Albrecht AE30H User manual

AE30H
SCANNER
200 Channels
Air band
Receiver
with FM Radio
and 2 m VHF

2
Index
Precautions and Warnings .................................................. 3
AE30H Controls and Display............................................... 4
Introduction.......................................................................... 5
Band Plans to initialize the scanner .................................... 5
Feature Highlights ............................................................... 6
About This Manual .............................................................. 7
Understanding Scanning..................................................... 8
What is Scanning? .............................................................. 8
What is Searching? ............................................................. 8
Conventional Scanning ....................................................... 8
Simplex Operation............................................................... 9
Repeater Operation............................................................. 9
Where To Obtain More Information ..................................... 9
Included With Your Scanner .............................................. 10
Setting Up Your Scanner................................................... 10
Installing and Replacing Batteries..................................... 10
Connecting the Antenna.................................................... 12
Connecting an Optional Antenna ...................................... 12
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone ............................... 12
Attaching the Belt Clip....................................................... 13
A Look At The Keypad....................................................... 14
A Look At The Display ....................................................... 16
Understanding Banks ........................................................ 16
Turning On The Scanner and Setting Squelch.................. 17
Adjusting the Volume Level............................................... 17
Frequency Search Mode ................................................... 17
Changing the Frequency Steps......................................... 17
Choosing the band ............................................................ 18
Registering a Found Frequency in Memory ...................... 18
Editing a Frequency .......................................................... 18
Registering a Known Frequency in Channel Memory....... 19
Erasing a Frequency ......................................................... 19
Scanning the Stored Channels.......................................... 19
Manually Selecting a Channel........................................... 20
Switching the Mode........................................................... 20
Delay ................................................................................. 20
Search Skip....................................................................... 21
Locking Out Channels in Memory ..................................... 21
Mode ................................................................................. 21
Priority ............................................................................... 21
Monitor .............................................................................. 22
Information about “Birdies”................................................ 22
General Hints,Care & Maintenance................................... 23
Repairs .............................................................................. 25
Specifications .................................................................... 26
Optional Accessories......................................................... 27
European 2 years warranty ............................................... 27
Recycling of Electronic Items ............................................ 27
Declaration of Conformity.................................................. 28

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Precautions and Warnings
Before you use this scanner, please read and observe the
following.
Earphone Warning
Use only a genuine Albrecht earphone. An incorrect
earphone may be hazardous to your hearing.
Turn down volume before connecting the earphone and then
adjust volume to suit.
Risk of Electrical Shocks
ALAN does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To
reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this
unit to rain or moisture.
Not allowed Monitoring of Radio Transmissions
Please take care that you listen only to transmissions, which
are allowed to be heard for the public, or for which you have
a license. Weather forecasts in Air band, FM radio stations
and 2 m Amateur Radio stations are allowed to receive in
most countries, but listening to commercial, utility or safety
related radio stations may be regarded as an offence or
even as a crime. The regulations are different from country
to country. We recommend to store only allowed frequencies
into the scanner’s memory.
Trademarks and intellectual Property Rights
Trademarks used throughout this manual are the
property of their respective holders.

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AE30H Controls and Display
Antenna
Earphone socket
Display
Keyboard

5
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an Albrecht AE30H Handheld
Scanner. The scanner is versatile, compact, and easy to
use.
You can program up to 200 frequencies into the scanner's
memory. The scanner lets you scan transmissions and is
preprogrammed with service banks and search banks for
your convenience.
You can quickly search those frequencies most commonly
used in Air band, FM radio and VHF without tedious and
complicated programming.
Use your scanner to monitor:
• Air band
• FM Radio
• VHF High band
This table lists the frequency ranges, default frequency step,
default mode (AM or FM), and type of transmissions you can
hear for each range.
Band Plans to initialize the scanner
The scanner has 2 Band Plans, which are useful for major
regions in Europe. Band Plan 2 is optimized for Germany
Band Plan 1
Frequency
Range
(MHz)
Mode Step
(kHz)
Transmission
87.5000 -
107.9000
WFM 100 FM Radio
108.0000 -
136.9875
AM 12.5 AIRCRAFT
137.0000 -
157.9875
FM 12.5 2M AMATEUR
BAND
158.0000 -
160.5900
FM 10 VHF HIGH BAND
160.6000 -
162.5875
FM 12.5 VHF HIGH BAND
162.6000 -
173.9900
FM 10 VHF HIGH BAND

