OPERATING MANUAL YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD. 4-8-8 Nakameguro, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8644, 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 & Connectors ........................ 2 Accessories & Options .......................... 3 Basic Operation .................................... 4 Battery Pack Installation and Removal ....... 4 Antenna Installation .................................... 5 Switching Power ON and OFF ................... 6 Adjusting the Volume Level ....................... 6 Squelch Setup ............................................. 6 Transmitting ................................................ 6 Frequency Navigation ................................. 7 Changing the Transmitter Power Level ...... 7 Changing the Channel Steps ....................... 7 Repeater Operation ..................................... 8 Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS) ............ 8 Manual Repeater Shift Activation .......... 8 Setting Repeater Tx Offset ...................... 9 Checking the Repeater Uplink (Input) Frequency ... 9 Keyboard Locking ...................................... 9 Memory Storage ....................................... 18 Storing Independent Trasmit Frequencies ("Odd Splits") ... 18 Memory Recall ......................................... 18 Memory Offset Tuning ............................. 19 HOME Channel Memory ......................... 19 Labeling Memories ................................... 19 Masking Memories ................................... 20 Memory Only Mode ................................. 20 Scanning .............................................. 21 Setting the Scan Resume Technique ..... 21 To set the Scan-Resume mode .............. 21 VFO Scanning .......................................... 21 Memory Scanning ..................................... 22 How to Skip (Omit) a Channel During Memory Scan Operatin ... 22 Programmable (Band Limit) Memory Scan (PMS) ... 22 Automatic Lamp Illumination on Scan Stop ... 23 Band Edge Beeper .................................... 23 Smart Search Operation ............................ 23 Setting the Smart Search Mode ............ 24 Storing Smart Search Memories ........... 24 Priority Channel Scanning (Dual Watch) ... 24 Advanced Operation .......................... 10 VFO Split Mode ....................................... 10 Receive Battery Saver Setup ..................... 10 Tx Battery Saver ....................................... 11 Keypad/LCD Illumination ........................ 11 Automatic Power-Off (APO) Feature ....... 12 Checking the Battery Voltage ................... 12 Disabling the BUSY/TX LED .................. 12 Busy Channel Lock-Out (BCLO) ............. 12 Disabling the Key pad Beeper .................. 13 Programming the Key Functions .............. 13 Transmitter Time-Out Timer (TOT) ......... 13 Tone Calling (1750 Hz) ............................ 14 ANI Operation (Automatic Number Identification) ... 14 CTCSS Operation ..................................... 15 DCS Operation ......................................... 16 Tone Search Scanning .............................. 17 To scan for the tone in use .................... 17 CTCSS/DCS Bell Operation .................... 17 DTMF Operation ................................ 26 Manual DTMF Tone Generation .............. 26 DTMF Autodialer ..................................... 26 To send the telephone number .............. 26 ARTS Operation ................................. 27 Basic ARTS Setup and Operation ............ 27 ARTS Polling Time Options .................... 28 ARTS Alert Beep Options ........................ 28 CW Identifier Setup .................................. 28 To activate the CW identifier ................ 29 Memory Operation ............................. 18 Interface of Packet TNCs ................... 30 Reset ..................................................... 30 Cloning................................................. 31 Set Mode .............................................. 32 Specifications....................................... 41 Introduction The VX-150 is an ultra compact FM hand-held providing up to five watts of RF power and a wealth of convenient features for the 2m amateur band. The VX-150 has rubber gasket seals around all external controls and connectors to help keep out dust and rain or spray, assuring years of reliable operation even in harsh environments. Sixteen multi-function keys provide the ultimate in programmability, with 199 freely tunable memories and two VFOs. All memories store repeater shifts or separate tx/rx frequencies, CTCSS (Continuous Tone Controlled Squelch System) or DCS status. You also get one instant-recall "Home" channel memory and ten special purpose memories for limited subband tuning/scanning. Busy channel band or selective memory scanning is provided along with priority channel monitoring; 1 MHz up/down stepping; ARS (automatic repeater shift) when tuned to repeater subbands; plus a top panel rotary dial for memory and frequency selection. The keypad serves as a DTMF encoder during transmission, and up to 9 DTMF memories can store 16 digits each for quick playback of commonly used numbers. The liquid crystal display shows seven frequency digits, memory selection, CTCSS tone frequency, and includes a bargraph S/PO meter. Yaesu's power saver system can be set by the operator for optimum sampling/standby ratio, or can be turned off for packet operation. And our new APO (Automatic Power Off) system shuts off the transceiver to avoid dead batteries if you doze off or are called away unexpectedly. Operation under difficult conditions is simplified by a lamp button illuminating the display and backlit translucent keypad, diatonically assigned function-dependent keypad beeps. Please read this manual carefully to gain a full understanding of the features of the VX150. VX-150 OPERATING MANUAL 1 Controls & Connectors VOL/OFF Control ANTENNA Jack LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) BUSY/TX Indicator Lamp DIAL Rotary Selector SQL Control PTT Button MIC/SP Jack Monitor (Burst) Button EXT DC LAMP Button Speaker Mic Keypad Battery Pack Latch Tone Encoder/Squelch Enabled Priority Channel Scanning Repeater Shift Memory Mode Memory Number or VFO