Binatone MR180 User Manual

3. Operation

3.1 Turning the Unit ON/OFF

3.2 Adjusting the Speaker volume

There are 8 volume levels. To adjust the speaker volume,
press the (UP) button to increase, or press the
(DOWN) button to decrease. The LCD Screen will show
the digital speaker volume level during adjustment.

3.3 Receiving a Call

The unit is continuously in Receive mode when the
unit is turned ON and not transmitting. When a signal is
received on the current channel, the receive signal icon
“RX” will be displayed on the LCD Screen.

3.4 Transmitting (sending)

Press and hold the PTT (Push to Talk) button to transmit
your voice. The transmit signal icon “TX” will display on
the LCD Screen and the RED LED indicator will light.
Hold the unit in a vertical position with the Mic
(Microphone) 5 cm away from the mouth. While holding
the PTT button, speak into the mic (microphone) in a
normal tone of voice.
Release the PTT button when you have finished
transmitting.

a.

b.

c.

Important:
In order for other people to receive your transmission, they must

also be on the same channel that you are currently using. Refer
to the "Changing Channel" section for more information.
When the PTT and/or CALL buttons are continuously pressed,
your PMR cannot receive any transmissions.

To Turn ON;
a. Press and hold the (Power) button. A special “beep"

sound will be heard and the LCD Screen will display the
current channel.
To switch OFF;
b. Press and hold the (Power) button. A special “beep"
sound will be heard and the LCD Screen will turn blank.

3.5 Calling (Paging) Tone

With the PMR in normal mode, press and release the CALL
button. The unit will transmit a 2-second page tone to the
other unit/s set with the same channel within transmitting
range.

You can use the CALL button to send a tone to other users on
the same channel. To activate this feature;

Binatone Help Line - 0845 345 9677

2. Installation

2.1 Removing the Belt Clip
a. Pull the Belt Clip Latch

away from the PMR.
b. While pulling the Belt
Clip Latch, push up
the Belt Clip as
shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Belt clip

latch

2.2 Installing the Belt
Clip
a. Slide the Belt Clip into

the slot as shown in
Figure 2.
b. A “click” indicates the
Belt Clip is locked into
position.

Notes:
Use only same type and make of batteries on the PMR units.

The PMR units have a built-in Power Saver (PS) for maximum
battery life, but when not in use, turn the unit OFF to
conserve battery power.
Remove the batteries if the units will not be used for a long
period of time.

2.3 Installing the Batteries

Caution: Observe the proper battery polarity orientation when
installing batteries. Incorrect positioning can damage both the
batteries and the unit.

a. Release the Battery Compartment Cover Latch located on the rear
side of the PMR then remove the Battery Compartment Cover from
the Battery Compartment. See Figure 3.
b. Install 4 x 1.5V AAA/LR03 regular Alkaline or Ni-MH (Nickel metal
hydride) rechargeable batteries by following the orientation as
shown in Figure 3.
c. Replace the Battery Compartment Cover.
d. Lock the Battery Compartment Cover Latch into position.

a

b

d

Figure 3

c

Figure 4

3.6 Channel Scan

Press and hold down the SCAN button. The channel
number on the LCD Screen changes rapidly until an active
signal is detected.
When an active signal (one of the 8 channels) is detected,
channel scan pauses on the active channel.
Press the PTT button to communicate through the active
signal channel, and the channel scan will be deactivated.
(OR press the SCAN button to continue the channel
scanning.)
Press and hold the SCAN button to stop the channel
scanning operation.

Channel scan performs searches for active signals in an
endless loop from channels 1 to 8. This allows you to find
other radios without having to change channel. To activate
this feature;

a.

b.

c.

d.

3.7 The Menu Functions

3.7.1 Changing Channels

The PMR has 8 available channels. To change channel;
a. Press the (Menu) button once, the Channel icon
“8 ” will start blinking on the LCD Screen.
b. While the Channel icon is blinking, press the (UP) or
(DOWN) button to select the desired channel. The
channel changes from 1 to 8, or from 8 to 1.
c. Press the (Menu) button again to confirm your
selected channel.