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Band Plan 2
RANGE (MHz) MODE STEP
(kHz)
Program/
Subject
87.5000 -
107.9000
WFM 100 FM Radio
108.0000 -
136.9875
AM 12.5 AIRCRAFT
137.0000 -
143.9950
FM 5 MILITARY LAND
MOBILE
144.0000 -
145.9875
FM 12.5 2M AMATEUR
BAND
146.0000 -
155.9900
FM 10 VHF HIGH BAND
156.0000 -
162.0250
FM 12.5 VHF MARINE
BAND
162.0300 -
173.9900
FM 10 VHF HIGH BAND
To switch the band plan between 1 and 2;
• Make sure the power is turned off
• While holding down BAND, turn on the scanner.
Note: Please reset the scanner (see page 25) after
band plan was changed.
Feature Highlights
MEMORY CHANNEL SCAN - lets you scan the
channel memory frequency.
FREQUENCY SEARCH MODE - specifies the
frequency where searching starts from.
Channel-Storage Banks - the scanner has 3 banks.
You can store up to 200 frequencies into the banks.
Selectable Scan Delay - delays scanning from 0 to
5 seconds according to your setting before moving
to another channel, so you can hear more replies
that are made on the same channel.
Lock-Out Function - lets you set your scanner to
skip over specified channels or frequencies when

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scanning or searching.
Priority Channels - lets you program one channel
in each bank (3 in all) and then have the scanner
check that channel every 2 seconds while it scans
the bank, so you do not miss transmissions on those
channels.
Monitor - Opens the squelch to receive all the signal
regardless of its strength.
Key Lock - lets you lock the scanner's keys to help
prevent accidental changes to the scanner's
programming.
Display Backlight - makes the scanner easy to
read in low-light situations.
Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector - provides
adequate reception in strong signal areas and is
designed to help prevent antenna breakage.
Or, you can connect an external antenna for better
reception.
Memory Backup - keeps the frequencies stored in
memory for an extended time if the scanner loses
power.
AUTO POWER OFF - allows the scanner to
automatically become low power consumption mode
of microcomputer, if the battery voltage is lower than
voltage where battery low alert is occurred. Once
power off feature starts, LCD is turned off and all
operations are not effective.
Key Confirmation Tones - the scanner sounds a
tone when you perform an operation correctly, and
an error tone if you make an error.
Battery Low Alert - warns you when battery power
gets low.
About This Manual
The screen displays used in this manual are representations
of what might appear when you use your scanner. Since
what you see depends on the frequencies for your area and
the settings you select, you might notice some differences
between what is in this manual and what appears on your
scanner.
To get the most from this manual, review the contents to
become familiar with the basic functions available. If you are
new to scanning, be sure to read “Understanding Scanning”
below for a quick background on the technology behind the

