The CB-500 is a compact and versatile CB radio designed for both 12V and 24V DC power supplies, making it suitable for a wide range of vehicles. It operates across a frequency range of 26.565-27.99125MHz with a frequency tolerance of ±5.0ppm, supporting both AM and FM modulation modes. The radio has dimensions of 185x124x38mm and weighs 620g, making it a portable and easy-to-install unit. It is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -20℃ to +50℃.
Key Features and Functions:
Front Panel Controls:
The front panel of the CB-500 features several intuitive controls for easy operation:
- AM/FM Mode Select / CB/WX / Keypad Lock (1): This button allows users to switch between AM and FM modulation modes, select between CB and Weather (WX) modes, and activate the keypad lock function with a long press.
- Squelch Control / SQ/ASQ Switch / Keypad Lock (2): This knob controls the squelch level, and a long press activates the Automatic Squelch (ASQ) function. It also serves as a keypad lock function.
- Microphone Plug (3): Standard connector for the microphone.
- Channel Up Selector / Scan On (4): Used to increase the channel number or initiate the scan function.
- Channel Down Selector / Scan On (5): Used to decrease the channel number or initiate the scan function.
- Emergency Channel / VOX On/Off / Menu (6): This button provides quick access to programmed emergency channels, activates/deactivates the VOX function with a PTT + EMG press, and allows entry into the radio's menu with a long press.
- Power On/Off / Volume Control (7): A rotary knob that turns the radio on/off and adjusts the audio volume.
- External Speaker Jack (8): A 3.5mm mono connector for an optional external speaker.
- Antenna Jack (9): UHF, SO-239 connector for the antenna.
Microphone Controls:
The microphone includes:
- PF (Programmable Function) Button: A user-definable button for quick access to various functions.
- DOWN Button: Decreases channel number or navigates menu options.
- UP Button: Increases channel number or navigates menu options.
- PTT (Push-To-Talk) Button: Activates transmission.
- Mic: Built-in microphone.
- Connector: Connects the microphone to the radio.
- Microphone Cable: Connects the microphone to the radio.
LCD Display Indicators:
The LCD provides comprehensive status information:
- NR: NR function activated.
- AQ: ASQ function activated.
- ANL: ANL filter activated.
- NB: NB filter activated.
- RFG: RF GAIN function activated.
- HIC: HI-CUT filter activated.
- ECHO: ECHO function activated.
- OT: Keypad Lock activated.
- EMG12: Emergency Channel (1 or 2) activated.
- PA: PA mode selected.
- AM: AM mode selected.
- FM: FM mode selected.
- TX: Indicates transmission.
- ♪: ROGER BEEP function activated.
- CTC: CTCSS is used on the active channel.
- DCS: DCS is used on the active channel.
- TBK: TALKBACK function activated.
- VOX: VOX function activated.
- ■: The channel is stored in the Scan Skip memory.
- M: Indicates the Frequency Band or WX mode.
- 8.8: Indicates the active channel.
- SRF (Bargraph): TX and RX bargraph.
- MMMMMI: Alert function activated.
- MMMMMM: Indicates Frequency, Menu items or status.
Usage Features:
Power ON/OFF and Volume Control:
- Turn the VOL knob clockwise to power ON; the LCD displays the selected channel.
- Turn the VOL knob fully anti-clockwise to power OFF.
- The radio supports 12/24V DC power supply.
- Turn the VOL knob clockwise to increase volume, anti-clockwise to decrease.
Channel Control:
- Short press ▲/▼ keys on the unit or UP/DN keys on the microphone to change channels by one step.
- Hold ▲/▼ keys to change channels quickly.
Squelch Level Control (SQ/AQ):
- Short press SQ/AQ key to display the squelch level ("SQ--XX") for 10 seconds. There are 9 squelch levels.
- Use ▲/▼ keys to change the squelch level.
- Long press ▲/▼ keys to change the squelch level quickly.
- Short press SQ/AQ or wait 10 seconds to store and exit.
- Higher SQ levels require a stronger signal to open the radio mute.
ASQ Control (Automatic Squelch):
- Long press SQ/AQ key until "AQ" appears on the LCD to turn on ASQ.
