Magnum DELTAFORCE User manual

OPERATING MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LimitedWarranty .................................................................................................. 2
Introduction........................................................................................................... 3
Installation ........................................................................................................3 - 4
FrontPanelControlsand Functions..................................................................4 - 7
OtherFeatures ..................................................................................................... 7
Specifications ...................................................................................................... 8
LIMITED WARRANTY
MagnumInternationalwarrantsthisproducttobefreeofdefectsforaperiodofone(1)yearfromthe
originaldate ofpurchase. Thiswarrantyis non-transferable.This limitedwarranty issubjectto repairor
replacementof defectivecomponentsonly.Thiswarranty isvoid iftheradio hasbeen tamperedwithor
misused.
IMPORTANT:RETAINYOUR SALES RECEIPT
Theenclosed warranty registration mustbefilled out and mailedalongwith a photocopyofyour sales
receipt within 15 days from the purchase date. If the warranty registration and copy of your sales
receiptare not received the radio is not coveredunderwarranty. Please fill out theenclosedwarranty
registration and send it along with a copy of your sales receipt to:
MagnumInternational
PO Box 445
Issaquah,WA 98027
Registeringyour DeltaForcewithMagnum Internationalprovides several benefits:
1) Validatesyourwarranty
2) Entitles you to free updates and information regarding your radio and new accessories for your
radio
3) Providespossible recovery of lost or stolenradiosthroughour serial number tracking database
4) Receiveyour free “Magnum Power”baseballcap within 30 daysafter registering
Copyright1999-2003 by MagnumInternational.Allrightsreserved.
- 2 -

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a MAGNUM
DELTAFORCE10 meterFM/AM/SSB/PA transceiver.Your
MAGNUM is designed to provide years of enjoyment and
trouble-freeservice. Thereare manyfeaturesand functions
designed into this transceiver. To ensure that your invest-
ment is enjoyed to it’s fullest extent please take a few mo-
mentsandthoroughly read this manual.
Your MAGNUM DELTAFORCE is a microprocessor con-
trolled, user programmable radio combining both high RF
performance with a user-friendly environment. The
DELTAFORCE is built rugged to withstand years of use in
harshmobile environments.Althoughengineered with mo-
bile use in mind the DELTAFORCE, with the addition of a
highquality10 amp regulated power supply, may beeasily
adaptedto fixed station operation.
SomeofthefeaturesoftheDELTAFORCEare;anadvanced
designliquidcrystal display that provides the operator with
a full visual account of the transceivers operating status,
automaticfrequency scanningfromeither the frontpanelor
microphone,memorystorageof your favorite frequencies,
programmablefrequency resolution ofeither1 kHz, 10kHz
or100kHz,andsplit(offset)frequencyoperationforrepeater
use. These are just a few of the features that make the
DELTAFORCE a pleasuretoown and operate.
IMPORTANT: TheMAGNUMDELTAFORCEisdesigned
forentrylevelamateur use. If the transmitter is operated in
theUnited Statesorwithin it’sterritoriesa licensed amateur
radiooperator mustbepresent atthestation. Theminimum
license class to operate 10 meter phone is Novice/Techni-
cian. If you are studying for your license and want to famil-
iarize yourself with the operation of the radio, the receiver
maybeoperatedwithorwithoutalicensedoperatorpresent.
Formore informationregarding FCClicensing,contactyour
nearest amateur radio dealer, or for complete details con-
tact theAmerican Radio Relay League.
AmericanRadio RelayLeague(ARRL)
225Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
Telephone[phone]
Facsimile860-594-0259
http://www.arrl.org
INSTALLATION
1. Contents
Unpack and inspect your Magnum DELTAFORCE for
missingor damagedcomponents.YourDELTAFORCE
includesthefollowingitems:
- 3 -
Quantity Description
1 DELTAFORCETransceiver
1 ScanningMicrophone
1 MountingBracket andHardware
1 PowerCord
1 OperatingManual with Schematic
2. Install the DELTAFORCE
Choose a location where there is easy access to all
front panel controls and air circulation available to the
rear panel and aluminum heatsink. Do not install the
transceiver in any compartment that restricts airflow.
