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Important note:  The following information allows the user to program receive and transmit frequencies into the radio.  The user of this information assumes all legal consequences of transmitting on frequencies not allocated to them for their use, even if by accident.  Some radios may need proper realignment in order to perform on the programmed frequencies or in order to operate at best performance. A qualified technician using proper test equipment should perform any required realignment.

Frequency Information:

The frequency information to be programmed into the radio must be obtained by the user.  The frequencies given in the examples listed in the Programming instructions are not allocated frequencies.  

Programming Preparations:

Items required:

1. One large tip Philips head screwdriver.
2. One pair of needle nose pliers or a pair of tweezers.
3. A power cord connected to a 12vdc source.

Getting the radio into the programming mode:

1. Disconnected the radio from its DC supply until the disassembly is complete.  Turn the radio on to drain any remaining charged voltage.
2. Using the Philips head screwdriver remove all five screws located on the bottom case of the radio.
3. Carefully remove the bottom case and set it aside.
4. Carefully remove the top case pulling up from the rear of the radio.  There is a short two-wire lead that connects the speaker, mounted to the top case, to the inside of the radio.  Note: In the case of the RH600 you will need to remove the six screws holding down the heat sinked power amp on the top of the radio.  Then pry up the heat sink, pivoting it on the left side of the radio with the front facing you.
5. Locate the programming jumper labeled J401 in the middle of the front row of pins of the microprocessor (the largest chip or Integrate Circuit, IC in the radio).  The jumper should be cut in two pieces, as it will prevent the 16 channel radios from transmitting when the jumper is connected at both ends when in the user mode.   If the jumper is missing it will be necessary to short pin 12 of the microprocessor and then continue to step 6, 7 skip step 8, then go to step 9.
6. Connect the radio to a properly fused (7 amp max) 12vdc supply.
7. Turn the radio on. 
8. Using the tweezers or needle nose pliers short both ends of the jumper.
9. Momentarily select the Pro. Pri. (Program Priority) key (the display should start flashing), then momentarily select the 0 or 10 key (and the display should go blank.  The radio will not be in the programming mode until the display goes blank.  After the display is blank you can remove the short across jumper J401.

You will need to make a list of frequencies has been written in the sequence as listed below:

The tone chart below is a list of available tones that the radio is capable of receiving and transmitting.  Use the two digit tone code to indicate the tone frequency that is needed for the channel:   Ex. – Desired tone frequency = 127.3Hz, use tone code 19.

When your list is complete you will have the information in proper sequence so that program entry errors will be minimized.

Programming steps:

Example 1: Simplex - The receive and transmit frequency are the same with no CTCSS tone.

1. When the display is blank enter the following digits, pressing each key momentarily:

462625  00 00

2. Momentarily press the ENT key.
3. Momentarily enter the channel number that you want the frequency data to be saved to. Channels 1 through 10 are a single keystroke. Channels 11 though 16 require a two digit entry – when one is selected it goes to the left display LED waiting approximately 3 to 4 seconds for a second digit. If no other digits are entered the data will go into channel 1. 

To review the channel for proper frequency and tone data select the MAN or manual key and then the channel number you want to check.

What do the digits mean?

The first six are the receive frequency.

The next two tells the microprocessor that the transmit frequency is the same as the receiver.

The last two tells the microprocessor that no tone is required for receive or transmit.

Example 2: The transmit frequency is different from the receiver and a tone of 100Hz is required for receive and transmit.

1. en the display is blank enter the following digits, pressing each key momentarily:

462625  80 12 467625

2. Momentarily press the ENT key.
3. Momentarily enter the channel number that you want the frequency data to be saved to. Channels 1 through 10 are a single keystroke. Channels 11 though 16 require a two digit entry – when one is selected it goes to the left display LED waiting approximately 3 to 4 seconds for a second digit. If no other digits are entered the data will go into channel 1. 

To review the channel for proper frequency and tone data select the MAN or manual key and then the channel number you want to check.

What do the digits mean?

The first six are the receive frequency.

The next two (7^th and 8^th digits) tells the microprocessor that the transmit frequency is going to be different than the receiver frequency.

The last six are the transmit frequency.

Example 3:  Receive only  - the transmit frequency is disabled to prevent accidental keying of the microphone on a frequency not allocated to the user. 

1. When the display is blank enter the following digits, pressing each key momentarily:

464600  04 00

2. Momentarily press the ENT key.
3. Momentarily enter the channel number that you want the frequency data to be saved to. Channels 1 through 10 are a single keystroke. Channels 11 though 16 require a two digit entry – when one is selected it goes to the left display LED waiting approximately 3 to 4 seconds for a second digit. If no other digits are entered the data will go into channel 1. 

To review the channel for proper frequency and tone data select the MAN or manual key and then the channel number you want to check.

What do the digits mean?

The first six are the receive frequency.

The next two tells the microprocessor that the transmitter is disabled.