8
hobby. The first thing you’ll need to do is install batteries in
the scanner. Then you need to connect the included
antenna to the scanner. See “Installing and Replacing
Batteries” on Page 10/11 and “Connecting the Antenna” on
Page 12 if you need any help doing this.
Understanding Scanning
This section provides you with background on how scanning
works. You don’t really need to know all of this to use your
scanner, but some background knowledge will help you get
the most from your AE30H.
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications do not transmit continuously. Your AE30H
scans programmed channels until it finds an active
frequency, then stops on that frequency and remains on that
channel as long as the transmission continues. When the
transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until the
scanner receives another transmission.
What is Searching?
The AE30H can search for active frequencies. This is
different from scanning because you are searching for
frequencies that have not been programmed into the
scanner. When you select frequency bands to search, the
scanner searches for any active frequency within the lower
and upper limits you specify. When the scanner finds an
active frequency, it stops on that frequency as long as the
transmission lasts. If you think the frequency is interesting,
you can program it into one of the banks. If not, you can
continue to search.
Conventional Scanning
Conventional scanning is a relatively simple concept. Each
group of users in a conventional system is assigned a single
frequency (for simplex systems) or two frequencies (for
repeater systems). Any time one of them transmits, their
transmission always goes out on the same frequency. Up
until the late 1980’s this was the primary way that radio
systems operated.
Even today, there are many 2-way radio users who operate
using a conventional system:
• Aircraft
• Amateur radio
• PMR users
• Broadcast AM/FM/TV stations
• Many business radio users
When you want to store a conventional system, all you need
to know is the frequencies they operate on. When you are
scanning a conventional system, the scanner stops very
briefly on each channel to see if there is activity. If there isn’t,

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the scanner quickly moves to the next channel. If there is,
then the scanner pauses on the transmission until it is over.
Simplex Operation
Simplex systems use a single frequency for both transmit
and receive. Most radios using this type of operation are
limited to line-of-sight operation. This type of radio is
frequently used at construction job sites, and with
inexpensive consumer radios such as PMR radios. The
range is typically 1.5-12 km, depending upon the terrain and
many other factors.
Repeater Operation
Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from
the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the
repeater to other radios in the system. With a
repeater-based system, the repeater is located on top of a
tall building or on a radio tower that provides great visibility
to the area of operation.
When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is
picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output
frequency). The user’s radios always listen for activity on the
output frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since
the repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of
sight. Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to
about a 40 km radius from the repeater location.
Where To Obtain More Information
By itself, this manual really only provides part of what you
need to know to have fun scanning – how to program and
use the scanner.
Information On The Internet
The Internet is a great source for current frequencies and
information about scanning.
Many web sites have lists of frequencies for your area. You
can use a search engine to find and use them.
Make a list of the agencies you want to listen to, then look
up the frequencies and systems used by those agencies.

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Included With Your Scanner
・ Owners Manual
・ Scanner with Antenna
・ Belt Clip
Note: If any of these items are missing or damaged,
contact your place of purchase.
Setting Up Your Scanner
These guidelines will help you install and use your new
scanner:
• If your scanner receives interference or electrical noise,
move the scanner or its antenna away from the source.
• To improve the scanner’s reception, use an optional
external antenna designed for multi-band coverage.
(You can purchase this type of antenna at a local
electronics store). If the optional antenna has no cable,
use 50-70 ohm coaxial cable for lead-in. A mating plug
might be necessary for the optional antennas.
• Use an optional mono earphone or mono headset with
proper impedance for private listening. Read the
precautions on the inside front cover of this Owners
Manual.
• Do not use the scanner in high-moisture environments
such as the kitchen or bathroom.
• Avoid placing the scanner in direct sunlight or
near heating elements or vents.
Installing and Replacing Batteries
You can power your scanner using three AA alkaline
batteries.
• Make sure the power is turned off.
• If the belt clip is attached, remove it (See page 13).
• Slide the battery compartment cover.
• Install three batteries in the compartment as indicated
by the polarity symbols (+ and -) marked inside.

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• Replace the cover.
Using Rechargeable Batteries
You can also use three rechargeable batteries (Ni-MH) or
NiCd to power your scanner. Before you use rechargeable
batteries, make sure the batteries are fully charged.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and
recommended type.
• Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries
can leak chemicals that destroy electronic circuits.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types
of batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable),
or rechargeable batteries of different capacities.

