Albrecht AE 5090 User manual

CB RADIO
AE5090
OPERATING MANUAL
www.albrecht-online.de

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2
Index
Important note3
Introduction 3
Accessoriesincluded 4
SafetyPrecautions4
Front view5
LCDisplay5
Rearview5
Countryswitchsetting beforeInstallation 6
Installation of the radio7
Powersupply7
Antenna connection 8
Operation 9
Beforeswitching on 9
Switching on and adjusting volume9
Selecting the operating channel9
Fieldintensitymeter(S-meter) 9
RFGainsetting 10
Adjusting squelch(muting)and ASC10
ASCNoiseand InterferenceReduction 10
AM/ FMmode switch11
Specialinterest channels11
MEMO Modus12
Recall direct channels12
Programming one of the 5direct channels12
Switching back tonormalchanneloperation 13
Channelscan 13
DualWatch13
Transmitting and correct useof microphone 14
Bargraph switching between POWERand MOD14
MICGainsetting 14
Externalsockets15
Externalloudspeaker15
ExternalS-meter15
Microphone socket15
Serviceand Warrantyinformation 16
LegalInformation 17
Albrecht RadioPassport17
Declaration of Conformity18
TechnicalDetails19
Servicecontacts19

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ImportantNote
YourAlbrechtAE 5090 correspondstothe latestEuropean CBstandards.Asa
unique feature,ithasacountryswitchwhichallowsselecting the operation mode
according tothe country,whereYou intend tousethe radio.Pleasemakesurethat
You putthe countryswitchon the frontside ofthe radiointothe correctposition
beforeinstalling andconnecting the powersupply!
40 FM 40 channelsFM/ 4Watt (former“CEPT”settingswith40
ChannelsFMaccording toEN300 135-2). Thismode isfree of
chargesand licencesinnearlyall European countries(except
Italy, You must havealicencethereforanykind of CBradio).
80/40 ForGermanyonly: 80 channelsFM/ 4Watt, 40 channelsAM/
1Watt. You need no licencetooperatethe radiointhismode,
but incertainborderregionsbasestationstransmitting on
channels41 to80 inFMisnot allowed (orspeciallicenceshould
be applied for).
40/40 40 channelsFM/ 4Watt, 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt. Latest
European StandardEN300 433-2, not yet applied inall
countries. InBelgium, Italy, Spainand Switzerland You need a
licencetooperatethe radio, whileit isalreadyfree of charges
and licenceinFrance, Finland, Germany, the Netherlandsand
Portugal.
Introduction
YournewAlbrecht CBRadioAE 5090, developed and manufactured inaccordance
withthe latest CBregulations, offersyou:
• 40 channelsFM/ 4watt or
• 80 channelsFM/ 4watt / 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt or
• 40 channelsFM/ 4Watts/ 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt
• Channelselection knob on the radioset and UP/DOWNbuttonson the
microphone
• Scan modesforup and downfrequenciesand Dualwatch
• 5freelyprogrammablememorypositionsforstored stations
• Direct Access KeyChannel9
• Multifunction LCD display
• 6-polemicrophone socket, suitableforamplifiermicrophones, selective
calling systemsorPacket Radiomodems/TNC’s
• Socket forexternalS-meter

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• Socket forexternalloudspeaker
• Rugged , noise-reduced dynamic“Trucker” microphone
• ConventionalSquelch+additionalASCnoisereduction system
Pleaseread thisoperating manualthrough carefully.Thiswill enableyou tomake
useof all the functionsyournewCBRadiohastoofferassoon aspossible.
Accessories included
YourAE 5090 comesoperationalwiththe following accessories:
• mobilemount
• 2knurled screwsforthe mobilemount
• 2rubberwashersforthe mobilemount
• DC plug-inpowercablewithlooped-infuse
• sparefuse
• noise-reduced dynamichand-heldmicrophone withUP/DOWNbuttons
• microphone hanger
• variousscrewstofasten the radioand microphone fixing devices
• Usermanualwithcircuit diagramand RadioPassport
SafetyPrecautions
Peoplewithpacemakersarerecommended asaprecaution toconsulttheirdoctor
beforeoperating the CBradio.Notall typesofpacemakersaresufficientlyprotected
fromradiation fromanearbytransmitter,sodo notassumeitissafetostart
operation withoutchecking!Pleaserememberthatyou areinthe immediatevicinity
ofatransmitting aerial,particularlywhen used asamobile.If yourdoctor,orthe
manufacturerofthe pacemaker,hasrecommended keeping acertainsafedistance
fromthe aerial, then pleasefollowtheirinstructions!
Donottransmitwithoutconnecting the aerialand nevertouchthe aerialduring
transmission!
Pleasealsotakeroad safetyintoaccount!CBRadio(even when onlyreceiving,
particularlywhen volumeisturned up)can divertyourattention fromthe road! Road
safetyisofcoursetobe given priority!ThereforeonlyuseyourALBRECHTAE 5090
when the trafficsituation enablesit tobe used safely.

