Icom IC-A210 User manual

iA210
VHF AIR BAND TRANSCEIVER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that
this device does not cause harmful interference.

i
IMPORTANT
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely
before using the transceiver.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL —This in-
struction manual contains important operating instructions
for the IC-A210.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
The explicit definitions below apply to this instruction man-
ual.
R
DEFINITIONWORD
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
Personal injury, fire hazard or electric shock
may occur.
Equipment damage may occur.
If disregarded, inconvenience only. No risk
of personal injury, fire or electric shock.
Icom, Icom Inc. and the Icom logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incor-
porated (Japan) in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany,
France, Spain, Russia and/or other countries.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
FEATURES
❍Large, bright OLED display
A fixed mount VHF airband first, the IC-A210 has an organic light
emitting diode (OLED) display. The all man-made lighting emits its
own light and the display offers many advantages in brightness,
vividness, high contrast, wide viewing angle and response time
compared to a conventional display. In addition, the auto dimmer
function can adjust the display for optimum brightness, during day or
night.
❍Easy channel selection
It’s fast and easy to select any of the memory channels in the
IC-A210. The “flip-flop” arrow button switches between active and
standby channels. The DualWatch function allows you to monitor
two channels simultaneously. In addition, the history memory chan-
nel stores the last 10 channels used and allows you to recall those
channels easily.
❍GPS memory function
When connected to an external GPS receiver* equipped with an air-
port frequency database, the IC-A210 will instantly tune in the local
airport frequency as you fly into its airspace.
*Ask your dealer for available GPS receiver details.
❍13.8 V/27.5 V DC power source
The built-in DC-DC converter accepts a 13.8 or 27.5 V DC power
source. The IC-A210 is easily installed in most airplanes or vehicles.
❍Intercom function
The IC-A210 has a built-in voice activated intercom function allow-
ing the pilot to talk with a co-pilot, or other person, via headsets. The
IC-A210 has adjustable audio level and squelch control functions.

DO NOT place unit in a non-secure place to avoid inad-
vertent use by children.
DO NOT push the PTT when not actually intending to
transmit.
DO NOT use or place the transceiver in direct sunlight or
in areas with temperatures below –20°C (–4°F) or above
+55°C (+131°F).
DO NOT place the transceiver in excessively dusty envi-
ronments.
DO NOT place the transceiver against walls. This will ob-
struct heat dissipation.
DO NOT use chemical agents such as benzine or alcohol
when cleaning, as they damage the transceiver surfaces.
BE CAREFUL! The transceiver will become hot when
operating continuously for long periods.
PRECAUTIONS
ii
RWARNING! NEVER operate the transceiver with
a headset or other audio accessories at high volume levels.
Hearing experts advise against continuous high volume op-
eration. If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce the
volume level or discontinue use.
NEVER connect the transceiver to an AC outlet or to a
power source of more than 28 V DC. Such a connection will
damage the transceiver.
NEVER connect the transceiver to a power source that is
DC fused at more than 5 A. Accidental reverse connection
will be protected by this fuse, higher fuse values will not give
any protection against such accidents and the transceiver
will be damaged.
DO NOT operate the transceiver near unshielded electri-
cal blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere.
DO NOT connect the transceiver to a power source using
reverse polarity. This connection will not only blow fuses but
also may damage the transceiver.
FCC caution: Changes or modifications to this transceiver,
not expressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your authority
to operate this transceiver under FCC regulations.

