Ranger SS-3900EGHP User manual

SS-3900EGHP
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER 1
SPECIFICATIONS
1.0 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1 Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
CHAPTER 2
OPERATION
2.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Control & Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.1 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1.2 Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.1 Procedure To Receive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.2 Procedure To Transmit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.4 Alternate Microphones And Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CHAPTER 3
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
3.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1 PLL Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2 Receiver Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.3 Transmitter Modulation Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4 Transmitter Amplifier Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
CHAPTER 4
ALIGNMENT
4.0 Required Test Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1 Alignment Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.1 PLL Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.2 Transmitter Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.3 Receiver Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CHAPTER 5
MAINTENANCE
5.0 Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.1 Periodic Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.2 Fuse Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHAPTER 6
DIAGRAMS AND PART LIST
6.0 PCB Layout & Part List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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SS-3900EGHP
CHAPTER 1
SPECIFICATIONS
1.0 GENERAL
Model SS-3900EGHP
Frequency Range 10 Meter: 28.015 ~ 28.465MHz
Emission Modes AM(A3)/FM(F3)/LSB,USB(A3J)/CW(A1)
Frequency Control Phase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer
Frequency Tolerance ±0.005 %
Frequency Stability ±0.001 %
Operating Temperature Range -30°C to +50°C
Microphone Plug-in (4 pin), Dynamic PTT, 500 Ω
Meter Function Meter shows relative signal strength, RF output power
and SWR level.
Input Voltage 13.8V DC nominal ±15%
Transmit Current Drain: AM Full Mod. < 5A
Receive Current Drain: Squelched
Max. Audio Output
< 0.6A
< 1.2A
Antenna Connector UHF, SO239
Dimensions 7-7/8”(W) x 10-3/4”(D) x 2-3/8”(H)
Weight 5 lb.
1.1 TRANSMITTER
RF Power Output AM/FM/CW: 9W RMS ; SSB: 25W PEP
RF Transmit Modes AM/FM/SSB/CW
Modulation A3E/16F3/J3E/A1A
Harmonics And Spurious Emissions > -50 dB
Carrier Suppression > -35 dB
Audio Frequency Response 300 to 2500 Hz
Antenna Impedance 50 Ohms
1.2 RECEIVER
Sensitivity AM: < 1.0 µV For 10dB S+N/N
FM: < 0.5 µV For 12dB S+N/N
SSB/CW: < 0.5 µV For 10dB S+N/N
Intermediate Frequency 10.695 MHz (AM-1st, SSB), 455 KHz (AM-2nd)
Image Rejection > 50 dB
Adjacent Channel Selectivity > 60 dB
RF Gain Control 45 dB adjustable for optimum signal reception
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) Figure Of Merit >70 dB for 50 mV for 10 dB Change in Audio Output
Squelch Adjustable; threshold less than 0.5 µV
Noise Blanker RF type
Audio Output Power 2.5W @ 10% THD
Audio Frequency Response 300 to 2500 Hz
Built-in Speaker 8 Ohms, 4 Watts
External Speaker (Not Supplied) 8 Ohms, 4 Watts
(SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE)

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SS-3900EGHP
CHAPTER 2
OPERATION
Figure 2-1 Front Panel
2.0 INTRODUCTION
This section explains the basic operating procedures for the SS-3900EGHP Amateur 10 meter mobile
transceiver.
2.1 CONTROL AND CONNECTIONS
2.1.1 FRONT PANEL
Refer to the above Figure 2-1 for the location of the following controls.
1. ON/OFF VOLUME CONTROL
This knob controls the volume and power to the radio. To turn radio on, rotate the knob clockwise.
Turning the knob further will increase the volume of the receiver.
2. SQUELCH CONTROL
This knob is used to eliminate background noise being heard through the receiver, which can be
disturbing when no transmissions are being heard through the receiver. To use this feature, turn the
knob fully counterclockwise and then turn clockwise slowly until the background noise is just
eliminated. Further clockwise rotation will increase the threshold level which a signal must overcome
in order to be heard. Only strong signals will be heard at a maximum clockwise setting.
3. MIC GAIN CONTROL
Adjusts the microphone gain in the transmit modes. This controls the gain to the extent that full talk
power is available several inches away from the microphone.
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4. RF GAIN CONTROL
This control is used to reduce the gain of the RF amplifier under strong signal conditions.
5. ECHO/TIME CONTROL
This control is used to control the echo effects.
6. BAND SELECTOR
This switch is used to select the band.
7. MODE SWITCH
This switch allows you to select one of following operating modes: CW/FM/AM/LSB/USB.
8. COARSE/FINE CONTROL
Allows tuning of the receive or transmit frequency above or below the channel frequency. Although
this control is intended primarily to tune in SSB/CW signals, it may be used to optimize AM/FM
signals as described in the Operating Procedure paragraphs. Coarse operates both TX/RX but Fine only
in RX.
9. CHANNEL SELECTOR
This control is used to select the desired transmit and receive channel.
10. FRONT PANEL METER
The front panel meter allows the user to monitor signal strength, RF output power and SWR level.
11. RF POWER H/M/L SWITCH
This switch allows the user to select HI, MID or LO RF power output.
12. NB-ANL/OFF SWITCH
When the switch is place in the NB/ANL position, the Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL) in the audio
circuits and the RF Noise Blanker (NB) is also activated. The RF Noise Blanker is very effective in
eliminating repetitive impulse noise such as ignition interference.
13. S-RF/SWR SWITCH
In the S-RF position, the meter swings proportionally to the strength of the received signal. When
transmitting, the meter indicates relative RF output power. When in the SWR position, the Standing
Wave Ratio (SWR) of your antenna. There are no adjustment because the SWR circuit in this radio
calibrates itself automatically.
14. TALKBACK (TB) SWITCH
This switch is used to monitor the sound feedback effects.
15. RX/TX LED
The red LED indicates the unit is in the transmit mode. The green LED indicates the unit is in the
receive mode.
16. CHANNEL DISPLAY
The channel display indicates the current selected channel.
2.1.2 REAR PANEL

