all
channels, but AM only on channels depending on country switch position. AM modulation
is available on all 40 channels in 40/40 or only on 12 channels (CH 4 to 15) in 80/12
mode. On these channels you can switch between AM and FM using the Mode button.
The display shows either AM or FM accordingly.
When you switch on the set the first time it operates on FM.
Please note that in 80/12 mode, on channels 1-3 and 16-80 it is not possible to operate
on AM. If You should start in FMmode, the MODE button will not react on forbidden AM
channels. Select an allowed channel for AM, then use Mode button to switch to AM.
Your radio is set to AM (see Display Icon). When You leave the allowed AM range, the
radio will automatically switch back to FM.
Special interest channels
There are a few channels which have established themselves for certain purposes:
Channel 1 Call channel on FM
Channel 9 Call and emergency channel, also Trucker channel on
AM in Germany
Channel 16 Water sport channel
Channel 19 Trucker channel on AM in France, Spain and Italy
Channel 24/25 Data transfer (Packet Radio, Germany only)
Some recommendations have been worked out by the CB clubs for the new channels 41
to 80 in Germany. To find out which channels are suitable for special purposes, please
get in touch with the respective groups or check in CB magazines.
Direct CH 9 access button
Using the CH 9 button You can switch at any time from the present channel (normal
channel modus) to the international calling and emergency channel 9 and switch back
again.
•After briefly pressing theCH 9 button, the number CH 9 will appear instead of the
previous working channel.
•If you briefly press theCH 9 button again the set switches back to normal modus: you
will again will be able to see the number of the channel last used.
Especially in Germany CH 9 is used by nearly all (!) truck drivers in AM for their traffic
communication. This means: a large number of stations are listening in. If the worst
comes to the worst (e.g. in case of accident etc.) there is a good chance that someone
will be listening.
To call other stations, who you know are listening in on channel 9, you can also use this
channel. Call up the desired station on channel 9. As soon as contact has been made,
agree on a free channel for your conversation and then channel 9 will be free again for
other calls.