Alinco DR-B185T User manual

A3.130921
Yodoyabashi Dai-bldg 13F
4-4-9 Koraibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0043 Japan
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
http://www.alinco.com
Copyright Alinco, lnc.
Printed in China
VHF FM Mobile Transceiver
DR-B185T:
136.000-173.995MHz
FCC ID:PH3DR-B185T
Alinco Incorporated, Electronics Division

DR-B185T
Instruction Manual
VHF FM Mobile Transceiver
Thank you for purchasing your new Alinco transceiver.
Please read this manual carefully before using the
product to ensure full performance, and keep this
manual for future reference as it contains information
on after-sales services. In case addendum or errata
sheets are included with this product, please read
those materials and keep them together with this
instruction manual for future reference.

Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing this excellent Alinco transceiver.
Our products are ranked among the finest in the world. This radio has
been manufactured with state of the art technology and it has been tested
carefully at our factory. It is designed to operate to your satisfaction for
many years under normal use.
Please read this manual completely from the first page to the
last, to learn all the functions the product offers. It is important to
note that some of the operations may be explained in relation to
information in previous chapters. By reading just one part of the
manual, you may risk not understanding the complete explanation
of the function.
Before transmitting
There are many radio stations operating in proximity to the frequency
ranges this product covers. Be careful not to cause interference when
transmitting around such radio stations.
■Lightning
Please note that no car provides adequate protection of its passengers
or drivers against lightning. Therefore, Alinco will not take responsibility
for any danger associated with using its radios or inside the car during
lightning.
■For North American users
Due to strict rules, this product is blocked for operations before sales
and only dealers can program the radio before delivery to consumers.
Manufacturer is not aware of details of such dealer-programming
therefore please kindly contact your dealer rst in case technical-service
may be necessary.
■ PC-programmable
■ Alphanumeric name tags
■ Sub-tone (CTCSS/DCS) Encode/Decode, DTMF/ANI
Features
Conformity Symbols
Tested to comply MIL-STD-810G
-Shock: Method 514.6/I,IV -Vibration: Method 516.6/I
In case the unit you have purchased is marked with a CE symbol, a copy
of relative conformity certicate or docu-ment can be reviewed at http://
www.alinco.com/usa.html. Please see the back-cover for more details.
Copyright 2014 All rights reserved. NO part of this document may be
reproduced, copied, translated or transcribed in any form or by any
means without the prior writhout the prior written permission of Alinco.
Inc, Osaka, Japan, English Edition Printed in China.
■ Output power selectable

