Binatone MR 700 User Manual

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Page 1

About your MR700

You can use your MR700 handset as:

■

a private mobile radio (PMR), for communicating with other people

■

an FM receiver, for listening to broadcast radio stations

■

a panic alarm

■

a stopwatch (timer)

■

a torch

Private mobile radio (PMR) lets you talk to as many people as you wish, as often as you like, with no need for a licence, subscription or tax payment. It’s very easy to use, even for children.

Unpacking your MR700

In the box are:

■

two MR700 handsets

■ one dual charger pod

■ one mains power lead with adapter, for the

charger pod

■

two hands-free headsets

■

two rechargeable battery packs

If you need help …

The Binatone Help Line is available from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday, on 01325 304 473.

Emergency calls

In the event of an incident or accident, the MR700 cannot be used for contacting Emergency or Rescue services.

Page 2

Quick reference

LOCK/STOP/– button

Press and hold to lock and unlock the keypad.

Press to stop the stopwatch (timer)

Press to tune the FM radio

VOL and buttons▲▼

Press to change the speaker volume

Press to scroll through options when using MENU functions

START/ buttonCALL/+

Press to send ringing

tone to other handsets

Press to start the

stopwatch (timer)

Press to tune the

FM radio

TORCH button

Press and hold to shine the torch (even if the handset is switched off)

MODE button

Press and hold to switch between modes:

PMR — private mobile radio only

FM — FM radio receiver only

PMR/FM — both

PANIC button

Press and hold for 3 seconds to emit a panic signal*

ON/OFF button

Socket for headset

Microphone

PTT (PUSH to TALK) button

Press and hold this while you’re transmitting

MENU button

Press (a number of times) to program the handset’s settings

MON (MONITOR) button

Press and hold to monitor the current channel

START

CALL

V O L

STOP LOCK

MODE

* When you press and hold the button for 3 seconds, the handset will emit a highpitched tone for up to 30 seconds. You can stop the panic signal by pressing any button except the button.

The button won’t work if the handset is switched off, or if you’ve plugged in a headset. But it will work while the handset is locked.

PANIC

TORCH

PANIC

The display

MHz

SCAN

CTCSS

CHAN

MEM

Battery charge level indication. When this shows (empty), you need to recharge the battery pack or fit new batteries.

The symbol is shown when the handset is in .

appears when you’re transmitting

PMR mode

appears when you’re receiving a transmission from another handset user.

(It appears when anyone is transmitting on the same channel, but if

their CTCSS code is different from yours, you won’t hear the transmission.)

This is shown when the handset’s buttons are locked.

This is shown when the ‘Roger’ beep function is turned on.

Power Save — this flashes when the handset is idle.

This is shown when the handset is in .FM radio receiver mode

This is shown when is turned on.Auto-Power-Off (APO)

This is shown when you’re transmitting Call Ring tone, or changing your Call Ring melody.

CTCSS

This is the (01 to 38). If is shown here, the CTCSS function is turned off. See ‘Channels and codes’ for more information.

CTCSS code --

This is shown when you’re turning the function on and off.stopwatch

This is shown when you have activated , so the handset will continuously scan all channels for transmissions.

scanning

This is shown when you have activated , to monitor two channels at once.

Dual Watch

This is shown when you have turned on , so that your handset will transmit whenever it detects your voice.

VOX mode

The is shown here when you’re using the .

The is shown (with ) when you’re using the .

are shown when

you’re using the .

channel number

PMR

FM wavelength

radio receiver

Minutes and seconds

stopwatch

Speaker volume level

MHz

Page 3

Contents

Getting ready for use 2

Getting started 4

Switching on and off, 4

Changing modes, 4

Volume control, 4

The torch, 4

Safety warnings, 5

The display, 5

Transmission range, 5

Using the PMR 6

About channels and codes, 6

To set the channel, 6

To set the CTCSS code, 7

Transmitting and receiving, 7

Call Ring tone, 8

Using the VOX function, 8

Monitoring the current channel, 9

Scanning channels, 10

The Dual Watch function, 11

Locking the buttons, 11

The ‘Roger’ beep function, 12

Using the stopwatch 13

To turn the stopwatch function on and off, 13

To use the stopwatch, 13

Using the FM radio 14

To tune the radio, 14

To store radio stations in memory, 14

To select and play a stored station,

Auto-Power-Off (APO) 16

Using the hands-free kit 16

Technical details 17

Declaration of confirmity 17

Cleaning and care 17

Troubleshooting 18

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 1

Page 4

Getting ready for use

Fit a battery pack in each handset

Remove the battery compartment cover

To fit the battery, insert the lower edge first ( ) …A

… then press the upper edge into the compartment ( ), clicking the battery firmly into position

