|
AR8200
MARK3
(GHz)
ANALOGE
ONTVANGER MET S- METER VOOR UITRICHTEN VAN ANTENNES &
UITGEBREIDE
ONTVANGER
 |
The
AR8200 quickly established itself as the ‘top notch’
hand portable receiver providing unsurpassed
features. As technology has advanced, so the AR8200
has evolved through the AR8200 MK2 drawing from the
successful award winning AR5000 base receiver and
more recently from the AR8600 MK2 transportable
receiver, resulting in the AR8200 MK3 (with
3GHz coverage). Along with an extended receive
frequency coverage, the
illumination has been further enhanced and high
capacity NiMH batteries supplied.
A Temperature Compensated
Crystal Oscillator (TCXO) forms the heart of
the AR8200 MK3, this ensures high stability
with minimal internal spurii... the TCXO
replaces a crystal reference as commonly employed in
other receivers and is usually only seen in top of
the range (more expensive) table-top models such as
the AR5000 and AR7030. Performance too has seen the
AOR R&D team fine tuning the front end switching
circuitry design for best sensitivity and strong
signal handling over the extremely wide coverage
of 530kHz to 3000MHz (all mode receive without gaps).
A telescopic whip
aerial on a swivel base is supplied with a small
medium wave bar aerial. The illumination of
the LCD and keypad is bright and switchable in a
number of ways to help conserve battery power for
extended operation. This includes the ability to
AUTO switch the illumination when the keypad is
touched or when a transmission opens the squelch...
useful for night time operation. Continuing the
strive for even longer operation between charges,
the AR8200 MK3 is supplied with 4 x AA size
1500mAhr NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries,
again reflecting improvements in modern technology.
The list of features is vast, large multi-section
backlit LCD, side mounted keys and rotary tuning
control, alpha-numeric text comments. |
The all important 8.33 kHz airband
channel step is correctly implemented
(eight-and-one-third, 33, 66, 00). Channel steps are
provided via a menu and may be programmed. Step may be
programmed by the operator in any receive mode using
multiples of 50 Hz in any mode (i.e. 5 kHz, 12.5 kHz or even
1.25 kHz). Extensive step-adjust and frequency
offset facilities are also provided (as per AR5000) to
ensure tracking of the most obscure band plans, AFC
(Automatic Frequency Control) is included for spot on tuning
ensuring that nothing is missed. A wide frequency coverage
is available from 530 kHz to 3000 MHz (no gaps) with actual
minimum acceptable frequency of 100 kHz.
 |
The RF front-end is
preselected around VHF to ensure the highest levels
of adjacent channel rejection with software spurii
cancellation. The short wave bands are converted
directly to an IF of 45 MHz to remove compromise and
a detachable plug in medium wave bar aerial
is provided for localised monitoring with a negative
feedback circuit employed. |
All mode receive:
WFM, NFM, SFM (Super Narrow FM), WAM, AM, NAM (Wide,
standard, Narrow AM), USB, LSB & CW. A 3.0 kHz SSB
filter is employed with true carrier re-insertion
resulting in non-offset frequency readout for easy
tuning of SSB transmissions. An attenuator and noise
blanker are also
featured. A meaningful band plan is factory
programmed specific to market area, this ensures
that the AR8200 MK3 automatically selects the
correct receive mode and tuning step (although mode
and tuning step may be manually selected at any
time), the band plan may be edited via computer
control. |
 |
 |
The side
keypad provides four arrow keys presented as a
single ‘rocker’ resulting in more natural and
intuitive navigation through the on-screen menus.
Tuning is accomplished via a variety of controls
including a side panel indented main tuning dial,
arrow keys and keypad. A larger than average back
lit LCD with contrast control provides operational
data with the ability to add 12 character text
comments to each memory channel, memory bank and
search bank, a text search feature simplifies
identification and recall of stored information.
Many text prompts aid operation making programming
of search banks etc straight forward. Two
frequencies may be displayed along with operating
legends and high resolution signal meter and
multi-function band scope. The band scope
provides adjustable span width from 10 MHz to 100
kHz , you can move the marker, operate peak hold,
transfer the marker frequency to VFO and save
trace for later recall. The stylish black
cabinet has a quality feel with an excellent
rear-illuminated keypad with a hard wearing finish.
Flexible dynamic memory bank
layout is provided
(memory banks may be varied in size between 10 and
90 channels each i.e. bank ‘A’ 80 channels / bank
‘a’ 20 channels with bank ‘B’ 40 channels / bank ‘b’
60 channels etc). A total of 1,000 memories are
provided in 20 memory banks, lockout, select scan,
priority and auto store are also provided. In
addition 40 search banks are provided with 50 pass
channels per search bank and a further 50 for VFO
search lockout. Comprehensive edit, move, swap and
delete facilities are provided, it is possible to
move whole memory & search banks. In addition you
may write PROTECT memories, banks and search
banks to prevent accidental over-writing of stored
data including protection of the entire receiver!
