Archive originally from the AOR-UK website in 2008, edited in 2021 by AOR Ltd. In Japan.
This information is supplied as a convenience to our loyal customers still using discontinued legacy AOR receivers.
Please note that the information is supplied “as is” without any support nor obligation. This model is no-longer accepted for repair and none of the parts are available anymore.
AR2002 LCD
After several years of use some of the LCD display segments can become faint. This is not due to a failing LCD as a lot of people think but is simply caused by poor connection between the LCD and PCB. To cure the problem, both cases halves and the front panel will have to be removed from the set. The case halves present no problem (6 screws) but care has to be taken with the 4 countersunk screws holding on the front panel - the plastic around theses has tended to become brittle with age and cracks or broken lugs are common. The easiest way to get at the display is to remove the CPU board completely from the set - usually 4 screws and 2 connectors. Remove the 2 further screws holding the sub board to the CPU board and hinge it out of the way. To remove the LCD, remove the 5 screws holding the metal frame in place. The display should now free but remember where the insulation pieces go before removing it and note the order that all pieces are fitted.
To clear the fault, carefully remove the contact zebra strip and clean it (alcohol, IPA, etc.).
Clean the PCB contact pads with a fine fiber brush or some very fine abrasive paper.
On rebuilding the set all segments should now be bright and clear.
*While the front of the set is stripped down, it is a good idea to check the display lamp.
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AR2002 RESET
If the unit crashes for any reason (supply spike or whatever), the AR2002 can be reset in the same way as the AR2001. One point worth noting is that two different types of back up capacitor have been used in the AR2002. Earlier sets used a 1 Farad item and later ones tended to be fitted with a 0.47 F capacitor. The expected memory retention time from a fully charged unit (i.e. one that has been connected to the power for a few hours) is approximately 5 days and 3 days respectively.
AR2001 – Reset instructions (all details are the same for AR2002 including the pin numbers)
The AR2001 can be reset in several ways:
1) Leave the set without any power for over 1 week. On re-connecting power the unit will reset. If a reset is carried out, all display segments will illuminate briefly, the clock will re-start at zero and all memory data will revert to factory defaults.
2) Remove the multi-connector J2 (9 pin) from the PLL unit. Either leave this disconnected for a few hours or short to earth pin 7 of the side going to the CPU board for a short while.
3) With the set powered up, short pin 58 to pin 56 on the micro. This is not as bad as it sounds as both points are brought out to solder pads at the side of the micro. These can be found on the rear of the CPU board located on the edge of the board (behind the far-left hand end of the display). The pads are ladled ACL, one may be connected to a capacitor but the other should be bare... short these two pads for a few seconds to reset the unit.
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AR2002 memory back up capacitor
AR2002 uses a large 'SUPER capacitor' for memory retention and clock when power is removed from the radio. If the radio is left permanently connected to 12V (even with the radio switched off), power is fed to the microprocessor backup circuit so that memories & clock are maintained indefinitely.
The operating manual optimistically suggested that the memories would be maintained for up to seven days, in reality, four days is more typical (3 days when the 0.47F is used and 5 days where the 1F is used).
However, memory loss may not just be due to a failed capacitor, there can be other reasons… here is a possible list:
1. Failure of the capacitor as described
2. Contact resistance between the inter-board connectors (tarnished). Try measuring the resistance and unplug/re-plug the connectors a few times
3. Contamination of the PCB causing a high resistance short (often found where large deposits of tobacco exist)
4. Partially failed microprocessor
To eliminate the likelihood of a failed microprocessor, it is a good idea to measure the backup voltage and current supplied by the capacitor when power is removed. The microprocessor takes around 5uA (five micro-amps) so measurement can be difficult.
If you don't have a suitable digital meter, perhaps it is worth considering connecting a 100k or 1M OHM resistor in series with the positive terminal of the capacitor then measure the voltage drop across the resistor… the results may not be perfect due to 'loading' but should provide some indication of whether a problem exists.
For example, if the equation I = V/R is used (I is current in Amps, V is Voltage and R is resistance in OHMS), a voltage drop across the resistor should be in the region of 0.1V to 1V, if higher, the microprocessor must be considered suspect.
The value of the SUPER capacitor can be either 0.47Farad or 1.0Farad. The 1.0F item is physically larger than the 0.47F capacitor. Re-charging a completely flat back up capacitor can take a couple of hours, the capacitor will re-charge whenever power is connected to the set, even if the set is not switched on. A fully charged capacitor should retain memory and clock information for up to 3 days for the 0.47F and up to 5 days for the 1.0F items.
It is unusual for the capacitor to fail but remains the
most likely cause if memory retention time has dropped.
Although it is recommended that the capacitor is replaced with the same type as already fitted, it is possible to replace a 0.47F capacitor with the 1.0F item. The leg spacing is different between the two capacitors, therefore, careful bending of these is required to make the larger item fit the PCB. If this is done correctly, there should be enough space on the board to fit the physically larger capacitor in place.
To replace the capacitor:
Remove the bottom cover (4 screws) and unplug the speaker. Take care not to strain the speaker wires.
Locate the backup capacitor on the PCB now exposed. Take note of the polarity in which it is fitted.
Remove all connectors from the board (2 multi-pin and 1 mini coax).
De-solder or lift the wire earth connection from the board if fitted.
Remove the board from the set (4 or 6 screws depending on type of board fitted).
Note: Depending on the hardware version, the shield at the rear of the set and two earth spring plates will have to be removed first (4 screws on side, one board screw and a piece of conductive tape).
De-solder and remove the defective back up capacitor.
Note: For all soldering required, quite a high wattage soldering iron is required (50W or so is ideal) – the earth connections tend to drain away the heat very quickly.
Fit the new item and solder in place taking care that correct polarity is observed.
Re-fit the board and plug in the connectors – these will only fit one way round.
Connect power to the set and switch it on. As all the connectors have been removed, the set will now perform a full re-set (displaying all LCD segments) and start working after a few seconds.
Replace the bottom cover once you have checked that the set is operating normally.
Leave the set connected to the power for a few hours to get the charge level topped up on the new capacitor.
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Calibration adjustment of front panel signal meter
If the adjustment has never been touched, leave it alone. If it reads inaccurately, something else is likely to be faulty within the receiver (lack of IF gain etc.):
The AR2002 was originally set up to give the following indication (NFM @ 145MHz):
- 1st LED illuminated for approx. 0.3uV
- 1st RED LED illuminated for approx. 1.0uV
- ALL LEDs illuminated for approx. 2.0uV
However, due to batch variations and tolerances (different manufacturers of transistor in the IF stages), these reading are incorrect. VR1 & VR2 interact with each other so set up is very much trial and error. Considering their age, they are now likely to be quite fragile and intermittent.
Looking at the circuit, it is suggested that you try setting up VR2 to give the meter start point with no signal, adjusting VR1 for the first RED LED at whatever signal strength you prefer. Repeat this process until its correct (in your view). Remember to check that all LEDs go out when no signal is present.
The calibration of s-meter changes quite a bit with temperature, so you may need to leave the radio on for half an hour or so before starting adjustment.
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