VHF/FM DIGITAL AIRBORNE TRANSCEIVER MODEL TDFM-136A Operating Instructions TiL Document No. 09RE405 Revision C JUNE 2009 Technisonic Industries Limited 240 Traders Boulevard, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1W7 Tel: (905) 890-2113 Fax: (905) 890-5338 www.til.
REV A B C SECTION - PAGE - Table 1-1 - Table 1-5 - STC Appr. - Table 1-5 - Table 1-4 Footer, all pages. DESCRIPTION Changed upper operating temp to +60 C. Changed lower operating temp to –30 C. Change references of DO-160C to 160D. Change Temp & Alt to B4 and D1. Change Magnetic Effect to class Z. Change RF Output Power Low to read “1W”. Remove “Installation and” from “Installation and Operating Instructions”. 2 DATE EDITED Apr.13/09 May 26/09 S.M. H.D. June 15/09 H.D.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca CAUTION ! STATIC SENSITIVE ! This unit contains static sensitive devices. Wear a grounded wrist strap and/or conductive gloves when handling printed circuit boards. FCC COMPLIANCE INFORMATION This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca STC APPROVAL NOTE Presently, no TSO standard exists for airborne FM transceivers.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION TITLE PAGE Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................. List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................ List of Tables ................................................................................................................
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca SECTION TITLE PAGE L2-2 Copy Guard to Main .......................................................................................................... L2-3 Lock Keypad ...................................................................................................................... L2-4 Not Used ...........................................................................................................................
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca SECTION TITLE PAGE 2.6 Understanding Radio Operation .................................................................................................. Basic Radio Operation ................................................................................................................... Channels and Memories ................................................................................................................ Memory Parameters .......................
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 2-9 2-10 2-11 2-12 2-13 2-14 2-15 2-16 2-17 2-18 2-19 2-20 2-21 2-22 2-23 2-24 2-25 2-26 2-27 2-28 2-29 2-30 2-31 2-32 2-33 2-34 2-35 2-36 2-37 2-38 2-39 2-40 2-41 2-42 2-43 TITLE PAGE User Screen showing the Command Level Display Position ......................................................2-1 User Screen to Enter a Memory Number ............................................................................
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca LIST OF TABLES TABLE TITLE PAGE 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 TDFM-136A – General Characteristics .......................................................................................1-3 TDFM-136A – Operational Characteristics .................................................................................1-4 TDFM-136A – Receiver Characteristics – Main and Guard .......................................................1-4 TDFM-136A – Transmitter Characteristics ........
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TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca SECTION 1 - GENERAL DESCRIPTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION This publication provides operating and installation information for the TDFM-136A, Digital Transceiver manufactured by Technisonic Industries Limited. The TDFM-136A is Project 25 (P25), Phase 1 compliant. The unit offers digital or conventional analog FM communications over an extended frequency range with selectable channel spacing and is intended for use (in the U.S.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca 1.4 MODEL VARIATION There are twelve variations of the Model TDFM-136A Transceiver.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca TABLE 1-1 TDFM-136A – General Characteristics Characteristic Specification Dimensions (including heat sink) Approx. 8.0" X 3.0" X 5.75" Weight Approx. 3.5 Lbs (1.6 Kg) Mounting Panel Mount via DZUS fasteners Power Requirement: Voltage Current Audio Output Power: Headset Speaker Output 28.0 VDC, ±15% Receive - 0.7 A Max. Transmit Low Power (1W) - 1.3 A Max. Transmit High Power (8-10W) - 2.0 A Max. 0.5 Watts into 600 ohms 2.5 Watts min.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca TABLE 1-2 TDFM-136A – Operational Characteristics Characteristic Specification Frequency Range: 136.000 to 174.000 MHz Operating Modes: Conventional analog: 12.5 / 25 kHz. P25 CAI: 12 KBPS FSK, 9.6 KBPS C4FM 25 kHz. or 12.