Uniden America SX237 User Manual

2

Congratulations on your purchase of a Uniden GMRS/FRS
radio. This lightweight, palm-sized radio is a state-of-the-art
device, equipped with many valuable features. Use it at
sporting events, to stay in contact with family and friends,
hiking, skiing, outdoors, or in a neighborhood watch for
vital communication.

• 15 GMRS/7 FRS
Channels

• 121 Privacy Codes

• Up to 30-Mile

Range*

• Channel Scan

• VOX Headset Jack

• Roger Beep

* Range may vary depending on environmental and/or
topographical conditions.

SX237 HARDWARE

3

4
5

6

7

1 Antenna 7 Speaker

2 USB Charge Port/

Headphone Jack

3 Push to Talk 9 WX/LOCK

4 Microphone 10 CH/Backlight

5 MENU/Power 11 Screen

6 CALL/MON

• Battery Charging Cradle
(SX237-2CK and
SX237-2CKHS)

• NOAA Emergency/Weather
Channels

• Weather alert

• microUSB charging jack

• 10 Selectable Call Tone

Alerts

1

2

11

10

9

8

8 Channel and

Volume

WHAT'S IN THE BOX

All models come with:

• 2 radios (3 radios for SX237-3VP)

AA rechargeable NiMH batteries (9 NiMH

• 6
batteries forSX237-3VP)

• 2 belt clips (3 belt clips for SX237-3VP)

• This reference guide

SX237-2CK also has:

• 1 battery charging cradle

• 1 AC adapter/single microUSB cable

SX237-2CKHS also has

• 1 battery recharging cradle

• 1 AC adapter/single microUSB cable

• 2 earbud-style headphones

Visit our web site at www.uniden.com to order
accessories.

Use only Uniden accessories.

FCC GMRS LICENSE

The radio operates on the General Mobile Radio
Service (GMRS) frequencies which require a
Federal Communications Commission license to
operate. For licensing information and
application forms, visit the FCC on-line at: www.
fcc.gov/wtb/uls or call the FCC hotline at 1-800­418-3676. If you have any questions you can
contact the FCC direct at 1-888-225-5322.

INSTALL THE BATTERIES

Each radio uses 3 AA rechargeable NiMH
batteries (included).

To install the batteries:

1. If installed, remove the belt clip.

2. Remove the battery compartment door by
pressing on the latch and releasing the
cover. Remove it.

3. Install the supplied 3 NiMH batteries into
the battery compartment. Be certain to
follow the + and – symbols in the
compartment. Installing the batteries
incorrectly will prevent the unit from
operating.

4. Replace the battery compartment door.

5. Replace the belt clip if necessary.

6. Repeat for each radio.

Note: You may also use 3 AA non-rechargeable

alkaline batteries in each radio. However,
do not mix NiMH and alkaline batteries
in the same radio.

CHARGING THE RADIO

Review the following tips before charging your
radios:

CAUTION: Do not attempt to recharge

alkaline batteries. Doing so can create
a safety hazard or damage the radio.

• Install the batteries before connecting the AC
adapter to the radio and power source.

• The battery icon flashes while the radio
charges, whether the radio is turned on or not.
The charge stops after 14 hours of continuous
charging. If there is a power interruption, the
charging timer resets to 14 hours. If the radio
is off and charging stops, the battery icon
stops flashing.

• Charge time may vary depending on the
battery life remaining. For fastest charging,
turn off the radio before charging.

• If battery power is low, you cannot operate the
radio even using external power. If you try to
transmit while power is low, the radio will
automatically turn off. Recharge the batteries.

SX237-2CK, SX237-2CKHS

These models use a charging cradle (included)
to charge their NiMH batteries.

1. Plug the charging cradle into an AC adapter
and then plug the AC adapter into a power
source (wall outlet). .

2. Install the NiMH batteries in the radios.

3. Place the radios in the charging cradle. The
radios begin charging and the red LEDs
turn on.

4. The radio is fully charged when
the red POWER LEDs go off.

SX237-3VP

This

model charges through a microUSB
Y-branch cable (included) with an AC adapter
that plugs into an AC power source.

1. Plug one branch of the microUSB Y-Cable
into each radio's microUSB charge port.

2. Insert the AC adapter into an AC power
source (wall plug).

3. The radios are charged after 14 hours
when the battery icon on the screen stops
flashing.

Note: You will have to charge 2 of the 3 radios

and then charge the last one.