- Short press SQ/AQ key to display the ASQ level ("SQ--XX") for 10 seconds. There are 9 ASQ levels.
- Use ▲/▼ keys to change the ASQ level.
- Long press ▲/▼ keys to change the ASQ level quickly.
- Short press SQ/AQ or wait 10 seconds to store and exit.
- Long press SQ/AQ again to turn on SQL function.
AM/FM, CB/WX, and PA Modes:
- AM/FM: Short press AM/FM key to switch between AM and FM.
- CB/WX: Long press AM/FM key for over 2 seconds to toggle between CB and WX modes. "WX" appears on the LCD. In WX mode, use ▲/▼ keys to change weather channels.
- PA (Public Address): Press and hold PTT, then short press AM/FM key to switch between CB and PA mode. In PA mode, "PA" blinks on the LCD, alternating with the modulation mode. The microphone audio is sent to the internal or external speaker. Adjust PA volume with the VOL knob.
Key Lock:
- Long press AM/FM and SQ/AQ keys simultaneously for over 3 seconds to lock keys. "OT" appears on the LCD.
- Long press AM/FM and SQ/AQ keys simultaneously for over 3 seconds again to unlock. "OT" disappears.
- In KEY LOCK mode, only the PTT key is valid.
Emergency Channels, Menu, and VOX:
- Emergency Channels: Short press EMG key repeatedly to cycle through EMG1, EMG2, and the last used normal channel. Default emergency channels are 09 and 19.
- Menu: Long press EMG key to enter the menu.
- VOX (Voice Operated Transmit): Press and hold PTT, then short press EMG key to activate/deactivate VOX. "VOX" appears on the LCD when active.
Scan Skip:
- When SCAN is active and stops on an unwanted channel, press and hold EMG key to store it in SCAN SKIP memory. The channel will no longer be scanned.
- To memorize/erase channels from SCAN SKIP memory, enter the MENU and select the "SCSKIP" option.
Scan Function:
- CB Channels Scan: In CB mode, press and hold ▲/▼ keys for 7 seconds (or until a beep) to start CB SCAN. "SCAN" blinks on the LCD. Use ▲/▼ keys to change scan direction. Short press AM/FM or PTT to exit scan.
- WX Channels Scan: In WX mode, press and hold ▲/▼ keys for 3 seconds (or until a beep) to start WX Scan. "SCAN" blinks on the LCD. Use ▲/▼ keys to change scan direction. Long press EMG key to exit scan.
Frequency Band Selection:
- Press and hold AM/FM key while powering ON the radio. The current Frequency Band blinks.
- Use ▲/▼ keys to choose the desired band.
- Power OFF and ON again to confirm.
- This function is valid in CB mode 1 or 2. For HAM or HF mode, use the "BAND" menu option (page 9).
External Speaker Installation:
- Connect an optional 8Ω external speaker to the 3.5mm mono connector.
- Long press EMG key to enter the menu.
- Use ▲/▼ keys to select menu options.
- Short press EMG key to validate; the parameter blinks.
- Use ▲/▼ keys to modify the parameter value.
- Short press EMG key again to store the value.
- Press PTT, long press EMG, or wait 10 seconds to store and exit.
Menu Options and Settings:
- COLOR (Backlight color setting): Orange (default), Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, Purple, White.
- BRIGHT (Backlight brightness setting): OFF, 1-9 (Default: 5).
- KEY BP (Beep sound setting): ON (turn on beep sound), OFF (turn off beep sound) (Default: ON).
- ROG BP (Roger beep sound setting): OFF (default), 1-9 (Default: OFF).
- M.GAIN (Microphone gain control): Level: 1-9 (Default: 5).
- MIC.TYPE (Microphone type setting): ELECTRET (default), DYNAMIC.
- SP.PATH (Speaker volume path setting): VOL knob affects internal speaker (default), VOL knob affects microphone built-in speaker, VOL knob affects both.
- SC.TYPE (Scan type setting): Squelch scan (default), Time scan.
- SC.SKIP (Scan skip setting): OFF (erase current channel from SCAN SKIP memory), ON (memorize current channel into SCAN SKIP memory).
- VOX.SET (VOX sensitivity level setting): L: 1-9 (Default: 3).
- VOX.SET (VOX delay time setting): T: 1-9 (Default: 4).