Selection Digital Coded Squelch DTMF Memory Mode Memory Skip BELL Frequency Alt Key Active S- and TX Power Meter Auto Power OFF Active LOCK Feature Active LOW Power 2 VX-150 OPERATING MANUAL Accessories & Options ACCESSORIES SUPPLIED WITH THE VX-150 FNB-64 Ni-Cd Battery Pack (7.2 V, 700 mAh) NC-72A/B/C/F/U Battery Chareger Belt Clip Antenna Operating Manual Warranty Card AVAILABLE OPTIONS FOR YOUR VX-150 FNB-V57 FNB-64 FBA-25 CD-16 NC-72A NC-72B NC-72C NC-72F NC-72U NC-73 MH-34B4B MH-37A4B VC-25 E-DC-5B E-DC-6 CA-24 PA-23 CN-3 CT-44 YHA-62 CT-27 7.2 V, 1100 mAh Ni-Cd Battery Pack 7.2 V, 700 mAh Ni-Cd Battery Pack Compact Dry Cell Battery Case for 6 AA-size cells Desktop Rapid Charger (requires CA-24 and PA-23) 100 VAC Compact Wall Charger for FNB-64 120 VAC Compact Wall Charger for FNB-64 230-240 VAC Compact Wall Charger for FNB-64 220 VAC Compact Wall Charger for FNB-64 230 VAC Compact Wall Charger for FNB-64 Desktop Rapid Charger External Hand Speaker/Microphone Earpiece/Microphone VOX Headset DC Cable w/Noise Filter DC Cable; plug and wire only Charger Sleeve AC Adapter BNC-to-SMA Adapter Microphone Adapter Rubber flex antenna Cloning Cable Availability of accessories may vary: some accessories are supplied as standard per local regulations and requirements, others may be unavailable in some regions. Check with your Yaesu dealer for additions to the above list. VX-150 OPERATING MANUAL 3 Basic Operation BATTERY PACK INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL To install the battery, hold the transceiver with your left hand, so your palm is over the speaker and your thumb is on the top of the belt clip. Insert the battery pack into the battery compartment on the back of the radio while tilting the Belt Clip outward, then close the Battery Pack Latch until it locks in place with a "Click." To remove the battery, turn the radio off and remove any protective cases. Open the Battery Pack Latch on the bottom of the radio, then slide the battery downward and out from the radio while unfolding the Belt Clip. Do not attempt to open any of the rechargeable Ni-Cd packs, as they could explode if accidentally short-circuited. If the battery has never been used, or its charge is depleted, it may be charged by connecting the NC-72A/B/C/F/U Battery Charger, as shown in the illustration, to the EXT DC jack. If only 12 ~ 16 Volt DC power is available, the optional E-DC-5B (with its cigarette lighter plug) or E-DC-6 DC Adapter may also be used for charging the battery. The optional FNB-V57 high-capacity battery can not be charged using the NC-72; please use the optional CD-16. 4 VX-150 OPERATING MANUAL Basic Operation ANTENNA INSTALLATION The supplied antenna provides good results over the entire frequency range of the transceiver. However, for enhanced coverage in remote areas, an external mobile or base station antenna may prove beneficial. To install the supplied antenna Hold the bottom end of the antenna, then screw it onto the mating connector on the transceiver until it is snug. Do not over-tighten by use of extreme force. Notes: m Never transmit without having an antenna connected. m When installing the supplied antenna, never hold the upper part of the antenna while screwing it onto the mating connector on the transceiver. m Remember that a large base-station antenna will have considerably more gain than the supplied rubber flex antenna, and this added gain may degrade the ability of the VX-150 to resist intermodulation-type interference. The installation of a suitable 144-148 MHz bandpass filter in the coaxial line to a base station will usually eliminate such interference, if encountered. VX-150 OPERATING MANUAL 5 Basic Operation SWITCHING POWER ON AND OFF Be sure the battery pack is installed. Connect the antenna to the top panel ANTENNA jack. Switch on the transceiver by rotating the VOL control clockwise out of the click-stop (a momentary beep will sound). ADJUSTING THE VOLUME LEVEL Rotate the VOL control (immediately to the right of the Antenna) to set the desired audio level. Clockwise rotation increases the volume level. SQUELCH SETUP Set the SQL control fully counterclockwise, rotate the VOL control out of the click-stop and adjust for a comfortable volume on the noise or received signal. The BUSY/TX indicator LED should glow green. If a signal is present, rotate the DIAL selector on the top panel to a channel where only noise is heard. Adjust the SQL control just to the point where the noise is silenced and the LED is extinguished. If the SQL control is set further clockwise, sensitivity to weak signals will be reduced. Now, whenever a signal reaches the receiver that is strong enough to open the squelch, the indicator will glow green. TRANSMITTING When you wish to transmit, wait until the channel is clear (BUSY/TX lamp off), and squeeze the PTT switch. During transmission the BUSY/TX indicator glows red, and relative transmitter power output is indicated graphically along the bottom of the display. Release the PTT switch to receive. If using a "B" version (in Europe), press the T-CALL switch (just below the PTT switch) to transmit a 1750 Hz tone to access repeaters that require it. 6 VX-150 OPERATING MANUAL Basic Operation FREQUENCY NAVIGATION Press the [VFO(PRI)] button, if necessary, to select the VFO mode. The VX-150 has two VFOs, labeled "A" and "B," either of which can be used for all of the procedures described in this manual. You can change VFOs with the [VFO(PRI)] button at any time. There are several ways to tune the VX-150: in selectable channel steps or 1 MHz steps with the [s] / [t] keys or DIAL knob, and direct keypad frequency entry. Use the DIAL knob to tune the displayed VFO frequency at the current channel step rate. You can also press the [s] / [t] keys momentarily to do this. To change the MHz range of the VFO, you can press the [F] key followed by an [s] or [t] key (or turn the DIAL knob). Note the beeps when using the [s] / [t] keys when moving up or down. When done, press [F] again, or just wait five seconds. You can also enter a frequency directly just by keying in the 1 MHz and the kHz digits. If you are using 5 kHz steps enter five digits. Otherwise, just four digits will do. Partial entries can be completed using the [VFO(PRI)] key. Examples: To enter 146.5200 MHz, press To ent ...