NOVAK POLARIS NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER Operating Instructions

Instructions are listed below based upon the plug type of your

radio system (servo, speed control, external battery pack).

Futaba J Plugs:  The Polaris' signal harness comes with the

Futaba J Plug pre-installed. Proceed to STEP 3.

JR, Hitec, new style KO, and new style blue Airtronics "Z"

Plugs: These style plugs will fit into the slots of the Polaris AM

without modification. The brown wire of the JR, and the black

wire of the Hitec, new KO and new Airtronics "Z" harness should

be closest to the outside of the case. Proceed to STEP 3.

Old style KO and Airtronics (Sanwa) Plugs:  The plug plastics

must be changed to the Futaba J style by using the included Novak

Futaba J style plug plastics. Refer to Figures 2-5 to change plug.

STEP 2

CHANGING THE INPUT PLUGS

THE NOVAK POLARIS AM RECEIVER

The Polaris AM is a compact AM receiver designed for use in

R/C surface models. Features include narrow-band opera-

tion, three channels, an external battery slot, reverse voltage

protection, surface-mount components, and excellent low-

voltage operation. Plug plastics are included for compatibility

with Futaba J, KO, JR and Airtronics (Sanwa) radios.

The Polaris AM receiver already exceeds the stringent 1999

FCC specifications, and offers unmatched performance on

the AM band.

Congratulations on choosing the Novak Polaris AM

receiver to guide you to the winner's circle!

SPECIFICATIONS

Case Size .... 1.39" x 1.42" x 0.57" (3.53 X 3.61 X 1.45 cm)

Weight .................................................. 0.58 oz. (16.44 g)

Modulation ................................................................. AM

Number of Channels ....................................................... 3

Antenna Length ........................................... 18" (45.7 cm)

Usable Sensitivity ......................................... 3.0 microvolts

Selectivity .................................................. 6 dB at 

±

 3 KHz

Adjacent Channel Rejection ................ >80 dB at 

±

 8.5 KHz

Voltage Range ...................... 3.5 volts DC to 12.0 volts DC

Current Consumption ......... 5.0 mA over full voltage range

3OIP (Third Order Intercept Point) ........................ +4 dBm

STEP 1

RADIO CRYSTALS: SELECTION, CARE & INSTALLATION

STEP 3

MOUNTING THE POLARIS AM RECEIVER

FIGURE 1  Proper crystal

 installation

FIGURE 2

With a small flat blade screwdriver, press on each of the

three metal prongs until the wires are easy to remove. Remove wires.

CAUTION:  Improper installation of these wires may cause damage to

the receiver, servo and speed control.

Insert each pin into the correct plug slot. Each pin should "click" into

place. Locking tab must not extend outside the plastic plug housing.

FIGURE 4

For Old-Style KO Harness: Black wire inserts into the BLK

terminal. Red wire inserts into the middle terminal. Blue wire inserts

into the 

WHT terminal.

FIGURE 5 

For Old-Style Airtronics/Sanwa Harness:

Middle black wire

inserts into the 

BLK terminal. Outside black wire inserts into the WHT

terminal. Red wire inserts into the middle terminal.

Red Wire

 Futaba J Plastic

Blue Wire

FIGURE 3

 With the screwdriver, carefully lift each of the metal lock-

ing tabs to the angle shown below.

Futaba J Plastic

The Polaris AM receiver has been factory tuned and does not need

further tuning. Crystals are not included with the receiver.

1. Only use single conversion AM band crystals.

2. The color of the antenna wire indicates the frequency

band of the receiver.

Black ....... 27 MHz * Yellow ........ 40 MHz * Not available

* Red ......... 29 MHz * Yel/White ... 41 MHz

in the U.S.

* Orange ... 35 MHz

Green ......... 75 MHz

3. The transmitter and receiver crystals MUST be made by

the transmitter manufacturer, and be on the same radio

band and frequency (e.g. Airtronics 27 MHz transmitter

crystal must be used with an Airtronics 27 MHz receiver

crystal). Receiver crystals are usually marked "RX".

4. Since crystals are sensitive to

vibration, they should not be

dropped. Receiver crystals can

be damaged by a hard crash.

5. To install, carefully insert the

receiver crystal into the receiver

by guiding the two prongs into

the crystal socket holes. Crystals

are non-polarized and can be

inserted in either direction.

STEP 2: Changing the Input Plugs (continued)

Proper mounting of the Polaris AM Receiver will improve its

performance and reliability. Sudden jolts (e.g. when the car

hits a board, lands after a jump, or crashes) send vibrations

throughout the vehicle and components mounted in it. If

vibrations reach the receiver, they can cause the crystal or an

internal ceramic filter to shift frequency and lose reception.

This leads to glitching and, in some cases, failure of these

components. The following guidelines for mounting the

Polaris should be adhered to in order to ensure the receiver

is working at its maximum efficiency.

1. For Electric Cars & Boats:  To reduce vibrations received,

mount the Polaris with the included double-sided tape.

After mounting, you should be able to move the receiver

with a rubber-type action. If using thinner mounting tape

than what is provided, we recommend using several pieces.

For Gas Cars & Boats:  The Polaris should be mounted in

foam rubber and protected from fuel and water.

NOTE: Do not use glue to mount the receiver!

2. Mount the Polaris receiver and antenna as far as possible

from the speed control, motor, servo, power wires and

battery. These components all emit radio noise.

3. Make sure the case edges do not come in contact with

the chassis or battery box, as this will transmit vibrations

directly into the electronics.

If for any reason you experience a range problem, try mount-

ing the receiver on its side with the crystal and antenna

away from the chassis. Use extra pieces of tape if necessary.

4. Mount the antenna as close to the receiver as possible.

For Off-Road Cars: Run the antenna up a plastic antenna

tube and let the excess trail out the top of the tube.

For On-Road Cars: Attach the antenna to a fiberglass an-

tenna mast with several pieces of 1/4" heat-shrink tubing

and let the excess trail off the top.

Do not cut or coil excess wire, or range will be reduced.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

FCC

APPROVED

NARROW BAND AM RECEIVER

TM