Tait TP8115, TP8120 User Manual

TP8115/TP8120
Conventional Portable Radios

User’s Guide

MPC-00001-09 · Issue 9 · January 2013

Directive 1999/5/EC Declaration of Conformity

da Dansk

Undertegnede Tait Limited erklærer herved,
at følgende udstyr TPCB1A, TPCC0A,
TPCH5A & TPCH6A overholder de væsentlige
krav og øvrige relevante krav i
direktiv 1999/5/EF.
Se endvidere:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

de Deutsch

Hiermit erklärt Tait Limited die
Übereinstimmung der Geräte TPCB1A,
TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A mit den
grundlegenden Anforderungen und den
anderen relevanten Festlegungen der
Richtlinie 1999/5/EG.
Siehe auch:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

el Ελληνικά

Η Tait Limited δηλώνει ότι το TPCB1A,
TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A

συμμορφώνεται προς τις ουσιώδεις
απαιτήσεις και τις λοιπές σχετικές διατάξεις
της Οδηγίας 1999/5/ΕΚ.
Βλέπε επίσης:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

en English

Tait Limited declares that this TPCB1A,
TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A complies with
the essential requirements and other relevant
provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
See also:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

es Español

Por medio de la presente Tait Limited declara
que el TPCB1A, TPCC0A, TPCH5A &
TPCH6A cumple con los requisitos esenciales
y cualesquiera otras disposiciones aplicables
o exigibles de la Directiva 1999/5/CE.
Vea también:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

fi Suomi

Tait Limited vakuuttaa täten että TPCB1A,
TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A tyyppinen laite
on direktiivin 1999/5/EY oleellisten
vaatimusten ja sitä koskevien direktiivin

muiden ehtojen mukainen.
Katso:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

fr Français

Par la présente, Tait Limited déclare que
l'appareil TPCB1A, TPCC0A, TPCH5A &
TPCH6A est conforme aux exigences
essentielles et aux autres dispositions
pertinentes de la directive 1999/5/CE.
Voir aussi:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

it Italiano

Con la presente Tait Limited dichiara che
questo TPCB1A, TPCC0A, TPCH5A &
TPCH6A è conforme ai requisiti essenziali ed
alle altre disposizioni pertinenti stabilite dalla
direttiva 1999/5/CE.
Vedi anche:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

nl Nederlands

Hierbij verklaart Tait Limited dat het toestel
TPCB1A, TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A in
overeenstemming is met de essentiële eisen
en de andere relevante bepalingen van
richtlijn 1999/5/ EG.
Zie ook:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

pt Português

Tait Limited declara que este TPCB1A,
TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A está conforme
com os requisitos essenciais e outras
provisões da Directiva 1999/5/CE.
Veja também:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

sv Svensk

Härmed intygar Tait Limited att denna
TPCB1A, TPCC0A, TPCH5A & TPCH6A står I
överensstämmelse med de väsentliga
egenskapskrav och övriga relevanta
bestämmelser som framgår av direktiv
1999/5/EG.
Se även:

www.taitradio.com/eudoc

3

Contents

Directive 1999/5/EC Declaration of Conformity ............................................ 3

For your safety ........................................................................................... 10

Safety warnings used in this guide ....................................................... 10

Radio frequency exposure information .................................................. 10

Compliance with RF energy exposure standards ................................... 12

Radio frequency emissions limits in the USA ......................................... 12

Radio frequency emissions limits in Canada .......................................... 12

Frequency band reserved for distress beacons ...................................... 13

Australia and New Zealand citizens band (476.4 to 477.4MHz) ........... 13

Health, safety and electromagnetic compatibility in Europe .................. 14

Interference with electronic devices ...................................................... 15

Potentially explosive atmospheres and blasting areas ........................... 16

Intrinsically Safe radios ......................................................................... 16

Radio installation and operation in vehicles .......................................... 17

Vehicle charger installation and operation ............................................ 18

Electromagnetic compatibility in European vehicles .............................. 18

Unapproved modifications or changes to radio ..................................... 18

Attaching of labels ............................................................................... 18

Use of lithium-ion batteries .................................................................. 19

Short-circuiting battery contacts ........................................................... 19

Multicharger safety information ............................................................ 19

Charger compliance information .......................................................... 20

Custom radio settings ................................................................................ 21

About this guide ........................................................................................ 22

Related documentation ........................................................................ 22

Before using your radio .............................................................................. 23

For your safety—battery warning ........................................................ 24

Attaching labels to the radio or battery ................................................ 24

Charging the battery before first use .................................................... 25

Attaching the battery ........................................................................... 25

Removing the battery ........................................................................... 26

Attaching the antenna ......................................................................... 26

Attaching a belt clip ............................................................................. 26

4

Removing a belt clip ............................................................................. 26

Installing an accessory .......................................................................... 27

Getting started ........................................................................................... 28

About the radio controls ....................................................................... 29

Understanding the radio indicators ....................................................... 31

Accessing frequently used features ....................................................... 32

Turning the radio on and off ................................................................. 33

Adjusting the volume ........................................................................... 33

Extending battery life ............................................................................ 33

Basic operation .......................................................................................... 35

Selecting a channel .............................................................................. 36

Selecting a group ................................................................................. 36

Checking that a channel is clear ........................................................... 36

Communicating directly with other radios ............................................. 37

Activating the repeater before a call ..................................................... 37

Making a call ....................................................................................... 38

Receiving a call ..................................................................................... 39

Using voice inversion scrambling .......................................................... 39

Using encryption .................................................................................. 40

Hearing faint and noisy signals ............................................................. 41

Using the radio in different repeater areas ............................................ 41

Scanning a group of channels ............................................................... 42

Making and receiving different types of calls .............................................. 44

Making an individual or group call ........................................................ 45

Resending calls automatically ............................................................... 45

Receiving an individual or group call ..................................................... 46

Receiving a two-tone call ..................................................................... 46

Calling a telephone or a remote device ................................................. 47

Making one-touch preset calls .............................................................. 47

Making an emergency call .................................................................... 48

Using the lone worker emergency features ........................................... 49

Charging and caring for batteries ............................................................... 52

About the chargers ............................................................................... 53

Special conditions when using IS radios ................................................ 54

Before using the charger ...................................................................... 54

5

Charging the battery ............................................................................ 57

Maintaining battery life and performance ............................................. 59

Storing batteries ................................................................................... 60

Disposing of batteries ........................................................................... 60

Troubleshooting ......................................................................................... 61

When your radio won’t turn on ............................................................ 62

Troubleshooting your charger ............................................................... 62

General care ........................................................................................ 63

Function key options .................................................................................. 64

Common functions ............................................................................... 64

Tait Software Licence Agreement ............................................................... 66

6

Copyright and trademarks

All information contained in this document is the property of Tait
Limited. All rights reserved. This document may not, in whole or in
part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, stored, or
reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form,
without prior written permission from Tait Limited.

The word TAIT and the TAIT logo are trademarks of Tait Limited.
All trade names referenced are the service mark, trademark or

registered trademark of the respective manufacturers.

Disclaimer

There are no warranties extended or granted by this document.
Tait Limited accepts no responsibility for damage arising from use
of the information contained in the document or of the equipment
and software it describes. It is the responsibility of the user to
ensure that use of such information, equipment and software
complies with the laws, rules and regulations of the applicable
jurisdictions.

Enquiries and comments

If you have any enquiries regarding this document, or any
comments, suggestions and notifications of errors, please contact
your regional Tait office.

Updates of manual and equipment

In the interests of improving the performance, reliability or
servicing of the equipment, Tait Limited reserves the right to
update the equipment or this document or both without
prior notice.

7

Intellectual property rights

This product may be protected by one or more patents or designs
of Tait Limited together with their international equivalents,
pending patent or design applications, and registered trade marks:
NZ409837, NZ409838, NZ508806, NZ508807, NZ509242,
NZ509640, NZ509959, NZ510496, NZ511155, NZ511421,
NZ516280/NZ519742, NZ520650/NZ537902, NZ521450,
NZ522236, NZ524369, NZ524378, NZ524509, NZ524537,
NZ524630, NZ530819, NZ534475, NZ534692, NZ535471,
NZ537434, NZ546295, NZ547713, NZ569985, NZ577009,
NZ579051, NZ579364, NZ580361, AU2003281447,
AU2004216984, AU2005267973, AU11677/2008,
AU13745/2008, CN200930004200.4, CN200930009301.0,
CN1031871, CN1070368, EU000915475-0001,
EU000915475-0002, GB2386010, GB23865476, GB2413249,
GB2413445, US5745840, US7411461, US7649893,
US10/523952, US10/546696, US10/546697, US10/547964,
US10/597339, US11/572700, US29/306491, US61/218015,
US61/236663, US61/238769, US61/251372.

Angled volume knob produced under license from Motorola
Solutions Inc., US Patent No. 5,784,688.

Environmental responsibilities

Tait Limited is an environmentally responsible company which
supports waste minimization, material recovery and restrictions in
the use of hazardous materials.

The European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE) Directive requires that this product be disposed of
separately from the general waste stream when its service life is
over. For more information about how to dispose of your
unwanted Tait product, visit the Tait WEEE website at

www.taitradio.com/weee. Please be environmentally responsible

and dispose through the original supplier, or contact Tait Limited.

8

Tait Limited also complies with the Restriction of the Use of
Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (RoHS) Directive in the European Union.

In China, we comply with the Measures for Administration of the
Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products. We will
comply with environmental requirements in other markets as they
are introduced.

9

For your safety

Before using the radio, please read the important safety and
compliance information in the following sections. Before using an
intrinsically safe (IS) radio, see also "Intrinsically Safe radios" on

page 16.

Safety warnings used in this guide

Please follow exactly any instruction that appears in the text as an
‘alert’. An alert provides necessary safety information as well as
instruction in the proper use of the product. This user’s guide uses
the following types of alert:

Warning This alert is used when there is a hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

Caution This alert is used when there is a hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.

