Icom IC-A210E User manual

iA210E
VHF AIR BAND TRANSCEIVER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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-A210E.
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS
The explicit definitions below apply to this instruction manual.
WORD
RWARNING
CAUTION
NOTE
DEFINITION
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 logo are registered trademarks of Icom Incor-
porated (Japan) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France,
Spain, Russia and/or other countries.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the U.S.A. and other countries.
FEATURES
❍Large, bright OLED display
A fixed mount VHF airband first! The IC-A210E has an organic light
emitting diode (OLED) display. All man-made lighting emits its own
light and display offers many advantages in brightness, not bright-
ness, vividness, high contrast, wide viewing angle and response time
compared to a conventional display. In addition, the auto dimmer
function adjusts the display for optimum brightness at day or night.
❍Easy channel selection
It’s fast and easy to select any of memory channels in the IC-A210E.
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 channel 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-A210E 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 13.8/27.5 V DC power
source. The IC-A210E is easily installed in most airplanes or vehi-
cles.
❍Intercom function
The IC-A210E has a built-in voice activated intercom function allow-
ing the pilot to talk with a co-pilot via headset. The IC-A210E has ad-
justable 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 desiring to trans-
mit.
DO NOT use or place the transceiver in direct sunlight or
in areas with temperatures below –20°C or above +55°C.
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.
The antenna should also be spaced at least 1 m from any po-
sition occupied by any person on board of the aircraft.
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
ruined.
DO NOT operate the transceiver near unshielded electrical
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.

iii
IMPORTANT .............................................................................................i
EXPLICIT DEFINITIONS...........................................................................i
FEATURES ...............................................................................................i
PRECAUTIONS........................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................................iii
1 PANEL DESCRIPTION.....................................................................1–4
■ Front panel .....................................................................................1
■ Rear panel......................................................................................3
■ Main unit.........................................................................................3
■ Function display..............................................................................4
2 BASIC OPERATION.........................................................................5–8
■ Frequency selection .......................................................................5
■ Standby frequency selection (Step 1-2) .........................................5
■ Frequency exchanging/not exchanging (Step 2-2).........................6
■ Receiving........................................................................................6
■ Transmitting....................................................................................6
■ Frequency set example ..................................................................7
■ Direct frequency setting mode operation........................................8
■ Dualwatch operation.......................................................................8
3 MEMORY OPERATION ..................................................................9–17
■ Programming notes ........................................................................9
■ Entering memory mode ..................................................................9
■ Memory channel type .....................................................................9
■ Channel selection.........................................................................10
■ Programming a memory channel .................................................10
■ Programming example..................................................................11
■ Transferring memory contents......................................................12
■ Memory mode menu
(Regular memory and group memory channels only) ..................12
■ Memory channel...........................................................................13
■ Group memory channel................................................................13
■ History memory channel...............................................................14
■ Clearing the memory contents
(Regular memory 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
■GPS memory................................................................................17
■GPS memory edit .........................................................................17
■Memory protection........................................................................17
4 OTHER FUNCTIONS....................................................................18–19
■Lock function ................................................................................18
■Accessing 121.5 MHz emergency frequency ...............................18
■Intercom function..........................................................................19
■Squelch test function ....................................................................19
■Frequency step setting .................................................................19
5 MENU MODE................................................................................20–25
■MENU mode programming...........................................................20
■MENU mode items .......................................................................21
6 INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL .......................................................26
■Transceiver installation.................................................................26
■Transceiver removal .....................................................................26
7 CLONING............................................................................................27
8 SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................28
9 OPTIONS ............................................................................................29
10 ABOUT DOC ....................................................................................30
INDEX ....................................................................................................32
1
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) to
the standby frequency (p. 18).
➥Push and hold for 2 sec. to enter the direct frequency
setting mode (p. 8), and set the emergency frequency
(121.5 MHz) (p. 18).
eVOLUME/POWER SWITCH [VOL]
➥Turn [VOL] to switch the power ON and 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. 19).
rFREQUENCY EXCHANGE SWITCH (FLIP-FLOP)[↔]
➥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
iA210E
CH09 SAMPLE
121.525
118.00
RX MEMORY
eytriouqw