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Connecting the Antenna
To attach the supplied flexible antenna to the connector on
the top of your scanner, align the slots around the antenna's
connector with the tabs on the scanner's BNC connector.
Then slide the antenna's connector down over the scanner's
connector and rotate the antenna connector's outer ring
clockwise until it locks into place.
Connecting an Optional Antenna
The scanner's BNC connector makes it easy to connect a
variety of optional antennas, including an external mobile
antenna or outdoor base station antenna.
Note: Always use 50-ohm, RG-58, or RG-8, coaxial cable to
connect an outdoor antenna. If the antenna is over 15
meters from the scanner, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric
coaxial cable. You can get a BNC adapter at your local
electronics store.
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone
For private listening, you can plug a 3.5mm mini-plug
earphone or mono headphones (not supplied) into the
headphone jack on top of your scanner. This automatically
disconnects the internal speaker.
WARNING!
If you connect an external speaker to the scanner's
headphone jack, never connect the audio output line to a

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power supply and ground. This might damage
the scanner.
Attaching the Belt Clip
To make your scanner easier to carry when you are on the
go, use the supplied belt clip. Slide the belt clip into the
hanger piece on the back of the scanner. To remove, slide
up the belt clip pulling the pinch at the middle of the belt clip.
About Your Scanner
We use a few simple terms in this manual to explain the
features of the scanner. Familiarize yourself with these
terms and the scanner's features, and you can put the
scanner to work for you right away. Simply determine the
type of communications you want to receive, then set the
scanner to scan those communications.
A frequency, expressed in kHz or MHz, is the tuning location
of a station. To find active frequencies, you use the search
function or refer to a frequency reference.
Besides searching within a selected frequency range, you
can also search your scanner's service banks. Service
banks are preset groups of frequencies categorized by the
type of services that use those frequencies.
When you search and find a desired frequency, you can
store it into a programmable memory location called a
channel. Channels are grouped into channel- storage banks.
The scanner has 3 channel storage banks. You can scan
the channel-storage banks to see if there is activity on the

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frequencies stored there.
A Look At The Keypad
Your scanner's keys have various functions labeled on the
key tops and above the keys.
To select the function labeled on a key, simply press the key.
To select the function labeled above a key, first press FNC
then release it. F appears on the display. Then press the
next key in the function key sequence while Fappears. F
appears or disappears as you press FNC.
If your scanner's keys seem confusing at first, the following
information should help you understand each key's function.
Key Name Description
FNC Lets you use various functions
by pressing this key in
combination with other keys.
F/M / MW F/M – Switches between
Frequency Mode and Memory
Mode.
FNC + MW briefly – Register a
frequency into channel in
Frequency Search Mode and
Frequency hold mode.
FNC + MW for two seconds –
Moves to frequency edit mode
in Memory Scan Mode, Memory
Scan Hold Mode, Frequency
Search Mode and Frequency
Hold Mode.
MON / MON – Moves to Monitor Mode.

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FNC + – Locks and unlocks
the keypad.
RSM/HOLD Resume scanning or Holding
scanning.
L/O / PRI L/O – Lets you lock out a
selected channel or skip a
specified frequency.
FNC + PRI briefly – Sets and turns the
priority function on or off.
FNC + PRI for two seconds – Sets a
channel as a priority channel.
Increment the channel number
and frequency, select the
search direction.
Decrement the channel number
and frequency, select the
search direction.
VOL/SQ / VOL/SQ – Switches volume
DELAY setting and squelch setting.
FNC + DELAY Change the delay time in Memory
Scan Mode, Memory Hold Mode,
Frequency Search Mode and
Frequency Hold Mode.
BAND / STEP BAND – Select the band in
Frequency Search Mode and
Memory Scan Mode.
FNC + STEP Change the steps in Memory Scan
Mode, Memory Hold Mode, Frequency
Search Mode or Frequency Hold Mode.
PWR / LIGHT PWR – Press and hold for more
than 2 seconds to turn the
scanner on or off.
FNC + LIGHT Turn the display back light on or off.