3.7.3 Monitor

You can use the Monitor feature to check for weak signals
on the current channel.
a. Press the (Menu) button 3 times. The PMR will
enter the Monitor mode and hear everything on the
current channel.
b. Press the (Menu) button again to turn off the
Monitor operation and return to standby mode.

3.7.2 TX Power High/Low setting

This feature permits the selection of the transmitting power
level to high or low. At Power High, the PMR will transmit
at maximum power and at a longer transmission range.
a. Press the (Menu) button twice.
b. Press the (UP) or (DOWN) button to select
High or Low. The LCD Screen will display "L" when the
low power is selected. At low power mode, the PMR
will transmit at reduced transmitting range but could
extend the battery life.
c. Press the (Menu) button again to confirm your
selected power level.

Note:
Refer to the "Channel Table" section of this Owner’s Manual for

detailed frequency listing.

CALL button

- Press to send a

ringing tone to other
PMR units.

PTT (PUSH to
TALK) button

- Press and hold

to transmit.

MR180

USER GUIDE

Private mobile radio

1. LCD Screen

Channel Number. Changes
from 1 to 8 as selected by the
user.

Displays the Speaker volume
level.

Antenna

LCD Screen

-Displays the

current channel
selection and other
radio symbols.

MENU/ (Power)
Button

-(Menu) Press to program

the PMR settings.
(Power) Press and
hold to turn the
PMR unit ON
or OFF.

(UP)/ (DOWN)
buttons - Press to

change channels,
volume, and to
select settings
during programming.

Mic (Microphone)

Speaker

Displayed when the Power Low is activated.

Displayed when transmitting a signal.

Displayed when receiving a signal.

SCAN button

- Press and hold to

scan for an active
channel.

RED LED Indicator
lighting

180

Symptom

Solution

No power.

Reception
is weak.

Cannot change
channels.

Range is limited.

Wearing the radio close to the body, such as in a pocket or on
a belt, will decrease range; change the location of the radio.

limit the range significantly.may

Open fields provide the maximum range, while steel/concrete
structures, heavy foliage, and use in buildings and in vehicles

The maximum range will vary depending on terrain and environment,
and depending on the TX power high/low setting.

Replace with new if the battery charge level is low.
(The RED LED indicator is flashing once in every 15 seconds.)

batteries

Batteries may be weak.

Sound distortion
problems.

Radios too far apart. Obstacles interfere with transmission.
Talk range is up to 5 Km in clear unobstructed conditions.

Radios too close. Radios must be at least 1.5 meters apart;

your distance.increase

If you are transmitting, speak in a normal tone of voice, 5 cm
away from the Mic (microphone.).
If you are receiving, lower the volume to a comfortable level.

10. Troubleshooting Guide

The may be weak.batteries

Check the batteries are installed properly.

Replace the old batteries with new ones.

Press the (UP) button to increase the receiver volume level.
The receiving signal may be weak and/or out of range.

To change channels, press the (Menu) button once then press
the (UP) or (DOWN) buttons to change the current channel.
Batteries may be weak.

Binatone Telecom plc operates a policy of continuous product
improvement, and so reserves the right to make changes to the product
and functions without prior notice.

Declaration of Conformity

And conforms to the following relevant standards:

The Binatone MR180 complies with the essential requirements

Waste electrical products must not be
disposed of with household waste.
This equipment should be taken to
your local recycling centre for safe
treatment.

4.1 Power Saving

Your PMR unit has special circuitry designed to extend the
life of your battery. When the unit is not used for 6 seconds,
it will automatically switch into a low power mode.
The Power Saving feature does not affect the PMR’s ability to
receive transmissions. When a signal is detected, it
automatically returns to full power mode.

4.2 Low Battery Indicator

The PMR can detect when the battery charge level gets low.
An alert tone will be heard and the RED LED indicator will
flash once every 15 seconds. When this happens, replace the
batteries.

Important:
For regular batteries, replace only with "AAA/LR03" or
equivalent type.
For rechargeable batteries, replace only with the same type
and make of rechargeable batteries.

4. Auxiliary Features

0 Range (Km) 5

Signal Strenght

Range Slope

Optimum (open area) (1)

Medium ground based
obstruction (2)

Heavily built up area (3)

The Transmission range of the product is dependent on the environment
terrain where it is being used, the following diagram attempts to guide
the user on the sort of performance to expect for everyday use.

