GME TX6200 User Manual

INNOVATIVE ELECTRONICS

TX6200

80 CHANNEL

UHF HANDHELD CB RADIO

I N S T R U C T I O N M A N U A L

CON TE N TS

Introduction ....................................3

Important Information

Emergency & Telemetry channels

Features

...........................................6

Getting Started

Basic Operation

Duplex Operation

Adjusting the Receiver Volume

Function Key

Squelch

.....................................9

.............................................9

Selecting Channels

Priority Channel

Signal Strength Meter

Keylock Feature

The HI/LO Power Key

Transmitting

Receiving

Scanning

Overview

Scan Groups

......................................11

..........................................11

........................................12

.........................................12

....................................12

Selecting a Scan Group

Programming Scan Channels

To Start Scanning

Scanning in the Open Scan Model

Ending the Scan

Using the Group Scan Mode

Setting up the Group Scan

.....................4

.....5

................................7

................................9

............................. 9

..........9

............................10

................................10

........................11

.................................11

.........................11

...................12

...........12

............................13

...13

..............................13

............14

...............14

Scanning in the Group Scan mode ...14

Ending the Scan

..............................15

Using the Group Scan as a Second

Open Scan ......................................15

Selective Calling

What is Selcall

Selcall Ident Names

The Quiet Mode

Selcall Memories

.............................15

.................................15

.........................16

..............................16

.............................16

Entering, Storing and Sending

Selcalls ............................................16

Call Acknowledge............................17

Storing Selcall Idents

.......................17

Recalling Selcall Idents from the

Memory ..........................................17

Naming your Selcall Idents

Receiving Selcalls

Quiet Mode

.....................................19

Scanning in the Quiet Mode

Group Calling

..................................21

..............17

............................18

............20

CTCSS.............................................22

Overview .........................................22

Monitor Function.............................22

Selecting the Required CTCSS Tone

..23

To activate the CTCSS Function on
a Channel

.......................................23

38/50 Tone Set

CTCSS Tone Frequency Chart

Menu Functions

Squelch Setting Menu Option

CTCSS Settings Menu Option

Signal Meter Display Menu Option

Programming User Channels

................................24

...........24

.............................25

..........25

...........26

...26

..........27

Selecting the user channel
Frequency Edit Step Size

..................27

Activating the Programming’ Mode..27

Editing your Programmed Receive

Channels .........................................28

CTCSS .............................................28

Maintaining your battery pack

Low Battery Indicators

Battery Charging

............................ 27

Cycling your battery pack

Battery Usage

................................ 30

Simplex/Duplex Range

Specifications

Warranty

................................ 32

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

GME After Sales Service

...... 27

.................... 27

............... 27

.................. 31

................ 35

PAGE 2 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L TX6200

WAR NI NG

The TX6200 is a radio transmitting device.

• When transmitting, keep the antenna more than 25 mm from any part
of the head or body.

• Do not transmit near electrical blasting equipment or in
explosive atmospheres.

• Do not allow children to operate a radio transmitter unsupervised.

IN TR OD U CT IO N

The UHF Citizens Band Radio Service
(CBRS) was set up to provide a simple
yet reliable form of radio communication
for business, farming or private use. A CB
radio license is not required.

Your TX6200 operates in the UHF (Ultra
High Frequency) 477 MHz band and
offers a much higher grade service than
26/27 MHz systems. In addition, by using
FM (frequency modulation) voice quality
is improved while electrical interference
is virtually eliminated.

