Page 1
Owner’s Manual
X•K•Ka Superwide Radar/
Please read before using this equipment.
Stay Alert
Laser Detector
Cat. No.
22-1679
Page 2
FEATURES
Your RadioShack Stay Aler t X•K•Ka Superwide Radar/Laser
Detector can alert you to all known police traffic radar and
laser systems. It receives X-, K-, and Ka-band radar signals
and also detects both the instant-on and laser systems many
police departments u se to measure vehicle speed. Plus, your
detector can give you advance warning of potential road hazards by detecting signals from transmitters that broadcast
Safety Warning System alerts.
Your detector has many useful features, including:
Stay Alert
ing every 30–60 seconds and asking if you are alert.
— tests your awareness behind the wheel by ring-
X-, K-, Ka-Band, and Laser Signal Detection
— warns you
when it detects signals from traffic radar or laser devices. Different tones sound to let you know the type of signal received.
VG-2 Protection
— makes your detector invisible to the VG-2
radar-detector detector when it senses VG-2 operation.
Safety Warning System Detection
— alerts you to the presence of potential road hazards and emergency vehicles signalled by a Safety W arning System transmission.
360° Detection —
detects laser signals from both the front
and the rear of your vehicle.
1997 Tandy Corporation.
RadioShack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
FAST is a trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
Safety Warning System and SWS are tr ademarks of
InstaClear is a registered trademark used by Ford Motor Company.
ElectriClear is a registered trademark used by Libbey, Owens, Ford,
All Rights Reserved.
Safety Warning System LLC.
and Delco-Remy.
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City/Highway Modes
in areas that have false radar sources.
FAST (False Alert Suppression Technology)
vent false alarms caused by non-traffic radar sources.
— let you minimize alerts when you are
— helps pre-
Auto Quiet
volume alert for about 5 seconds, then reduce its alert to minimum volume.
Dim/Dark Modes
ation, or have the radar detector go completely dark whenever
it detects traffic radar signals.
Your radar/laser detector includes the following items:
•Power Cord
• Windshield Bracket with Suction Cups
• Hook and Loop Fastener
We recommend you record y our detector’s serial number here.
The number is on the detector’s bottom panel.
Serial Number: _________________________________
Important:
detectors. Check with your local law enforcement agency
about the laws in your area.
One or more of the following patents apply: 4,315,261;
5,146,227; 5,379,456. Other patents pending.
— lets you set the radar detector to give y o u a full-
— let you dim the display for nighttime oper-
Some areas have laws regulating the use of radar
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CONTENTS
A Quick Look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Mounting Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Hook-and-Loop Tape Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Windshield Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Connecting Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Turning the Detector On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Adjusting the Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Muting Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Using Auto Quiet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Selecting the City and Highway Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Dimming the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Setting the VG-2 Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Receiving and Identifying Alert Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Using Stay Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Replacing the Fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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A QUICK LOOK
1
Power Jack
2
Rear Laser Detection Lens
signals from the rear.
3
Speaker
4MUTE
detected to reduce the level of audio alerts that sound
when there is a signal. Press after a signal is detected to
silence the alert, while still showing visual alerts to keep
you informed.
5
High Visibility Alphanumeric Display
tinct visual confirmation of signals detected and signal
strength, and indicates the selected operating modes.
— the power cable plugs in here.
— sounds distinct warnings.
Button —
press before a radar/laser signal is
— receives incoming laser
— provides dis-
5
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6CITY
Button
— reduces false alerts typically encountered
in urban driving areas.
7 DARK
Button —
changes the display to dim or dark, and
turns the VG-2 option on or off.
8PWR/VOL
(Power/Volume) Control
on and off and lets you adjust the volume.
9
Bracket Release Button
— lets you quickly remove the
detector’s bracket.
— turns the detector
10
Front Laser Detection Lens
signals from the front.
11
Radar Detection Antenna
signals.
12
Mounting Bracket Slot
bracket.
6
— receives incoming laser
— receives incoming radar
— holds the windshield mounting
Page 7
INSTALLATION
MOUNTING GUIDELINES
Follow these guidelines when selecting a location.