Lay the ribbon across the top of the battery pack

Replace the battery compartment cover, and firmly close the latch

Connect the mains power lead to the socket on the back of the charger pod

DC 9V

The MR700 must be used with mains adapter, part no. XX002143D, supplied with the unit. Using any other adapter will result in non-compliance with EN61554, and will invalidate any approval given to this apparatus.

Getting ready for use

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 3

Make sure the handsets are switched off

Place them in the charging cradles

Leave them for 12 hours to charge the batteries fully

Connect the charger pod to the mains power supply

Charge the handsets’ battery packs

Switch on mains power at the socket

Switch on mains power at the socket after you’ve plugged in the mains adapter

Plug the mains adapter into a 230 V AC, 50 Hz mains socket, with the switch on the socket set to OFF

When the handset is correctly positioned in the charging cradle, the light comes on.

When you’re not using your MR700 handsets, switch them off and leave them on the charger pod to keep the batteries charged.

When you switch the handsets on, the battery level display should show (full).

Page 5

Getting started

Switching on and off

To switch the handset ON:

◗

Press and hold the ON/OFF button until the display comes on

To switch the handset OFF:

◗

Press and hold the ON/OFF button until the display goes blank

You hear a musical tone each time to confirm.

Changing modes

To switch between modes:

■

PMR — private mobile radio only

■

FM — FM radio receiver only

■ PMR/FM

◗

Press and hold the MODE button

Refer to the diagram inside the front cover to see what’s shown on the display.

In PMR/FM mode, the radio will play except when you press the PTT button to send or receive a PMR transmission.

Volume control

To adjust the loudspeaker volume:

◗

Press the ▲ or ▼ buttons

The current volume level is shown by the bars on the display.

You can change the volume either while you’re using your MR700 handset, or while the handset is idle (switched on but not in use).

The torch To shine the torch, press and hold the TORCH button.

The torch works even when the handset is switched off.

Safety warnings

IMPORTANT —

■

If you are using a hands-free headset — to protect your hearing, do not turn the volume to the highest level.

■

To reduce radio frequency exposure when you’re using the MR700, hold the handset at least 5 cm (2 inches) from your face.

■

Never use your MR700 outdoors in a thunderstorm.

■

The MR700 is splashproof. But if it is likely to get very wet, carry it in a plastic bag — you will still be able to use it through the bag.

■

If your MR700 gets very wet, turn it off and remove the batteries. Dry the battery compartment and leave the cover off for a few hours. Do not use the handset until it is completely dry.

The display Whenever you press a button — except PTT — the

display lights up for 5 seconds. It then goes dim, to save battery power.

Transmission range

The talk range depends on environment and terrain. It will be greatest (up to 3 km, or 1¾ miles) in wide open spaces, without obstructions such as hills or buildings. This diagram shows the ideal conditions.

Getting started

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 5

Up to 3 km (1¾ miles), when users are at the same level, at least 5 metres above any lowlevel ground

5 m

… so you’ll get best results if you can find some high ground to stand on, and there are no obstructions between you.

Page 6

Using the PMR

About channels and codes

PMR has eight channels, numbered 1 to 8. When you select a channel, you can communicate on that channel with other PMR users within range (see page 5).

Each channel also has 38 CTCSS* codes, letting you set up groups of users within the same channel, for more private communication. If you have set a code, you can communicate only with other users tuned to the same channel and the same code.

You can turn the CTCSS function off, by setting ‘no code’. This lets you communicate with any PMR user on the same channel who has also turned off CTCSS (or whose PMR handset does not have this feature).

