Radio Shack 63-1110 - Wireless Mail Guard Owner's Manual

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Mail Guard

Owner’s Manual

Please read before using this equipment.

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Important Information

ˆ

WARNING:

product to rain or moisture.

CAUTION:

NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO

This symbol is intended to alert you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product’s
enclosure that might be of sufficient magnitude to con­stitute a risk of electric shock. Do not open the product’ s
case.

This symbol is intended to inform you that important
operating and maintenance instructions are included in
the literature accompanying this product.

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FCC DECLARATION OF
CONFORMITY

This device complies with Part 15 of the
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference re-

©

2000 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved .
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks

used by RadioShack Corporation.

2

Important In formation

FCC Rules

.

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ceived, including interference that may cause undes­ired operation.

Product: Mail Guard

Model: 63-1110

Responsible Party: RadioShack

Phone: [phone]

100 Throckmorton
Fort Worth, TX 76102

THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW

This equipment complies with the limits for a Class B
digital device as specified in Part 15 of
These limits provide rea sonab le prot ection aga inst ra­dio and TV interference in a residential area.

However, your equipment might cause TV or radio in­terference even when it is operating properly. To
eliminate interference, you can try one or more of the
following corrective measures:

• reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

FCC Rules

.

• increase the distance between the equipment
and the radio or TV

Important In formation

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• use outlets on different electrical circuits for the
equipment and the radio or TV

Consult your local RadioShack store if the problem
still exists. If you cannot eliminate the interference,
the FCC requires that you stop using your system.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
RadioShack may cause interference and void the us­er’s authority to operate the equipment.

Introduction

ˆ

Using your RadioShack Mail Guard is a convenient
way to monitor your mailbox without walking outside
to check for your self. Whe n the photo sensor sens es
a change in light (when the mailbox is opened), the
system’s base (receiver) beeps and its indicator
lights. You can set the transmitter to the desired sen­sitivity setting for the appropriate lighting environment

Hi

—

for darker mailbox interiors, or

which may leak light insi de.
The system can transmit up to ab out 150 ft, clear lin e-

of-sight on one of three channels (
can have the bes t transmissio n with little or no inter­ference from nearby sources.

Low

for interiors

A, B

, or C) so you

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Introduction

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Installation

ˆ

INSTALLING BATTERIES

The transmitter for your Mail Guard system comes
with two 3V CR2032 lit hium batteries (not install ed)
for power. For the best performance and longest life,
we recommend RadioShack lithium batteries.

Warning:

dren. Swallowing a button-cell battery can be fatal.

Cautions:

1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws

Keep button-cell batteries away from chil-

• Use only fresh batteries of

the required size and rec­ommended type.

• Do not mix old and new

batteries, different types of
batteries (standard, alka­line, or rechargeable), or
rechargeable batteries of
different capacities.

from the transmitter’s bottom cabinet, then
remove it.

Installation

Battery
Retaining
Clip

Photo
Sensor

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2. Loosen the screw on the battery retaining clip,
then slide the clip aside.

3. Install the two supplied CR 2032 batteries in the
compartment with their positive (+) sides facing
up.

4. Slide the battery retaining clip over the center of
the top battery and tighten its screw.

5. Use a small pointed

A B C Channel Switch

object (such as a
straightened paper

A B C

clip) to s lide

to
the desired channel
and set

Low/Hi

to the
desired light sensitiv­ity. (Factory setting is

B

channel

with Hi sen-

Low Hi Sensitivity Switch

sitivity.)

6. Make sure the black o-ring remains secure
around the transmitte r’s top c ab ine t, then replace
the transmitter’s bottom cabinet.

7. Tighten the transmitter’s screws.

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Installation

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Replacing Batteries

When the transmitter stops operating properly, re­place the batteries.

1. Press the latch on the mounting bracket to
release the transmitter.

Caution:

bracket without releasing it from the lever. You
might damage the transmitter, its bracket, or
loosen the tape’s adhesive bond.

2. Follow the Steps under “Installing Batteries” on
Page 5 to replace the batteries.

Warning:

erly. Do not burn or bury them.

Do not pull the transmitter from its

Dispose of old batteri es prom ptl y an d pro p-

TESTING THE SYSTEM

Before you install your system and permanently
mount any components, test the transmitter and base
(receiver) to determine the best location and set up.

Testing the Channel Selection

1. Place the transmitter in a completely dark closet.

Installation

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2. Press

RESET

on the base (receiver).

3. Open the closet door, allowing light to touch the
transmitter.

The base should beep, and the MAIL indicator
should light.

4. If the current channel does not transmit properly,
change the channel setting (see Step 5 “Install­ing Batteries” on Page 5) and repeat Steps 1–3.

Testing the Signal Strength

Ask another person t o moni tor th e base (recei ver) as
you test the transmitter’s range and location from out­side.

1. Place the transmitter inside the mailbox. (Use
masking tape to temporarily mount the transmit­ter in the mailbox.)

2. Close the mailbox door, then open it again.

3. Check to make sure the base beeps and its indi­cator lights.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 a few times.

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Installation

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5. If the transmission signal is weak or intermittent,
change the channel setting. (See Step 5 under
“Installing Batteries” on Page5.)

Transmission works best when the base is in clear,
line-of-sight of the transmitter.

MOUNTING THE TRANSMITTER

Before you affix the transmitter to your mailbox, care­fully consider the best possible placement. You must
mount the transmitter so it can distinguish an ade­quate change of li ght when the mailb ox is opene d an d
transmit the clearest signal.

