Motorola MICOM-2E ALE User manual

MICOM-2E ALE
HF-SSB Transceiver
68P02952C60-O
Owner's Guide

COMMERCIAL WARRANTY (STANDARD)
Motorola radio communications products are warranted to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of ONE (1) YEAR, (except for crystals and channel elements which are
warranted for a period of ten (10) years), from the date of shipment. Parts, including crystals and
channel elements, will be replaced free of charge for the full warranty period but the labor to replace
defective parts will only be provided for One Hundred-Twenty (120) days from the date of shipment.
Thereafter purchaser must pay for the labor involved in repairing the product or replacing the parts at
the prevailing rates together with any transportation charges to or from the place where warranty
service is provided. This express warranty is extended by Motorola Communications and Electronics
Inc., 1301 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196, to the original purchaser only, and only to
those purchasing for purpose of leasing or solely for commercial, industrial, or governmental use.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MOTOROLA BE LIABLE
FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE FULL EXTENT SUCH MAY BE
DISCLAIMED BY LAW.
In the event of a defect, malfunction or failure to conform to specifications established by seller, or if
appropriate, to specifications accepted by Seller in writing, during the period shown, Motorola, at its
option, will either repair or replace the product or refund the purchase price thereof, and such action
on the part of Motorola shall be the full extent of Motorola's liability hereunder.
This warranty is void if:
a. the product is used in other than its normal and customary manner;
b. the product has been subject to misuse, accident neglect or damage;
c. unauthorized alterations or repairs have been made, or unapproved parts used in the equipment.
This warranty extends only to individual products, batteries are excluded, but carry their own separate
limited warranty. Because each radio system is unique, Motorola disclaims liability for range,
coverage, or operation of the system as a whole under this warranty except by a separate written
agreement signed by an officer of Motorola.
Non-Motorola manufactured products are excluded from this warranty, but subject to the warranty
provided by their manufacturers, a copy of which will be supplied to you on specific written request.
In order to obtain performance of this warranty, purchaser must contact its Motorola salesperson or
Motorola at the address first above shown, attention Quality Assurance Department.
This warranty applies only within the United States.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE COPYRIGHTS
The Motorola products described in this instruction manual may include copyrighted Motorola
computer programs stored in semiconductor memories or other media. Laws in the United States and
other countries preserve for Motorola certain exclusive rights for copyrighted computer programs
including the exclusive right to copy or reproduce in any form the copyrighted computer program.
Accordingly, any copyrighted Motorola computer programs contained in the Motorola products
described in this instruction manual may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the
express written permission of Motorola. Furthermore, the purchase of Motorola products shall not be
deemed to grant either directly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license under the
copyrights, patents or patent applications of Motorola, except for the normal non-exclusive, royalty
free license to use that arises by operation of law in the sale of a product.

MICOM-2E ALE
HF-SSB Transceiver
Motorola Inc., 1997
Motorola, Inc.
Land Mobile Products Sector
1301 E. Algonquin Road
Schaumburg, IL 60196
Owner’s Manual
68P02952C60-O
September, 1997

i
Table of Contents
Glossary.......................................................................................................v
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................. VII
GENERAL..................................................................................................... VII
FCC INFORMATION...................................................................................... VIII
TRANSMITTER ...............................................................................................IX
RECEIVER ......................................................................................................X
MILITARYAND INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS ...........................................................XI
INFORMATION FOR SAFE, EFFICIENT OPERATION.......................... XIII
EXPOSURE TO RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY.................................................. XIII
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres.................................................................... xiv
Blasting Caps and Areas................................................................................... xiv
GUIDELINESAND WARNINGS .........................................................................XV
Symbols..............................................................................................................xv
Installation Safety Warning.................................................................................xv
Operational Safety Warning ...............................................................................xv
Vehicles With an Air Bag................................................................................... xvi
Restrictions........................................................................................................xvii
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................1
MICOM-2E HF-SSB RADIO FEATURES..........................................................1
MICOM-2E OPTIONSANDACCESSORIES........................................................2
TRANSMITTER FEATURES................................................................................2
RECEIVER FEATURES......................................................................................3
FREQUENCY SOURCES ...................................................................................3
POWER SOURCE ............................................................................................3
CW KEYING OPERATION.................................................................................3
PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES............................................................................4
OVERVIEW..................................................................................................5
TRANSCEIVER CONTROLS...............................................................................5
LED INDICATORS............................................................................................6
LCD DISPLAY.................................................................................................7
ICON INDICATORS............................................................................................8
TRANSCEIVER REAR PANEL.............................................................................9
ALERT TONE INDICATIONS ...............................................................................9