PMR446 is an open-licence band — always identify yourself when transmitting, as other people may be communicating on the same channel.

* CTCSS stands for Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System.

To set the channel

If you want to communicate with other handset users, you must all have your handsets tuned to the same channel.

1 Press the MENU button ONCE

CHAN flashes on the display and the current channel is shown.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to go to the

channel you want

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

You can also use channel scanning, as described on page 10.

To set the CTCSS code

1 Press the MENU button TWICE

CTCSS flashes on the display and the current code is shown.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to go to the code

you want

OR, to turn off the CTCSS function, press the

▼ button until the display shows

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

Transmitting and receiving

Note: PMR transmission is ‘one-way-at-a-time’ — while you are speaking, you cannot receive a transmission.

Don’t try to use two PMR handsets which are less than

1.5 m (5 feet) apart. If you do, you may get interference.

To speak to another handset user

1 Press and hold the PTT button so that

appears on the display

2 Speak clearly into the microphone, in a

normal tone — don’t shout

3 When you’ve finished speaking, release the

PTT button

To listen to another handset user

◗

Make sure you are NOT pressing the PTT button

appears on the display when the other person is

speaking.

If appears on the display but you can’t hear anything, this means that someone is transmitting on the same channel but is using a different CTCSS code.

Using the PMR

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 7

Page 7

Call Ring tone You can transmit Call Ring tone to other handsets

within range and tuned to the same channel, to alert them that you want to communicate with them. The MR700 gives you a choice of ten Call Ring tones.

To choose a Call Ring tone

1 Press the MENU button THREE times

appears on the display and the current tone is played.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to listen to each

Call Ring tone in turn

When you’ve decided which one you want, and its number is shown on the display …

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

To send Call Ring tone

◗

Briefly press the START/CALL/+ button

Using the VOX function

With the VOX function, your handset will automatically start to transmit when it detects your voice (or other noise), without the PTT button pressed. It will then transmit for at least 2 seconds, even if you stop talking before then.

There are three levels of VOX sensitivity. Level 1 is the most sensitive, meaning that the handset will pick up softer noises; at Level 3, it will pick up only quite loud noises.

1 Press the MENU button SEVEN times

appears on the display and the current setting (123or o

ff) is shown.

Using the PMR

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to go to the settng

you want

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

As long as the VOX function is switched on, the ‘Vox’ symbol stays on the display.

The VOX function will be temporarily disabled while you’re transmitting, receiving, scanning, monitoring or programming the handset.

Monitoring the current channel

The MR700 has an automatic squelch circuit, which turns the speaker off when no-one’s transmitting a message to you. But if a transmission is weak, this may prevent your handset picking up the signal.

So you can temporarily de-activate (turn off) the squelch and monitor all sounds on the channel —

◗

Press and hold the MON button

Your handset will pick up any signals on the current channel, including any background noise.

◗

To stop monitoring, simply release the MON button

(You can’t use monitoring while you’re scanning channels.)

Using the PMR

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 9

Page 8

Scanning channels

When the SCAN function is turned on, the handset will continuously scan through all eight channels until it finds one on which another user is transmitting.

1 Press the MENU button FOUR times

SCAN flashes on the display and the current setting (o

n or off) is shown.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to change the

setting

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

With SCAN turned on, when the handset detects an active channel, it will pause for 4 seconds. If your CTCSS code matches that of the transmitting handset, you will hear the transmission.

If you want to communicate on this channel:

◗

Press and release the PTT button during the 4 seconds

Your handset will now be set to this channel and you can carry on receiving and transmitting on it.

If you don’t press the PTT button, the handset will carry on scanning.

Using the PMR

The Dual Watch function

With Dual Watch, you can monitor two channels at once.

1 Press the MENU button SIX times

DW flashes on the display and the current setting (1 to 8 or o

ff) is shown.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to select a channel

or switch Dual Watch off.

Make sure the channel you select is different from the one the handset’s already tuned to.

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

Locking the buttons

With the handset locked, all buttons except PTT, MON, PANIC and TORCH are disabled.

