BK Radio GPH Plus Owner's Manual
GPH Plus Owner’s Manual 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................2
FCC REQUIREMENTS.........................................................................2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ....................................................................2
RF ENERGY EXPOSURE AWARENESS AND CONTROL
INFORMATION, AND OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FCC
OCCUPATIONAL USE REQUIREMENTS.........................................3
RADIO CONTROLS.............................................................................6
BASIC OPERATION.............................................................................7
CHANNEL GUARD OPERATION......................................................8
CHANNEL GROUPS............................................................................9
PROGRAMMABLE TOP SWITCHES/ FUNCTION MENU............11
SCAN OPERATION............................................................................12
PRIORITY SCAN................................................................................15
USER SELECTED CHANNEL GUARD............................................21
OTHER OPERATIONAL FEATURES...............................................22
ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY ............................................................25
CLONING PROCEDURE ...................................................................27
BATTERY INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL ...............................31
DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS....................................................32
WARRANTY.......................................................................................33
SERVICE .............................................................................................33
2 RELM Wireless Corp.
INTRODUCTION
CONGRATULATIONS, you now own a BK Radio GPH Plus radio. This
enhanced GPH portable radio has 400 channels; whereas, the
standard GPH series had a maximum of 240 channels. Like the
standard GPH, the Plus radio has been designed to meet the tough
requirements of today’s communications environment. Please take a
moment to read the information in this manual so you can get optimum
performance from your new radio.
FCC REQUIREMENTS
Your radio must be properly licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission prior to use. Your BK Radio dealer can assist you in
meeting these requirements. Your dealer will program each radio with
your authorized frequencies, signaling codes, etc., and will be there to
meet your communications needs as your system expands.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Do not operate the transmitter in close proximity
to blasting caps.
• Do not operate the radio in an explosive
atmosphere (petroleum fuels, solvents, dust,
etc.) unless your radio is an intrinsically safe
model designed for such use.
GPH Plus Owner’s Manual 3
RF ENERGY EXPOSURE AWARENESS AND
CONTROL INFORMATION, AND OPERATIONAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FCC OCCUPATIONAL USE
REQUIREMENTS
BEFORE USING YOUR PORTABLE 2-WAY RADIO,
READ THIS IMPORTANT RF ENERGY AWARENESS AND
CONTROL INFORMATION AND
OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH
THE FCC’S RF EXPOSURE GUIDELINES.
NOTICE: This radio is intended for use in occupational/controlled
conditions, where users have full knowledge of their exposure
and can exercise control over their exposure to meet FCC limits.
This radio device is NOT authorized for general population,
consumer, or any other use.
This 2-way radio uses electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency
(RF) spectrum to provide communications between two or more users
over a distance. It uses radio frequency (RF) energy or radio waves to
send and receive calls. RF energy is one form of electromagnetic
energy; other forms include electric power, radar, sunlight and x-rays.
RF energy, however, should not be confused with these other forms of
electromagnetic energy, which when used improperly can cause
biological damage. Very high levels of x-rays, for example, can
damage tissues and genetic material. The energy levels associated
with radio waves from portable 2-way radios, when properly used, are
not great enough to cause biological damage.
Experts in science, engineering, medicine, health and industry work
with organizations to develop standards for exposure to RF energy.
These standards provide recommended levels of RF exposure for both
workers and the general public. These recommended RF exposure
levels include substantial margins of protection. All 2-way radios
marketed in North America are designed, manufactured and tested to
ensure they meet government established RF exposure levels. In
addition, manufacturers also recommend specific operating
instructions to users of 2-way radios.
These instructions are important because they inform users about RF
energy exposure and provide simple procedures on how to control it.
Please refer to the following WEBSITES for more information on what
RF energy exposure is and how to control your exposure to assure
compliance with established RF exposure limits.
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiofrequencyradiation/index.html
4 RELM Wireless Corp.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
REGULATIONS
The FCC rules require manufacturers to comply with the FCC RF
energy exposure limits for portable 2-way radios before they can be
marketed in the U.S. When 2-way radios are us ed as a consequence
of employment, the FCC requires users to be fully aware of and able to
control their exposure to meet occupational requirements. Exposure
awareness can be facilitated by the use of a product label directing
users to specific user awareness information. Your BK Radio 2-way
radio has a RF exposure product label. Also, your BK Radio owner’s
and service manuals include information and operating instructions
required to control your RF exposure and to satisfy compliance
requirements.
COMPLIANCE WITH RF EXPOSURE STANDARDS
Your BK Radio 2-way radio is designed and tested to comply with a
number of national and international standards and guidelines (listed
below) for human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy.
This radio complies with the IEEE and ICNIRP exposure limits for
occupational/controlled RF exposure environment at operating duty
factors of up to 50% transmitting and is authorized by the FCC for
occupational use only. In terms of measuring RF energy for
compliance with the FCC exposure guidelines, your radio radiates
measurable RF energy only while it is transmitting (during talking), not
when it is receiving (listening) or in Standby Mode. Note: The approved
batteries supplied with this radio are rated for a 5-5-90 duty factor (5%
talk-5% listen - 90% standby), even though this radio complies with the
FCC occupational RF exposure limits and may operate at duty factors
of up to 50% talk.
