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WJ-8610 Receiver Controller
System Front Inside Back Keyboard
Operating menus WJ-8610 catalog page WJ-8610A-1 circuit board pictures for setup and troubleshooting


WJ-8610A-1 Controller

A WJ-8610A-1 is shown here controlling
two WJ-8617B(S1) radios (a -17 and a -26).

 

There are several versions of this controller. The WJ-8610A-1 can control 14 receivers. The -5 can also control recording devices. The -7 allegedly controls only demods like the WJ-9477(G). A -10 is also rumored to exist but its capabilities are unknown. As with most WJ equipment, don't assume anything because it looks like a certain unit.

These units are highly customizable. (Look at all the jumpers on the circuit boards inside this unit if you doubt my word).

Four receivers can have audio routed through the WJ-8610A for monitoring. Designed to control WJ-8617B or later, WJ-8618B or later and any of the WJ-8615 and WJ-8619 series. See the WJ-8617 and WJ-8618 version guides for information on how to distinguish them.

It works best with WJ-8615 receivers that have the Scan-Step-Lockout (SSL) option. When used with SSL receivers, an NTSC video terminal can be attached to the WJ-8610A and will show spectrum displays from several receivers simultaneously.

WJ-8610A catalog page includes information a "Responsive Surveillance Subsystem" featuring four WJ-8615 receivers, WJ-9205 SDU and other components.

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WJ-8610A-1 front panel

The front panel is well laid out and brings forward a wide variety of control, scan, sweep and display functions that the WJ-8615, WJ-8617 and WJ-8618 receivers have lurking beneath the surface awaiting a more sophisticated controller. The best part of the WJ-8610 is it effectively duplicates the control of your receivers allow you to have two operating positions for up to four receivers. A very smart and capable controller. Closer view of the keyboard and display - Operating screens.

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WJ-8610A-1 inside

The inside of the WJ-8610A-1 controller has three main compartments. The card cage at the top contains the controller boards. Pictures of the individual cards can be found here. The lower left is the power supply. Rumors say the adjustable +5 VDC supply can wreak havoc with proper operation if not set properly. The CRT display is in the lower right hand corner. Examples of the menus on this display can be found here.

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WJ-8610A-1 rear panel

The rear panel shows many connections.

The four D-9 connectors bring receiver audio and, if your WJ-8615 has the Scan, Step, Lockout (SSL) option, spectral data from up to four receivers.

The two BNCs below these are for audio (left) and NTSC video (right) output. The NTSC video is for an auxiliary spectrum display from SSL enabled WJ-8615s. The controller must have a second NTSC card for this option and many controllers are lacking this board.

The three BNCs vertical in the middle of the connector cluster are for an external X -Y-Z display.

The three connectors just to the left of the fan filter are GPIB for receiver control (up to 14 receivers), RS-232 for computer control of the WJ-8610 and a GPIB system control for racking up multiple WJ-8610s and their clusters of up to 14 receivers for a very large surveillance system.

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WJ-8610A-1 kepboard and display

The gives you tremendous control over your receivers. It also adds many sweeping and scan functions not provided with the WJ-8615, WJ-8617B, WJ-8618B or WJ-8619 receivers. Additional functions are located on the five function button defined by the video screens shown below. These are incredibly versatile units.

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WJ-8610A-1 menus and definable keypad

These are just a few of the menus and display screens available on the WJ-8610A-1 controller.

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