- TALKBACK (Talkback level setting): OFF, 1-9. Adjust volume with PTT + ▲/▼.
- TOT.SET (Time out timer): OFF, 1-10 Min (Default: 3).
- ANL/NB (ANL/NB filters setting): OFF (turn off filters), ANL (turn on ANL filter in AM mode only), NB (turn on NB filter), ANL+NB (turn on both).
- HI-CUT (HI-CUT filter setting): OFF (turn off HI-CUT filter), ON (turn on HI-CUT filter).
- NR.SET (RX noise reduction level setting): RX: OFF, 1-5 (Default: 1).
- NR.SET (TX noise reduction level setting): TX: OFF, 1-5 (Default: 1).
- ECHO (ECHO function setting): OFF (turn off ECHO function), ON (turn on ECHO function).
- ECHO (ECHO volume level setting): L: 1-32 (Default: 28).
- ECHO (ECHO delay time setting): T: 1-32 (Default: 28).
- ALERT (ALERT function setting): OFF (turn off ALERT function), ON (turn on ALERT function).
- RF.GAIN (RF gain level control): OFF (default), AUTO, 3, 6, 9-48.
CTCSS/DCS SET:
- Long press EMG to enter menu, use ▲/▼ to select "CTCSS/DCS SET".
- Short press EMG to confirm. Operating mode blinks (TX/RX identical or separate).
- Use ▲/▼ to select operating mode.
- "I" means identical code for TX and RX. "F" means separate codes for TX and RX (or OFF).
- Short press EMG to make code type blink (CTC, DCS, or OFF).
- Use ▲/▼ to select code type.
- Short press EMG to confirm; code value flashes.
- Use ▲/▼ to select code (CTCSS: 01-38, DCS: 01-104).
- Short press EMG to confirm.
- For separate TX/RX codes, repeat steps for the second type.
- Press PTT, long press EMG, or wait 10 seconds to store and exit.
Emergency Channel Setting:
- Long press EMG to enter menu, use ▲/▼ to select "EMG1" or "EMG2".
- Short press EMG; the emergency channel blinks.
- Use ▲/▼ to select the emergency channel.
- Short press EMG to validate; channel stops blinking, mode blinks.
- Use ▲/▼ to select AM or FM mode.
- Short press EMG to validate; mode stops blinking.
- Press PTT, long press EMG, or wait 10 seconds to store and exit.
Restore Factory Default:
- Long press EMG to enter menu, use ▲/▼ to select "RESET".
- Short press EMG to validate; "AL" blinks.
- Long press EMG until "AL" stops blinking.
- Release EMG; the unit automatically resets.
Self Define PF Key Function:
- Long press EMG to enter menu, use ▲/▼ to select "PFKEY".
- Short press EMG; the function blinks.
- Use ▲/▼ to select the desired PF key function.
- Short press EMG again to store the value.
- Press PTT, long press EMG, or wait 10 seconds to store and exit.
Transmitter Specifications:
- Power Output: 4 Watts FM/AM.
- Transmission Interference: Inferior to 4nW.
- Frequency Response: 300-3000Hz.
- Modulated Signal Distortion: Inferior to 5%.
- Output Impedance: 50 ohms.
Receiver Specifications:
- Sensitivity: Less than 1uV for 10dB(S+N)/N.
- Image Rejection: 70dB.
- Adjacent Channel Rejection: 60dB.
- IF Frequencies: 1st 10.695MHz, 2nd 455KHz.
- Automatic Gain Control (AGC): Less than 10dB change in audio output for inputs from 10 to 50000uV.
- Squelch: Less than 1uV.
- Audio Output Power: 2 Watts at 8Ω, less than 10% distortion.
- Frequency Response: 300-3000Hz.
Current Drain:
- Transmit: 3A MAX.
- Receive (Squelched): 0.3A.
- VOL Max: 0.7A.
CTCSS Tone List:
The manual provides a list of 38 CTCSS tones with their corresponding frequencies (67.0 Hz to 250.3 Hz).
DCS Code List:
The manual provides a list of 104 DCS codes in octal format (023 to 754).
The CB-500 is a robust and feature-rich CB radio, offering extensive customization options and clear communication capabilities for various operating conditions.
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