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca TABLE 1-4 TDFM-136A – Transmitter Characteristics Characteristic RF Output Power: Low High Output Impedance 1W. 10W. 50 ohms Maximum Deviation: Wide (25 kHz) Narrow (12.5 kHz) Maximum Deviation – Narrow ± 5 kHz ± 2.5 kHz ± 2.5 kHz (12.5 kHz mode) Spurious Attenuation -90 dB below carrier level Frequency Stability ± 2.5 ppm Microphone Circuit Carbon or equivalent Sidetone Output 0.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca SECTION 2 – OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS This section provides the user with a reference of the keypad accessible programming features of the Technisonic TDFM-136A VHF/FM Digital Transceiver. This section is divided into subsections as follows: 2.1 command structure overview and terms 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 detailed command descriptions by level 2.6 detailed operating description 2.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca Command Types There are two basic command types: Inherent and Edit. An Inherent command is one that requires no additional input from the user, such as the ‘memory brightness’ or ‘scroll memory’ commands. An Edit command requires further input from the user. Command Scope The Main or the Guard Channel can be affected by most, but not all, edit commands. The channel to be edited depends on the position of the MN/GD and the G1/G2 front panel switches.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca 2.2.1 Programming Guide • The channel to be edited depends on the position of the MN/GD and the G1/G2 front panel switches. Table 2-1 below shows the commands divided into command levels: one, two, three, and four. • Radio’s default Command/Operator Level 1 is the only command level not displayed in the 4th character position on the lower row of the display. • key (refer to Table 2-1).
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca TABLE 2-2 ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS USED Abbreviation & Symbols $ • Section / paragraph 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-2 L1-3 L1-3 L1-3 L1-5, L2-3 L1-9.1, L3-3 2-26 • 2-26 X 2-26 Rx, Tx L1-9, L2-9, L39, L4-9 Analog squelch mode 'x' is the default squelch mode (noise squelch). Rt, Tt L1-9, L2-9, L39, L4-9 Analog squelch mode 't' indicates that both receive and transmit use CTCSS tone selective squelch. The tones may be the same or different for receive or transmit.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca 2.2 COMMAND/OPERATOR LEVEL 1 This section lists the commands available to the user in Level 1. The availability of the commands is subject to the restrictions set by the Permissions policy (see section 2.5, L4-3). Default level – no display is shown L1-1 Select the Operating Memory for the Main Channel (MN) This command allows the user to select the MAIN channel that the radio is operating on.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca You may now edit the Operating Mode as follows: step through the available entries accept the entry and return abandon the entry and exit L1-4 Scroll Backwards through Available Memories This command will scroll the Main Channel BACK, or down, through the programmed memories until reaching the lowest memory programmed, it will then wrap around and restart from the top. Once the user releases the button the displayed characteristics will be programmed.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L1-6 Scroll Forward through Available Memories (MN) This command will scroll FORWARD, or up, through the programmed channels, scroll speed will increase as the button is held and the scroll will wrap around and restart from the bottom. Once the user releases the button the displayed characteristics will be programmed. L1-7 Edit Channel Operating Frequency (MN/GD) This command allows the user to edit the Operating Frequency of the selected channel.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L1-9 Edit Channel Squelch Mode (MN/GD) This command will edit the Squelch Mode of the selected channel, and then allow the user to edit the associated Squelch Mode Value. As with the Frequency Edit function above, the Squelch Edit is in duplex mode, Receive followed by Transmit. The edit screen appears as follows: 0 E 0 d 1 i M t a S i q n l D M o d e 1 ( 3 ↑ 6 ↓ .
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca The user may edit the Noise Squelch value as follows: to decimal mode: enter number, cursor automatically advances accept the entry and return abandon the entry and exit L1-9.2 Scope: 0 C 0 T Select CTCSS Tone analog only, receive & transmit, 42 tones (67Hz to 254.8Hz) If CTCSS Tones are chosen, the prompt line will display the current value for that tone: 5 C S T S e s T t o n e ( ↑ n ↓ 1 , 5 # 6 * . ) 0 : 0 0 6 0 7 R .
