Super Star 3900 OLED User manual

Superstar 3900 OLED
User Manual
13/08/2023
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Table of Contents
1. Overview..........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Fr nt panel lay ut......................................................................................................................3
2. Operati n verview..........................................................................................................................4
2.1 VFO / Frequency m de..............................................................................................................4
2.1.1 Changing the pr grammable frequency step......................................................................4
2.2 Channel M de............................................................................................................................5
2.2.1 Available perating bands..................................................................................................5
2.3 Alpha channels...........................................................................................................................5
2.4 Receive Scanning.......................................................................................................................6
2.4.1 Start scanning.....................................................................................................................6
2.4.2 Scan directi n.....................................................................................................................6
2.4.3 St p scanning.....................................................................................................................6
2.4.4 Scan feature in VFO / FREQUENCY m de......................................................................6
2.4.5 Scan feature in CHANNEL m de......................................................................................6
2.5 BLEEP perati n.......................................................................................................................7
2.5.1 Operati n verview............................................................................................................7
2.5.2 Bleep Selecti n..................................................................................................................8
2.5.3 Bleeps available.................................................................................................................9
2.5.4 K-T ne adjustments...........................................................................................................9
3. Main settings..................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Accessing the main settings menu...........................................................................................10
3.2 Fine centre setting....................................................................................................................10
3.3 C arse centre setting................................................................................................................10
3.4 Frequency setting.....................................................................................................................10
3.5 Transmit ffset setting..............................................................................................................11
3.6 Clarifier m de setting..............................................................................................................11
3.7 Switch message setting............................................................................................................12
3.8 Message delay setting..............................................................................................................12
4. Other inf rmati n...........................................................................................................................12
5. Frequency table..............................................................................................................................13
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1. Overview
The Superstar 3900 OLED is a standard Superstar 3900 with a micr pr cess r c ntr lled
m dificati n b ard and replacement OLED display fitted. The riginal channel select r is
replaced with an enc der pr viding a number f benefits:
•OLED display which displays a 6 digit frequency read ut, channel and band display
•Different perating m des: VFO and channel
•Operati n fr m 25.615 MHz t 28.065 MHz in VFO m de
•Operati n fr m 26.065 MHz t 28.065 MHz in channel m de
•UK 27/81 channels 27.60125 t 27.99125 with c rrect read ut in channel m de
•TXCO giving impr ved SSB frequency stability, typically better than 5PPM drift
•Selectable 100Hz / 1kHz / 5kHz / 10 kHz / 100 kHz steps in VFO m de
•Precise c arse c ntr l all wing -5kHz / 0 / +5kHz t be set easily in channel m de
•Three r ger bleeps can be sequenced with a ch ice f 10 t nes
•Band and full frequency range scanning functi n
1.1 Front panel layout
This radi has a cust m Superstar 3900 inlay fitted as bel w:
1.1.1 Switch mapping
S-RF / SWR / CAL – As n rmal
SCAN / OFF – Switches the scan n / ff
RB / OFF – R ger bleep n / ff
VFO / CHANNEL – Selects VFO (frequency) m de r Channel m de
1.1.2 Band selector
The band select r is used in channel m de nly and pr vides 6 bands f 40 channels.
1.1. Mode selector
FM / AM / USB / LSB perates as n rmal
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2. Operation overview
Tw perating m des are p ssible, VFO (frequency) and CHANNEL which is selected by the
+10kHz switch. The selected perating m de is briefly displayed n the frequency display
when the switch is changed. The c rrect channel and band is displayed aut matically as the
frequency is changed making identificati n f the frequency simple. The current channel r
frequency is st red s f r example y u can have VFO m de n 27.555 and CHANNEL m de
n ch19 UK.
2.1 VFO (frequency) mode
VFO (frequency) m de all ws full frequency range tuning by variable steps f 100kHz t
10Hz. When VFO m de is selected the frequency step indicat r is sh wn under the currently
selected digit in the OLED.
Note: In the VFO mode the band selector and coarse tune do not operate.
2.1.1 Changing the programmable frequency step
The pr grammable frequency step can be changed by pressing the channel select r and
bserving the tuning step indicat r. This meth d is similar in perati n t the President Linc ln
MK1 radi and all ws accurate c ntr l. Frequency steps are as f ll ws:
Note that both 5kHz and 1kHz steps show the tuning step indicator below the
1kHz digit but the small indicator is slightl thicker on 5kHz!
