AOR AR-8600 Mk2

The AOR AR8600 Mark IIB is an extremely versatile receiver which can be used virtually anywhere, mobile, base or transportable... powered from an external 12 VDC power supply, optional d.c. lead from a 12 VDC vehicle or from an optional internal battery pack. Like the original AR8600, it features a strong twin metal case with diecast front panel characterizes the multi-purpose role. All mode receive capability is provided including Single Side Band with programmable tuning steps down to a resolution of 50 Hz with the frequency established by a highly accurate Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator (TCXO). An RS-232 port further extends the capabilities with free supporting control software available from the AOR web sites.

Center stage is a custom multi-section back-lit LCD, numeric keypad, navigation keys, rotary tuning control and separate controls for volume and squelch control, the LCD can also display alpha-numeric text comments. The chassis is manufactured from two metal compartments, effectively a metal chassis inside a metal cabinet this provides excellent screening characteristics and great robustness highlighting its multi application role. The front panel is also manufactured from die-cast aluminium.

Steps 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 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 (less cellular) with actual minimum acceptable frequency of 100 kHz. All mode receive: W-FM, N-FM, S-FM (Super Narrow FM), W-AM, AM, N-AM (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 limiter are also featured. A supplied AM BCB antenna may be plugged into the rear panel. This radio has an adjustable sleep timer with a range of 1 to 120 minutes (in 1 second increments).

Computer control is available via a standard 9-pin RS232 D-type connector on the rear chassis, just a standard RS232 cable is required for connection to a PC, the extensive RS232 command set is printed in the operating manual along with many pages of explanatory notes. A free software package will be 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. In addition, optional internal slot cards, which fit into the rear chassis of the AR8600, extend the capabilities even further, five cards may be fitted, with two operational simultaneously. The slot cards are common to the AR8600, AR8200 and AR8200Mark2.

Improvements over the original AR8600 include:
Expanded frequency coverage, dimmer on/off function, improved RF front end, better audio response and ability to accept the new TV-8600 video unit.