USING THE RADIO

Turning the Radio On and Adjusting the
Volume

1. Press and hold the MENU/ key to turn
the radio ON.

2. To change the volume level, press the

▲ or ▼ key to increase or decrease the

volume level. There are 8 volume levels (L1

- L8) plus volume off (L0)

3. Press and hold the MENU/

the radio OFF.

key to turn

Using Headphones

The SX237-2CKHS radio comes with earbud
headphones for each radio. You can purchase
optional earbuds or headsets for other radios if
desired. See www.uniden.com to purchase
authentic Uniden products.

Using the earbuds lets you have more private
communications. To use the earbuds, lift the
rubber cover from the headset jack, then plug in
the earbuds. The microphone is on the earbud
cable.

Important: Your radio is not weather resistant
when using a headset jack. When you remove
the earbuds, be sure to fully press the cover into
place to restore its weather resistant capability.

Using the Menu

Press MENU/ to access the three menu
options:

• Privacy Code (121 codes). The privacy codes
display underneath the channel number on
the screen.

• Call Tone (10 call tone options plus Off)

• VOX (5 levels plus Off)

Each menu option is discussed later in the
manual with the feature that uses it.

Choosing a Channel

Your radio has 22 channels you can use to talk
to others. In order to speak to someone, each of
you must be set to the same channel and
privacy code.

Each of the channels 1-22 may have any one of
the privacy codes, 0 (OFF), or 1-121 selected.
Code oF (OFF) indicates no privacy code
selected and your radio can receive a signal
regardless of the code settings of the
transmitting radio.

To choose a privacy code:

1. Press MENU/

number flashes below the channel number.

2. Press ▲ or ▼ to cycle through the privacy
codes.

3. The radio returns to its normal state after
about 10 seconds.

To choose a channel:

1. Press the CH/
function; the channel number flashes.

2. Press ▲ or ▼ to manually cycle through
the channels.

You can only manually cycle through channels

when the channel numbers are flashing.

until the privacy code

key to access the channel

3. Press CH/

to set the channel.

VOX Feature

CAUTION: Insert headphones into the radio

BEFORE turning on the radio.

Your radio is equipped with a user selectable Voice
Operated Transmitter (VOX) that can be used for
automatic voice transmissions. The VOX feature is
designed to be used with or without a headset with a
microphone. Transmission is initiated by speaking into
the microphone instead of pressing PTT.

To select a VOX level:

1. Press MENU

the VOX sensitivity level (OFF, 1-5) blink.

2. Press ▲ or ▼ to change the VOX sensitivity

levels. Use level 5 for increased sensitivity to
voice in normally quiet environments, and use a
lower level to reduce undesired activation in very
noisy environments.

3. The radio returns to its normal state after about
10 seconds.

/ repeatedly until the vox icon and

Channel Scan Feature

Your radio has a channel scan feature that allows you to
easily scan all 22 channels. When an active channel is
detected, the unit pauses on that channel until the
channel is clear. Then, after a 2 second delay, the radio

continues scanning. Press CH/
while the radio is stopped on an active channel.

When the unit stops on an active channel, you can
press the PTT button to transmit on that channel.

to resume scanning

Using channel scan

Press CH/ then hold ▼ or ▲ for 3 seconds. The
radio will repeatedly cycle through all 22 channels. To
reverse scan direction, press the other directional icon.
Press MENU/

CH/

scanning previously.

or CALL/MON to stop scanning. Press

to resume scanning in the same direction it was

Silent Mode

Silent mode turns off all key beeps when it is turned on.
It does NOT mute call or voice signals received.
Change Silent mode status (OFF or ON) by first turning
OFF the radio.

• To turn Silent mode off, press and hold the MENU/

key to turn the radio ON. Silent mode is off and
key beeps sound. (Default)

• To turn Silent mode on, press and hold the CALL/
MON and MENU/

Silent mode turns on and no key beeps sound.

keys to turn the radio back ON.

Talking on Your Radio

When the radio stops on a channel that is transmitting,
you can talk to others on that channel.

Transmitting

1. Press and hold the PTT button and speak in a

clear, normal voice about 2-3 inches away from

the microphone on the radio. (The tx icon displays
while you are transmitting. Pause slightly after
pressing the PTT button before you start talking to
prevent cutting off your transmission.)

2. When you are finished speaking, release the PTT

button. You can now receive incoming calls. While
receiving, the rx icon displays.

Transmitting a Call Alert Tone

Your radio is equipped with a call tone that transmits
when the CALL/MON key is pressed. You can select from
10 call tones.

