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AURORA SERIES
PORTABLE RADIO
User's Manual
Aurora User's Manual
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Summary of Contents for BK Radio Aurora Series

  • Page 1 AURORA SERIES PORTABLE RADIO User’s Manual Aurora User’s Manual...
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    PACKING LIST 1 – Radio with Belt Clip 1 – Flexible, Helical-Wound Antenna 1 – User’s Manual (P/N 7001-30927-401) CAUTION Do NOT operate a damaged radio. TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME ..............8 INTRODUCTION .............9 Optional Accessories ..........9 External Speaker/Microphone ......9 External VOX Headset .........9 Battery Packs ............9 FCC REQUIREMENTS ..........10 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ........10...
  • Page 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Before Using Your Radio ..........13 Battery Installation and Removal ......13 Antenna Installation and Removal ......14 Radio Views ..............15 Aurora Radio Controls ..........16 Front View ..............16 Display ..............16 Backlight .............17 Keypad ...............17 Speaker ..............17 Top View ..............18 Status Indicator ..........18 On/Off Volume Knob ...........18 Squelch Knob .............18...
  • Page 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Built-in Features ............27 Audio ................27 Audio Options ............28 Battery-Saver Feature ..........29 VOX Operation ............29 Channel Selector .............30 HI/LOW Transmit Power ..........31 Function Menu ............32 Mode Selections ..........32 Backlite ...............33 Selecting and Activating Frequently Called “Phone List” Numbers.........34 Editing Frequently Called Numbers ....35 DTMF Encoding ............36 ANI Encoding ............36...
  • Page 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Scan Operation ............43 Talkback Scan ............43 Scan All Groups ..........44 Change the Scan List .........44 Scanning Options ..........44 Scan Delay ............44 Talk Around ............45 Scan in Tone Mode ..........46 Scan in Monitor Mode ........46 Transmit on Priority Channel ......46 Channel Scan Delete/Add ........47 Priority Scan ............48 Priority Scan with Code Guard ......48...
  • Page 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Originating a Call .............58 Frequently Called Numbers and Call Paging ..59 Radio Paging ............61 Flex Mode ..............61 Keypad and Channel Selector Lock ......61 Busy Channel Lockout ..........62 Battery Power ..............63 Battery Saver ............63 Radio Power-Up ............65 Error Messages .............65 Stun ................65 Aurora Programmed Switch Settings ......67 Troubleshooting Guide ..........69...
  • Page 8: Welcome

    Well, just be careful because as our warranty states, BK Radio isn’t going to cover defects caused by: • Physical abuse or misuse of the radio •...
  • Page 9: Introduction

    INTRODUCTION Congratulations, you now own a BK Radio Aurora Series Flex•Mode™ Radio! This synthesized portable radio uses a microprocessor core to give you features and performance previously unavailable in a hand-held two-way radio. The Aurora radio has been designed to meet the tough requirements of today’s communications environment.
  • Page 10: Fcc Requirements

    (LAA 0437). FCC REQUIREMENTS Your radio must be properly licensed by the Federal Communications Commission prior to use. Your BK Radio dealer can assist you in meeting these requirements. Your dealer will program each radio with your authorized frequencies, signaling codes, etc., and will be there to meet...
  • Page 11: Features

    Code Guard user reassignment • Channel, frequency, or alpha user-changeable display modes • Priority scan • Multiple scan • Talkback scan • DTMF number dialing (keypad) • Alphanumeric display Code Guard™ is a trademark of BK Radio. Aurora User’s Manual...
  • Page 12: Dealer Programmable Options

    DEALER PROGRAMMABLE OPTIONS • Five-tone ANI encode/decode • Two-tone sequential decode • Radio Paging: ANI (two-tone, five-tone, DTMF) with frequently called number memory • VOX (Voice-Operated Transmissions) • Internal options board activation • Keyless front panel radio parameter programming • Man Down (requires optional factory-installed tilt switch) •...
  • Page 13: Before Using Your Radio

    BEFORE USING YOUR RADIO BATTERY INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL Installing the Battery The battery for the Aurora radio is connected on the back side of the radio. To install the battery, follow the steps below: 1. With the radio in one hand and the battery in Side View the other hand, face the...
  • Page 14: Antenna Installation And Removal

    Removing the Battery WARNING: Explosion Hazard Do not dispose a battery pack into a fire. To avoid explosion, intrinsically safe radios designed for use in hazardous environments MUST use replacement batteries approved by Factory Mutual. To remove the battery, press down on the locking tabs and reverse the order for installing the battery.
  • Page 15: Radio Views

