Technisonic Industries Limited TFM-403 Manual

TFM-403 OPERATOR’S
UHF Airborne Transceiver GUIDE
___________________________________________________________________

WARRANTY INFORMATION
The Model TFM-403, Transceiver is under w arranty for one year f rom date of purchase. Failed
units caused by defective part s, or w orkmanship should be returned to:
Technisonic Industries Limited Technisonic Industries Limited
250 Watline Avenue 3840 E. Robinson Road, Suite 214
Mississauga, Amherst,
Ontario L4Z 1P4 New York 14228
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]
US FCC Type Acceptance Data
FCC Identifier IMATFM-403
Industry Canada Type Approval
Certification No. 120195114
TFM-403 OPERATOR’S GUIDE
SOFTWARE VERSION: H7 (S/N’s J0200 and up)

The TFM-403, UHF/FM Transceiver is a frequency agile, fully synt hesized airborne transceiver capable
of operating in the 403.000 MHz to 512.000 MHz frequency range in 2.5 kHz increments w ith either
25 kHz or 12.5 kHz channel spacing. The Transceiver can operate w ithout restriction on any split
frequency pair in the band and also incorporates a tw o channel synthesized guard receiver.
The TFM-403 Transceiver provides 120 operator accessible memory posit ions, each of w hich is capable
of storing a transmit frequency, receive frequency, (in the TFM-403 s/n J0200 and up only) w ideband
(25 KHz) or narrow band (12.5 Khz) channel spacing assignment, transmit frequency CTCSS tone or DPL
code, receive frequency CTCSS tone or DPL code and an alphanumeric identifier for each channel.
Operating frequency and ot her related data are presented on a 48 character, tw o line LED matrix
display. Data entry and function control are performed via a 12 button keypad. Preset channels may also
be scrolled and scanned through keypad function activation. Data may also be entered via an MS-DOS
based computer w ith the provided softw are and optional PC dow nload cable, P/N 943165-3.
MODEL VARIATION
There are four variations of the Model TFM-403 Transceiver. All units of fer identical features and
perf ormance except for the follow ing differences:
TFM-403, P/N 941059-1 GREEN display and 28 Volt back lighting.
TFM-403, P/N 941059-1 (5V), GREEN display and 5 Volt back lighting.
TFM-403, P/N 941059-2 RED display and 28 Volt back ligting.
TFM-403, P/N 941059-2 (5V), RED display and 5 Volt back lighting.
TFM-403 OPERATIONAL FEATURES
The equipment has several important operating features w hich provide maximum f lexibility,
perf ormance and versatility. These features include:

1. 120 memory positions w hich can each be programmed w ith a transmit and receive
frequency w it h 25 or 12.5 KHz channel spacing, Tx/Rx CTCSS tones or DPL codes and
a 9-character alphanumeric title.
2. 2 guard channels w hich can each be programmed w ith a Rx frequency, CTCSS Tx tone
or DPL code and a 9-character alphanumeric title.
3. Scanning of preprogrammed memories w ith selective memory scanning.
4. Priority scan of memory channel 1, if desired.
5. Direct frequency entry mode.
6. Receive frequency simplex function.
7. Sw itchable RF output pow er betw een 1 w att and 8-10 w atts.
8. Lockout of keyboard to prevent inadvertent entries.
9. Variable frequency mode to manually scan up and dow n in 2.5 kHz steps.
10. LED display variable dimming mode.
11. Selectable 90 second Tx time out feature.
12. Quick dow nload of any of the 120 memory positions to the guard memories.
13. PC Memory upload or dow nload capability.
In addition to the above features the follow ing list summarizes the NEW operating features and
improvements incorporated in the Version H7 softw are:
a) DPL - Can be turned on or off w ith the MUP and MDN (4 and 7) keys. This only removes the
DPL entry step from t he programming sequence and does not stop memories that
already have DPL codes from w orking. This also applies to the rest of the on/off
configuration items.
b) Scan - Can be disabled. Select ing FUNC and SCAN w ill do nothing if Scan is off. The scan
list indicator (+ ) w ill still display if w as previously programmed.
c) Rx CTCSS - Can be turned on or off from the programming sequence. This affects only the
CTCSS tones for receive.