Your BK Radio 2-way radio complies with the following RF energy
exposure standards and guidelines:
• United States Federal Communications Commission, Code of
Federal Regulations; 47 CFR §§ 1.1307, 1.1310, 2.1091 and
2.1093
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) C95. 1-1992
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) C95.1-
1999 Edition
INDUSTRY CANADA COMPLIANCE
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet
appareil numerique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003
Canada.
GPH Plus Owner’s Manual 5
RF EXPOSURE COMPLIANCE AND CONTROL GUIDELINES
AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
To control your exposure and ensure compliance with the
occupational/controlled environment exposure limits always adhere to
the following procedures.
Guidelines:
• Do not remove the RF Exposure Label from the device.
• User awareness instructions must accompany device when
transferred to other users.
• Do not use this device if the operational requirements described
herein are not met.
Operating Instructions:
• Transmit no more than the rated duty factor of 50% of the time. To
transmit (talk), push the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button. To receive calls,
release the PTT button. Transmitting 50% of the time, or less, is
important because this radio generates measurable RF energy
exposure only when transmitting (in terms of measuri ng for standards
compliance).
• Hold the radio in a vertical position in front of face with the
microphone (and the other parts of the radio, including the antenna)
at least one inch (2.5 cm) away from the nose. Keeping the radio at
the proper distance is important because RF exposures decrease
with distance from the antenna. Antenn a should be kept away from
eyes.
• When worn on the body, always place the radio in a BK Radio
approved clip, holder, holster, case, or body harness for this product.
Using approved body-worn accessories is important b ecause the us e
of BK Radio or other manufacturer’s non- approved accessories may
result in exposure levels which exceed the FCC’s
occupational/controlled environment RF exposure limits.
• If you are not using a body-worn accessory and are not using the
radio in the intended use position in front of the face, then ensure the
antenna and the radio are kept at least one inch (2.5 cm) from the
body when transmitting. Keeping the radi o at the proper distance is
important because RF exposures decrease with increasing distance
from the antenna.
• Use only BK Radio approved supplied or replacement antennas,
batteries, and accessories. Use of non-BK Radio approved
antennas, batteries, and accessories may exceed the FCC RF
exposure guidelines.
• For a list of BK Radio approved accessories visit the following
website: http://www.relm.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For additional information on exposure requirements or other
information, visit website http://www.relm.com.
6 RELM Wireless Corp.
RADIO CONTROLS
BK RADIO
1 2 3
4
5 6
7
8 9
0
*
#
CLR
FCN
PRI
ENT
PRIORITY
BUSY CHANNEL
LOW BATTERY
INDICATOR
TRANSMIT
INDICATOR
ANTENNA
HI/LO
TRANSMIT
POWER
SCAN
PRIORITY
ANTENNA
ACCESSORY
MOUNT
EARPHONE
PTT
(PUSH TO TALK)
SPEAKER
MICROPHONE
LCD DISP LAY
CHANNEL
SELECT
ON/OFF
VOLUME
SQUELCH
CODE GUARD
G
R
P
PRG TXRXSCN
ID CG
DPH RADIO WITH
KEYBOARD/DISPLAY
COVERED OR
NOT INSTALLED
(REDUCED VIEW)
BK RADIO
CG- OFF-
SQ VOL
161
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
A
B C
KEYBOARD
GPH RADIO WITH
KEYPAD/DISPLAY
COVERED
(REDUCED VIEW)
R
X
SCN
TX
PRG ID CG
P
R
G
.
.
.
RX
S
CN TXPRG ID CG
P
R
G
.
.
.
ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY
SQUELCH
CHANNEL GUARD
TX
DIGITAL
GPH Plus Owner’s Manual 7
BASIC OPERATION
RECEIVE 1. Turn power on by turning the Volume knob
clockwise. A beep sounds, indicating the
radio is operational. The LCD display, if
installed, shows the current channel.
2. Select a channel
by turning the 16-position
Channel Selector knob.
3. Adjust squelch and volume
by turning the
Squelch knob clockwise until you hear
noise. Set the volume to a comfortable level.
Then turn the Squelch knob
counterclockwise until the noise stops. This
is called the Threshold Squelch setting.
Turning the Squelch knob fully counterclockwise
past the detent places the receiver in Channel
Guard. A message will be heard only when the
proper Channel Guard value is received.
TRANSMIT 1. Press the PTT (Push-To-Talk) switch. When
the transmitter is on, the red Transmit
Indicator glows and TX appears in the
display.
2. Talk in a normal voice with the microphone
one to two inches from your mouth.
