Q-Mac HF-90 How to use

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
Q-MAC Electronics Pty Ltd
Western Australia
Represented by:

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
No part of this manual may be copied, transcribed,
translated or reproduced in any manner or form whatsoever,
for commercial purposes, without obtaining prior written
permission from Q-MAC Electronics Pty Ltd. However,
limited copying is permitted for private use providing
authorship is acknowledged.
© Copyright of Q-MAC Electronics Pty Ltd.
Print date: May 2000
Literature Reference Number: GUIDE06.PUB
Q-MAC Electronics
HEAD OFFICE:
PO Box 1334, Osborne Park Business Centre, Western Australia 6916
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]m Website: http://www.qmac.com

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
N O T E S
70
Notes
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Introduction
1.1 About this Guide ......................................................1
1.2 Glossary of terms .....................................................2
Understanding HF/SSB
2.1 What is HF/SSB? .....................................................3
2.2 How does HF/SSB work? ........................................4
2.3 Factors which affect HF/SSB communications........7
Speaking on air
3.1 How to make a voice call .........................................9
3.2 Radio alphabet........................................................11
Overview of the HF-90
4.1 HF-90 Versions and Models ..................................12
4.2 Operating the HF-90 ..............................................14
Standard functions
5.1 ON/OFF switch ......................................................16
5.2 Volume control knob..............................................18
5.3 Channel up/down scroll keys .................................19
5.4 Clarifier up/down scroll keys .................................21
5.5 Alarm key...............................................................23
5.6 USB/LSB mode selection key................................25
5.7 Tune key.................................................................27
5.8 LED display ...........................................................28
5.9 Erase function.........................................................29
5.10 Press to talk (PTT) switch ......................................30
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
Advanced functions
6.1 Selcall ....................................................................31
6.2 Telcall ....................................................................35
6.3 Beacon ................................................................... 40
6.4 Selcall Scan............................................................42
6.5 Selcall Mute ........................................................... 43
6.6 Advanced functions summary................................44
Compatible products
7.1 TA-90 autotune system .......................................... 46
7.2 Avionics interface .................................................. 47
Installation
8.1 Manpack and portable systems .............................. 48
8.2 Vehicle systems .....................................................51
8.3 Base station systems ..............................................54
External connectors...............................................57
Accessories ............................................................59
Further reading.......................................................60
ADDENDUM - FIELD PROGRAMMING GUIDE
1.1 Introduction............................................................ 62
1.2 Programming of global settings .............................64
1.3 Programming of channel settings...........................66
1.4 Field programming summary.................................69
Notes .......................................................................70
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Section 11
Addendum
Notes
Field programming summary
Global settings Channel settings
Selcall ID
(4 digits)
Select channel number
(Channel 1- 255)
Power output
(HI P or LO P)
Receive frequency
(6 digits - down to 100Hz)
Auto-tune setting
(TUNEON or TUNEOF)
Transmit frequency
(6 digits - down to 100Hz)
Selcall setting
(SEL ON or SEL OFF)
Scan setting
(SCANON or SCANOF)
Mode setting
(USB or LSB)
69
Addendum 1.4

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
68
Addendum 1.3
This display shows that USB mode
(sideband) has been enabled on the given
channel.
Press the ZERO (0) key to toggle between mode settings and
then press the STAR (*) key to save and loopback to the
start, or press the HASH (#) key to save and exit.
Do not program more than 8 channels as scan channels (6 is
ideal), otherwise you will experience problems receiving Selcalls,
due to the time it will take to scan around all channels.
Once you have pressed the STAR (*) key to save the Scan
setting, the display will show your channel mode setting.
For example:-
Warning:
At this point the display will show your channel Scan
setting. For example:-
This display shows that Scan has been
enabled on the given channel.
Press the ZERO (0) key to toggle between Scan settings and
then press the STAR (*) key to save.
1
1 . I N T R O D U C T I O N
About this Guide
The main purpose of this guide is to provide you, the HF-90
user, with all the information you require to ensure optimum
performance from your HF-90 radio.
The Guide explains in detail how to operate the HF-90 once
it has been programmed by an authorised Q-MAC
Representative. It also contains an Addendum concerning
Field Programming, which is relevant only to international
users (outside of Australia) who are licensed to program
their own operating frequencies.
The Guide also covers basic principals of installation by
way of check-lists. It does not give comprehensive
instructions on how to install the HF-90. We recommend
that the installation of your HF-90 be carried out by a
qualified Q-MAC Representative.
Section 1.1