The range of a UHF FM signal is usually
considered ‘line-of-sight’, but this can
be greatly increased by the liberal use
of repeaters. Repeaters are special
transceivers (transmitter/receivers)

automatically retransmit any signals they
receive, thereby extending the range of
the original signal. Generally the range
of your UHF radio will vary according
to your location and the height of your
antenna. UHF signals are easily blocked
by hills or large buildings so you won’t
get as much range in a valley or built-up
city areas as you will from a hill or in
open country. If you are having trouble
contacting someone, try moving to an
open space or a higher location. Typical
portable range is around 3 to 5 km
depending on the terrain. Moving to a
higher location could extend the range
to 30 km or more. Once again, the use
of repeaters can increase these ranges
considerably (up to 100 km or so).

installed in high locations. Their job is to

TX6200 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L PAGE 3

IM PO RTA NT I N FO RM ATI ON CON CE R NI NG UH F C B RA D IO

The use of the citizen band radio service
is licensed in Australia by the ACMA
Radiocommunications (Citizens Band
Radio Stations) Class License and in New
Zealand by the Ministry of Economic
Development New Zealand (MED). A
General User Radio License for Citizens
band Radio, and operation is subject to
conditions contained in those licenses.

As of the 1 January 2011 there have
been some amendments to the class
licence for users and equipment
operating in the CB/PRS 477MHz band.

In simple terms the same amount of
spectrum is available, however, radio
transceivers can now operate in a
narrower bandwidth and hence use less
spectrum. These radios are generally
referred to as narrowband or 12.5
KHz radios. By using 12.5 kHz channel
spacing instead of 25 kHz, the 40
channels originally allocated can now
be expanded to 80 channels thereby
doubling the channel capacity and
relieving congestion in the UHF CB/PRS
band.

Orignal 40 channel wideband radios
will not become obsolete and will
continue to operate on the original 40
channels, however they will not be able
to converse on the newer channels 41 –
80*. The newer narrowband radios will
be able to converse with all older

Possible issues

When a new narrowband radio receives
a transmission from an older wideband
radio the speech may sound loud and
distorted - simply adjust your radio
volume for best performance.

When an older wideband radio receives a
signal from a new narrowband radio, the
speech may sound quiet - simply adjust
your radio volume for best performance.

Depending on how close your receiving
radio is to another transmitting radio,
there can be interference from the
transmitting radio if it is using a channel
adjacent to the channel you are listening
to. Simply try going up or down a few
channels from the currently selected
channel.

The above situations are not a fault of
the radio but a symptom of operating
wideband and narrowband radios in
the same bandwidth. This possible
interference will decrease over time as
the population of wideband radios ages
and decreases.

Further information and updates
are available from the Australian
Communications and Media Authority
(ACMA) at www.acma.gov.au and the
Ministry of Economic Development
(MED), Radio Spectrum Management at
http://www.rsm.govt.nz

40 channel wideband radios on all
channels 1 to 40 and the newer channels
allocated between 41 to 80*.

The mixing of narrowband and wideband
radios in the same spectrum can
however cause some possible operating
issues of interference and varying levels
of received volume.

PAGE 4 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L TX6200

EM ER GE N CY C HA NN E LS

The ACMA has allocated channels 5/35
for emergency use only. Channel 5 is the
primary Simplex Emergency Channel.
Where a Channel 5 repeater is available,
you should select Duplex on CH 5.

TE LE ME T RY CHA NN EL S

ACMA regulations have allocated
channels 22 and 23 for telemetry
only applications and have prohibited
the transmission of speech on these
channels. Consequently the TX3420 has
a transmit inhibit applied to channels 22
and 23.

NOTE: Channel 35 is the input channel
for the Channel 5 repeater therefore
Channel 35 should also not be used
for anything other than emergency
transmissions Channels.

In the event additional telemetry/
telecommunication channels are
approved by the ACMA, these channels
shall be added to those currently listed
where voice transmission is inhibited.

TX6200 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L PAGE 5

FE ATUR E S

• Microprocessor Controlled
Frequency Synthesiser: Allows user

programmable control of scanning,
selcall, CTCSS, channel memories, user
selectable frequencies and selected
feature options.

• Permanent Memory: Retains all user
settings in non-volatile memory even
when the power source is removed.

Programmable Scan Function:

•
Scans up to 40 UHF CB channels
and up to 20 user programmable
frequencies with both Group and Open
Scan functions available.