MICOM-2E ALE Owner’s Manual
ii
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.................................................................. 11
ACTIVATING THE RADIO................................................................................. 11
GLOBAL OPERATIONS ...................................................................................12
USING WORKING MODES..............................................................................13
Working with Channel Mode...............................................................................13
Working with Frequency Mode ...........................................................................17
Working in Scan Mode........................................................................................20
Working in BITE Mode........................................................................................21
Working in Lock Mode........................................................................................22
Working in Program Mode..................................................................................23
Working in Password Mode................................................................................24
Working in Transmit Mode..................................................................................26
Checking the RF Power......................................................................................26
Working in DIM Mode.........................................................................................27
PROGRAMMING THE RADIO..................................................................29
PROGRAMMING CHANNELS ...........................................................................30
Channel Options.................................................................................................30
Setting the Tx Power Level.................................................................................33
Setting the Frequency.........................................................................................34
Choosing the Band Type ....................................................................................35
Setting the Operating Mode................................................................................36
Using Automatic Gain Control (AGC) .................................................................37
Setting the Band Width.......................................................................................38
SETTING RADIO PARAMETERS.......................................................................39
Baud Rate (BAUD) .............................................................................................39
Data Power (DPWR)...........................................................................................40
Microphone Side Tone (MST).............................................................................41
Accessory Side Tone (AST) ...............................................................................41
PTT Release Beep (PTBP).................................................................................41
Keyboard Beep (KBBP)......................................................................................42
Tone ...................................................................................................................42
Alternate Display Time-out (ADT).......................................................................43
SETTING RADIO OPTIONS .............................................................................44
AUTOMATIC LINK ESTABLISHMENT (ALE)..........................................45
ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING THEALE..............................................................46
LQAMEMORY..............................................................................................48
AUTOMATIC SOUNDING .................................................................................48
Sounding Cycle Time..........................................................................................48
Immediate (Manual) Sounding............................................................................50
Optional Handshake/Call Reject.........................................................................50

Contents
iii
BI-DIRECTIONALHANDSHAKE........................................................................51
ALE PROGRAMMING.....................................................................................51
RECEIVING CALLS.........................................................................................52
Receiving an AllCall............................................................................................52
Receiving an Individual Call................................................................................53
Receiving a Net Call...........................................................................................54
Receiving a Sound Call ......................................................................................55
TRANSMITTING CALLS...................................................................................56
Transmitting AllCalls...........................................................................................56
Transmitting Individual Calls...............................................................................58
Transmitting Net Calls........................................................................................60
LINK MODE...................................................................................................62
USING THE CALLER STACK............................................................................63
MONITORING THE SPEAKER...........................................................................65
TUNING THEANTENNATUNER........................................................................66
INSTALLATION.........................................................................................67
GENERAL.....................................................................................................67
Government Regulations....................................................................................67
Inspection...........................................................................................................67
Radio Installation Planning.................................................................................67
BASE STATION INSTALLATION.........................................................................68
FRONT MODELINSTALLATION......................................................................69
TRUNK MODELINSTALLATION........................................................................71
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES..........................................................................73
Mobile Mounting Kit............................................................................................73
DC Power Connection........................................................................................73
Microphone Clip..................................................................................................76
Final Connections...............................................................................................76
External Speaker Installation..............................................................................77
Operational Checks............................................................................................78
CONNECTORS..............................................................................................79
Microphone Connector J1 ..................................................................................79
Antenna Connector J2........................................................................................79
Accessory Connector J3.....................................................................................79
DC Connector J4................................................................................................81
VEHICULAR NOISE REDUCTION......................................................................82
MAINTENANCE.........................................................................................83
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................83
BUILT-IN-TESTEQUIPMENT(BITE)................................................................83
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE..........................................................................83

