Listen Technologies LR-500 User Manual

Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for choosing Listen! All of us at Listen are dedicated to providing

you with the highest quality products available. We take great pride in their
outstanding performance because we care that you are completely
satisfi ed. That’s why we independently certify them to the highest quality
standards and back them with a limited lifetime guarantee. We stand ready
to answer any questions you might have during installation or in the operation
of our products. Should you experience any problems whatsoever with your
Listen products, we are ready to help you in any way we can with prompt,
effi cient customer care. Because at Listen, it’s all about you! And should you
have any comments on how we might improve our products or our
service, we’re here to listen.

Here’s how to reach us:
+1.801.233.8992
+1.800.330.0891
+1.801.233.8995

North America
fax

[e-mail]
www.listentech.com

Thank you and enjoy your listening experience!
Best regards,

Russell Gentner and the Listen Team

• In the few instances where repairs were needed, 99% of all clients indicated that they were happy with
repair turn-around-times and 85% of the time, clients were without their product for less than 10 days!

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Assistive Listening • Language Interpretation • Soundfi eld • Tour Group • Conferencing

Receivers Table of Contents

LR-500 Manual 3

LR-500 Table of Contents 5
LR-400 Manual 19
LR-400 Table of Contents 21

Supplementary Information 32

Channel Selection 32
Listen SQ™ 33
RF Reception Maximization Strategies 34
150 MHz Frequency Compatibility Table 35
Troubleshooting 36
Warranty 38
Contacting Listen 38
Optional Accessories 39

LR-500 Table of Contents

Package Contents 6
Architectural Specifi cations 7
Specifi cations 7
Quick Reference 8
Setup Instructions 9
Operation Instructions 11
Programming Instructions 13
Squelch Information 14
Squelch Programming 14
Charging Batteries 15
Wall Transformer Operation 16

5

LR-500 Package Contents

LR-500 Contents

• LR-500 Portable Programmable
Display FM Receiver (150 MHz)

Listen Part Number

•LR-500-150 (150 MHz)

3

6

LR-500 Specifi cations

Architectural Specifi cations

The FM receiver shall be capable of receiving on 32 channels. The receiver shall have a SNR of 80 dB
or greater. The receiver shall be programmable to electronically lock out unneeded channels. The
receiver shall be capable of seeking channels locked on an active channel. The device shall have a
squelch. The unit shall have an audio frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz (±3 dB). The device shall
incorporate a stereo headset jack that allows the user to plug in either a mono or stereo headset
and listen to audio normally. The device shall incorporate an LCD display. The receiver shall
incorporate automatic battery charging circuitry. The device shall be able to use of two (2) alkaline
or NiMH batteries. The Listen LR-500-150 is specifi ed.

Specifi cations*

RF Frequency Range 150.8000 MHz - 152.3500 MHz

Number of Channels 6 wide band, 26 narrow band

Sensitivity .6uV typical, 1 uV maximum for 12 dB sinad

Frequency Accuracy ± .005% stability 32 to 122 ºF (0 to 50 ºC)

Audio

Antenna Uses earphone cable
Squelch Programmable in 20 steps, automatic on loss of RF signal
System Frequency

Response
System Signal to Noise Ratio SQ enabled 80 dB, SQ disabled 60 dB
System Distortion <2% total harmonic distortion (THD) at 80% deviation
Output 3.5 mm (0.14 in.) connectors, unbalanced, 0 dBu nominal output level,

50 Hz - 15 kHz (±3 dB)

16 mW maximum, impedance 32 ohm

Controls &

Indicators

Power

Physical

User Controls Channel up/down, SEEK, volume
Set-up Controls

(Battery Compartment)
Programming Channel lock, squelch, channel lock out

LED Red, illuminated when unit is on, fl ashes when batteries are low or to indicate charging,

Display Channel designation,battery level, battery charging,

Battery Type Two (2) AA batteries, alkaline or NiMH
Battery Life (Listen Batteries) 30 hours alkaline (LA-361), 15 hours NiMH rechargeable (LA-362)
Battery Charging (NiMH only) Fully automatic, 13 hours
Power Supply I/P 120 VAC; O/P 7.5 VDC 250 mA, drop in contact points for use with charging cases,

Power Supply Connector 0.09 in. (2.3 mm) OD by 0.7 mm ID, barrel type connector 7.5 VDC, center positive <250 mA,

Power Supply Compliance RoHS, WEEE, UL, PSE, CE, CUL, TUV, CB

Dimensions (H x W x D)
Color
Unit Weight
Unit Weight with batteries
Shipping Weight
Door

Manually Lockable (on sides). Up, down, and power buttons through door.

Alkaline/NiMH batteries, SQ enable/disable

fl ashes when locked and SEEK is pushed

RF signal strength, programming and channel lock

power supply not included (LA-208)

drop in contact points for use with Listen charging cases

4.25 x 2.75 x 1.50 in. (10.8 x 7.0 x 3.8 cm)
Dark Grey with white silk screening

3.9 oz (111 g)

5.8 oz (164 g)

6.1 oz (173 g)

Environmental

Temperature-Operation
Temperature-Storage
Humidity

14 to 104 ºF (-10 to 40 ºC)

(-)4 to 122 °F (-20 to 50 °C)

0 to 95% relative humidity, non-condensing

*Speci cations are subject to change without noti cation

7

LR-500 Quick Reference

3.5 mm Output Jack:
Connect a Listen
earphone(s) here.

