INTRODUCTION The Yaesu VXA-120 Aviator Pro II is compact, stylish, solid hand-held transceiver providing communicaCOM tion (transmit and receive) capability on the International Aircraft Communication Band (“COM COM” band: 118 ~ NAV 136.975 MHz), additionally provides receive on the “NAV NAV” band (108 ~ 117.975 MHz).
CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (TOP PANEL) Antenna Jack BUSY/TX Indicator Lamp This SMA jack accepts thee supplied flexible antenna, or another antenna designed to provide 50 Ω impedance on the Aircraft Communication Band. This lamp glows green when a signal is being received and red when transmitting. POWER/VOLUME Knob Turn this control clockwise to turn the radio on and to increase the volume. Counterclockwise rotation into the click-stop will turn the radio off.
CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (LCD DISPLAY) This icon is the “Low Battery” indicator, which blinks when the battery voltage becomes too low for proper operation. This indicator confirms that the AUTOMATIC NOISE LIMITER is activated. See page 17. This indicator confirms that D U A L W ATCH is active. See page 24. This indicator confirms that the “Split” (Duplex) mode is activated. See page 26. This icon indicates that the “Book” Memory Bank is in use. See page 14.
CONTROLS & C ONNECTORS (FRONT PANEL) Loudspeaker The internal speaker located in this position. Microphone Speak across this opening in a normal tone voice while pressing the PTT switch. Keypad Several keys have dual functions. The color of the label determines the way in which you activate the function: The white labels represent the primary functions of the keys (activated by simply pressing the key momentarily).
CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (KEYPAD ) Primary Function (Press Key) Secondary Function (Press +) Primary Function (Press Key) Secondary Function (Press +) Primary Function (Press Key) Frequency Entry Digit 1 Frequency Entry Digit 2 Frequency Entry Digit 3 Selects Memory Display Type (page 19) None None None Locks the Keypad Frequency Entry Digit 4 Frequency Entry Digit 5 Frequency Entry Digit 6 Selects Emergency Channel (121.
CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (LEFT SIDE) PTT (PUSH TO TALK ) Switch Press this button to transmit when you are operCOM ating in the “COM COM” band. Release this button to return to the “RECEIVE” mode. See page 15. MONITOR Switch This button may be pressed to “open” the squelch manually, allowing you to listen for very weak signals. Press and hold this button for 2 seconds, to “open” the squelch continuously. Press this button again to resume normal (quiet) monitoring. See page 12.
CONTROLS & CONNECTORS (RIGHT SIDE) MIC/EAR Jack You may connect the (optional) CT-60 Headset Cable or the (optional) MH-44A4B Speaker/Microphone to this jack. Never connect the any Speaker/Microphone that is not recommended by the manufacturer. Because these jack connections are unique using a Speaker/Microphone that is not specified by Yaesu will damage the VXA-120. EXT DC Jack When an external 12-Volt DC power source is available, you may connect the E-DC-5B External DC Cable here.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN 8 Precautions Battery Installation and Removal r This apparatus is capable of two-way communication on channels used for critical aviation safety communications. Therefore, it is important that this radio be kept away from children or other unauthorized users at all times. r When making DC connections via the E-DC-5B DC cable, be absolutely certain to observe the proper voltage level and polarity guidelines.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN Battery Charging It is necessary to fully charge the Ni-Cd battery before it’s first use. Follow these procedures: ¦ Install the supplied FNB-V57 Ni-Cd battery pack onto the transceiver. Ensure that the transceiver is switched off. ¦ Plug the NC-76 into the AC line outlet. ¦ Insert the battery pack into the NC-76; the antenna jack should be at the left side when viewing the charger from the front. ¦ If the battery pack is inserted correctly, the RED indicator will glow.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN Low Battery Indication ¦ As your battery discharges during use, the voltage will gradually become lower. When the battery voltage reaches 5.0 Volts, the “ x ” icon will blink on the LCD display, indicating that the battery pack must be recharged before further use. ¦ Avoid recharging Ni-Cd batteries before the “Low Battery” indicator is observed, as this can degrade the charge capacity of your Ni-Cd battery pack.