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L1-9.4 Edit Project 25 Talkgroup Value Scope: 0 P 0 2 digital only, receive and transmit, range 0-65535 ($0000-$FFFF) If the P25 TalkGroup was chosen the, the prompt line will display the current TalkGroup value, the cursor will be on the first digit: 1 5 M T a a i l n k G r o u p D : 1 3 6 .
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L1-9.6 Edit Project 25 ID Call Value Scope: 0 P 0 2 digital only, transmit only, range 0-9,999,999 If the P25 ID Call was chosen, the prompt line will display the current ID Call value. This parameter may only be edited in decimal, as follows: 1 5 M C a a i l n l D U n i t 1 # 3 : 6 .
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca 2.3 COMMAND/OPERATOR LEVEL 2 Access the Command/Operator Level 2 by pressing the 'PROG' key from the Command/Operator Level 1 once. The Command Level is indicated in the 4th character position on the lower row of the display indicating a subscript '2'. The Command/Operator Level 2 maps the keys to provide a new set of functions for the operator as shown below. Note: L2-1 The system is time limited in command levels above level 1.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L2-1.3 Enter a Text Description (refer to L2-6 for details) After SCAN, the cursor moves to the first position in the eight (8) character text description field, the user may now edit the existing test as desired. The editor allows you to select all upper and lower (A-Z, a-z) case alphabetic characters, the numbers from zero to nine (0-9), and a selection of extra characters including the space. L2-1.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L2-5 Edit Scan List & Enable/Disable Scan (MN) This command allows the user to select which of the SCAN LISTs (if any) that the selected channel is included in. The memory must be a member of one of the fifteen (15) scan lists that are supported. In addition, it allows the user to select whether or not the scan is enabled for the current memory. The cursor will move to the fourth (4th) position on the top line, the default scan list is shown in subscript.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca The keys for the text editor operate as follows: step through available edit groups (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +extra characters – see table 2-6) scroll up/down through available characters move cursor forward / backward accept the entry and return abandon the entry and exit Note that the up/down arrow keys are scroll enabled, that is, if you hold them you will scroll through the character set rather than having to press each time you want to advance.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L2-7.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L2-9 Edit Unit ID Value (MN/GD) The Unit ID is a number from 0 to 9,999,999 that is given to the RF module, this number should be unique within the operating group of radios, but this is NOT a universally mandated number (e.g. the number is NOT assigned by any P25 umbrella group, or even by the manufacturer), the user may edit this number as desired.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca 2.4 COMMAND/OPERATOR LEVEL 3 The Command/Operator Level 3 commands are configuration commands that allow the operator to configure many of the default parameters of the radio, in addition, level 3 has the PC upload and download commands. L3-1 Select Boot Channel This command allows the user to select which method will be used to determine the memory that will be used for the Main Channel when the unit is turned on.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L3-4 Display Software Release and Version Information This command allows the user to see the current software release and version number for both the Main code, and the Boot loader code. This information is displayed on the bottom row as follows: 0 M 0 a 1 i M n a C i o n d D 1 3 6 . 0 e 0 2 0 . 0 0 R .
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L3-5.2 Setting the Reply Timer Range: 0-20s, Default: 3 seconds The next screen allows the user to set the scan Reply time. This is the time that the radio will monitor a channel on which RF was received, after all activity on the channel has ended (Rx or Tx). If there is further receive or transmit activity on the channel, the timer will reset, and start again once the activity has ended. When the timer times-out the unit will resume scan.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L3-5.4 Setting the Delay Timer Range: 0-15s, Default: 5 seconds The Delay time is the time that the radio will remain monitoring a channel after receiving on that channel has ended. If the timer is set to zero (0), then the unit will resume scanning immediately after the receive activity ends. This is the timer that affects the Revert Mode 'Contacted'.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L3-7 Sidetone Audio Level Adjust This command allows the user to adjust the level of side tone.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L3-9 Display Channel Squelch Parameters Display the Squelch parameters for the channel. The data are displayed as follows: R x A : 1 T 6 o 7 n .
