Ameco R-5 User manual

Owner’s Manual
Model R-5
DIVISION OF
AEROTRON, INC. · RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
(Digital version Mike Markowski AB3AP, Mar 2020)
MB – 7000 1270

OPERATION
STANDARD AM BROADCAST BAND
Set the controls as follows:
Using the main tuning knob, tune to the frequency of the station desired, on the main dial.
Adjust the VO UME control as desired.
2
*
CONTROL
POWER-OFF
AM-CW
OFF-AN
BAND
VO UME
RF GAIN
BANDSPREAD
SETTING
POWER
AM
OFF
BAND D or E
9 o’clock position
Maximum clockwise position
10
*(The dial lights should go on)
VO UME – Turn to right to
increase VO UME.
PHONES – Phone jack – plug in
headphones or external speaker.
When a plug is inserted in the
PHONES jack, the internal
speaker is disconnected.
OFF-AN – The AN (Automatic
Noise imiter) eliminates or reduces
impulse noise (ignition noise, etc.)
in the receiver. Do not use except
when impulse noise is present.
BFO TUNING – Used to adjust
the pitch of the sound when a
CW signal is tuned in. It is also
used to make a Single Sideband
Signal readable.
BANDSPREAD CONTRO – Used for
very fine tuning after locating station
desired with MAIN TUNING CONTRO .
eave on CA when using the main
tuning dial.
RF GAIN – Controls the gain
level of all the IF amplifier stages
to the receiver. When working
with CW and SSB, the RF GAIN
is used to adjust receiver
sensitivity according to the
strength of the signal being tuned.
POWER/OFF – Turns receiver
ON and OFF.
AM/CW – For normal AM broadcast –
Switch to AM position. For code
signals – Switch to CW position.
BAND SE ECTOR – Selects any
one of five bands.
MAIN TUNING CONTRO – Used for tuning in
Broadcast Band and to scan the short wave bands.

When tuning signals where the stations are very close together, the main tuning dial can be left at a
slightly higher frequency and the fine tuning can be done with the BANDSPREAD control.
SHORT WAVE TUNING
Short wave Broadcast Stations:
Set the controls for AM Broadvast.
Select the short wave band desired with the BAND switch.
On the short wave bands, all stations are close together, therefore the main dial is used for coarse
tuning, to a point slightly higher than the frequency desired. Then use the BANDSPREAD control for
fine tuning. Always return the BANDSPREAD control to CA when using the main tuning dial.
When there is noise on the signal, shift the OFF-AN switch to AN . Many kinds of noise will be
reduced considerably when the Automatic Noise imiter is used.
CW TUNING
To tune to a CW signal use the following procedure:
1. With the AM-CW switch in AM position, tune the main tuning control until a steady signal is
found.
2. Turn the RF GAIN control to the lowest possible point while still retaining an audible signal.
The VO UME control should be at midpoint of its range.
3. Tune in the signal with the BANDSPREAD control.
4. Put the AM-CW switch in CW position and adjust the BFO TUNING for zero beat.
5. Retune the signal with either the main tuning control or the BANDSPREAD control, and adjust
the RF GAIN control for the volume you want.
6. When you want to tune in another CW signal use the main or BANDSPREAD tuning and RF
GAIN controls.
SINGLE SIDEBAND TUNING
Use the procedure given above.
Tune the BANDSPREAD dial very slowly until the voice being received sounds most natural.
Keep the RF GAIN control as low as possible.
FM TUNING
Use the procedure given for AM tuning.
3

When the signal is tuned in exactly on frequency, it will probably not be as clear as you desire.
Tune the radio slightly to one side of the exact frequency, and the voice will become clear and easily
understood.
As a general rule, one side will be clearest, so tune both sides of the frequency to achieve the best
response.
LISTENING ON SHORT WAVE
As you become more experienced in using your R5 receiver, you will notice that many foreign stations
announce in meters, rather than megahertz. Much of the amateur literature will speak of the 80 meter
band, or the 40 meter band, or any of the other widely used frequencies, in meters rather than
megahertz.
The formula given below may be used in converting meters to megahertz or megahertz to meters.
Some interesting possibilities for your short wave listening are listed below:
Amateur Radio – Assigned bands between 1.800 MHz to 54 MHz.
Short Wave Broadcasting – Check with a good reference book regarding frequencies used by various
countries.
Citizens Band – Frequencies assigned to private citizens in the United States and several other
countries – 26.965 to 27.255 MHz.
Military Communications – Heard over the entire short wave frequency range.
Police, Fire and Commercial – Between 30 and 50 MHz.
4
For Example: 300/Megahertz = Meters
300/12 MHz = 25
12 MHz = 25 meters
From meter to megahertz:
For example:
300/meters = megahertz
25 meters
300/25 = 12 MHz
or