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
Glossary of terms
ATU Antenna Tuning Unit
BITE Built In Test Equipment
CB Citizen Band
DTMF Dual Tone Multi Frequency (touch-pad)
HF High Frequency
Hz Hertz (measure of frequency)
ID Identification
kHz Kilohertz (measure of frequency)
LSB Lower Sideband
MHz Megahertz (measure of frequency)
PSU Power Supply Unit
PTT Press To Talk
RFDS Royal Flying Doctor Service
Selcall Selective Call
SSB Single Sideband
Telcall Selective Call with Telephone Call facility
USB Upper Sideband
2
Section 1.2
This display shows that frequency 3740 kHz
has been entered.
Once the receive frequency has been entered, and the STAR
(*) key pressed, your display will now appear as follows:-
This display shows that you are ready to
view/edit the transmit frequency.
The display above will disappear as soon as you release the
STAR (*) key. At this point the display will appear with a
transmit frequency which is the same as the receive
frequency (in kHz), unless the channel has previously been
programmed for split frequency use. The transmit
frequency displayed can be accepted by pressing the STAR
(*) key, or modified by entering the six digit frequency and
pressing the STAR (*) key to save and proceed.
Transmit can be inhibited on any channel by pressing the
ZERO (0) key twice followed by the STAR (*) key, thus
selecting frequency “00000.0”.
Once the transmit frequency is selected and saved, the
display will show your channel Selcall setting. For
example:-
67
Addendum 1.3
This display shows that Selcall has been
enabled on the given channel.
Press the ZERO (0) key to toggle between Selcall settings
and then press the STAR (*) key to save.

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
Programming of channel settings
To enter channel settings press down the STAR (*) key on
your DTMF keypad. Your display will appear as follows:-
This display shows that you have entered
into channel settings.
First select the channel number you wish to program using
the CHAN keys on the front panel of the HF-90 (you have a
choice of Channel 1 - 255) and then press the STAR (*) key
on the DTMF keypad to save and proceed. Your display
will appear as follows:-
This display shows that you are ready to
view/edit the receive frequency.
The display above will disappear as soon as you release the
STAR (*) key. At this point the display will show your
current receive frequency (in kHz). Note that if no receive
frequency has been programmed into the selected channel,
your display will appear as follows:-
This display shows that the channel selected
has not been pre-programmed.
At this point, enter the new six digit frequency using the
numeric keys on your DTMF keypad and then press the
STAR (*) key to save. The frequency entered must
comprise six digits (down to 100Hz). For example:-
66
Addendum 1.3
2 . U N D E R S T A N D I N G H F / S S B
What is HF/SSB?
HF (High Frequency) is the section of the radio spectrum
between 1.6 and 30 MHz. SSB (Single Sideband) is a form
of radio modulation. HF/SSB combines the characteristics
of HF frequencies with SSB modulation to provide very
efficient, flexible and inexpensive communications.
HF/SSB will enable short, medium and long range
communications over flat, hilly or mountainous terrain -
without the need for expensive re-transmission devices, such
as the repeaters used in VHF (Very High Frequency)
communications. Also, unlike satellite communications,
there is no dependence on a service provider with all the
associated ongoing costs.
In many remote areas around the globe, and in certain
conditions, HF/SSB is the only form of communication
possible.
3
Section 2.1

