Menu and Softkey Overview

The keys labeled AMPLITUDE, FREQUENCY, CAL, and MKR are all examples of front-panel keys. Pressing most front-panel keys accesses menus of functions that are displayed along the right side of the display. These menus are called softkey menus.

Softkey menus list functions other than those accessed directly by the front-panel keys. To activate a function on the softkey menu, press the unlabeled key immediately to the right of the annotation on the screen. The unlabeled keys next to the annotation on the display screen are called softkeys.

Front-panel keys are designated with a box around the key label, for example, [AMPLITUDE]; softkeys are designated by shading on the key label,

for example, REF LUL . The softkeys that are displayed depend on which front-panel key is pressed and which menu level is enabled.

If a softkey function’s value can be changed, it is called an active function. The function label of the active function appears in inverse video. For example, press c-1. This calls up the softkey menu of related

amplitude functions. Note the function labeled REF LVL appears in inverse video. REF LVL also appears in the active function block, indicating that it is the active amplitude function and can now be changed using any of the data entry controls.

A softkey with ON and OFF in its label can be used to turn the softkey’s function on or off. To turn the function on, press the softkey so that ON is underlined. To turn the function off, press the softkey so that OFF is underlined. The following example demonstrates how an ON or OFF softkey function will be annotated: VID AVG ON OFF (ON).

A function with AUTO and MAN in the label can either be auto-coupled or have its value manually changed. The function’s value can be changed manually by pressing the softkey until MAN is underlined, and then changing its value with the numeric keypad, knob, or step keys. To auto-couple

a function, press the softkey so that AUTO is underlined. The following example demonstrates how an AUTO or MAN softkey function will be annotated: ATTEN AUTO MAN (AUTO).

A summary of all front-panel keys and their related softkeys can be found in Chapter 7, “Key Menus”.

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