COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER VR- 500 OPERATING MANUAL YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD. 1-20-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-Ku, Tokyo 146-8649, Japan YAESU U.S.A. 17210 Edwards Rd., Cerritos, CA 90703, U.S.A. YAESU EUROPE B.V. P.O. Box 75525 1118 ZN, Schiphol, The Netherlands YAESU UK LTD. Unit 12, Sun Valley Business Park, Winnall Close Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, U.K. YAESU GERMANY GmbH Am Kronberger Hang 2, D-65824 Schwalbach, Germany YAESU HK LTD. 11th Floor Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong Contents Introduction ........................................................... 1 Controls & Connections ........................................ 2 Display Icons & Indicators ................................... 3 Keypad Functions .................................................. 4 Accessories & Options ........................................... 6 Installation of Accessories ..................................... 7 Battery Installation ............................................... 7 Low Battery Indication ......................................... 7 Antenna Installation ............................................. 7 Belt Clip Installation ............................................ 8 AC Operation using the optional NC-60 AC Adapter ............................ 8 Basic Operation...................................................... 9 Turning the Power On/Off ................................... 9 Adjusting the Volume and Squelch ...................... 9 RF Squelch System Setup .................................... 9 Mode Selection .................................................... 9 Frequency Navigation ......................................... 10 Tuning DIAL ..................................................... 10 Direct Keypad Frequency Entry ......................... 10 VFO Search ....................................................... 11 Changing the Direction of VFO Search Scanning ....................................... 11 How to Skip (Omit) a Frequency During VFO Search .................................. 12 Pre-Programmable Frequency Search ............ 13 Changing the Channel Steps .............................. 15 Preset Mode ....................................................... 16 Memory Mode ...................................................... 17 Memory Storage................................................. 17 Simple Storage ............................................... 17 Designated Memory Storage .......................... 18 Memory Recall................................................... 19 Labeling Memories ............................................ 20 Memory Channel Scan ....................................... 21 Preferential Memory Scan (PMS) .................. 21 Memory Bank Scanning................................. 22 Mode Scan ..................................................... 23 Deleting Memory Channels................................ 23 Alpha-Numeric Memory Recall ......................... 24 Memory Channel Copying ................................. 25 Memory Channel Swap ...................................... 25 Memory Bank Copy ........................................... 26 Memory Bank Swap ........................................... 26 Clearing of a Memory Bank ............................... 27 Memory Channel Check..................................... 27 Band Scope ........................................................... 28 To Activate the Band Scope ............................... 29 Dual Watch........................................................... 30 Priority Monitoring ............................................. 32 Smart SearchTM ................................................... 33 Reset .................................................................. 35 System Reset ...................................................... 35 Function/Menu Reset ......................................... 35 Set Mode ............................................................... 36 Specifications ........................................................ 43 Introduction The VR-500 is a high-performance miniature communications receiver providing general coverage reception from 100 kHz to 1300 MHz on the CW, SSB (LSB and USB), AM, and FM (Wide and Narrow bandwidths) modes (this coverage includes the AM and FM broadcast bands, HF Short-wave Bands up to 16 MHz, VHF and UHF TV bands, the VHF AM aircraft band, and a wide range of commercial and public safety frequencies!) . The VR-500's small size allows you to take it anywhere - hiking, skiing, or while walking around town, and its operating flexibility brings the user many avenues of operating enjoyment. Operation of the VR-500 can be greatly simplified by utilizing the "PRESET" mode. The "PRESET" mode provides ten "starting point" frequencies (one frequency in each of ten popular listening bands), from which you may then begin manual tuning. We appreciate your purchase of the VR-500, and encourage you to read this manual thoroughly, so as to learn about the many exciting features of your exciting new Yaesu communications receiver! VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL 1 Controls & Connections VOL Knob This control adjusts the receiver's audio volume level, and also the keypad's Beeper level. Clockwise rotation increases the audio volume level. DIAL Knob This 20-position detented r o t a r y switch is the main tuning dial for the radio. It used for most tuning, memory selection, and function-setting tasks on the radio. SQL Knob This control sets the threshold level at which received signals (or noise) open the "Squelch." It should be advanced clockwise just to the point where background noise is silenced, so as to provide the best sensitivity to weak signals. SP Jack This 2-conductor, 3.5mm miniature phone jack provides audio output for an earphone. The internal loudspeaker is disabled when this jack is used. Note: The protective rubber cover over this jack must be pulled up to access it. Press it back over the jack when not in use, to protect the inside of the radio from dust and water. EXT DC Jack This coaxial DC jack allows connection to an external DC power source (9~16 Volts DC). The center pin of this jack is the Positive (+) line. Note: The protective rubber cover over this jack must be pulled up to access it. Press it back over the jack when not in use, to protect the inside of the radio from dust and water. ANTENNA Jack Connect the supplied rubber flex antenna (or another antenna presenting a 50 impedance) here. [FUNC] Key Press and hold in this key, while pressing one of the keypad's buttons, to activate the "Secondary" key mode. [MONI(LOCK)] Key Press this key momentarily to "open" the squelch manually, allowing you to listen for very weak signals. Press this key while pressing the [FUNC] key to activate the "Key Lock" Feature. [PWR] Key Press and hold in this key for two seconds to toggle the radio's power on and off. KEYPAD These 14 keys select many of the most important operating features on the VR500. The functions of the keys are described in detail on pages 4 and 5. 