Fairhaven RD500 User manual

RD500 Radio Database
User manual Version 1.12
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Connecting the RD500
a. Power supply
b. Antennas
c. Cassette – see appendix 6
d. PC – see appendix 6
3. Getting started
4. Using the receivers controls
4.1 Auxiliary menu.
Key 1. ATT (HF/VHF Attenuator).
Key 2. AMP (Aerial amplifier).
Key 3. CAS (cassette control).
Key 4. LPF (treble cut low pass filter).
Key 5. AVC (automatic volume control).
Key 6. More (Record counter and memory partition).
4.2 BP (C.W.) filter.
4.3 Variable (Notch and peak) filter.
4.4 AGC setup.
4.5 Noise blanker.
4.6 Pass band shifting.
4.7 VFO selection.
4.8 Step size selection.

4.9 Time clock.
b. Display mode.
a. Setting the clock.
c. Setting the timers.
d. Time zones.
4.10 Connection to a computer and the p.c. software.
4.11 Key lock.
4.12 Scan setup menu.
a. Stop.
b. Continuous.
c. Hold.
d. Pause.
e. Auto memory.
f. Auto tune.
4.13 Frequency entry, fast tuning, fast stepping.
4.14 Audio recording and playback.
a. Reserving memory.
b. Record menu.
c. Editing.
d. Repeat.
4.15 Mode.
4.16 Decode and audio interface.
4.17 Bands. (Scanning between frequency limits)
4.18 Skip frequencies.
4.19 Priority channel.
4.20 The on-board database system.
a. Memory records and group names.
b. Deleting records.
c. Searching records using text.
d. Moving groups
4.21 S.Meter.
4.22 Tuning meter.
4.23 Remote control handset.
4.24 External keyboard.
4.25 Error codes and error messages.
5 ITU country codes.
6 Connection details.
7 Receiver system description
8 CW filter shapes.
9 Specifications.
10 Performance.
11 Guarantee

1.Introduction
The RD500 is a new kind of radio receiver which offers some exciting new features
that may well become commonplace in the future. With the trend towards increasing
chip complexity, and increasing ease of dissemination of information, many
conventional radio memory systems will undoubtedly be replaced by small database
systems that allow the user to find station names and associated information with ease,
and without the inconvenience of complete computer systems.
This manual attempts to show the user how easy it can be to use the RD500 and make
the most of this exiting new radio. We recommend that you read section 3 “Getting
started” which will give a very brief introduction to the RD500’s main features, for
users who are already familiar with receivers. The handbook then describes the
receiver’s functions in detail taking each button in turn. For reasons of safety you
should also read the following chapter.
Accessories supplied
The RD500 is shipped with the following accessories:-
Power supply, normally rated at 230V or 120V.
Remote control with batteries. – For text entry and control.
RS232 lead. – For database upload and download to the receiver, and remote control.
Operating manual.

Compact Disk, containing the Fairhaven database manipulation program, with “The
Virtual Radio” – (PC to RD500 remote control software), and demonstration file. The
Fairhaven File Converter - for importing and manipulating frequency lists, our web
site, and Hamcomm, JVfax and SSTV software.
There are also help files associated with most of the software which can be printed by
the user if required. The File converter has an extensive help and tutorial section.
2. Connecting the RD500
a. Power supply.
The RD500 is designed to operate from a 12V-14V power supply or vehicle battery.
The power supply lead should be inserted into the rear connector labelled 13.8V the
centre connector is positive with respect to ground. A vehicle power lead should be
fused at 1 amp (slow blow), if a larger fuse type is used fault conditions may damage
the receiver’s circuit board fusable link. The mains power supply is designed to be
plugged into a 230V 13A mains socket, or 120V outlet if sold in the USA. Power
consumption is approx. 8W. The maximum current available via the PC keyboard or
cassette socket is 100mA, this should not be exceeded.
b. Antenna connection.
For long, medium and shortwave use, almost any length of wire or whip aerial can be
used with the RD500. Short aerials (less than 5 metres) can be connected to the whip
antenna input and an aerial tuner unit may be useful to get the most out of a random
length of wire. At VHF and UHF, discone type aerials can offer good results, even 2