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A Look At The Display
The display has indicators that show the scanner's current
operating status. The display information helps you
understand how your scanner operates.
appears only when the function mode is on.
FM appears during FM Radio band is selected.
AIR appears during Air band is selected.
VHF appears during VHF High band is selected.
MEM appears during Memory Mode is selected.
VOL appears during volume setting.
SQ appears during squelch setting.
Pappears when you select a priority channel.
FREQ appears during Frequency Mode is selected.
HOLD appears during Memory Hold Mode and
Frequency Hold Mode.
L/O appears when you manually select a channel
you locked out or a skip frequency.
PRI appears when the priority feature is turned on.
DLY appears when you select a delay.
alerts you when the battery power gets low.
appears when you lock the key pad.
Understanding Banks
To make it easier to identify and select the channels you
want to listen to, the 200 channels are divided into 3
channel-storage banks. Use each channel storage bank to
group frequencies for FM Radio, Air, and VHF High band.
The number programmed into each bank depends on your
choice.
For example, You may program 70 channels for FM Radio
band bank, 110 channels for Air band bank and 20 channels

17
for VHF High band bank. Or, it is also possible to program
200 channels for only Air band.
Operation – in Details
Turning On The Scanner and Setting Squelch
Note: Make sure the scanner's antenna is connected before
you turn it on.
• Press and hold PWR for 2 seconds. The scanner
turns On.
• Press VOL/SQ. SQ appears with the current
• setting.
• Repeatedly press or to select the squelch
level you want.
• Squelch is fully open at level 0, and most tight at
level 10.
Note: Squelch can be adjusted both in Frequency
Mode and Memory Mode.
Adjusting the Volume Level
• Repeatedly press VOL/SQ until VOL appears.
• Use or to select the volume level you prefer
from 30 levels.
• Press PWR or wait for 2 seconds to return to the
mode you were in.
Note: Volume level can be adjusted both in Frequency
Mode and in Memory Mode.
Frequency Search Mode
Changing the Frequency Steps
You can change the steps of each band.
• Press FNC + STEP until a band you want to change
appears.
• Use or to select steps from Auto, 5kHz,
6.25kHz, 8.33kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz, 15kHz, 20kHz,
25kHz, 50kHz and 100kHz.
• Press PWR or wait for 2 seconds to return to the
mode you were in.
You can search for Air, FM Radio and VHF High band
without knowing the specific frequencies used in your area.
Press or to change the search direction.
When the scanner stops on a transmission, press
RSM/HOLD to stop searching and listen to the transmission.

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HOLD appears. In this mode, you can press or to
increment or decrement the frequency by 1 step. Press and
hold or to increment or decrement frequency
continuously.
• To release the hold and continue searching, press
RSM/HOLD.
Choosing the band
You can choose which band is to be searched.
• While searching, press BAND. A band and it’s
current settings appears.
• Repeatedly press BAND until the band you want to
set appears.
• Repeatedly press or to change the setting to
ON or OFF. If you set to ON, the selected band will
be searched. If you set to OFF, the band will not be
searched.
To set other bands, press BAND again. To complete the
setting, wait 2 seconds. To cancel the setting, press PWR
Note: You cannot set all bands to OFF!
Registering a Found Frequency in Memory
You can store frequencies you found during Frequency
Search Mode or Frequency Hold Mode into channels.
• Press FNC + MW. A blank channel and the
frequency you found are displayed alternately.
• Repeatedly press or to select the channel
where you want to register.
• Press FNC + MW to complete the registration.
• Registered channel frequency is distributed to each
bank according to the a frequency band.
If you entered a frequency that has already been entered
elsewhere, the scanner sounds an error tone and displays
the channel that was duplicated.
If you entered the frequency by mistake, press PWR then
enter the correct frequency. To enter the frequency anyway,
press FNC + MW to accept.
Editing a Frequency
1. If the scanner is in Scan mode, set the scanner to
Search mode by pressing F/M. In the display FREQ
appears.
2. Press FNC + MW for two seconds.
3. Repeatedly press or to move the cursor to
the digit you want to edit. The cursor digit blinks.
4. Press FNC Fdisappears.
5. Repeatedly press or to display the number
You want to to program.
6. Press FNC, Fappears
7. Repeat the step from 3-6 to edit the other digits.

