Albrecht_AE-485S_review_2000.pdf
ROB MANNION G3XFD SAYS ONE OF THESE TRANSCEIVERS COULD PROVE VERY USEFUL AS A BUDGET STARTER RIG. Cost 1179 push-to-talk Input Voltage 13.8V d.c. nominal, 16V max, 12V min Size (WDH) 2 3/64 x 6 1/2 x 7 41/64in Weight 2.651bs (1.2kg) Antenna Connector SO-239 son unbalanced Speaker 80, 3W Transmitter Power Output a.m. 6W, n.b.f.m. 25W, s.s.b. 25W p.e.p. Spurious Emission 65dB or better Current Drain No Modulation a.m. <3.5A n.b.f.m. <6A s.s.b. <1A Current Drain at Max Power a.m. <3.5A n.b.f.m. <6A s.s.b. <6A Modulation Freq. Response (1 kHz, 0dB Reference) Lower, at 450Hz, a.m. -63B, s.s.b. -6dB Upper, at 2.5kHz, a.m. -6dB, s.s.b. -6dB Microphone Sensitivity a.m.4mV for 50% mod. n.b.f.m. 4mV for 1 kHz deviation s.s.b. 4mV for 10W p.e.p. Receiver Max Sensitivity for 6dB S/N a.m. 0.5pV, n.b.f.m./s.s.b. 0.25pV Sensitivity for 10dB S/N a.m 0.5pV, n.b.f.m./s.s.b. 0.25pV Overload Audio Fidelity at 6dB Down 450Hz-2100Hz Adjust Channel Selectivity a.m./n.b.f.m. 60dB, s.s.b. 70dB Image Rejection Typically better than 90dB IF Rejection 70dB or better Max Audio Output Power 2.5W Squelch Range Adjustable from 0.5pV to 1 mV Receiver Clarifier Range -J-1 kHz variable Dynamic Range 65dB (s.s.b.) the necessary swing of 1kHz to fill in the synthesiser stepping gaps. The stepping can be set to either 1, 10 or 100kHz The scan feature is simple and searches for active channels (its so simple I used it quite often). The switchable blanker is only effective on ignition type noises - not much use on my diesel car but it proved effective in reducing noise from passing motorbikes and petrol powered vehicles). Product The Albrecht AE 485 S 28MHz multi- mode transceiver. Pro-, & Cons Pros: Good value for money rig, clear and uncluttered display and delightfully simple operation. Cons: Limited tuning increments and switchy feel of the tuning. My thanks go to the Shortwave Shop of 18 Fairmile Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 21J. Tel/FAX: (01202) 490099 for the loan of the AE 485 S Summar The display is excellent and clear and the rig is well made and Im left wondering just what sort of interest could develop if the (I assume the transceiver is made in Taiwan) manufacturers re-worked the transceiver for - lets say - 7MHz with c. w replacing the n.b.f.m. mode. Now that would be even more interesting! There are five memories available (although I didnt use them they are extreme- ly simple to use). Equipped with a tone- burst (1750kHz) and the transceiver has the ability to work via the n.b.f.m. repeaters on the band (but I didnt hear any during my holiday). In use the transceiv- er proved to be extremely sensitive and reasonably selective. I can say this because despite a flurry of c.w. activity around (and actually on!) the International Beacon Frequency Project of 28.250MHz I was able to copy the various beacons despite the QRM - quite good bearing in mind that this transceiver is not aimed at the c.w. operator. Incidentally, if I owned one of these rigs Id be tempted to modify it to pro- vide c.w. It wouldnt be difficult and the Clarifier (in reality its an RIT control), would allow the incoming c.w. beat note to be adjusted. Using a modified Nevada CB antenna (shortened to resonate on 28MHz) I found no difficulty in work- ing all over Europe during my holiday in Ireland. Audio quality is reasonable - and it would have been bet- ter to use an external speaker in my car as the speaker aperture was screened. Audio output was more than adequate for mobile use and it could have coped with a much noisier vehicle. Transmitted audio quality reports, received from other stations were particu- larly pleasing. The majority of other sta- tions said the com- munications quality was particularly effec- tive. Several friends who know (and have known me for many years) said that they recognised my voice immediate y when they heard my transmissions on 28MHz. I put this down to the sensitive electret microphone - and the impressive results have made me consider one for my Alinco DX-70 transceivers! In My Car? So.would I buy an Albrecht 485 S for my car if looking for a budget- priced rig? In answer, I would say Yes. The transceiver, and any of the many similar re-tuned CB transceivers will provide a good value-for-money rig for anyone on a tight budget. And (again) Yes, it is obvious- ly a CB transceiver retuned to 28MHz - but at the same time per- formance isnt bad at all bearing in mind the price. (The CB fratenity often benefit from really large scale mass production in this way). The only reservations I have involve the limited tuning increments and the obvious switchy feel of the tuning although the controls and basic operation are delightfully simple. An excellent starter rig in my opinion for budget mobile use (possible modification for 50MHz perhaps?). Fig. 2: The transceiver is supplied with an electet insert microphone rather than the more common moving coil type often found on CB radio equipment. PLEASE ME TION THE PW REVIEW WHEN CONTACTING THE SHORTWAVE SHOP. 32 Practical Wireless, November 2000
