AOR AR-ONE(xtended) Question

[dsalomon]

I recently acquired an AOR AR-ONE. I've used numerous AOR receivers over many years and love them. This one, however, leaves me perplexed. The label on the back says "AR-ONExtended". Huh? I can find some information about the AR-ONE (not a lot because it wasn't sold as a hobby level receiver), but I can find nothing at all searching for "AR-ONExtended". The frequency range is the same as the AR-ONE, the menu items appear to be the same, the front panel is the same.

Has anyone ever heard of this beast? Does anyone have any information about it? What does Extended mean?

I'm also curious if anyone knows of software for it. I know there's SysLabs RadioControl and software from Scanstar. I've tried (unsuccessfully) using several AR8200 and 8600 software products, none of which work (not surprising). This receiver was built to be computer controlled, and I'm not opposed to rolling my own, but if something's available at a reasonable price, I'd rather buy it than write it.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks - David, AG4F

 

[kc2asb]

Perhaps this radio was customized by the outfit that sold it? I remember back in the late 80's/ 90's, Electronic Equipment Bank in Virginia used to sell enhanced/customized versions of the Icom R-7000 and other high-end receivers. Just a wild guess. Good luck in your quest!

 

[dsalomon]

Possible, I guess. However, the serial number label looks "stock" (of course, they're easy to fake). The guy I got it from claims it was made for the German Intelligence Service (not sure which one), but he didn't know any more than that. I know AOR does custom work for government agencies. I've continued to put out queries. I sent a query to both Japan and US AOR, both of whom ignored me (not surprised). I pulled off the top and bottom covers and compared to the few inside pics I could find on the internet - it looks the same as the stock AR-ONE, but that doesn't really mean much. I suppose there could be additional functionality in hidden menus, and/or with undocumented key presses. But since I have no documentation specific to the AR-ONExtended model, guessing would be next to impossible.

The radio works great and is well worth what I paid for it (a lot). I consider this a stepping stone to a 5700D or 6000. I had a 5000A+3 and a 8600 MKII before this.

I also have the DV10, which I've connected via the 10.7 MHz IF Out. That works really well for digital voice decoding.

Finally, I've also used the 10.7 MHz IF Out connected to a RTL-SDR and used several SDR software programs (SDRAngel, SDR-Console) for digital decoding, which also works well.

The next thing I want to figure out is how to add a discriminator tap. Of course, without a schematic or service manual, it's going to be difficult to find the right tap point. I've only briefly looked at the boards, but not inspected them closely. I might be able to figure it out from closer inspection.

Thanks for the reply!

73 - David, AG4F

 

[kc2asb]

Sounds like this radio will serve you well! I had an AR-1000 many years ago but did not hang on to it for long. The only AOR rig I have is an AR-5000, which I purchased new about 20 years ago. It's the most I have ever spent on a single radio. The 5700D is impressive, but just a bit more than I would want to spend.

I've always been impressed with the 5000's RF performance on VHF and above, not so much on HF though. I found the Icom R-8500 to perform better below 30MHz. I also have an Icom R-7000 in the shack.

AOR's support used to be very good. My 5000 had a warped bottom plate when I received it. (factory defect, not shipping damage). They sent out a replacement part seemingly overnight and a shipping label to return the defective part.

 

[bkantor]

Is it possible that is just a marketing thing, taken from the Product Description as follows: The AOR AR-ONE this is the high performance wide band receiver from AOR with an extended frequency range of 3.3GHz. Surveillance operations are enhanced.

I found that description on the Radio World website

 

[dsalomon]

I wish I hadn't sold my AR5000A+3. The 5700D is definitely expensive. I'm holding out for a used one. There are numerous third party seller on eBay in Japan and China, but that's a risky proposition these days with the whole tariff situation. Maybe the price will come down someday.

You're right about their support. Now, it's hit or miss. My guess is that they haven't responded this time because the radio is a custom model, and/or made for government/commercial use. I get it.

I hope this AR-ONE will last a while without trouble. I know AOR USA won't work on it if I have a problem.

Since I can't find any software for it, I'm in the process of writing my own. The commands and responses are all straight ASCII

Is it possible that is just a marketing thing, taken from the Product Description as follows: The AOR AR-ONE this is the high performance wide band receiver from AOR with an extended frequency range of 3.3GHz. Surveillance operations are enhanced.

I found that description on the Radio World web

I suppose it's possible, but why would only some receivers be labeled that way? I've never found any information on that name, only on "AR-ONE".

 

[bearcatrp]

Could be for export only radio. Start going through the menus to see if something odd stands out. Good luck. Always wanted one of those radios.

 

[dsalomon]

Could be for export only radio. Start going through the menus to see if something odd stands out. Good luck. Always wanted one of those radios.

Yep, could be, but since this was made as a government / commercial radio I don't see why they would make an export only version. Lots of good guessing here, but we're all just guessing. I haven't found any menu items not in the manual. I continue to search. If nothing else, trying to solve the mystery is fun!

 

[kc2asb]

Yep, could be, but since this was made as a government / commercial radio I don't see why they would make an export only version. Lots of good guessing here, but we're all just guessing. I haven't found any menu items not in the manual. I continue to search. If nothing else, trying to solve the mystery is fun!

