Albrecht AE 5290 User manual

CB RADIO
AE5290
OPERATING MANUAL
www.albrecht-online.de

2
2
Index
Important note3
Introduction 3
Accessoriesincluded 4
SafetyPrecautions4
Front view5
LCDisplay5
Rearview5
Countryswitchsetting beforeInstallation 6
Installation of the radio7
Powersupply7
Antenna connection 9
Operation 9
Beforeswitching on 9
Switching on and adjusting volume9
Selecting the operating channel9
Fieldintensitymeter(S-meter) 9
Adjusting squelch(muting)10
AM/ FMmode switch10
Specialinterest channels10
MEMO modus11
Channelscan 12
Transmitting and correct useof microphone 13
Externalsockets13
Externalloudspeaker13
ExternalS-meter13
Microphone socket13
Serviceand Warrantyinformations14
LegalInformation 15
Albrecht RadioPassport15
Declaration of Conformity16
TechnicalDetails17
Servicecontacts17

3
3
ImportantNote
YourAlbrechtAE 5290 correspondstothe latestEuropean CBstandards.Asa
unique feature,ithasacountryswitchwhichallowsselecting the operation mode
according tothe country,whereYou intend tousethe radio.Pleasemakesurethat
You putthe countryswitchon the back side ofthe radiointothe correctposition
beforeinstalling andconnecting the powersupply!
40 FM 40 channelsFM/ 4Watt (former“CEPT”settingswith40
ChannelsFMaccording toEN300 135-2). Thismode can be
used innearlyall European countries(insomecountries,
individuallicencesarestill requested even for40 CH FM. For
detailssee the latest issue of our“RadioPassport”). InAustriaa
specialversion of thisradio(AE 5290 FM, wherethe country
switchisblocked fromfactory)isnecessary.
80/40 80 channelsFM/ 4Watt, 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt. You can
operatethe radiofree of licenceorchargesinthisswitch
position inGermany. Onlyincertainborderregionsuseof this
radioasbasestation, transmitting on channels41 to80 inFM, is
not allowed oryou need aspeciallicenceforthisapplication.
InCzechia80/40 switchposition isallowed, but only80 FMare
allowed tobe used
40/40 40 channelsFM/ 4Watt, 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt. Latest
European StandardEN300 433-2, not yet applied inall
countries. InBelgium, Spainand Switzerland inhabitantsstill
need tohaveaCBlicence(whilefree fortravellers), inItalyall
usersneed alicence, whileit isalreadyfree of chargesand
licenceinEstonia, France, Finland, Germany, Latvia,
Netherlands, Poland, Portugaland Slovakia.
Introduction
YournewAlbrecht CBRadioAE 5290, developed and manufactured inaccordance
withthe latest CBregulations, offersyou:
• 40 channelsFM/ 4Watt or
• 80 channelsFM/ 4Watt / 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt or
• 40 channelsFM/ 4Watt / 40 channelsAM/ 1Watt
• Channelselection knob on the radioset and UP/DOWNbuttonson the
microphone
• Channelscan up and downthe frequencies
• 5freelyprogrammablememorypositionsforstored stations
• Multifunction LCD display

4
4
• 6-polemicrophone socket, suitableforamplifiermicrophones, selective
calling systemsorPacket Radiomodems/TNC’s
• Socket forexternalS-meter
• Socket forexternalloudspeaker
Pleaseread thisoperating manualthrough carefully.Thiswill enableyou tomake
useof all the functionsyournewCBRadiohastoofferassoon aspossible.
Accessories included
YourAE 5290 comesoperationalwiththe following accessories:
• mobilemount
• 2knurled screwsforthe mobilemount
• 2rubberwashersforthe mobilemount
• DC plug-inpowercablewithlooped-infuses
• 2sparefuses
• Electret hand-heldmicrophone withpre-amplifierand UP/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 5290
when the trafficsituation enablesit tobe used safely.

