Icom IC-4088A User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

FRS UHF FM TRANSCEIVER

i4088A

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Oper­ation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This de­vice may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including in­terference that may cause undesired operation.

FOREWORD

Thank you for purchasing the IC-4088A FRS FM transceiver.
This FRS (Family Radio Service) FM transceiver meets the FCC
regulation (FCC Part 95). This transceiver is designed for those
who require top-grade quality, performance and outstanding re­liability under the most demanding conditions.

DD

FEATURES

❍

Free of user-license and applications

❍

Voice scrambler function for communication
privacy

❍

External DC-IN jack for both operation and
battery charging

(Optional BC-149A or CP-18A is required)

❍

All 14 FRS channels are available

❍

Powerful 500 mW (ERP) high output power

❍

38 convenient group channels

■ ATS (Automatic Transponder System)

This convenient function automatically checks station availability
within the operating range, and alerts you via function display in­dication. (p. 20)
In addition, a manual transponder is also available for “GROUP
MODE” operation to check availability of stations in a specified
group within the operating range. In this case, the transceiver
alerts you via beeps. (p. 12

)

i

■ WATER-RESISTANT* CONSTRUCTION

Water-resistant* construction is employed, and this unit can be
used in a wide range of applications.
*Meets JIS water-protection specification grade 4

.

■ GROUP MODE (BUILT-IN CTCSS:

Coded Squelch System

CTCSS encoder/decoder are standard, providing quiet stand-by.
Audio (voice) signals are output only when a signal with matched
CTCSS tone signal is received. This is very helpful for group
communications. In addition, 38 different CTCSS frequencies
are available. (p. 12)

Continuous Tone

)

■ 2 types of “Ring” function

The “Smart-Ring” function and the “Call-Ring” function are avail­able for smart and simple station calls providing a telephone­style ring when called. 10 different ringing tones are available.
(p. 18)

SUPPLIED ACCESSORY

• Belt clip ………………………………… 1

Icom, Icom Inc. and the are registered trademarks of Icom Incor­porated (Japan) in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany,
France, Spain, Russia and/or other countries.

ii

IMPORTANT

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS carefully and completely before
using the transceiver.

SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL— This instruction man­ual contains important operating instructions for the transceiver.

PRECAUTION

RDANGER! NEVER operate the transceiver near un-

shielded electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere.

RWARNING! NEVER hold the transceiver so that the

antenna is very close to, or touching exposed parts of the body,
especially the face or eyes, while transmitting. The transceiver
will perform best if the microphone is 2 to 4 in. (5 to 10 cm)
away and the transceiver is vertical.

RWARNING! NEVER operate the transceiver with a

headset or other audio accessories at high volume levels. Hear­ing experts advise against continuous high volume operation. If
you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or dis­continue use.

NEVER attempt to charge alkaline cell batteries. Be aware

that external DC power connections will charge batteries inside
the battery case. This will damage not only the battery case but
also the transceiver.

DO NOT push the PTT when not actually desiring to trans-

mit.

iii

PRECAUTION— continued

USE the optional AC adapter or cigarette lighter cable only for

both operating the transceiver and charging the battery. Other
manufacturer’s AC adapter, cigarette lighter cable or DC power
cable with external power supply may damage the transceiver.

Place the unit in a secure place to avoid inadvertent use by chil­dren.

AVOID using or placing the transceiver in direct sunlight or in

areas with temperatures below –4˚F (–20°C) or above +122˚F
(+50°C).

The use of non-Icom battery packs/chargers may impair trans­ceiver performance and invalidate the warranty.

Even when the transceiver power is OFF, a slight current still
flows in the radio. Remove the alkaline cells or battery pack
from the transceiver when not using it for a long time. Other­wise, the installed batteries will become exhausted.

FCC WARNING: NEVER open the transceiver’s case to make
any internal adjustments, changes or modifications by a person
who not expressly approved by Icom Inc., could void your au­thority to operate this transceiver under FCC regulations.
Any transceiver’s adjustments, replacement must be made by a
qualified technician using the proper test equipment.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD …………………………………………………………………… i
SUPPLIED ACCESSORY……………………………………………………… ii
IMPORTANT …………………………………………………………………… iii
PRECAUTION ……………………………………………………………… iii–iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS ……………………………………………………… v

