Improved Manual for the FDC-160A/460A

Well, as promised and if any one has trouble understanding the original, I have finished the manual that in my opinion is a much better alternative than the one provided with the radio. So here it is in Draft form. KC2PLJ

FDC-460A UHF Transceiver

This UHF mono-band Transceiver features a 4/5 watt output on high and a 1 watt output on low power. The radio can hold up to 99 channels in it’s memory system. All CTCSS/DCS codes are included with (-) or (+) repeater offsets (default is 5 mhz). The radio will cover anywhere between 400.00-470.00 MHz with the option to enter channels manually or via CPU software (not included). You will note that the transceiver does not name the frequency and therefore a suitable channel listing will be provided at the end of this brief operating guide.

Basic Operation

To enter a frequency manually and outside the memory mode first press the orange VFO key on the upper left side of the Keypad.

Enter the frequency from the key pad you wish to operate on: ex: 4-6-2-5-0-0 and the transceiver will beep 3 twice confirming the input.

The transceiver will be in simplex operation after doing so meaning that the frequency you entered will receive and transmit with no shift.

To set the volume rotate the top knob to desired level and check the audio output with the side soft key just below the PTT button.

Repeater Operation

To operate through a repeater you must tell the transceiver to shift up or down depending on the repeater you are trying to access. **Most repeaters on the UHF band use either a 5 mhz up or down shift. This will be the default shift the radio has when delivered.

To set the repeater shift first enter the frequency you wish to operate (see steps above) and the press the “F” key (referred to as the function key) and then hit the “#REV” key. The following will show up: OFFS S (or +/- depending on the last setting). Use the right and left arrow keys on the top right hand side of the keyboard to set the offset to either S-for simplex (radio receives and transmits on the same band) or + (radio shift 5mhz up to transmit and then receives on the entered frequency.) or – (radio will shift down 5 mhz upon transmit and then return to entered frequency to receive) After selecting press the side PTT key to set and you will see the transceiver display go to the home screen.

Setting CTCSS / DCS codes

Some repeaters or other radios for that matter will have security codes that only allow operation if the correct CTCSS or DCS code is sent along with the transmission. This transceiver is equipped with all the standard CTCSS and DCS codes. There are two types of CTCSS setting and both can be used at once for extra privacy. The first is the TX CTCSS code that send the proper code along with the carrier. The second is the receive CTCSS/DCS that will “open the radio up” for receive only if the proper code is sent from another unit.

To set the TX CTCSS code press the “F” key first and then the “0tcd” key. You will see a number such as 114.8 or simply the word “off” stating that the code is not being transmitted. Use the right and left arrow keys to select the CTCSS you desire and then press the PTT button to “lock it in”.

Setting the receive CTCSS code is very similar to setting the transmit. Press the “F” key first and then the “9rcd” key and the radio will display a code number or simply the word “Off”. Again, use the arrow key’s to select your Receive CTCSS and press the “PTT” button to lock it in. After doing the above steps the radio will only be able to hear other unit that transmit the code you have put in. Likewise other units will only be able to hear you if the CTCSS matches what is being transmitted by your radio.

Output Power

This radio has two power settings. High and low, press the “F” key and then the “2pow” key to access the power menu. Use the right and left arrow keys to select either “H” for 4/5 watts out or “L” for 1 Watt power output.

Squelch

You can adjust the RF Squelch using the transceivers menu function. To access the squelch first press the “F” key and then press the “1sql” key. The menu will show “SQL- and then a number from 0-9 with zero being off and 9 at it’s highest point. Select the number using the right and left arrows that reduces unwanted interference.

Lamp / Backlight

This transceiver offers a backlight / lamp for easy night viewing or low light level operation. To access this feature press the “f” key and then the “4LMP” key. The menu will show either of the following: Auto: the lamp activates when a key is pressed. On: the lamp stays on all the time. Or off: the lamp does not come on regardless of the transceivers state. To select use the right and left keys and press the “PTT” button to confirm.