CONTENTS
Supplied Accessories ..........................................................1
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES ............................................................1
Initial Installation ..................................................................2
MOBILE INSTALLATION .................................................................2
DC POWER CABLE CONNECTION ...............................................3
POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE DISPLAY ...........................................5
ANTENNA CONNECTION...............................................................5
ACCESSORIES CONNECTIONS ...................................................5
Getting Acquainted ..............................................................7
FRONT PANEL ................................................................................7
BASIC FUNCTIONS ........................................................................7
OPERATIONS BY PRESSING AND HOLDING THE FOLLOWING
RESPECTIVE KEYS........................................................................7
PRESS [FUNC/SET] KEY UNTIL ICON APPEARS THEN
PRESS THE FOLLOWING KEY. .....................................................7
PRESS [FUNC/SET] KEY AND FOLLOWING KEY TOGETHER
TO ACTIVATE FOLLOWING FUNCTION: ....................................... 8
OPERATIONS WHEN TURNING ON THE POWER WHILE
PRESSING THE FOLLOWING RESPECTIVE KEYS .....................8
REAR PANEL...................................................................................9
DISPLAY ..........................................................................................9
MICROPHONE ................................................................................11
Operating Mode (Channel Display Mode)..........................12
CHANNEL DISPLAY MODE ............................................................12
SWITCHING THE POWER ON/OFF ............................................... 13
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME ...........................................................13
ADJUSTING FREQUENCY/CHANNEL THROUGH THE DIAL.......13
SQUELCH LEVEL SETTING...........................................................13
Basic Operations .................................................................13
TO RECEIVE SIGNALS...................................................................14
MONITORING FUNCTION .............................................................. 14
TO TRANSMIT SIGNALS ................................................................14
CALL MODE .................................................................................... 14
KEY OPERATIONS................................................................15
SQUELCH OFF ...............................................................................15
SCANNING FUNCTION ..................................................................15
DCS SCAN ......................................................................................16
CTCSS/DCS ENCODE AND DECODE SETUP .............................. 16
OFFSET DIRECTION AND OFFSET FREQUENCY SETUP.......... 17
KEYPAD LOCKOUT ........................................................................17
REVERSE FUNCTION ....................................................................17
PARAMETER SETTING MODE.............................................19
CHANNEL STEP SETTING.............................................................19
MEMORY NAME (ALPHANUMERIC TAG) .....................................20
MEMORY DISPLAY INDICATOR.....................................................20
BEEP ...............................................................................................20
DIMMER SETTING..........................................................................21
AUTOMATIC BACK LIGHT..............................................................21
TIME-OUT-TIMER ........................................................................... 22
TOT PENALTY................................................................................. 22
AUTO POWER OFF ........................................................................22
MESSAGE DISPLAYED WHEN TRUNING ON THE POWER........23
SETTING THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED WHEN TRUNING ON
THE POWER ...................................................................................23
BCLO SETTING...............................................................................23
TONE-BURST FREQUENCY ..........................................................24

CONTENTS
DEFAULT TONE VALUE..................................................................24
DEFAULT SQ VALUE ......................................................................24
DEFAULT DCS VALUE ....................................................................25
AUTO-DIALER.................................................................................26
DTMF TX SPEED ............................................................................26
DTMF PAUSE TIME......................................................................... 26
DTMF MONITOR .............................................................................27
SCAN TYPE.....................................................................................27
SCANNING STOP TIME -TMR........................................................ 27
SCANNING STOP TIME -BSY ........................................................28
TONE SEARCH SCANNING SPEED..............................................28
DCS SCANNING SPEED ................................................................28
PRIORITY SCAN SETTING ............................................................28
MEMORY CHANNEL SCANNING SETTING ..................................29
GROUP SCANNING STEP..............................................................29
BEAT SHIFT .....................................................................................30
TUNING CONTROL .........................................................................30
S-METER SQUELCH ......................................................................30
SQUELCH HANG TIME ...................................................................31
Microphone Operation .........................................................32
KEYPAD LOCK ................................................................................32
TRANSMITTING DTMF BY MICROPHONE KEYPAD ..................32
FUNCTION SETUP BY MICROPHONE KEYPAD ...........................32
Cable Clone ...........................................................................33
DEFAULT SETTING AFTER RESETTING DR-B185.......................34
TROUBLE SHOOTING ....................................................................34
Maintenance ..........................................................................34
Specications DR-B185T.....................................................35
39 GROUPS CTCSS TONE FREQUENCY(HZ)..............................36
GROUPS DCS CODE. ....................................................................36
Appendix ...............................................................................36

1
1Supplied Accessories
Supplied Accessories
Carefully unpack to make sure the following items are found in the package in addition to this manual:
Transceiver
DR-B185T
Spare Fuses
Microphone EMS-74
(with DTMF keyboard)
DC Power Cable with
Fuse Holder
The standard accessories may vary slightly depending on the version you have purchased. Please contact
your local authorized Alinco dealer should you have any questions. Alinco and authorized dealers are not
responsible for any typographical errors there may be in this manual. Standard accessories may change
without notice.
Warranty Policy: Please refer to any enclosed warranty information or contact your authorized Alinco dealer /
distributor for the warranty policy.
■ In order to operate this product, a properly tuned antenna, its feedline with connectors and
xing hardware are necessary. Please consult with your dealer for details.