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8. To register the edited frequency, press FNC + MW.
A blank channel and the frequency are displayed
alternately
9. Repeatedly press or to select the channel
You want to register.
10. Press FNC + MW to complete registration. To exit
the editing mode without registering, press
RSM/HOLD.
Registering a Known Frequency in Channel
Memory
1. If the scanner is in Search mode, set it to Scan
mode by pressing F/M. Then press RSM/HOLD.
In the display MEM and HOLD will appear.
2. Repeatedly press or to display the memory
location You want to register.
3. Press FNC, Fappears, and then press MW for 2
seconds.
4. Press FNC, Fdisappears
5. Repeatedly press or to display the
frequency (Tenth of MHz) You want to program.
6. Press FNC, Fappears. Repeatedly press or
to move the cursor to the digit You want to
program. The digit blinks.
7. Press FNC, Fdisappears.
8. Repeatedly press or to display the number
You want to program.
9. Repeat the steps 6-8 to program the other digits.
10. Press MW to complete the registration. To exit
entering, press RSM/HOLD
Erasing a Frequency
• If the scanner is scanning the memory, set it to
hold by pressing RSM/HOLD. In the display
MEM and HOLD will appear.
• Repeatedly press or to display the
frequency You want to erase.
• Press FNC. Fappears. Then press MW for 2
seconds
• Press L/O. The frequency is cleared to 00.0000
• Press FNC, Fdisappears.
• Press F/M. The display will show now --.----. The
frequency is now erased.
Scanning the Stored Channels
(Memory Scan)
• To begin scanning channels, press RSM/HOLD. The
scanner scans through all non-locked channels in the
Channel Memory.
You can choose band during scanning from Air, FM Radio
and VHF High.
• Repeatedly press BAND to select a band you want to
scan.

20
• Press or to select turn On or OFF the band.
• Press PWR or wait for 2 seconds to go back to Memory
Scan Mode.
Note: You can choose the band also in Frequency Mode
with the steps above.
When the scanner finds a transmission, it stops on it. When
the transmission ends, the scanner resumes scanning
automatically after the delay time (see Delay on next page).
Notes:
• If you have not stored frequencies into any
channels, the scanner does not scan.
• If the scanner picks up unwanted partial or very
weak transmissions, increase the squelch level.
• Decrease the scanner's sensitivity to these
signals.
• To listen to a weak or distant station, reduce the
squelch level (0 is squelch open).
Manually Selecting a Channel
You can continuously monitor a single channel without
scanning. This is useful if you hear an emergency broadcast
on a channel and do not want to miss any details - even
though there might be periods of silence - or if you want to
monitor a specific channel.
• During scanning, if the radio stops at a channel
you want to listen to, press RSM/HOLD once.
• (Repeatedly pressing or at this time
causes the scanner to step through the channels.)
• Press RSM/HOLD to resume automatic scanning.
Switching the Mode
Follow the steps below to switch between Frequency Mode
and Memory Mode.
• Repeatedly press F/ M to display FREQ.
• Now the scanner is in Frequency Mode.
• Repeatedly press F/ M to display MEM.
• Now the scanner is in Memory Mode.
Special Features
Delay
You can program from 0 to 5 delay into any channel or
frequency. If you set delay time for 1 to 5 seconds, scanner
continues to monitor the channel frequency for 1 to 5
seconds after the transmission stops before resuming
scanning or searching. The scanner automatically sets a
delay when you store frequencies into channels or when you
search frequencies. When the delay feature is on, DLY
appears. If you set to 0, delay feature turn to off.