Cat. No. 19-1204
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
BTX-123
Business Band Transceiver
FEATURES
Your RadioShack BTX-123 Business Band Transceiver is a portable, two-way business radio service
transceiver that you can carry almost anywhere. The crystal-controlled circuitry provides accurate
and stable channel selection. The
transceiver is compact and light,
making it an ideal choice for your
business needs.
Your transceiver has the following
features:
Factory-Installed Crystals — let you
begin using your transceiver on
154.600 MHz as soon as you receive your license.
Two-Channel Operation — l ets you
install optional crystals so you can
operate your transceiver on another frequency.
Adjustable Squelch — helps eliminate noise between transmissions.
RF Power Switch — lets you set
your transceiver ’s output power level to high (for increased range) or
low (to save battery power).
riety of voice levels to ensure an understandable transmission.
3-Color Receive/Transmit/Battery
Low Indicator — lights green when
you receive transmissions, red wh en
you send transmissions, and yellow
when the battery is low.
Battery Charger — lets you recharge
the transceiver’s battery pack while
the battery pack is connected to or
removed from the transceiver.
Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector — provides excellent reception.
The BNC connector is designed so
you can easily attach and remove
the supplied antenna or an optional
one.
Belt Clip — lets you attach the transceiver to your belt or waistband.
We recommend you record your
transceiver’s serial number here.
This number is on the transceiver’s
back panel.
Serial Number_________________
Built-In Modulation Limiter Circuit —
automatically adjusts for a wide va-
© 1997 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
2
CONTENTS
FCC Regulations .............................. ............ .......................................... .......... 4
FCC License Required .................................................................... ....... ... 4
FCC Part 90 Rules ...... ..................... ............ ........... ...................... ............ 5
Additional FCC Regulations ...................................................................... 6
Preparation ....................................................................................................... 7
Powering the Transceiver .......................................................................... 7
Installing/Removing the Battery Pack ................................................. 7
Charging the Battery Pack .................................................................. 7
Connecting the Antenna ............................................................................ 8
Connecting an Optional Antenna ........................................................ 9
Connecting an Earphone or Headphones ................................................. 9
Listening Safely ................................................................................. 10
Traffic Safety ................ ..................... ............ ............ ..................... ... 10
Connecting an Extension Speaker .......................................................... 10
Using the Belt Clip ................................................................................... 10
Using an External Speaker/Microphone ................................................... 11
Changing or Adding Crystals .................................................................... 11
Ordering Crystals .............................................................................. 13
Operation ....................................................................................................... 14
Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch .................................... 14
Transmitting ............................................................................................. 15
Operational Hints ..................................................................................... 16
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................. 17
Care and Maintenance ........................................................ ....... ..... ....... ....... . 18
Specifications ................................................................................................. 19
3
FCC Regulations
This transceiver is intended for use
in the operation of commercial activities, educational, philanthropic, or
ecclesiastical institutions, and hospitals, clinics, or medical associations.
Warning: Do not open your transceiver to make any internal adjustments except changin g or installing
new crystals. Any other internal adjustments can lead to illegal operation as defined by Part 90 of FCC
Rules. Such illegal operation can
lead to fines or confiscation of
equipment.
FCC License Required
Before you operate the transceiver,
the FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) requires that you:
• Obtain a license, which you can
get by submitting a completed
FCC Form 600 to the FCC (or
through the PCIA (Personal
Communication Industry Association) if you do not already
qualify for the supplied frequency).
• Understand P art 90 of the FCC
Rules and Regulations. It is t he
user’s responsibility to see that
this unit is operating at all times
in accordance with the FCC
Rules and Regulations.
• Apply for a frequency through
the PCIA unless you are already
qualified to operate on the supplied frequency. The PCIA is a
non-profit organization that
assigns frequencies nationwide
to help prevent conflicts
between different businesses
using transceivers in the same
area.
For more information about getting a
license, contact the PCIA at 800759-0300, extension 3068 (in Virginia 703-739-0300, extension 3068).
For other questions concerning the
license application, contact the FCC
at 717-337-1212, or write:
FCC
P.O. Box 1040
Gettysburg, PA 17325
For the latest FCC application form
and instructions, call the FCC’s faxon-demand service at 1-202-4180177, provide the number of a fax
machine where you can receive documents, and request one or more of
the following documents:
All forms and instructions 000600
Form 600 instructions only 006001
Main Form 600 only 006002
Form 600 schedules only 006003
4
If you do not ha ve ac cess to a fax
machine, you can call the Government Forms Distribution Center at
1-800-418-FORM and request that
the form and instructions be mailed
to you.