meter band whips for example, can work well across most of the VHF and UHF
spectrum, but for best results a
specific aerial should be used for each band, especially at higher frequencies.
Antennas should be suspended outside of buildings, as high as possible (unless a
specific aerial to ground distance is specified), and away from power lines. To
minimise the slight amount of interference produced by the receiver’s processor and
display it is recommended to use a few metres of screened cable between the receiver
and the aerial.
Take care when erecting aerials in the vicinity of overhead power lines.
Rear panel connections
3. Getting started. – Read This!
Connect an HF aerial into the main antenna socket or a VHF/UHF antenna into the
upper N-Type sockets. Connect the power supply to the receiver and plug it into a
suitable mains supply. (See chapter 2 for more information on power supplies and
aerials).
Switch on the receiver by rotating the squelch control clockwise until it clicks. The
receiver will perform a self check and set itself to the last used frequency, memory or
band.
The receiver can be tuned with the tuning wheel and you may like to try
entering frequencies via its keypad, followed by enter. To change mode Press the

<MODE> key (top left) followed by one or more numerical key presses on the main
keypad area. The S-meter can be switched on and off with the <SHIFT> button (at
bottom of keypad) then <S.METER> (top right), the angled brackets used in this
manual refer to buttons on the radio.
Check out the recorder by pressing <SHIFT> then <ENTER>. Press 1 to
record then 2 to play back <CANCEL> returns to the main screens, so remember to
use <CANCEL> whenever you feel lost or out of your depth and the receiver will
return to its normal tuning mode.
The receiver is factory shipped with a database of stations which all have a
name of up to 20 characters. It is possible to find any of these stations by using the text
searching facility. So to find a name such as “Moscow” or a type of station like
Volmet, first chose a group which contains entries by pressing <GROUP> and
pressing the up and down keys, top right), then press <MEM> to put the receiver into
memory mode, finally press <SHIFT><FIND> and enter a word using the handset,
press <ENTER> followed by 2 for “search all groups”. The receiver will search for
a while then set itself to the first match, use the up and down keys to see the other
matches.
Scanning
To scan from the current frequency, turn the squelch control clockwise until the
receiver is silenced, then press <SCAN> and the receiver will scan up in frequency,
the down button can be pressed to scan down. The step size can be altered by pressing
<SHIFT><STEP> and using the <UP> and <DOWN> buttons, return the step size to
“Normal” after use.
To scan between two frequency limits, use the <BAND> key (see section 4.17). To
scan memories chose a group by pressing <GROUP> and use the up and down keys
followed by <MEM> to select the chosen group of memories, adjust the squelch level,
then press <SCAN>. The receiver will stop when the first active channel is
encountered but different scan modes can be selected by pressing <SHIFT><SCAN>
see section 4.12
You may now like to try out some of the other facilities, these are accessed by
pressing <SHIFT> followed by any other button. Use <CANCEL> to return to the
basic operating mode. Do not attempt re-allocate memory space at this stage,
<SHIFT> 1,6,1, will erase all database entries.

4. Using the receiver’s controls.
The design of the receiver allows easy access to most functions without having to use
a lot of menus. There now follows a more detailed description of all the facilities,
starting with key 1.
4.1 Auxiliary menu
<SHIFT><1>
Pressing SHIFT-1 reveals the auxiliary settings menu, individual functions can be
selected by pressing the corresponding number, active functions are indicated with
square brackets. The auxiliary settings can be individually specified for each
memory, band or VFO, except for AMP and ATT settings which are set
universally.
1 [ATT] 2 AMP 3 CAS
4 LPF 5 [AVC] 6 MORE
ATT (Attenuator)
Aux Key 1.
Inserts a 20dB attenuator into the main HF aerial path to reduce the receiver’s
sensitivity when the receiver is likely to be overloaded by strong signals.
AMP (HF Aerial amplifier).
Aux Key 2.
This control connects the HF aerial amplifier, and its associated selector switch, (on
the back panel) into the aerial path. The high impedance (HI-Z) whip aerial input is
designed to give extra sensitivity for short HF aerials, although it does not have the
large signal handling ability of the main antenna input. The AMP facility also provides
gain to the MAIN aerial input when selected on the rear panel, but should be used with
caution as it can degrade the wanted signal due to overloading from other, off-channel
signals.
CAS (cassette control)
Aux Key 3.
This key switches on the cassette recorder which can be connected to the Din socket
marked CASSETTE. The cassette is activated when CAS is selected and the squelch is
raised. The socket can be configured to provide a 12 volt output that is switched by the
squelch. See appendix for connection details.
LPF (treble cut low pass filter)
Aux Key 4.