Notice This alert is used to highlight information that is required
to ensure procedures are performed correctly. Incorrectly
performed procedures could result in equipment damage or
malfunction.

This icon is used to draw your attention to information that may
improve your understanding of the equipment or procedure.

Radio frequency exposure information

For your own safety and to ensure you comply with the Federal
Communication Commission’s (FCC) radio frequency (RF)
exposure guidelines, please read the following information before
using this radio.

Using this radio

You should use this radio only for work-related purposes (it is not
authorized for any other use) and if you are fully aware of, and can
exercise control over, your exposure to RF energy. To prevent

10

exceeding FCC RF exposure limits, you must control the amount
and duration of RF that you and other people are exposed to.

It is also important that you:

■ Do not remove the RF Exposure label from the radio.

■ Ensure this RF exposure information accompanies the radio

when it is transferred to other users.

■ Do not use the radio if you do not adhere to the guidelines on

controlling your exposure to RF.

Controlling your exposure to RF energy

This radio emits radio frequency (RF) energy or radio waves
primarily when calls are made. RF is a form of electromagnetic
energy (as is sunlight), and there are recommended levels of
maximum RF exposure.

To control your exposure to RF and comply with the maximum
exposure limits for occupational/controlled environments, follow
these guidelines:

■ Do not talk (transmit) on the radio more than the rated

transmit duty cycle. This is important because the radio
radiates more energy when it is transmitting than when it
is receiving.

■ When listening and talking on the radio, hold it upright in front

of your face so that it is at least one inch (2.5cm) away from
any part of your face. Keeping the radio at the recommended
distance is important because exposure to RF decreases rapidly
the further away the antenna is from your body.

■ Keep the antenna at least one inch (2.5cm) from your face at

all times.

■ If you wear your radio, you must always put it in a carrying

accessory that has been specifically approved by Tait for this
radio. Using non-approved body-worn accessories may mean
you expose yourself to higher levels of RF than recommended

11

by the FCC’s occupational/controlled environment RF
exposure limits.

■ Ensure you only use Tait-approved antennas, batteries,

and accessories.

For more information on what RF energy is and how to control
your exposure to it, visit the FCC website at

www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html.

Compliance with RF energy exposure standards

This two-way radio complies with these RF energy exposure
standards and guidelines:

■ United States Federal Communications Commission, Code of

Federal Regulations; 47 CFR §§ 1.1307, 1.1310, and 2.1093.

■ American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Institute of

Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) C95.1-1992.

■ Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

C95.1-1999 Edition.

This radio complies with the IEEE and ICNIRP exposure limits for
occupational/controlled RF exposure environments at operating
duty factors of up to 50% talk to 50% listen.

Radio frequency emissions limits in the USA

Part 15 of the FCC Rules imposes RF emission limits on receivers.
This radio complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the condition that this device does not cause
harmful interference.

Radio frequency emissions limits in Canada

This device complies with Industry Canada licence exempt RSS
standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.

12

Frequency band reserved for distress beacons

Frequency band 406 to 406.1MHz is reserved for use by distress
beacons. Transmissions should not be made within this
frequency band.

Australia and New Zealand citizens band
(476.4 to 477.4MHz)

AS/NZS 4365 deals with the use of frequencies in the 476.425 to

477.400 MHz band. Products capable of operating in this band
have been approved for operation in the UHF Citizens Band Radio
Service which is licensed in Australia by the ACMA
Radiocommunications (Citizens Band Radio Stations) Class
Licence and in New Zealand by the MED General User Radio
Licence for Citizens Band Radio. Operation is subject to conditions
contained within those licences.

Repeaters operate by receiving a transmission on one channel and
re-transmitting it on another. Operators are required to avoid
using local repeater input channels, which will be in the range of
31 to 38, unless it is intended to use the repeater facility, and to
avoid using local repeater output channels, which will be in the
range 1 to 8, at any time.

No voice transmissions are permitted on data channels 22 and 23.
Equipment meeting this standard will inhibit voice operation on
channels 22 and 23.

In Australia:

■ Except in an emergency, a CB transmitter must not be

operated on UHF channels 5 and 35.

■ Channel 11 is the customary calling channel for establishing

communications.

■ Channel 40 is the customary road vehicle channel.

13

Health, safety and electromagnetic compatibility
in Europe

In the European Community, radio and telecommunications
equipment is regulated by Directive 1999/5/EC, also known as the
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE)
directive. The requirements of this directive include protection of
health and safety of users, as well as electromagnetic
compatibility.

Intended purpose of product

This product is an FM radio transceiver. It is intended for
radiocommunication in the Private Mobile Radio (PMR) or Public
Access Mobile Radio (PAMR) services, to be used in all member
states of the European Union (EU) and states within the European
Economic Area (EEA).

Restrictions

This product can be programmed to transmit on frequencies that
are not harmonized throughout the EU/EEA, and will require a
licence to operate in each member state.

This product can be programmed for frequencies or emissions that
may make its use illegal. Where applicable, a license must be
obtained before this product is used. All license requirements
must be observed. Limitations may apply to transmitter power,
operating frequency, channel spacing, and emission.

Declaration of conformity

Brief Declarations of Conformity appear on on page 3 of this
document. To download the formal declaration of conformity,
go to www.taitradio.com/eudoc.

14

Interference with electronic devices

Warning Some electronic devices may be prone to malfunction
due to the lack of protection from RF energy that is present when
your radio is transmitting.

Examples of electronic devices that may be affected by RF
energy are:

■ aircraft electronic systems

■ vehicular electronic systems such as fuel injection, anti-skid

brakes, and cruise control

■ medical devices such as pacemakers and hearing aids

■ medical equipment in hospitals or health care facilities.

Switch off the radio before boarding an aircraft. Using your radio
while in the air is not permitted.

Consult the manufacturer (or its representative) of any such
electronic devices to determine whether electronic circuits in those
devices will perform normally when the radio is transmitting.

Warning If you have a pacemaker:

■ immediately turn off the radio if you suspect it is interfering

with the pacemaker

■ keep the radio at least 6 inches (15cm) from the pacemaker

while the radio is on

■ use the radio on your right side to minimize interference

■ never carry the radio in a breast pocket.

If there is interference between your hearing aid and the radio,
please discuss an alternative solution with the hearing aid
manufacturer.

15

Potentially explosive atmospheres and
blasting areas

Warning Unless the radio is specifically certified for use in a
potentially explosive atmosphere, turn off the radio before enter­ing such an atmosphere. An explosion could cause serious injury
or death. Examples of potentially explosive atmospheres include
filling stations, and any environment where there are flammable
liquids, gases, or dusts.

Warning Turn off the radio before approaching blasting caps, a
blasting area, or any area where you are instructed to turn off a
two-way radio. Obey all signs and instructions. Interference with
blasting operations could cause serious injury or death.

Intrinsically Safe radios

Intrinsically Safe (IS) radios are certified by a third party to be safe
to use in particular hazardous locations.

One or more of the following marks identifies a TP8100 portable
as an IS radio:

■ an IS circle logo on the radio’s front panel

■ a label on the radio, showing IS information and the FM

diamond logo

■ a label on the radio battery, showing IS information and the

FM diamond logo .

APPROVED

APPROVED

An IS radio must be serviced only by an agency certified by both
the approval authority and by Tait Limited. Any unauthorized
repair or substitution of parts invalidates the intrinsic safety rating
and the third party IS approval. To have an IS radio serviced,
return it to an authorized Tait branch or subsidiary.

Intrinsically safe TP8100 radios and accessories are approved by
Factory Mutual Corporation (FM) to the following ratings:

■ IS / I, II, III / 1 / CDEFG / T4, Ta=40°C; IP67

■ NI / I / 2 / ABCD / T4, Ta=40°C

■ S / II, III / EFG; IP67.

16

TP8100 radios with the product code “T03-20x” have FM IS
approval.

The following communication accessories can be used with an
Intrinsically Safe TP8100 radio, but are suitable for IS / I / 1 / CD
and NI / I / 2 / CD applications only.

■ TPK-AA-101 heavy-duty speaker microphone (MIL-STD) with

volume control and programmable button

■ T952-051 in-ear earphone

Warning Use only an IS-approved battery with an IS radio, and
do not charge the battery in a hazardous location. An explosion
could cause serious injury or death.

Use only IS-approved accessories with IS radios. For an up-to-date
list of FM-approved accessories, go to the Tait website or contact
your nearest Tait office.

Warning IS certification applies only while the product is used in
accordance with these instructions.

Radio installation and operation in vehicles

Warning Keep the radio away from airbags and airbag deploy­ment areas. Do not install, charge, or place a radio near such
areas. An activated airbag can propel a portable radio with suffi­cient force to cause serious injury to vehicle occupants. An airbag
may not perform to specification if obstructed by a radio.

Warning To avoid damage to existing wiring, airbags, fuel tanks,
fuel and brake lines, or battery cables, refer to the installation
guide for the radio, and to the vehicle manufacturer’s manual,
before installing electronic equipment in the vehicle.

Using a handheld microphone or a radio while driving a vehicle
may violate the laws and legislation that apply in your country or
state. Please check the vehicle regulations in your area.

17

Vehicle charger installation and operation

For detailed instructions necessary to the safe installation and
operation of the vehicle charger, please refer to the
documentation supplied with the vehicle charger.

Electromagnetic compatibility in European vehicles

In the European Community, radio equipment fitted to automotive
vehicles is regulated by Directive 72/245/EEC and its amendments.
The requirements of this directive cover the electromagnetic
compatibility of electrical or electronic equipment fitted to
automotive vehicles.

Unapproved modifications or changes to radio

The radio is designed to satisfy the applicable compliance
regulations. Do not make modifications or changes to the radio
that are not expressly approved by Tait Limited. Failure to do so
could invalidate compliance requirements and void the user’s
authority to operate the radio.

