GE DECT 28821 User Manual

Model 28821 Series
DECT 6.0 Cordless
Handset Speakerphone
Answering System
User’s Guide

Your new GE telephone system is EXPANDABLE up to a total of 6 handsets

(by purchase of optional Model 28801 handset with charge cradle)



Important Information

NOTICE: This product meets the applicable Industry Canada technical
specications.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may
not cause interference, and () This device must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

The equipment must be installed using an acceptable method of connection.
The customer should be aware that compliance with the above conditions
may not prevent degradation of service in some situations.

Repairs to certied equipment should be made by an authorized Canadian
maintenance facility designated by the supplier. Any repairs or alterations
made by the user to this equipment, or equipment malfunctions, may give the
telecommunications company cause to request the user to disconnect the
equipment.

Users should ensure for their own protection that the electrical ground
connections of the power utility, telephone lines and internal metallic water
pipe systems, if present, are connected together. This precaution may be
particularly important in rural areas.

CAUTION: Users should not attempt to make such connections themselves,
but should contact the appropriate electric inspection authority, or electrician,
as appropriate.

NOTES: This equipment may not be used on coin service provided by the
telephone company.



Interference Information

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy which may
interfere with residential radio and television reception if not properly
installed and used in accordance with instructions contained in this manual.
Reasonable protection against such interference is ensured, although there
is no guarantee this will not occur in a given installation. If interference is
suspected and veried by switching this equipment on and off, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures: Reorient the radio/television receiver’s antenna, relocate the
equipment with respect to the receiver, plug the equipment and receiver into
separate circuit outlets. The user may also wish to consult a qualied radio/
television technician for additional suggestions. This equipment has been fully
tested and complies with all limits for Class B computing devices pursuant to
part 15 FCC Rules and Regulations.

Telephone Network Information

Should your equipment cause trouble on your line which may harm the
telephone network, the telephone company, where practicable, may notify
you that temporary discontinuance of service may be required. Where prior
notice is not practicable and the circumstances warrant such action, the
telephone company may temporarily discontinue service immediately.

The telephone company may make changes in its communications facilities,
equipment, operations or procedures where such action is required in the
operation of its business. If these changes are expected to affect the use or
performance of your telephone equipment, the telephone company will likely
give you adequate notice to allow you to maintain uninterrupted service.

Notice must be given to the telephone company upon termination of your
telephone from your line.



REN Number

On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicating, among other information, the
Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for the equipment.

The REN is useful in determining the number of devices you may connect to your
telephone line and still have all of these devices ring when your telephone number is
called. In most (but not all) areas, the sum of the RENs of all devices connected to one
line should not exceed 5. To be certain of the number of devices you may connect
to your line as determined by the REN, you should contact your local telephone
company.

REN Number is located on the cabinet bottom.

Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)

This telephone system meets FCC standards for Hearing Aid Compatibility.

Licensing

Licensed under US Patent 6,7,009.

FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with
a minimum distance of 0 centimeters between the radiator and your body. This
transmitter must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other
antenna or transmitter.”

For body worn operation, this phone has been tested and meets the FCC RF exposure
guidelines when used with the belt clip supplied with this product. Use of other
accessories may not ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines.

Information for DECT Product

This telephone is compliant with the DECT 6.0 standard which
operates in the 1.9GHz to 1.9GHz frequency range. Installation of

this equipment is subject to notication and coordination with UTAM.
Any relocation of this equipment must be coordinated through and
approved by UTAM. UTAM may be contacted at 1-800-9-886.