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Figure 2-2 represents the location of the following connections:
Figure 2-2 Rear Panel
1. ANTENNA
This jack accepts a 50 ohms coaxial cable with a PL-259 style plug.
2. POWER
This accepts 13.8 VDC power cable with built-in fuse. The power cord provided with the radio has a
black and red wire. The black goes to negative and the red goes to positive.
3. F.C.
This connector is used for an external frequency counter which indicates the frequency of the selected
channel.
4. CW KEY
The CW key is used for Morse Code operation. To operate this mode, connect a CW key to this jack,
and place the MODE switch in the CW position.
5. EXTERNAL SPEAKER
This jack accepts a 4 - 8 ohm, 5watt external speaker. When the external speaker is connected to this
jack, the built-in speaker will be disabled.
2.2 MICROPHONE
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 
 


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The receiver and transmitter are controlled by the push-to-talk switch on the microphone. Press the
switch and the transmitter is activated, release switch to receive. When transmitting, hold the
microphone two inches from your mouth and speak clearly in a normal voice. This transceiver comes
complete with a low impedance dynamic microphone.
2.3 OPERATION
2.3.1 PROCEDURE TO RECEIVE
1. Be sure that power source, microphone and antenna are connected to the proper connectors before
going to the next step.
2. Turn unit on by turning the VOL knob clockwise.
3. Set the VOL to a comfortable listening level.
4. Set the MODE switch to the desired mode.
5. Listen to the background noise from the speaker. Turn the SQ knob slowly clockwise until the
noise just disappears. The SQ is now properly adjusted. The receiver will remain quiet until a signal
is actually received. Do not advance the control too far or some of weaker signals will not be heard.
6. Set the CHANNEL selector switch to the desired channel.
7. Set the RF GAIN control fully clockwise for maximum RF gain.
8. Adjust the COARSE/FINE control to clarify the SSB signals or to optimize AM/FM signals.
2.3.2 PROCEDURE TO TRANSMIT
1. Select the desired channel of transmission
2. Set the MIC GAIN control fully clockwise.
3. If the channel is clear, depress the push-to-talk switch on the microphone and speak in a normal
voice.
2.4 ALTERNATE MICROPHONES AND INSTALLATION

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For best results, the user should select a low-impedance dynamic type microphone or a transistorized
microphone. Transistorized type microphones have low output impedance characteristics. The
microphones must be provided with a four-lead cable. The audio conductor and its shielded lead
comprise two of the leads. The third lead is for transmit control and fourth is for receiving control. The
microphone should provide the functions shown in the schematic below (Figure 2-3).
4 WIRE MIC CABLE
Pin Number Mic Cable Lead
1 Audio Shield
2 Audio Lead
3 Transmit Control
4 Receive Control
Figure 2-3 Your Transceiver Microphone Schematic
Figure 2-4 Microphone plug pins numbers viewed from rear of pin receptacle.
CHAPTER 3
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SS-3900EGHP
CIRCUIT
DESCRIPTION
3.0 INTRODUCTION
This section explains the technical theory of operation for the SS-3900EGHP Amateur 10 meter mobile
transceiver.
3.1 PLL CIRCUIT
The Phase Lock Loop (PLL) circuit is responsible for developing the receiver’s first local oscillator
signal and the transmitter’s exciter signal. The PLL circuit consists primarily of IC5, IC10, TR24,
TR25 and TR26. The PLL circuit is programmed by the rotary channel switch GPS-0501. The GPS-
0501 communicates the correct binary data information to the programmable divider inside of IC5. IC5
then controls the VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) to oscillate on the correct frequency. This signal
is fed either into the receiver’s first mixer (for receive operation) or the transmitter’s mixer (for
transmit operation).
3.2 RECEIVER CIRCUIT
The incoming RF signal comes into the radio via the antenna and into the front-end pre-amp, TR17.
The RF signal is fed into the mosfet mixer circuit of TR18 and then into the AM/FM/SSB IF section of
the receiver (depending on the mode of operation). The signal is then detected by either the AM/FM
detector or product detector and then fed to the audio amplifier section of the receiver and finally out to
the speaker.
3.3 TRANSMITTER MODULATION CIRCUIT
(i) The transmitter modulation circuit modulates the low-level RF signal from the PLL exciter circuit
with the user’s audio voice signal from the microphone. The audio from the microphone is then
amplified and fed into the transmit amplifier circuit.
(ii) If the transceiver is in the AM mode, the AF Power amplifier modulates the last RF amplifier,
which produces a true amplitude modulated RF signal.
(iii) If the transceiver is in the FM mode, the audio signal is not mixed with 10.6975MHz oscillator but
instead phase modulates the basic exciter signal from the PLL circuit in the TX mixer.
(iv) If the transceiver is in the SSB mode, the audio signal is mixed with the 10.6975MHz oscillator
for LSB and 10.6925MHz for USB in IC3.
3.4 TRANSMITTER AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT
The transmitter takes the basic exciter signal from the TX mixer and amplifies it through a series of
amplifiers consisting of TR46, TR45, TR44, TR43 and TR56 where it is then sent out to the antenna
connector.

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

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CHAPTER 4
ALIGNMENT