Attaching of labels

Warning Do not obstruct the vent hole on the battery or the vent
hole on the radio chassis label. If the vent on the battery is
obstructed the battery may explode, causing personal injury
and/or damage to property. If the vent on the radio is obstructed,
audio quality and/or key function may deteriorate and radio seals
may be damaged.

Notice Tait Limited recommends that you do not affix additional
labels to the surfaces between the radio chassis and the battery.
The fit between these surfaces is intentionally firm and any added
thickness will damage the points of attachment between radio
and battery. If you must attach a customized label, use only a thin
gummed paper label applied to the bottom 25% of the radio
chassis label and/or to the top 25% of the battery label. Do not
obstruct the vent holes (see Warning above). Do not allow the

18

paper label to extend beyond the recessed label area or to conceal
relevant product information.

Use of lithium-ion batteries

Warning A damaged battery can cause an explosion or fire, and
can result in personal injury and/or property damage. To prevent
personal injury and/or damage to property, read the important
safety information supplied with the battery.

Short-circuiting battery contacts

Caution Do not short-circuit the battery contacts, neither inten­tionally nor accidentally, e.g. by placing the battery with conduc­tive materials such as keys or jewelry inside a pocket or container.
Short-circuiting the battery contacts can heat up the conductive
material and cause personal injury and/or damage to property.

Multicharger safety information

Warning English (en): This equipment must be connected to an
earthed mains socket-outlet.

Norsk (no): Apparatet må tilkoples jordet stikkontakt.
Suomi (fi): Laite on liitettävä suojamaadoituskoskettimilla

varustettuun pistorasiaan.
Svenska (sv): Apparaten skall anslutas till jordat uttag.

19

Charger compliance information

United States

This battery charger has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, in accordance with part 15 of
the FCC Rules.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This battery
charger generates, and can radiate, radio frequency energy. If it is
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, it may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur. If this
charger does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception (which can be determined by turning the charger off and
on), try to correct the interference by:

■ Reorienting or relocating the receiving antenna.

■ Increasing the separation between the equipment and receiver.

■ Connecting the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different

from that to which the receiver is connected.

■ Consulting the dealer or an experienced radio or television

technician for help.

Canada

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de classe B est conforme à la norme

canadienne NMB-003.

20

Menu map

Some or the menus shown below may not be available for your radio. Menu
text may be customized when the radio is programmed.

21

Custom radio settings

Top key

short press:
long press:

Function key 1

top key

short press:
long press:

Function key 2

short press:
long press:

Shortcut menus

top

F1
F2

Commonly used channels/groups

F1

F2

22

About this guide

This user’s guide provides information about the TP8115 and
TP8120 portable radios.

The radio behavior described in this guide applies to radios with
firmware version 1.07 or higher. If your radio does not operate as
you expect, contact your radio provider for assistance.

Related documentation

The following documentation is also available for your Tait radio,
which you can access from the Tait Technical Support website
(http://support.taitradio.com):

■ Safety and Compliance Information—supplied with each

radio. (The same information is included in this user’s guide.)

■ Li-ion Battery Safety Information—supplied with each Li-ion

battery.

■ Battery Charging Guide—supplied with each charger.

(The same information is in the section "Charging and caring

for batteries" on page 52.)

22

Before using your radio

Once you have unpacked your radio, there are a few tasks you
must do before you can use it. The most important of these is to
charge your battery for the first time—allow 2.5 hours for this.

Warning Fit only an IS-approved battery and IS-approved acces­sories to an intrinsically safe (IS) radio. Fitting a battery or acces­sory that is not IS-approved exposes the customer to a risk of
explosion which could cause serious injury or death. For detailed
information about IS radios and how to identify them, see

"Intrinsically Safe radios" on page 16.

This section covers:

■ For your safety—battery warning

■ Attaching labels to the radio or battery

■ Charging the battery before first use

■ Attaching the battery

■ Removing the battery

■ Attaching the antenna

■ Attaching a belt clip

■ Removing a belt clip

■ Installing an accessory

23

For your safety—battery warning

Warning This radio uses a Lithium-ion battery. If the battery is
damaged or handled in an unsafe manner, it can cause personal
injury and/or damage to property. Read the important safety infor­mation included with your battery.

Attaching labels to the radio or battery

Warning Do not cover the battery vent hole or the vent hole on
the radio chassis. If the vent on the battery is obstructed, the
battery may explode, causing personal injury and/or damage to
property. If the vent on the radio is obstructed, audio quality and/
or key function may deteriorate and radio seals may be damaged.

Notice Tait recommends that you do not affix additional labels
to the surfaces between the radio chassis and the battery. The fit
between these surfaces is intentionally firm and any added thick­ness will damage the points of attachment between radio
and battery.

Attaching a label to the front panel

If a customer requires an additional label, attach the label in the
spare label recess in the bottom edge of the radio front panel. In
this position, the label is still visible while the battery is attached
to the radio.

spare label recess

24

The diagram below shows the specified dimensions of the label.

R0.13 in
(3.2mm)

(7mm)

0.28 in

1.22 in (31mm)

maximum label thickness: 0.03 in (0.8mm)

Charging the battery before first use

Before using your battery for the first time, you must charge it.
Follow the instructions included with your Tait charger.

For best charging performance, switch off the radio before placing
it in the charger.

Attaching the battery

Notice Fit the bottom edge of the battery to the radio, then the
top edge. Attempting to fit the top edge first may damage the
contacts.

1 Rotate the power/volume control switch counterclockwise to

turn off the radio.

If the battery has been attached while the radio is turned on, turn
the radio off and then on again before use.

2 Holding the radio firmly, align the back of the battery with the

back of the chassis.

3 Place the two lugs at the bottom edge of the battery into the

two slots in the bottom of the front panel.

4 Lightly press the top of the battery towards the radio until the

battery catch clicks.

5 Make sure that the battery is firmly in position.

25

Removing the battery

The battery is secured to the radio by a battery catch in the radio’s
rear panel.

To remove the battery from the radio, so that the battery can be
charged or replaced:

1 Slide the battery catch up.
2 From the sides, pull the battery away from the radio.

Attaching the antenna

Before using the radio, screw the antenna clockwise into the
antenna connector. The antenna should be screwed sufficiently
tight so that it doesn’t unscrew easily.

Attaching a belt clip

To attach a belt clip to the radio:

1 Slide the belt clip into the two grooves

at the top of the battery.

2 Press down on the belt clip until it

snaps into place.

Removing a belt clip

The belt clip has been designed to prevent accidental removal, but
you can take it off, if required.

To remove a belt clip from a battery:

1 Insert a flat screwdriver blade or similar flat object under the

belt clip

battery

lip of the release lock (that is, between it and the metal slider).

2 Lift the release lock up (away from the metal slider) and hold it

in position.

3 Slide the belt clip out.

26

Installing an accessory

Warning Use only IS-approved accessories with IS radios. For an
up-to-date list of FM-approved accessories, go to the Tait website
or contact your nearest Tait office. For detailed information about
IS radios and how to identify them, see "Intrinsically Safe radios"

on page 16.

Accessories plug into the radio’s accessory connector. The
accessory connector is protected by a cover, which needs to be
removed before an accessory can be installed.

Notice The accessory cover protects the accessory connector
from electrostatic discharge. Keep the cover in place unless the
connector is in use.

To remove the accessory cover and install an accessory:

1 Use a coin or other blunt object to

loosen the screw that secures the
accessory cover to the radio.

2 Remove the accessory cover and

store it in a safe place.

3 Plug the accessory into the

accessory connector.

4 Tighten the screw.

27

Getting started

This section provides a brief description of your radio’s controls
and indicators and explains how to use the radio’s menus.

This section covers:

■ About the radio controls

■ Understanding the radio display

■ Understanding the radio indicators

■ Navigating the radio’s menus

■ Accessing frequently used menus

■ Turning the radio on and off

■ Entering your PIN

■ Adjusting the volume

■ Preventing accidental calls

29

About the radio controls

The radio controls are the PTT key, power/volume control, channel
selector, top key, function keys and keypad keys.

Some keys may have functions assigned to both short and long
key presses:

■ a short key press is less than one second, and

■ a long key press is more than one second.

The radio controls and their functions are described in the
following sections.

channel selector

power/

volume control

function key 1

PTT key

(press-to-talk)

function key 2

top key
status LED

accessory
connector
(out-of-sight)

speaker/
microphone

alphanumeric keys

30

Symbol Name Function

PTT key Press and hold to transmit and

release to listen

Power/volume
control

Rotate to turn on the radio and
change the speaker volume

Channel selector Select and change channels

Enter/menu Short: select a menu item, turn a

function on/off (menu mode); send
a short data message
Long: enter/exit a mode or menu

Scroll keys Scroll through a list of menu

options or messages

Clear Short: cancel or back (menu

mode); delete a single character
(SDM or DTMF mode

Long: keypad lock off

Top key Usually programmed as the emer-

gency key or for a frequently used
option or menu

Function keys
1 and 2

Programmed for frequently used
options or menus

Alphanumeric keys Used to enter letters and numbers

31

Understanding the radio display

The messages and symbols you see on your radio display depend
on the mode in which your radio is operating and the way it is
programmed. The following diagram shows a typical display and
explains some of the information that may be available.

active operating

mode

RSSI

Operating modes

Your radio has a number of operating modes, such as
(channel) and MENU. The active mode appears in the left-hand
side of the display. The lower left-hand corner gives additional
information on the current status of the radio.

Display Mode Display Mode

ADDR address book MENU select menu
BSCN background scan QUE call queue
CALL preset call RTA repeater talkaround

CHAN

GROUP37

current operation
information

symbols

CHAN

CHAN select channel SDM short data message
CODE select code STAT select status
DTMF DTMF ZONE select zone

Current operation

The panel on the right-hand side shows data for the current radio
operation. In the example above, GROUP37 is the name of the
currently selected channel.