1. Press MENU/

until call displays on the screen

and the call tone number displays.

2. Press ▲ or ▼ to cycle through the call tones. A
sample of the tone sounds as you move through
them

3. The radio returns to its normal state after about 5
seconds.

To transmit the call tone, press the CALL/MON key.

Auto Squelch Feature

The radio is equipped with an automatic squelch
system which shuts off weak transmissions and
unwanted noise due to terrain conditions or range
limitations.

Monitor Mode Feature

Your radio allows you to listen for weak signals on the
current channel at the press of a key.

To turn ON monitor mode:

Press and hold CALL/MON for 2 seconds. On a
channel that does not have activity, you will hear only
an open-squelch hissing noise and rx displays.

To turn OFF monitor mode:

Press the CALL/MON key for 2 seconds again. rx does
not display.

Weather Channels

Your radio can access 7 NOAA weather channels and
you can select one of these channels to be monitored
while you are listening to GMR transmissions. When
weather alerts are broadcast on that channel, the radio
tunes to that channel so you can hear them.

While you are listening to weather channels, the radio

does not receive GMRS communications.

access the weather channels, press WX/LOCK.

1. To
The weather channel number and the
display.

2. Press CH/

. The weather channel number

flashes.

3. Press ▲ or ▼ to manually cycle through the
weather channels.

4. If there is a weather channel you want to

icon

designate as the weather alert channel, press

again. The channel numbers stop flashing.

CH/

5. Press WX/LOCK again. The radio returns to

normal mode and the

icon and alt display,

indicating there is a weather channel set to alert
mode.

You can only manually cycle through channels when

the channel numbers are flashing

Key Lock

1. Press and hold WX/LOCK; displays. The

following functions are not affected by Key Lock:

• Volume adjust

• Enter monitor mode

• PTT transmission

• Backlight

• Power off

2. Press and hold WX/LOCK again;

disappears.

Backlight

Press and hold CH/ to turn on the LCD backlight.
The screen stays illuminated for 10 seconds before
the backlight turns off.

FREQUENCY CHART

CH Freq.[MHz] -

Cross Ref.

1 462.5625 - FRS &

GMRS 1

2 462.5875 - FRS &

GMRS 2

3 462.6125 - FRS &

GMRS 3

4 462.6375 - FRS &

GMRS 4

5 462.6625 - FRS &

GMRS 5

6 462.6875- FRS &

GMRS 6

7 462.7125 - FRS &

GMRS 7

8 467.5625 - FRS 8 19 462.6500 - GMRS 13

9 467.5875 - FRS 9 20 462.6750 - GMRS 10

10 467.6125 - FRS 10 21 462.7000 - GMRS 14

11 467.6375 - FRS 11 22 462.7250 - GMRS 15

CH Freq.[MHz] -

Cross Ref.

12 467.6625 - FRS 12

13 467.6875 - FRS 13

14 467.7125 - FRS 14

15 462.5500 - GMRS 11

16 462.5750 - GMRS 8

17 462.6000 - GMRS 12

18 462.6250 - GMRS 9

SPECIFICATIONS

Channels 15 GMRS/7 FRS

Weather
Channels

7

Operating

UHF 462.5500 - 467.7125 MHz

Frequency

Power

3 AA NiMH Batteries per radio.

Source

FCC INFORMATION

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.

(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

Important: Changes or modifications to this unit not
expressly approved by Uniden could void your
authority to operate this unit. Your radio is set up to
transmit a regulated signal on an assigned frequency.
It is against the law to alter or adjust the settings
inside the radio to exceed those limitations. Any
adjustments to your radio must be made by qualified
technicians.

To be safe and sure:

• Never open your radio’s case.

• Never change or replace anything in your radio

except the batteries.

Your radio might cause TV or radio interference even
when it is operating properly. To determine whether
your radio is causing the interference, turn it off. If the
interference goes away, your radio is causing it. Try to
eliminate the interference by moving your radio away
from the receiver. If you cannot eliminate the
interference, the FCC requires that you stop using the
radio.

Hazardous Environments: Do not operate the radio in
hazardous environments. Explosion or fire may
Do not operate the radio near unshielded electrical
blasting caps.

Under certain conditions, radios can interfere with
blasting operations and may cause an explosion. Turn
your radio OFF to prevent accidental transmission
when in a blasting area or in areas posted: "Turn off
two-way radio." Construction crews often use remote
control RF devices to set off explosives.