iii
IMPORTANT······························································································i
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS···········································································i
FEATURES································································································i
PRECAUTIONS························································································ ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS··········································································· iii
1 PANEL DESCRIPTION ·········································································1
 ■ Front panel ······················································································1
 ■ Rear panel·······················································································3
 ■ Main unit··························································································3
 ■ Function display ··············································································4
2 BASIC OPERATION ·············································································5
 ■ Frequency selection ········································································5
 ■ Standby frequency selection (Step 1-2)··········································5
 ■ Frequency exchanging(Step 2-2) ····················································6
 ■ Receiving ························································································6
 ■ Transmitting·····················································································6
 ■ Frequency setting example ·····························································7
 ■ Direct frequency setting mode operation ········································8
 ■ DualWatch operation·······································································8
3 MEMORY OPERATION ········································································9
 ■ Programming notes·········································································9
 ■ Entering memory mode···································································9
 ■ Memory channel type······································································9
 ■ Channel selection··········································································10
 ■ Programming a memory channel··················································10
 ■ Programming example ··································································11
 ■ Transferring memorycontents························································12
 ■ Memory mode menu ·····································································12
(Regular and group memory channels only)·································12
 ■ Regular memory channel······························································13
 ■
Group memory channel ··································································13
 ■ History memory channel·····································································14
 ■ Clearing the memory contents························································· 14
(Regular and group memory channels only)·································14
 ■
Programming channel names (Regular memory channel only) ··········15
 ■ Programming group names (Group memory channel only) ···············15
 ■ Programming channel tag
(Group memory channel only) ·················16
 ■
Channel tag list ··············································································16
 ■ Weather memory channel (U.S.A. version only) ·······························17
 ■ GPS memory ················································································17
 ■ GPS memory edit··········································································18
 ■ Memory protection ········································································18
4 OTHER FUNCTIONS ··········································································19
 ■ Lock function ·················································································19
 ■ Accessing 121.5 MHzemergency frequency·································19
 ■ Intercom function···········································································20
 ■ Squelch test function·····································································20
 ■ Weather memory channel scan (U.S.A. version only)···················21
5 MENU MODE ······················································································22
 ■ MENU mode programming ···························································22
 ■ MENU mode items········································································23
6 INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL························································28
 ■ Transceiver installation··································································28
 ■
Transceiver removal ·······································································28
7 CLONING····························································································29
8 SPECIFICATIONS···············································································30
9 OPTIONS ····························································································31
10 SAFETY TRAINING INFORMATION ················································35
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
1
PANEL DESCRIPTION
01
■Front panel
qDUAL SWITCH [DUAL]
 ➥ Push to turn DualWatch operation ON or OFF (p. 8).
 ➥ Push and hold for 2 sec. to turn the intercom function
ON or OFF.
wEMERGENCY CHANNEL SWITCH [EC]
 ➥ Push to set the emergency frequency (121.5 MHz) as
the standby frequency (p. 19).
 ➥ Push and hold for 2 sec. to enter the direct frequency
setting mode (p. 8), and set the emergency frequency
(121.5 MHz) (p. 19).
eVOLUME/POWER SWITCH [VOL]
 ➥ Turn [VOL] to switch the power ON or OFF (p. 5).
 ➥ Adjusts the audio output level.
The volume level bar appears while rotating [VOL].
 ➥ Push to set the squelch test function ON or OFF
(p. 20).
 ➥ Push and hold for 2 sec. to start the weather channel
(U.S.A. version only) scan (p. 21).
rFREQUENCY EXCHANGE (FLIP-FLOP) SWITCH [↔]
 ➥ Push to exchange the standby frequency with the ac-
tive frequency (p. 6).
 ➥ Push and hold for 2 sec. to enter direct frequency set-
ting mode (p. 8).
RCL
MEM
OFF
VOL
PUSH
TEST
COMM
DUAL
EC
iA210
CH09 SAMPLE
121.525
118.00
RX MEMORY
e ytr i ouq w

2
1PANEL DESCRIPTION
■Front panel (Continued)
t MEMORY SWITCH [MEM]
Push and hold for 2 sec. to program a displayed fre-
quency to any blank regular memory channel or delete/
revive the selected memory channel (depending on the
operating mode) (p. 9).
y RECALL SWITCH [RCL]
 ➥ Push to enter/exit the memory mode (p. 9).
 ➥ Push and hold for 2 sec. to enter the menu mode
(p. 22).
u LIGHT-SENSITIVE DETECTOR
This detector senses ambient light. The detector is used
to adjust “Dimmer brightness (Low/High)” (p. 25) auto-
matically when the “Dimmer Mode” (p. 25) is set to ‘AUTO.’
iINNER (Small) TUNING DIAL [DIAL]
 ➥ Rotate to set the standby frequencies (kHz digit)
(p. 5), memory channels (p. 10), MENU mode settings
(p. 22).
 ➥ Push and hold for 2 sec. to turn the dial/panel lock
function ON (p. 19).
oOUTER (Large) TUNING DIAL [O-DIAL]
 ➥ Rotate to set the standby frequency (MHz digit) (p. 5),
group memory channel (p. 13), cursor position (p. 15),
etc.
 ➥ Rotate to change the scan direction while scanning
(p. 21).
RCL
MEM
OFF
VOL
PUSH
TEST
COMM
DUAL
EC
iA210
CH09 SAMPLE
121.525
118.00
RX MEMORY
e ytr i ouq w

3
1
PANEL DESCRIPTION
01
■Rear panel
qANTENNA CONNECTOR
Connect an antenna connector.
wCLONING JACK
Connect an optional cloning cable (OPC-1529R). Refer to
p. 29 for details.
eDC, MICROPHONE, SPEAKER, HEADPHONE AND
DATA JACK
Connect a 13.8 V or 27.5 V DC power supply, speaker,
headphone and 3rd party GPS receiver*1.
Refer to the “INSTALLATION GUIDE” for details.
*1Ask your dealer for available GPS receiver details.
■Main unit
qMetal catch (For Icom products)
Use to attach to an installation rack for Icom products
(p. 28).
wMetal catch (For 3rd party products*)
Use to attach to an installation rack for 3rd party prod-
ucts* (p. 28).
*Ask your dealer for available products details.
q w
e q
e
For PS-80 type
For the 3rd party* compatible type (MB-113)
[NOTE]: Supplied with some transceiver’s versions.
*Ask your dealer for available products details.
• Top view • Bottom view
q w