    RADIO VIEWS Speaker Battery Battery Microphone Aurora Display Belt Clip Keypad Battery Recharge Terminals Figure 3. Front and back view Aurora User’s Manual...
  • Page 16: Aurora Radio Controls

    AURORA RADIO CONTROLS FRONT VIEW Display The Aurora advanced model radios have a front panel display that consists of status icons and an alphanumeric display of channel information and radio status. If you select the alpha display mode, the display will show the preprogrammed alphanumeric channel identifier.
  • Page 17: Backlight

    FRONT VIEW (continued) Backlight The Aurora radio display can be backlit, and your dealer programmed one of the following options for your radio: 1. Backlight on whenever you press a key (1–6-second auto timeout) 2. Backlight on whenever a signal is received and the audio is sent to the speaker (1–6-second auto timeout starting at carrier drop) 3.
  • Page 18: Top View

    TOP VIEW Status Indicator A dual color LED indicates the transmit mode, active receive carrier, priority sampling, low battery, cloning, and radio error conditions in the Aurora radio. Table 2. Status Indicator Colors Color Indication Steady The radio is transmitting Steady The receive channel is busy (carrier detected) Green...
  • Page 19 TOP VIEW On/Off Volume Squelch Antenna Connector Channel Selector 3-Position Toggle Switch* Status Scan Mode** *Three-Position Toggle Switch (Factory Default) 1 Channel frequency 2 Channel label 3 Group number, channel number, and bandwidth Programmable Red Switch Factory Default — Scan Programmable to —...
  • Page 20: Programmable Three-Position Switch

    Programmable Three-Position Switch The three-position switch on top of the radio is programmed by the dealer for features you can select in a variety of configurations. The default configuration is shown in Table 3 below: Table 3. Factory Default for Three-Position Switch Position Features Channel frequency...
  • Page 21: Side Views

    SIDE VIEWS PTT Switch Programmable Switches Use the PTT Switch to key-up the radio’s transmitter. At times, activating the PTT switch will not allow transmitter operation, such as when channels have active carriers with busy channel lockout is programmed or if no transmit frequency was programmed for the displayed channel.
  • Page 22: Options Connector

    Options Connector The Aurora radio has a sealed options connector on the side of the radio (opposite the softkeys and the PTT switch) that facilitates: • Programming the radio for dealers • Using the RF antenna port Options Connector • Using external transmit carrier (without modulation sources cover)
  • Page 23: Basic Operation

    BASIC OPERATION RECEIVE 1. Turn power on. Turn the volume knob clockwise. The radio is operational when you hear the beep. The display, if installed, shows the current channel, On/Off frequency, or alpha characters depending Volume on the position of the three-position Squelch switch on top of the radio.
  • Page 24: Transmit

    TRANSMIT Follow these steps to transmit: 1. Press the PTT switch. When the transmitter is on, the red transmit indicator glows and the transmit icon ] appears in the display. 2. Talk in a normal voice with the microphone 1–2 inches from your mouth.
  • Page 25: Code Guard Operation

    CODE GUARD OPERATION Code Guard (sometimes called tone code) allows one radio or group of radios to be selectively called within a system. If the radio has been programmed with Code Guard, use the following receive and transmit instructions: CODE GUARD RECEIVE 1.
  • Page 26: Code Guard Transmit

    CODE GUARD TRANSMIT Code 1. Turn on Code Guard mode by Guard pushing the gray button on the side of the radio, which is the factory default for toggling Code Guard on or off. If Code Guard is not assigned to a soft switch, you can also push one of the menu select buttons [ ] until...
  • Page 27: Built-In Features

    BUILT-IN FEATURES The BK Radio Aurora radio is based on a microprocessor core that allows extra features and operational characteristics to be programmed into your radio. Your dealer can help define the best operational settings for your system and program them into the radio.
  • Page 28: Audio Options

    Boop-Beep The boop-beep is a short duration tone of 780 Hz followed by a short duration tone of 1560 Hz. You will hear a boop-beep: • When you toggle a radio function ON with a softkey or the three-position switch •...
  • Page 29: Battery-Saver Feature

    BATTERY-SAVER FEATURE The battery-saver feature can be programmed by your dealer. This function temporarily powers down the hardware when the channel is not busy. VOX OPERATION Vox Operation is a special option that can be programmed on or off at the factory. You can use the VOX operation feature with an optional headset that can be connected to the radio via the options connector.
  • Page 30: Channel Selector