d) FUNC 7 - Can be turned on or off . When off, the main memory channel can not be dumped
into one of the guard channels using function 7.
e) LAST MEM - If set to on, the last memory channel on the display w ill be w hat comes up
w hen the radio is turned on. If set to of f, the last memory that changes w ere made t o
w ill be w hat comes up w hen t he unit is sw itched on.
2. Fast Download - PC dow nload is now much faster because the radio is now able to
tell the computer w hen it is ready for more data after each memory
is dow nloaded. The new PCDL cable (-2 or -3) and PCDLB2 softw are
must be used to realize fast dow nloading, but the old cable and PCDLB
softw are w ill still w ork.
3. PC Up/Download - The memory contents of t he radio can be uploaded into the PC.
This t ransfer is very fast. The new PCDL cable and PCDLB2
softw are must be used. This makes it possible to clone radios via
the PC. It is now possible to dow nload a single memory channel.
4. Fast Scan - Scanning speed has increased. The delay betw een channels is now
dependent upon the amount of frequency change from the last
channel to the next instead of alw ays assuming the w orst case (403
to 512 MHz). Four more scan lists have been incorporated so that
the pilot does not have to reprogram scanning w hen flying into a
new area or job site.
5. Quick Scan/Lock - A memory channel can quickly be put in or taken out of the scan
list by pressing FUNC and then ENTER. The scan indicator is
toggled on and off . The new condition is saved in the eeprom.
6. New Characters - A couple of graphics ( * , ! and ) have replaced those unknow n
shapes and designs that used to be at t he end of the character list.

7. Rx CTCSS Updating - While programming the receive CTCSS tone the receiver is
updated immediately. This can help you find out w hat tone is
being used on a repeater or other radios by simply scrolling
through the tones until the squelch opens.
8. Guard Jumper - Programming of the guard channels can be totally disabled by
removing J15. This w ay, t he radio has to be disassembled in order to
re-program either of the guard frequencies.
9. Variable Frequency mode - It is now possible to scroll to t he frequency of 512.0000
MHz as long as the digits after the decimal are zeros.
10. Easier Programming - Several changes have been made to the programming mode
easier or quicker to use. These include:
a) When entering frequencies, you do not have to type in the entire frequency to
the last digit. Now you can type in w hat you need and hit ENTER. This is also
true for the direct ent ry mode.
b) If you change the receive frequency, the transmit frequency w ill change to the
same thing. This makes entering a simplex channel quicker.
c) When entering the alphanumerics, you can now backspace w ith the 1 key to
correct mistakes.
d) You do not have to go through the entire programming sequence anymore. At
any time you can press the FUNC key and it w ill save all changes that have
been made and return to normal operating mode. This is also true for the t one
programming mode and the direct entry mode.

FIGURE 1 Operator's Switches and Controls

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (See Figure 1)
1. Sw itch pow er on by turning the main volume clockw ise. Depending how the radio is
configured, eit her the last programmed or last displayed frequency w ill appear on the
screen. The transceiver is now in normal operating mode.
2. Adjust the audio level by adjusting the main and guard volume knobs.
3. Pressing the squelch defeat button w ill open both receivers to confirm they w ork.
4. Read the display. The top line w ill show w hich memory is selected follow ed by a " + "
if the memory position is included in a scan list, an alphanumeric message, and the
frequency of the main receiver. A small " n" bef ore t he frequency indicates 12.5 Khz
narrow band channel spacing is in effect on this memory position. In the receive mode,
the frequency is follow ed by an " RT" if a RX CTCSS tone or RX DPL code is
programmed, or an " RX" if no Receive tone/code is programmed. Similarly, in the
transmit mode either a " TT" or " TX" is show n after the frequency. The bottom line
indicates similar information about the guard receiver.
5. Only TX CTCSS tones or TX DPL codes may be programmed for the guard receiver.
At the beginning of each line, an LED indicates open squelch.
6. Set the MN/GD sw itch to main or guard transmit frequency.
7. Set the G1/G2 sw itch t o the desired guard channel.
8. Set the HI/LO sw itch to the desired RF output pow er.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS - continued
9. Select the desired memory by using the M.UP and M.DN butt ons, or the RCL but ton and
a three digit number follow ed by ENTER.
10. To transmit DTMF tones, use the keyboard keys w hile holding the PTT button on the
microphone. The keyboard returns to its normal function w hen the PTT is released.
The display show s the status of both receivers and the transmitter. The light at the left of
the top and bott om line indicates w hich receiver is receiving. The display also indicates the
memory channel in use and the guard channel in use. A " TX" (no TX tone/codes programmed)
or " TT" (either TX tone or code programmed) on the right side of the display indicates w hether
the guard or main channel is active w hen transmitting. The transmit frequency is also show n.
In the receive mode the display show s “ RX” beside the receive frequency if no RX tone or DPL
code is programmed and “ RT” if a CTCSS tone or DPL code is programmed.
When the transceiver is in either of the operating frequency or CTCSS t one/DPL code
programming modes and you must respond to a call, click the microphone PTT once (the radio
w ill not transmit during this click). This w ill cause the transceiver to revert back to the normal
operating mode and communications w ith the caller can proceed in the usual fashion.

PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS
To program one of the 120 memory channels in the TFM-403 (s/n’ s J200 and up):
1. Press the FUNC key. The display w ill show the function prompt.
2. Press the PROG key. The display w ill show the current receive frequency w ith a
flashing cursor on the first digit (The first digit is alw ays a < 4> or < 5> ).
3. Type in the desired receive frequency. If you type a frequency w hich is not a 2.5 kHz
step, the nearest valid frequency w ill be automatically selected.
4. The cursor w ill return to t he second digit. You can now retype the frequency if you
made an error or press ENTER to cont inue.
5. The transmit frequency w ill be displayed w ith the cursor on the second
digit. Follow the same method as in step 3 and 4.
6. The channel spacing increment of eit her 25, 20 or 12.5 KHz is now displayed. Use
M.UP and M.DN keys to select the desired channel spacing for the memory position,
then press ENTER.
7. The alpha-numeric tit le is now displayed. Use the M.UP and M.DN keys t o scroll
through the alphabet, numbers and symbols. When the desired character is displayed,
press ENTER to advance to the next character. Press “ 1" to backspace.
8. Keep repeating step six until the last space is set. The display w ill show SCAN or
LOCKOUT to enable this memory position as part of a scan list or lock it out of the
scan list. Use the 1,2,3,4,5 and M.DN keys t o t oggle betw een these functions (for

details see paragraph 2.5). Once the desired condition has been selected, press
ENTER. The TFM-403’ s display w ill show a " + " beside the memory channel number if
scan is enabled.
9. The display w ill now show the current memory number. Type in the 3-digit number of
the memory you w ant to save to (if different from displayed one) and press ENTER.
10. You now have the option to program the guard frequencies by pressing FUNC or press
ENTER to return to normal operating mode.
11. If you pressed FUNC to program the guards, guard" 1" transmit f requency w ill be
displayed w ith the flashing cursor on t he second digit. Enter the frequencies for
guard" 1" receive/transmit and guard" 2" receive/transmit as in step 3 and 4.
12. The alphanumeric labels for guard" 1" and guard" 2" are entered the same as in step
7and 8. When the last character is ent ered, the radio returns to normal operating mode.
If the guard is be be programmed f or 12.5 KHz narrow band operation, use the QUICK
GUARD PROGRAMMING FEATURE described in this document. A memory position must
be programmed to the 12.5 KHz mode then the contents can be quickly dow nloaded t o
GD1 or GD2 memory positions.
Programming of memory is disabled w hen the int ernal entry disable jumper is set. Alternatively
any transceiver can be programmed by an IBM PC or compatible computer.

PRIORITY SCANNING, SELECTIVE MEMORY CHANNEL SCANNING AND SCAN LISTS
Instead of breaking up the 120 channels into blocks f or scanning, the TFM-403 w ith H7
softw are has 5 scan lists. Any of the 120 channels can be assigned to any one of more of
these 5 scan lists. This means the channels do not have to be repeated for them to be in more
than one block and that you are not limited to the number of channels that you can scan at
once, since all 120 channels can be put int o any scan list.
The priority memory channel is alw ays memory position number 1. The priority memory
channel is scanned every other step (ie. 121314151...) to ensure that no incoming messages
are missed. The priority channel can be locked out, w hich w ill result in the normal scanning of
the other memory positions.
Selective memory scanning allow s the user to select w hich of the 120 memory channels are to
be scanned or locked out w hen the scan function is invoked. To use this feature, follow
PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS found in paragraph 2.3. Once the screen displays SCAN or
LOCKOUT, use the 1,2,3,4,5 or M.DN keys to toggle to the desired condit ion and press ENTER.
Entering the any or all of the numbers 1,2,3,4 or 5 w ill include t hat memory channel in any of
the five scan list s. In normal operating mode the display w ill later show a " + " beside the
memory channel number if it has been included in any of t he 5 scan lists.
SCANNING FUNCTION (5 second talkback delay)
Select the band you w ish to scan w ith the band sw itch. (you can not scan the guard)
To start scanning of the memory channels, press FUNC then SCAN and then the number
(1,2,3,4,5) of the desired scan list.
The radio w ill scan through all the preset memory positions in t he selected scan list (see above
paragraph for priorit y and selective scan features) and w ill lock on to the first active channel in