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100kHz 10kHz 5kHz 100Hz 10Hz1kHz

2.2 Channel Mode
In channel m de, the rig perates in a traditi nal manner with 6 bands f 40 channels selectable
by the band select r and tuning with the fine and c arse c ntr l. In this m de the frequency
step indicat r is n t sh wn as per the image bel w:
2.2.1 Available operating bands
In channel m de, 6 bands are selectable including the UK 27/81 band with c rrect channel and
frequency read ut.
Band Switch Label Band Start Frequency End Frequency
SL Super L w 26.065 MHz 26.505 MHz
LOW L w band 26.515 MHz 26.955 MHz
MID FCC 26.965 MHz 27.405 MHz
HI High band 27.415 MHz 27.855 MHz
SH Super High 27.865 MHz 28.305 MHz
UK UK FM 27/81 27.60125 MHz 27.99125 MHz
2. Alpha channels
Alpha channels are inserted aut matically in-between n rmal channels as y u turn the channel
select r as per the list bel w:
... 3 → 3A → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 7A → 8 → 9 → 10 →
11 → 11A → 12 → 13 → 14 → 15 → 15A → 16 → 17 → 18 → 19 → 19A → 20 ...
Alpha channels can be identified by the small A t the right f the channel number as in the
example bel w:
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2.4 Receive Scanning
The scan feature all ws y u t l cate active frequencies in either current band segment r
acr ss the full frequency range.
2.4.1 Start scanning
T begin scanning, sl wly turn up the squelch c ntr l cl ckwise until the backgr und n ise
disappears. Next slide the SCAN switch up t start the scan perati n.
2.4.2 Scan direction
Scanning starts in the up directi n when activated h wever m ving the channel select r c unter
cl ckwise will change the scan directi n t d wn.
2.4. Stop scanning
T st p scanning, slide the SCAN switch d wn t the OFF p siti n. Note that pressing
transmit will temporaril stop the scan function until ou release the transmit switch
however scan will resume on receive if there is no signal.
2.4.4 Scan feature in VFO mode
In the VFO m de, the scan functi n will c ver the entire frequency range that the rig supp rts.
The scan step is based n the currently selected ‘frequency step’ which can be fr m 100Hz t
100kHz.
As an example, if y u have selected 5kHz step and start the scan n 27.555MHz, the scan will
increase the frequency by 5kHz each step until interrupted by a signal s the frequency will be:
27.555 → 27.560 → 27.565 → 27.570 → 27.575 → 27.580 ....
Selecting a 5kHz step is a g d way t find activity n the zer ’s (f r example 27.500).
2.4.5 Scan feature in CHANNEL mode
In channel m de, the scan functi n will be limited t the currently selected band. The scan step
is channel based rather than frequency.
F r example, if y u are n FCC / MID band, starting scan n channel 15 will step:
15A → 16 → 17 → 18 → 19 → 19A → 20 .…
And at channel 40 it will l p back t channel 1:
38 → 39 → 40 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 3A → 4 ....
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2.5 BLEEP operation
The r ger bleep is enabled by sliding the BLEEP switch t the UP p siti n. There are 3 bleep
‘sl ts’ that can be set t any available bleep which all ws the sequencing f up t 3 r ger bleeps
ne after an ther.
2.5.1 Operation overview
When the PTT butt n is released, the pr cess r will check t see if the bleep switch is n and if
s will check each bleep ‘sl t’ fr m 1 t 3 and play if selected in that rder.
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PTT RELASED
BEEP
SWITCHED
ON
SLOT 2
VALUE > 0
NO
YES
NO
PLAY BLEEP
IN SLOT 1
PLAY BLEEP
IN SLOT 2
SLOT 3
VALUE > 0
PLAY BLEEP
IN SLOT 3
YES
YES
NO
TRANSMIT RELEASED

2.5.2 Bleep Selection
Selecting which bleeps are enabled is d ne within the quick settings menu.
T enter the menu, press and h ld the channel select r f r ar und 3 sec nds. Once the display
changes y u can release the c ntr l.
The initial screen will display bleep sl t 1, in this case the C bra bleep is selected:
Turn the channel select r / enc der t the sl t y u want t change.
Menu Bleep sl t Order
BLEEP 1 Sl t 1 First
BLEEP 2 Sl t 2 Sec nd
BLEEP 3 Sl t 3 Third
After selecting the BLEEP sl t y u wish t change, press and release the channel select r
m mentarily. ADJUST is sh wn in the display:
Select the bleep required by r tating the channel select r then press and release the channel
select r t save the setting.
Note:
It is not possible to select NONE for BLEEP 1 since it is switched off using the bleep switch
T exit the quick settings menu, press and h ld the channel select r f r ar und 3 sec nds.
