• Overview
• The Scan Timer
• Disabling an ALE Scan Group for Fixed Channel Operation
• Enabling an ALE Scan Group

There are cases where, after establishing an ALE link, a station disconnecting the link may not result in the IC-F8101 resuming ALE scanning. Resumed scanning can be assured by setting the radio to resume scan based on elapsed time. Using a timed resumption of scan introduces issues when fixed channel operation, such as occurs in a NET, where the radio will resume ALE scan after the timer times out after PTT activity.

Configuring the radio for timed entry into ALE scanning is performed using the Customer Programming Software, and is not configurable by the operator once the radio has been programmed.

To bypass the scanning process, and enable support for fixed channel or VFO operation, the operator must disable the ALE scan group. Switching from fixed channel or VFO operation to ALE scanning requires that the operator enable the ALE scan group.

This article discuses how to configure the F8101 to resume scan based on time and how to manage switching between fixed channel and ALE scanning operation.

To operate on a fixed channel, with the Auto Start Type set to Scan, requires more than just placing the radio into Channel mode and selecting a channel. If the ALE scan group is not disabled, the radio will leave the selected Channel in Channel mode and resume ALE scanning.

Prior to selecting a fixed channel for operation, disable the active ALE scan group:

• Press the X button to enter the menu.
• Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll to Network and push the check-mark button.
• Using the up and down buttons, scroll to the active ALE scan group, as indicated by Call on the line immediately below the network name and then press the check-mark button.
• Using the up and down buttons, scroll to the Scan Type. Press and hold the check-mark button for longer than one-second to enter the Scan Type menu.
• Using the up and down buttons, scroll to the Call type and momentarily press the check-mark button to un-check the Call menu item.
• Press and hold the check-mark button for longer than one second to store the modified Call entry and return to the next higher level menu.
• Press the X button to exit to the next higher level menu (i.e. the list of ALE scan groups).
• Press the X button to exit to the next higher level menu (i.e. the main menu).
• Press the X button to exit the menus.

You can now select Channel mode or VFO mode and the radio should not enter ALE scanning. If the radio does enter ALE scanning, an ALE scan group still has an Scan Type set to Call, and the above procedure should be used to disable that ALE scan group.

To operate in ALE scanning mode, it is necessary to enable the ALE scan group that you wish to operate on.

Enable the ALE scan by performing the following steps:

• Press the X button to enter the menu.
• Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll to Network and push the check-mark button.
• Using the up and down buttons, scroll to the inactive ALE scan group that you wish to use, as indicated by (none) on the line immediately below the network name and then press the check-mark button.
• Using the up and down buttons, scroll to the Scan Type. Press and hold the check-mark button for longer than one-second to enter the Scan Type menu.
• Using the up and down buttons, scroll to the Call type and momentarily press the check-mark button to check the Call menu item.
• Press and hold the check-mark button for longer than one second to store the modified Call entry and return to the next higher level menu.
• Press the X button to exit to the next higher level menu (i.e. the list of ALE scan groups).
• Press the X button to exit to the next higher level menu (i.e. the main menu).
• Press the X button to exit the menus.

The radio will now enter ALE scanning after the auto-start timer has timed out. You can enter ALE scanning immediately by pressing the scan button.