LISTENING TO THE FM BAND
Certain bands of the frequencies in the 30 – 50 MHz range are allocated by the U.S. Government to
what is known as the Public Service Channels. This includes police, fire departments, forestry and
conservation, and special emergency service. Frequency modulation is used by these services because
of its ability to overcome much of the effect of ignition noises.
In order to enter this exciting world of emergency communications, it will be necessary to use more
rigorous standards in the selection of an antenna. It is recommended that the beginner refer to some
standard book on the subject, such as the ARR Antenna Handbook by the AMERICAN RADIO
RE AY EAGUE.
AVERAGE GAIN MEASUREMENTS AT 455 kHz
5
Figure 1: Printed Circuit Board Outline

AC line voltage – 117 volts.
Signal generator with 50 ohm output impedance.
Modulated 30% at 400 Hz.
0.1 uF in series with signal generator for DC isolation.
Output measured across 3.2 ohm resistor connected to PHONES jack with AC voltmeter.
1.0 volt RMS reference output.
AGC disabled by shorting terminals 2 and 3 on S 102A.
Oscillator disabled by shorting front section of main tuning capacitor, C 102B.
VO UME at maximum
AN switch OFF
BAND on E
RF GAIN at maximum
AM-CW switch on AM.
APPROXIMATE µ V INPUT: INPUT TO: NOTES:
10 Q 1 Base With C 113 disconnected from bandswitch.
400 Q 1 Collector ”
22 Q 2 Emitter ”
1,000 Q 2 Collector ”
55 Q 4 Base Short T3, terminals 4 & 5
600 Q 4 Collector Short T3, terminals 4 & 5
400 Q 5 Emitter Short T3, terminals 4 & 5
0.9 V Q 5 Collector RF GAIN at Minimum
32,000 CR 3 Cathode RF GAIN at Minimum
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AM – Amplitude Modulation
AN – Automatic Noise imiter
ANT – Antenna
AVC – Automatic Volume Control. Also, called AGC – Automatic Gain Control
BFO – Beat Frequency Oscillator
6

CQ – A general call used to establish contact between amateurs
CW – Continuous wave. Unmodulated signal with the message transmitted by interruptions which
produce dots and dashes.
FM – Frequency modulation
QRM – Interference from other signals
QRX – Standby
QRN – Interference from static
QSO – Contact between two stations.
QSY – Change operating frequency
RF GAIN – Controls the sensitivity of the RF and/or IF amplifier stages.
RST – Readability, Signal Strength, Tone
SW – Short wave listener
STATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL LISTENING
There are many radio stations throughout the world which broadcast in English on the short wave
frequencies. Some of these stations can be found by “scanning” the appropriate bands on your R5
receiver. For a comprehensive listing, refer to WOR D RADIO-TV HANDBOOK, or any one of the
directories available. The list below will serve as a starting point in your enjoyment of this fascinating
hobby.
COUNTRY CITY FREQUENCY IN MHz
Albania Tirana 7.265
Argentina Buenos Aires 9.690
Australia Melbourne 15.220 – 17.840
Bulgaria Sofia 6.070
China Peking 1.506 – 17.680
Cuba Havana 6.170 – 11.760
Czechoslovakia Prague 5.930 – 7.115 – 6.345
Denmark Copenhagen 9.520
Ecuador Quito 9.745 – 11.915 – 15.115
England ondon 6.195 – 7.130 – 9.510 – 11.780
Germany Berlin 5.960 – 6.160 – 9.730
Ghana Accra 6.110
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COUNTRY CITY FREQUENCY IN MHz
Holland Hilversum 11.730
Hungary Budapest 6.235 – 9.833
Italy Rome 6.010 – 9.630
Japan Tokyo 11.780 – 15.135
ebanon Beirut 9.710
Netherlands Bonaire 9.605
Portugal isbon 6.025 – 6.185
Romania Bucharest 5.990 – 9.570
South Africa Johannesburg 9.675 – 11.880
Spain Madrid 6.130 – 9.760
Sweden Stockholm 5.990
Switzerland Berne 5.965 – 6.120 – 9.535
U.A.R. Cairo 9.475
U.S.S.R. Kiev 7.120 – 7.310 – 9.665
U.S.S.R Moscow 7.150 – 7.205 – 7.310 – 9.665
Vatican Vatican City 5.985 – 7.250
FOR MORE INFORMATION --
There are many sources you can go to for more extensive information concerning short wave radio.
Some standard references which offer a wealth of information are listed below:
AMERICAN RADIO RE AY EAGUE, INC.
Newington, Conn. 06111
The largest organization of radio amateurs.
WOR D RADIO TV HANDBOOK ist of all radio and television stations throughout
the world. Can be ordered from:
Gilfer Associates
P. O. Box 238
Park Ridge, New Jersey, 07656
WHITE’S RADIO OG Published in the magazine RADIO-TV
EXPERIMENTER. Any three consecutive issues
contain a complete issue of the log.
8

ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE
1. Use an amplitude modulated generator covering 455 kHz to 54 MHz.
2. Connect the output meter across the speaker voice coil.
3. Use non-metallic alignment tools. GC #8606 or similar.
4. Use a standard EIA dummy antenna as shown.
5. VO UME control near maximum clockwise.
BANDSPREAD control at 10.
AM-CW switch at AM
OFF-AN switch in OFF position.
RF GAIN at maximum unless noise exceeds 50 mW with no signal or an unmodulated signal.
6. Refer to Outline Diagram for location of adjustments.
7. Bottom must be on chassis.
STEP SIGNAL
GENERATOR
CONNECTIONS
GENERATOR
FREQUENCY
BAND
SELECTOR
SETTING
RECEIVER
DIAL
SETTING
ADJUSTMENT
1. High side through a
0.01 uF capacitor to
stator plate of rear
section of TUNING
capacitor.
455 kHz
(30% mod.)
E 0.54 MHz 3, top and bottom
of T2, T3, T4 for
maximum output.
Keep reducing the
generator output to
keep output meter
below 50 mW.
2. High side through a
0.01 uF capacitor to
stator plate of rear
section of TUNING
capacitor. Modulation
OFF.
455 kHz E 0.54 MHz Tune BFO to zero
beat. Adjust knob so
pointer aims straight
up and tighten set
screw.
3. High side through EIA
antenna to ANT
terminal on rear of
chassis. ow side to
chassis.
1.3 MHz
(30% mod.)
E 1.3 MHz C107E and C105E
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
9

STEP SIGNAL
GENERATOR
CONNECTIONS
GENERATOR
FREQUENCY
BAND
SELECTOR
SETTING
RECEIVER
DIAL
SETTING
ADJUSTMENT
4. Same as Step 3 0.6 MHz
(30% mod.)
E 0.6 MHz 106B and 103B
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
5. Same as Step 3 --- E --- Repeat steps 3 and 4
until no further
increase in output
can be obtained on
either adjustment.
6. Same as Step 3 3.2 MHz
(30% mod.)
D 3.2 MHz C107D and C105D
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
7. Same as Step 3 1.5 MHz
(30% mod.)
D 1.5 MHz 105B and 102B
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
8. Same as Step 3 --- D --- Repeat steps 6 and 7
until no further
increase in output
can be obtained.
9. Same as Step 3 8.0 MHz
(30% mod.)
C 8.0 MHz C107C and C105C
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
10. Same as Step 3 3.8 MHz
(30% mod.)
C 3.8 MHz 103A and 106A
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
11. Same as Step 3 --- C --- Repeat steps 9 and
10 until no further
increase in output
can be obtained.
12. Same as Step 3 21 MHz
(30% mod.)
B 21 MHz C107B and C105B
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
13. Same as Step 3 10 MHz
(30% mod.)
B 10 MHz 102A and 105A
for maximum output
as in Step 1.
14. Same as Step 3 --- A --- Repeat steps 12 and
13 until no further
increase in output
can be obtained.
10