4
1PANEL DESCRIPTION
■Function display
qACTIVE FREQUENCY INDICATOR
 ➥ Shows the active frequency (p. 6).
 ➥ Shows the MENU mode items in the MENU mode
(p. 22).
wTX INDICATOR
 Appears while transmitting (p. 6).
eRX INDICATOR
 ➥ Appears when receiving a signal on the active fre-
quency signal (p. 6).
 ➥ Appears when receiving a signal on the standby fre-
quency signal during DualWatch operation (p. 8).
 ➥ Appears when opening the active frequency’s squelch
function (p. 6).
rINTERCOM INDICATOR
Appears when the intercom function is in use (p. 20).
tDUALWATCH INDICATOR
Appears when the DualWatch function is active (p. 8).
yMEMORY CONDITION INDICATOR
 ➥ Indicates “MEMORY” when the regular memory chan-
nel is selected (p. 13).
 ➥ Indicates “GRP01–GRP20” when the group memory
channel is selected (p. 13).
The group name is also indicated if the name has been
entered.
 ➥ Indicates “HISTORY” when the history memory chan-
nel is selected (p. 14).
 ➥ Indicates “WEATHER” when the weather memory
channel is selected (U.S.A. version only) (p. 17).
 ➥ Indicates “GPS” when the GPS memory channel is se-
lected (The 3rd party GPS receiver is required) (p. 17).
uSTANDBY FREQUENCY INDICATOR
 ➥ Shows the standby frequency (p. 5).
 ➥ Shows the setting values in the MENU mode (p. 22).
iCHANNEL NAME INDICATOR
Shows the channel name during memory mode (p. 15).
oMEMORY CHANNEL INDICATOR
Shows the selected memory channel number during
memory mode (p. 13).
!0 TEST INDICATOR
Appears while the squelch test function is active (p. 20).
!1 LOCK INDICATOR (p. 19)
 ➥ Indicates “ ” while the dial lock function is in use.
 ➥ Indicates “ ” while the panel lock function in use.
CH09 SAMPLE
TEST
121.525
118.00
RX DUAL MEMORY RX ICS
O
F
D
TX
e tr y e
io!1
uq
!0
w

5
2
BASIC OPERATION
01
02
■Frequency selection
IC-A210 has 2 ways to select a desired frequency.
ï General frequency selection
Select a desired frequency which is used for the next operat-
ing frequency in the standby frequency indicator. Then ex-
change the active frequency for the standby frequency.
NOTE: Operate from “Standby frequency selection
(Step 1-2)” to “Frequency exchanging (Step 2-2)” as
pgs. 5, 6.
ï Direct frequency selection
A desired frequency direct selection is available.
Refer to “Direct frequency selection mode operation.”
■Standby frequency selection
(Step 1-2)
qRotate [VOL] clockwise to turn power ON.
• Previously used frequencies appear in the active and
standby frequency indicators.
wRotate [DIAL] and [O-DIAL] to select a desired frequency
to the standby frequency.
• The active frequency is not affected.
• Rotate [O-DIAL] to set above 1 MHz digit.
• Rotate [DIAL] to set below 100 kHz digit.
TIP: For quick frequency setting, often used frequen-
cies can be programmed into memory channels. Refer to
“MEMORY OPERATION” (pgs. 9–18).
When a memory channel is recalled, the previous standby
frequency is erased.
CAUTION: DO NOT turn the power ON until the air-
craft engines have been started. It is very important for
protection of the power supply circuit.

6
2BASIC OPERATION
■Frequency exchanging
(Step 2-2)
qAfter selecting the standby frequency, push [↔]to ex-
change it with the active frequency.
• Adjust the squelch level in the menu mode, if necessary (p. 24).
• Rotate [VOL] to set the volume level, if necessary.
• When receiving a signal, “RX” appears and audio is heard from
the speaker or headset.
• Further adjustment of audio level may be necessary at this
point.
wPush and hold [PTT] to transmit, then speak into the mi-
crophone.
• Transmit indicator “TX” lights.
eRelease [PTT] to receive.
Frequency exchanging can be also performed remotely from
the yoke-mounted frequency exchange switch.
■Receiving
qSelect an operating frequency.
• Refer to pgs. 5, 6 for details.
• “RX” appears when receiving a signal or opening squelch.
wPush [VOL] to open the squelch manually.
• Refer to p. 20 “Squelch test function” for details.
eRotate the volume control to adjust the audio level.
■Transmitting
qSelect the yoke-mounted communication/intercom switch
to the “communication” position.
wSelect an operating frequency.
• Refer to pgs. 5, 6 in details.
ePush the PTT switch.
• “TX” appears.
rSpeak into the microphone at your normal voice level.
• DO NOT set the microphone too closely to your mouth or speak
too loudly. This may distort the signal.
tRelease the PTT switch to receive.
NOTE: To prevent interference, listen on the frequency
before transmitting. If the frequency is busy, wait until the
frequency is clear.
NOTE: DO NOT push and hold [↔]continuously. Oth-
erwise, the standby frequency disappears. If this happens,
again push and hold [↔]until the standby frequency reap-
pears.