MICOM-2E ALE Owner’s Manual
iv
System Integrity..................................................................................................83
Periodic Calibration.............................................................................................83
Using BITE .........................................................................................................84
TROUBLESHOOTING......................................................................................85
SERVICE......................................................................................................87
Radio Checks .....................................................................................................88
PROCEDURES..........................................................................................89
Index ..................................................................................................Index-1

v
Glossary
AGC Automatic Gain Control
ALE Automatic Link Establishment
AMD Automatic Message Display
AME Amplitude Modulation Equivalent
ARQ Automatic Repeat Request
BITE Built-In Test Equipment
CW Continuous Wave
DSP Digital Signal Processing
DTCXO Digitally Temperature Controlled Crystal
Oscillator
FEC Forward Error Correction
FSK Frequency Shift Keying
GND Ground
HF High Frequency
HSM High Speed Modem
LED Light Emitting Diode
LQA Link Quality Analysis
LSB Lower Side Band
LSM Low Speed Modem
MCW Modulated Continuous Wave
OCXO Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator
PEP Peak Envelope Power
PLL Phase Lock Loop
PTT Push To Talk
RGC Receiver Gain Control
RSS Radio Service Software

MICOM-2E-ALE Owner’s Manual
vi
RTTY Radio Telex Teletype
SINAD Signal to Signal Noise Distortion Ratio
SSB Single Side Band
USB Upper Side Band
VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
XMIT Transmit

vii
Technical Specifications
General
Frequency Range 1.6 MHz to30MHz Tx, 100 kHz-30 MHz Rx
Number of Channels 200: User programmable; Simplex or Half
Duplex
Scanning 5 groups with up to 100 channels per group
Frequency Stability 0.6 PPM, 0.1 PPM optional
Frequency Drift (Aging) 1 PPM per year
Synthesizer Lock Time 10 msec max.
Frequency Resolution 10 Hz
Audio Bandwidths @ -6dB Voice: 350 to 2700 Hz
CW: 650 to 1150 Hz
Low speed data: 1450 to 1950 Hz
High speed data*: 350 to 3300 Hz
Operating Temperature Range -30° to +60°C
Humidity 95% @ 50°C
Operating Voltage 13.8 V DC ±20% Neg. Ground
ALE Per FED-STD 1045 and MIL-STD 188/141A
Current Drain @ 13.8 VDC
Receive Squelched 2.2A
Full Audio 3A
Transmit Voice 14A
2 Tone 23A
1 Tone 28A
Dimensions and Weights
Front
Height (mm/inch) 92/3.7
Width (mm/inch) 302/11.9
Depth (mm/inch) 270/10.7
Weight (Kg/pounds) 5.7/12.5
*Optional, for authorized users only.

MICOM-2E-ALE Owner’s Manual
viii
Trunk
Mount
Height (mm/inch) 92/3.7
Width (mm/inch) 302/11.9
Depth (mm/inch) 285/11.3
Weight (Kg/pounds) 5.9/13
Trunk
Mount
Control
Head
Height (mm/inch) 60/2.36
Width (mm/inch) 187/7.36
Depth (mm/inch) 70/2.75
Weight (Kg/pounds) 0.32/0.71
FCC Information
Emissions J3E, R3E, H3E, J2A, J2B
FCC Applicable Parts of Rules 15, 18, 90
FCC Type Acceptance Number ABZ9QCC1635
With High Stability Option ABZ9QCC1634

Technical Specifications
ix
Transmitter
Output Power 125W P.E.P. and average
Reduced Power Levels 25W, 62W, 100W (RSS programmable)
Audio Bandwidth Ripple 3 dB
Intermodulation -31 dB/P.E.P (-35 dB/P.E.P Typical. Note 1)
Harmonic Emissions -64 dB/P.E.P (-70 dB/P.E.P Typical. Note 1)
Spurious Emissions -64 dB/P.E.P (-70 dB/P.E.P Typical. Note 1)
Carrier Suppression -50 dB/P.E.P
Undesired Sideband
Suppression -55 dB/P.E.P
Audio Distortion 2.5%
1/2 Power Mic. Sensitivity 25 to 125 mV (RMS)/600 Ohms
Hum & Ripple -50 dB
Inband Noise -60 dB (30 Hz BW)
TX/RX Switching Time 10 msec
Tx Tuning Adjustments None

MICOM-2E-ALE Owner’s Manual
x
Receiver
Sensitivity (SINAD) SSB
(Voice) 0.5 µV for 10 dB SINAD (0.35 µV Typical. Note 1)
0.1 - 1.6 MHz reduced performance
1/2 Rated Power Sensitivity 1 µV for 2.5W audio @ speaker
Selectivity -6 dB @ 350 to 2700 Hz
-60 dB @ -1 kHz; +4 kHz
Image -80 dB
IF -85 dB
Undesired Sideband -55 dB @ -1 kHz
Spurious -80 dB
Intermodulation -80 dB
Cross Modulation -100 dB @ 100 kHz
Desensitization -100 dB @ 100 kHz
Reciprocal Mixing -100 dB @ 100 kHz
Audio Power @ Speaker 5W @ 2.5% distortion
RGC Range 5 µV-1V (2 dB change in output level)
RGC Time Constants
Voice
Data
Attack time 10 msec
Release time 1500 msec
Attack time 10 msec
Release time 10 msec
Squelch Constant SINAD (digital)
Clarifier Range ±200 Hz in 10 Hz steps
Receiver Tuning
Adjustments None
Preselector Sections Sub-octave (1.6 MHz to 30 MHz range)
Maximum Antenna Input 20 kV maximum transient, 100V RMS for 2 minutes

