Dynon Avionics DX15 User manual




DX15
HandheldVHFAirBandTransceiver
UserGuide
P/N101219‐000,RevisionB
Copyright©2011byDynonAvionics,Inc


DX15UserGuide iii
ContactInformation
DynonAvionics,Inc.
19825141stPlaceNE
Woodinville,WA98072
Phone:(425)402‐0433‐7:00AM–5:00PM(PST,M‐F)
Fax:(425)984‐1751
Email:[e-mail]
DynonAvionicsoffersonlinesales,extensivesupport,andcontinually‐
updatedinformationonitsproductsviaitsInternetsites:
www.dynonavionics.com:DynonAvionicsprimarywebsite;
including:
docs.dynonavionics.com:Completeproductdocumentation.
downloads.dynonavionics.com:Softwaredownloads.
support.dynonavionics.com:Supportresources.
store.dynonavionics.com:DynonAvionics’secureonlinestorefor
purchasingallDynonproducts24hoursaday.
wiki.dynonavionics.com:DynonAvionics’DocumentationWiki
providesenhanced,extended,continuously‐updatedonline
documentationcontributedbyDynonemployeesandcustomers.
forum.dynonavionics.com:DynonAvionics’Internetforumwhere
Dynoncustomerscaninteractoutsideoftelephonesupporthours.
newsletter.dynonavionics.com:DynonAvionics’emailnewsletter.
blog.dynonavionics.com:Dynon’sblog,whereyoucanfindnewand
interestingDynon‐relatedcontent.


DX15UserGuideiv
Copyright
2011DynonAvionics,Inc.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthismanual
maybereproduced,copied,transmitted,disseminatedorstoredinany
storagemedium,foranypurposewithouttheexpresswrittenpermission
ofDynonAvionics.DynonAvionicsherebygrantspermissiontodownload
asinglecopyofthismanualandofanyrevisiontothismanualontoa
harddriveorotherelectronicstoragemediumtobeviewedforpersonal
use,providedthatsuchelectronicorprintedcopyofthismanualor
revisionmustcontainthecompletetextofthiscopyrightnoticeand
providedfurtherthatanyunauthorizedcommercialdistributionofthis
manualoranyrevisionheretoisstrictlyprohibited.
Informationinthisdocumentissubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Dynon
Avionicsreservestherighttochangeorimproveitsproductsandtomake
changesinthecontentwithoutobligationtonotifyanypersonor
organizationofsuchchanges.VisittheDynonAvionicswebsite
(www.dynonavionics.com)forcurrentupdatesandsupplemental
informationconcerningtheuseandoperationofthisandotherDynon
Avionicsproducts.
RegisteringYourDX15
PleasetakeamomenttoregisteryourDX15HandheldVHFAirBand
Transceiveratdx15.dynonavionics.com/register.Registeringyour
productwithDynonensuresthatyourcontactinformationisup‐to‐date.
Thishelpsverifyproductownershipandcanexpeditewarrantyclaims.
YoucanalsooptionallysignuptoreceiveotherDynonnewsandproduct
announcements.Dynonwillnotshareyourcontactinformationwith
thirdpartiesorsendyouannouncementswithoutyourexplicitconsent.