3. Release the PTT switch to stop transmitting.
If the Transmit Indicator does not glow when you
press the PTT switch, the battery pack may
need to be charged. If so, the display will
indicate LOBATT, and the yellow Low-Battery
Indicator will flash. If the Transmit Indicator does
not glow and a tone sounds, you are on a
receive-only channel or the channel is busy (if
Busy Channel lockout is enabled). Select an
authorized transmit channel.
If the length of your message exceeds the
preset Time-Out Timer setting, the transmitter
automatically shuts off and a tone sounds. To
continue transmission, release the PTT switch,
and then press it again and continue talking.
Microphone
PTT
8 RELM Wireless Corp.
CHANNEL GUARD OPERATION
SQUELCH CONTROL
Sub-audible signaling (CTCSS/CDCSS) is used
to allow a group of radios to be selectively called
in a system. Programming the receive guard
equal to zero allows for Carrier Squelch
operation, where the radio will unmute whenever
a carrier is detected.
CHANNEL GUARD RECEIVE
1. Turn power on by turning the Volume knob
clockwise.
2. Select a Channel Guard channel by turning
the Channel Selector knob.
3. Adjust volume by turning the Squelch knob
clockwise until a noise is heard. Set the
volume to a comfortable level.
4. Set Channel Guard Mode
by turning the
Squelch knob off (counterclockwise) into the
Channel Guard position. A message will be
heard only when the proper Channel Guard
value is received.
CHANNEL GUARD TRANSMIT
1. Turn the Squelch knob on (clockwise) and
monitor the Channel Guard channel before
transmitting, or, if Busy Channel operation is
enabled, check the yellow LED.
NOTE: Do not transmit if the channel is
busy.
2. Press the PTT switch. When the transmitter
is on, the red Transmit Indicator glows and
TX appears in the display.
3. If monitoring the channel,
reset the squelch
knob
to the Channel Guard position to
receive only the messages with the proper
Channel Guard value. During extended
Busy Channel
Indicato
r
GPH Plus Owner’s Manual 9
transmissions, the squelch can be left open
until the exchange has ended.
CHANNEL GROUPS
Radios are separated into groups of 16
channels each. Each group of 16 channels can
be programmed to have an "individual
personality" with its own set of operational
features.
SELECT A GROUP/CHANNEL
The Group/Channel Selector knob can be
programmed by your dealer as a Channel
Selector, a Group Selector, or a Custom
Group/Channel Selector.
CHANNEL SELECTOR. Knob positions 1–16
select channels in the group selected by the
keypad:
1. Press the [#] key on the keypad to display
the current group number.
2. Press a number key for the new group
number. Only valid group entries will be
accepted.
When changing groups, invalid entries will
not be accepted, and the radio remains in
the previously selected group.
3. Press the [ENT] key or wait 5 seconds. The
radio returns to normal operation for the new
group, and the selected channel is
displayed. All selected scanning and priority
functions affect only the channels in the
group you are operating in.
GROUP SELECTOR Knob positions 1–16
select groups 1–16:
1. Press [#] twice to select a channel.
2. Press a number key for the new channel
number.
GRP 01
Group Number
161
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
*
#
CLR
FCN
PRI
ENT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
*
#
CLR
FCN
PRI
ENT
10 RELM Wireless Corp.
3. Press the [ENT] key or wait 5 seconds. The
radio returns to normal operation for the new
channel, and the selected channel is
displayed.
CUSTOM SELECTOR. Your dealer will provide
you with the pre-programmed Group/Channel
combinations for your radio.
If a knob position is programmed to allow
selection of the group and/or channel with the
keypad:
1. Press [#].
2. Press the number of the group you want to
change to.
3. Press [#] again.
4. Press the number of the channel you want
to change to.
5. Press the [ENT] key or wait 5 seconds. The
radio returns to normal operation for the new
channel, and the selected channel is
displayed.
If the group or channel is locked to a switch
position, pressing [#] will only display the preprogrammed value. New entries will not be
accepted.
GPH Plus Owner’s Manual 11
PROGRAMMABLE TOP SWITCHES/
FUNCTION MENU
The following functions can be assigned to the
three top switches or the keypad [FCN] key
menu:
FUNCTION FCN Key Menu Label
Low Power Select LO POR
Channel Scan ChN SCN
Priority Scan PRI SCN
Repeater Talk Around TRN DIR
Group Scan GRP SCN
Your dealer can also assign more than one
function to the same top switch. For example,
both low-power select and RTA could be
enabled by the same switch.
NOTE: Assume for this Owner’s Manual that
Switch ‘A’ has been programmed for
Low Power, Switch ‘B’ has been
programmed for Scan, and Switch ‘C’
has been programmed for Priority
Scan.
To access functions on the keypad FCN key
menu:
1. Press the [FCN] key to display the func tion
menu.
2. Repeatedly press [FCN] to step through the
menu.
3. Press [PRI] to toggle the function on/off
when the desired menu item is displayed.
When the display flashes, the function is
enabled.
1 2
3
4
5 6 7
8 9
0
*
#
CLR
FCN
PRI
EN
T
Low
Power
Scan
Priority
Scan
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