    After 1 second, the radio will automatically start adjusting the VOX trigger sensitivity value. The radio cycles through the 16 available trigger values, starting at the least sensitive value and incrementing to the most sensitive value. Then the cycle wraps Status Indicator around, and the radio repeats the cycle as long as you keep pressing the...
  • Page 31: Hi/Low Transmit Power

    HI/LOW TRANSMIT POWER Each channel in the radio can be individually programmed to always transmit in low-power or high-power mode, regardless of the position of the radio’s switches (or the function menu setting). Once a radio channel is programmed for low power, you will not be able to change this setting to high power.
  • Page 32: Function Menu

    FUNCTION MENU Any functions not assigned to a side button or the three-position toggle switch can be enabled/disabled with on the keypad. You can use the function menu as follows: 1. Press to display the function menu. 2. Use the keys to move from one function to the next forward or backward.
  • Page 33: Backlite

    You can change the attributes of the following functions by pressing keys as described below: Backlite 1. Press [E]nter to start the timeout value to flash. 2. Press [E]nter. The existing number will flash. 3. Press [0]–[6] to set the time to off (0) or for 1-6 seconds.
  • Page 34: Selecting And Activating Frequently Called "Phone List" Numbers

    3. Press the [H]ome key twice quickly to delete the number from the list. 4. Press the [H]ome key twice slowly to exit the function menu. Each time you press [E]nter, the number type is toggled between DTMF and 5 Tone. The radio then displays the current frequently called number.
  • Page 35: Editing Frequently Called Numbers

    Editing Frequently Called Numbers To edit a frequently called number, press [E]nter when the display shows the attribute for the currently selected number. You can use the following valid keys to edit a frequently called number attribute: • [H]ome. Clears the number or alpha. Type attribute has no effect.
  • Page 36: Dtmf Encoding

    DTMF ENCODING Keypad-equipped radios can be programmed to enable DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency) number dialing sequences. To send DTMF tones: 1. Press [H]ome to return to the main display if your radio is in the DTMF function menu. 2. Press and hold the PTT switch. 3.
  • Page 37: Transmit Time-Out Timer

    TRANSMIT TIME-OUT TIMER The transmit timeout timer is dealer-programmable. The length of the time out is the maximum amount of time the radio transmits after you press the PTT button. If you are still talking past the timeout timer, the radio will stop transmitting and you will hear a continuous boop error message until you stop pressing PTT.
  • Page 38: Emergency Group/Channel

    EMERGENCY GROUP/CHANNEL The emergency sequence is always transmitted on the emergency group/ channel regardless of the current function mode and channel. Once the emergency sequence is started, and up to the time it is acknowledged, the radio will stay on the emergency group channel, although the channel knob and group change function are still active.
  • Page 39: Enabling/Disabling

    Three seconds before starting the man-down emergency sequence, you will hear the man-down audible warning (a fast-rate warbling lasting 3 seconds). If you put the radio upright during the man-down audible warning, the radio stops the emergency sequence. If the radio stays tilted for the duration of the man-down audible warning, the emergency sequence is immediately activated.
  • Page 40: Operating Modes

    OPERATING MODES MANUAL MODE Channel Selector The Aurora radio can operate in manual Knob mode, which ties the receive and transmit frequencies to the channel you select with the channel selection knob (within the currently selected channel group). For advanced model radios, you can select manual mode from the function menu if manual/scan or talk around is not assigned to the three-position switch.
  • Page 41: Tone/Monitor Toggle

    For advanced radios in manual mode, you can use the keypad for the following six functions: 1 . Reassign the variable guard. Press number keys [0] through [9] 2 . Enter group change mode: Press the [H]ome key. Then press to change the group number.
  • Page 42: Code Guard Mode

    Channels assigned with receive selective calling signals and set for busy-channel lockout cannot be monitored if the radio is in monitor mode. Channels that are programmed with no tone are not affected if the radio is placed in either monitor mode or tone mode. You will hear a beep/boop sound when toggling between tone and monitor modes.
  • Page 43: Variable Guard

    Variable Guard Advanced model radios have a variable guard feature that lets you reassign the Code Guard of one channel to another channel within a group. You can use this feature if your dealer programs your radio to let you: •...
  • Page 44: Scan All Groups

    When you are scanning with both scan all and priority enabled, the priority channel you are sampling or transmitting on will occur within the group that the radio was in when you started the scan-all-groups scanning. When you change the radio from manual to scan mode with scan all enabled and then later you switch back from scan to manual 000.0000...
  • Page 45: Talk Around