DX15UserGuide v
LimitedWarranty

DynonAvionicswarrantsthisproducttobefreefromdefectsinmaterialsor
workmanshipforthree(3)yearsfromdateofshipment.DynonAvionicswill,atits
soleoption,repairorreplaceanycomponentsthatfailinnormaluse.Suchrepairs
orreplacementwillbemadeatnochargetothecustomerforpartsorlabor.The
customeris,however,responsibleforanytransportationcost.Thiswarrantydoes
notcoverfailuresduetoabuse,misuse,accident,improperinstallationor
unauthorizedalterationorrepairs.
THEWARRANTIESANDREMEDIESCONTAINEDHEREINAREEXCLUSIVE,ANDIN
LIEUOFALLOTHERWARRANTIESEXPRESSEDORIMPLIED,INCLUDINGANY
LIABILITYARISINGUNDERWARRANTYOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORA
PARTICULARPURPOSE,STATUTORYOROTHERWISE.THISWARRANTYGIVESYOU
SPECIFICLEGALRIGHTS,WHICHMAYVARYFROMSTATETOSTATE.
INNOEVENTSHALLDYNONAVIONICSBELIABLEFORANYINCIDENTAL,SPECIAL,
INDIRECTORCONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES,WHETHERRESULTINGFROMTHEUSE,
MISUSEORINABILITYTOUSETHISPRODUCTORFROMDEFECTSINTHEPRODUCT.
SOMESTATESDONOTALLOWTHEEXCLUSIONOFINCIDENTALOR
CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES,SOTHEABOVELIMITATIONSMAYNOTAPPLYTO
YOU.
DynonAvionicsretainstheexclusiverighttorepairorreplacetheinstrumentor
firmwareorofferafullrefundofthepurchasepriceatitssolediscretion.SUCH
REMEDYSHALLBEYOURSOLEANDEXCLUSIVEREMEDYFORANYBREACHOF
WARRANTY.
DynonAvionics’productsincorporateavarietyofprecise,calibratedelectronics.
Exceptforreplacingthebatterypackandotherexternalaccessories,thisdevice
doesnotcontainanyfield/user‐serviceableparts.
Unitsthathavebeenfoundtohavebeentakenapartmaynotbeeligibleforrepair
underwarranty.


DX15UserGuidevii
TableofContents
ContactInformation....................................................................... iii
Copyright........................................................................................ iv
RegisteringYourDX15.................................................................... iv
LimitedWarranty ............................................................................ v
1. SafetyandLicensingInformation1‐1
ImportantRadioFrequencyEnergySafety ..................................1‐1
AdditionalImportantSafetyInformation ....................................1‐1
FCCLicensingRequirements(USAOnly)......................................1‐2
2. Introduction2‐1
VisualTour ...................................................................................2‐2
UnpackingYourDX15...................................................................2‐4
AssemblingYourDX15 .................................................................2‐5
3. BasicFunctions3‐1
ChargingtheBattery ....................................................................3‐1
PowerOn/Off .............................................................................3‐2
VolumeAdjustment .....................................................................3‐2
Transmitting.................................................................................3‐3
BacklightOn/Off.........................................................................3‐3
SettingSquelch.............................................................................3‐3
EmergencyFrequency(121.500MHz) .........................................3‐5
EnteringaFrequencyDirectly......................................................3‐5
KeypadLock .................................................................................3‐6
4. FeaturesInDepth4‐1
BandScanning..............................................................................4‐1


viiiDX15UserGuide
RecallingRecentlyUsedFrequencies...........................................4‐2
UsingMemoryChannels ..............................................................4‐3
KeyBeepVolumeAdjustment .....................................................4‐7
5. AdvancedSettings5‐1
Option:AssumeLeading1DuringFrequencyEntry ....................5‐1
Option:SideButtonsUsedforDirectSquelch .............................5‐2
Option:BacklightBehavior ..........................................................5‐3
Option:MemoryBankScanning ..................................................5‐3
Option:DisableTransmit .............................................................5‐4
Option:StopTransmittingonStuckMic ......................................5‐4
6. Appendices6‐1
AppendixA:DX15Specifications .................................................6‐1
AppendixB:Troubleshooting.......................................................6‐3
AppendixC:RequestingSupport/Repair....................................6‐4
AppendixD:Factory/ResetDefaults ..........................................6‐6
AppendixE:Accessories...............................................................6‐7
AppendixF:Usingthe(optional)DesktopRapidCharger............6‐8
AppendixG:Usingthe(optional)VehiclePowerAdapter...........6‐9
AppendixH:ConnectingaHeadset/Push‐to‐TalkSwitch.........6‐10
AppendixI:ExternalAntenna ....................................................6‐11