Attach the mounting bracket to the vehicle first then
mountthe transceiver tothe bracket. Iftherear panelis
noteasily accessible youmay want toattachthe power
cordand antenna feed line prior to mounting.
3. Make Electrical Connections
The transceiver is designed to work on any 13.8 VDC
powersourcewith anegativeground.Theconditionofa
vehicle’s electrical system can affect operation. A low
battery,worngenerator/alternator,orpoorvoltageregu-
latorwillseriously impair the performance of the trans-
ceiver.Anyof theabove conditionscouldresultinahigh
levelofreceiver noisegeneration orasubstantiallossof
thetransmitter’sRF output. Make sure that all of these
components of your vehicle’s electrical system are in
goodcondition prior to installing thetransceiver.
Before making any electrical connections make sure
theAFgain(volume)control on thetransceiver is in the
“OFF” position. Connect the positive (+) red wire and
negative (-) black wire from the transceiver directly to
the battery. Connecting directly to the battery has sev-
eral benefits, the first of which is to maximize RF out-
put.Secondly, the battery is a very large capacitor and
willhelp eliminate certain types of ambient and vehicle
noise.Depending onyour mountinglocation,additional
power cable may be required. On additional runs of 6
feetor lessuse14-gauge strandedwire.Use 12-gauge
wireon longer runs.
CAUTION!
VOLTAGE EXCEEDING 15 VDC WILLDAMAGE
THERADIO. MEASUREVOLTAGEATBATTERY
TERMINALS, WITH VEHICLE RUNNING, PRIOR
TOINSTALLATION!
4. Connect the Antenna
Thetransceiverwilloperateusing anystandard 50-ohm
ground-plane,vertical, mobilewhip,long wireorsimilar
antenna.The antenna shouldberated at 50wattsPEP
minimum. A standard SO-239 type connector is pro-
videdontherear panelof thetransceiver.Connectionis
made using a PL-259 and high grade coaxial cable
(RG213,RG58A/U or MiniRG-8is recommended).

- 4 -
Aground-planeantenna providesgreater coverageand
is recommended for fixed station-to-mobile operation.
For point-to-point fixed station operation, a directional
beam antenna operates at greater distances even un-
der adverse conditions. A non-directional antenna
should be used in a mobile installation; a vertical whip
is best suited for this purpose. The base loaded whip
antenna normally provides effective communications.
For greater range and more reliable operation, a full
quarter wave whip may be used. Either of these an-
tennas use the metal vehicle body as a ground plane.
The Penetrator™ and Super Penetrator™ mobile an-
tennas, available from RF Limited, are the perfect an-
tennas for use with the Magnum DeltaForce. The
Penetrator™ and Super Penetrator™ feature power
ratingsof up to 3,500 watts PEP and bandpassratings
of 1.5 MHz, the widest bandpass of any mobile an-
tenna of its kind.
5. VSWR
After you have determined that the installation is cor-
rect and the radio is operational, it is important to de-
termine the antenna system’s VSWR (voltage stand-
ingwaveratio). Priorto takinganymeasurementsmake
sure the SWR bridge (meter) is in good working order
and is calibrated. To ensure your radio is performing
properlythe VSWR should never exceed 1.5 to 1. This
is critical due to the high level of gain developed in the
RFdeck. Nevertransmiton anyantenna system where
theVSWR exceeds 1.8 to 1. This will stress the output
stageand could destroy the RF transistors;thistypeof
misuse and failure is not covered under warranty.
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
AND FUNCTIONS
Reference Front Panel Diagram on Page 5.
(1) POWER ON/OFF and VOLUME CONTROL
Turns the transceiver on and off, and adjusts the AF
gain, or volume.
(2) SQUELCH CONTROL
Used to eliminate background or “white” noise when
monitoringstrongsignals. Also used to activate SCAN
feature (see 14). To properly adjust squelch circuit,
slowly rotate the control clockwise until the received
audio disappears. Now turn the control slightly coun-
terclockwise - this will keep the threshold right on the
edge so you will not miss any incoming signals.