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Channel
Frontview
LCDisplay
Rearview
S/PWR/MOD
Meter
FM
-
Mode
Mod-Display
Brand platewithcountrylist
Antenna socket
50 Ohms
PL
-
259 Standard
DC powercable
socket 13.2V
Externalspeaker
8Ohms, min. 2W
Socket for
externalS
-
meter
Channelswitch
Doublepotentiometer
Squelch/ ASC
Doublepotentiometer
Volumeand RF Gain
Memory-keys Dualwatch(DW)
Country
switch
Microphone
volume
AM-FM-
Switch Scan- Start
Ch9
key
Mod-Power-
display
switch
S
-
/Power
-
Display

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Countryswitchsetting beforeinstallation
BeforeYou switchon YournewCBradio,You
shouldpresetthe countryswitchon the frontpanel
ofthe radioaccording tothe localauthority
requirements.If You arenot sureand if You should
nothaveanyindividualCBlicenceissued bythe
telecommunicationsauthorityofthe countrywhere
You live,You shouldusethe factorydefaultsetting
of the switch: Thisisthe left position on the picture,
40 FM.PleaseconsultourRadioPassport (see the
chapter“LegalInformation”laterinthismanual)
40 FM Thisisformer“CEPT”mode,the (upper) position whichisallowed inmost
countries.Herethe radioworks on the international40 ChannelsinFM
mode.The Function switchFon the frontside isdisabled inthismode.
(Caution: InItalyYou need alicence, even forthismode!)
80/40 Thisposition (mediumswitchposition)isonlyallowed tobe used in
Germany,no individuallicenceisnecessary.Restrictionsarestill inforce
inthe borderregionstoothercountries(excepttoCzechia),where
transmitting on channels41 –80 isnotallowed oronlywithaspecial
licence.
40/40 Thislowestswitchposition can be used inthosecountries,wherealready
all 40 internationalchannelsareallowed tobe used inAMand FM.AM
wastraditionallyused byCBfromthe beginning inthe early60’sinUSA,
and itisstill the preferred mode ofall truck driversinthe world.Please
usethismode onlyincountriesaccording tothe list inthe RadioPassport,
and pleaseapplyforan individuallicencewhererequested.
Re-Programming toanothercountrycode
This ispossibleat anytime, even afterinstallation and when the radioisinuse:
• Just switchtothe desired newposition
Note: Pleasefollowthe nationalregulation.Neveruseaswitchposition whichisnot
allowed inYourcountry.