    After the scan delay time, if the radio is not in priority channel operation, the radio transmits on the channel indicated by the channel selector knob within the group that is being scanned (see priority channel operation for radio scanning operation while priority mode is enabled on page 48).
  • Page 46: Scan In Tone Mode

    Scan in Tone Mode The Aurora radio is capable of scanning and receiving channels with CTCSS tone guards or CDCSS Code Guards. When you are on a scanned channel with a carrier present, the radio will try to decode the proper tone. If it does, you will hear the message.
  • Page 47: Channel Scan Delete/Add

    Channel Scan Delete/Add With the Aurora radio, you can delete and Squelch Knob add channels to the scan list in each group if this feature is programmed in your radio. To add or delete a channel from the scan list: 1.
  • Page 48: Priority Scan

    Priority Scan Priority Scan with Code Guard Priority scan can be used along with Code Guard when: Code • You move the three-position switch into Guard position 1, which displays the channel frequency. • You press the top, gray button on the side Priority of the radio to toggle to the Code Guard position...
  • Page 49 When you turn on priority mode by pressing the middle button on the side of the radio, you will see the status indicator flash orange, which indicates an actual priority channel sampling. Orange Status Indicator For advanced model radios, the priority 000.0000 channel of a group is indicated by a “P”...
  • Page 50: Priority Delay

    Priority Delay Your dealer can set the priority delay time for 0 to 5 seconds in 0.5-second increments. This time delay is the time from when you lose a carrier for the priority channel and the time the radio stays tuned to the receive frequency of the priority channel.
  • Page 51: Receive Mode

    RECEIVE MODE Groups A channel group can have up to 16 tunable channels (both receive and transmit frequencies). The basic Aurora radio has one group, and the advanced Aurora (with keyboard and display) has from 1 to 15 groups, depending on the computer programming.
  • Page 52: Display Modes

    • [E]nter Exits the group change mode • [H]ome Displays the alpha label of the group The radio will remain in group change mode until you exit by pressing the [E]nter key. DISPLAY MODES You can select a display mode either with a softkey/three-position switch programmed to display functions, or with the function menu.
  • Page 53: Frequency Display Mode

    FREQUENCY DISPLAY MODE If you own an Aurora radio with a display, you have the option of displaying the current group/channel frequency information as follows: • Priority channel/deleted channel specifier (first display character position) P = Group priority channel P 000.0000 Select in scanlist p = Group priority channel Priority Channel...
  • Page 54: Alpha Display Mode

    ALPHA DISPLAY MODE If you have an Aurora radio with a display, you can select how the radio shows you the current group/channel alphanumeric d 000.0000 information: • Priority channel/deleted channel specifier Deleted Channel (first display character position) P = Group priority channel Select in scanlist p = Group priority channel Delete from scanlist...
  • Page 55: Channel Display Mode

    CHANNEL DISPLAY MODE If you have an Aurora radio with a display, you can select how the radio displays the current channel information: • Priority channel/deleted channel specifier (first display character position) P = Group priority channel Select in scanlist 000.0000 p = Group priority channel Priority Channel...
  • Page 56: Radio Paging Code

    SELECTIVE CALLING Radio Paging Code Your dealer can program your radio to decode 2-tone, 5-tone and DTMF ANIs, and encode 5-tone and DTMF ANIs. Receiving a Call With the radio in receive mode, the squelch will only open when it receives an ANI code that is identical to its own ANI code.
  • Page 57: Sending A Call

    When you receive a 2-tone, 5-tone (except radio check and stun) or DTMF ANI paging code, you can hear a warbling ring. This ring sounds the same for 2-tone and DTMF pages, but the group and all-call pages each have a different warbling ring. Your radio will ring for 3 seconds when you receive a call.
  • Page 58: Dtmf Dialing

    RADIO CHECK The Aurora radio has a radio check feature that is active whenever your radio is: • Programmed for receive-ANI paging • Tuned to a channel that has receive- ANI assigned • Placed in tone mode When radio check is active, if your radio receives its radio check paging ANI, then it transmits with its unit ID paging ANI.
  • Page 59: Frequently Called Numbers And Call Paging

    REMINDER: The number does not have to be keyed in each time you make a call unless you want to change the number or the radio has been turned off since the last call. 3. Press the PTT switch to enable the transmitter and the DTMF keypad.
  • Page 60 Call page or FCN sequences are transmitted after you 1. Select the CALL feature or one of the FCNs from the function menu 2. Press the PTT switch The page/FCN of your radio is transmitted on the appropriate channel depending on the manual/scan/priority mode of your radio and the carrier activity when you press the PTT switch.
  • Page 61: Radio Paging