5

Important InformatIon ..........................2

Interference InformatIon ......................3

telephone network InformatIon ..........3

ren number ........................................4

hearIng aId compatIbIlIty (hac) ..........4

lIcensIng ..............................................4

fcc rf radIatIon exposure statement .4

InformatIon for dect product ...........4

table of contents ................................5

IntroductIon ........................................8

before you begIn .................................8

Parts CheCklist ........................................ 8

telephone Jack requIrements ...............9

InstallatIon .......................................10

Digital seCurity system ........................ 10

imPortant installation guiDelines ...... 11

handset layout ..................................12

base layout (top & front VIews)........13

InstallIng the phone ...........................14

installing the hanDset Battery .......... 14

Base station ............................................ 15

answerIng system setup .....................16

answerer ................................................. 16

hanDset aCCess...................................... 16

set PromPt language ........................... 17

rings to answer .................................... 17

message alert ........................................ 18

seCurity CoDe ........................................ 18

sPeaker Volume ...................................... 18

VoiCe instruCtion ................................... 19

reCorDing the outgoing

announCement ..................................... 19

reViewing anD Choosing the

announCement ..................................... 19

Table of Contents

programmIng the telephone ...............20

stanDBy sCreen ...................................... 20

Programming FunCtions ....................... 20

Phone Book ............................................ 20

reView reCorDs ...................................... 20

aDD reCorDs ........................................... 21

inserting a Pause in the

Dialing sequenCe ................................ 21

eDit reCorDs ........................................... 22

Delete reCorDs ...................................... 22

Dialing a numBer From

internal memory ................................. 23

ignore the inComing Call .................. 23

room monitor ........................................ 23

answerer ................................................. 24

set alarm CloCk .................................... 24

hanDset setuP ........................................ 25

language ............................................... 25

hanDset name ...................................... 26

ringer tone .......................................... 26

ringer Volume ...................................... 27

ViP meloDy ........................................... 27

storing ViP meloDy ............................ 28

Changing a storeD ViP

meloDy reCorD .................................. 28

reViewing anD Deleting storeD ViP

meloDy reCorD .................................. 29

key tone ................................................ 29

set Day/time ......................................... 29

equalizer ............................................... 30

area CoDe ............................................. 30

tone/Pulse ............................................ 30

registration .......................................... 31

De-registration ................................... 31

6

gloBal De-registration ...................... 32

DeFault setting .................................... 33

telephone operatIon ..........................33

Visual inDiCators .................................... 33

Base ........................................................ 33

hanDset ................................................. 33

Vmwi / Visual ringer inDiCator

on hanDset ......................................... 33

sPeakerPhone oPeration

. ..................................34

making a Call ........................................ 34

answering Calls .................................... 34

ignore the inComing Call .................. 35

Call timer ............................................... 35

auto stanDBy .......................................... 35

ringer Volume (shortCut) .................... 35

Flash/Call waiting .............................. 35

last numBer reDial ............................... 36

exit ........................................................... 36

Page .......................................................... 36

hanDset to hanDset Paging ............... 36

Paging all hanDsets

From a hanDset .................................. 37

Paging From the Base/grouP Page .... 37

mute ......................................................... 37

reCeiVer Volume Control .................... 37

Do not DisturB (D-n-D) ................... 38

Intercom operatIon ............................38

making an interCom Call ..................... 38

reCeiVing an interCom Call ................. 39

aDVanCeD interCom Features ............... 39

reCeiVing an inComing Call During an

interCom Call .................................... 39

using interCom with external

telePhone Calls ................................ 39

Table of Contents

two-way Calling ................................ 39

three-way Calling ............................ 39

transFerring external Calls to other

hanDsets ............................................. 40

caller Id (cId) ..................................40

Call waiting Caller iD ........................ 41

reCeiVing CiD reCorDs ......................... 41

storing CiD reCorDs ............................ 41

reViewing CiD reCorDs ........................ 42

Dialing a CiD numBer .......................... 42

storing CiD reCorDs in

internal memory ................................. 42

Deleting a CiD reCorD ......................... 43

Deleting all CiD reCorDs ................... 43

answerIng system operatIon ..............44

message Counter inDiCator ................. 44

leaVing a message/memo ..................... 44

sCreening Calls From the Base........... 45

message PlayBaCk .................................. 45

memory Full ........................................... 45

erasing messages .................................. 45

remote access ....................................46

CorDless hanDset ................................. 46

sCreening Calls From the hanDset .... 47

aCCessing the answering system

From another loCation ..................... 47

memory Full ........................................... 48

belt clIp and optIonal headset .........48

ConneCting the Belt CliP ..................... 48

ConneCting an oPtional heaDset to the

hanDset ................................................ 48

changIng the battery .........................49

battery safety precautIons ................49

dIsplay messages ................................50

7

answerIng system dIsplay messages ...52

handset sound sIgnals ......................52

troubleshootIng guIde .......................52

telePhone solutions ............................. 52

Caller iD solutions .............................. 54

Battery solutions .................................. 54

answerIng system solutIons ..............54

causes of poor receptIon ...................55

general product care .......................55

warranty ...........................................56

accessory InformatIon .......................57

Index ..................................................58

SE E M ARK ING ON BO TTO M / BACK OF PR ODU CT

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

WARNING: TO
PREVENT FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS
PRODUCT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.

THE LIGHTNING
FLASH AND ARROW
HEAD WITHIN THE
TRIANGLE IS A
WARNING SIGN
ALERTING YOU OF
“DANGEROUS
VOLTAGE” INSIDE
THE PRODUCT.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER (OR
BACK). NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.

THE EXCLAMATION
POINT WITHIN THE
TRIANG LE IS A
WARNING SIGN
ALERTI NG YOU OF
IMPORTANT
INSTRU CTIONS
ACCOMPANYING
THE PR ODUCT.