In-Built CTCSS: User selectable

•
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch
System provides quiet channel
operation (can be enabled or disabled
on individual channels).

In-Built Selcall: Selective Calling

•
of individuals or groups with four or
five digit ANI and fully user adjustable
5-tone transmitted Selcall Ident.
Also allows alphanumeric naming
of up to 10 Idents for easier caller
identification.

•

Individually Programmable
Duplex Function: User selectable

only for those individual channels in
your area that have repeaters, leaving
the others free for use as extra simplex
channels.

Priority Channel: A user

•
programmable priority channel feature
allows your working or local repeater
channel to be instantly recalled at the
press of a key.

• 80 Channels: Now expanded to 80
channels using the new narrowband
specification.

•

High Contrast Liquid Crystal
Display: Fully detailed LCD provides

a visual indication of the selected
channel and all selected functions at
a glance. LED backlit for night viewing
with automatic timeout.

Quiet Mode: Selectable on individual

•
channels, the Quiet mode prevents
incoming signals from being heard on
selected channels unless preceded by
your Selcall code.

Feature Disabling: Features such

•
as Scanning, Squelch, Duplex, Priority,
Channel Selection and CTCSS can be
disabled by your dealer to make the
radio simpler to operate.

Digital Signal Strength Meter:

•
Provides a numeric signal strength
indication in numbers from 0 to 9+.

•

Heavy Duty 7.2 Volt 1200 mAh
Ni-MH Battery Pack: Heavy Duty

rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack
supplied as standard.

Advanced Power Saving Feature:

•
Allows the TX6200 to ‘sleep’ during
periods of inactivity to conserve
battery power.

Designed and manufactured

•
in Australia: Using the very latest
in ultra miniature Surface Mount
technology and reflow soldering
techniques for unsurpassed quality
and reliability.

PAGE 6 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L TX6200

GE TT IN G S TAR TE D

Your TX6200 is supplied with a 7.2 Volt
1200 mAh Ni-MH rechargeable
battery pack.

When the battery is new, it must be fully
charged before being used for the
first time.

If left unused your TX6200’s battery pack
will discharge itself within a few months.
If you have not used your TX6200 for

1. Slide Upwards

2. Lift Off

some time, you will need to recharge the
battery pack before use.

The battery pack is a sealed unit. There
are no user serviceable parts inside.

WARNING: Use only GME approved
battery packs and chargers. The use of other
types may be dangerous and will void the
warranty.

PRESS

PRESS

To Remove Battery Pack

TX6200 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L PAGE 7

To Refit Battery Pack

Removing the battery pack

The battery pack is a self contained unit
which can be removed from the radio
as follows:

1. Hold the radio face down in one hand.

2. With the thumb of one hand, push the
locking tab upwards towards the top
of the radio while swinging the top
half of the battery pack away from the
radio with the other hand.

3. Once clear of the locking tab, lift
the battery upwards away from the
radio. The base of the battery pack is
retained in a slot in the metal frame
at the base of the radio.

Re-fitting the battery pack

1. Carefully position the tongue in the
base of the battery pack into the slot
in the metal frame at the base of
the radio.

2. Swing the top half of the battery pack
into place against the radio.

3. Using both thumbs (one each side of
the belt clip) press the top half of the
battery firmly onto the radio until the
locking tab clicks downward locking
the battery pack into place.

Charging the battery pack

Your TX6200 is supplied with a BCD001
rapid charger and a PS001 AC adaptor.
The rapid charger will recharge the
battery pack in around 1 hour.

To charge the battery:

1. Plug the PS001 AC adaptor into a
standard 240 Volt outlet

2. Plug the lead from the PS001 into
the charging socket on the rear of the
BCD001 radio charger.

For further information on charging your
battery and tips on conserving battery
power, see section on ‘Maintaining Your
Battery Pack’ on page 29.