TOT (TX time out)

You may wish to set the radio to not transmit more than a given amount of time. To access this feature press the “F” key and then the “7TOT” key. Use the right and left arrows to select the amount of Seconds that the transmission can stay on. Available levels: 10-100-off. Press the “PTT’ button to lock the selection in”.

Keypad Lock

You can lock the Key pad to prevent the buttons to be accidentally pressed. To do this simply press and hold down the “* ” button and then the transceiver should show: Lock?, press the “PTT” button to confirm. To unlock press and hold again: UNLCK? Should show. Press the “PTT” button to unlock.

Key pad tone (Beep)

The Key pad tone or Beep can be turned on or off. Press the “F” key and then the “5BP”. Use the Right and left arrows to select on or off. Press the “PTT” button to lock selection in.

Scanner

The scan function lets you scan through either the memory mode or the VFO mode. To access this press the “F” key and then the “3SCN” key to start either memory or VFO Scanning.

VFO

The VFO on the radio is easy to operate and access. Simply press the VFO key momentarily to place the radio into VFO mode which allows you to tune around the band by entering the operating frequency directly via the Keypad or using the right and left arrows in the upper right hand corner of the transceiver key pad.

Advanced Functions

This transceiver has a few advanced user features that will be covered in this sub-section with details provided for memory operation and the use of hands free earpieces and equipment.

Memory Mode

The radio has a 99 channel capacity memory that allows for the transceiver to save the settings that the user has specified such as repeater offset, CTCSS/ DCS power output and of course Frequency.

Memory Mode (Continued)

The Transceiver’s memory system makes it easy to access your favorite frequency and repeaters / simplex channels.

To save a frequency into memory first enter the frequency directly with the keypad in VFO mode ex: 4-6-2-9-5-0. And the transceiver will emit a 2 tone to verify. Enter in any offset (required for repeater operation) (-)or(+). The default offset is 5 mhz. If required enter in the CTCSS or DCS code as required by the repeater or group ex: 114.8. Press the “F” key and then the orange “VFO” key and the screen will say SAVE01 etc. Scroll through 01-99 to save the frequency information into the radio. Press the “PTT” momentarily on the side of the radio to write the frequency into the transceivers memory system. Programming Via Computer

Another advanced feature offered by these low cost radios is the ability to be programmed via software that is provided as a free download from the company. The Software is very easy to use and is available at: http://www.feidaxin.com/en/Download.asp

The software comes with its own set of instructions for use. A two pin programming cable will be required to sync the info to the radio. Usually, you can find these cables at a very decent price on E-bay or even make them as the pin-out is very simple.

Speaker Microphone, ear pieces and antenna adapters

A number of different microphones are available to use along with earpieces that make hands free operation easy. These simply plug into the right side of the transceiver. Antenna adapters can be purchased to use an external mobile or base type antenna. SMA to BNC is the preferred as it offers less stress on the connector.

General Specifications

Model NO. FD-160A FD-460A

General

Frequency Band VHF UHF

Frequency Range 136-174MHz 400-470MHz 410-480MHz

Channel Capacity 99

Operating Voltage 6V DC ±15%

Antenna Impedance 50Ω

Channel Spacing 25kHz

Working Temperature -30 ℃ - 60 ℃

Frequency Stability ±2.5 ppm

Size (Without Antenna) 56(W)mmx106(L)mmx32mm(D)

Weight(With Battery) About 250g

Battery 1200 mAh(Ni-Mh)

Compatible With American Military Standard(MIL-STD-810C/D/E)

Transmitter（EIA-RS 316B STANDARD）

RF Power Output 5W/4W

Modulation Type F3E

Modulation Distortion <>

Max Freq Deviation <>

FM Noise <=-45dB

Receiver

Sensitivity(12Db SINAD) 0.16μV

Selectivity 55dB

Adjacent Channel Selecivity >=70dB

Noise Respond >=60dB

Communication Range 3-5km(Downtown),6-20km(In the Open Area)

FM Noise 45dB/40dB

Modulation Type 16KOF3E

Audio Power Output 500mW When Distortion Less Than 10%

Audio Distortion <>

Operating Bandwidth ±7kHz

Standby current <10ma