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Ranger TR-296

User Manual

2.0 INTRODUCTION
This section explains the basic operating procedures for the TEXAS RANGER TR-296GK / TR-296DX mobile transceiver.
2.1 CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
2.1.1 FRONT PANEL
Refer to the above Figure 2-1 for the location of the following controls.
1. ON/OFF VOLUME CONTROL
Turn clockwise to apply power to the radio and to set the desired listening level.
2. SQUELCH CONTROL
This control is used to control or eliminate receiver background noise in the absence of an incoming signal. For maximum receiver sensitivity, it is desired that the control be adjusted only to the point where the receiver background noise is eliminated. Turn fully counter-clockwise, then slowly clockwise until the receiver noise disappears. Any signal to be received must now be slightly stronger than the average received noise. Further clockwise rotation will increase the threshold level which a signal must overcome in order to be heard. Only strong signals will be heard at a maximum clockwise setting.
3. RF GAIN CONTROL
This control is used to reduce the gain of the receive amplifier under strong signal conditions.
4. SWR CAL CONTROL
This SWR CAL control allows the user to calibrate the SWR meter.
5. MIC GAIN CONTROL
Adjusts the microphone gain in the transmit and PA modes. This controls the gain to the extent that full talk power is available several inches away from the microphone. In the Public Address (PA) mode, the control functions as the volume control.
6. S-RF/CAL/SWR SWITCH
In the S-RF position, the meter swings proportionally to the strength of the received signal. When transmitting, the meter indicates relative RF output power. When in the CAL position, the SWR meter can be calibrated by adjusting the SWR CAL control. When in the SWR position, the Standing Wave Ratio is measured.
7. MODE CONTROL
This control allows you to select one of the following operating modes: LSB/AM/USB.
8. CLARIFY CONTROL
Allows tuning of the receive frequency above or below the channel frequency by up to 1.5 KHz. Although this control is intended primarily to tune in SSB signals, it may be used to optimize AM signals.
9. CHANNEL SELECTOR
This control is used to select a desired transmit and receive channel.
10. FRONT PANEL METER
The Front Panel Meter allows the user to monitor signal strength, RF output power and SWR level.
11. NB/ANL/OFF SWITCH
In the ANL position, the automatic noise limiter in the audio circuits is activated. When the switch is placed in the NB/ANL position, the RF noise blanker is also activated. The noise blanker is very effective in eliminating repetitive impulse noise such as ignition interference.
12. CB/PA SWITCH
The CB is a normal operation of the radio. In the CB position, the PA function is disabled and the unit will transmit and receive on the speaker that is connected. In the PA position, the radio acts as a public address amplifier. Your voice will come out of the speaker that have plugged in to the PA. SP. jack on the rear panel. The radio does not operate when you are in the PA mode.
13. TONE HI/LO SWITCH
This switch is used to shape the tone of the received signal. In LO position, bass is increased and in HI position, treble is increased.
14. BRIGHT/DIM SWITCH
This switch controls the level of brightness for the meter lamp and channel display LED.
15. TX/RX LED
The red LED indicates the unit is in the transmit mode. The green LED indicates the unit is in the receive mode.
16. CHANNEL DISPLAY
The channel display indicates the current selected channel.
2.1.2 REAR PANEL
Figure 2-2 represent the location of the following connections:

1. ANTENNA
This jack accepts 50 ohms coaxial cable with a PL-259 type connector.
2. POWER
This connector accepts 13.8V DC power cable with built-in fuse. The power cord provided with the radio has a black and red wire. The black goes to negative and the red goes to positive.
3. FREQUENCY COUNTER CONNECTOR
This F. C. connector is used for an external frequency counter which indicates the frequency of the selected channel.
4. PA. SP.
This jack is for PA operation. Before operating, you must first connect a PA speaker (8 ohms, 4W) to this jack.
5. EXT. SP.
This jack accepts 4 to 8 ohms, 5 watts external speaker. When the external speaker is connected to this jack, the built-in speaker will be disabled.
2.2 MICROPHONE
The receiver and transmitter are controlled by the push-to-talk switch on the microphone. Press the switch and the transmitter is activated, release switch to receive. When transmitting, hold the microphone two inches from the mouth and speak clearly in a normal voice. The radio comes complete with a low impedance (500 ohm) dynamic microphone. For installation instructions of the microphone, see section 2.4 “ALTERNATE MICROPHONES AND INSTALLATION”.
2.3 OPERATION
2.3.1 PROCEDURE TO RECEIVE
1. Be sure that power source, microphone and antenna are connected to the proper connectors before going to the next step.
2. Turn unit on by turning VOL knob clockwise on transceiver.
3. Set the VOL to a comfortable listening level.
4. Set the MODE switch to the desired mode.
5. Listen to the background noise from the speaker. Turn the SQ knob slowly clockwise until the noise just disappears. The SQ is now properly adjusted. The receiver will remain quiet until a signal is actually received. Do not advance the control too far or some of weaker signals will not be heard.
6. Set the CHANNEL selector switch to the desired channel.
7. Set the RF GAIN control fully clockwise for maximum receive gain.
8. Adjust the CLARIFY control to clarify the SSB signals or to optimize AM signals.
2.3.2 PROCEDURE TO TRANSMIT
1. Select the desired channel of transmission.
2. Set the MIC GAIN control fully clockwise.
3. If the channel is clear, depress the push-to-talk switch on the microphone and speak in a normal voice.
2.4 ALTERNATE MICROPHONES AND INSTALLATION
For best results, the user should select a low impedance dynamic type microphone or a transistorized microphone. Transistorized type microphones have a low output impedance characteristic. The microphones must be provided with a five-lead cable. The audio conductor and its shielded lead comprise two of the leads. The third lead is for receive control, the fourth is for grounding and fifth is for transmit control. The microphone should provide the functions shown in schematic below.

Microphone Connection

PinDescription
1Microphone Ground
2Microphone
3RX Key (Connect to Ground)
4Ground
5TX Key (Connect to Ground)