DO NOT CONNECT YOUR

VEHICLE’S BATTERY (13.8 VOLTS) DIRECTLY TO THE CHARGING

SOCKET AS DAMAGE TO THE RADIO AND BATTERY PACK WILL

RESULT WHICH WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

PAGE 8 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L TX6200

BASI C OP E RATI O N

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

Volume Control

Push-To-Talk Key

Monitor key

Channel UP Key

Channel DOWN Key

FUNCTION Key

Antenna

Speaker

Microphone

External Speaker/
Mic Connection
Liquid Crystal Display

Priority Key
F - Duplex Key

Call Key

F - KeyLock

Scan Key
F - Open/Group Scan Key
Battery Charging Socket

Quiet Key

F - Hi/Lo Power Key

DUPLEX OPERATION

Rotate the volume control clockwise past
the ‘click’ to turn the TX6200 on. Rotate
the control fully counter clockwise past
the click to turn the radio off.

ADJUSTING THE RECEIVER
VOLUME

While receiving a signal, rotate the
volume control to achieve a comfortable
listening level.

If there are no signals present, press the
Monitor key briefly to open the squelch,
then adjust the volume while listening to
the receiver’s background noise. When
finished, briefly press the Monitor key
again to return the receiver to the
quiet state.

NOTE: The minimum setting of the volume
control has been factory preset so that,
even with the volume turned right down,
you can still safely listen to an incoming
signal with your ear against the speaker
(telephone style).

FUNCTION KEY

The F (Function) key is used to access the
functions marked in Red on the four keys
below the LCD. To select a function, briefly
press the F key (‘F’ will be displayed) then
press the key labelled with the required
function. If no key is selected within
10 seconds, the radio will return to
normal operation.

SQUELCH

The Squelch is used to eliminate any
annoying background noise when there
are no signals present. The TX6200
features a preset Squelch system. The
Squelch level has been preset to provide
optimum performance in most situations.

The Squelch can be opened or closed
with the Monitor key. When the Squelch
is open the receiver’s background noise
can be heard, the BUSY Icon is displayed
and the Indicator LED glows GREEN.
When the Squelch is closed, the radio
remains quiet when there are no signals
present but any incoming signals will
override the Squelch and be heard in
the speaker.

TX6200 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L PAGE 9

To open the Squelch, briefly press the
Monitor key. A low beep will be heard. If
there are no signals present you will hear
the receiver’s background noise.

To close the Squelch, briefly press the
Monitor key again. A high beep will be
heard and the receiver will become quiet.

NOTE: If an incoming signal is very weak
and is close to the minimum Squelch level,
it may become broken or ‘chopped’ by the
Squelch action. To prevent this, simply open
the Squelch using the Monitor key to allow
the signal to be heard clearly. Alternatively,
if this is a regular occurrence, you can adjust
the preset Squelch sensitivity as described
under ‘Menu Functions’ later in this manual.

SELECTING CHANNELS

To change channels, briefly press the

key to step up one channel or the
key to step down one channel. Holding
either or will cause the radio to step
through the channels automatically at a
faster rate.

Duplex switch

Duplex operation allows the TX6200 to
transmit on a different frequency to that
which it receives. This allows operation
through any repeater stations in your
area. Repeaters automatically re-transmit
your signal over a wider area, providing
greatly increased range.

The Duplex function operates only on
channels 1 – 8 or 41 – 48. When Duplex
is selected on one of these channels, the
TX6200 receives on that channel but
actually transmits 30 channels higher.

See the table below.

e.g. The TX6200 allows you to select
duplex operation on individual channels.
This is particularly useful in country areas
where there may only be one or two

repeaters. The unused repeater channels
can then be used for normal simplex or
direct radio-to-radio communications.

To select Duplex on individual
channels

1. Select the required channel 1 – 8
or 41 – 48.

2. Briefly press the F key followed
immediately by the DUP key.
‘DUP’ will appear on the display
accompanied by a high beep.