When you use the keypad to dial a
channel number or enter a text
message, the information appears in
the current operation panel.

CHAN

10

dialing a call

32

Radio display symbols

The bottom line of the display shows a series of symbols that give
additional information on the state of the radio. The following
table shows some of symbols you may see on your display.

Symbol Meaning

Received signal strength indicator (RSSI): the more bars, the
stronger the signal being received by your radio

Encryption status indicator: the radio’s transmissions are
encrypted. In this example, code 2 is active.

Encryption status indicator: the radio’s transmissions are
not encrypted. In this example, code 2 is active.

Flashing: recharge the battery
The battery is fully charged
The radio is in DTMF dialing mode
Monitor or squelch override is active
Scrolling is permitted
Steady: the radio is scanning a group of channels for

activity
Flashing: activity has been found on a channel in the

scan group
There are calls in the call queue
Steady: scramble is turned on

Flashing: encryption is available
The radio is transmitting
Steady: low power transmit mode is active

Flashing: the radio is transmitting at low power
Flashing: lone worker is active

33

Understanding the radio indicators

The status LED and the radio’s audible tones—together with the
radio display—all combine to give you information about the state
of your radio. The most common way the indicators work is
described in the following sections.

The way these indicators behave may be affected by the way your
radio is programmed.

Status LED indicator

Color Flash rate Meaning

red steady Transmitting
red slow Battery low. Recharge or replace as soon

as possible.
red medium Transmitting at low power
red fast Radio is stunned. Radio also emits high-

pitched beeps. Contact your dispatcher.
red two fast

flashes

The power-up sequence is complete.

Radio also emits two medium-pitched

beeps.
red repeating

Lone worker is now active

fast flashes
green steady Channel busy
green slow Economy mode is active
green medium Monitor or squelch override is active
green repeating

Lone worker is now inactive

fast flashes

orange steady Radio is scanning or voting a group of

orange slow Repeater talkaround is active

34

channels for activity or greatest signal
strength

Color Flash rate Meaning

orange medium Activity detected on one of a group of

channels being scanned

orange fast A call with special signaling has been

received

red/green fast Radio programmed incorrectly or faulty.

Contact your radio provider.

Audible tones

The radio uses a variety of beeps and tones to supplement the
information provided by the status LED and the radio display.

Your radio may also have been programmed so that whenever you
press a key, the radio beeps to indicate whether or not the action
is permitted:

■ permitted: short, medium-pitched beep

■ not permitted: long, low-pitched beep

Audible tones may have been disabled when your radio was
programmed, and a function key assigned to turn audible tones on
and off.

35

Navigating the radio’s menus

Your radio has a number of menus available, each containing lists
or submenus. The menus available will depend on the way your
radio is programmed. The table below summarizes the possible
options that can be accessed either through the main menu or by
using programmed shortcut keys.

The menu text on your radio display may differ from that described
in this section. Menu text may be customized when the radio is
programmed.

Display Operation

QUEUED CALLS View and return missed calls
SELECT CHANNEL Select a channel
SELECT ZONE Select a zone
SEND SELCALL Select a status message for a call
SEND DTMF Make a call using the telephone network
ADDRESS BOOK Make a call from a programmed list
SEND SDM Enter and send a short data message
USER SETTINGS Personalize settings for a range of features
SECURITY

SETTINGS

Make communications private using scram­ble or encryption

ALERT SETTINGS Disable or adjust the level of warning beeps

and tones

DISPLAY SETTINGS Turn night operation on/off, adjust the

contrast display or turn the received signal
strength indicator on/off

ADVANCED
SETTINGS

36

Modify the make-up of scanning, voting and
background scan groups; change subaudible
channel settings or check radio version infor­mation

Using the main menu

To enter menu mode and access the main menu:

■ Long press .

The radio displays
submenu item:

MENU, together with the last selected menu or

MENU

LOW PWR

ON

If necessary, press to exit the submenu, then use and to
move through the list of menus:

MENU

USER

SETTINGS

Press and hold and to scroll through the menu options
quickly.

When the menu you want appears, short press
menu you have chosen:

MENU

KEYLOCK

to open the

OFF

■ To exit a menu or submenu option, press .

■ To exit menu mode, long press or short press .

Changing settings

To switch between available settings (such as high and low, or on
and off):

1 Short press to change the setting.
2 Long press or short press twice to exit menu mode.

37

Accessing frequently used menus

The top key and the function keys provide quick access to features
or menus you use most often. These features are assigned to these
keys when the radio is programmed.

See "Function key options" on page 105 for a list of features that
may have been assigned to the top and function keys.

Using the shortcut menu

The top key and function keys may be programmed to provide a
shortcut for menu options. Press the key once to access the last
selected option, and press again for the next option, moving in a
continuous loop.

Turning the radio on and off

The radio may not turn on if your battery is very low.
Rotate the power/volume control switch clockwise to turn the

radio on.
Rotate the switch counterclockwise to turn the radio off.
After an IS radio is turned on, it takes about two seconds longer to

power-up than a non-IS radio.

Entering your PIN

This feature is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

You may need to enter a personal
identification number (PIN) before you
can use your radio. If the message

CODE: appears, enter your assigned PIN

ENTER CODE:

ENTER

and press .
Once you have entered your PIN correctly, the radio sounds two

short beeps and normal operation is now possible.
If you do not know your PIN, consult your radio provider or system

administrator.

38

Adjusting the volume

■ Rotate the power/volume control clockwise to increase the

speaker volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.

The power/volume control also changes the volume of the radio’s
audible indicators.

Preventing accidental calls

The keypad lock feature prevents you from pressing a key
accidentally. The number of keys that are locked depends on the
way your radio is programmed.

If you receive a call while the keypad is locked, press any key to
answer.

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select
3 Short press to lock the keypad.

MENU

USER SETTINGS>KEYLOCK.

KEYLOCK

LOCKED

If a locked key is pressed, the radio gives a long, low-pitched
beep and the message KEYPAD LOCKED appears on the display.

CHAN

KEYPAD

LOCKED

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn keypad lock on.

Turning keypad lock off

■ Long press to turn keypad lock off.

39

Basic operation

This section covers:

■ Selecting a channel or group

■ About zones

■ Checking that a channel is clear

■ Communicating directly with other radios

■ Activating the repeater before a call

■ Making a call

■ Receiving a call

■ Using voice inversion scrambling

■ Using encryption

■ Hearing faint and noisy signals

■ Using the radio in different repeater areas

■ Scanning a group of channels

■ Editing scanning and voting groups

40

Selecting a channel or group

In order to make and receive calls, you first need to select a
channel or group. A group is a collection of channels that are
grouped together for either scanning or voting. On the display, the
group is shown as a single channel item, for example, GROUP37
or SCAN1.

To select a channel or group you may be able to either:

■ use the channel selector,

■ use the Select Channel menu,

■ use a programmed function key, or

■ dial the channel or group number.

Using the channel selector

For channels or groups numbered 1 to 16, rotate the channel
selector to the channel or group you want. For all other channels
or groups, use the main menu.

Using the main menu

CHAN appears in the display then you are already operating in

If
channel mode. Use and to scroll through the channel list and
select the channel or group you want.

1 Long press
2 Scroll through the main menu options using

SELECT CHANNEL is displayed.

MENU

to enter menu mode.

and until

SELECT

CHANNEL

41

3 Short press to enter channel mode, then scroll through the

list of channels until the channel you want appears.

CHAN

CHAN30

4 Long press

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to select the required channel or

group.

Using the keypad

This method is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

1 In channel mode, enter the desired channel or group number

using the keypad.

to exit channel mode.

CHAN

37

2 Short press .

The channel or group name associated with that number
appears.

CHAN

GROUP37

42

About zones

A zone is a collection of channels and groups. When you select a
zone, only the channels and groups assigned to that zone are
available.

To select a zone you may be able to either:

■ use the Select Zone menu, or

■ use the channel selector

Selecting a zone using the Select Zone menu

When the radio is configured in this way, there may be up to 32
zones available. Each zone has a maximum of 16 channels
or groups.

To select the channels or groups within each zone, you may be
able to either:

■ use the channel selector,

■ use and , or

■ dial the channel or group number.

The following table describes the way the zones, channels and
groups are organized.

Zone Channel/group number

11–16

217–32

333–48

... ...

up to 32 497–509

43

In the following example, you want to select a group in zone 3
that is assigned to channel number 37.

1 Long press
2 Scroll through the main menu options using and until

SELECT ZONE is displayed.

MENU

to enter menu mode.

SELECT

ZONE

3 Short press to enter zone mode, then scroll through the list

of zones until the zone you want appears.

ZONE

3

If your radio has a keypad, you can enter the zone number and
short press to exit zone mode.

4 Short press

to exit zone mode.

CHAN

CHAN33

If the channel selector is in position 1, then the channel name
associated with channel number 33 appears.

5 Use the channel selector, and or the keypad to select the

channel number 37.

CHAN

GROUP37

44

Selecting a zone using the channel selector

When the radio is configured in this way, there may be up to 16
zones available. Each zone has a maximum of 32 channels
or groups.

To select the channels or groups within each zone, you may be
able to either:

■ use and , or

■ dial the channel or group number.

The following table describes the way the zones, channels and
groups are organized.

Zone Channel/group number

1 1–32

2 33–64

3 65–96

... ...

up to 16 481–509

In the following example, you want to select a group in zone 2
that is assigned to channel number 37:

1 Rotate the channel selector to position 2.

CHAN

CHAN33

The channel name associated with channel number 33
appears. The channels available in this zone are numbered 33
to 64.

2 Use

and or the keypad to select channel number 37.