2
1. Install the mounting bracket in the vehicle using the supplied
self-tapping screws (4pcs) and at washers (4pcs).
2. Position the transceiver, then insert and tighten the supplied hexa-
gon SEMS screws.
▼Double check that all screws are tightened to prevent vehicle
vibration from loosening the bracket or transceiver.
2
Initial Installation
Mobile installation ▼Determine the appropriate angle of the transceiver, using the 3 screw
hole positions on the side of the mounting bracket.
The transceiver may be installed in any position in your car, where the
controls and microphone are easily accessible and it does not interfere
with the safe operation of the vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with
air bags, be certain your radio will not interfere with their deployment. If
you are uncertain about where to mount the unit, contact your vehicle's
dealer.
Caution:
Use only the provided screws
otherwise you risk damaging the
circuit board, components or fall-off
of the unit.
Car body
Washer (M5)
Tapping screw
(M5x20mm)
Mounting bracket
M5 Spring Washer

3
2Initial Installation
DC Power Cable Connection
Mobile Operation
The vehicle battery must have a nominal rating of 13.8V. Never
connect the transceiver to a 24V battery. Be sure to use a 13.8V
vehicle battery that has sufficient current capacity. If the current
to the transceiver is insufficient, the display may darken during
transmission, or transmitting output power may drop excessively.
1. Route the DC power cable supplied with the transceiver directly
to the vehicle's battery terminals using the shortest path from the
transceiver.
▼Never use the cigarette lighter socket as a DC source.
▼The entire length of the cable must be dressed so it is isolated from
heat, moisture, and the engine secondary(high voltage) ignition
system/cables.
2. After installing cable, in order to avoid the risk of damp, please use
heat-resistant tap to tie together with fuse box. Don't forget to rein-
force whole cable.
3. In order to avoid the risk of short circuit, please cut down connec-
tion with negative (-) of battery, then connect with radio.
4. Confirm the correct polarity of the connections, then attach the
power cable to the battery terminals; red connects to the positive (+)
terminal and black connects to the negative (-) terminal.
▼Never remove the fuse holders from the cable.
5. Reconnect any wiring removed from the negative terminal.
6. Connect the DC power cable to the transceiver's power supply con-
nector.
▼Press the connectors rmly together until the locking tab clicks.

4
2
Initial Installation
REPLACING FUSES
If the fuse blows, determine the cause, then correct the problem. After the
problem is resolved, replace the fuse. If newly installed fuses continue to
blow, disconnect the power cable and contact your dealer for assistance.
Only use fuses of the specied type and rating, otherwise the transceiver
could be damaged.
Fuse Location Fuse Current Rating
Transceiver 15A
Supplied Accessory DC
power cable 20A
If you use the transceiver for a long period when the vehicle battery is
not fully charged, or when the engine is OFF, the battery may become
discharged, and will not have sufcient reserves to start the vehicle. Avoid
using the transceiver in these conditions.

5
2Initial Installation
External Speaker
If you plan to use an external speaker, choose a speaker with an
impedance of 8Ω. The external speaker jack accepts a 3.5mm (1/8")
mono (2-conductor) plug.
After connecting the transceiver to the power supply, the supply voltage
can be displayed on LCD by pressing the
SQL / REV key together with
the [SQL / REV] key.
The display immediately changes as the voltage supply changes, It also
displays voltage during transmission.
The transceiver will return to its normal operation when the power is
turned ON/OFF or repeat above operation.
Before operating, install an efficient, well-tuned antenna. The success
of your installation will depend on the type of antenna and its correct
installation.
Use a 50Ω impedance antenna and low-loss coaxial feed-line that
has a characteristic impedance of 50Ω, to match the transceiver input
impedance. Coupling the antenna to the transceiver via feed-lines having
an impedance other than 50Ω reduces the efficiency of the antenna
system and can cause interference to nearby televisions, radio receivers
and other electronic equipment.
External speaker adopt double port BTL, please care about the connection.
Do not use the speaker that requires grounding.
Power supply voltage Display
Antenna Connection
Accessories Connections
Transmitting without first connecting an antenna or other matched
load may damage the transceiver. Always connect the antenna to the
transceiver before transmitting.
All xed stations should be equipped with a lightning arrester to reduce
the risk of re, electric shock, and transceiver damage.