To remove Duplex from a channel

1. Select the required channel 1 – 8
or 41 – 48. ‘DUP’ will be visible on
the display.

2. Briefly press the F key followed
immediately by the DUP key. ‘DUP’
will disappear from the display
accompanied by a low beep.

PRIORITY CHANNEL

The Priority channel feature allows you to
store one of the 80 CB or ‘receive-only’
channels in the TX6200 as a priority
channel that can be instantly recalled at
the press of a key. This can be used to
provide instant access to your working
channel, your local repeater channel or
your favourite ‘receive-only’ channel.

To store the Priority channel:

1. Select the required channel.

2. Press and hold the PRI key. The
channel number will flash for a
moment then a high beep will be
heard as the selected channel is stored.

To recall the Priority channel:

1. Briefly press the PRI key. The TX6200
will immediately switch to the Priority
channel accompanied by a high beep.

Channel Selected 1 2 3 4 5* 6 7 8 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

Receive Channel 1 2 3 4 5* 6 7 8 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

Transmit Channel 31 32 33 34 35* 36 37 38 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78

PAGE 10 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L TX6200

Signal Meter

SIGNAL STRENGTH METER

The TX6200 has a digital signal strength
meter that is displayed on the LCD. When
in the normal receive mode (scan not
selected) the received signal strength is
displayed as numbers from 0 to 9+
(with 9+ being the strongest) on the
lower right of the display.

KEYLOCK FEATURE

key locks the keys to prevent

The
unintentional key presses from altering
your TX6200‘s settings. While the keys
are locked, only the Push-To-Talk switch,
on/off Volume control, Keylock key and
Monitor key will continue to function.

To lock the keys, briefly press the F key
then press and hold the

key until a
high beep is heard. The symbol will
appear on the display.

To unlock the keys and restore them to
normal operation, briefly press the F key
then press and hold the

key until a
low beep is heard. The symbol will

disappear from the display.

THE HI/LO POWER KEY

The HI/LO power key is used to change
the output power of the transmitter from
its maximum level of 5 Watts down to 1
Watt. There are a number of reasons why
you might want to use low transmitter
power, but the main reason would
probably be to conserve battery power.
If you need to get the maximum use
between charges and you spend a fair
proportion of the time transmitting on
the radio, then selecting low power can
increase battery life quite dramatically.
Obviously, you must also be in close
proximity to the other radios or the

nearby repeater otherwise your lower
powered signal may not get through.

To change the transmitter output power
setting:

Briefly press the F key followed by the
HI/LO key. A high beep will indicate High
power mode is selected. A Low beep
accompanied by ‘LO’ on the display
indicates Low power is set.

TRANSMITTING

Before transmitting, check to see if the
channel is already in use (‘BUSY’ will
be displayed and the LED on the top of
the radio will be green). If the channel
is busy, you should wait until it is clear
before transmitting.

To transmit, press the Push-To-Talk
(PTT) switch on the left-hand side of the
radio. Hold the radio about 5 – 8 cms
from your face with the antenna vertical
and speak into the built-in microphone
located just below the speaker. When
talking, speak at a normal voice level.
The microphone is quite sensitive so it is
not necessary to raise your voice or shout.

RECEIVING

NOTE: Your radio may be programmed
with options that could affect the way your
radio behaves when it receives a call from
another radio.

Normal reception

Your radio will normally be muted
(squelched) so that it is quiet when there
are no signals. When a transmission is
received, the radio will automatically

unmute itself to allow you to hear the call.

The BUSY Indicator

Whenever the channel is active, the
BUSY indicator will appear on the display
and the green LED on the top of the
radio will light. However, depending on
the muting options selected on your
radio, you may not always hear any
sound from the speaker. This can happen
when others are sharing the channel but
their calls are not meant for you. For this
reason it is important that you visually
check that the channel is not busy before
making a call to ensure you do not

accidentally talk over someone else.

TX6200 I NS TR UC T IO N M AN UA L PAGE 11