CHAN

GROUP37

45

Checking that a channel is clear

You or your user group may be segregated from other user groups
by special signaling. If an incoming call carries the special
signaling tones specific to you or your user group, your radio’s
signaling mute opens and you can hear the call. These tones may
not be audible.

The monitor function allows you to override any special signaling
on a channel, so that you can check that the channel is clear
before you make a call.

To activate monitor, you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Activating monitor by using the menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select
3 Short press to turn monitor on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

While monitor is on, the LED slowly flashes green and
appears in the display.

USER SETTINGS>MONITOR.

CHAN

CHAN30

Activating monitor by using a function key

1 Press the monitor function key to activate monitor and hear

any traffic on the channel.
While monitor is on, the LED slowly flashes green and

appears in the display.

2 Press the monitor function key again to turn monitor off.

Your radio may be programmed so that monitor turns off
automatically after a short time.

46

Communicating directly with other radios

You can bypass the radio repeater and communicate directly with
another radio. This feature is known as repeater talkaround. You
can do this, for example, when you are out of range of the
repeater.

Repeater talkaround is not accessible through the main menu.
To activate repeater talkaround:

■ Press the repeater talkaround function key to turn repeater

talkaround on.
While repeater talkaround is on, the LED slowly flashes orange

RTA is appears in the display.

and

CHAN
RTA

CHAN30

To turn repeater talkaround off:

■ Press the function key again or change to another channel.

Activating the repeater before a call

A repeater access tone can be sent to activate the repeater before
a call is made, so that the start of the call is not lost.

To send a repeater access tone:

■ Press the repeater access tone function key, and the repeater

access tone for the current channel is sent.

47

Making a call

To make a call to another radio or group of radios:

1 Select the required zone, if your radio is configured with zones

(see "About zones" on page 43).

2 Select the required channel group (see "Selecting a channel or

group" on page 41).

3 Check that the channel is clear. If the LED is glowing green,

then the channel is busy and you may not be able to transmit.

4 Once the channel is clear (the LED no longer glows), hold the

radio so that the microphone is about one inch (2.5cm) from
your mouth.

5 Press and hold the PTT key to transmit.
6 Speak clearly into the microphone.

While you are transmitting, the LED glows red and
in the display.

appears

CHAN

CHAN30

7 Release the PTT key when you have finished talking.

Limiting call time

Your radio may have a transmit timer that limits the amount of
time you can transmit continuously. When the transmit timer is
about to expire, the LED flashes red and the radio gives three
beeps. If the transmit timer has timed out, you must release the
PTT before you can transmit again.

Ending a call

You may be able to use the ‘disable monitor’ function to end your
current call. When disable monitor is activated, monitor is turned
off, and you can no longer hear the call.

To deactivate monitor and end a call:

■ Press the assigned function key.

48

Receiving a call

When there is valid activity on your radio’s currently selected
channel or group, the radio unmutes and you can hear the call.

If the incoming call contains special signaling that matches the
signaling programmed for your radio, your radio may give a
ringing tone.

49

Using voice inversion scrambling

Your radio may be programmed so you can turn on voice inversion
scramble. While scramble is on, transmissions are unintelligible to
any radio or equipment not correctly set to decipher the
transmission.

Both the transmitting and receiving radios must have scramble
activated in order to correctly decipher transmissions.

While scramble is turned on, appears in the display.

CHAN

CHAN30

Turning scrambling on and off

To turn scramble on and off, you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key.

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select

SECURITY SETTINGS>SCRMBLER.

MENU SCRMBLER

ON

3 Short press to turn scramble off or on.
4 Long press to exit menu mode.

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn scramble off or on.

50

Using encryption

To make communications with other users on your system
completely private, your radio may be able to encrypt outgoing
calls, using a confidential encryption code. The radio receiving your
call must have the same active encryption code before it can
decipher your encrypted call.

If encryption is available on your radio, flashes, and the
encryption status indicator may appear in the display, along with
the active encryption code.

encryption

status indicator

CHAN

CHAN30

active encryption code

Encrypting calls

You may be able to turn call encryption on and off on your radio.
While encryption is on, all outgoing calls are encrypted using the
active encryption code.

Once you change the call encryption setting on a channel (on or
off), the setting on all other channels where call encryption is
selectable also changes.

To turn encryption on and off, you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key.

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select

SECURITY SETTINGS>ENCRYPT.

MENU ENCRYPT

3 Short press to turn call encryption off or on.
4 Long press to exit menu mode.

ON

51

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn call encryption on or off.

Receiving an encrypted call

When you receive an encrypted call, your radio unmutes and you
can hear clear speech, so long as the code required to decrypt the
call is the radio’s active encryption code.

If the code required is not currently active, then the call remains
unintelligible.

call encryption

off and

code 2 active

Call encryption does not need to be turned on for the radio to
decrypt a call.

Changing the radio’s encryption code

You may be able to change the active encryption code on your
radio. Changing the active code on a channel automatically
changes the active code for every channel, even channels where
call encryption is not selectable.

To change your radio’s active encryption code, you may be able
to either:

■ use the main menu, or

CHAN

CHAN30

■ use a programmed function key.

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select

MENU

52

SECURITY SETTINGS>SELECT CODE.

SELECT CODE

3 Use and to scroll through the list of encryption codes and

short press to select the code you want.

CODE

CODE 4

4 Long press to exit code selection mode.

Using a function key

1

Press the assigned function key enter code selection mode.

2 Use and to scroll through the list of encryption codes and

short press to select the code you want.

CODE

CODE 4

3 Long press to exit code selection mode.

53

Hearing faint and noisy signals

Your radio’s squelch mute (known as ‘squelch’) prevents you from
hearing faint or noisy calls on a channel. On occasions when you
want to hear everything that is being said on a channel, even if it
is hard to understand, you can use the squelch override function
to force the mute open.

While squelch override is on, the LED slowly flashes green and
appears in the display.

CHAN

CHAN30

Squelch override cannot be activated when a group is selected,
and automatically turns off when you select a group or activate
background scan.

To activate squelch override, you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Using the main menu

1 Long press
2 Select

USER SETTINGS>SQ OVRD.

MENU

to enter menu mode.

SQ OVRD

ON

3 Short press to turn squelch override on.
4 Long press to exit menu mode.

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn squelch override off

or on.

54

Using the radio in different repeater areas

Your radio may have a group of channels programmed as a voting
group. The channels in the voting group all carry the same traffic,
but from different repeaters. As your radio moves in and out of
different repeater coverage areas, the best communication
channel is automatically selected for you to use, until a better
communications channel is selected. Some channels, known as
‘priority’ channels, are checked more often than other channels in
the group.

A voting group is selected in the same way as a channel. See

"Selecting a channel or group" on page 41 or "About zones" on
page 43.

While voting is active, the group name is shown in the display, the
LED glows orange and appears in the display.

CHAN

VOTE1

55

Scanning a group of channels

The scan function is used to monitor a group of channels for
activity. When a there is activity on a channel in the group, the
radio stops on that channel. The radio then unmutes and you can
hear the call. Scanning resumes when the channel is no longer
busy. Some channels, known as ‘priority’ channels, are scanned
more often than other channels in the group.

While the radio is scanning for activity, the LED glows orange and

appears in the display.

The two types of scanning that may be available on your radio are:

■ standard scanning, and

■ background scanning.

Selecting a standard scan group

A scan group is selected in the same way as a channel. See

"Selecting a channel or group" on page 41 or "About zones" on
page 43.

Activating background scanning

Background scan is turned on using a programmed function key.
When the function key activates background scan, the currently
selected channel automatically becomes a member of the
background scan group.

To activate background scan:

■ Press the background scan function key to turn on

background scan.
While background scan is active,

BSCN appears in the display.

CHAN
BSCN

56

CHAN30

Making a call while scanning

If you want to make a call while your radio is scanning:

1 Press the PTT key to transmit.

If standard scan is active, your radio calls either the currently
selected channel or a programmed ‘home’ channel.

If background scan is active, your radio calls the channel that
was selected before background scan was activated, or the
channel on which it last received a call.

2 When the called party responds, proceed with your

conversation.

Suspending a channel from a scan group

If a channel is busy for a long time and you do not wish to hear
the conversation, you may be able to temporarily delete the
channel from the scan group.

To temporarily delete a channel from a scan group:

■ Press the ‘nuisance delete’ function key.

When the scan group is next selected, the deleted channel is
again part of the scan group.

57

Editing scanning and voting groups

Your may be to add or delete channels in a scanning or voting
group, and change the way the group operates. The changes
made are permanent, and remain after restarting the radio.

About group membership

The following diagram and table explain how the radio shows the
group membership status of a channel when the radio is in group
programming mode.

There are two options in group programming mode:

■ GPGM: edit a standard scan group or a voting group, or

■ BPGM: edit a background scan group.

operating mode

channel status

Channel

Meaning

GPGM
N

CHAN1

channel

status

Y Channel is a member of the group

N Channel does not belong to the group
P1 Channel is the first priority channel
P2 Channel is the second priority channel

S Channel is a member of a background scan group
NS Channel is not a member of a background

scan group

T Channel is the default transmit channel for the group

58

Editing a scanning or voting group

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select

group or a voting group.
Alternatively, select

a background scan group.

MENU

ADV SETTINGS>PROGRAM GROUP to edit a standard scan

ADV SETTINGS>PROGRAM BSCN GRP to edit

PROGRAM

GROUP

3 Short press to enter group programming mode.

GPGM

GROUP36

In group programming mode, the last selected group appears
in the display.

If you are editing a background scan group, there is only one scan
group possible, so the name of the first channel programmed for
the radio appears.

4 Use and to scroll through the list of groups and short

press
The name of the first channel programmed for the radio

appears and the channel’s group membership status is shown.

GPGM
N

See "About group membership" on page 58 for an
explanation of the group membership status codes.

to select the group you want to edit.