    RADIO PAGING Channels with radio paging code signals are indicated in the display with the radio page icon [ ] regardless of whether channels, frequencies, or alphas are being displayed. d Office When the radio is receiving signals and the radio page icon is illuminated, the receive frequency has a paging code assigned.
  • Page 62: Busy Channel Lockout

    BUSY CHANNEL LOCKOUT The Aurora radio has a Busy Channel Lockout [BCL] feature that you can use to program individual channels. With the BCL feature, you can keep anyone from hearing a channel unless the correct Code Guard signal is received.
  • Page 63: Battery Power

    BATTERY POWER Battery Saver The Aurora radio has a battery-saver feature that your dealer can program on a per radio basis. If enabled, the radio d Office performs the battery-saver function when receiving channels without Low Battery Icon receive-ANIs whenever in manual mode and priority operation is turned off.
  • Page 64 power of the channel or the power setting you select. You will hear a low-battery audio beep once every 30 seconds. Once the radio shows the low-battery icon, even if the battery voltage goes above the threshold setting, the radio will remain in the low-battery condition until you replace the battery.
  • Page 65: Radio Power-Up

    RADIO POWER-UP The Aurora radio performs a power-up initialization and self test. The initialization includes loading fixed factory and computer-programmed settings, as well as the configurations and modes you entered into the radio before you turned it off. During the initialization, the firmware version number of the radio is written to the first four bytes of the e2prom.
  • Page 66 The stun feature is active if the radio is: • Factory-enabled for audible ANI paging • Tuned to a channel that is assigned a receive ANI • Placed in tone mode When the stun feature is active and the current group’s stun code is received, the radio transmits the unit ID of that channel.
  • Page 67: Aurora Programmed Switch Settings

    AURORA PROGRAMMED SWITCH SETTINGS Side Switch Settings (Factory Setting) Switch A _____________(Code Guard; Tone/Monitor) Switch B _____________(Priority) Switch C _____________(Hi/Low Power) 3-Position Toggle Switch 1 ______________(Channel Frequency) 2 ______________(Channel Label) 3 ______________(Group, Channel, BW) Emergency Switch Setting ________________(Scan) Group Number ______ Group Label __________________ Receive Transmit...
  • Page 68 PROGRAMMED SETTINGS FOR YOUR RADIO Group Number ______ Group Label __________________ Receive Transmit Chan Frequency Frequency Label Band...
  • Page 69: Troubleshooting Guide

    TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE NOTE: Please perform the simple checks indicated for improper operation before returning the radio for service. TROUBLE CHECK No display, no sound Turn PWR/VOL control clockwise. Charge or replace batteries. Display OK, no sound Turn volume control setting clockwise. No reception (no stations Check antenna connection.
  • Page 70: Maintenance

    All adjustments affecting the transmitter power output, carrier frequency, or modulation MUST be performed by a qualified BK Radio electronics technician. Have the radio checked periodically by a qualified BK Radio electronics technician. For service, in or out of warranty, send radio to:...
  • Page 71: Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS (Subject to change without notice) Aurora Radio Number of Channels 240* Frequency Range 136–174 MHz Operational Bandwidth 38 MHz Channel Spacing 25/30 or 12.5/15 Channel Increments 2.5 kHz Size with battery; (W x D x H inches) 2.45 x 1.6 x 6.5 Weight with battery and antenna 22.7 oz (0.64 kg) Power Requirements...
  • Page 72 SPECIFICATIONS (Cont.) 25/30 12.5/15 Receiver Sensitivity (12 dB SINAD) 0.25 µV 0.25 µV Operating Frequency Spread 38 MHz 38 MHz Selectivity (Adjacent Channel) –75 dB –65 dB Spurious including Image –80 dB –75 dB Intermodulation –75 dB –70 dB Hum and Noise Ratio 45 dB 45 dB Audio Output @ 5% dist...
  • Page 73: Definitions And Acronyms

    DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS Alphanumeric Both letters from the alphabet and numbers Automatic Number Identification Busy Channel Lockout Beep A higher tone of 1560 Hz Boop A lower tone of 780 Hz, “error tone” Band Width Code Guard Cloning The process of copying data from one radio, called “master,”...
  • Page 74 NOTES...
  • Page 75 Aurora User’s Manual...
  • Page 76 BK Radio 7505 Technology Drive West Melbourne, FL 32904 (800) 648-0947 Fax: (321) 984-0434 © Copyright 2000 BK Radio. All rights reserved. P/N 7001-30927-401 03-00...

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