FCC Part 90 Rules
You must be familiar with Part 90 of
FCC Rules before you operat e your
transceiver. The operation instructions in this manual conform to Part
90, but do not cover all items in Part
90.
Overall, Part 90 states that:
• You must have a valid license
before you use the transceiver.
• As licensee, you are responsible for proper operation of all
transceivers operating under
your license authority.
• You can let unlicensed persons
operate this transmitter, as long
as you take precautions to prevent unauthorized transmissions.
• You must use this transceiver
only for the commercial use of
your business, and only when
other commercial channels
(such as the telephone) are
either not available or not practical.
• You must always yield the operating frequency to communications that involve the safety of
life or property.
• You must take reasonable precautions to prevent harmful
interference to other services
operating on the same frequency.
• You must not transmit program
material of any kind used in connection with commercial broadcasting.
• You must not provide a service
that is normally handle d by telephone or telegraph unless such
broadcasts involve the safet y of
life or property or in emergencies such as an earthquake, hurricane, flood or a similar disaster
where normal communication
channels are disrupted.
• During each transmission or
exchange of transmissions, you
must identify your station with
the call sign issued to you by the
FCC, or once each 15 minutes
during periods of continuous
operation.
5
• You must keep a written record
of any maintenance or modification made to the transceiver,
and you must make this record
available for inspection upon
demand by the FCC.
Violating any of the provisions of
Part 90 can result in fines and/or
confiscation of equipment.
Your transceiver might cau se TV or
radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine
whether your transceiver is causing
the interference, turn off your transceiver . If the interference goes away,
your transceiver is causing it. Try to
eliminate the interference by:
• Moving your transceiver away
from the receiver
ADDITIONAL FCC REGULATIONS
The Business Radio Service is un-
der the jurisdiction of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC). Any adjustments or alterations that would alter the performance of the transceiver so it no
longer meets the original FCC type
acceptance or would change the
frequency-determining method are
strictly prohibited.
Replacement or substitution of crystals, transistors, ICs, regulator diodes, or any other component that
is of a unique nature with components other than those recommended can violate the technical
regulations of the FCC rules or violate type acceptance requirement of
the rules.
• Contacting your local RadioShack store for help
6
PreparATION
Powering the Transceiver
You power your transceiver using
the supplied rechargeable battery
pack. You must charge the battery
pack before you use it (see “Charging the Battery Pack”).
Installing/Removing the Battery
Pack
To install the battery pack, slide it
onto the transceiver as shown.
Caution: The battery pack fits onto
the transceiver only one way. Do not
force it.
To remove the battery pack, slide
and hold up RELEASE on the side
of the transceiver in the direction of
the arrow and slide the pack off.
Charging the Battery Pack
You must charge the battery pack
using the supplied AC adapter. It
takes about 14–16 hours to recharge
a battery pack that is fully discharged. You can charge the bat tery
pack while it is installed or removed.
Cautions:
• Do n ot use the t ransceiver while
you are charging the battery
pack. This might damage the
transceiver, the AC adapter, or
the battery pack.
• The supplied adapter supplies
12 volts and delivers at least 100
milliamp s. Its center tip is set to
positive, and its barrel plug correctly fits the battery pack’s
CHRG jack. Using an adapter
that does not meet these specifications could damage the transceiver or the adapter.
• Never use any other charger to
recharge the battery pack. This
could permanently damage your
transceiver or the battery pack.
• When you finish using the AC
adapter, disconnect it from the
AC outlet first. Then disconnect
it from the transceiver.
7
Follow these steps to charge the
battery pack.
1. If the battery pack is attached to
the transceiver and the transceiver is on, turn it off.
2. Plug the adapter’s barrel plug
into the CHRG jack on the side
of the battery pack. Then plug
the adapter’s power module into
a standard AC outlet.
Warning: Do not use an AC adapter’s polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or other outlet
unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
Important! At the end of a rechargeable battery pack’s useful life, it must
be recycled or disposed of properly.