DX15UserGuide1‐1
1. SAFETY AND LICENSING INFORMATION
ImportantRadioFrequencyEnergySafety
Whiletransmitting,yourDX15HandheldVHFAirBandTransceiveremits
RadioFrequency(RF)ElectromagneticEnergy.Pleasetakethetimeto
familiarizeyourselfwiththepropertiesofandthepropermethodsofusing
thisdevice.
Maintainatleasta3‐inch(5cm)gapbetweenthisdeviceandyourbody
whiletransmitting.
Donottransmitwithoutanantennaattached.Transmittingwithoutan
antennaattachedmaycausedamagetotheDX15.
Donottransmit,orallowthisdevicetotransmitinareasorconditionsthat
areinherentlyhazardousinthepresenceofradiotransmissions,suchas
hospitals,inthevicinityofblasting(blastingcaps),andaroundrobotic
systems.
AdditionalImportantSafetyInformation
YourDX15HandheldVHFAirBandTransceiverusesLi‐Ionbatteries.Li‐Ion
batteriesaresafewhenusedasdirected,butcanalsobehazardousifthey
arenotusedinaccordancewiththeirinstructions.
OnlychargebatterieswithDynonAvionicschargers.Usingnon‐Dynon
chargerstochargeDynonbatteriescouldcausethemtoexplode.
DonotexposeDynonLi‐Ionbatteriestofireorotherwiseexposethemto
excessiveheat.
DonotshortthecontactsofyourDynonbattery.Thisismostoften
accidentallydonewithsmall,loosemetallicobjects,suchascoinsorkeys.
Pleasedisposeofnon‐functionalbatteriesinaresponsiblemanner.The
batteriesforyourDX15areverysimilartomobilephonebatteriesandcan
likelyberecycledwherevermobilephonebatteryrecyclingisavailable.For

SafetyandLicensingInformation
1‐2DX15UserGuide
alistofrecyclinglocationsinyourarea(USAonly),call1‐800‐8‐BATTERYor
seetheCall2Recyclewebsiteatwww.rbrc.org.
ThisdeviceisdesignedtooperatesafelyonlywithDynon‐suppliedbatteries
andpowersupplyaccessories.
DonotoperatethisdevicewithoutthesuppliedDynonbatterypack
installed.
DonotoperateDynonpowersupplyaccessoriesatinputvoltagesother
thanthoserecommended.
Thisdeviceisnotwaterproof.Whilecarehasbeentakeninitsdesignto
operatesafelyandreliablyinconditionssuchaslightrain,itisnotdesigned
tobeusedinseverewetconditions.
Donotoperatethisdevicebelow‐4°F(‐20°C)orabove131°F(55°C).
Prolongedsunlightexposuremayresultinexcessivehightemperatures.
Donotdropthisdevice,especiallyontohardpavementorfromgreat
height.
Donotoperatethisdeviceathighvolumelevelswhenusingaheadset.If
youexperienceringinginyourears,reducethevolumeordonotusethis
device.
Donotattempttomodifyorrepairthisdevice.Therearenouser‐
serviceablepartsinside.Doingsowillvoidthewarrantyandmayresultin
unauthorizedtransmissions.
FCCLicensingRequirements(USAOnly)
PertheFCC:
(http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations&id=ground_stations)
Youmayonlyuseyourhand‐heldaviationVHFradiofromyouraircraft,
orundertheauthorityofanFCCgroundstationauthorization.Ground
stationauthorizationsareusuallyonlyissuedtoaviationservice
organizationslocatedonairports,businessesengagedinpilottraining,


DX15UserGuide 1‐3
aircraftmanufacturers,orpersonsengagedinchaseactivitiesrelatedto
soaringandballooning.
PertheFCC
(http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=aircraft_stations)
...youdonotneedalicensetooperateatwo‐wayVHFradio,radar,or
emergencylocatortransmitter(ELT)aboardaircraftoperating
domestically.AllotheraircraftradiostationsmustbelicensedbytheFCC
eitherindividuallyorbyfleet.


DX15UserGuide2‐1
2. INTRODUCTION
CongratulationsonyourpurchaseoftheDynonAvionicsDX15Handheld
VHFAirBandTransceiver.
YourDX15isacompact,easy‐to‐usehandheldtransceiverforaviation
use,andincludesthefollowingstandardfeatures:
Compact,handheldsize
HighCapacityLi‐Ion1300mAhBatteryPack
Backlightingofboththedisplayandkeypad
DedicatedEmergencybuttonforquicktuningof121.5MHz
KeypadLock
On‐screenbatterycapacitymeter
Adjustablesidetonefor(optional)headsetconnection
Instantrecallofthelast10mostrecentlyusedfrequencies
Scanningofentireairband,memorychannels,andmostrecentlyused
frequencies
Externalpower,headset/microphone/PTT,andantennaconnections
YourDX15isanidealtransceiverfor:
Keepinginyourflightbag‐justincase
Listeningtothetoweratairshows
Familymemberslisteningtoflightcommunications
Monitoringnearbyairfields
Backupaircraftcommunications
Smallandlightforultralightandexperimentalaircraft

Introduction
2‐2DX15UserGuide
VisualTour
FRONTVIEW



DX15UserGuide 2‐3
SCREENDETAIL


LEFTSIDE

Note:Thoughtheyarenotlabeledontheradio,theSideUp/Down
Buttonswillbeshownas▲and▼throughoutthisguide.