(3) MICROPHONE GAIN CONTROL
Increases or decreases the energy developed in the
microphoneamplifier circuit. Thegainincreases as the
controlis rotatedclockwise.For optimumsetting,press
thepush-to-talk switchonthe microphone(see23) and
speak in a constant tone into the microphone. A good
test tone is to say the word “four” in a long, drawn out
tone.While speaking,rotatethe micgaincontrol clock-
wise until the modulation LCD display reads +30(see
22).Next, rotate the control counterclockwise until the
+30 segment of the display starts to flicker.
(4) RF GAIN CONTROL
Adjusts the receiver sensitivity to both signals and
background noise. This affects the distance at which
a signal can be detected. Turning the control counter-
clockwisereduces the receiver sensitivity. Thisispar-
ticularly useful in areas where large volumes of traffic
(signals) are present.
(5) ROGER BEEP CONTROL
RBposition activates the endoftransmission, or roger
beep, tone. When activated a 1 kHz tone will auto-
maticallytransmit uponrelease ofPTT switch(see23).
Thisnotifiescontactsthat yourtransmission hasended
and you are ready to receive their signal. To turn off
the roger beep, put the switch in the S/RF position.
NOTE: In the RB position, the meter (see 13) mea-
sures S/RF.
SIGNAL STRENGTH / RF METER CONTROL
S/RF position activates the meter (see 13) to mea-
surereceive signal strength and transmitter RFoutput
power.
CALIBRATE CONTROL
CAL position activates the meter to calibrate for SWR
measuring.Tocalibrate for SWR, set the switch to the
CAL position, press the PTT switch (see 23) and ro-
tate the calibrate control (see 6) until the meter (see
13) needle lines up with the CAL mark on the far right
side of the meter. Once lined up, release the PTT.
Thetransceiver isnow ready tomeasure SWR.NOTE:
Whenfirst attempting tocalibratemake sure thetrans-
ceiver is in the AM mode (see 19). If it is not possible
to calibrate in AM, then switch to FM mode.
STANDING WAVE RATIO CONTROL
SWR position activates the meter to measure the
standing wave ratio of the transceiver and antenna
system. After the meter is calibrated, set the switch to
the SWR position and press the PTT switch (see 23).
The meter (see 13) will measure the SWR. For opti-
mumperformancetheSWR should be below 1.5 - the
first green segment on the SWR portion of the meter
indicates an acceptable standing wave ratio.
PUBLICADDRESS
PA position activates the public address amplifier. To
operate PA, select the PAposition and insert a public
address speaker or horn into the PAjack on the rear
panelof thetransceiver.
(6) CALIBRATE CONTROL
Rotate to calibrate the meter (see 13) for SWR mea-
surements. See instruction 5 for more information.

- 5 -
1
2
3
4
5 7
6
9
8
11
10
12
24
23
13 15
14
17
16
18
19
20
21
22
25
(7) RF OUTPUT POWER CONTROL
Continuouslyvariable control for adjusting the RFout-
put power of the transmitter in all modes for QRP op-
eration.To reduce theRFoutput powerrotatethe con-
trol counterclockwise. To increase rotate the control
clockwise. The power output is a linear control, there-
fore the peak to average output power ratios remain
constant regardless of power level.
(8) ECHO DELAY CONTROL
Varies the amount of delay, or duration of the echo
repetition.Rotateclockwise to increase the amount of
delay and counterclockwise to decrease.
(9) ECHO ON/OFF and VOLUME CONTROL
Turns on and off the echo feature, and varies the vol-
umeor numberof echorepetitions.Toturnon theecho
featureandincreasetheechovolume,rotate the con-
trol clockwise. To turn off the echo feature rotate the
control completely counterclockwise to the OFF posi-
tion.
(10)ALL MODE TALK BACK CONTROL
All Mode Talk Back, a Magnum exclusive, is an inde-
pendent talk back monitor. The AMT functions in all
modes and allows the operator to monitor the trans-
mitted audio of the DELTAFORCE. To increase the
volume of the talk back rotate the control clockwise.