2
1PANEL DESCRIPTION
■Front panel (Continued)
tMEMORY SWITCH [MEM]
➥Push and hold for 2 sec. to be programmed a displayed
frequency to any blank regular memory channel or
delete/revive the selected memory channel (depending
on the operating mode) (p. 9).
➥Push to display the memory mode menu, and operate
selected menu (p. 9).
yRECALL SWITCH [RCL]
➥Push to enter/exit the memory mode (p. 9).
➥Push and hold for 2 sec. to enter the menu mode
(p. 20).
uLIGHT-SENSITIVE DETECTOR
This detector senses ambient light. The detector is used
to adjust “Dimmer brightness (Low/High)” (p. 23) automat-
ically when “Dimmer Mode” (p. 23) sets to ‘AUTO.’
iINNER (Small) TUNING DIAL [DIAL]
➥Rotate to set the standby frequencies (kHz digit) (p. 5),
memory channels (p. 10), MENU mode conditions
(p. 20), etc.
➥Push and hold for 2 sec. to turn the dial/panel lock func-
tion ON (p. 18).
oOUTER (Large) TUNING DIAL [O-DIAL]
Rotate to set the standby frequencies (MHz digit) (p. 5),
group memory channel (p. 13), cursor position (p. 15), etc.
RCL
MEM
OFF
VOL
PUSH
TEST
COMM
DUAL
EC
iA210E
CH09 SAMPLE
121.525
118.00
RX MEMORY
eytriouqw

3
1
PANEL DESCRIPTION
01
■Rear panel
qANTENNA CONNECTOR
Connects an antenna connector.
wDATA JACK
Connects an optional cloning cable (OPC-1529R). Refer
to p.27 for details.
eDC, MICROPHONE, SPEAKER, HEADPHONE AND
DATA JACK
Connects a 13.8 V or 27.5 V DC power supply, speaker,
headphone and 3rd party GPS receiver*1.
Refer to the “INSTALLATION GUIDE” in 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. 26).
wMetal catch (For 3rd party products*)
Use to attach to an installation rack for 3rd party products*
(p. 26).
*Ask your dealer for available products details.
q w
e q
e
For regular type
For the 3rd party* compatible type (MB-113)
*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. 20).
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 while 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. 19).
tDUALWATCH INDICATOR
Appears when the dualwatch function is active (p. 8).
yMEMORY CONDITION INDICATOR
➥Indicates “MEMORY” when the regular memory channel
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 “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. 20).
iCHANNEL NAME INDICATOR
Shows the channel name during memory mode (p. 15).
oMEMORY CHANNEL INDICATOR
Shows the selected memory channel number during mem-
ory mode (p. 13).
!0 TEST INDICATOR
Appears while the squelch test function is active (p. 19).
!1 LOCK INDICATOR (p. 18)
➥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
etr y e
io!1
uq
!0
w

5
2
BASIC OPERATION
01
02
■Frequency selection
IC-A210E has 2 ways to select the desired frequency.
ïGeneral frequency selection
Select the desired frequency which is used for the next oper-
ating 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.
ïDirect frequency selection
The 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 the desired fre-
quency 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.
•Set the frequency step* in the menu mode, if necessary (p. 25).
*Available for depending on versions.
TIP: For quick frequency setting, often used frequencies
can be programmed into memory channels. Refer to “MEM-
ORY OPERATION” (pgs. 9–17).
When a memory channel is recalled, the previous standby
frequency is erased.
CAUTION:
DO NOT turn the power ON until the aircraft engines have
been started. It is very important for protection of the power
supply circuit.

6
2BASIC OPERATION
■Frequency exchanging/
not exchanging (Step 2-2)
qAfter selecting the standby frequency, push [↔]to ex-
change the standby frequency with the active frequency.
•Rotate [VOL] to set the volume level, if necessary.
• When receiving a signal, “RX” appears and audio is emitted from
the speaker or headset.
•Further adjustment of audio level may be necessary at this point.
•Adjust the squelch level in the menu mode, if necessary (p. 22).
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 in details.
• “RX” appears when receiving a signal or opening squelch.
wPush [VOL] to open the squelch manually.
• Refer to p. 19 “Squelch test function” in 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.
TIP: The intercom function is useful for swift communica-
tion between the pilot and co-pilot.
Set the communication/intercom switch on the VHF control
panel to the “intercom” position. Voice signals from the mi-
crophone are sent to both the pilot and co-pilot’s headsets.
NOTE: To prevent interference, listen on the frequency be-
fore transmitting. If the frequency is busy, wait until the fre-
quency 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.