Introduction
2‐4DX15UserGuide
RIGHTSIDE


UnpackingYourDX15
InsideyourDX15box,youshouldfindthefollowing:
101204‐000DX15HandheldVHFAirBandTransceiver
100993‐000FlexibleAntenna
100965‐0007.4V1300mAhLi‐IonBattery
101299‐000BeltClip
101298‐000Lanyard
100846‐000AC‐to‐DCWallAdapter(charger)
101219‐000DX15UserGuide



DX15UserGuide 2‐5
AssemblingYourDX15
Screwthesuppliedantennaontotheantennaconnector,clockwise,
usinglightfingerpressure(donottightenexcessively).
Attachthesuppliedbatterypackbymatingthetwotabsonthe
bottomofthebatterywiththeassociatedslotsatthebottomofthe
batteryholderontheradio.
Gently,clicktheupperpartofthebatteryintoplace.
Thetwospring‐loadedlatchesonthesidesofthebatteryshouldnow
beintheupposition.
Attachthebeltcliptothebatterypack.
InsertthesuppliedlanyardintothelanyardtabontheDX15.

YourDX15isnowreadyforuse.NotethattheLi‐Ionbatteryisshipped
onlypartiallycharged.Dynonrecommendsthatyoufullychargeyour
DX15asdescribedintheChargingtheBatterysectionbelow.


DX15UserGuide3‐1
3. BASIC FUNCTIONS
ChargingtheBattery
YourDX15isequippedwitharechargeableLi‐Ionbatterypack.
TochargeyourDX15’sbattery:
ConnecttheAC‐to‐DCAdaptertothe
DX15'sDCinputjackasillustrated.
PlugtheAC‐to‐DCAdapterintoan110V
ACoutlet.
WhenyourDX15isconnectedtoexternal
power,itwillchargethebatterywhether
yourDX15isturnedonoroff.During
chargingtheBatteryChargeIconwillflash
toindicatethatitischarging.When
chargingiscomplete,theBatteryCharge
Iconwillremainsolidandiconwillappear
full.
TheBatteryChargeIconvisuallyindicates
thechargeremaininginthebattery.
Adischargedbatterywillrequirebetween6‐10hourstofullychargevia
theAC‐to‐DCAdapter.WhiletheDX15canbeusedtoreceiveand/or
transmitwhilecharging,suchusagewillincreasethetimeittakesforthe
batterytofullycharge.
IfyouareusingyourDX15asabackuptransceiverthatwillbestored
withoutbeingusedforlongperiods,thebatterywillholditscharge
longestifitisdisconnectedfromtheradio.Storethebatterysothatits
electricalcontactsarenotabletobeshortedbysurroundingmetal
objects.Rechargeyourbatteryeveryfewmonthstoensureitisfullinan
emergency.

BasicFunctions
3‐2DX15UserGuide
Aswithallrechargeablebatteries,theusablecapacityofyourDX15's
batterywilldecreasewithtimeandusage.Replacementbatteriescanbe
obtainedfromDynonAvionicsandauthorizeddealers.
PowerOn/Off
POWERON
RotatethePWR/VOLknob
clockwiseuntilitclicks.TheTX/RX
indicator,backlighting,andall
displayelementswillilluminatefor
amomenttoindicatethattheyare
working.
POWEROFF
RotatethePWR/VOLknobcounter‐
clockwiseuntilitclicks.
VolumeAdjustment
Whileturnedon,rotatethe
PWR/VOLknobclockwisetoincreasevolume,counter‐clockwiseto
decreasevolume.
Note:ItmaybeusefultoadjustSquelchlowsothatthespeakerisactive
duringVolumeAdjustment.SeethesectionSettingSquelchfordetails.