Technical Specifications
xi
Military and Industrial Standards
Vibration US MIL-STD 810C Method 514.2
US MIL-STD 810D 514.3
US MIL-STD 810E 514.4
Shock US MIL-STD 810C Method 516.2
US MIL-STD 810D 516.3
US MIL-STD 810E 516.4
Rain US MIL-STD 810C Method 506.1
US MIL-STD 810D 506.2
US MIL-STD 810E 506.3
Dust US MIL-STD 810C Method 510.1
US MIL-STD 810D 510.2
US MIL-STD 810E 510.3
Salt Fog US MIL-STD 810C Method 509.1
US MIL-STD 810D 509.2
US MIL-STD 810E 509.3
The MICOM-2E also meets the EIA-RS152B for shock, vibration and applicable test
procedures, US FCC and Canadian DOC for channel occupancy, spurious, interference and
frequency tolerance. It is manufactured according to the demanding standards of ISO 9000
and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility).
Note 1: Values noted as “Typical” are valid over 90% or more of the frequency range.

MICOM-2E-ALE Owner’s Manual
xii
(blank)

xiii
Information for Safe, Efficient Operation
Exposure to Radio Frequency Energy
In August 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
adopted updated RF energy exposure guidelines for wireless products
regulated by the FCC. Those guidelines are consistent with the safety
standards* previously set by both U.S. and international standards
bodies. The design of your Motorola two-way radio complies with the
FCC guidelines and these standards.
*American National Standards Institute (C95.1 - 1992);
*National Council on Radiation Radiation Protection and Measurements
(NCRP-1986);
*International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
(ICNRP- 1986)
To assure optimal radio performance and to insure that exposure to RF
energy is within the guidelines in the above standards, properly install
antennas externally on the vehicle, following recommended installation
procedures.
Transmit only when people inside or outside the vehicle are 1 to 3 feet
away from the properly installed, externally mounted antenna; distance
guidelines for the different power levels are summarized in the table
below:
Rated power of Distance of people from
Vehicle-Mounted Radio Transmitting antenna
15 Watts or less 1 Foot
16 to 50Watts 2 Feet
More than 50Watts 3 Feet

MICOM-2E-ALE Owner’s Manual
xiv
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres
Turn your radio OFF when in any area with a potentially
explosive atmosphere, unless it is a type especially qualified
for such use (for example, FMRC Approved). Sparks in such
areas could cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury
or even death.
Areas with potentially explosive atmospheres are often, but not always,
clearly marked. They include fuelling areas such as below deck on
boats, fuel or chemical transfer or storage facilities; areas where the air
contains chemicals or particles, such as grain, dust, or metal powders;
and any other area where you would normally be advised to turn off
your vehicle engine.
Blasting Caps and Areas
To avoid possible interference with blasting operations, turn
your radio OFF near electrical blasting caps or in a “blasting
area” or in areas posted: “Turn off two-way radio”. Obey all
signs and instructions.

Information for Safe, Efficient Operation
xv
Guidelines and Warnings
Symbols
The Warning symbol denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
procedure or practice that could result in personal injury if not
performed correctly.
The Caution symbol denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
procedure or practice that could result in damage to or
destruction of part or all of the product if not performed
correctly.
Installation Safety Warning
Consider the occupants’ safety when you choose a location for the
radio. Do not mount the radio overhead or on a side wall unless you
take special precautions.
If someone were to remove the radio and does not replace it properly,
then a road block could bump the radio loose and the falling radio, could
in some circumstances, cause serious injury to the driver or a
passenger. In a crash, even when properly installed, the radio could
break loose and become a dangerous projectile.
If you have to mount the radio overhead or on a sidewall, give it the
added protection of a retaining strap.
Operational Safety Warning
For vehicles equipped with a electronic anti-skid systems, see
“ANTI-SKID BRAKING PRECAUTIONS” publications,
Motorola No. 68P81109E34.