• Choose a location that does not block the driver’s view of
the road.
• Mount the detector in a level position with a clear view to
both the front and rear.
• The detector’s view of the road must not be blocked by any
metal object.
• Some vehicles have InstaClear
windshields, which have metal coatings that block signals.
General Motor’s APV vans have a solar shield that keeps
the vehicle cooler during the summer, but also blocks signals. A detector installed in a vehicle with any of these features will probably not detect a signal.
• Since window tinting reduces the received strength of laser
signals, you should not mount the detector behind any
tinted glass.
• Do not mount the detector where the driver or a passenger
might hit it in a sudden stop or accident.
or ElectriClear defogging
Caution:
detector out of view when you leave the vehicle. This keeps
the detector out of sight of thieves and prevents exposing it to
extremely high temperatures, which can temporarily impair
performance.
Whichever mounting method you choose, place the
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HOOK-AND-LOOP TAPE MOUNTING
For some dashboards, the hook-and-loop tape included with
your detector might be best for mounting. F ollow these steps to
use the hook-and-loop tape.
1. Use a damp cloth to clean the b ottom of the detector and
the dashboard. Let both surfaces dry.
The tape’s adhesive might not stick to a surface
Note:
treated with vinyl cleaner or protectant.
2. Remove the tape’s backing and stick the tape to the bottom
of the detector.
Do not place the hook-and-loop tape over the detec-
Note:
tor’s serial number.
Serial
Number
On a curved dashboard, cut the supplied str ip in half and
use one strip on each side of the bottom of the detector.
3. Remove the backing from the other side of the tape and
press the detector onto the dashboard.
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WINDSHIELD MOUNTING
illus of suction cup
installation in
windshield bracket
The supplied suction-cup windshield bracket lets you easily
mount the detector on the windshield.
Caution:
coating on the windshield designed to protect passengers during an accident. If you use the bracket on this type of windshield, you might permanently mar the windshield’s surface.
1. Align the groove in each suction
2. Clean the selected windshield
3. Slide the detector onto the base
Do not use the bracket in a vehicle that has a plastic
cup with the slots in the windshield bracket and slide the suction cups out until they lock into
place.
area, position the bracket on the
windshield, and press firmly on
each suction cup to secure it in
place.
plate until it snaps into place.
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To level the detector, press the
bracket release button to remove the
detector from the bracket. Then bend
the bracket.
illus of bracket
release button
location
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CONNECTING POWER
Caution:
• Use only the supplied power cord. If your power cord is lost
or damaged, you can order a replacement cord from your
local RadioShack store.
• Before plugging the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug into
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket, make sure the plug’s
tip is screwed firmly onto the plug. See “Replacing the
Fuse” on Page 23 for more information about the ci garettelighter plug.
• Unplug the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug from your
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket when you turn off the ignition. This prevents your vehicle’s battery from being drained
if you leave the detector on when you turn off the ignition.
Plug the supplied power cord’s barrel plug into the detector’s
power jack. Then plug the cord’s cigarette-lighter plug into your
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.
If the detector does not operate when you turn it on,
Note:
remove the cigarette-lighter plug from your vehicle’s socket
and check the socket for ashes and other debr is. Also check
the fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug and your vehicle’s fuse
block (see “Replacing the Fuse” on Page 23).
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OPERATION
TURNING THE DETECTOR ON AND OFF
To turn on the detector, turn
The detector sounds a distinctive alert and displays the indica-
tors for each alert type as a self test, in this order:
Alert Type Audible Alert Visual Alert
X Low steady
K High trill
Ka Medium warble
Safety Low-high
Laser High-low
VG-2 None
To turn off the detector, turn
See “Receiving and Identifying Aler t Signals” on Page 15 for
more information about alerts.
PWR/VOL
PWR/VOL
clockwise.
X 9
K 9
Ka 9
SAFETY
LASER
HIGHWAY
counterclockwise.
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME
To increase the detector’s volume, turn
decrease the volume, turn
PWR/VOL
counterclockwise.