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PRESS AND HOLD
CHANNEL SELECTOR
RELEASE CHANNEL
SELECTOR

2.5. Bleeps available
Bleep available
N ne
C bra 148
Sadelta Ech Master Plus
K-T ne (adjustable)
Ham Internati nal
President Linc ln
P peye
Cl se Enc unters
Dixie
That’s it
Jingle Bells
2.5.4 K-Tone adjustments
The k-t ne bleep can be adjusted t suit the perat rs preference. B th frequency (pitch) and
time (speed) can be adjusted t replicate the s und f k-t ne bleeps f the past.
Altering the K-T ne bleep is d ne within the quick settings menu.
T enter the menu, press and h ld the channel select r f r ar und 3 sec nds. Once the display
changes y u can release the c ntr l.
Turn the channel select r / enc der t functi n y u want t change.
Menu
K-TONE FREQ
K-TONE TIME
Press and release the channel select r. The last decimal p int in the frequency display will light
and y u can adjust the value by r tating the channel select r with the current value sh wn in
the frequency display. Once y u are happy with the value, press the channel select r t save the
setting.
T exit the quick settings menu, press and h ld the channel select r f r ar und 3 sec nds.
Again nce the display blanks y u can release the c ntr l.
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. Main settings
The main settings menu all ws y u t change perating parameters f the pr cess r b ard.
These settings are intended to be accessed infrequentl . If y u intend altering these settings
be sure t write d wn the current values as it is p ssible t create pr blems if the settings are
changed with ut having at least a sec nd g d radi t check.
.1 Accessing the main settings menu
T enter the main settings menu y u need t f ll w the steps bel w.
•Switch ff the Superstar 3900 OLED if already n
•Turn n the Superstar 3900 OLED while pressing channel select r
•Wait until the p wer up text is displayed
•nce the display sh ws MAIN SETTINGS, release the channel select r
•Settings menu sh uld be entered
.2 Fine centre setting
This setting all ws the centring f the fine c ntr l
•Turn channel select r t FINE CENTER menu item
•Adjust the fine tune butt n t dead centre
•Press the channel select r butt n nce t save the alignment
. Coarse centre setting
This setting all ws the centring f the c arse c ntr l
•Turn channel select r t COARSE CENTER menu item
•Adjust the c arse tune butt n t dead centre
•Press the channel select r butt n nce t save the alignment
.4 Frequency setting
This menu all ws y u t set the frequency alignment f the pr cess r b ard.
Frequency adjustment can be d ne against a frequency c unter (best) r an ther radi (w rst).
Its als suggested that the adjustment is d ne when the rig has been n f r 20min under n rmal
temperature c nditi ns. It is rec mmended the radi has had the internal 10.695MHz scillat r
calibrated in advance.
With a frequency c unter:
•C nnect the frequency c unter pr be t TP3
•Turn channel select r t REF FREQUENCY menu item
•Press the channel select r, ADJUST is sh wn
•Set the m de t USB
•Adjust the fine and c arse c ntr ls t read 16.8625MHz n the frequency c unter
•Press the channel select r butt n nce, the alignment will be saved and the ADJUST text
will be blanked
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Note: The 10.695MHz carrier oscillator should also be aligned.
With ut a frequency c unter:
•Put y ur HF radi n 27.555 USB
•Turn channel select r t REF FREQUENCY menu item
•Press the channel select r, ADJUST is sh wn
•Set the m de t USB
•Transmit and talk n the HF radi then adjust the fine and c arse c ntr ls t get the best
s unding v ice, each time y u adjust there will be s me n ise which is n rmal
•Once happy with the v ice pitch, press the channel select r butt n and the alignment will be
saved
.5 Transmit offset setting
On s me chassis there is unav idable frequency m vement when transmit is pressed which is
caused by the 10.695MHz carrier scillat r. This can be c mpensated f r by the TX OFFSET
setting. This setting is n rmally in the range -60 t +60.
With a frequency c unter:
•C nnect the frequency c unter t the radi RF utput
•Turn channel select r t TX OFFSET menu item
•Press the channel select r, ADJUST is sh wn
•Set the m de t AM
•Turn d wn the mike gain
•Press and h ld transmit butt n n the micr ph ne
•Adjust the fine c ntr l t read 27.555MHz n the frequency c unter
•Release the transmit butt n n the micr ph ne
•Press the channel select r butt n and the alignment will be saved
With ut a frequency c unter:
•Put y ur HF radi n 27.555 USB
•Turn channel select r t TX OFFSET menu item
•Press the channel select r, ADJUST is sh wn
•Set the m de t USB
•Transmit n the Superstar 3900 OLED and adjust the fine c ntr l t get the best s unding
v ice n the HF radi
•Once happy with the v ice s und, press the channel select r butt n and the alignment will
be saved
.6 Clarifier mode setting
There are tw pti ns, clarifier n RX nly (l cked) r b th RX+TX (unl cked).