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
How does HF/SSB work?
When HF/SSB radio waves are generated there are usually
two components:-
 The ground-wave, which travels directly from the
transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna
following the contours of the earth, and ...
 The sky-wave, which travels upward and at an angle
from the transmitting antenna, until it reaches the
ionosphere (an ionised layer high above the earth’s
surface) and is refracted back down to earth, to the
receiving antenna.
Generally speaking, ground-wave is used to communicate
over shorter distances (in most cases less than 50km).
However, because ground-wave follows the contours of the
earth, it is affected by the type of terrain it passes over. For
example, ground-wave is rapidly attenuated (reduced) when
it passes over hilly or mountainous terrain.
Sky-wave is used to communicate over medium range and
longer distances (up to 3,000km and beyond in good
conditions). Because of the nature of sky-wave propagation,
it is not affected by the type of terrain it passes over. This
means that communications can be achieved over medium
and long distances in mountainous areas, using HF/SSB sky-
wave. However, sky-wave propagation is affected
significantly by other factors as outlined in Section 2.3 of
this Guide.
Ground-wave and sky-wave examples are illustrated on the
following page.
4
Section 2.2
Press the ZERO (0) key to toggle between power output
settings and then press the STAR (*) key to save. At this
point the display will show your current auto-tune setting.
For example:-
Press the ZERO (0) key to toggle between auto-tune settings
and then press the STAR (*) key to save and loopback to the
start, or press the HASH (#) key to save and exit.
This display shows that the auto-tune
function is disabled (tune off).
65
Addendum 1.2

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
Programming of global settings
To enter global settings press down the HASH (#) key on
your DTMF keypad. Your display will appear as follows:-
The display above will disappear as soon as you release the
HASH (#) key. At this point the display will show the
message “SEL Id” briefly, followed by your current four
digit Selcall ID. For example:-
This display shows that you have entered
into global settings.
You may now enter your new four digit Selcall ID, using the
numeric keys on your DTMF keypad, and then press the
STAR (*) key to save. Your display will appear as follows:-
The display above will disappear as soon as you release the
STAR (*) key. At this point the display will show your
current power output setting. For example:-
This display shows your current Selcall ID.
This display shows that your new Selcall ID
has been entered.
This display shows that your current power
output is set to high power (hi power).
64
Addendum 1.2
A
Not to scale
20 km 2,000 km800 km
DCB
The following illustrations show the characteristics of
ground-wave and sky-wave propagation during the day time
and night time. Each illustration clearly shows the level of
the ionosphere.
In both illustrations Station A communicates with Stations
B, C and D. Propagation from Station A to B is via ground-
wave. You will notice how the time of day, and level of the
ionosphere, does not affect ground-wave.
Propagation from Station A to C and D is via sky-wave.
You will notice how the time of day, and level of the
ionosphere, affects sky-wave.
Under each diagram there are recommended working
frequencies listed. Please note that these will vary according
to time of year and other factors. They are intended only as
a guide and are subject to change.
5
Section 2.2
Ionosphere
A to B - Recommended working frequency is 3 MHz
A to C - Recommended working frequency is 7 - 9 MHz
A to D - Recommended working frequency is 13 - 16 MHz
DAY TIME:
Sun is higher
Ionosphere is
higher
Optimum
working
frequency is
higher
Radio propagation illustrated

HF-90 Operation & Installation Guide
Not to scale
D
CB
A
2,000 km800 km20 km
Ionosphere
A to B - Recommended working frequency is 3 MHz
A to C - Recommended working frequency is 5 to 7 MHz
A to D - Recommended working frequency is 9 to 12 MHz
NIGHT TIME:
Sun is lower
Ionosphere is
lower
Optimum
working
frequency is
lower
6
Section 2.2
Field programming function keys
Standard function keys for field programming are as
follows:-
Enter global settings OR Save and exit.
Enter channel settings OR Save and proceed.
Toggle between options.
Note that, by pressing down the PTT switch on your
microphone, you can abort the programming function.
Exiting field programming mode
To exit the field programming mode, simply press the
HASH (#) key on your DTMF keypad. Your display should
appear as follows:-
Whenever exiting or aborting the field programming mode,
your HF-90 will reset and then proceed through the power-
on sequence (refer to Section 5.1 of this Guide).
You may only exit field programming mode after certain settings
have been programmed. Details are as follows:-
 You can exit from global settings at any time, once the
Selcall ID has been entered (refer to Addendum 1.2 in
this Guide).
 You can exit from channel settings at any time, once the
receive and transmit frequencies have been entered and
saved (refer to Addendum 1.3 in this Guide).
This display shows that you have exited
from the field programming mode.
Special Note:
63
Addendum 1.1