Re-Tell 208 User Manual

Model 208

45 Minute Micro cassette

Answering machine

1

Illustration

Microphone

Loudspeaker

LED on/off

Microcassette

Volume control

2

Table of Contents

Illustration .................................................................................................................................. 1

Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2

Initial Operation ......................................................................................................................... 3

Connection ..........................................................................................................................................................3

Factory Pre-set ...................................................................................................................................................3

Batteries ..............................................................................................................................................................3

Battery Installation ............................................................................................................................................4

Cassettes..............................................................................................................................................................4

Cassette Loading ................................................................................................................................................4

Wall Mounting....................................................................................................................................................4

Application Modes ..................................................................................................................... 5

Short Description of Key Functions........................................................................................... 5

Recording Outgoing Message (OGM) ....................................................................................... 6

Recording the OGM with possibility for caller to leave message...................................................................6

Recording the OGM without the possibility to leave a message ....................................................................7

Reviewing OGM.................................................................................................................................................7

Transferring the OGM to the micro cassette...................................................................................................7

Transferring the OGM from the micro cassette to the internal memory......................................................7

Switching the Answering Machine to receive incoming messages (ICM) ................................ 8

Playing-back and deleting ICM.................................................................................................. 8

Playback..............................................................................................................................................................8

Repeat ICM ........................................................................................................................................................8

Searching.............................................................................................................................................................8

Deleting ICM ......................................................................................................................................................8

Conversation Recording and Memo recording .......................................................................... 9

Recording a telephone conversation.................................................................................................................9

Recording a Memo .............................................................................................................................................9

Answering Machine Settings.................................................................................................... 10

Setting the number of Ring Tones ..................................................................................................................10

Setting the Maximum length of ICM..............................................................................................................10

Trouble Shooting Tips.............................................................................................................. 11

The LED is flashing rapidly ............................................................................................................................11

The Retell 208 is producing three ‘beeps’......................................................................................................11

Cannot get the machine to record messages ..................................................................................................11

Compliance with directive 1999/5/EC and Class 1 of the R&TTE ......................................... 12

Guarantee.................................................................................................................................. 12

Legality of Recording............................................................................................................... 12

Possible button combinations................................................................................................... 13

Introduction

Your Retell 208 is a 45-minute answering machine designed for home or office use
o Recording capacity of 45 minutes per side
o High-tech recording/ playback technology for perfect digital OGM
o Back-up batteries provided to protect OGM in the event of power cut
o Ring selector to answer on 2/3/4 or 5 rings
o Personal info/dictate function
o The Retell 208 is compatible with most analogue telephone lines of the public telephone network and

many analogue PABX extensions

3

Initial Operation

Connection

The Retell 208 is connected to the telephone system in the following way:
o Plug the small plug of the mains adaptor into the 16V AC socket. Plug the mains adaptor into a 230V AC

power outlet

o Plug the small plug of the telephone connecting cable in the ‘LINE’ jack. The bigger plug is to be plugged in

the telephone wall socket – there is a telephone socket on the back of this adaptor should you need to plug a
telephone back into the socket. - Only use the original Retell connecting cable.

If you wish to interrupt an incoming message that is being recorded by picking up the telephone
(because you wish to talk to the caller rather than them leaving a message) then only a telephone
connected through the telephone connection plug of the Retell 208 will stop the OGM being played to
the caller and stop the call from being recorded. Should you pick up a telephone that is on an
extension of the telephone line and not connected through the Retell 208 it will not stop the OGM
from being played and the call will still be recorded.

Factory Pre-set

Your Retell 208 is delivered to you with the following factory pre-sets

Maximum length of incoming message ........: 2 minutes

Number of rings until pick-up ......................: 1

Batteries

The announcement (outgoing message OGM) and the settings are buffered by the batteries (supplied) for at least
6 months. The replacement batteries are 3 of the type AAA or LR03.

4

Battery Installation

Remove the battery cover located on the underside
of the Retell 208 by sliding in the indicated
direction (towards the rear of the machine). Insert
the batteries as per the moulding in the battery
compartment whilst ensuring that the polarity is
observed.
When replacing the battery compartment cover
please ensure that the cable to the AC adaptor is
fed through the slot in the cover (as per the
diagram). This will ensure that the unit will sit
level.