CAUTION:

Table of Contents

8

Base

Handset

Telephone line

cord

AC power

adaptor

Handset

battery pack

Belt clip

Battery

compartment

cover

Wall mount

bracket

Introduction

CAUTION: When using telephone equipment, there are basic
safety instructions that should always be followed. Refer to the
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS provided with this product
and save them for future reference.

IMPORTANT: Because cordless phones operate on electricity, you
should have at least one phone in your home that isn’t cordless, in
case the power in your home goes out.

Before You Begin

Parts Checklist (for model 28821)

Make sure your package includes the items shown here.

9

For Model 28821xx2 there will be ONE additional handset, charge cradle, belt clip,
battery pack and cover than shown above.

NOTE: If a speaker box is included in your package, it replaces one
set of a handset, belt clip, battery pack and cover.

For Model 28821xx3 there will be TWO additional handsets, charge cradles, belt clips,
battery packs and covers than shown above.

For Model 28821xx4 there will be THREE additional handsets, charge cradles, belt
clips, battery packs and covers than shown above.

For Model 28821xx5 there will be FOUR additional handsets, charge cradles, belt
clips, battery packs and covers than shown above.

For Model 28821xx6 there will be FIVE additional handsets, charge cradles, belt clips,
battery packs and covers than shown above.

Telephone Jack Requirements

To use this phone, you need an RJ11C type modular
telephone jack, which might look like the one pictured here,
installed in your home. If you don’t have a modular jack,
call your local phone company to nd out how to get one
installed.

Modular

telephone

line jack

Wall plate

10

Installation

Digital Security System

Your cordless phone uses a digital security system to protect against false ringing,
unauthorized access, and charges to your phone line.

INSTALLATION NOTE: Some cordless telephones operate at
frequencies that may cause or receive interference with nearby
TVs, microwave ovens, and VCRs. To minimize or prevent such
interference, the base of the cordless telephone should not be
placed near or on top of a TV, microwave ovens, or VCR. If such
interference continues, move the cordless telephone farther away
from these appliances.

Certain other communications devices may also use the 1.9 GHz
frequency for communication, and, if not properly set, these
devices may interfere with each other and/or your new telephone.
If you are concerned with interference, please refer to the owner’s
manual for these devices on how to properly set channels to avoid
interference. Typical devices that may use the 1.9 GHz frequency
for communication include wireless audio/video senders, wireless
computer networks, multi-handset cordless telephone systems,
and some long-range cordless telephone systems.

11

Important Installation Guidelines

• Avoid sources of noise and heat, such as motors, uorescent lighting,
microwave ovens, heating appliances and direct sunlight.

• Avoid areas of excessive dust, moisture and low temperature.

• Avoid other cordless telephones or personal computers.

• Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.

• Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specically
designed for wet locations.

• Never touch non-insulated telephone wires or terminals, unless the telephone
line has been disconnected at the network interface.

• Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.

1

Handset Layout

microphone

CALLER ID-VOLUME

6(caller id/volume

down button)

SPEAKER

(button)

* tone (button)

mute/menu OK

(button)

display

TALK

(button)

END/cancel

(button)

delete/intercom/conf

(delete/intercom/

conference button)

#pause (button)

redial/format

(button)

Voice Mail Waiting

Indicator (VMWI) /

Visual Ringer

CALLER ID-VOLUME

5(caller id/volume up

button)

skip (button)

erase (button)

play/stop (button)

review (button)

phonebook

(button)

1

Base Layout (Top & Front Views)

delete (button)

volume 5/ 6

(buttons)

skip

(button)

repeat

(button)

PLAY/STOP

(button)

speed

(button)

do not disturb

(do not disturb

button)

Message Counter

(indicator)

memo

(button)

announce

(button)

ans on/off

(answerer on/off

button)

nd

(button)

charge/in use

voicemail

(indicator)

1

Installing the Phone

Installing the Handset Battery

NOTE: You must connect the handset battery before use.

CAUTION: To reduce the risk of re or personal injury, use only
the Thomson Inc. approved Model 5-2814 Nickel-metal Hydride
battery (Ni-MH), which is compatible with this unit.

1. Locate battery and battery door which are packaged together inside a plastic bag
and are separate from the handset.

. Locate the battery compartment on the back of the handset.
. Plug the battery pack cord into the jack inside the compartment .

NOTE: To ensure proper battery installation, the connector is keyed
and can be inserted only one way.

BATTERY

BLACK

RED WIRE

. Insert the battery pack.

5. Close the battery compartment by pushing the door up until it snaps into place.

PRESS DOWN

FIRMLY

15

Base Station

1. Choose an area near an electrical outlet and a telephone wall jack (RJ11C), and
place your cordless telephone on a level surface, such as a desktop or tabletop, or
you may mount it on the wall.