BPGM

CHAN1

S

background scan groupstandard scan group

CHAN1

5 Use and to scroll through the channel list until the

channel you want to change appears.

59

6 Short press to move between the available channel status

options, then use and to move to the next channel you
want to change.

GPGM

change channel

status

P1

You may receive a radio message if the change you want to make
is not permitted. See "About group membership rules".

7 Long press to save the changes to the scan group and exit

group programming mode.

About group membership rules

When changing the channel status of a group member, some

CHAN10

choices are not permitted. The following table explains some of
the messages you may receive.

Message Meaning

CANNOT

DELETE

Your action will leave the scan group with only one
member channel. A scan group must have a minimum
of two channels.

GROUP

FULL

You have reached the maximum number of channels
allowed in a group. Delete an existing channel before
adding the channel you want.

CANNOT

CHANGE

You are attempting to change the channel status of a

P1 or P2 channel. To assign a new priority channel,

scroll to the new channel and set its channel status to

P1 or P2. The previous priority channel will then revert

to

Y.

CANNOT

CHANGE

You are attempting to change the default transmit
channel. To assign a new default transmit channel,
scroll to the new channel and set its channel status to

T. The previous default transmit channel will then

revert to

60

Y.

Making and receiving different
types of calls

The types of calls available to your radio depend on the way in
which it is programmed and the way the radio system operates.

This section covers:

■ Making an individual or group call

■ Making a call using your address book

■ Resending calls automatically

■ Receiving an individual or group call

■ Receiving a two-tone call

■ Responding to missed calls

■ Informing other radio users of your status

■ Calling a telephone or a remote device

■ Making an emergency call

■ Using the lone worker emergency features

■ Sending and receiving short data messages

61

Making an individual or group call

You may be able to use your radio to make calls to an individual or
a specific group.

There are two ways to make an individual or group call:

■ making a preset call, and

■ dialing a call

Making a preset individual or group call

A maximum of two preset individual or group calls can be
assigned to each channel. The preset calls are each assigned to a
function key.

To make a preset call:

1 Change to the desired channel.
2 Press the assigned function key.

One-touch preset call

A single one-touch preset call may also be assigned to one of the
function keys. In this case, it is not necessary to change channels.
See "Making a call using your address book" on page 64.

To make a one-touch preset call:

■ Press the assigned function key.

Dialing individual or group calls

This feature is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

To call a group or individual using dialing:

1 Change to the desired channel.
2 Long press to enter menu mode.

62

3 Select SEND SELCALL >DIAL SELCALL.

MENU

DIAL

SELCALL

4 Short press to enter call mode.

In call mode, the last number dialled appears in the display.

CALL

1234

5 Short press to call the last number dialled, or dial the

number you want, using the keypad and short press .
When the called party receives your call, the message

ACK RECEIVED may appear in the display.

63

Making a call using your address book

Your Address Book menu has a programmed list of calls, which
can be made from any channel or zone. Address book calls may
also be used to send status information, such as ‘at lunch’ or
‘onsite’.

To make a call using your address book:

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Scroll through the main menu options using and until

ADDRESS BOOK is displayed.

MENU

ADDRESS

BOOK

3 Short press to enter address book mode.

In address book mode, the last call selected appears in the
display.

ADDR

BASE

4 Scroll through the list of address book calls using and

until the call you want appears.

ADDR

REGION2

5 Short press to make the call.
6 Short press to exit address book mode.

64

Using the keypad to search for an address book
call

This method is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

Address book mode also has a search function that you can use to
select an address book call. This provides a shortcut, without
using and .

To find an address book call using the keypad:

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Scroll through the main menu options using and until

ADDRESS BOOK is displayed.

MENU

ADDRESS

BOOK

3 Short press to enter address book mode.

In address book mode, the last call selected appears in the
display.

ADDR

BASE

4 Use the keypad to enter the address book name associated

with the call you want to make. When you have entered
enough characters for the radio to recognize the name, the
name is displayed in full.

ADDR

5 Short press to make the call.

REGION2

65

6 Short press to exit address book mode.

In the following example, you want to call BASE. The sequence of
keystrokes and the characters that appear in the display are shown
in the table.

Key press Display Meaning

BANK The radio cannot determine a unique

name, so displays the first address book
entry beginning with a 7, A, B, or C.

BANK ‘A’ is the second letter of both BANK and

BASE.

BASE The name has been identified.

BASE The call is made to BASE.

66

Resending calls automatically

Your radio may have been programmed to resend individual and
group calls when they are not answered.

Your radio has two automatic callback features:

■ deferred calling, and

■ no acknowledgement retries

Deferred calling

When you attempt to make a call on a channel that is busy, the
radio can store and send the call once the channel is free. The
radio will give a low-pitched beep if the channel is busy, and will
then give two long, medium-pitched beeps at regular intervals
until the channel is free, and the call can be resent.

To cancel a deferred call:

■ Press any key.

No acknowledgement retries

When you send a call and there is no reply,
displayed, and the call may be resent.

To cancel a call that is being resent:

■ Press any key.

NO ACKNOWLEDGE is

67

Receiving an individual or group call

When a call is received that contains your radio’s identity, CALL
flashes in the display and the radio gives a ringing tone.

To accept a call:

■ Press the PTT key and begin speaking. If the call is a group call,

there is usually no need to respond.
The caller’s identity and status may also be displayed:

CALL

CAR 1

ON SITE

caller’s identity

caller’s status

The caller’s identity can be a name or a number, depending on
how your radio was programmed.

The caller’s status is displayed below the caller’s identity. It can
also be a name or number.

68

Receiving a two-tone call

Two-tone signaling is used to call either individual or groups of
radios. When your radio receives a two-tone call that it can
decode, it beeps, indicating which type of two-tone call has been
received.

■ One long beep: a two-tone individual call has been received.

■ Two medium beeps: a two-tone group call has been received.

■ Three short beeps: a two-tone super group call has been

received. A super-group call is addressed to all radios in the
fleet.

To accept the call, press the PTT key and begin speaking.

Overriding two-tone signaling

The two-tone override function allows you to override two-tone
signaling on your current channel. When you activate two-tone
override, the radio’s mute opens and you can hear all two-tone
calls on the channel.

To turn two-tone override on or off:

■ Press the assigned function key.

While two-tone override is on, the LED slowly flashes green.

69

Responding to missed calls

Your radio may be programmed with two features to help you
manage missed individual and group calls:

■ immediate callback, and

■ call queuing

Re-establishing a call

When you miss a call, the ‘immediate callback’ feature can be
used if the caller’s identity is displayed.

To call back the missed caller:

■ Short press .

Checking missed calls

If you have missed an incoming call, it
may be stored in the call queue, so that
you can return the call later. If a call has

MENU

QUEUED

CALLS:03

been missed, the radio automatically
enters the Call Queue menu and

appears in the display.

To access a missed call:

1 Short press to enter the call queue.

The first call in the queue is displayed, along with information
about the type of call and its position in the queue.

A standard voice call has no call-type information.

QUE

CAR 2

M01/03

call type:

M = SDM
PS = priority
S = status

caller’s identity
number of missed calls

position of call in
the call queue

70

2 Scroll through the calls in the call queue using and until

the call you want appears.
The options available depend on the type of call it is.
— Voice call: short press

to return the call, or short press

to delete the call.

— Priority call: short press

to return the call, or

short press to delete the call.

— Status call or short data message (SDM): use and to

scroll through the message and short press to delete it.

3 Short press to exit the call queue once all the calls have

been either deleted or answered.

71

Informing other radio users of your status

You may be able to inform other radio users of your current status
by sending them a status update, for example, ‘On site’. If the
radio receiving your message has been programmed with the
same status messages, it will decode and display your message. If
you receive a status message, the message is automatically
queued, since a response is not expected.

Assigning a status message

To assign a status message to a call:

1 Long press
2 Select
3 Use and to scroll through the list of status messages and

short press to select the message you want.
Alternatively, enter the number of the status message using

the keypad.

SEND SELCALL>SELECT STATUS.

to enter menu mode.

STAT

ON SITE

4 Long press to exit status mode.

When you next make a call, a status message may
be attached, depending on the type of call it is.

72

Calling a telephone or a remote device

DTMF is the tone-based system of the world’s telephone networks.
If your radio system has access to a network that makes use of
DTMF tones, your radio can make a call to a telephone or send
control codes to a remote device.

There are two ways to make a DTMF call:

■ making a preset DTMF call, or

■ dialing a number

Making a preset DTMF call

A preset DTMF call is assigned to one of the function keys.
To make a call:

1 Change to the channel you want.
2 Press the assigned function key.

Different preset calls may be available on different channels.

One-touch preset call

A single one-touch call may also be assigned to one of the
function keys.

To make a one-touch preset call:

■ Press the assigned function key.

Dialing a DTMF call

This feature is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

DTMF call strings can use numbers 0 to 9, letters A to D, and the

and keys.

Entering tones A to D

To dial tones A to D, your radio must be programmed so that you
can use the PTT key as a ‘shift’ key in conjunction with the
numeric keys as follows:

73

■ PTT + = A

■ PTT + = B

■ PTT + = C

■ PTT + = D

To enter the tone A, for example:

■ Press and hold the PTT key, then press the on the

keypad.

Entering a pause

To enter a pause:

■ Press and hold the PTT key, then press the key. A hyphen

(pause) will be entered in the display.

Dialing a DTMF number

To dial a number:

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Scroll through the main menu options using and until

SEND DTMF is displayed.

MENU

SEND
DTMF

3 Short press to enter DTMF dialing mode.

In DTMF dialing mode, the last number dialled appears in
the display.

DTMF

*01556

4 Short press to send the last number dialled, or use the

keypad to enter the number you want.