Scan & search rates provide a maximum of
approximately 37 increments per second. Flash-ROM
memory storage ensures that data is automatically
saved without the
need for a backup battery or capacitor.
|
 |
Computer control
is available via a metallic side mounted robust
connector and optional lead, an extensive RS232
command list is supported. A FREE software
package is available as a download
from the AOR web sites, this provides frequency
control & management, searching, scanning, logging
with support for geographic data from a GPS and
audio recording to disk. This connector also
supports clone of data between two AR8200 MK3 along
with tape output, detector output and AGC. |
 |
The AR8200 MK3 is powered from 4 x
AA internally fitted high capacity NiMH cells (supplied),
dry cells may be used. External power may also be connected
to the charge socket for extended periods of operation (9 -
16V d.c.).
‘As if this was not enough’,
optional internal SLOT CARDS (which fit into the AR8200
MK3 base) extend the capabilities even further:
lMemory
slot card (increase
storage to 4,000 memories, 160 search banks).
lCTCSS
slot card squelch & search.
lRecord
chip slot card (records up
to 20 seconds of audio). lTone
eliminator slot card,
lVoice inverter card.
Refer to the
OPTIONS PAGE and
OPTIONS LEAFLET for further information.
All this in a cabinet which weighs a
little over 200g (excl.
batteries & aerials) with dimensions of 61(W)
x 143(H) x 39(D) mm (excl. projections).
Accessories supplied:
Supplied with: NiMH batteries
(1500mAhr), charger, cigar lead, swivel base telescopic whip
aerial, MW bar, belt hook & screws, strap, comprehensive
illustrated operating manual (free PC software is available
from the AOR web sites).
TOP
AR8200 MK3 specification
Specifications
subject to change without notice due to continuous
development of the receiver. E&OE.
| Frequency
Range |
530
kHz to 3000 MHz *
(Actual frequency input 100 kHz to 3000 MHz,
performance between 100 kHz to 530 kHz is not
guaranteed).
* Cell blocked in the USA for FCC rules |
| Receive Modes |
WFM,
NFM, SFM, WAM, AM, NAM, USB, LSB, CW |
|
Sensitivity |
500 kHz ~ 1.9 MHz |
AM
3.5 µV (10dB S/N) |
|
1.9 MHz ~ 30 MHz |
AM
2.5 µV (10dB S/N) |
| 30
MHz ~ 470 MHz |
AM
1.5 µV (10dB S/N)
NFM: 0.85 µV (12dB SINAD)
WFM: 1.5 µV (12dB SINAD) |
|
470 MHz ~ 1040 MHz |
NFM:
0.9 µV (12dB SINAD) |
|
1040 MHz ~ 2040 MHz |
NFM:
9.0 µV (12dB SINAD) |
|
2040 MHz ~ 3000 MHz |
NFM:
25 µV (12dB SINAD) |
|
Selectivity |
SSB/NAM |
3kHz
(-6dB) |
9kHz (-40dB) |
|
AM/SFM |
9kHz
(-6dB) |
20kHz
(-40dB) |
|
WAM/NFM |
12kHz
(-6dB) |
25kHz
(-40dB) |
|
WFM |
150kHz (-3dB) |
360kHz (-20dB) |
| Power
requirements |
4 x
AA internal batteries or 12V to 16V d.c. external
supply 190mA (nominal) consumption |
| Dimensions |
61(W)
x 143(H) x 39(D) mm approx excluding projections |
| Weight |
340g
approx including batteries and aerial |
| Operating
temperature |
-5°C
to + 50°C |
| Audio output |
120mW
(8 OHM) THD 10% |
| Memory
channels |
1,000
(20 banks) |
| Select scan
channels |
50 |
| Priority
channels |
1 |
| Search banks |
40 |
| PASS channels |
50
per search bank + 50 for VFO search |
| Scan/Search
Rate |
37
steps per second (nominal) |
TOP
TOP
AOR Sensitivity comment
Manufacturers tend to publish
worse-case figures so that complaints do not arise due to
unrealistic expectations, but the position is not
consistent. For instance the published sensitivity for the
Icom R3 above 2GHz looks rather optimistic when compared to
real world reports of monitoring. Real word sensitivity for
the AR8200-2 / AR8200 MK3 measured in our workshop is as
follows (the performance of the MK3 is almost identical to
that of the MK2):
The following sensitivity figures are typical measurements
in the UK workshop and must not be taken as a guaranteed
specification:
| Frequency |
Sensitivity |
| 1.2MHz AM |
0.30uV |
| 7.2 AM |
0.27uV |
| 25.2 AM |
0.28uV |
| 27.7 NFM |
0.24uV |
| 31.2 NFM |
0.18uV |
| 85.2 NFM |
0.23uV |
| 124.2 AM |
0.28uV |
| 145.2 NFM |
0.21uV |
| 245.2 AM |
0.40uV |
| 445.2 NFM |
0.35uV |
| IFDR 62dB |
Mixing performance (IFDR),
measured at 145.100MHz with signal
generators at 145.200 and 145.300MHz. |
MK3 measured audio output (8 OHMS nominal 10% distortion),
powered by external 13.8V:
| NFM |
210 - 230 mW |
| AM |
220 - 230mW |
In conclusion, the Mk3 appears to have more audio output on
AM, but similar (marginally higher) on
NFM than the series-2. Remember though, your 'ear' is
logarithmic, so doubling the output sounds
a little louder but not twice as loud. Subjectively
speaking, for any specific setting on the Mk3 volume control,
the output does sound louder than the same position on the
series-2.
Sensitivity / dynamic range of the Series-2 / Mk3 appears
about the same... with some improvement on
the Mk3 at the lower frequencies.
TOP
Top
|