PWR/VOL
clockwise. To
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MUTING ALERTS
While a radar, laser, or safety warning alert is sou nding, you
can press
rent alert and any new alert that it receives within 20 seconds.
Visual alerts are not affected.
to temporarily silence the detector for the cur-
MUTE
USING AUTO QUIET
Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to a clicking alert
about 5 seconds after it detects a radar signal. The clicking
alert sounds at the minimum level for any new signal received
within 20 seconds. VG-2 or laser alerts are not affected.
To turn on Auto Quiet, press
sounding an alert. The detector displays
To turn off Auto Quiet, press
sounding an alert.
when the detector is not
MUTE
then
AUTO
when the detector is not
MUTE
QUIET
.
SELECTING THE CITY AND
HIGHWAY MODES
Your detector’s CITY and CITY 1 modes are designed to
reduce annoying false alerts triggered by automatic door
openers, intrusion alarms, and other devices that share frequencies with police radar. In the CITY 1 mode, only X-band
sensitivity is lowered.
The city modes have no effect on laser or VG-2 opera-
Note:
tion.
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To select the CITY mode, press CITY once. The detector displays
signal in the CITY mode, it beeps twice, then remains quiet
unless the signal becomes very strong. If the signal strength
increases, the detector again beeps twice.
. If the detector receives a weak speed/safety r adar
CITY
To select the CITY 1 mode, press
plays
CITY 1
To cancel the city modes, press CITY a third time. The detector
displays
alert response for open-road driving.
.
HIGHWAY
. The highway mode provides maximum
CITY twice. The detector dis-
DIMMING THE DISPLAY
To dim the display, press DARK once. The detector displays
, then the display dims.
DIM
To make the display b lac k out, press DARK again. The detector
displays
not detecting a signal, and blacks out entirely while it is receiving a signal and for 20 seconds after the signal.
Press DARK a third time to restore the disp lay to full brightness.
14
, then blacks out. The display dims when it is
DARK
Page 15
SETTING THE VG-2 OPTION
VG-2 is a system used by some law enforcement agencies to
detect the use of radar detectors in vehicles. The V G -2 system
detects the weak radio signals used in radar detectors. Your
radar detector can sense a VG-2 system and shift its operating
frequencies out of the range detected by VG-2, making your
radar detector essentially invisible to this system.
To turn on the VG-2 option, hold down
The detector displays
Press
displays
Notes:
• Your detector does not detect speed radar when VG-2 has
been detected.
• If you want to use the V G-2 option, you must turn it on when
you turn the detector on.
again to turn off the VG-2 option. The detector
DARK
VG2 OFF
VG2 ON
.
.
for 2 seconds.
DAR K
RECEIVING AND IDENTIFYING
ALERT SIGNALS
Your detector gives different audible and visual alerts for each
signal. In addition, the aler t tone pul se rate increases with signal strength and the detector displays a digit from 1 to 9 to indicate the signal strength (1 is weakest and 9 is strongest).
When your detector senses instant-on radar, it sounds an
intense, 3-second tone and displays
PULSE
.
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Safety Radar Alerts
Your radar detector detects all safety radar including the new
Safety W arning System. This system provides adv anced warning of hazards and lets you respond appropriately to potentially
dangerous conditions.
Not all areas have Safety Warning System transmitters.
Note:
Your radar detector only alerts you to hazards if the area you
are in has transmitters sending signals.
When your radar detector encounters safety radar, it sounds a
distinctive tone and displays the signal strength. In addition,
your radar detector displays
CAUTION
type of hazard by displaying one of 60 defined messages.