5 Short press to exit DTMF dialing mode.

74

Making an emergency call

You may be able to activate emergency mode by using an
assigned function key. The emergency function key may be
programmed for either a short key press or long key press.

1 Press the assigned function key and an emergency call is sent

to your dispatcher, or some other predetermined location.
The radio then enters emergency mode. While emergency

mode is active, your radio may cycle between receive and
transmit, so that your dispatcher can hear any activity near the
radio. For your safety, the radio displays no signs that an
emergency call has been made.

When the radio is in emergency cycling mode, the transmitted
audio is always from the radio’s internal microphone, regardless of
whether an external speaker-microphone is installed.

2 Reset the radio to normal operation at any time by

turning the radio off and then on.

Alternatively, emergency mode may be programmed to end
after a fixed period of time, or your dispatcher may reset your
radio to normal operation.

Using a double key press

To avoid accidental use of the emergency function, the emergency
call may have been programmed with a ‘double key press activation’
option. The double key press activation option is programmed to be
used with either a short or long press.

To make an emergency call using a double short press:

■ Short press the assigned function key twice within

three seconds.

To make an emergency call using a double long press:

■ Long press the assigned function key twice within five seconds.

75

Using the lone worker emergency features

Your radio may be programmed with ‘lone worker’ emergency
features, designed for people who work alone in potentially
hazardous areas. If you become incapacitated, the radio
automatically sends an emergency call to alert other users to your
situation, and then enters emergency mode.

While emergency mode is active, the radio may sound a series of
‘search alert’ beeps at the radio’s maximum volume. This gives
searchers an audible indication of your location. Once activated,
the search alert beeps continue until the radio is turned off and
then on again.

A lone worker emergency can be activated in one or more of the
following situations:

■ Key press: the radio has requested a response from the user at

a predetermined interval and the user has not responded.

■ Tilt: the radio is tilted more than a programmed angle, (a ‘man

down’ alarm).

■ Motion: the radio has not moved for a predetermined period of

time (a ‘no movement’ alarm).

While lone worker is active, appears in the display.

CHAN

CHAN30

76

Activating lone worker

To turn the lone worker feature on and off:

■ Press the assigned function key.

Your radio may be programmed so that lone worker is active as
soon as your radio is turned on.

Key press monitoring

Once lone worker is activated, the radio prompts you for a
response at regular intervals, by sounding a series of loud warning
beeps. Typically, this will happen every hour.

When you hear the warning beeps:

■ Press any key.

If you are unable to respond, the radio sends an emergency
call and activates emergency mode.

77

Man down monitoring

Warning The radio uses an accelerometer to accurately detect
motion. The accelerometer is calibrated when the radio is first
programmed, and must be tested at regular intervals to ensure
correct operation. Consult with your radio provider or system
administrator about a regular testing regime.

The man down alarm activates when the radio is tilted more than
a programmed angle, for example when you have been attacked
and are lying on the ground. If the radio remains in this position
for longer than a minute, it sounds a series of loud warning beeps.

When you hear the warning beeps:

■ Return the radio to an upright position.

If you are unable to do this, the radio sends an emergency call
and activates emergency mode.

No movement monitoring

The no movement alarm activates when the radio has been
stationary for a specified length of time. When this time elapses
and there has been no movement, the radio sounds a series of
loud warning beeps.

When you hear the warning beeps:

■ Move the radio.

If you are unable to do this, the radio sends an emergency call
and activates emergency mode.

78

Sending and receiving short data messages

Your radio may be able to send and receive short data messages
(SDMs).

Using the alphanumeric keypad to enter text

When the keypad is used to enter text, the keys have special
functions. Use the alphanumeric keys to enter letters, numbers
and punctuation.

■ Key : character 1.

■ Keys to : press a key once to enter the first letter

on that key. Repeat the process to enter the other letters and
the number.

■ Key : press once to enter a space. Further key presses

enter the following characters:

0 # * . , ! ? ‘ : ; “ @ ( ) _ - + = / $ & %

■ To delete a character: use and to select the character and

press to delete it.

Sending a short data message

This feature is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

To send an SDM:

1 Long press

to enter menu mode.

2 Select SEND SDM >ENTER SDM.

The last sent message appears in the display.

ENTER SDM:
MEET ME ON S

79

3 Short press to send this message.

Alternatively, enter a new message using the keypad (see

"Using the alphanumeric keypad to enter text" on page 79)

and short press
The message ENTER ID: appears on the display, along with the

ID of the called party for the last SDM transmission.

.

ENTER ID:
>>>>12345678

4 Short press to send the message using the existing ID.

Alternatively, enter a new ID using the keypad (the receiver’s
identity must be eight characters long), then and short press

to send.

Once the message has been sent, the radio will return to the
message entry mode in preparation for sending another message.

5 Short press to exit SDM mode.

Reading short data messages

When your radio receives a message,

1 Long press to read a message.

The message appears across both

SDM flashes in the display.

MEET YOU ON
SITE @ 1300

rows of the display.

2 Scroll through the message using

and .

3 To display a message from the start, hold down the PTT key

and press the left arrow key .

4 To display a message from the end, hold down PTT and press

the right arrow key .

80

Exiting short data message mode

When you have finished reading a message:

■ long press to exit, or

■ press to delete the message (the radio reverts to the mode

it was in before you viewed the message).

81

Customizing your radio

Your radio’s audible indicators, radio functions and display settings
can be changed to meet your requirements in the Alert Settings,
Display Settings and User Settings menus.

This section covers:

■ Changing the audible tone settings

■ Activating backlighting

■ Adjusting the display contrast

■ Displaying the received signal strength

■ Extending battery life

■ Choosing a dialing mode

■ Changing the signaling used on a channel

88

Changing the audible tone settings

Your radio has two features for controlling which audible tones
you hear:

■ Keypress tones: This feature controls the tones you hear

when you press a function key, or a key on the keypad.
Keypress tones can be turned on and off.

■ Audible tones: This feature provides overall control for all

audible tones, including keypress tones, received-call tones
and warning tones. Audible tones can be turned on and off. If
the audible tones are turned off, keypress tones are also off.

Turning keypress tones on and off

To turn keypress tones on and off:

1 Long press

to enter menu mode.

2 Select ALERT SETTINGS>KEYTONE.
3 Short press to turn keypress tones off or on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

Turning audible tones on and off

To turn audible tones on and off you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select ALERT SETTINGS>TONES.

MENU

TONES

ON

3 Short press to turn audible tones off or on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

89

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn audible tones either on

or off.

Adjusting the level of audible tones

To change between the high and low setting:

1 Long press
2 Select

ALERT SETTINGS>LEVEL.

MENU

to enter menu mode.

LEVEL

HIGH

3 Short press to change the level of audible tones to either

high or low.

4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

90

Activating backlighting

The radio’s display and keypad light up when backlighting is on.
This normally only happens when a key is pressed or a call is
received.

To turn backlighting on and off you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select

MENU

DISPLAY SETTINGS>NIGHT.

NIGHT

ON

3 Short press to turn backlighting off or on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn backlighting either on

or off.

91

Adjusting the display contrast

You may be able to change the contrast of your radio’s display to
suit the lighting conditions in which you are working. After
making the adjustment, the radio will automatically return to its
previous mode of operation after a few seconds of inactivity.

To adjust the display contrast, you may be able to either:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select DISPLAY SETTINGS>ADJUST CONTRAST.
3 Short press , the radio enters contrast adjustment mode and

the RSSI symbol appears in the display.

CONT

ADJUST

CONTRAST

4 Use
5 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

Using a function key

1 Press the assigned function key.

The radio enters contrast adjustment mode and the RSSI
symbol appears in the display.

and to adjust the contrast to the desired level.

CONT

CHAN1

2 Use

and to adjust the contrast to the desired level.

92

Resetting contrast to the default setting

You can reset the contrast to the factory’s default setting by using
function key 2.

To reset the contrast to the radio’s default setting:

■ Press and hold function key 2 while turning the radio off then

on again.

Displaying the received signal strength

When this option is turned on, the strength of a received signal is
displayed in the display.

CALL

BASE

To turn RSSI on and off:

1 Long press
2 Select DISPLAY SETTINGS>RSSI.
3 Short press to turn RSSI off or on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

to enter menu mode.

93

Extending battery life

Your radio may have two features that allow you to extend the
shift life of the radio battery:

■ economy mode, and

■ low power transmit mode

Economy mode

Economy mode can be used when there is little or no activity on
the radio. When in economy mode, the radio cycles between the
receive state and a stand-by state, once there has been no activity
for a preset period. Receiving or sending a call returns the radio to
the fully active state.

To turn economy mode on and off, you may be able to:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select USER SETTINGS>ECONOMY.
3 Short press to turn economy mode off or on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn economy mode on

and off.

94

Low power transmit

If you are using your radio in conditions where signal strength is
high, you can extend the shift life of your battery by transmitting
at low power. While low power transmit is active, transmissions
are made at low power rather than at the preset power level and

appears in the display.

CHAN

CHAN1

Some channels may be programmed to always transmit at low
power.

To override the power settings of the current channel, you may be
able to:

■ use the main menu, or

■ use a programmed function key

Using the main menu

1 Long press to enter menu mode.
2 Select USER SETTINGS>LOW PWR.
3 Short press to turn low power transmit off or on.
4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

Using a function key

■ Press the assigned function key to turn low power on and off.

95

Choosing a dialing mode

This feature is only available for radios with an alphanumeric
keypad.

The DTMF dialing mode can be either ‘normal’ or ‘buffered’.

■ Normal: Each character in DTMF string is transmitted as the

key is pressed.

■ Buffered: The DTMF string is transmitted after all the

characters in the string have been entered.

To select normal or buffered dialing:

1 Long press
2 Select
3 Short press to change to either buffered or normal dialing.

USER SETTINGS>DTMF.

MENU

to enter menu mode.