OPERATION Preliminary Steps Operation Quick Start ¦ Install a charged battery pack onto the transceiver, as described previously. ¦ Screw the supplied antenna onto the Antenna jack. Never operate this transceiver without an antenna connected. ¦ If you have an optional Speaker/Microphone or headset, we recommend that it not be connected until you are familiar with the basic operation of the VXA-120. r To turn the radio on, rotate the VOLUME knob out of the clickstop.
OPERATION To set 118.275 MHz, you do not need to press the final “5” in the frequency: [ 1] à [1] à [8] à [ 2] à [7 ]. r You may also turn t h e t o p p a n e l ’s CHANNEL selector knob to choose the desired operating frequency. The channel frequency will appear on the LCD. r To change frequency in 1 MHz steps, press the [F] key momentarily, then rotate the CHANNEL selector knob to select the MHz digit desired. Press [ F] once more to resume normal channel selection in 25-kHz steps.
OPERATION r To turn the radio off, turn the VOLUME knob fully counter-clockwise into the click stop position. Accessing the 121.5 MHz Emergency Frequency The VXA-120 can quickly access the 121.500 MHz Emergency Frequency. This function can be activated even when the keypad lock function is in use. r To access the Emergency Frequency, press the [121.5] key momentarily. r To exit the Emergency Frequency, press the CHANNEL selector knob.
OPERATION Tuning Methods Throughout this manual, you will see references to several different frequency setting methods. Each will be particularly useful in a particular operating situation, and they are described below: ¦ VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) The VFO is a “tuning dial” system which allows you to tune through the NAV or COM bands in 25-kHz steps using the CHANNEL selector, the Keypad, or the scanner.
OPERATION Transmission Reception of Weather Channel Broadcasts To transmit, press and hold the PTT switch. Speak into the microphone area of the front panel grille in a normal voice level. The VXA-120 can receive VHF Weather Channel broadcasts, which may assist your flight planning. The VXA-120 includes a ten-channel auto-search feature, which simplifies access to Weather Channels when you are in an unfamiliar location. To return to the receive mode, release the PTT switch.
OPERATION the PTT switch re-initiates the scanning process. r If there are no Weather Channels in your area, the scanner will not stop. Press the MONITOR button to stop the scanner. r You can also select Weather Channels manually by rotating the CHANNEL selector knob. r To exit the Weather Channel mode, press the CHANNEL selector knob momentarily to return to the VFO mode.
OPERATION Monitor Key ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) Feature When listening to a very weak signal from an aircraft or ground station, you may observe the signal disappearing periodically as the incoming signal strength becomes too weak to override the squelch threshold setting. For reduction of impulse noise, such as that produced by an engine’s ignition system, the ANL feature may prove helpful.
OPERATION LOCK Function Beep On/Off The lock function prevents accidental changes to the frequency setting and the keypad controls. The VXA-120’s key/button beeper provides convenient audible feedback whenever a button is pressed. Each key and button has a different beep pitch, and each function has a unique beep combination. r To activate the lock feature, press [F] à [ ( )] key.
NOTE VXA-120 AVIATOR PRO II OPERATING MANUAL 19
MEMORY OPERATION The VXA-120 provides 50 user-programmable “Main” memories, labeled “ CH"))! ” through “ CH")%),” and up to 100 pre-programmed memories, designated “Book” Memories. The “ ” icon appears when “Book” Memory Mode is activated. The Main memories and “Book” Memories can be assigned alpha-numeric names of up to eight characters. Memory System Operation The VXA-120’s Main Memory system allows the user to store, label, and recall channel frequencies which you may want to use frequently.
MEMORY OPERATION When the desired first character appears, press the CHANNEL selector knob momentarily to move on to the next character. r Select succeeding characters in the same manner, pressing the CHANNEL selector knob momentarily after each selection. r After entering the entire name (eight characters maximum), press the [ MW (SPL.W)] key for 2 seconds to save all data for the channel and exit.
SCANNING OPERATION The VXA-120 allows you to scan automatically in the VFO*, Main Memory, “Book” Memory, or Weather Channel modes. It pauses on signals encountered, so you can talk to the station(s) on that frequency, if you like. * In the VFO mode, the automatic scanner is only available in the COM band (118.000 - 136.