LPF is a steep, low pass filter circuit which can improve signals that are subject to a
high degree of noise.
AVC (automatic volume control)
Aux Key 5.
This facility acts as an audio compressor, which can reduce audio level variations
when listening to signals that are subject to fading. It works by augmenting the AGC
system (which is carrier derived), by feeding back the audio signal level to the AGC
system.
MORE
Aux Key 6.
Provides access to the next part of the menu.
Option 1. Reserve memory
This allows the receiver’s memory to be partitioned to provide space for audio
recording, see section 4.14
ALTERING THE MEMORY PARTITION WILL ERASE ALL MEMORIES.
Option 2. Free record count
The free record counter shows the remaining number of empty records that are
available for use.
We now return to the main shift key facilities on the receiver, press cancel.
4.2 BP (stereo CW) filter
<SHIFT>Key 2
These filter options are active when CW is selected from the mode menu. If BP
(bandpass) is selected the filters spread the audio spectrum into a stereo panorama,
which gives spatial separation to C.W. signals. This makes it easier to focus upon
individual signals, those that are lower than the filter frequency appear to the left, and
frequencies that are higher than the filter roll off appear to the right. The filter can be
peaked at 850Hz in 3 selectable bandwidths (Keys 4,5 and 6).
A low pass filter option (LP) is also provided this gives mono audio which is
rolled off at 850Hz, peaking the filter by selecting narrower bandwidths, gives a
conventional band pass filter shape. See appendix for filter shape table (section 8).
CW filter display
CW F i l t 1 [LP] 2 BP

4[F l a t] 5 M i d 6 P k
4.3 Variable Notch and peak filter.
<SHIFT>Key 3.
This filter is provided to eliminate tones caused by adjacent signals (in notch mode),
or it can be used to select C.W. signals in peak mode. The filter frequency is
controlled by the knob marked 'filter'. In order to eliminate an interfering tone, it is
usual to start with the filter set to “peak” so that the frequency of the filter can be set
to the pitch of the tone. Once this has been done select notch and tune the filter or the
tuning wheel carefully until the interfering tone disappears.
VARIABLE FILTER . . .
1 [OFF] 2 NTCH 3 PK
4.4 AGC (Automatic gain control)
<SHIFT><Key 4>
The receiver’s A.G.C. response is tailored to give a good response to ssb signals i.e.
a fast attack and a short hold period followed by a fast decay. The timing of the
response is user presettable for each mode. Select the mode (Keys 4 to 6), then select
the required speed (keys 1 to 3) the set-up will be permanently stored when the menu
is left. A slow response is recommended for SYNC modes, a fast response is useful
in AM modes, when tuning or scanning, and in SSB the user can choose a slow
response, which will reduce background noise between pauses in speech. A very fast
response is provided when the receiver is in FM mode to allow the receiver to scan
effectively. Selecting a very slow speed may make the receiver appear insensitive.
AGC Setup menu.
SLOW [1] 2 3 FAST
4 [A M] 5 S S B 6 SYNC
4.5 Noise blanker
<SHIFT><Key 5>
The RD500 noise blanker has a separate 455KHz I.F. which amplifies wideband
impulse noise and provides blanking pulses. This system is very effective at reducing
car ignition noise and electrical switching noise. Press SHIFT - Key 5 to see the
status of the noise blanker, pressing Key 5 again will switch the Noise blanker on and
off.