6
2
Initial Installation
Microphone
For voice communications, connect a provided microphone into the
socket on the front of the main unit. Turn the ring firmly on the plug
until it locks. Attach the supplied microphone hanger in an appropriate
location using the screws included in the screw set.

7
3
Basic Functions
NO. KEY FUNCTION
1RX
2
VOL Knob /
PWR(Power)
key
Rotate to adjust the volume level.
Press to switch the power on/off. (Press and
hold to turn off the power.)
3 Mic.connector Microphone connection port
4 FUNC/SET Switches to function mode.
5 V/M/MW
6 TS/DCS/LOCK
7Switches the CALL channel/currently displayed
channel.
8SQL / REV Adjust Squelch level
Getting Acquainted
Front panel
NO. KEY FUNCTION
9Push-button
rotary knob
Rotate to change memory channels and various
settings.
Press to enter the settings.
Operations by pressing and holding the following
respective keys
NO. KEY FUNCTION
2
VOL Knob /
PWR(Power)
key
Press to switch the power on/off. (Press and
hold to turn off the power.)
4 FUNC/SET Operation is invalid.
5 V/M/MW
6 TS/DCS/LOCK
7 Operation is invalid.
8SQL / REV Press and hold for 1 second to activate the
monitoring function.
9Push-button
rotary knob Starts group scan.
Press [FUNC/SET] key until icon appears then press the
following key.
NO. KEY FUNCTION
2
VOL Knob /
PWR(Power)
key
Press to switch the power on/off. (Press and
hold to turn off the power.)
4 FUNC/SET Exits from the function mode.
Lights during Receiving
CALL
CALL

8
NO. KEY FUNCTION
5 V/M/MW
6 TS/DCS/LOCK Exits from function mode.
7
8SQL / REV Sets the reverse function.
9Push-button
rotary knob
Rotate to exit from function mode.
Press to set the shift function.
Press [FUNC/SET] key and following key together to
activate following function:
NO. KEY FUNCTION
2
VOL Knob /
PWR(Power)
key
Rotate to adjust the volume level.
Pressing operation is invalid.
4 FUNC/SET -
5 V/M/MW Enters clone function mode.
6 TS/DCS/LOCK
7
8SQL / REV Switches to power supply voltage display mode.
9Push-button
rotary knob Operation is invalid.
Operations when turning on the power while pressing the
following respective keys
NO. KEY FUNCTION
2
VOL Knob /
PWR(Power)
key
-
4 FUNC/SET Resets the system.
5 V/M/MW Switches operation modes.
6 TS/DCS/LOCK Operation is invalid.
7 Operation is invalid.
8SQL / REV Operation is invalid.
9Push-button
rotary knob Operation is invalid.
Turn on the power while pressing FUNC/SET and CALL/HL
simultaneously to reset all settings.
3
Getting Acquainted
CALL
CALL
CALL

9
DISPLAY
3
1
2
4
10 11 12 14
5 6 7 9 15 16 17 18 19
13
20 21
NO. KEY FUNCTION
1Lights up when function mode is ON.
2Lights up when the squelch is set.
Flashes while scanning.
3
4 Menu number.
5
Rear panel
21 3
NO. KEY FUNCTION
1Antenna
Connector
Connect an antenna.
2
DATA terminal/
Ext.Speaker
Terminal
Use for the clone function and to connect an
optional external speaker.
3
Power input
code Connect 13.8 V DC power.
3Getting Acquainted

10
3
Getting Acquainted
NO. KEY FUNCTION
9 Lights up when the shift direction is positive.
10 Lights up when the shift direction is negative.
11
12 Lights up when the tone and SQ are set.
13
Lights up when the SQ is set.
14 Lights up when CDCSS is set.
15 Lights up when the reverse function is set.
16 Lights up while performing priority scan.
17 Lights up when the operation lock function is set.
18 Lights up to indicate 0.05 kHz.
19 Signal strength of receiving and transmitting.
20 Channel name or menu item.
21 Lights up when the squelch opens.