SCANNING OPERATION Channel-Skip Scanning Continuous-carrier stations like ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) or Weather Broadcast stations inhibit scanner operation. Since these stations are always active, the scanner will be halted repeatedly on their channels. Such channels can be set to be “skipped” during scanning, if you like, so as not to interfere with automatic channel scanning: r Recall the Memory Channel to be skipped during scanning. r Press [F] à [ 9 (SKIP)] key.
DUAL WATCH OPERATION The Dual Watch feature automatically checks for activity on a “priority” channel* while you are operating on another channel. During Dual Watch operation, the current channel and the Priority channel will each be polled for a 500 ms interval, as the VXA120 looks for activity on each channel. r To start Dual Watch, press [F] à [SCAN (DW )]. The “DW” icon will appear on the display.
PRIORITY D UAL WATCH OPERATION Similar to Dual Watch operation (described above), Priority Dual Watch is an enhanced version which includes the following additional features: l The receiving time interval (ratio) between the current channel and the Priority channel may be customized via the Menu mode, item PRTM. See page 28 for details. l Irrespective of which channel is currently being received, when the PTT button is pushed transmission will always occur on the Priority channel.
SPLIT OPERATION The split operation feature allows you to transmit a call to a Flight Service Station using the COM band frequencies, while receiving a NAV band station (such as the ATIS, AWOS etc.). NAV band stations equipped with this capability typically are shown, on navigation charts, with the voice calling frequency in parenthesis above the navigation frequency. Programming a Transmit Frequency r Press the CHANNEL selector knob, repeatedly if necessary, to select the VFO mode. r Set a NAV band (108.
FIELD PROGRAMMING MODE The VXA-120’s Book Memoris also allows the user to store, label, and recall channel frequencies which you may want to use frequently while the VXA-120 is in the Field Programming mode. Memory Storage into the Book Memory r Press and hold the PTT and LAMP switch while turning the radio on, to activate the Field Programming Mode. r Select the desired frequency to be stored in the Book Memory. r Press and hold the [ MW(SPL.W)] key for 2 seconds.
MENU (“SET”) MODE The Menu system allows certain aspects of your radio’s configuration to be customized for your personal operating convenience. We do not recommend that any of the default settings be changed, however, until you are thoroughly familiar with the operation of the VXA-120. 4. Rotate the CHANNEL selector knob to change the setting of the item (ON to OFF, etc.). 1. Press the [F] key, then press the CHANNEL selector knob to activate the Menu (“SET”) mode. 5.
MENU (“S ET”) MODE MENU Listing SQL A listing of the Menu items available via the SET mode may be found below. Function: Squelch Level Setting Available Values: 0 ~ 8 Default Setting: 3 Select a setting for this Menu item which just silences the receiver when no signal is present. Use the lowest setting which will keep the receiver quiet between incoming transmissions.
MENU (“SET”) MODE RESM BEEP Function: Scan-Resume Mode Setting Available Values: CAR/5 Default Setting: CAR In the “CAR” (Carrier Drop) mode, the scanner will remain halted for as long as there is a carrier present on the channel; after the carrier drops at the end of the other station’s transmission, the scanning will resume. In the “5” (5-Second Pause) mode, the scanner will halt for five seconds only, after which scanning will resume (whether or not the other station is still transmitting).
MENU (“S ET”) MODE LAMP DWMD Function: LCD Illumination Mode Available Values: KEY/TGL/5 Default Setting: KEY In the “KEY” mode, the lamp will be activated for 5 seconds when a front panel key is pressed. In the “TGL” mode, the LAMP switch toggles the lamp on and off. In the “5” mode, the LAMP switch activates the lamp for 5 seconds.
SPECIFICATIONS General Transmitter Frequency Range: TX 118.000 - 136.975 MHz RX 108.000 - 136.975 MHz Weather Channels (WX-01 - WX-10) Channel Spacing: 25 kHz Emission Type: TX AM RX AM & FM Supply Voltage: 6.0 - 15.0 VDC Current Consumption: < 1 µA (power off) (approx.) 22 mA (battery saver on, saver ratio 1:5) 56 mA (squelch off) 180 mA (receive) 900 mA (transmit 1.0 W Carrier) Temperature Range: –10° to +60° C Case Size (WxHxD): 58 x 108.5 x 26.5 mm w/FNB-V57 Weight (approx.