5
5
Channel
Frontview
LCDisplay
Rearview
Channelswitch
Squelch
ReceiveVolume
AM-FM-switch
Scan-switch
Memo-channels
ON/ OFF
S/PWRMeter
Memory
Location
FM
-
Mode
Memory Mode
Brand platewithcountry list
Country switchin40FMposition,
thisswitchisnot activein
AE5290 FMversion forAustria
Antenna socket
50 Ohms
PL
-
259 Standard
DC powercable
socket 13.2V
Externalspeaker
8Ohms, min. 2W
Socket for
externalS
-
meter

6
6
Countryswitchsetting beforeinstallation
BeforeYou install YournewCBradio,You
shouldpresetthe countryswitchon the rear
side ofthe radioaccording tothe local
authorityrequirements.Becausethisradio
isused inmostcasesbytruck driversin
centraland westernEurope,itcomes
programmed withthe centerswitchposition
40/40 channels.If You areinacountry
wherethissetting shouldnotbe allowed,
pleaseusethe left switchposition on the picture,40 FM.PleaseconsultourRadio
Passport (see the chapter“LegalIssues”laterinthismanual)
40 FM Thisisformer“CEPT”mode,the position whichisallowed inmost
countries.Herethe radioworks on the international40 ChannelsinFM
mode.The Function switchFon the frontside isdisabled inthismode.
(Caution: InsomecountriesYou need alicence, even forthismode!)
40/40 Thismediumposition can be used inthosecountries, wherealreadyall 40
internationalchannelsareallowed tobe used inAMand FM.AMwas
traditionallyused byCBfromthe beginning inthe early60’sinUSA, and it
isstill the preferred mode ofall truck driversinthe world.Pleaseusethis
mode onlyincountriesaccording tothe listinthe RadioPassport, and
pleaseapplyforan individuallicencewhererequested.
80/40 Thisposition (rightside on the photo)isonlyallowed tobe used in
Germany.Restrictionsarestill inforceinthe borderregionstoother
countries(excepttoCzechRepublic),wheretransmitting on channels41
–80 isnot allowed bybasestationsoronlywithaspeciallicence.
Re-Programming toanothercountrycode
This ispossibleat anytime, but You must
• switchoff the radio
• switchtothe newcountryposition
• switchon the radioagain.
Notes: Donotshift the countryswitchtoanotherposition whilethe radioisinuse.
Malfunctionsmayresult!
The specialversion AE 5290 FM,whichissoldmainlytoAustria,hasafactory
deactivated countryswitch.Inall 3possiblepositionsthisradioworks onlyinFMon
40 channels.

7
7
Installation oftheradio
You can eitheroperateyourALBRECHTAE 5290 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 carefultoensure
free leg movement).Takecarenottodamage anyunderlying wiresduring
installation!
Then insertthe radiointothe fixing device.Securethe setwiththe large knurled
screws(using the enclosed plasticwashers)firmlyat the required angle.
Alsomountthe microphone fixing deviceusing the enclosed screwsinan easily-
accessibleplace.
Inordertopreventinterferencetothe vehicleelectronics fromtransmission inthe
vehicle,pleasemakesuretotakeanymounting instructionsfromthe vehicle
manufacturerforradiosand antennasintoaccount.
Powersupply
YourAE 5290 receivespowerfromthe 2pinplug-incable.
The red and black wiresinthe cableareforthe powersupply.Sincethe revised AE
5290 radiohasnowapermanentstorage viaEEPROM,itisno morenecessaryto
connectathirdwireformemorybackup topermanent+supply.(Inthisnewradio
version,the previouslyused 3polepowercablewithan additionalorange wireisno
moreshipped). The cablehasalooped-infuse.
You can choosefromvariousmethodswhen connecting tothe powersupply(red
and black):
Example1permanentconnectionto12 Volts
The channellasttuned intoand the 5stored stationsaremaintained after
switching off; the setcan be switched on and off atanytimeusing the
volume/ on/off switch.
Connectup the red wiretothe positivepoleon the vehiclebattery(or
elsewhereinthe vehicle’selectricalsystemwithpermanentplus)ortoa12
volt powerunit.
Connectup the black wiretothe negativepoleon the vehiclebatteryorthe
powerunit ortoawell-conductivepart of the carbody.
Example2
The setshouldbe automaticallyswitched on and off withthe ignition.All
stored stationsshouldbe kept inmemory.