2 VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL Display Icons & Indicators Frequency Attenuator Activated Mode Scan Activated Preferential Scan List Activated Memory Channel Scan Activated Busy Scan and Search Activated Hold Scan and Search Activated Scan Skip Memory Activated Key Lock Activated Battery Save Activated ON and OFF Timer Activated Low Battery Operating Mode Data Field S-Meter and Band Scope VFO Mode Activated Memory Mode Activated VFO Search Activated Memory Channel Scan Activated Dual Watch Activated Priority Monitoring Activated Memory Channel Number VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL 3 Keypad Functions [1(MEMO)] Frequency Entry Digit "1" [2(MW/MC)] Frequency Entry Digit "2" Store the VFO frequency into the memory, or delete the current memory channel's data. [3(SCH/SCN)] Frequency Entry Digit "3" Press Key Press [F/W] + Switch to the "Memory" Mode. Start scanning. Press [F/W] + Key for 2 seconds None None None [4(SW/SC)] Frequency Entry Digit "4" Store the VFO frequency into the "Scan Skip" memory, or delete the "Scan Skip" memory channel data. [5(S.SCH/PMS)] Frequency Entry Digit "5" [6(PW)] Frequency Entry Digit "6" Press Key Press [F/W] + Program and activate Preferential Memory ScanTM operaion. Activate the Priority Watch feature. Display the operating time and total transmit time since you most recently turned the transceiver on. Press [F/W] + Key for 2 seconds None Program and activate Smart SearCHTM operation. [7(DW)] Frequency Entry Digit "7" [8(ATT)] Frequency Entry Digit "8" [9(LAMP)] Frequency Entry Digit "9" Press Key Press [F/W] + Activate the Dual Watch feature. Store the VFO frequency pair for the Dual Watch feature into the Dual Watch Memory channel. Engage the receiver front-end attenuator. Activate the backlighting lamp for the display and keypad keys for 5 seconds. Press [F/W] + Key for 2 seconds None None 4 VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL Keypad Functions [ · (STEP)] Input of the "Decimal Point" frequency entry digit (" · "). [B.S(B.W)] Activate the Band Scope feature. [PTT] Press Key Transmit. Select the synthesizer steps to be used during VFO operation. Select the Band Scope sweep width. Press [F/W] + Temporary High Power Transmit. None None Press [F/W] + Key for 2 seconds Transmit. [0(MODE)] Frequency Entry Digit "0" [CLR(P.SET)] Cancel the frequency entry or Menu mode setting. Toggle the operating mode between the "Preset Mode" and the "Normal Mode." [MON] USA version: Disable the Noise and Tone Squelch. European version: Activate the T. CALL. Press Key Select the operating (receiving) mode. Press [F/W] + Reverse the transmit and receive frequencies while working through a repeater. None None Press [F/W] + Key for 2 seconds None [ENT(SET/NAME)] Enter the frequency entry digit into the VFO. Activate the "Set" (Menu) mode, or enable programming of the Alpha/Numeric name tag for the current memory channel. [MONI(LOCK)] "Open" the squelch manually [LAMP] Illuminate the LCD and keypad for 5 seconds. Press Key Activate "Key Lock" feature. Press [F/W] + Activate the Spectrum Analyzer feature. None None Press [F/W] + Illuminate the LCD and keypad until you press Key for 2 the key again. seconds VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL 5 Accessories & Options ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED WITH THE VR-500 · · · · · Antenna Belt Clip Hand Strap Operating Manual Warranty Card AVAILABLE OPTIONS FOR YOUR VR-500 · , ,, ... NC-60 E-DC-5B E-DC-6 CSC-72 CT-35 FNB-59 AC Adapter DC Cable w/Noise Filter DC Cable; plug and wire only Soft Case Cloning Cable Rechargeable Battery Pack · , ,, ... Availability of accessories may vary. Some accessories are supplied as standard per local requirements, while others may be unavailable in some regions. Consult your Yaesu Dealer for details regarding these and any newly-available options. Connection of any non-Yaesuapproved accessory, should it cause damage, may void the Limited Warranty on this apparatus. 6 VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL Installation of Accessories BATTERY INSTALLATION r Referring to Figure 1, slide the Battery Cover toward the bottom to remove it. r Referring to Figure 2, insert 2 fresh AA batteries into the Battery Holder. When in- stalling batteries, insert the (­) end first, then press in the (+) end so the battery snaps into place. Always replace two batteries at the same time. r Replace the Battery Cover, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Note: If you do not use the VR-500 for a long time, remove the batteries from the radio, as battery leakage could cause damage to the VR-500. LOW BATTERY INDICATION When the battery voltage becomes too low, the display will indicate "Low Battery" and the "Battery" icon will appear, indicating the batteries should be replaced. As battery voltage drops further, the VR-500 will shut off. "Battery" Icon ANTENNA INSTALLATION r To attach the supplied antenna to the VR-500, grasp the base of the antenna firmly, and exert a moderate "pinching" pressure on the base as you press the antenna onto the radio's antenna connector. While exerting this pressure, rotate the antenna clockwise ¼ turn to lock the antenna in place. r To remove the antenna from the VR-500, grasp the base of the antenna firmly, and pinch the base of the antenna while rotating the antenna counter-clockwise ¼ turn. You may now lift the antenna away from the radio. VR-500 OPERATING MANUAL 7 Installations of Accessories BELT CLIP INSTALLATION To install the Belt Clip, first place the Hand Strap into the hole at the top of the Belt Clip, then insert the mounting screw through the belt clip, and affix it snugly to the mounting hole on the back of the VR-500. Do not install the supplied Belt Clip Mounting Screw if you are not installing the Belt Clip! The screw will cause a "short circuit" to the internal circuitry, causing serious damage! AC OPERATION US ...