Display Road Hazard Detected
WORK ZONE Work Zone Ahead
ROAD CLOSED DETOUR Road Closed Ahead/Follow Detour
BRIDGE CLOSED DETOUR Bridge Closed Ahead/Follow Detour
HIGHWAY WORK CREWS Highway Work Crews Ahead
UTILITY WORK CREWS Utility Work Crews Ahead
FOLLOW DETOUR All Traffic Follow Detour Ahead
TRUCKS FOLLOW DETOUR All Trucks Follow Detour Ahead
EXIT AHEAD All Traffic Exit Ahead
RIGHT LANE CLOSED Right Lane Closed Ahead
CENTER LANE CLOSED Center Lane Closed Ahead
and informs you of the
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Display Road Hazard Detected
LEFT LANE CLOSED Left Lane Closed Ahead
STANDING POLICE VEHICLE Stationary Police Vehicle Ahead
TRAIN AT CROSSING Train Approaching/At Crossing
LOW OVERPASS Low Overpass Ahead
DRAW BRIDGE Drawbridge Up
BRIDGE WEIGHT LIMIT Observe Bridge Weight Limit
ROCK SLIDE AREA Rock Slide Area Ahead
SCHOOL ZONE School Zone Ahead
ROAD NARROWS Road Narrows Ahead
SHARP CURVE Sharp Curve Ahead
PEDEST CROSSING Pedestrian Crossing Ahead
DEER CROSSING Deer/Moose Crossing
BLIND DEAF CHILD Blind/Deaf Child Area
STEEP GRADE LOW GEAR Steep Grade Ahead/Truck Use Low
ACCIDENT Accident Ahead
POOR ROAD SURFACE Poor Road Surface Ahead
SCHOOL BUS LOADING School Bus Loading/Unloading
NO PASSING ZONE No Passing Zone
DANGER INTERSEC Dangerous Intersection Ahead
STANDING EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
Gear
Stationary Emergency Vehicle
Ahead
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Display Road Hazard Detected
HIGH WIND High Wind Ahead
SEVERE WEATHER Severe Weather Ahead
HEAVY FOG Heavy Fog Ahead
WATER FLOODING High Water/Flooding Ahead
ICE ON BRIDGE Ice On Bridge Ahead
ICE ON ROAD Ice On Road Ahead
BLOWING DUST Blowing Dust Ahead
BLOWING SAND Blowing Sand Ahead
BLOWING SNOW Blowing Snow White Out Ahead
REST AREA Rest Area Ahead
REST SERVICE AHEAD Rest Area With Service Ahead
24 HOUR FUEL SERVICE 24 Hour Fuel Service Ahead
INSPECT STATION OPEN Inspection Station Open
INSPECT STATION CLOSED Inspection Station Closed
REDUCED SPEED AREA Reduced Speed Area Ahead
SPEED LIMIT ENFORCED Speed Limit Enforced
HAZARD’S MATERLS EXIT Hazardous Materials Exit Ahead
CONGESTD TRAFFIC DELAY Congestion Ahead/Expect Delay
EXPECT 10 MIN DELAY Expect 10 Minute Delay
EXPECT 20 MIN DELAY Expect 20 Minute Delay
EXPECT 30 MIN DELAY Expect 30 Minute Delay
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Display Road Hazard Detected
EXPECT 1 HOUR DELAY Expect 1 Hour Delay
TRAFFIC ALERT TUNE AM
RADIO
PAY TOLL Pay Toll Ahead
TRUCKS EXIT RIGHT Trucks Exit Right
TRUCKS EXIT LEFT Trucks Exit Left
EMERGENCY VEHICLE Emergency Vehicle in Transit
POLICE PURSUIT Police in Pursuit
OVERSIZE VEHICLE Oversize Vehicle in Transit
SLOW MOVING VEHICLE Slow Moving Vehicle
CAUTION General Warning For An Unspecified
Traffic Alert/Tune AM Radio
Hazard
Laser Audio/Visual Alerts
When your radar detector detects a laser signal from ahead or
behind, the laser audio sounds and the radar detector displays
for as long as the signal is present (for a minimum of 3
LASER
seconds).
Any laser alert, regardless of duration, requires immediate
action! If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can often
determine your speed within seconds after you receive an
alert. However, if you are traveling near or behind the targeted
vehicle and receive an alert, you should have time to respond.
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USING STAY ALERT
Stay Alert helps you test your alertness behind the whee l by
sounding beeps and asking if you are alert.