8
8
Attachthe red wiretoapartofthe vehicleelectricalsystemwhichis
interconnected tothe ignition.
Noteforall connectingmethods:
ForEMCreasons,the cableused toconnecttothe powersupplyshouldbe no
longerthan 3metres.
If you wishtooperateyoursetathomefromthe mainssupplythen pleaseonlyuse
astabilized powerpack withatleast2ampspermanentcurrent-carrying capacity.
Underno circumstancesshouldyou useacarbatterycharger, orasimpleDC power
supplyastheyareprovided forcamping cooling devices,asthesearenotstabilized
and during open circuitreachsuchhigh voltage levelsthatyourradiosetcouldbe
destroyed.
Inanycase,pleasesetthe countryswitchon the rearside tothe correctcountry
position beforeYou plug inthe DC cable!Donotchange countryswitchposition
whileradioisstill connected topowersupply.
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.
Neverrepairablownfusewithsilverpaperorwithaluminumfoil!If the fuses
keep blowing,then pleasegiveyourradiosettoyourservicing dealertobe
repaired orhand it intoAlbrecht’sservicestation.
The maximumallowed voltage variation forthisradioisup to15.6volts.
Neverexceed thisvoltage underno circumstances!The transmitting stages
foryourAE 5290 areelectronicallystabilized,and thereforeitisimpossible
toincreaseoutput bymeansof excessivesupplyvoltage. Suchattemptsmay
lead toseriousdamage tothe radioset but will neverincreaseoutput power!

9
9
Antennaconnection
ConnectyourCBantenna tothe ANTsocket on the rearside of yourALBRECHTAE
5290.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
installation errorormissing ground.Problemsmaybe caused through missing
ground,especiallyinboatsand motorhomeswithfiberglass body.Forthesecases,
Albrechtoffersaspecialconnecting cablewithmatching boxas“artificialground”
(AKM27,orderNo.68440)orusea“groundless”antenna likeAlbrecht GL27 (order
No. 6351).
Someantennas, like“GammaII”arebroadbanded and do not need any
retuning during installations.
EvenifyourAE5290 has aparticularlyrobusttransmitterhigh-
levelstagewhichcanevenwithstand mismatching ofSWR=3,you
shouldstill nevertransmitwithoutanantenna!
Operation
Beforeswitchingon
• TurnSQUELCH controlleft asfaraspossible
Switchingonandadjustingvolume
The on/off switchiscombined inthe VOLUMEcontrol. Toswitchon:
• TurnVOLUMEcontrolfromOFF position slightlyright. LCdisplayand buttonsare
illuminated. Then turnfurtheruntil desired volumeisreached.
Selectingtheoperatingchannel
Onthe radioset:
• Withthe channelknob 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 graded bardisplayYou can see approximatelyhowstrong the receiving
signalis.

10
10
The scaleunderthe bardisplay(S1to+30)helpswithorientation foran input signal
inthe stagesS1toS9+30dB.
Pleasenote: the fieldintensitymeteronlyregistersasignalwhen the muting control
hasopened.
Adjustingsquelch(muting)
ParticularlyinFM, noisecan be anuisanceon afree channel. Withthe muting
control(SQUELCH)You can suppress thisnoise-but alsosignalswhicharetoo
weaktobe received properly.
Thisishowtoadjust the signalstrengthrequired toswitchon the loudspeaker, using
the 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.
AM/ FMmodeswitch
Inthe twoprogramming modes40/40 and 80/40,FMmodulation isavailableon all
channels,butAMonlyon the 40 internationalchannels.Onthesechannelsyou can
switchbetween AMand FMusing the function button F.The displayshowseither
AMorFMaccordingly.
When you switchon the set the first timeit operateson FM.
Pleasenotethatin80/40 mode,on channels41-80 itisnotpossibletooperateon
AM.If yourradioissettoAMand you choosean FMchannel,the radiowill
automaticallyswitchfromAMtoFM.Thisisindicated bythe FMsymbolon the
displaystarting toblink.If you switchback toachannelpermissibleon AM, the radio
will switchback toAM.
The switchhasno function in40 FMposition ofcountryswitchorinAE 5290 FM
version.
Special interestchannels
Thereareafewchannelswhichhaveestablished themselvesforcertainpurposes:
Channel1Call channelon FM