To decrease rotate counterclockwise. To turn off the
talk back rotate the control completely counterclock-
wise.
(11)CLARIFIER
Allows variation of the receiver operating frequency
aboveand below theindicatedfrequency in allmodes.
The receive clarifier is primarily used in tuning to an
SSB signal. The receive clarifier has a range of +/-1
kHz above and below the indicated frequency.
(12)FREQUENCY
Rotate clockwise to increase the operating frequency
and counterclockwise to decrease the operating fre-
quency.
(13)METER
The meter indicates receive signal strength, RF out-
putpower,SWR calibrate and SWR. The top horizon-
tal bar graph indicates calibration and measuring of
the standing wave ratio. The center bar graph indi-
cates RF output power. The bottom bar graph indi-
cates receive signal strength.
IMPORTANT!
Operating some of the features in 14 through 21
require the use of the function control. To activate
the function control, momentarily push the FUNC
(15) control, the FUNC prompt will be displayed in
upper left-hand corner of LCD. Push the control
again to deactivate the function control.
(14)SCAN
Scansfrequencies in increments of 10 kHz. There are
two ways to scan using front panel entry.
(1)Receive Audio On Scanning: Press the SCAN but-
ton. Scan rate is one step every 5 seconds. To stop
scanning press the SCAN button again, or momen-
tarily press the PTT button on the microphone (scan-
ning will stop without transmitting).
(2) Receive Audio Mute Scanning: Carefully rotate
squelch control to the threshold (see 2). The receiver
scan rate will now be five steps per second. When a
signal is detected the squelch is automatically disen-
gaged and the scanning is paused. The squelch cir-
cuit will automatically reengage and the receiver will
continuetoscanthe moment the received signal is no

- 6 -
longer detected. To stop scanning, press the SCAN
button, or momentarily press the PTT button on the
microphone (scanning will stop without transmitting).
SHIFT
Usedfor programming offsets tooperaterepeater net-
works. The DELTAFORCE can transmit and receive
on different frequencies.
To program the offset, press the FUNC button and
hold down the SHIFT button for 3 or more seconds.
Three digits will appear on the LCD. This is the offset
frequencyinkHz.RotatetheFREQUENCYcontroluntil
the desired offset frequency is displayed. To return to
themaindisplaypresstheFUNCbutton andhold down
the SHIFT button for 3 or more seconds, or momen-
tarily press the PTT button on the microphone (the
transmitter will not be engaged).
To activate the programmed offset frequency, press
the FUNC button, and then press the SHIFT button
once. +SHIFT is displayed on the LCD. The
DELTAFORCEwill now transmitonthe frequency that
isXXXkHzgreater than the displayed, or receive, fre-
quency (XXX represents the programmed offset fre-
quency in kHz).
To transmit on the frequency that is XXX kHz lower
thanthe displayed,orreceive, frequency pressFUNC,
thenthe SHIFT button. Repeat this until -SHIFTisdis-
played on the LCD.
Todisengage theprogrammedoffset frequency,press
the FUNC button and then press the SHIFT button.
Repeat this until the SHIFT indicator is no longer dis-
played on the LCD.
MEMORY CHANNEL 3
After programming this button is memory channel 3.
See M.LOAD \ M.SAVE control for programming in-
structions.
(15)FUNCTION
This control is used to operate the functions that are
printed below the control buttons. Press and release,
FUNC will be displayed on the LCD indicating that the
functioncommandisactivated. Afteryou havepressed
one of the buttons the FUNC will disappear from the
screen.
(16)LAST CHANNEL RECALL
Press the LCR button to return to the last frequency
that was transmitted on for more than 3 seconds.
REPEATER
Repeateraccess tone on and off control.Mostrepeat-
ers require an 88.5 Hz tone burst to access. To acti-
vate the 88.5 Hz tone burst, press the FUNC control
andthen press the RPT button.RPTwill appear on the
LCD indicating that the tone burst will now automati-
cally be transmitted whenever the PTT is pressed. To
deactivate, repeat the same process.