1 PREPARATION …………………………………………………………… 1

■ Belt clip attachment ……………………………………………………… 1

■ Battery installation ……………………………………………………… 1

2 PANEL DESCRIPTION ………………………………………………… 2–4

■ Switches, controls, keys and connectors ……………………………… 2

■ Function display ………………………………………………………… 4

3 BATTERY CHARGING ………………………………………………… 5–7

■ Battery caution …………………………………………………………… 5

■ Charging connections …………………………………………………… 6

4 BASIC OPERATION …………………………………………………… 8–9

■ Power ON ………………………………………………………………… 8

■ Adjusting the volume …………………………………………………… 8

■ Selecting the operating channel………………………………………… 9

5 RECEIVE AND TRANSMIT ………………………………………… 10–11
6 GROUP MODE (CTCSS) …………………………………………… 12–13

■ Setting the group code ………………………………………………… 12

7 SCAN FUNCTION ………………………………………………………… 14
8 RING FUNCTIONS ……………………………………………………… 15

■ Smart-Ring ……………………………………………………………… 15

■ Call-Ring ………………………………………………………………… 15

9 OTHER FUNCTIONS ………………………………………………… 16–21

■ Voice scrambler function ……………………………………………… 16

■ Initial set mode ………………………………………………………… 16

■ Lock function …………………………………………………………… 19

■ Low battery indicator …………………………………………………… 19

■ Auto power save………………………………………………………… 19

■ ATS (Automatic Transponder System) ……………………………… 20

■ Resetting the transceiver ……………………………………………… 20

■ Optional HM-75A functions …………………………………………… 21

10 SPECIFICATIONS …………………………………………………… 22–23
11 OPTIONS ………………………………………………………………… 24
12 Safety Training Information …………………………………………… 25

v

PREPARATION

Alkaline cells

BP-202

1

■ Belt clip attachment

Attach the belt clip using the
supplied screw. Conveniently
attaches to a belt.

■ Battery installation

Install 3 R6 (AA) size alkaline cell batteries or the optional BP-202

BATTERY PACK

q Remove the battery case

cover from the transceiver.

w Install 3×R6 (AA) size alka-

line cell batteries or BP-

202.

• Be sure to observe the cor­rect polarity.

as illustrated below.

1

NOTE: Keep battery contacts clean. It’s good idea to clean bat-

tery terminals once a week.

1

2

q

Antenna

Function
display
(p. 4)

Speaker

Microphone

w

e

r
t

y
u

i

PANEL DESCRIPTION

■ Switches, controls, keys and
connectors

2

PANEL DESCRIPTION

q EXTERNAL SPEAKER AND MICROPHONE JACKS

Connect an optional speaker-microphone or headset, if desired.

w VOLUME CONTROL [VOL]

Rotate clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to decrease
volume.

e PTT SWITCH [PTT]

Push and hold to transmit; release to receive.

r MODE SWITCH [MODE]

➥ Push to enter and select set mode for group (p. 12) and voice

scrambler code. (p. 16)

➥ Push and hold for 1 sec. to turn the monitor function ON and

OFF. (p. 8)

t CHANNEL UP SWITCH [Y]

➥ Push to increment the operating channel.
➥ Push and hold to increment the operating channel continu-

ously.

➥ While scanning, changes scanning direction. (p. 14)

y CHANNEL DOWN SWITCH [Z]

➥ Push to decrement the operating channel.
➥ Push and hold to decrement the operating channel continu-

ously.

➥ While scanning, changes scanning direction. (p. 14)

u POWER SWITCH [PWR]

➥ Push to turn the power ON.
➥ Push and hold this key to toggle the key lock function

ON/OFF. (p. 19)

i EXTERNAL DC IN JACK [DC 6V] (p. 6)

Connects the optional AC adapter or cigarette lighter cable for
both operation and battery charging.

2

2

3

PANEL DESCRIPTION

qewrt

yuio

!0

2

■ Function display

q KEY LOCK INDICATOR

Appears during the key lock function ON.

w BUSY INDICATOR

Appears while receiving a signal or when the squelch is open.

e VOICE SCRAMBLER INDICATOR

Appears while the voice scrambler function is in use.

r AUTO POWER OFF INDICATOR

Appears while the auto power off function is ON.

t LOW BATTERY INDICATOR

Appears or blinks when the battery decreases to a specified
level.

y GROUP NUMBER INDICATOR

Indicates the selected group number during the group function ON.

u CHANNEL NUMBER INDICATOR

Indicates the selected operating channel number.

i POWER ON INDICATOR

Appears while the power is ON.

o ANSWER BACK INDICATOR

➥ Appears when you and your group are in the conversation

area.

➥ Blinks when you or your group is out of the conversation area.

!0 TRANSMIT INDICATOR

Appears during PTT ON.

4