DTMF

BUFFERED

4 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

Changing the signaling used on a channel

You may be able to change the signaling used on a channel. This
enables you to communicate with a different group of users on the
same channel. The change may be permanent or may be reset
after you restart the radio.

To change the signaling used on a channel:

1 Long press
2 Select

ADV SETTINGS>PROGRAM SIGNAL.

MENU

96

to enter menu mode.

PROGRAM

SIGNAL

3 Short press to enter signal programming mode.

In signal programming mode, the first channel programmed for
the radio appears in the display.

SPGM

CHAN1

4 Use and to scroll through the list of channels and short

press
The name of the first signaling preset available for that channel

appears in the display.

to select the channel you want to edit.

SPGM

FIRE2

5 Use and to scroll through the list of signaling presets and

short press to select the preset you want to assign to the
channel.

The next channel programmed for your radio appears.

SPGM

CHAN2

6 Repeat step 5 for all channels whose signaling you want to

change.

7 Short press twice to exit menu mode.

97

Charging and caring for batteries

This section describes how to charge your Tait radio battery as well
as care for it, to ensure safe operation, maximum performance
and prolonged battery life.

This section covers:

■ About the chargers

■ Special conditions when using IS radios

■ Before using the charger

■ Charging the battery

■ Maintaining battery life and performance

■ Storing batteries

■ Disposing of batteries

52

About the chargers

Unless otherwise indicated, the charging advice and instructions
apply to all chargers.

There are three types of charger available for your Tait radio
battery:

■ Desktop charger: Small enough to fit on a

desk, it charges one battery at a time.

■ Multicharger: Charges up to six batteries. It

can be mounted on a desk, on a wall, or in an
equipment rack.

■ Vehicle charger: Charges one battery at

a time while installed in a vehicle.

Multicharger safety information

Warning This device must be connected to an earthed mains
socket-outlet.

53

Special conditions when using IS radios

Warning Fit only an IS-approved battery to an IS radio. Fitting a
battery or accessory that is not IS-approved exposes the customer
to a risk of explosion which could cause serious injury or death.

For detailed information about identifying IS radios, see

"Intrinsically Safe radios" on page 16.

Before using the charger

Handle the battery safely

Warning Handle the battery safely. Failure to observe the follow­ing handling recommendations could result in personal injury and/
or equipment damage.

■ Before using a Li-ion battery, please read the Li-ion Battery

Safety Information (MPC-00006-xx) included with your battery,
and follow the instructions it provides. Incorrect use of a Li-ion
battery can cause explosion or fire.

■ Do not short-circuit the battery contacts, neither intentionally

nor accidentally, e.g. by placing the battery with conductive
materials such as keys or jewelry inside a pocket or container.
Short-circuiting the battery contacts can heat up the
conductive material.

Attaching of labels

Warning Do not obstruct the vent hole on the battery or the vent
hole on the radio chassis label. If the vent on the battery is
obstructed the battery may explode, causing personal injury and/
or damage to property. If the vent on the radio is obstructed,
audio quality and/or key function may deteriorate and radio seals
may be damaged.

For detailed information about attaching labels safely, see

"Attaching labels to the radio or battery" on page 24.

54

Charging temperatures

Notice Do not expose a battery to very high or very low temper­atures for extended periods of time. Doing so will shorten the
usable life (‘service life’) of the battery.

To achieve the best results when charging your battery:

■ Before you begin to charge your battery, make sure that the

battery temperature is close to the room temperature in which
the battery is to be charged.

■ If possible, charge the battery in temperatures

between 50°F and 77°F (between 10°C and

77°F
25°C

25°C). This temperature range is the optimal
charging range.

50°F
10°C

Charging only starts when the battery is between
32°F to 104°F (0°C to 40°C).

Temperature indications

When the battery temperature is outside the normal charging
range, the orange LED on the charger is lit. Charging will start or
resume once the temperature is within normal limits, and no
action is required by you.

Leaving the battery on charge

You can leave a battery/radio in the charger once charging is
complete. Leaving a battery in the charger will not overcharge or
damage it.

You can remove a battery/radio from the charger at any time
without harming the battery, the radio, or the charger. When you
return the battery/radio to the charger, charging is automatically
resumed.

55

Vehicle charger only

It is safe to switch off the ignition while there is still a battery in
the charger. But if the vehicle will not be used again for some
time, check whether charging will continue while the ignition is
off, and consider what effect this might have on the vehicle
battery.

To check, place the battery in the charger and switch off the
vehicle ignition:

■ If no charger LED stays lit, the charger will resume charging

only when the ignition is switched on again. Minimal charger
standby power will be drawn from the vehicle battery until
then.

■ If a charger LED stays lit, the charger will continue to charge

the radio battery even while the ignition is off, and will
continue to draw power from the vehicle battery. Once the
battery is charged, the charger draws minimal current and has
little effect on a healthy vehicle battery.

Receiving and making calls while charging
(desktop charger and multicharger only)

Notice For best charging performance, switch off the radio
before placing it in the charger.

You can receive or make a call while the radio is in the charger, but
your radio performance may be degraded. If you do remove the
radio from the charger to answer a call, the call will not be
disrupted.

Removing the radio from the charger to make or receive a call
ends the charging process. Charging safely recommences when
the radio is reinserted into the charger.

If a radio was turned on while being charged, the battery indicator
may not be accurate when the radio is initially removed from the
charger. After a few seconds, the battery indicator is updated to
display the amount of charge available in the battery.

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Low battery warning

Notice Do not allow a radio battery to fully discharge every time
you use it, or you will shorten the service life of the battery.

When the battery is low, your radio warns you in the following
ways:

■ The battery symbol on the radio display looks empty.

■ The status LED on the radio slowly flashes red.

■ A high-pitched beep sounds.

You should recharge or replace the battery as soon as possible.
When the battery is completely empty, the message Battery is

flat appears on the display. The radio emits a long, low-pitched
beep and then stops working. Turn off the radio.

Charging the battery

Charging a battery for the first time

Fully charge a battery before using it for the first time. This will
take up to 2.5 hours.

The red LED stays lit while the battery charges.

Charging a battery

Notice For best charging performance, switch off the radio
before placing it in the charger (desktop charger or multicharger
only).

1 Desktop charger: Connect the charger to the correct Tait power

adaptor.
Multicharger and vehicle charger: Power on the charger.
Initially, all three LEDs are lit for two seconds.

2 Place just a battery in the charger, or a radio with a battery

attached (desktop charger or multicharger only). There is no
need to remove a belt clip, antenna, or any accessory that is
attached to the accessory connector.

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The red LED lights up, and stays lit while the battery charges.
For a battery that is almost completely discharged, allow two
hours.

When charging is complete, the green LED

stays lit.

LED behavior

If there is a battery in the charger when power is supplied to the
charger, the LEDs behave as follows:

LED Meaning

The charger has been connected to a power supply.

briefly

The battery is charging.

steady

Charging complete. Remove the battery, or leave it in

steady

steady

the charger.

The battery temperature is outside the normal charg­ing range. Charging will start or resume once the
temperature is within normal limits. No action is
required by you.

There is a fault. Contact your local regional Tait office.

If the charger does not behave as expected:

■ Make sure the radio or battery is seated properly in the

charger.

■ Check that the charger is properly plugged in.

■ Check that the battery and charger contacts are clean. To

clean, wipe the contacts with a dry lint-free cloth to remove
any dirt, oil or grease.

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Removing the battery from the charger

■ Desktop charger and multicharger: Lift the battery/radio out of

the charger.

■ Vehicle charger: Pull up the top clip of the vehicle charger, and

then lift out the battery.

You can remove a battery/radio from the charger at any time
without harming the battery, the radio, or the charger. When you
return the battery/radio to the charger, charging is automatically
resumed. You can also leave a battery/radio in the charger once
charging is complete.

Maintaining battery life and performance

With proper care and maintenance you will maintain the
performance and life of the battery. It is recommended that you:

■ Use only Tait chargers and batteries.

■ Do not expose a battery to very high or very low temperatures

for extended periods of time. Doing so will shorten the service
life of the battery.
Very high: above 140°F (60°C)
Very low: less than –22°F (–30°C)

■ Charge the battery at a room temperature of between 50°F

and 77°F (between 10°C and 25°C). This temperature range
is the optimal charging range.

■ Store batteries properly when not in use. See "Storing

batteries" on page 60.

Cleaning the contacts of the battery

Notice Do not scratch or scrape the contacts of the battery.
If necessary, wipe the contacts of the battery with a dry, lint-free
cloth to remove any dirt, oil or grease.

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Storing batteries

When not in use for a month or more, batteries should be stored
correctly to prolong their life.

■ Remove the battery from the radio before storage.

■ Fully charge the battery if storing for less than one month.

■ Charge the battery to about 30% if storing for longer than one

month.

■ Store the battery in a cool dry place.

Using batteries after storage

Batteries that have been stored for any length of time must be
charged before being used. See "Charging the battery" on

page 57.

Disposing of batteries

Run the battery flat before disposing of it. When disposing of the
battery, be sure to do so in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Please contact your radio provider for information on recycling
programs in your area. See "Environmental responsibilities" on

page 8 for more information.

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Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing difficulty operating your radio, you may
find the following sections helpful. Consult your radio provider for
assistance, if necessary.

Warning TP8100 portable radios with the product code “T03–
20*” have FM IS approval. An IS portable radio must be serviced
only by an agency certified by both the approval authority and by
Tait Limited. Any unauthorized repair or substitution of parts inval­idates the intrinsic safety rating and the third party IS approval. To
have an IS radio serviced, return it to an authorized Tait branch or
subsidiary.

For detailed information about IS radios and how to identify them,
see "Intrinsically Safe radios" on page 16.

This section covers:

■ When your radio won’t turn on

■ Checking the version of your radio

■ Troubleshooting your charger

■ General care

■ Cleaning the radio

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