. Plug one end of the telephone line cord into the TEL LINE jack on the back of the

base and the other end into a modular jack.

. Plug the AC power converter into the electrical outlet and the DC connector into

the jack on the back of the base.

. Place the handset in the base cradle. The charge/in use voicemail indicator turns

on, verifying the battery is charging.

5. Allow the phone to charge for 16 hours prior to rst use. If you don’t properly
charge the phone, battery performance is compromised.

CAUTION: To reduce risk of personal injury, re, or damage
use only the 5-2812 power adaptor listed in the user’s guide.
This power adaptor is intended to be correctly orientated in a
vertical or oor mount position.

16

Answering System Setup

This section shows you how to set up your answering system to receive incoming
calls. Before you begin the set up process, you must turn on the answering system.

• Press the ans on/off button to turn the answering system on and off.
The MESSAGES indicator lights when the answering system is on. The indicator
blinks when you have new messages.

NOTE: The answering system displays “- -” when it is off.

Answerer

In the Answerer Menu, there are ve programmable submenus: Handset Access, Set
Prompt Language, Rings to Answer, Message Alert and Security Code.

1. Make sure your phone is

OFF (not in TALK mode).
. Press the mute/menu OK button to go to the main menu.
. Press CALLER ID-VOLUME (

5 or 6) button to scroll to ANSWERER.

. Press mute/menu OK button to enter the submenu.

Handset Access

Use the corresponding handset keys just like you would use the base buttons (see
“Answering System Setup”). The button functions are located on the handset above
each number key. For example, to play messages:

1. Press the mute/menu OK button to go to the main menu.
. Press the CALLER ID-VOLUME (

6 or 5) button to scroll to ANSWERER.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to enter the menu, press the CALLER ID-VOLUME

( 6 or 5) to select HANDSET ACCESS submenu.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to access the answering system.

ANSWERER

REMOTE ACCESS shows on the display.

• Press the PLAY/STOP button to play the message.

• When you are nished listening to your messages, press the END/cancel button to

exit.

17

Set Prompt Language

From the Answerer Menu:

1. Press the CALLER ID-VOLUME (

5 or 6) button to scroll to PROMPT LANG.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to enter the menu.

PROMPT LANG 1ENG 2FRA

3ESP shows in the display.

. Use the touch tone pad on the handset to select

1ENG, 2FRA, 3ESP, or use the
CALLER ID-VOLUME (5or 6) button to scroll to the desired language.
English is the default setting.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to save your selection. You will hear a

conrmation tone.

Rings to Answer

This feature lets you select the number of times you want the phone to ring before
the answering system answers a call.

From the Answerer Menu:

1. Press the CALLER ID-VOLUME (

5or 6) button to scroll to the RING TO ANSWER

sub-menu.

. Press mute/menu OK button to enter the menu.

RING TO ANSWER 3 4 5 6 TS

shows in the display.

. Use the CALLER ID-VOLUME (

5or 6) button to scroll to the your selection. The

default setting is 5.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to conrm. You will hear a conrmation tone and

the new setting shows in the display.

NOTE: If you select Toll Saver (TS) the unit answers after the 3rd
ring if there are NEW messages, OR the unit answers after the 5th
ring if there are NO new messages. This allows user to access their
answerer from another location and then hang up after 4 rings to
save long distance charges.

18

Message Alert

This feature sets your answering system to give an alert tone every 10 seconds when
there are new messages.

From the Answerer Menu:

1. Press the CALLER ID-VOLUME (

5or 6) button to scroll to the MESSAGE ALERT

sub-menu.

. Press mute/menu OK button to enter the menu.

NEW MSG ALERT 1ON 2OFF

shows in the display.

. Use the touch-tone pad to enter the selection, or use the CALLER ID-VOLUME

(5or 6) button to scroll to the 1ON or 2OFF. The default setting is 2OFF.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to conrm. You will hear a conrmation tone and

the new setting shows in the display.

Security Code

You can access the answering system from a tone dialing telephone in another
(remote) location. The security code is required for remote access, and it prevents
unauthorized access to your answering system.

From the Answerer menu:

1. Press the CALLER ID-VOLUME (

5or 6) button to scroll to the SECURITY

CODE sub-menu.

. Press mute/menu OK button to enter the menu.

SECURITY CODE 1 2 3 shows in

the display.

. Use the touch-tone pad to enter your new -digit security code. The default

setting is

123.

. Press the mute/menu OK button to conrm. You will hear a conrmation tone and

the new security code shows in the display.

NOTE: If you make a mistake, use the delete/intercom/conf button
to delete the security code and begin again.

Speaker Volume

Use the volume (5or 6) buttons to adjust speaker volume on the base to a
comfortable level. L1 is the minimum speaker volume and L5 is the maximum.