the scan sequence. It w ill remain on the channel until it becomes inactive. Scanning w ill resume
again after five seconds of inactivit y. To exit the scan mode, press the SCAN key. This w ill
cause the radio to revert back to the normal operating mode.
If w hile scanning, you hear a call for you:
1. Respond to the call w ithin 5 seconds. When scanning is interrupted by an
incoming signal, t he channel w ill remain open for five seconds before resuming
scanning.
2. During communications the five second timer is reset f rom the last Rx or Tx
signal encount ered.
The radio resumes scanning once the Rx or Tx activity has ceased for more than five seconds.
The SCAN key must be pressed t o exit the scan mode.
DIRECT FREQUENCY ENTRY MODE
This mode is designed to facilitate quick frequency selection during emergency and other
operational conditions requiring direct operating f requency selection. This operating mode is
disabled along w ith the programming mode w hen the internal disable jumper is set.
1. When the transceiver is in the normal operating mode, press FUNC and t he desired
operating frequency ie/ 453.275.
Please note in the above operation, after FUNC and " 4" are entered, the LED display w ill
show memory channel " 000" and then t he remaining digits in the desired frequency are show n
as they are entered. No alphanumeric message can be entered in this mode. Operation on the
new frequency occurs in both transmit and receive (simplex only) modes. If RX or TX CTCSS
tones/DPL codes are required they must be programmed in.

RECEIVE FREQUENCY SIMPLEX FUNCTION
The receive frequency simplex funct ion allow s you to quickly change the transmit frequency,
w hen operating on a split pair (repeater/semi-duplex mode), to the receive frequency t o allow
direct communications. ie/ If you are transmitt ing on 452.000 MHz and receiving 452.555
MHz, press FUNC then UP to t ransmit on 452.555 MHz. To return to the split pair condition,
you must recall the memory channel again. This is quickly done by pressing M.UP for one step
up, t hen back dow n one step w it h the M.DN key.
KEYBOARD LOCKOUT FUNCTION
The keyboard can be locked out so that accidental pressing of keys does not change frequency,
etc., unknow ingly to the operator. To lock the keyboard, press FUNC t hen LOCK. This w ill
disable all keyboard funct ions (except keyboard unlock) in the receive mode. The DTMF function
during transmit w ill not be affected. To unlock the keyboard, press and hold t he LOCK key for
tw o seconds until the display indicates " UNLOCK" .
VARIABLE FREQUENCY MODE FUNCTION
To enter variable frequency mode, press RCL, 0,0,0, t hen ENTER or ent er a frequency in the
direct entry mode described above. The memory channel that you w ere just in w ill still be valid
but now you can manually adjust the frequency w ith the M.UP, M.DN, UP and DN keys. The
UP and DN keys w ill make the frequency count up or dow n in steps of 2.5 kHz. The M.UP and
M.DN keys w ill make t he f requency count up or dow n in steps of 1 MHz. You can not change
the label. The frequency in this mode can not be stored in memory. To exit this mode, recall one
of the 120 memory channels (ie. RCL, 0,0,1). Variable frequency mode is disabled w hen the
internal entry disable jumper is set.

LED DISPLAY VARIABLE DIMMING MODE
1. With the transceiver in normal operating mode press the UP or DN keys to increase or
decrease the intensity of the LED display.
2. Once maximum intensity of the display is acheived, t he UP key no longer functions.
Conversely once minimum intensity is reached, the DN key ceases to function.
90 SECOND TRANSMITTER TIME OUT FEATURE
A selectable 90 second transmitt er time out feature is provided to prevent accidental
continuous transmission in the event of a faulty PTT sw itch. With t his feature enabled the
transceiver w ill stop t ransmitting after the PTT is engaged continuously for 90 seconds. The
timer is reset by releasing then re-engaging the PTT sw itch. Press the FUNC then the M.UP key.
Use the M.UP and M.DN keys to select 90 SEC, w hich enables the f eature, or NONE w hich
disables it.
QUICK GUARD PROGRAMMING FEATURE
A quick dow nload of any of the 120 memory positions to either of the guard memory posit ions
can be accomplished. Select the memory position w hose contents you desire to dow nload a
guard memory. Select eit her GD1 or GD2 memory channel as desired. Press FUNC then 7. The
guard memory channel w ill now contain all t he same information as the selected memory
position. This feature is disabled w hen guard jumper (J15, pins 1&2) on the MCU board is
removed.