Warning:
quate rest. You should not operate a motor vehicle if you are
drowsy. During extended periods of vehicle operation, you
should take frequent breaks. Improper reliance on the Stay
Alert feature might result in vehicle damage, personal injury, or
death.
1. Hold down
2. When the detector r ings, press
3. To turn off Stay Alert, turn off the detector.
20
Stay Alert is not intended as a substitute for ade-
Never operate a vehicle if you are drowsy
for 2 seconds until the detector displays
CITY
, then rings.
ALERT
3–5 seconds.
If you press
detector rings again every 30–60 seconds.
If you do not press a button within 3–5 seconds, an alarm
sounds and the detector displays
DARK, CITY
, or
DARK, CITY
within 3–5 seconds, the
MUTE
GET REST
, or
.
.
MUTE
RU
within
Page 21
TROUBLESHOOTING
If you have problems operating your radar/laser detector, the
suggestions in this section might help. If you cannot solve the
problem after trying these suggestions, take your detector to
your local RadioShack store for assistance.
If the detector does not turn on:
• Be sure all power connections are secure.
• Check the fuse that controls power to the cigarette-lighter
socket. See your v ehicle’s owner’s manual.
• Check the fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug. See “Replacing
the Fuse” on Page 23.
• The cigarette-lighter socket might be dirty. Clean it to give a
good, clean connection.
Caution:
rette lighter or a cigarette-lighter plug in the cigarette-lighter
socket. Doing so could blow a fuse in your vehicle or cause
the metal object to become very hot.
If the detector gives a false alert when the vehicle hits
bumps in the road:
• Check the power connections.
Do not place any metal object other than the ciga-
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If the detector gives a false alert when you use accessories such as power windows, motorized mirrors, brakes,
and so on:
• Check the vehicle’s electrical system, including the main
battery cable and alternator connections.
• Install a filter capacitor (1,000 µf, 35 volts, such as Cat. No.
272-1032) on the back of the cigarette-lighter socket, across
the power connections.
If the detector performs the power on self-test (see “Turning the Detector On and Off” on Page 12), but does not
respond to radar signals when you see a police car:
• A police car might not be equipped with radar, or might be
using instant-on radar and not have the radar gun triggered
(see the separate booklet
Vehicle Speed Detection
• Police might be using VASCAR-typ e speed detection (see
the separate booklet
Speed Detection
If the detector has poor laser detection range:
• Be sure the laser detection lenses are not blocked.
• Use lens-cleaning solution to clean the laser detection
lenses and the windshield.
).
Questions and Answers About
).
Questions and Answers About Vehicl e
22
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REPLACING THE FUSE
If the detector stops operating, check the fuse in the DC power
cord’s cigarette-lighter plug. If it has blown, follow these steps
to replace it with a 2-Amp, 11/4 × 1/4 mm, fast-acting fuse (Cat.
No. 270-1007).
Caution:
defeating the fuse protection can damage your detector or the
vehicle’s electrical system.
1. Carefully unscrew the tip of the cigarette-lighter plug.
2. Remove the tip from the cigarette-lighter plug, then remove
3. Replace the fuse.
4. Press the cigarette-lighter plug’s tip down into the body,
Using a fuse that does not meet these ratings or
the old fuse.
Take care not to lose the spr ing inside the holder or
Note:
the metal ring.
then screw it back in.
Caution:
down before screwing it in, or you might damage the plug.
Be sure you press the cigarette-lighter plug’s tip
23
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Limited One-Year Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against ma nufacturing defects in materi al and
workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase 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
DURA TIO N OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED W ARRANTIES 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 CA USED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTL Y 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 the limitations o n how long an im plied warranty last s 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 dur ing the warranty period, take the pr oduct and the
RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store.
RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect 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,
and products on which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced par ts and products are warranted for the remain der 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, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions,
improper installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess
voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized
Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e)
transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, 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, Dept. W, 100 Throckmorton St., Suite 600,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell
3/97
A Division of Tandy Corporation
RadioShack
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
7/97 Printed in the U.S.A.
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