To lock and unlock the buttons:

◗

Press and hold the STOP/LOCK/– button for one second

You hear a ‘beep’ each time.

is shown on the display while the buttons are locked.

Using the PMR

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 11

Page 9

The ‘Roger’ beep function

‘Roger’ is the radio signal to say you‘ve finished

transmitting and the other person can speak. With this function turned on, when you release the PTT button to stop speaking, your handset will send a confirmation beep.

1 Press the MENU button EIGHT times

flashes on the display and the current setting (o

n or off) is shown.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to change the

setting

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

stays on the display while ‘Roger’ beep is switched on.

Using the PMR

Using the stopwatch

To turn the stopwatch function on and off

1 Make sure the handset is in PMR mode

2 Press the MENU button FIVE times

flashes on the display and the current setting (o

n or off) is shown.

3 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to change the

setting

4 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

While the stopwatch function is activated, the lapsed time (in minutes, seconds and tenths of seconds) is shown on the display — starting at

00.

00.00.

You can still use the PMR for transmitting and receiving, as long as the stopwatch is not actually running.

To use the stopwatch

To start the stopwatch running:

◗

Press the START/CALL/+ button

To pause the stopwatch:

◗

Press the STOP/LOCK/– button

To reset the stopwatch to zero (00.

00.00):

◗

Press the STOP/LOCK/– button again

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 13

Page 10

Using the FM radio

See page 4 for details of how to switch between modes.

To tune the radio

1 Make sure the handset is in FM or PMR/FM

mode

2 Press the + (START/CALL) or – (STOP/LOCK)

button to go to the station you want

You can either press and hold the button then release it for auto-scanning; or press the button briefly and repeatedly to go to a specific channel (manual scanning).

To store radio stations in memory

The MR700 has five memories for storing your favourite radio stations.

1 Make sure the handset is in FM or PMR/FM

mode

2 Press the + (START/CALL) or – (STOP/LOCK)

button to go to the station you want

3 Press the MODE button TWICE

Memory location 1 flashes on the display — for example:

4 Press and hold the MODE button for 1 second

until you hear a double-beep tone

You have now stored this station in memory location 1.

To store stations in memories 2 to 5

1 Make sure the handset is in FM or PMR/FM

mode

2 Press the + (START/CALL) or – (STOP/LOCK)

button to go to the station you want

3 Press the MODE button TWICE

Memory location 1 flashes on the display.

4 Press the + (START/CALL) or – (STOP/LOCK)

button to go to the memory location you want

5 Press and hold the MODE button for 1 second

until you hear a double-beep tone

To select and play a stored station

1 Make sure the handset is in FM or PMR/FM

mode

2 Press the MODE button ONCE

Memory location 1 flashes on the display and the station wavelength is shown.

3 Press the + (START/CALL) or – (STOP/LOCK)

button to go to the memory location you want

4 Press the PTT button

Using the FM radio

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 15

Page 11

Auto-Power-Off (APO)

This feature saves battery life by automatically turning the handset off if you have not pressed any button for a set time. You can set the timeout to 1, 2 or 3 hours; or set it to 0 (zero) to turn APO off.

1 Press the MENU button NINE times

flashes on the display and the current setting (0

hr to 3hr) is shown.

2 Press the ▲ or ▼ button to change the

setting

3 Press the PTT button to return to normal

operation

is shown on the display as long as APO is turned on. It disappears if you set APO to 0

hr.

Using the hands-free kit

To connect the hands-free kit to your MR700 handset, plug it into the socket at the side of the handset.

With the hands-free kit connected, you may want to transmit using the VOX function (see page 8). If you find that this doesn’t work very well, you can turn the VOX sensitivity to 0 (off) and press the PTT button to transmit, as normal.

If you use any hands-free accessories other than the kit supplied, make sure they are approved, and from a reputable supplier. Other accessories may cause damage not covered by the guarantee.

Technical details

Operating frequency 446.00625 to 446.09375 MHz (eight channels)

Channel spacing 12.5 kHz

Power source 4 × AAA rechargeable NiCad battery.