11
3
NO. KEY FUNCTION
1UP Channel number or setting value.
2DOWN Channel number or setting value.
3PTT Push-To-Talk key to transmit.
4Numerical Keys Other various oprations
5DTMF ON/OFF Switches between DTMF and function operations.
6LOCK Switch Locks all keys excep PTT.
7MIC Microphone element is located.
microphone MIC Connector Diagram(in the front view of connector)
Getting Acquainted

12
4
Operating Mode (Channel Display Mode)
CHANNEL DISPLAY MODE
Call up and operate frequencies or settings
registered in advance. Channels set in
memory mode or with a PC application will
appear.
1. Rotate the push-button rotary knob or
press the [UP]/[DOWN] key on the mi-
crophone to select a memory channel.

13
5Basic Operations
Switching The Power On/Off
According to the option selected during
installation, press the VOL Knob / PWR(Power)
key or turn the ignition key to ACC or ON
position to power on. Press the VOL Knob /
PWR(Power) key for 1 seconds or turn the
ignition key to OFF position to turn off.
Adjusting The Volume
Turn the VOL Knob / PWR(Power) key clockwise to increase the audio
level, counterclockwise to decrease.
Press and hold the [SQL / REV] key for 2 seconds to hear a
white-noise to set the proper audio level.
Adjusting Frequency/Channel
THROUGH the dial
1. Under frequency (VFO) mode, you
can change the current frequency to
the desired one through push-button
rotary knob; Turn clockwise to increase
frequency; turn counterclockwise to
decrease. Every click will increase or
decrease one step. Press push-button
rotary knob, the KHz order digits will be
masked. In this status, turn push-button
rotary knob or Microphone [UP]/[DOWN]
key will increase or decrease frequency
quickly by 1MHz step.
2. In channel display mode, you can
change the current channel to the de-
sired one through
push-button rotary knob , clockwise turn to the
forward channel, anticlockwise turn to the backward channel. In
relative Operating mode, Microphone's [UP]/[DOWN] key has the
same function for adjusting frequency and channel.
Squelch level setting
A squelch eliminates white-noise (the background noise when a signal is
not received).
Higher level settings will keep the squelch “closed” more tightly for
quieter monitoring, but weak signals will not be heard. Lower settings
allow weaker signals to “open” the squelch but noise may also cause it
to open.
• When the S-meter squelch is set to ON, the squelch will be adjusted.
• When the S-meter squelch is set to OFF, the S-meter squelch will be
adjusted.
1. Press [SQL / REV] key. [SQL / REV] icon
appears on the display and the squelch
level will be shown at the position where
the memory number is displayed.
21 levels, between 0 and 20, are available. “0” is the lowest setting.
2. By rotating the main dial or by using the [UP]/[DOWN] keys on the
microphone, adjust the squelch to the desired level. To return to
normal use, press [PTT] or any key on the front panel; or if there
are no operations within 5 seconds, the unit will store the setting
and will return to its original status.