•Turn channel select r t CLARIFIER MODE menu item
•Press the channel select r t t ggle between pti ns
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.7 Switch message setting
When switch p siti ns are changed, there is an pti n t display a message n the display
which can be turned n r ff.
•Turn channel select r t SWITCH MESSAGE menu item
•There are tw pti ns, OFF and ON
•Press the channel select r t t ggle the pti n value and save desired setting
.8 Message delay setting
This menu all ws y u t adjust the length f time messages are displayed when switch
p siti ns are changed.
•Turn channel select r t MESSAGE DELAY menu item
•Press the channel select r, ADJUST is sh wn
•Turn the channel select r t select the required display time in millisec nds as sh wn n the
frequency display
•Press the channel select r t save the desired setting
4. Other information
Values are n ted bel w f r when the radi was c nverted f r reference:
Radi serial number: 21208 C nversi n date : 07/2023 SW Ver: 26062023
Menu number Setting Value
3 Frequency -117
4 Transmit ffset 0
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5. Frequency table
Channel
ANT FREQUENCY (MHz)
SL LOW MID HI SH UK 27/ 1
1 26.065 26.515 26.965 27.415 27. 65 27.60125
2 26.075 26.525 26.975 27.425 27. 75 27.61125
3 26.0 5 26.535 26.9 5 27.435 27. 5 27.62125
3A 26.095 26.545 26.995 27.445 27. 95
4 26.105 26.555 27.005 27.455 27.905 27.63125
5 26.115 26.565 27.015 27.465 27.915 27.64125
6 26.125 26.575 27.025 27.475 27.925 27.65125
7 26.135 26.5 5 27.035 27.4 5 27.935 27.66125
7A 26.145 26.595 27.045 27.495 27.945
26.155 26.605 27.055 27.505 27.955 27.67125
9 26.165 26.615 27.065 27.515 27.965 27.6 125
10 26.175 26.625 27.075 27.525 27.975 27.69125
11 26.1 5 26.635 27.0 5 27.535 27.9 5 27.70125
11A 26.195 26.645 27.095 27.545 27.995
12 26.205 26.655 27.105 27.555 2 .005 27.71125
13 26.215 26.665 27.115 27.565 2 .015 27.72125
14 26.225 26.675 27.125 27.575 2 .025 27.73125
15 26.235 26.6 5 27.135 27.5 5 2 .035 27.74125
15A 26.145 26.695 27.145 27.595 27.045
16 26.255 26.705 27.155 27.605 2 .055 27.75125
17 26.265 26.715 27.165 27.615 2 .065 27.76125
1 26.275 26.725 27.175 27.625 2 .075 27.77125
19 26.2 5 26.735 27.1 5 27.635 2 .0 5 27.7 125
19A 26.295 26.745 27.195 27.645 2 .095
20 26.305 26.755 27.205 27.655 2 .105 27.79125
21 26.315 26.765 27.215 27.665 2 .115 27. 0125
22 26.325 26.775 27.225 27.675 2 .125 27. 1125
23 26.355 26. 05 27.255 27.705 2 .155 27. 2125
24 26.335 26.7 5 27.235 27.6 5 2 .135 27. 3125
25 26.345 26.795 27.245 27.695 2 .145 27. 4125
26 26.365 26. 15 27.265 27.715 2 .165 27. 5125
27 26.375 26. 25 27.275 27.725 2 .175 27. 6125
2 26.3 5 26. 35 27.2 5 27.735 2 .1 5 27. 7125
29 26.395 26. 45 27.295 27.745 2 .195 27. 125
30 26.405 26. 55 27.305 27.755 2 .205 27. 9125
31 26.415 26. 65 27.315 27.765 2 .215 27.90125
32 26.425 26. 75 27.325 27.775 2 .225 27.91125
33 26.435 26. 5 27.335 27.7 5 2 .235 27.92125
34 26.445 26. 95 27.345 27.795 2 .245 27.93125
35 26.455 26.905 27.355 27. 05 2 .255 27.94125
36 26.465 26.915 27.365 27. 15 2 .265 27.95125
37 26.475 26.925 27.375 27. 25 2 .275 27.96125
3 26.4 5 26.935 27.3 5 27. 35 2 .2 5 27.97125
39 26.495 26.945 27.395 27. 45 2 .295 27.9 125
40 26.505 26.955 27.405 27. 55 2 .305 27.99125
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