VHF FM TRANSCEIVER VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD. 4-8-8 Nakameguro, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8644, Japan VERTEX STANDARD US Headquarters 10900 Walker Street, Cypress, CA 90630, 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. VERTEX STANDARD HK LTD. Unit 5, 20/F., Seaview Centre, 139-141 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Contents General Description ......................................... 1 Accessories & Options ..................................... 2 Controls & Connections .................................. 3 Top & Front Panel .......................................... 3 LCD ................................................................ 4 Side Panel ....................................................... 5 Keypad Functions .......................................... 6 Installation of Accessories ............................... 8 Antenna Installation ....................................... 8 Installation of FNB-83 Battery Pack ............. 8 Battery Charging ............................................ 9 Low Battery Indication .................................. 9 Belt Clip Installation .................................... 10 Installation of FBA-25A Battery Case ......... 10 Interface of Packet TNCs .............................. 11 Operation ........................................................ 12 Switching Power On and Off ....................... 12 Adjusting the Audio Volume Level ............. 12 Squelch Adjustment ..................................... 13 Frequency Navigation .................................. 13 Transmission ................................................ 15 Advanced Operation ...................................... 16 Keyboard Locking ........................................ 16 Keypad/LCD Illumination ........................... 17 Disabling the Keypad Beeper ...................... 17 RF Squelch ................................................... 18 Checking the Battery Voltage ...................... 18 Repeater Operation ........................................ 19 Repeater Shifts ............................................. 19 Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS) ................. 19 Manual Repeater Shift Activation ............... 20 VFO Split Mode ........................................... 21 CTCSS/DCS/EPCS Operation ...................... 23 CTCSS Operation ........................................ 23 DCS Operation ............................................. 24 Tone Search Scanning ................................. 25 EPCS (Enhanced Paging & Code Squelch) ....... 26 CTCSS/DCS/EPCS Bell Operation ............. 27 Split Tone Operation .................................... 28 Tone Calling (1750 Hz) ............................... 28 Memory Mode ................................................ 29 Memory Storage ........................................... 29 Storing Independent Transmit Frequencies ("Odd Split") ........ 29 Memory Recall ............................................. 30 HOME Channel Memory ............................. 30 Labeling Memories ...................................... 31 Memory Offset Tuning ................................ 32 Deleting Memories ....................................... 32 Memory Bank Operation ............................. 33 Moving Memory Data to the VFO ............... 34 Memory Only Mode ..................................... 34 Weather Broadcast Channels ....................... 35 Scanning .......................................................... 36 VFO Scanning .............................................. 37 Manual VFO Scan ................................... 37 Programmed VFO Scan ........................... 37 Memory Scanning ........................................ 38 How to Skip (Omit) a Channel during Memory Scan Operation .............. 38 Preferential Memory Scan ....................... 39 Memory Bank Scan ................................. 40 Programmable (Band Limit) Memory Scan (PMS) ........................................................... 41 "Priority Channel" Scanning (Dual Watch) ................................................ 42 Automatic Lamp Illumination on Scan Stop ................................................ 44 Band Edge Beeper ........................................ 44 Weather Alert Scan ...................................... 45 Emergency Channel Operation .................... 46 Smart Search Operation ................................ 47 Internet Connection Feature ......................... 48 ARTS (Automatic Range Transponder System) ....... 50 DTMF Operation ........................................... 53 DTMF Pager Operation ................................ 55 Miscellaneous Settings ................................... 58 Password ...................................................... 58 Changing the Channel Steps ........................ 59 Receive Battery Saver Setup ........................ 60 TX Battery Saver .......................................... 60 Disabling the TX/BUSY Indicator .............. 61 Automatic Power-Off (APO) Feature .......... 61 Transmitter Time-Out Timer (TOT) ............ 62 Busy Channel Lock-Out (BCLO) ................ 62 DCS Code Inversion .................................... 63 Changing the TX Deviation Level ............... 64 Reset Procedures ............................................ 65 Cloning ............................................................ 66 Set Mode .......................................................... 68 Specifications .................................................. 81 Installation of the FTD-7 DTMF Pager Unit ...... 