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Installation oftheradio
You can eitheroperateyourALBRECHTAE 5090 inthe carorathomeasabase
station.Forinstallation asamobilestation inthe car,amobilemountdeviceis
enclosed.Mountthe setinsuchawaythatitisnotexposed todirectsunlightif
possible,asthiswouldlead toan increaseinthe temperatureand can decreasethe
(set’s)working life.The setshouldalsonotbe installed nearaheater.Mountthe set
insuchawaythat it isexposed toaslittlevibration aspossible.
The mobilefixing deviceshouldbe attached tothe dashboard,the tunnelslotorto
anyothersuitableplaceusing the enclosed tapping screws.Donotinstall the setin
aplacewhereitcouldcauseinjuriesinthe caseofan accident(be particulary
carefultoensurefree leg movement).Takecarenottodamage anyunderlying wires
during installation!
Then insertthe radiointothe mobilemount. Securethe setwiththe large knurled
screws(using the enclosed plasticwashers)firmlyat the required angle.
Alsomountthe microphone hangerusing the enclosed screwsinan easily-
accessibleplace.
Inordertopreventinterferencetothe vehicleelectronics fromtransmission inthe
vehicle,pleasemakesuretotakeanymounting instructionsfromthe vehicle
manufacturerforradiosand antennasintoaccount.
Powersupply
YourAE 5090 receivespowerfromthe 2pinplug-incable.
The red and black wiresinthe cableareforthe powersupply.The cablehasa
looped-infuse.
However,You can choosefromtwomethodswhen connecting tothe powersupply
(red and black):
Example1
The Radioshouldbe abletobe switched on and off atanytimeusing the
volume/ on/off switch.
Connectup the red wiretothe positivepoleon the vehiclebattery(or
elsewhereinthe vehicle’selectricalsystemwithpermanentplus)ortoa12
Volt externalpowersupplyunit.
Example2
The set shouldbe automaticallyswitched on and off withthe ignition.
Attachthe red wiretoapartofthe vehicleelectricalsystemwhichis
interconnected tothe ignition.
Connectup the black wiretothe negativepoleon the vehiclebatteryorthe
powerunit ortoawell-conductivepart of the carbody.

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Annon volatileflashmemorykeepsthe channeland countryinformation
stored even if the radioisnot connected topower.
Noteforall connectingmethods:
ForEMCreasons,the cableused toconnecttothe powersupplyshouldbe no
longerthan 3metres.
If you wishtooperateyoursetathomefromthe mainssupplythen pleaseonlyuse
astabilized powerpack withatleast2ampspermanentcurrent-carrying capacity.
Underno circumstancesshouldyou useacarbatterycharger,asthesearenot
stabilized and during open circuitreachsuchhigh voltage levelsthatyourradioset
couldbe destroyed.
Inanycase,pleasesetthe countryswitchon the frontpaneltothe correctcountry
position beforeYou plug inthe DC cable!Aresetprocedurewill notbe necessaryif
the powercablehad been unplugged formorethan 10 seconds.
If inbasestation useit isimportant toyou that the stored stationsarekept even after
switching off and on again,then pleasedo notswitchthe externalpowersupply
powerunitoff when you switchyoursetoff forashorttime.Onlyusethe on/off
switchon the set itself.
Neverrepairablownfusewithsilverpaperorwithalumuniumfoil!If the
fuseskeep blowing,then pleasegiveyourradiosettoyourservicing dealer
tobe repaired orhand it intoAlbrecht’sservicestation.
The maximumallowed voltage variation forthisradioisup to15.6volts.
Neverexceed thisvoltage underno circumstances!The transmitting stages
foryourAE 5090 areelectronicallystabilized,and thereforeitisimpossible
toincreaseoutput bymeansof excessivesupplyvoltage. Suchattemptsmay
lead toseriousdamage tothe radioset but will neverincreaseoutput power!
Antennaconnection
ConnectyourCBantenna tothe ANTsocket on the rearside of yourALBRECHTAE
5090.MostCBantennasmustbe tuned tobestradiation during installation togive
highesteffectivecommunication range.CBspecialistsdo thatjob withastanding
wavemetertocheck and adjustthe aerial.Tune the aerialtothe beststanding wave
ratio(SWR)on an intermediatechannele.g.using Channel1in80/12 mode (26.965
MHz)orChannel20 inall othermodes.
Onthischannelyou shouldattainaSWRofapprox.1.5orless.If the SWR
deteriorateson the highest(Channel40)and lowest(Channel41)channelsup toa
value of2.5,then youraerialisstill acceptable.SWRabove3istoo bad forgood
communication range.Abad SWRmayalsoindicatethatthereisperhapsan

