Midland 79-290
Midland 79-290
Midland 79-290
Specifications
Installation
Location
Mounting the Radio
Ignition Noise Interference
Antenna
Tuning the Antenna for Optimum SWR
External Speaker
Operation
Control and Indicators
Front Panel
Real Panel
Operating Procedure to Receive
Operating Procedure to Transmit
Receiving SSB signals
SPECIFICATIONS (CB)
GENERAL
Channels 40 CH/AM//USB/LSB (120 ch. total)
Operating Temperature
Range -20° C to + 50° C
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TRANSMITTER
Power Output AM 4 Watts
SSB 12 Watts PEP
Modulation AM/SSB
Unwanted Sideband 50 dB
RECEIVER
Sensitivity .50 uv AM
.25 uv SSB
Adjacent-Channel
Rejection 60 dB AM/SSB
WEATHER RECEIVER
Channels
1 162.550 2 162.400 3 162.475 4 162.425
5 162.450 6 162.500 7 162.525
8 161.550 9 161.775 10 163.275
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Your new Midland model 79-290 represents cutting edge technology in the
communications field. From its high tech detachable control panel to finned cast
almuinum transmitter heatsink it incorporates features found on no other CB.
These features include full surface mount technoloy, fiberglass printed circuit
board, dual power output stage, and a digital information screen using a black
matrix LCD (liquid crystal display). All the features are under microprocessor
control for increased function and reliability. Your Midland 79-290 assures you
of having the ultimate technology in a CB radio.
INSTALLATION
LOCATION
Plan the location of the transceiver and microphone bracket before starting the
installation. Select a location that is convenient for operation and does not
interfere with the driver or passengers in the vehicle. The units location must not
interfere with airbag operation. In automobiles, the transceiver is usually mounted
below the dash panel, with the microphone bracket beside it.
2. Connect the antenna cable plug to the standard receptacle on the rear panel.
Most CB antennas are terminated with a type PL 259 plug and mate with the
receptacle.
3. Connect the red DC power input wire (with the fuse) to +13.8 Vdc. This
wire extends from the rear panel. In automobile installation, +13.8 Vdc is
usually obtained from the accessory contact on the ignition switch. This
prevents the set being left on accidentally when the driver leaves the car, and
also permits operating the unit without the engine running. Locate the
accessory contact on most ignition switches by tracing the power wire from
the AM/FM radio in the car. The AM/FM radio power circuit generally has
noise filtering built-in, making it a good place to connect your CB.
4. Connect the black lead to +13.8 Vdc. This is usually the chassis of the car.
Any convenient location with good electrical contact (remove paint) may be
used.
5. Mount the microphone bracket on the right side of the transceiver or near the
transceiver, using two screws supplied. When mounting in an automobile,
place the bracket under the dash so the microphone is readily accessible.
IGNITION NOISE INTERFERENCE
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Use of a mobile receiver at low signal levels is normally limited by the presence
of electrical noise. The primary source of noise in automobile installations is from
the vehicle itself. If the CB operates quietly with the car motor turned off it’s
most likely that the car electrical system is generating noise. In some installations
ignition interference may be high enough to make good communications
impossible. The electrical noise may come from several sources. Many
possibilities exist and variations between vehicles require different solutions to
reduce the noise.
ANTENNA
Mobile whip antennas utilize the metal body of the vehicle as a ground plane.
When mounted at a corner of the vehicle they are slightly directional, in the
direction of the body of the vehicle. For all pratical purposes, however, the
radiation pattern is nondirectional. The slight directional characteristic will be
observed only at extreme distances. A standard antenna connector (type SO 239)
is provided on the transceiver for easy connection to a standard PL 259 cable
termination.
If the transceiver is not mounted on a metal surface, it is necessary to run a
separate ground wire from the unit to a good metal electrical ground in the
vehicle. When installed in a boat, the transceiver will not operate at maximum
efficiently without a ground plate, unless the vessel has a steel hull.
Before installing the transceiver in a boat, consult your dealer for information
regarding an adequate grounding system and prevention of electrolysis between
fittings in the hull and water.
1.Start with the antenna extended and tighten the set screw lightly enough so that
the antenna can be easily shortened by hand for easy adjustment.