Contact your local, county, or state
hazardous waste management authorities for information on re cycli ng
or disposal programs in your area.
Some options that might be available are: municipal curb-side collection, drop-off boxes at retailers s uch
as your local RadioShack store, recycling collection centers, and mailback programs.
Connecting THE Antenna
Caution: To prevent damage to your
transceiver, you must connect an antenna before you operate it.
Follow these steps to attach the supplied flexible antenna to your transceiv er.
Note: A rechargeable battery pack
lasts longer and delivers more power if you let it f ully discharge on ce a
month. To do this, simply use the
transceiver until the BUSY/TX/BATT
indicator on the front of the transceiver lights yellow when you press
PUSH TO TALK. Then fully charge
the battery pack.
8
1. Align the slots around the
antenna’s connector with the
tabs on the an tenna jack on top
of the transceiver .
Follow the installation instructions
supplied with the antenna, route the
antenna cable to the transceiver,
then connect it to the antenna jack.
2. Press the antenna down over
the jack and turn the antenna’s
base clockwise until it locks into
place.
To remove the antenna, turn the antenna’s base coun terclockwise until
it unlocks, then lift it off the antenna
jack.
Connecting an Optional Antenna
The transceiver’s antenna jack
makes it easy to use the transceiver
with a variety of antennas. Instead
of the supplied ant enna , you c an at tach a different one, such as an external mobile antenna or outdoor
base station antenna. Your local RadioShack store sells a variety of an tennas.
Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable,
such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect
an outdoor antenna. For lengths
over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial ca ble. If your anten na’s cable does not have a BNC
connector, you will also need a BNC
adapter (available at your local RadioShack store).
Warning: Use extreme caution when
installing or removing an outdoor antenna. If the antenna starts to fall, let
it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches a
power line, contact with the antenna,
mast, cable or guy wires can cause
electrocution and death! Call the
power company to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to do so yourself.
CONNECTING an Earphone OR
HEADPHONES
For private listening, pull up the attached plug then connect an optional
earphone or mono headphones with
a 1/8-inch plug (available a t your local RadioShack store) to the EAR
jack on top of your transceiver, This
disconnects the internal speaker.
9
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these
guidelines when you use an earphone or headphones:
• Do not l isten at extremely high
volume levels. Extended highvolume listening can lead to
permanent hearing loss.
• Set the volume to the lowest
setting before you begi n listening. After you begin listening,
adjust the volume to a comfortable leve l.
• Once you set the volume, do
not i ncreas e it. Ov er time, your
ears adapt to the volume level ,
so a volume lev el that does not
cause discomfort might still
damage your hearing.
Traffic Safety
Do not use an earphone or head-
phones with your t ransceiver when
operating a motor vehicle or riding a
bicycle in or near traffic. Doing so
can create a traffic hazard and
could be illegal in some areas.
If you use an earphone or headphones with your transceiver while
riding a bicycle, be very careful. Do
not listen to a continuous broadcast.
Even though some earphones/
headphones let you he ar some o ut-
side sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can
present a traffic hazard.
Connecting an Extension Speaker
In a noisy area, an extension speak-
er or an amplified speaker might provide more comfortable listeni ng. You
can find a selection of speakers at
your local RadioShack store.
Pull up the attached plug then plug
the speaker cable’s 1/8-inch plug
into your transceiver’s EAR jack.
This disconnects the internal speaker.
Using the Belt Clip
You can attach the supplied belt clip
to the transceiver for hands-free carrying when you are on the go.
10
Use a Phillips screwdriver to attach
the belt clip to t he back of the tra nsceiver with the two supplied screws
and washers. Then slide the belt clip
over your belt or waistband.
CHANGING OR ADDING Crystals
Your transceiver comes with a pair of
crystals installed in Channel A for
operation on 154.600 M Hz. You can
order crystals from your local RadioShack store for Channel B or as
replacements for Channel A. Be
sure to specify the transceiver’s catalog number — 19-1204.
Important: Channel A crystals are
soldered in, and can only be replaced by a qualified technician.
Using an External SPEAKER/
Microphone
To connect an ext ernal speaker/microphone (such as Cat. No. 19-312
or 19-314) to the transceiver, pull up
the attached plug then plug the
speaker/microphone’s 3/32-inch
plug into the transceiver’s MIC jack
and its 1/8-inch plug into the transceiver’s EAR jack. This disconnects
the transceiver’s speaker.