Cassettes

Your Retell 208 is designed for use with Micro cassettes only. It is provided with a MC90 cassette that will
provide 45 minutes of recording time per side. Should you require additional micro cassettes then any type of
standard micro cassette can be used – MC30 cassettes provide 15 minutes of recording per side, MC60 cassettes
provide 30 minutes of recording per side.
The Retell 208 does not feature auto-reverse so it requires the user to manually change the side of the micro
cassette.

Cassette Loading

The micro cassette can only be loaded in one way.

Wall Mounting

Your Retell 208 can be wall mounted to save space.
Fix two screws 136mm apart on the wall you wish to mount the 208. The screw heads must protrude about 7mm
from the wall. You can now hook your Retell 208 into the two screw holes on the top of the housing.

1. The empty spool should be towards the
bottom of the Retell 208. Slide the cassette
into the compartment towards the spring.

2. Push the cassette down into the
com

p

artment.

It is important to take – up the slack on
the cassette before inserting into the
machine. You can do this with a pencil
as per the diagram above

AC adaptor cord

5

Application Modes

There are four different applications that your Retell 208 can be used for:
o OGM only – If you only want the caller to here an announcement then use this mode. When someone calls

the 208 they will hear an announcement only and will not be able to leave a message.

o Standard Mode – If you want the caller to have the possibility to leave a message then you must run the

Retell 208 in the mode ‘ OGM+recording+End OGM’. Depending on the settings of the volume control you
can monitor the incoming messages or hear nothing if the volume is set to the minimum (silence mode).

o Conversation recording – If you want to record a current telephone conversation you just need to press the

‘conversation recording’ button.

o Memo recording – If you want to record a memo then you just need to press the ‘Info’ button.

Short Description of Key Functions

This turns the answering machine on/off in respect of answering calls automatically

This starts playback of the micro cassette

This stops the playback and sets the Retell 208 to idle mode or completes settings

Short push – starts the playback of the OGM
Push and hold – starts the recording of a new OGM

Press and hold both keys for at least 2 seconds deletes the micro cassette in a fast rewind
(deletes all ICM)

This fast forwards the micro cassette

This starts the recording of a memo on the micro cassette

This rewinds the micro cassette

This starts the recording of the current telephone conversation

Press and hold both keys for 2 seconds to alter the number of rings the Retell 208 answers
after

Press and hold both keys for 2 seconds to alter the maximum length of incoming message
(ICM)

Press both buttons to transfer the OGM from the internal memory to the Micro cassette of
the Retell 208

Press both buttons to transfer the OGM from the micro cassette to the internal memory of the
Retell 208

6

Recording Outgoing Message (OGM)

Your Retell 208 can operate in two ways as an answering machine:

o Standard Mode – OGM + recording possibility + end OGM
For this operation you need to record first an OGM then an end OGM. An example of an incoming message with
possibility to leave a message is:
Hello, this is the answering machine of .… (name). I am out seeing customers and will be available in the office
at approx …. o’clock. You can call me between …. o’clock and …. o’clock on telephone number …. If you
prefer, you can leave your name and number and I will ring you as soon as I am back. Please speak after the
beep.
An example of a final message:
Many thanks for your message. This device will now switch off.

WITH THIS MACHINE YOU HAVE TO RECORD AN END OGM. YOU CANNOT SET THE MACHINE UP
WITHOUT RECORDING IT. AN END OGM IS PLAYED IF THE CALLED IS QUIET FOR SEVERAL
SECONDS AND LETS THEM KNOW THAT THE MACHINE IS GOING TO HANG UP.

o OGM only with no possibility for the caller to leave a message
For this you only record an OGM. An example of such a message is:
Hello, this is …(name), Sales Representative of ….(name of company). My office is temporary closed due to

…(illness, holidays etc). Please call my deputy, Mr … in … . His telephone number is …. He will assist you.
Many Thanks for your call.

Recording the OGM with possibility for caller to leave message

1

Press and hold the

button

The LED will start flashing. Speak your OGM clearly
and about 25cm from the microphone. The OGM
must be between 7 and 25 seconds long. After 7
seconds of recording the LED will light constantly –
this shows the minimum record time has been reached.
During the recording please avoid breaks of longer
than 2 seconds.