The last two tells the microprocessor that no tone is required for the receiver.

Example 4:  Transmit tone is different than the receiver

1. When the “P” is in the display enter the following digits, pressing each key momentarily:

154600 80 19 12 151625 

2. Momentarily press the ENT key.
3. Momentarily enter the channel number that you want the frequency data to be saved to. Channels 1 through 10 are a single keystroke. Channels 11 though 16 require a two digit entry – when one is selected it goes to the left display LED waiting approximately 3 to 4 seconds for a second digit. If no other digits are entered the data will go into channel 1. 

To review the channel for proper frequency and tone data select the MAN or manual key and then the channel number you want to check.

Deleting a channel from memory:

Important note:  It is necessary to have all unused channels deleted from memory so that the radio operates at maximum performance.

While the display is blank:

1. Momentarily select the DEL or Delete key.
2. Momentarily select the ENT or Enter key.

3.      Enter the channel number to be deleted.

Reviewing programming information:

When in the programming mode (blank display):

1.  Momentarily select the MAN or Manual key of the keypad and then momentarily select a number of the channel you wish to review.  Channels 1 through 10 are a single keystroke. Channels 11 though 16 require a two digit entry – when one is selected it goes to the left display LED waiting approximately 3 to 4 seconds for a second digit. If nothing is programmed into channels 11 through 16 then radio will review the programming of channel one after momentarily selecting a one.  You will need paper and pen in order to write down the programmed frequency information.  This information could be incorrect if the radio suddenly stopped working.
2. To review the next channel momentarily select the MAN key and then the channel number of the next channel to be reviewed. 

User Mode

1. Turn the radio off when you have completed all of the programming.

2.      Reinstall the top cover of the radio making sure that the speaker wires did not break loose during the programming process.

3.      Install the bottom cover.

4.      Insert the five bottom screws and tighten.

User Programming

The programming jumper must be disconnected to allow for transmit to occur.

Scanning Channels

1. Turn the radio on.
2. Select the MAN or manual key to step through the channels that are currently listed as a scan channel.
3. Select the number of the channel to be added to scan. 
4. Select the ENT or Enter key.  

Deleting a Nuisance Channel From the Scan Mode

1. Select the number of the channel to be deleted from the scan mode.
2. Momentarily select the DEL or Delete key.

Selecting a Priority Channel

A priority channel must be selected in order for the scan mode to work properly. 

1. Select the channel you desire to use as the priority channel.
2. Select the Pro Pri or Program Priority key.

3.      Select the ENT or Enter key.

Safe Radio Operation:

1. Do not transmit on any antenna that is not designed for the specific frequencies and power rating of the radio.  Damage will occur and can be extensive to the point of the radio not being repairable.
2. The antenna should be tested at least once every 3 to 4 months for proper ground and SWR readings by a qualified technician.
3. Never transmit when someone on the outside of the vehicle is within 5 feet of the antenna.
4. Use 14 gauge wire or for both the positive and the negative lead and be sure that the line is fused.  For the lower power radios the fuse should not be rated lower than 5amps or higher than 7.5 amps.  Use 12 gauge wire on the 60 watt mobiles with an inline fuse rated at 20 amps.

Definition of terms:

Simplex – The channel will Receive and Transmit on the same frequency.

Half duplex – The channel will receive on one frequency and transmit on another. 

Tone – Also known as CG or channel Guard, PL or Private Line, CTCSS or Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System.  The radio requires the tone to be converted to a two digit number for programming purposes.   It is used when more than one company or agency share a transmit and receive frequency.  It is also used to allow a specific tone to gain access to a repeater when the channel is programmed for half duplex.

Radio Specifications

Ham Band 144MHz to 148MHz

All of the Regency or Wilson 10 channel VHF mobiles will except programming in the Amateur band of 144MHz to 148MHz but will not operate in that frequency range without proper realignment of the VCO, the receiver and the transmitter.  Some radios may need component changes to get maximum performance out of the receiver and transmitter.

The factory guaranteed operating bandwidth

The factory guaranteed operating bandwidth is +/-1.5MHz from the center-tuned frequency, and was tuned from 154.800MHz to 157.500MHz.  A maximum bandwidth can be achieved by modifying the PLL circuit, the receiver, and transmit PA.  After all of the aforementioned modifications are complete the 25 watt transceivers can achieve a minimum of a 7MHz band spread between the highest and lowest frequency, and a maximum of 10MHz with degradation on the highest and lowest frequencies. After all of the aforementioned modifications are complete the 60 watt transceivers can achieve a minimum of a 5MHz band spread between the highest and lowest frequency, and a maximum of 8MHz with degradation on the highest and lowest frequencies.

If you have any questions you may contact me via email: bill@billscommsol.com

For repair or realignment pricing please visit my web site at www.billscommsol.com

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Repairs
Older RELM, Regency, Wilson, and BK products