2. Set your transceiver to Channel 20. Press the PTT (push-to-talk) switch, and
move the antenna down. The SWR meter will show a lower reading each time the
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antenna is shortened. By continuing to shorten the antenna you will notice the
SWR reading will reach a low point and then start rising again. This means that
you have passed the optimum point for Channel 20. Extend the antenna a short
distance and again follow the procedure above.
If you are having difficulties in adjusting your antenna, check the following:
A. All doors must be closed when adjusting the antenna.
B. Make sure the antenna base is grounded.
C. Check your coaxial cable routing (it may be pinched when routed into the
car).
D. Try a different location on your car (keeping in mind the radiation pattern
you wish).
E. Is the antenna perfectly vertical?
F. Try a different location in your neighborhood. Stay away from large metal
objects when adjusting (metal telephone posts, buildings, or fences).
External Speaker
The external speaker jack (EXT. SPK.) on the rear panel is used for remote
receiver monitoring. The external speaker should have 8 ohms impedance and be
able to handle at least 4 watts. When the external speaker is plugged in, the
internal speaker is disabled.
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FRONT PANEL DRAWING
1. ON/OFF VOLUME (inner dual concentric). Turn clockwise to apply
power to the unit and to set the desired listening level. During normal CB
operation, the VOLUME control is used to adjust the output level obtained
either at the transceiver speaker or the external speaker, if used.
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6. WX BUTTON. Press this button for instant selection of the NOAA
weather bureau or Canadian receiver. Select the proper channel, with the
rotary channel selector, for your area. It is normal to hear the same
information on more than one channel, select the channel with best sound.
To return to CB operation, push the WX button again.
10. M1-M4 BUTTONS. These 4 buttons are used to enter and select the 4
memory channels. To set channels in the memory ,select the desired channel
for M1, press and hold the “M1” button until a second beep is heard and the
memory channel indicator lights. Your selected channel is now entered at
M1. Repeat the above operation for M2 through M4. To recall a memory
channel just press the the “M” button.
11. BD BUTTON (Band Button). This button is used to select the LSB,
USB, AM, mode of operation. Unless the station with which
communication is desired is equipped with SSB, the AM mode is normally
used. The band “BD” button changes the mode of operation of both
transmitter and receiver simultaneously. Turn to ‘’Receiving SSB signals’’
for a further explanation of single sideband. Continued pressing of the band
button causes the unit to keep switching between AM/LSB/USB as indicated
by the LCD screen.
14. SC INDICATOR. LCD indicator showing when the scan mode has
been activated.
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16. SC INDICATOR. LCD indicator showing when the scan mode is
activated.
17. MIC INDICATOR. LCD indicator showing when the low power
microphone mode has been selected.
18. LOC INDICATOR. Indicates the local mode of receive has been
selected.
19. FRQ BUTTON. Pressing this button causes the LCD to switch between
channel and 5 digit frequency display.
23. SRF METER DISPLAY. In the receive mode the LCD indicator shows
the relative incoming signal strength (“s” units). The stronger the received
signal the more segments will light. In the transmit mode the display will
activate according to the transmitter power. If the meter activates less than
half scale it can indicate an antenna problem.
24. SC BUTTON. This button activates the scan operation. To operate scan
adjust the squelch until the background noise is muted. Presss the “SC”
button, the unit will begin rapidly scrolling through the channels until a
signal is heard. The unit will remain stoppped on the last active channel 10
seconds after the signal disappears to allow time for the user to answer the
message. To exit scan press the “SC” button again.
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PRESS-TO-TALK MICROPHONE
The receiver and transmitter are controlled by the press-to-talk switch on the
microphone. Press the switch and the transmitter is activated, release switch
to receive. When transmitting, hold the microphone 2 in. from the mouth and
speak clearly in a normal ‘’voice’’. The radio comes complete with a low-
impedance (500 ohm) dynamic microphone.
NOTE: The receiver audio will not function unless the microphone is
connected
26. LCR BUTTON. Pressing this button causes the unit to revert to the
previously selected channel.
27. TX INDICATOR. This lamp glows red when the transmitter has been
activated.
POWER JACK. Accepts 13.8 VDC power cable with built-in fuse.
EXT SP. Accepts 4 to 8 ohm, 5 watt external speaker. When an external
speaker is connected to this jack, the built-in speaker is automatically dis-
connected.