2

Release the

button

3

Press and hold the

button again

Speak your end OGM message in the same way as above.
The end OGM can be between 1 and 7 seconds long, as
above once the minimum record time (1 second) has been
reached the LED will light constantly. Avoid leaving gaps
of longer than 2 seconds whilst recording

4

Release the

button to finish

recording

The recording of the OGM and end message is now
complete

7

Recording the OGM without the possibility to leave a message

1

Press and hold the

button

The LED will start flashing. Speak your OGM
clearly and about 25cm from the microphone. The

OGM must between 7 and 25 seconds long.

After 7 seconds of recording the LED will light
constantly – this shows the minimum record time
has been reached. During the recording please
avoid breaks of longer than 2 seconds.

2

Release the

button when finished

recording

This will finish the recording

3

Press the

button

This will confirm the recording of the OGM and will
playback the recording

Reviewing OGM

Transferring the OGM to the micro cassette

The OGM is stored initially on the built-in memory on the Retell 208. This memory is backed-up by the three
AAA batteries when the unit is unplugged from the mains however, should these batteries become flat whilst
unplugged from the mains then the OGM will be lost. You can transfer the OGM that are stored on the unit to the
micro

Transferring the OGM from the micro cassette to the internal memory

1 Make sure the micro cassette

with message is in the Retell 208
and in the correct place

2

Press the

and the buttons

together

This will start the transfer from the micro cassette to the internal
memory. It will over write any OGM currently stored on the
internal memory.

1

Press the

button

This will play back the recorded OGM and end OGM
(if recorded).
You can alter the play back volume by the slider on the
right of the Retell 208

1 Make sure a Micro cassette is

loaded

2

Press the

and the

buttons together

This will transfer the OGM stored on the internal memory to the
Micro cassette

8

Switching the Answering Machine to receive incoming messages
(ICM)

Please ensure that there is enough free space on the micro cassette

1

Press the

button

This will turn on the answering machine facility of
the Retell 208. The LED will light. There is the
facility to monitor ICM as they are made – to make
the volume either louder or quieter just slide the
volume slider on the right hand side of the Retell

208. If you have a telephone connected into the
double telephone adaptor of the Retell 208 then you
can pick-up on any ICM by lifting the handset.
The number of stored ICM is indicated by the
number of flashes of the LCD (maximum 10). If
there are 10 or more messages then the LCD will
still flash 10 times. The only limit to the number of
ICM that can be stored is the length of the micro
cassette.

2

Press the

button to turn off the

answering machine facility

The LCD will switch off and the Retell 208 will no
longer answer calls automatically

Playing-back and deleting ICM

Playback

1

Press the

button

The micro cassette will go to the point where the answer function was last
activated. The ICM will be played back and between each message there will
be one ‘beep’. At the end of the play back of all ICM there will be two
‘beeps’.
If the answering machine function was deactivated before playback then
playback will start at the current position of the micro cassette.

Repeat ICM

2

Press the

button
during the playback of
a message

The last few seconds of the current ICM will be played back again

Searching

3

Press the

or the

button according
to the direction you
wish to search in.

When you release the key the ICM will be played back from the point the
micro cassette stopped at.

4

Press the

button

This will stop the playback of the ICM

Deleting ICM

5

Press the

and the

buttons at the
same time for at least 2
seconds

This will rewind the micro cassette and delete all of the ICM at the same time

9

Conversation Recording and Memo recording

Recording a telephone conversation

Make sure that there is sufficient space on the micro cassette and there is a telephone connected to the Retell 208.

1

Press the

button

Recording of the current telephone conversation starts. The LED starts to
flash.

2

To end the recording

press the

button

You can stop the recording at any point by pressing stop. The Retell 208 does
not have a VOX facility so stop must be pressed at the end of the
conversation.

Recording a Memo

You can also use the Retell 208 as a memo recorder. As above, make sure that there is sufficient space on the
micro cassette before starting recording.

1

Press the

button

You can now speak your memo into the microphone. The LED will start to
flash

2 To end recording, press

the

button

This stops the recording of your memo.

10

Answering Machine Settings

Setting the number of Ring Tones

You can alter the number of rings before the Retell 208 answers a call:

1

Press the

and the buttons

together for at least 2 seconds

The LED will start flashing

2

Whilst the LED is flashing, press and
release the corresponding button to
select the number of rings

1 ring

2 rings

3 rings

4 rings

5 rings

The LED will stop flashing and the new setting will be stored.