Range Check

The Transmission range will be affected as shown in the above diagram.
The transmitting range typical values for different environment conditions
will be (1) 5 km (2) 3 km (3) 750m. It should be remembered that
these are only guide values as actual achieved distances will be
dependent on the environment and terrain.

5. Effective Range

6. Specifications

8 Channels

0.5W

Up to 5 Kms.

Channels Available

Output Power (TX)

Range

Binatone Help Line - 0845 345 9677

CAUTION

Damaged Antenna

Do not use any PMR that has a damaged antenna. I f a damaged antenna comes
in contact with the skin, a minor burn may result.

Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

Turn your PMR OFF when in any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere, unless
it is a type especially qualified for such use (for example, Factory Mutual Approved).
Sparks in such areas could cause an

explosion or fire resulting in injury or even death.

Batteries

Do not replace or charge batteries in a potentially explosive atmosphere. Contact
sparking may occur while installing or removing batteries and cause an explosion.

WARNING

For Vehicles with an Air Bag

Do not place your PMR in the area over an air bag or in the air bag deployment area.
Air bags inflate with great force. If a PMR is placed in the air bag deployment
area and the air bag inflates, the PMR may be propelled with great force and
cause serious injury to the occupants of the vehicle.

Batteries

All batteries can cause property damage and/or bodily injury such as burns if
conductive material such as jewelry, keys, or beaded chains touch exposed
terminals. The material may complete an electrical circuit (short circuit) and
become quite hot. Exercise care in handling any charged battery, particularly
when placing it inside a pocket, purse, or other container with metal objects.

7. Safety

NOTE: Areas with potentially explosive atmospheres are often, but not always,
clearly marked. They include fueling areas such as below deck on boats; fuel or
chemical transfer or storage facilities; areas where the air contains chemicals or
particles, such as grain, dust, or metal powders; and any other area where you
would normally be advised to turn off your vehicle engine.

Blasting Caps and Areas

To avoid possible interference with blasting operations, turn your PMR OFF near
electrical blasting caps or in a “blasting area” or in areas posted: “Turn off the two­way radio.” Obey all signs and instructions.

8. Cleaning and Care

To clean your PMR, use a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use cleaners or
solvent, which may cause damage that may not be covered by guarantee.

Channel Frequency Table

8

446.05625

446.06875

446.08125

Channel

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

446.00625

446.01875

446.03125

446.04375

446.09375

Frequency (MHz)

Channel

Frequency (MHz)

Binatone Help Line - 0845 345 9677

Binatone Help Line - 0845 345 9677

The Binatone MR180 is fully guaranteed for 12 months from the date of
purchase shown on your sales receipt. The guarantee does not cover
damage by misuse or negligence, or by excessive voltage.

9. Guarantee and service

When unpacking your Binatone MR180, check for visible damage. If you
see any damage, do not use the PMR - return the whole unit to where
you bought it.

If your Binatone MR180 develops a fault, refer to the “Troubleshooting
Guide.” section of this manual. If you can’t solve the problem, return the
whole unit as follows;

Repair after the Guarantee has expired

If the unit is no longer covered by Guarantee, first follow steps 1 as for
repair under Guarantee, Then...

2. Call our service Department on 0845 345 9677 and ask for a
quotation of the repair charge, and details of where to send your
MR180 for repair.

3. Return your MR180 to the address given by the Service Department,
making sure to include your name and address, and a cheque or
postal order for the value of the repair charge.

This does not affect your statutory rights.

Binatone Telecom plc operates a policy of continuous product

improvement, and so reserves the right to make changes to the product
and functions without prior notice.

Please keep your sales (till) receipt - this is your guarantee. You should
also keep the original packaging materials.

This equipment is intended for use in:

Austria

Finland

Latvia

Denmark Ireland Portugal

Estonia Italy Slovenia

Spain

Belgium France Liechtenstein Sweden

Bulgaria Germany Luxemburg Switzerland

Croatia Greece The Netherlands Turkey

Cyprus Hungary Norway UK

Czech Iceland Poland Romania

Countries of use

MR180

MR180