Power/Charging Port

Channel Select UP/DOWN

Front Door Lock

150

LED: When lit, unit is on. When batteries are
low or when charging the LED fl ashes.

On/Off and Volume Control Dial

Look&Listen™ Display: Shows

receive level, channel,
programming, battery status,
and lock status.

Seek Button: Allows the user to
search for or lock onto an
active channel

Battery Select Switch: Choose
the type of batteries being
used - Alkaline or NiMH.

RF Receive
Indicator: Indicates

the RF receive level.

SQ™ Switch: Turns SQ™ On/Off.

Battery Compartment:

Place two (2) AA batteries
in compartment. Be sure to
follow polarity pattern.

Channel Display: Displays the
current channel.

Battery Level Indicator

PGM: Program

function is in
process.

Lock Icon: Indicates the unit is
locked on current channel.

8

L/O: Indicates while in
programming mode the specifi c
channel has been locked out.

LR-500 Setup Instructions

Remove the product

1

Remove outer packaging and plastic cover. Inspect for physical damage.
If damage is apparent, please contact Listen Technologies Corporation
technical support for assistance.

Open the front access door

2

If locked, use a pocketknife or small screwdriver to unlock the door locks
on both sides of the unit. To unlock the door, rotate the lock 1/4 turn
counterclockwise.

Grip the two tabs with your thumb and index finger and pull the door
downward. Do NOT place batteries in the unit yet.

Select Battery Type

3

You have two choices: NiMH and Alkaline. The unit is shipped with the switch
in the Alkaline position. Use a pen or small screwdriver to select the battery
type.

CAUTION: If you are using any battery type other than rechargeable Nickel

Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, make sure the BATTERY selection switch is in
the alkaline position.

Unlocked

Locked

WARNING: Do not place the BATTERY switch in the NiMH position if you are not using Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries. The NiMH position

will attempt to charge any batteries in the unit, even if they are not the proper type. Charging non-Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries
will result in physical harm, destruction of property and/or fire.

Set SQ switch

4

The SQ switch is inside the battery compartment next to the Battery Select switch. The unit is
shipped with SQ in the ON position. To turn it off, use a small screwdriver or pen to slide the switch to
the OFF position (to the right). See page 33 for more information on SQ.

Battery Select Switch

Place Batteries in Unit

5

Place two AA batteries in the compartment, making note of the battery polarity shown in the
battery compartment, and again verifying that the BATTERY SELECT switch is in the correct position
for the batteries you are using. (ALK should be selected for all battery types other than NiMH).

SQ™ Select Switch

NOTE: Listen provides industrial strength AA alkaline batteries (part number LA-361) and high

performance AA Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (part number LA-362). These may be
purchased from your Listen dealer.

9

LR-500 Setup Instructions

150

Connect an Earphone or Headset

6

Your headset or earphone will connect to the jack on the top of the unit. Either mono or stereo
connectors may be used with a Listen receiver. Make certain you push the plug all the way
into the jack.

Turn the Unit On

7

Receivers are turned on by rotating the volume dial counterclockwise. The red LED on top of
the unit should activate and the LCD display should illuminate. If they do not, make sure you
have installed the batteries correctly and that you are using fully charged batteries.

Select Channel(s)

8

See page 35 for complete channel selection information.

Set Squelch

9

See page 14 for squelch and programming information.

Program Channels

10

see page 13.

Earphone/Headset jack

LCD display will activate
when on

Red LED will illuminate when on

Turn volume knob counterclockwise to
turn on

10

LR-500 Operation Instructions

Make Sure the Unit is On

1

Rotate the volume knob counterclockwise with an earphone or headset connected to the unit.
Listen receivers use the cable of the earphone or headset as a receiving antenna.

Be careful when turning the unit on - if you turn the knob too far you might get too much
volume in your earphone!

Select a Channel

2

Select the channel to match the transmission channel by pressing the UP and DOWN buttons on
the receiver. Listen recommends the use of wide band channels.

150 MHz:

150 MHz receivers operate on 6 wide band channels and 26 narrow band channels.

Channels 1-6 are Wideband & channels 7-32 are Narrowband.

Refer to the Frequency Compatibility Table (page 35) for specific frequencies and
compatibility with other manufacturers.

Test the audio

3

If a transmitter is broadcasting on that channel, you will be able to hear the audio. If the signal is
too weak, the audio will be muted (squelched).

Find an audio transmission using SEEK

4

Another way to find a channel on the LR-500 is to use the SEEK button. When you do this, the Listen
receiver looks for the next active channel. Sometimes the unit will mistake interference for a real
broadcast signal. If you get interference, press the SEEK button again. The unit may stop on a
channel that is close to the actual broadcast channel, in which case the channel will sound noisy
or distorted. Simply press SEEK again until you find the clearest operating channel.

Adjust the volume control

5

Use the control dial on the top of the unit to adjust the volume to a comfortable level.

Volume Control Dial

11