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installation errorormissing ground.Problemsmaybe caused through missing
ground,especiallyinboatsand motorhomeswithfiberglass body.Forthesecases,
Albrechtoffersaspecialconnecting cablewithmatching boxas“artificialground”
(AKM27)
Someantennas, like“GammaII”arebroadbanded and do not need any
retuning during installations.
EvenifyourAE5090 has aparticularlyrobusttransmitterhigh-
levelstagewhichcanevenwithstand mismatching ofSWR=3,you
shouldstill nevertransmitwithoutanantenna!
Operation
Beforeswitchingon
• TurnSQUELCH and ASCcontrolleft (counterclockwise)asfaraspossible
Switchingonandadjustingvolume
The on/off switchiscombined inthe VOLUMEcontrol. Toswitchon:
• TurnVOLUMEcontrol(the innerknob)fromOFF position slightlyclockwise.
LCdisplayand buttonsareilluminated.Then turnfurtheruntil desired volumeis
reached.
Selectingtheoperatingchannel
Onthe radioset:
• Withthe rotarychannelknob You can continuouslyselect channels. The present
channelisdisplayed.
Onthe microphone:
• Press the ∧or ∨button on the microphone briefly, toswitchup ordownachannel.
• Press the respectivebutton longertorun up ordownthrough the channels. The
present channelisdisplayed.
Fieldintensitymeter(S-meter)
Onthe bargraph displayYou can see approximatelyhowstrong the receiving signal
is.
The scaleunderthe bardisplay(S1to+30)helpswithorientation foran inputsignal
inthe stagesS1toS9+30dB.
Pleasenote:the fieldintensitymeteronlyregistersasignalwhen the muting control
hasopened.
RFGainsetting
You can adjustthe overall-sensitivityofYourreceiverwiththe RFgainknob,which
iscombined withthe volumeknob (outerring).Normally,RFgainshouldbe inthe
full clockwiseposition. SometimeYou maydesiretolisten onlytonearbystations. Or
You mayreceivemuchinterferencesignals.InsuchcasesYou can reducethe
sensitivityof Yourreceiverbyturning the knob morecounterclockwise.

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Please note: Squelchand ASCsettingsmayrequirere-adjusting inlowsensitivity
position.
AdjustingSQUELCH (muting)andASC
ParticularlyinFM,noisecan be anuisanceon afree channel.Tosuppress asmuch
noiseaspossible,Yourradioisequipped notonlywithan ordinarymuting control
(SQUELCH) likeall CBradioshave,buthasalsoapreinstalled ASC circuit
(patented byGPE).Bothcircuitscan be presetand adjusted independentofeach
other.Pleasebe carefulwiththe squelchcircuit: itmaysuppress noise,butifturned
too tigh, it can alsosuppress weakersignals.
ThereisadoublepotentiometerforbothSQUELCH and ASCsetting.The innerring
isforSQUELCH, the outerring isforASC.
Thisishowtoadjustthe signalstrengthrequired toswitchon the loudspeaker, using
the (inner) SQUELCH controlknob:
The furtherthe controlknob isturned tothe right, the strongerasignalhastobe in
ordertobe audiblethrough the loudspeaker.
Inordertoadjust the set tobe the most sensitivetoincoming signals, switchtoa
free channel:
• Usethe rotaryswitchorthe microphone buttonstofind afree channel,
whereno signalisdisplayed.
• Then turnthe SQUELCH controlcarefullytothe right until the noisejust
about disappears.
Nowthe loudspeakerstays off when on afree channelbut it switchesback on when
receiving even veryfaint signals.
The muting adjustmentisparticularlyimportantduring channel
scanning.Inthismode the pointtowhichthe setisadjusted
decideswhetherscanning isstopped atthe signalornot.
Thereforeyou shouldtestthe variousmuting settingsforvarious
signalstrengthsand get toknowthisfunction.
ASCNoise andInterference Reduction
Whilethe Squelchopensand closesstaticallyatacertainpreadjusted value ofthe
incoming signal,nottaking intoaccountinterferencesignals,the ASCcircuitworks
verysmoothand dynamically.If interferencesignalssuddenlyappear,ASC
automaticallyvariesthe thresholdpointtoasaferadjustmentand returnstothe old
adjustment when interferencesaredisappearing again.
Anexample:
You haveadjusted the SQUELCH carefullytothe mostsensitivepoint whilethe
engine ofYourcarwasstill off. NowYou startthe engine and switchon the
windshieldwiperThe squelchcircuitwill immediatelyregardthe interferenceofthe