14
Basic Operations 5
The new squelch level will be stored in the CPU until another
adjustment is done.
To Receive Signals
1. Press the PWR key.
2. Rotate the VOL knob to set the volume to an adequate level.
3. While the SQL indicator is displayed, press the [SQL / REV] key,
then keep rotating the knob until the noise disappears.
4. Select your desired frequency.
When a signal is received at your desired frequency, [BUSY] will
light up and receiving sound will be heard.
The S-meter will swing according to the receiving signal strength.
Monitoring Function
This function allows you to cancel the squelch operation so that weak
signals that are below the operation level can be heard.
1. Press and hold the [SQL / REV] key for 1 second or more.
[BUSY] will appear and the squelch operation will be canceled.
2. To cancel the monitoring function, press any key on the unit except
for the knob.
The squelch operation will be activated again.
To Transmit Signals
1. Select your desired frequency.
2. Press the [PTT] key on the microphone.
The TX indicator lights red and the unit will be in transmission
mode.
3. While pressing the [PTT] key, speak into MIC in a normal voice.
Place the microphone about 5 cm away from your mouth when you
speak.
Release the [PTT] key to return to receiving mode.
Pressing the [PTT] and [DOWN] keys simultaneously will transmit a
tone call signal.
When the automatic dialer is set, pressing the [PTT] and [UP] keys
simultaneously will transmit the automatic dialer signal. (P.40)
If the [PTT] key is pressed outside of the transmission frequency
range, [OFF] will appear on the display. In this situation, signals
cannot be transmitted.
CALL mode
This is a memory mode that allows the transceiver to quickly recall
the assigned memory channel by simply pressing the [CALL/H/L] key,
regardless of the current status of the unit.
1. Press [CALL/H/L] key. The [C] icon appears on the display and the
transceiver enters the CALL mode. In this mode, the main dial or
the [UP]/[DOWN] keys cannot change the frequency or memory
channels.
2. Press [CALL/H/L] key again or press [V/M/MW] key to exit CALL
mode.
3. No scan functions are available in CALL mode.
To store a desired setting in the CALL channel, follow the memory
mode programming instructions and assign your selected settings
to memory channel C. The call channel can be modied but cannot
be eliminated or hidden.

15
6KEY OPERATIONS
• When the group scanning step is set to 30
17 groups (GROUP1: Channel 0 to 29,
GROUP2: Channel 30 to 59, ..., GROUP17:
Channel 480 to 499)
• When the group scanning step is set to 40
13 groups (GROUP1: Channel 0 to 39,
GROUP2: Channel 40 to 79, ..., GROUP13:
Channel 480 to 499)
• When the group scanning step is set to 50
10 groups (GROUP1: Channel 0 to 49, GROUP2: Channel 50 to 99, ...)
1. Press the [V/M/MW] key to enter memory mode. Or, turn off the
power, then turn on the power again while pressing the [V/M/MW]
key to enter channel display mode.
2. Select a channel from groups within
scanning range.
3. Press and hold the push-button rotary
key to start scanning.
When scanning starts, the [S] icon will ash.
4. To cancel scanning, press any key except for [UP/DOWN].
If there is not channel to be scanned, a beep will sound and
scanning will not start.
PRIORITY SCAN
Scan priority channels every 5 seconds in VFO mode or on the normal
display of memory mode.
Priority scan is always executed in the background when the priority scan
setting is set to ON.
When a priority channel receives a signal, the currently selected
squelch off
1. Press and hold the [SQL / REV] key for 2 seconds or press MIC's
key to disable squelch. Press and hold the [SQL / REV] key for
2 seconds or press MIC's key again to resume squelch.
SCANNING FUNCTION
Use this function to automatically search for signals. 6 different scan
types are available in the unit.
In parameter setting mode, choose Timer mode or Busy mode to
determine the desired resuming condition. If the CTCSS(TSQ) squelch
or DCS squelch is set, the audio can be heard only when the tone/code
matches the incoming signal. Otherwise, scanning stops but no audio will
be heard. The direction of scan, upward or downward, can be changed
during the scan by rotating the main dial or pressing UP or DOWN keys
in the desired direction.
GROUP SCAN
Scan groups in memory mode or channel display mode.
Only channels stored on memory channels will be scanned. Channels 0
to 499 will be scanned.
However, C, PL/PH, PR are exceptions.
Scanning will start from channel 0, and
channels will be divided into groups according
to the group scan settings.
• When the group scanning step is set to 10
10 groups (GROUP1: Channel 0 to 9,
GROUP2: Channel 10 to 19, ...)
• When the group scanning step is set to 20
25 groups (GROUP1: Channel 0 to 19, GROUP2: Channel 20 to 39, ...)