You must request a frequency assignment from the PCIA before ordering crystals. Call the PCIA at 800759-0300, extension 3068 (in VA,
call 703-739-0300, ext ension 3068).
They will advise you of the required
information as well as the current
fees. Then send your FCC Form 600
to the PCI A. They will assig n a frequency and forward the application
to the FCC.
Your transceiver can operate from
152.255 to 156.250 MHz on any of
the business radio frequencies authorized by the FCC. To determine
the crystals you need to order, use
the formulas under “Ordering Crystals” on Page 13. You can order the
crystals through your local RadioShack store.
11
Follow these steps to install crystals.
1. Remove the battery pack and
the antenna.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to
remove two of the screws on
the battery guide plate as
shown. Then loosen the other
two screws on the battery guide
plate about 4 full turns. (This
makes it easier to reinstall the
back cover later).
Note: Y ou do not need to loosen
or remove the battery contact
plate’s two screws.
and its spring, place your hand
over PUSH TO TALK while
removing the back cover.
4. Use a Phillips screwdriver to
remove all four screws from the
transceiver’s back cover. Then,
while holding PUSH TO TALK
with one hand, carefully remove
the back cover.
5. Install or replace the new crystals in the sockets. Be sure to
install the receive and transmit
crystals in the correct sockets as
shown.
3. Pull up the rubber plug covering
the MIC and EAR jacks to
expose both jacks.
Caution: PUSH TO TALK on the
side of the transceiver is under
spring tension, and it might
come loose when you remove
the back cover in the next step.
To avoid losing PUSH TO TALK
12
6. Replace the back cover and
secure it with the four screws.
7. Replace the two screws you
removed from the battery guide
plate, then tighten all the
screws.
8. Replace the battery pack and
the antenna.
Ordering Crystals
To determine the crystals you nee d,
use the following formulas:
Transmit Crystal:
Operating Frequency
8
Receive Crystal:
Operating Frequency — 10.7 (MHz)
4
For example, to transmit and receive on 151.455 MHz, specify a
transmit crystal of 18.931875
(151.455 MHz/8) and a receive
crystal of 35.18875 MHz ( (151.455
– 10.7 MHz)/4).
We recommend you only order crystals for this transceiver throug h your
local RadioShack store. If you do
purchase them from another source ,
the following information might be
helpful:
• Case Type: HC-50/T
• Load Capacitance : 20 pF
13
OPERATION
RECEIVING TRANSMISSIONS
AND ADJUSTING SQUELCH
Note: Make sure the transceiver’s
antenna is connected before you
turn it on.
1. Turn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise.
2. Turn on the transceiver by turning VOLUME clockwise until
you hear a click and a hissing
sound.
Notes:
• The BUSY/TX/BATT indicator
on the front of the transceiver
lights green when the transceiver receives a transmission.
• If the transceiver picks up
unwanted, partial, or very
weak transmissions, turn
SQUELCH clockwise to
decrease the transceiver’s
sensitivity to these signals. If
you want to listen to a weak or
distant station, turn
SQUELCH counterclockwise.
4. Set CHANNEL to A or B.
3. Turn SQUELCH clockwise until
the hissing sound stops.
14
Note: Your transceiver comes
with crystals installed in channel
Position A. T o use other frequencies, you must first install crystals in channel position B inside
the transceiver (see “Changing
or Adding Crystals” on Page 11).
5. If you are using the supplied
antenna, hold the transceiver so
the antenna is vertical.
6. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.
7. To conserve battery power, set
RF POWER to LO. Or, if the
person you are transmitting to
has trouble receiving your signal, set RF POWER to HI.
The BUSY/TX/BATT indicator on
the front of the transceiver lights
red when you press PUSH TO
TA LK .
3. When you finish speaking,
release the button.
4. To turn off the transceiver, turn
VOLUME toward OFF until it
clicks.
8. To turn off the transceiver, turn
VOLUME toward OFF until it
clicks.
Transmitting
1. Follow Steps 1–7 in “Receiving
Transmissions and Adjusting
Squelch” on Page 14.
2. Hold the transceiver 2–3 inches
from your mouth. Hold down
PUSH TO TALK and speak into
the microphone on the front of
the transceiver in a normal
voice.