Important:

You must mount the transmitter where it

will not:

• interfere with the operation of the mailbox door

• interfere with postal delivery

• reduce the usable interior space of the box

Mount the transmitter with its photo-sensor lens close
to the mailbox opening and facing out, so whenever

Installation

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the mailbox is opened, it detects the change of light
and sends a radio signal to the base.

Note:

The transmitter works best when in complete
darkness. Close the mailbox completely each time
you open it so the photo sensor lens can sense an
adequate change of light when the mailbox is
opened. If your mailbox does not close completely or
is damaged so light leaks in, set

Low Hi

to

Low

(see
Step 5 under “Installi ng Batte ries ” o n Pa ge5) to lo w er
the photo-sensor lens’ sensitivity.

1. Clean the mailbox door (or other desired mount­ing surface).

2. Remove the backing from one side of th e doubl e-

10

sided tape and place it (sticky side down) on the
back of the transmitter’s mounting bracket.

Installation

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3. Remove th e backing from the other side of the
double-sided tape and press the transmitter’s
mounting bra cket on the c orner of the mount ing
surface, angled to about 45° and facing out.

4. Snap the transmitter into its mounting bracket.

MOUNTING THE BASE

You can mount the base on a wall or set it flat (on its
base) on a flat surface, such as a counter or table.

Telescoping Ant enna

fully for the best reception.

DC 12V Jack

the base (receiver) using
standard AC power.

A B C Channel Switch

select one of three chan­nels to help eliminate in­terference from nearby
sources.

— extend

— power

POWER/MAIL Indicator

when in standby or flashes green when the mail­box has been opened.

Installation

— press to

RESET

set the base to
standby.

— lights steadily red

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To mount the base (receiver) on a wall, you need two
screws (not supplied) with heads that fit into the key­hole slots on the back of the base.

1. Drill two horizontal pilot holes into the mounting
surface, 3 inches (76 mm) apart.

2. Thread a screw into eac h hole until th e screw’s
head extends about

1

/4 inch from the wall.

3. Align the keyhole slots on the bottom of the base
with the screw heads, then slide the base down
to secure it.

CONNECTING AC POWER

Power the base (receiver) using the supplied 12V,
200 mA AC adapter.

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Installation

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Cautions:

You must use a Class 2 power source
that supplies 12V DC and delivers at

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least 200 mA. Its center tip must be set
to positive and its plug must fit the base’s
jack. The suppl ied adapter meets thes e specifi­cations. Using an adapter that does not meet
these specifications could damage the base or
the adapter.

• Always connect the AC adapter to the base
before you connect it to AC power. When you fin­ish, disconnect the adapter from AC power
before you disconnect it from the base.

Follow these steps to connect the base to AC power.

1. Insert the AC adapter’s barrel plug into the

DC 12V

base’s

2. Plug the other end of the adapter into a standard
AC outlet. The red POWER indicator on the base
lights.

jack.

DC 12V

Installation

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Operation

ˆ

1. Follow the steps in “Mounting the Transmitter” on
Page 9 and “Connecting AC Power” on Page 12,
then close the mailbox door.

A B C

2. Slide
for the transmitter.

3. Fully extend and rotate the antenna on the base
(receiver) for the best reception.

4. When the mailbox is opened, the base beeps for
about 10 seconds and the green MAIL indicator
flashes. Press
red POWER indicator on the base lights steadily.

on the base to the same setting used

RESET

to return to standby. The

CARE

Keep the Mail Guard system dry; if it gets wet, wipe it
dry immediately. Use and store the system only in
normal temperature environments. Handle the sys­tem carefully; do not drop it. Keep the system away
from dust and dirt, and wipe it with a dam p cloth occa­sionally to keep it looking new.

Modifying or t ampering wit h the Mail Guard system’s
internal components can cause a malfunction and

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Operation

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might invalidate its warranty. If your system is not per­forming as it sh ould, take it to y our local Radio Shack
store for assistance.

Specifications

ˆ

Power Requirements

Base (Receiver) ................................ DC 12V, 200 mA

Transmit te r ................................ 2 × CR2032 Batteries

Battery Life (at standby) .................................. about 1 Year

Dimensions (HWD)

Base ............................................ 3

Transmit te r ..................................... ... 2

Weight

Base . ................................................... 12.4 oz (350 g)

Transmitter .............................................. 1.8 oz (50 g)

Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Speci­fications are subjects to change and improvement without
notice.

9

/16 × 45/16 × 13/8 in

(90 × 109 × 35 mm)

13

/16 × 2 × 3/4 in

(70 × 51 × 18 mm)

Specifications

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This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material

Limited One-Year Warranty

and workmanshi p under normal use for one (1) year from the date of pu rc hase from
RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and
dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS
WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MER­CHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN
DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES
CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL
HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE
CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE
PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUD­ING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVE­NIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an im plied warrant y lasts or the
exclusion or limit ation of in cident al or con sequen tial dama ges, so t he above li mita­tions or exclusio ns m ay not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the
RadioShack sa les rec eipt a s proo f of purc hase date to a ny R adioSha ck sto re. Ra­dioShack will, at its o ption , un less othe rwis e pro vide d by l aw: (a ) co rre ct th e def ect
by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one
of the same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts
and products, a nd products on wh ic h a refund is made, become the p roperty of Ra­dioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the perfor­mance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted
for the remainder of the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or re­placement of the product made after the expiration of the warranty period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts
of God, abuse, accident, misuse, im proper or abnormal u sage, fail ure to fol low in­structions, improp er installation or main tenance, alteration, lightning or other inci­dence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a
RadioShack Au thorized Service F acility; (c ) consum ables su ch as fuses or batter­ies; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f)
costs of product rem oval, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102

We Service What We Sell

12/99

RadioShack Corporati on
Fort Worth, Texas 76102

63-1110

09A00

Printed in China