MEMORY CHANNEL 4
After programming, this button is memory channel 4.
See M.LOAD \ M.SAVE control for programming in-
structions.
(17)STEP
The STEP button selects frequency resolution in ei-
ther 1 kHz, 10 kHz or 100 kHz steps. Press the STEP
button, one of the digits will flash on and off. Press the
STEP button again to change stepping resolution.
To tune frequencies in either 10 kHz or 100 kHz incre-
ments, press the STEP button until the desired digit is
flashing. Rotate the FREQUENCY control in either di-
rection. The entire frequency range of the Magnum
DELTAFORCE can be stepped through in 10 or 100
kHz increments.
To tune in 1 kHz increments, press the STEP button
untilthe 1 kHz digitflashesonand off. Rotate theFRE-
QUENCY control. NOTE: When stepping in 1 kHz in-
crements, you are limited to tuning within a 10 kHz
frequency range.
NOISE BLANKER and
AUTOMATIC NOISE LIMITER
Noiseblanker on and offcontrol.This circuit eliminates
pulse type interference usually associated with auto-
motiveignitionsystems. To activate the noise blanker,
presstheFUNCcontrol and then press the NB button.
NBwill appear on the LCD indicatingthenoiseblanker
is turned on. To turn off the noise blanker, repeat the
same process.
MEMORY CHANNEL 1
After programming, this button is memory channel 1.
See M.LOAD \ M.SAVE control for programming in-
structions.
(18)CALL
TheUSAnationalcallfrequencyforSSBis28.400MHz.
The radio’s operating frequency is automatically reset
to this frequency when the CALL button is pressed.
MEMORY CHANNEL 2
After programming this button is memory channel 2.
See M.LOAD \ M.SAVE control for programming in-
structions.
(19)MODE
Each time the button is pressed the operating mode is
changed. The operating mode is indicated on the liq-
uid crystal display: AM, FM, USB, or LSB.

- 7 -
TONE LOW
To activate the tone low feature, press the FUNC but-
ton, and then press the T. Low button to turn on the
receiveaudiotonecontrol.LOWwill appearon theLCD
when the low tone is activated. This feature will roll-off
high frequency noise (i.e. “white” noise). Under many
operating conditions this will improve the clarity and
understanding of received signals.
MEMORY CHANNEL 5
After programming this button is memory channel 5.
See M.LOAD \ M.SAVE control for programming in-
structions.
(20)DIMMER
Press the DIM, or dimmer control to decrease the
amount of back-lighting on the front panel and LCD
screen.
(21)MEMORY SAVE
Tosavein memory a specific frequency and operating
mode, select the desired mode and rotate the FRE-
QUENCY control to the desired frequency. Press the
FUNC button, and then press the M.SAVE button. S
will appear on the LCD next to the frequency. While S
is displayed, immediately press any of the memory
channel buttons (1 - 5). The mode and frequency is
now saved into memory. If the S indicator disappears
before you press the memory channel button, the in-
formation will not be saved and the process must be
repeated.
MEMORY LOAD
To load, or recall, any of the saved memory channels
pressthe M.LOAD button. L will appear ontheLCD for
several seconds. While the letter is displayed press
the desired memory channel button (1 - 5). The pro-
grammed mode and frequency will be displayed.
(22)LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY
The LCD screen is the status display for the majority
of the transceiver’s functions.
1 2 43 65 8
910
7
(3) +SHIFT \ -SHIFT
Indicates that the split or offset frequency function is
activated.
(4) RPT
Indicates that the repeater access tone burst function
is active.
(5) NB and ANL
Indicatesthat both thenoiseblanker and theautomatic
noise limiter are active.
(6) TONE
Indicates that the receive audio tone low feature is ac-
tive.
(7) 5 DIGIT FREQUENCY DISPLAY
Indicates transmit and receive operating frequencies.
(8) TX
Indicates that the transmitter is on.