80 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The VX-120 is a compact, high-performance subnersible FM hand-held providing up to five watts of RF power and wealth of convenient features for the 2-meter amateur band. New and exciting features of the VX-120 are Enhanced Paging and Code Squelch (EPCS), that allows you to page a particular station and only receive calls from that station, if desired; and a security Password feature, that will allow you to turn on and operate your transceiver only after you enter your Password. Additional features include a convenient access key for Vertex Standard's WIRESTM (Widecoverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System), a transmit Time-Out Timer (TOT), Automatic Power-Off (APO), Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS), Vertex Standard's exclusive ARTSTM (Auto-Range Transponder System) which "beeps" the user when you move out of communications range with another ARTSTM equipped station, plus provision for reduction of the TX deviation in areas of high channel congestion. And an RF squelch circuit allows the owner to set the squelch to open at a programmable setting of the SMeter, thus reducing guesswork in setting the squelch threshold. We appreciate your purchase of the VX-120, and encourage you to read this manual thoroughly, so as to learn about the many exciting features of your exciting new Vertex Standard hand-held transceiver! : IPX-7 Specification for submersibility: 3 ft. for 30 minutes VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL 1 ACCESSORIES & OPTIONS SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES FNB-83 7.2 V, 1,400 mAh Rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery Pack NC-88B Overnight Battery Charger (10-Hour) YHA-68 Antenna Quick Draw Belt Clip Operating Manual Warranty Card AVAILABLE OPTIONS FNB-83 NC-88B/C/U VAC-370 CD-26 FBA-25A CN-3 CT-91 E-DC-5B E-DC-6 MH-57A4B CMP460A VC-27 VC-24 FTD-7 7.2 V, 1,400 mAh Rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery Pack Overnight Battery Charger (10-Hour) Desktop Rapid Charger Charger Cradle Dry Cell Battery Case for 6 "AA" Alkaline Cells (not supplied) BNC-to-SMA Adapter Microphone Adapter DC Cable with Cigarette-Lighter Adapter DC Cable; plug and wire only Speaker/Microphone Waterproof Speaker/Microphone Earpiece/Microphone VOX Headset DTMF Paging Unit : "B" suffix is for use with 100-120 VAC, "C" suffix is for use with 230-240 VAC, and "U" suffix is for use with 230 VAC. Availability of accessories may vary. Some accessories are supplied as standard per local requirements, while others may be unavailable in some regions. This product is designed to perform optimally when used with genuine Vertex Standard accessories. Vertex Standard shall not be liable for any damage to this product and/or accidents such as fire, leakage or explosion of a battery pack, etc., caused by the malfunction of non- Vertex Standard accessories. Consult your Vertex Standard dealer for details regarding these and any newly-available options. Connection of any non-Vertex Standard-approved accessory, should it cause damage, may void the Limited Warranty on this apparatus. 2 VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (TOP & FRONT PANELS) Antenna Jack Connect the supplied rubber flex antenna (or another antenna presenting a 50-Ohm impedance) here. MIC/SP Jack This four-conductor miniature jack provides connection points for microphone audio, earphone audio, PTT, and ground. Do not allow the VX-120 to become submerged in water while the plastic cover over the MIC/SP jack is removed. VOL/PWR Knob Turn this control clockwise to turn the radio on and to increase the volume. Counterclockwise rotation into the click-stop will turn the radio off. DIAL Knob This (inner) 20-position detented rotary switch is used for setting the operating frequency, and also is used for menu selections and other adjustments. Speaker The internal speaker is located here. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) The display shows the current operating conditions, as described on the next page. Keypad These 8 keys select many of most important operating features on the VX-120. The functions of the keys are described in detail on the pages to follow. TX/BUSY Indicator Lamp This indicator glows green when the squelch opens, and turns red during transmit. MIC The internal microphone is located here. VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL 3 CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (LCD) Memory Channel Number Skip Memory Channel or Preferential Memory Channel Repeater Shift Direction CTCSS/DSC Operation Internet Connection Feature Active Bell Alerm Active Operating Frequency Battery Indicator S- & PO Meter Key Lock Active Automatic Power-Off Active Battery Saver Active Priority Channel Memory Bank Active Secondary Keypad Active Low TX Power Selected DTMF Autodiale Active Dual Watch Active 4 VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (SIDE PANEL) PTT (Push To Talk) Switch Press this switch to transmit, and release it (to receive) after your transmission is completed. MONI Switch Pressing this switch disables the noise squelching action, allowing you to hear very weak signals near the background noise level temporarily. Press the [F] key on the keypad first, then press this switch to enable to adjustment of the squelch threshold level. EXT DC Jack This coaxial DC jack allows connection to an external DC power source (6-16V DC). The center pin of this jack is the Positive (+) connection. Do not allow the VX-120 to become submerged in water while the rubber cap over the EXT DC jack is removed. VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL 5 CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (KEYPAD FUNCTIONS) Primary Function (PRESS KEY) Secondary Function (PRESS [F] + KEY) Third Function (PRESS & HOLD KEY) Toggles the "Weather" broadcast channel memory bank on/off. Activates the Internet Connection feature. Selects the desired transmit power output level. Engages the Set (Menu) Mode. Activates the EMERGENCY feature. Activates the Key Lockout feature. Primary Function (PRESS KEY) Secondary Function (PRESS [F] + KEY) Third Function (PRESS & HOLD KEY) Activates the "Alternate" key function. Disables the "Alternate" key function. Activates the "Memory Write" mode (for memory channel storage). Sets the frequency control to the Memory Recall mode. Activates the "Memory "Tune" mode while in the Memory Recall mode. Selects the Memory Scan "Skip" channel-selection mode. Starts the programmable scanner upward (toward a higher frequency or a higher channel number) 6 VX-120 OPERATING MANUAL CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (KEYPAD FUNCTIONS) Primary Function (PRESS KEY) Reverses the transmit and receive Increases the VFO frequency by one step or moves the memory frequencies while working through a repeater. channel to the next-highest channel. Switches to the "Home" (favorite frequency) Channel. Tunes the VFO frequency upward in 1 MHz steps. Starts the scanner upward (toward a higher frequency or a higher channel number). Secondary Function (PRESS [F] + KEY) Third Function (PRESS & HOLD KEY) None Primary Function (PRESS KEY) Secondary Function (PRESS [F/W] + KEY) Third Function (PRESS & HOLD KEY) Sets frequency control to the VFO mode. Toggles the VFO between "VFO A" and "VFO B" while in the VFO mode. Activates the Priority (Dual Watch) function. Starts the programmed VFO scanner upward while in the VFO mode. Selects the Memory Bank while in the Memo ...