ANTENNA. Accepts 50 ohm coaxial cable with a type PL-259 plug.
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1. Be sure that power source, microphone and antenna are connected to the
proper connectors before going to the next step.
5. Listen to the background noise from the speaker. Turn the SQUELCH control
slowly clockwise until the noise JUST disappears (no signal should
be present). Leave the control at this setting. The SQUELCH is now properly
adjusted. Do not advance the control too far, or some of the weaker signals
will not be heard.
3. If the channel is clear, depress the push-to-talk switch on the microphone and
speak in a normal voice.
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An SSB signal may be received only when the listening receiver is functioning in
the same mode. In other words, an upper sideband signal (USB) may be made
intelligible only if the receiver is functioning in the USB position.
If a lower sideband (LSB) signal is heard when the receiver is in the USB mode,
no amount of tuning will make the signal intelligible. The reason for this may be
understood if you consider that when modulation is applied to the transmitter’s
microphone in the USB mode, the transmitter’s output frequency is increased
whereas in the LSB mode the transmitter’s output frequency is decreased. The
result in listening to the receiver is that when the “BD” is in the proper mode
(either USB, or LSB), a true reproduction of single tone of modulation will result,
and if the tone is increased in frequency (such as a low-pitched whistle or a high-
pitched whistle) you will hear the increase in the output tone of the receiver. If
the incorrect mode is selected, an increase in tone of a whistle applied to the
transmitter will cause a decrease in the resultant tone from the receiver.
Thus when a voice is used in place of a whistle or tone, in the proper listening
mode the voice will be received correctly whereas in the incorrect mode, the
voice will be translated backwards and cannot be made intelligible by the voice
lock control. When listening to AM transmission, a correct sideband is heard in
either mode since both upper and lower sideband are received.
Once the desired SSB mode has been selected, frequency adjustment may be
necessary in order to make the incoming signal intelligible, the CLARIFIER
control allows the operator to vary frequency above and below the exact-center
frequency of the received signal. If the sound of the incoming signal is high or
low pitched, adjust the operation of the CLARIFIER. Consider it as performing
the same function as a phonograph speed control. When the speed is set too high,
voices will be high-pitched and if set too low, voices will be low-pitched. Also,
there is only one correct speed that will make a particular record produce the
same sound that was recorded. If the record is played on a turntable that rotated in
the wrong direction (opposite sideband) no amount of speed control
(CLARIFIER) will produce an intelligible sound. An AM signal received while
listening in one of the SSB modes will produce a steady tone (carrier) in addition
to the intelligence, unless the SSB receiver is tuned to exactly the same frequency
by the CLARIFIER control.
TO RECEIVE WEATHER
Press the WX button and select the desired channel for your area. The squelch
and scan functions do not operate in the weather mode.
LIMITED WARRANTY.
Midland Consumer Radio will repair or replace, at its option without charge, any
Midland Mobile, Base Station, or full power Hand-Held Citizens Band transceiver
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which fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within one year following the
initial consumer purchase.
This warranty does not include any carrying cases, earphones, or telescoping
antennas which may be a part of or included with the warranted product, or the cost
of labor for removal or re-installation of the product in a vehicle or other mounting.
Performance of any obligation under this warranty may be obtained by returning the
warranteed product, freight prepaid, along with proof of purchase date, to Midland
Consumer Radio, Warranty Service Department 1670 North Topping, Kansas City,
Missouri 64120, or to any “ Midland Authorized Warranty Service Station,” or to the
place of purchase ( if a participating dealer).
Warranty information and the location of the nearest “Midland Authorized Warranty
Service Station,” may be obtained by writing Midland Consumer Radio, Warranty
Service Department.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
Note: The above warranty applies only to merchandise purchased in the United
States of America or any of the territories or possessions or from a U.S. military
exchange. For warranty coverage on merchandise purchased elsewhere, consult
the supplemental warranty information included with this product or ask your dealer.
SERVICE
Pack the unit in its original box and packing, Improper packing may result in
damage during shipment.
You do not need to return accessory items (brackets, screws, power cord, antenna,
etc.) unless they may be directly related to the problem.
Include a photocopy of the bill of sale or other proof of purchase showing the date
of sale. This information must be included before warranty service can be
considered.
MIDLAND
RADIO CORPORATION
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