Notes:
• The transceiver’s automatic
modulation circuit adjusts the
microphone’s sensitivity for a
wide variety of voice levels.
• Do not speak too loudly when
transmitting. It does not make
your signal any stronger, and
might distort your transmission.
• Do not hold down PUSH TO
TALK when you are not talking.
(This is called dead keying.)
15
Operational Hints
Your transceiver ’s range v aries de-
pending on factors such as position,
terrain, and battery condi tion. Buildings absorb transmitted signals and,
if they contain metal, might completely block them. Trees and heavy
cloud formations have a similar effect, though not as severe. If you
are near a lake or the ocean, you
might get excellent range.
To ensure maximum range, operate
the transceiver with the battery pack
fully charged. As the voltage decreases, the range decreases.
16
TROUBLESHOOTING
If your transceiver is not working as it should, these suggest ions m ight help you
eliminate the problem. If the transceiver still does not operate properly, take it to
your local RadioShack store for assistance.
Problem Poss ible Causes Reme dies
The transceiver does
not work at all.
The battery pack is not
properly connected.
The battery pack is not
charged.
Poor or no reception. Improperly connected an-
tenna.
SQUELCH is not correct-
ly adjusted.
The transceiver does
not transmit.
PUSH TO TALK not fully
pressed.
Attach the battery pa ck
to the transceiver (see
“Installing/Removing the
Battery Pack” on
Page 7).
Charge the battery pack
(see “Charging the Battery Pack” on Page 7).
Be sure the adapter is
plugged into a working
AC outlet and is fully inserted into the CHRG
jack.
Be sure the antenna is
properly connected.
Adjust SQUELCH clockwise (see “Receiving
Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch” on
Page 14).
Fully press PUSH TO
TALK.
17
CARE AND Maintenance
Y our RadioShack BTX-123 Business Band Transceiver is an example of superior
design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for the
transceiver so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the transceiver dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately . Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
Handle the transceiver ge ntly and carefull y. Dropping it can damage circuit boards and cases and can cause the transceiver to
work improperly.
Use and store the transceiver only in normal temperature environments. Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices, damage batteries, and distort or melt plastic parts.
Keep the transceiver away from dust and dirt, which can cause
premature wear of parts.
Wipe the transceiver with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking new. Do not use harsh chemica ls, cleaning solvents, or strong
detergents to clean the transceiver.
Modifying or tampering with the tr ansceiver ’s internal components can cau se a
malfunction and might invalidate your transceiver’s warranty and void your FCC
authorization to operate it. If your transceiver is not performing as it should, take
it to your local RadioShack store for assistance.
18
Specifications
Transmitter
Frequency Coverage ...................................................... 152.255 –156.250 M H z
Frequency Tolerance ............................................................................ ±1.5 kHz
Ty p e of Mod ula tion ................. ............ ..................... ............ ............ .............. FM
RF Power ........................................................................................... 1 W (high)
0.6 W (low)
Deviation ................................................................................................. ±5 kHz
Spurious Rejection .................................................................................... 45 dB
Minimum Operating Voltage .................................................................. 6.5 Volts
Current Drain ........................................................... 500 mA (high power mode)
Receiver
Sensitivity (SINAD 12 dB) ........................................................................ 0.5 µV
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (20 dB) .................................................................. 1.0 µV
AF Power Output ................................................................................... 250 mW
Adjacent Channel Rejection ...................................................................... 50 dB
Squelch Sensitivity (Start) ..................................... .. ....... .......... .. ....... ....... 0.5 µV
Stop Voltage .......................................................................................... 6.5 Volts
Distortion (1 mV Input, 3 kHz Deviation) ....................................................... 5%
General
Power Requirements ...................................................................... 8.4 Volts DC
Antenna Length ................................................................................ 57/8 Inches
(150 mm)
Dimensions (HWD) ......... ..................... ............ .......... 21/2 × 11/2 × 61/3 Inches
(65 × 35 × 160 mm)
Weight ..................................................................................................... 15.5 oz
(439 g)
Specifications are typical; individua l units might v ary. Specifications are subject
to change and improvement without notice.
19
Limited Ninety-Day Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90)
days from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned
stores and authorized RadioShac k f ranchisees and deal ers. E XC EPT
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 al low the limitat ions on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during t he warranty period, take the
RadioShack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
6A7 Printed in Hong Kong
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