10. CLAR \ FUNC
CLAR
: Clarifier. The clarifier shifts both the TX and
RX frequency 1.0 kHz each side of the center
frequency.
This is necessary for tuning to an SSB signal.
Rotate the clarifier control clockwise or
counterclockwise to tune an SSB signal.
FUNC
: Function. This control is used to operate the
six control buttons on the front panel that are printed in
ORANGE.
Press the clarifier knob briefly and release,
(do not hold)
FUNC
will be displayed on the LCD indicating that the
function command is activated. After you have pressed
one of the buttons the
FUNC
will disappear from the
screen.
2. When clarifier knob is pushed and held for 2
seconds the additional IF crystal filter will be engaged.
This will help to reduce noise and interference from
nearby stations in most instances. To disengage
repeat the above. A small led to the left of the
frequency selector will illuminate when the filter is
active.
11.VFO Selector
: Rotate clockwise or
counterclockwise to select the desired frequency. Rate
of change is selected by depressing the
STEP
button
12. OFF / VOLUME
OFF
: Turns the power to the radio on and off.
VOLUME
: Adjusts the AF gain, or volume of the
received audio. Turn clockwise to increase and
counterclockwise to decrease.
14. SQ
: Squelch. Used to eliminate background or
“white” noise when monitoring strong signals. Also
used to activate SCAN feature (refer to 8). To properly
adjust squelch circuit, start rotating the control slowly
clockwise until the received white noise disappears.
15. PWR
: Variable RF Output Power. Rotate clockwise
to increase RF output power. Rotate counterclockwise
to decrease RF output power.
Variable RF output power allows low power for QRP
operation.
16. Push-To-Talk Switch
: Press and hold the switch
to transmit. TX will appear on the LCD screen when
transmitting.
Release the switch to receive.
17. UP / DN on microphone
: Up and Down
Frequency Controls. Press the UP control to increase
in frequency. Press the DN control to decrease in
frequency.
REAR PANEL
1. External Speaker Jack
An external speaker jack is located on the rear panel
of the transceiver. The OPTIMA is designed to accept
any standard 8 ohm external speaker for use with two-
way transceivers.
OTHER FEATURES
1. PROGRAMMING TONE
This tone sounds each time the CPU is being programmed.
It is helpful, in the beginning so you can be sure the
command has been entered. You may eliminate the tone by
simply pressing the PTT switch on the microphone and
turning on the ON/OFF POWER switch at the same time.
2. Memory Back Up
The memories in the OPTIMA are stored in non Volatile
RAM and will remain until user changed, despite the radio
being disconnected from the power source for long periods
of time
3.
Internal Jumpers to set Operating Mode
The Optima has a small jumper board inside the radio to
allow users to set the mode of operation. Currently these
modes are:
1.
NZ 40 CB Channels only. (Optional Ch. Readout)
2.
US 40 CB Channels only (Optional Ch Readout)
3.
10 & 12m ham Bands Only (24.5mhz- 24.9mhz &
28.0mhz to 29.999mhz)
4.
Free Band (24.5 - 29.999mhz)
Reset.
The internal processor can be reset by turning on the radio
with the Function (Clarifier knob) depressed. Radio returns
to default condition. Deletes all memories and offsets.
External Fan
External Fan on heatsink allows radio to run
cooler at higher powers. It is controlled from the PTT and
runs for 30 seconds after PTT is released.
Additional IF Filter
The 2
nd
IF Filter is now incorporated into the under side of
the circuit board. Press and hold the clarifier knob
(Function) for 3 seconds to activate. The Filter light will
illuminate. Press again VFO knob in again for 3 seconds to
deactivate. There is some loss of received audio volume
that can be corrected by increasing the volume. Offending
signals 10khz away can be reduced by over 20db and
about 6db for signals 5khz away. The effect will change
slightly depending on the sideband in use.
Rear Fan on Heat Sink
The fan will operate immediately the radio goes into
transmit mode and will remain on for up to 1 minute after
the PTT is released to cool the heat sink and the associated
output power devices properly. The Mosfet PA devices used
in the Optima will automatically decrease in power if they
experience excessive heat build up.
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