Care and Safety: To clean the radio, use a soft cloth
dampened with water. Do not use cleaners or solvents
because they can harm the body of the unit and leak
inside, causing permanent damage. Use a dry, lint­free cloth to clean the battery contacts. Do not
submerge the unit in water. If the unit gets wet, turn it
off and remove the batteries immediately.

Instruction manual shall include the following or similar
statement:

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,

result.

pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are de signed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed an d used in
accord ance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different

from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for

help.

Dry the battery compartment with a soft cloth to minimize
potential water damage. Leave the battery compartment cover off
overnight to ensure complete drying. Do not use the radio until
the unit is completely dry.

FCC RF EXPOSURE INFORMATION

WARNING! Read this information before using the radio.

In August 1996 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
of the United States with its action in Report and Order FCC
96-326 adopted an updated safety standard for
to radio frequency electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC
regulated transmitters. Those guidelines are consistent with the
safety standard previously set by both U.S. and international
standards bodies. The design of the radio complies with the FCC
guidelines and these international standards. Never allow children
to operate the radio without adult supervision and the knowledge
of the following guidelines.

WARNING! It is up to the user to properly operate this radio
transmitter to insure safe operation. Please adhere to the
following: Use only the supplied or an approved antenna.
Unauthorized antennas, modifications, or attachments could
impair call quality, damage the radio, or result in violation of FCC
regulations.

Do not use the radio with a damaged antenna. If a damaged
antenna comes into contact with the skin, a minor burn may
result. Please contact your local dealer for a replacement
antenna.

Body-worn Operation

This device was tested for typical body-worn operations using the
supplied belt-clip. To maintain compliance with FCC RF exposure
requirements, Body-worn operations are restricted to the supplied

human exposure

the Industry Canada RF exposure guidelines when used with the
(manufacturer name ) accessories supplied or designated for this
product. Use of other accessories may not ensure compliance with
Industry Canada RF exposure guidelines.

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

Important: SAVE YOUR RECEIPT! Evidence of original purchase

is required for warranty service.

WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION ("Uniden")

ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for one year, to the original
retail owner, this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and
craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below.

WARRANTY DURATION: This warranty to the original user shall terminate
and be of no further effect 12 months after the date of original retail sale.
The warranty is invalid if the Product is: (A) damaged or not maintained as
reasonable or necessary, (B) modified, altered, or used as part of any

conversion kits, sub-assemblies, or any configurations not sold by Uniden,
(C) improperly installed, (D) serviced or repaired by someone other than an
authorized Uniden service center for a defect or malfunction covered by this
warranty, (E) used in any conjunction with equipment or parts or as part of
any system not manufactured by Uniden, or (F) installed or programmed by
anyone other than as detailed by the owner’s manual for this product.

STATEMENT OF REMEDY: In the event that the product does not conform
to this warranty at any time while this warranty is in effect, warrantor will
either, at its option, repair or replace the defective unit and return it to you
without charge for parts, service, or any other cost (except shipping and
handling) incurred by warrantor or its representatives in connection with the
performance of this warranty. Warrantor, at its option, may replace the unit
with a new or refurbished unit.

THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE IS THE SOLE AND
ENTIRE WARRANTY PERTAINING TO THE PRODUCT AND IS IN LIEU OF
AND EXCLUDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE
WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR ARISING BY
OPERATION OF LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE.THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER OR PROVIDE FOR THE
REIMBURSEMENT OVERPAYMENT OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. Some states do not allow this exclusion or
limitation of incidental or
exclusion may not apply to you.

LEGAL REMEDIES: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is
void outside the United States of America and Canada.

PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PERFORMANCE OF WARRANTY: If, after
following the instructions in the owner’s manual you are certain that the
Product is defective, pack the Product carefully (preferably in its original
packaging). The Product should include all parts and accessories originally
packaged with the Product. Include evidence of original purchase and a note
describing the defect that has caused you to return it.The Product should be
shipped freight prepaid, by traceable means, to warrantor:

Uniden America Corporation
C/O Saddle Creek
743 Henrietta Creek Road, Suite 100
Roanoke, TX 76262

[phone], 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Central, Monday through
Friday

consequential damages so the above limitation or

belt-clip. For hand-held operation, the radio should be held 1 inch
from the user's face. The use of accessories that do not satisfy
these requirements may not comply with FCC RF exposure
requirements and should be avoided. For more information

about
RF exposure, please visit the FCC web site at: www.fcc.gov.
For body worn operation, this handset has been tested and meets

© 2015 Uniden America Corporation Issue 1, August 2015

All rights reserved Printed in China