4.8 V, 300 mAh

Channel Frequency

(MHz)

Channel Frequency

(MHz)

1 446.00625 5 446.05625

2 446.01875 6 446.06875

3 446.03125 7 446.08125

4 446.04375 8 446.09375

Declaration of conformity

The Binatone MR700 conforms to the following standards:

■

EN 301489 (RF testing)

■

EN 300296 (EMC testing)

■

EN 60065 (safety testing)

Cleaning and care

To clean your MR700, use a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use cleaners or solvents, which may cause permanent damage not covered by the guarantee.

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 17

Page 12

Troubleshooting

If you have problems using your MR700, check these points first. If you still have problems, reset your

handset by switching it off and removing the batteries. Then replace the batteries and switch the handset on again.

Problem Possible cause — things to do/check

No reception

■

Handset set to wrong channel — check with other user

■

Handset set to wrong CTCSS code — check with other user

■

Other user may not be transmitting

■

Handset not switched on — switch on

■

Volume too low — increase the volume

■

Batteries flat or not fitted correctly — check

■ Handset not in PMR or PMR/FM mode — change mode

■ Other user out of range — move back within range

No transmission

■

You are not pressing the PTT button

■

Handset not switched on — switch on

■

Handset not in PMR or PMR/FM mode — change mode

■

Batteries flat or not fitted correctly — check

Cannot change channel/code

■

Handset may be locked — unlock it

■

Handset not in PMR or PMR/FM mode — change mode

Poor or ‘noisy’ reception

■

Local conditions may be impairing reception — try moving, preferably to a higher location

■

The handset’s batteries may be low — charge them

■

Noisy reception is more likely when using high-numbered CTCSS codes — try using a lower-numbered code, agreeing this with the rest of your group first

Problem Possible cause — things to do/check

Interference from other users outside your group

■

Try changing to a different channel and/or code, agreeing this with the rest of your group first

■

If you’re not already using a CTCSS code — try doing so

Privacy cannot be guaranteed, as PMR446 is an openlicence free band.

Using VOX function, the unit transmits all the time

■

Ambient noise may be too high — move to a quieter place or turn the VOX function off

■

VOX sensitivity may be too high — decrease the sensitivity

Using VOX, the unit does not transmit

■

Sound may be too low — talk in a louder voice or hold the unit closer to your mouth

■

VOX sensitivity may be too low — increase the sensitivity (level 1 is the highest)

Problems using VOX with a handsfree kit

■ Turn off the VOX function by setting VOX sensitivity

to 0 (zero), and transmit as normal by pressing the PTT button.

Cannot use the stopwatch

■

Handset not in PMR mode — change mode

■

Handset may be locked — unlock it

■

Batteries flat or not fitted correctly — check

Cannot hear the radio

■

Handset not in FM or PMR/FM mode — change mode

■

Volume too low — increase the volume

■

Batteries flat or not fitted correctly — check

Cannot tune the radio

■

Use the +/START/CALL and –/STOP/LOCK buttons for tuning (the

▲ and ▼ buttons are for volume

control)

■

If the radio isn’t finding a channel using autoscanning — try manual scanning instead

Troubleshooting

Binatone Help Line: 01325 304 473 19

Page 13

Index

A approvals, 17

automatic squelch circuit, 9

Auto-Power-Off (APO), 16

B batteries

charging the batteries, 3

fitting the battery pack, 2–3

specification, 17

C Call Ring tone, 8

channels and codes, 6–7

cleaning and care, 17

CTCSS codes, 6–7

D the Dual Watch function,

F FM radio operation, 14–15

H hands-free kit, 16

L locking the buttons, 11

M mains power, 3

modes, 4

monitoring the current channel, 9

O operating frequency, 17

outdoor use, 5

P the Power Save function, 5

PMR operation, 6–12

R the ‘Roger’ beep function,

radio frequency exposure, 5

receiving a transmission, 7

resetting the handset, 18

S scanning channels, 10

stopwatch, 13

switching on and off, 4

T talk range, 5

technical details, 17

thunderstorms, 5

timer, 13

torch, 4

transmission range, 5

transmitting, 7

troubleshooting, 18–19

V volume control, 4

VOX function, 8