PROGRAMMING CTCSS TONES/DPL CODES
CTCSS tones (PL tones) or Digital DPL codes can be assigned to each memory channel. The
guard receiver squelch w ill operate on noise squelch only, but guard 1 and 2 transmit tones or
codes can be programmed. To program a t one/code t o a memory channel:
1. Select the desired band on the band select sw itch.
2. Use the M.UP and M.DN keys to select the memory channel that you w ant to assign a
CTCSS tone or DPL code.
3. Press the FUNC key then the TONE key. The display w ill show " RX TONE:" and the
current tone number, as w ell as the tone frequency in Hz.
4. Use the M.UP and M.DN keys t o select the tone number you require. The follow ing is
a list of the available CTCSS tones:

PROGRAMMING CTCSS TONES/DPL CODES - continued
Number Tone Number Tone Number Tone
01 67.0 26 162.2 51 177.3*
02 71.9 27 167.9 52 183.5*
03 74.4 28 173.8 53 189.9*
04 77.0 29 179.9 54 196.6*
05 79.7 30 186.2 55 199.5*
06 82.5 31 192.8 56 206.5*
07 85.4 32 203.5 57 210.7*
08 88.5 33 33.0* 58 218.1*
09 91.5 34 35.4* 59 225.7*
10 94.8 35 36.6* 60 229.1*
11 97.4 36 37.9* 61 233.6*
12 100.0 37 39.6* 62 241.8*
13 103.5 38 44.4* 63 250.3*
14 107.2 39 47.5* 64 No Tone
15 110.9 40 49.2* (carrier squelch only)
16 114.8 41 51.2* (The tones marked w ith * are
17 118.8 42 53.0* nonstandard tones).
18 123.0 43 54.9*
19 127.3 44 56.8*
20 131.8 45 58.8*

PROGRAMMING CTCSS TONES/DPL CODES - continued
Number Tone Number Tone
21 136.5 46 63.0*
22 141.3 47 69.4*
23 146.2 48 159.8*
24 151.4 49 165.5*
25 156.7 50 171.3*
4. Press ENTER. " TX TONE" appears on the display. Repeat step 3.
5. Press ENTER. " G1 TONE" appears on the display. Repeat step 3.
6. Press ENTER. " G2 TONE" appears on the display. Repeat step 3 and press ENTER.
7. The display w ill now show " RX DPL:" and the current 3-digit DPL code. If no DPL
code is required " 000" should be entered. Please note that if a DPL code is to be
programmed a CTCSS tone should not be enabled.
8. Use the keypad to enter t he required octal 3-digit DPL (Digital Coded Squelch or DCS)
code. A list of all usable and unique oct al 3-digit DPL/DCS codes follow s:

PROGRAMMING CTCSS TONES/DPL CODES - continued
017* 051 116 156 243 266* 346 431 466 612 721
023 053* 122* 162 244 271 351 432 503 624 731
025 054 125 165 245 274* 356* 445 506 627 732
026 065 131 172 246* 306 364 446* 516 631 734
031 071 132 174 251 311 365 452* 523* 632 743
032 072 134 205 252* 315 371 454* 526* 654 754
036* 073 143 212* 255* 325* 411 455* 532 662
043 074 145* 223 261 331 412 462* 546 664
047 114 152 225* 263 332* 413 464 565 703
050* 115 155 226 265 343 423 465 606 712
* indicates GE Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) Code
9. Press ENTER. " TX DPL" appears on the display. Repeat step 8.
10. Press ENTER. " G1 DPL" appears on the display. Repeat step 8.
11. Press ENTER. " G2 DPL" appears on the display. Repeat step 8 and press ENTER.

Technisonic Industries Limited
2 50 W atline Avenue, M ississauga, Ontario L4Z 1 P4 Tel:[phone] Fax:[phone]
3840 East Robinson Road, Suite 214, Amherst, New York 14 2 2 8 Tel:[phone]
TiL Document No. 99RE265, see first page for softw are version.