Setting the Maximum length of ICM

You can set the maximum allowed length for incoming messages

1

Press the

and the buttons

together for at least 2 seconds

The LED will start flashing

2

Whilst the LED is flashing, press and
release the corresponding button to set
the maximum length

1 minute

2 minutes

3 minutes

4 minutes

unlimited

The LED will stop flashing and the new setting will be stored

11

Trouble Shooting Tips

The LED is flashing rapidly

- The micro cassette is missing Insert a Micro cassette

- The micro cassette is full Change the micro cassette or delete the contents

- The micro cassette is broken Change the micro cassette

- The OGM is missing due to it being deleted or
the batteries being either removed or
discharged during a power cut

Record a new OGM.
Ensure the batteries are installed or renew the batteries.

- The OGM is less than the minimum duration Re-record a new OGM that is longer than 7 seconds but

less than 25 seconds or an end OGM that is longer than 1
second but less than 7seconds

The Retell 208 is producing three ‘beeps’

- You have entered an impossible function Check the key combination you are entering

- The OGM you are recording is too short, too

long or you have left a gap that is too long

Rerecord a new OGM that is longer than 7 seconds but
less than 25 seconds or an end OGM that is longer than
1 second but less than 7seconds

- The Micro cassette is missing Insert the micro cassette

- There is a problem with the playback of

messages from the Micro cassette

Try cleaning the mechanism or replace the micro
cassette (it is worn-out)

Cannot get the machine to record messages

Make sure that you have recorded an end OGM as well as the normal OGM, see page 6

12

Compliance with directive 1999/5/EC and Class 1 of the R&TTE

Hereby Retell declares that this answering machine, Retell 208, is in compliance with the essential requirements
and other relevant provisions of directive 1999/5/EC.
Retell declares that your Retell 208 meets the requirements of Class 1 of the R&TTE directive and so is designed
as not to adversely affect the operation of the telecommunications network.

A full copy of the certificate is available from the address below

Retell,
53 Thames Street
Sunbury on Thames
Middlesex
TW16 5QH
England
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
WWW: www.retellrecorders.co.uk

Guarantee

Subject to the conditions listed below Retell will repair or at its option replace the equipment supplied by them
which in Retell’s opinion is faulty or below standard as a result of inferior workmanship or materials

1. Applies to issues raised within one year of purchase. Please keep your invoice to prove date of
purchase.

2. Does not cover any faults or defects caused by accident, misuse, fair wear and tear, neglect, tampering
with the equipment or any attempt at adjustment or repair except by Retell.

3. RETELL EXPRESSLY EXCLUDES TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW LIABILITY FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS, DAMAGE OR INJURY ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH
ANY OF ITS PRODUCTS. NO LIABILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY LOSS OF DATA OR
RECORDINGS OR FALIURE TO RECORD OR CONSEQUENCES OF ANY SUCH LOSS

4. If a defect occurs, the equipment should be returned prepaid to Retell. Retell cannot be held responsible
for damage in transit for goods sent to them. We suggest sending goods by Recorded Delivery to prove
receipt. Proof of posting is not proof of receipt.

5. The guarantee does not apply to any batteries or cassettes supplied by Retell nor to any damage caused
by leaking batteries.

6. Only Retell has any authority to vary the terms and conditions of this guarantee. This guarantee is
offered as an additional benefit to the purchasers’ rights and does not affect these rights in any way.

Legality of Recording

Ofcom says that you should make every reasonable effort to inform all parties to a call that it may or will be
recorded, silently monitored or intruded into. They say that it is up to you how you do this and that acceptable
options, depending on circumstances, might include warning tones, pre-recorded messages, spoken warnings by
the operator or written warnings included in publicity material, telephone directories, contracts, terms of
business, staff notices etc. Ofcom says that it may not always be possible to warn first time callers with whom
you have had no previous contact but what is important is that you have a systematic procedure in place, which
provides the necessary information where this is a realistic possibility. Ofcom also suggest following on a ruling
from the European Court of Human Rights that staff are told of a phone that they can call from which will not be
recorded.
If you require further information or for the latest updates since this leaflet was printed contact
www.ofcom.org.uk or contact them direct at: Phone: [phone] or 020 7981 3040.
Email:[e-mail], Fax: [phone]
Post: Ofcom Contact Centre
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
(Note that Ofcom has taken over Ofcom's responsibilities)

13

Possible button combinations

Delete

Transfer OGM from
m

emory to tape

Transfer OGM from

tape to memory

Maximum
length of ICM

Ring signals