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca 2.5 COMMAND/MAINTENANCE LEVEL 4 The Command/Maintenance Level 4 is available to allow authorized personnel to set policy for the radio use, by granting or restricting access to system commands and features. This command level does not preserve the Normal Operating display characteristics, that is: the Main and Guard displays are replaced by suitable command prompt information.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca The commands available in this command level are: L4-1 Set Default Record This command allows the user to set up the default record that is used when a user selects Create New/ Edit All (command 2-1). This allows those responsible for setting policy to determine what parameters they wish to have as system defaults. Some of the parameters are subject to restrictions set out in L4-9.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L4-2 Unused L4-3 Set Command Permissions This command allows those responsible for setting policy to select which commands in the command set will be accessible in the Command/Operator Levels (levels 1, 2, and 3). All the commands in those three levels are affected EXCEPT: ‘PROG’ (0) and ‘ESC’ (*). The factory default configuration has all the commands enabled, except L2-2 and L2-8. Figures 234,2-35 and 2-36 are factory default positions.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca Note that the cursor will automatically jump to the next valid column, the cursor will wrap. The ‘g’ indicates a separate Guard option; for the commands that support this, the Main and Guard can be enabled / disabled separately. In addition, some of the commands are either channel agnostic, or specific to the Main channel only and can thus be invoked for Main even when the radio front panel switches are in the Guard position.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L4-9 Set Squelch Restrictions This command allows those responsible for setting policy for radio use to control what access the user has to manipulate the Squelch modes.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca L4-9.2 Restricting the Squelch Modes Value Edit This screen allows you to restrict which Squelch Modes can have their values edited by the user. The access to selecting these modes is not affected here. Example, if Noise mode is disabled here, then the user can select Noise (for analog Rx operation), but cannot change the Noise Squelch level.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca The basic operation of the TDFM-136A radio is accomplished through the front panel user interface. The front panel layout is shown in figure 2-41 below.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca Channels and Memories The radio supports 2 channels: Main, and Guard. The currently selected channel (ie that channel that the radio will transmit on when PTT is asserted) is determined by the position of the MN/GD, and G1/G2 switches. The Main channel supports multiple memory positions, that is, the user can select Main channel parameters by switching to a different memory position. The radio supports up to 230 memories for the Main channel.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca Squelch Modes (L1-9, L2-9, L3-9, L4-9) The radio supports a variety of squelch modes for both analog and digital operation, these are shown in table 2-8 below.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca Digital Mode 'g' The digital squelch mode 'g', is valid for receive and transmit only. For receive it indicates that any non-encrypted P25 compliant digital signal, having the correct NAC, and the correct TalkGroup will be received. For transmit it indicates that the specified NAC and TalkGroup codes will be transmitted.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca Revert Mode The Revert Mode refers to whether the radio will, when keyed, transmit on the currently selected memory channel, or on the last contacted memory channel. The radio will only respond on the last contacted channel for a time determined by the Delay Timer setting, once the Timer times out, the unit then always transmits on the selected channel.
TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca When mixing analog noise squelch with analog selective squelches, the noise squelch shadow will delay decode for a short time to allow the selective squelch channels time to decode, if none of the selective squelch channels decode a valid signal, then squelch is broken on the noise squelch channel. The radio will operate in Mixed Mode when the Main channel has any memory in the shadow group selected (e.g. either Primary or any shadow).
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TECHNISONIC INDUSTRIES LIMITED www.til.ca APPENDIX A – CTCSS TONES and DCS CODES Available CTCSS TONES TONES 67.0 69.3 71.9 74.4 77.0 79.7 82.5 85.4 88.5 91.5 94.8 97.4 100.0 103.5 107.2 110.9 114.8 118.8 123.0 127.3 131.8 136.5 141.3 146.2 151.4 156.7 162.2 167.9 173.8 179.9 186.2 192.8 203.5 206.5 210.7 218.1 225.7 229.1 233.6 241.8 250.3 254.
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