The Universal Radio page on the AR-ONE lists is only for government or export sales. It appears the export and government versions were the same. They also list the AR-ONE-C, a "special frequency and phase coherent version". Lots of good info on their site, including a PDF of the sales brochure.

AOR AR-ONE Wideband Receiver AR-1

 

[dsalomon]

The Universal Radio page on the AR-ONE lists is only for government or export sales. It appears the export and government versions were the same. They also list the AR-ONE-C, a "special frequency and phase coherent version". Lots of good info on their site, including a PDF of the sales brochure.

AOR AR-ONE Wideband Receiver AR-1

The frequency coherent version has a different back panel.

 

[EricCottrell]

One special version I found is frequency and phase coherent.

http://www.aorusa.com/receivers/pdf/ar_one_c_catalog.pdf

One thing I would check is the upper frequency limit. The original AR-8600 tuned up to 2.04 GHz and was extended to 3 GHz with the AR-8600 Mk2. Your version of the AR-One may tune above 3.3 GHz.

73 Eric

 

[dsalomon]

One special version I found is frequency and phase coherent.

http://www.aorusa.com/receivers/pdf/ar_one_c_catalog.pdf

One thing I would check is the upper frequency limit. The original AR-8600 tuned up to 2.04 GHz and was extended to 3 GHz with the AR-8600 Mk2. Your version of the AR-One may tune above 3.3 GHz.

73 Eric

Yep, saw that one. The first thing I did was to check the frequency range - it matches what's on the brochure and in the manual (up to 3.3 GHz). It's entirely possible that it has an extended range that can only be accessed through a secret set of key presses or menu, but I haven't figured it out. I've tried numerous press and hold, key combinations, etc., but there are so many possibilities that I could guess forever and never stumble on it. I'm working on creating software control to see if there's something via computer control that can open up extensions, but haven't found anything that way either (yet).

73 - David, AG4F

 

[kc2asb]

FWIW, the AR-ONE was reviewed twice in Popular Communications magazine:

Popular Communications: September 2002, page 26
Popular Communications: August 2003, page 42

Every issue is archived at the site below:

POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS: DX SWL and Utilities hobbyist maghazine

Popular Communications was a magazine with content relating to the radio hobby, including scanners, shortwave radio, CB, amateur radio, AM and FM broadcast band listening, radio history, and vintage radio restoration. The magazine existed between 1982 and 2013

www.worldradiohistory.com

 

[dsalomon]

FWIW, the AR-ONE was reviewed twice in Popular Communications magazine:

Popular Communications: September 2002, page 26
Popular Communications: August 2003, page 42

Every issue is archived at the site below:

POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS: DX SWL and Utilities hobbyist maghazine

Popular Communications was a magazine with content relating to the radio hobby, including scanners, shortwave radio, CB, amateur radio, AM and FM broadcast band listening, radio history, and vintage radio restoration. The magazine existed between 1982 and 2013

www.worldradiohistory.com

I used to read Pop Comm, but never knew there was an archive! That's a great resource - thanks for telling me about it.

 

[kc2asb]

I used to read Pop Comm, but never knew there was an archive! That's a great resource - thanks for telling me about it.

You're welcome! I was a long-time subscriber too. Tom Kneitel's stories and editorials were always enjoyable.

 

[dsalomon]

I used to read Pop Comm, but never knew there was an archive! That's a great resource - thanks for telling me about it.

kc2asb - pointing me to that resource helped at least find a reference to the AR-ONExtended! Yes! The site provides the ability to search contents of ALL their publications. In FunkAmateur, 2005-04, there's a reference to it. I haven't translated it yet, or looked at most of the other 39 AR-ONE hits it found, but this is a start.

 

[kc2asb]

kc2asb - pointing me to that resource helped at least find a reference to the AR-ONExtended! Yes! The site provides the ability to search contents of ALL their publications. In FunkAmateur, 2005-04, there's a reference to it. I haven't translated it yet, or looked at most of the other 39 AR-ONE hits it found, but this is a start.

That's great! Keep us posted. The mystery may yet be solved.

 

[dsalomon]

Well, this is VERY exciting!

From FunkAmateur, 2003-12:

"Bogerfunk began shipping version 1.6 of its AR-ONExtended receiver, which was primarily developed and modified for the professional sector, in December 2003. Compared to the standard model, the devices offer, among other features, improved large-signal performance and higher sensitivity. Special interfaces make the receiver future-proof and enable the use of additional modules developed for customer-specific requirements. Examples of such extensions include digital broadband recording at the IF level and a classifier that automatically detects and classifies digital signals.
Bogerfunk GmbH, Grundesch 15, 88326 Aulendorf;
Tel. (0 7525) 4 51, Fax 23 82;
www.boger.de; Email: info@boger.de"

"Special interfaces" is interesting. There is a header on the main board (empty in mine, of course). I assume that header is for add-on boards to enable some of these "special interfaces".

 

[kc2asb]

Great find! You did very well purchasing that radio. I wonder if that email address is still active 20 years later.

 

[dsalomon]

Great find! You did very well purchasing that radio. I wonder if that email address is still active 20 years later.

Boger Electronics gmbh – On the same wavelength.

www.boger-electronics.de