(9) USB \ LSB \ FM \ AM
Indicates the selected operating mode.
(10) PEAK READING RF POWER METER
Indicates relative peak RF output power.
(23)PUSH-TO-TALK (PTT) CONTROL
Activatesthetransmitterand/orreceiver.Pushandhold
the PTT control to transmit. Release the PTT control
to receive.
(24)UP and DOWN FREQUENCY CONTROLS
Allows remote control of frequency control. Press the
up arrow to increase in frequency and press the down
arrow to decrease in frequency.
(25)MICROPHONE INPUT JACK (not shown)
6-pin,lock ring type, microphone connector located on
side chassis of transceiver. Mic wiring is as follows:
Pin 1 : Microphone Audio
Pin 2 : Receive
Pin 3 : Transmit
Pin 4 : Down (Up w/ 22K Ohm Resistor)
Pin 5 : Ground
Pin 6 : +13.8 VDC
(26)EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK (not shown)
External speaker jack, marked EXP SP, is located on
the rear panel of transceiver. For use with 8 ohm ex-
ternal speaker.
(27)PAHORN JACK (not shown)
Located on the rear panel. For inserting a PAspeaker
orhorn.
OTHER FEATURES
PROGRAMMING TONE
This tone sounds each time the CPU is being pro-
grammed. It is helpful, in the beginning so you can be
sure the command has been entered. You may elimi-
nate the tone by simply pressing the PTT switch while
turning on the ON/OFF POWER switch.
(1) FUNCTION
Indicates the function button has been activated and
thatthe function dependentcontrols may beaccessed.
(2) SCAN
Indicates that the transceiver is in scan mode.

MAGNUM INTERNATIONAL
A Division of RF Limited
PO Box 445 • Issaquah WA 98027 • USA
TEL [phone] • FAX [phone]
www.magnum-radio.com • [email protected]
- 8 -
TRANSMITTER
Frequency Range:
28.000 - 29.699 MHz
Tuning Steps:
1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz
Emission Types:
LSB,USB (J3E),AM(A3E),FM (F3E)
Carrier Suppression:
Better than 40 dB below peak output
Unwanted Sideband Suppression:
Better than 50 dB below peak output (1 kHz tone)
Spurious Radiation:
Better than 50 dB below peak output
Frequency Accuracy:
Better than +10 ppm from 0 - 40oC after
15 minute warm up
Modulation Type:
J3E: Balanced Modulator
A3E: Voltage Modulator
F3E: Frequency Modulator
Maximum FM Deviation:
+/-2 kHz
Output Impedance:
50 ohms (nominal), unbalanced
Microphone Impedance:
Dynamic, 600 ohms
Power Consumption:
6 amps maximum
Power Output:
FM: 30 Watts (Max.)
AM: 8 Watts Average (Max.)
30 Watts Peak (Max.)
SSB: 30 Watts Peak (Max.)
SPECIFICATIONS
RECEIVER
Frequency Range:
28.000 - 29.699 MHz
Circuit Type:
Superheterodyne, Dual Conversion
Clarifier Range:
+/-1.0 kHz
Sensitivity:
SSB and AM 0.25uV
(SSB and AM figures measured for 10 dB S+N/N)
FM better than 0.3uV for 12 dB SINAD
Minimum discernable signal -135 dBm
Intermediate Frequencies:
1st IF: 10.695 MHz
2nd IF: 455 kHz
SSB IF: 10.695 MHz
Image Rejection:
Better than 70 dB
IF Rejection:
Better than 80 dB for all frequencies
Selectivity: -6 dB -60 dB
SSB: 4.2 kHz 8.5 kHz
AM, FM: 6.0 kHz 18 kHz
Noise Blanker:
All mode, seven stage high gain type
Dynamic Range:
Better than 100 dB
Audio Output Power:
2 watts minimum (into 8 ohms, with less than 7%
THD)
Audio Output Impedance:
8 - 16 ohms
Power Consumption:
500 milliamps
Dimensions:
7.75(L) x 10.75(W) x 2.5(H) Inches