Audiovox GMRS-1535 User manual

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Model :GMRS-1535
Owner’s Manual
CustomerService
1-800-290-6650
AUDIO OX
EMG
A

GMRSLICENSE:
USE OF THIS RADIO WITHIN THE UNITED STATES REQUIRES AN
FCCGMRSLICENSE. ANINDIVIDUAL18YEARSOFAGEOROLDER,
WHOISNOT A REPRESENTATAIVEOF A FOREIGNGOVERNMENT,
ISELIGIBLETOAPPLYFORA GMRS SYSTEM LICENSE. YOUWILL
NEED TWO FORMS FROM THE FCC; FCC FORM 159 AND FCC
FORM 605 MAIN FORM AND SCHEDULE F. YOU CAN FIND THE
FORMSONLINEAT: HTTP://WWW.FCC.GOV/FORMPAGE.HTML, OR
CALL 1-800-418-3676.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO CHARGE ALKALINE OR DRY CELL BATTER-
IES. WHEN RECHARGING, USE ONLY AUDIOVOX APPROVED
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND CHARGER. USE OF THE
CHARGER WITH OTHER BATTERIES WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO
YOUR GMRS-1535 RADIO TRANSCEIVER. OTHER TYPES OF
BATTERIESMAYBURSTCAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
AVOID PLACING THE GMRS-1535 RADIO TRANSCEIVER FOR
PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR
TEMPERATURES BELOW-4° F(-20° C) OR ABOVE140 °F(60°C).
KEEPTHEANTENNA AT1INCH(2.5 cm)AWAY FROM YOUR HEAD
ANDBODY. DONOTUSEYOURGMRS-1535RADIOTRANSCEIVER
WITHADAMAGEDANTENNA.
PLACE THE RUBBER COVERS ON JACKS WHEN NOT IN USE.
CAUTIONS

3
1. BatteryDoor
2. Monitor/BacklightButton
3. DetachableBelt Clip
4. Push-To-Talk(PTT) Button
5. Antenna
6. ExternalSpeaker(SPK)/Micro-
phone(MIC)Jacks
7. Built-inSpeaker
8. LiquidCrystal Display(LCD)
9. Built-inMicrophone
10. UpChannel/VolumeButton
Model GMRS-1535 (FCC License Required)
11. DownChannel/Volume
Button
12. MODEButton
13. SCAN/LockButton
14. Emergency(EMG) Call
Button
15. PowerOn/Offand Function
SetControl
16. CombinationTransmit Indi-
cator(Red)/Receive and
Monitor Indicator(Green)
3
5
4
1
29
13
11
8
10
12
7
AUDIO OX
EMG
A
3
(REF)
1
(REF)
15
14 16
6

4
Model GMRS-1535 DISPLAY
1. Beep Tone Indicator: Icon appears when beep button confirmation
tone is selected; icon disappears when tone is off.
2. Key Lock Indicator: Icon appears when the keypad is locked. This
function disables keys such as channel up/down and MODE.
3. Monitor Indicator: Icon appears when the Monitor (M) button is
pressed and the channel monitor function is activated.
4 . Signal Strength Indicator: Iconappearswhen asignalis beingreceived.
The icon consists of five bars to indicate the received signal level. The
icon also represents transmit signal power during transmission.
5. Coded Tone Controlled Squelch System (CTC) Indicator: Icon
appearswhen the CTCSS tonefunctionisactive.
6. Large Segment Display: Indicates the channel number in use.
7. Scan Indicator: This function allows the user to scan a channel and/or a
tonecodeevery.5secondtosearchforavalidsignal.
8. Emergency Indicator: EMGIconappearswhentheEMGbuttonispressed.
(ThefrequencyisNOTmonitored by authorities).
9. Battery Level Indicator: Icon indicates the battery charge level.
10.Hi/LO Indicators: Appropriate icon appears when the transmit power
is set to desired output power.
10
11
12
8
9
7
6
4
5
3
2
1
13
14
15

5
11.Weather Mode Indicator: Icon will be on steady when in the weather
band mode. The icon will blink when in the GMRS mode with the alert
active.
12.RogerBeep Tone On/Off Indicator: This icon appears when the
Roger Beep tone is on, and disappears when tone is not in use.
13.Small Segment Display: Displays the CTCSS tone option in the
channel from (00-38).
14.Dual Watch Mode Indicator: Icon appears when dual watch mode is
active.
15.Voice Activated Transmission (VOX) Indicator: This function allows
hands free conversation. The icon appears when the VOX mode is
activated.
Powering the transceiver:
Your GMRS-1535radiotransceiveroperates on fourAAAbatteries. Alkaline
batteries will provide slightly better performance than rechargeable
batteries. OnlyAudiovoxapproved rechargeablebatteries can berecharged
in the radio transceiver using the optional charging stand.
Installing the batteries:
Battery installation is made more convenient when the belt clip is removed.
To do this, release the spring clip securing the belt clip to radio and slide
the belt clip downward and away from the radio body. Next, press down
with the thumb at the arrow, slide the battery cover down and lift off the
battery cover. Insert four AAA batteries (alternate positive ends (+) toward
the bottom of the transceiver, (starting left-to-right).

6
The following guidelines will improve performance and provide longer
operating times for the GMRS-1535:
1. Do not mix old and new batteries.
2. The use of alkaline-type batteries is recommended to provide the longest
operating time.
3. Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc) or rechargeable
batteries.
4. If the unit is not to be used for an extended period of time, remove the
batteries. Old or leaking batteries can cause damage to the unit and
will void the warranty.
SPRING
CLIP
BATTERY
COVER
BELT CLIP
COVER
ARROW
+ +
+ +
POSITIVE
TERMINALS
2. Slide the cover
down and then lift
cover at bottom to
open.Remove
cover.
3. Insert four AAA batteries
(positive (+) end toward
the bottom begining at
left side and alternating
positive terminals as
shown),or insert the
rechargeable batteries.
1. Using thumb,
press down on
battery cover at
arrow and slide
cover down to
open.

7
NOTE:
To switch between GMRS and Weather Band modes, press and hold the
Mode button for 2 seconds. To differentiate between operating modes, look
for HI or LO indication below the battery power level indicator when in GMRS
mode. In Weather Band mode, these indications are not present. Refer to
the appropriate section of this manual for detailed operating instruc-
tions for each mode. When in GMRS standby mode, the transmit/receive
indicator will flash once every 5 seconds as the unit checks for
transmissions.
GMRS-1535 OPERATIONAL MODES
CHANNEL
SELECT
BUTTON
BEEP
WEATHERBAND
ALERT
CALL
SELECT
GMRSBAND
WEATHERBAND
BUTTON
BEEP
ROGER
BEEP
DUAL
WATCH
VOX
SELECT
POWER
SELECT
CTCSS
SELECT
CHANNEL
SELECT

8
Controls:
Power On/Off (15) Button
Press and hold the power on/off button ( ) for at least 2 seconds. You will
hear a confirming melody to indicate the unit is on. To turn the unit off, press
andholdthebuttonforatleast2seconds.
AdjustingtheVolume
With the unit powered on, press the Up Channel/Volume button ( ) to
increase volume and the Down Channel/Volume button ( ) to decrease
volume. The display will indicate the current volume level by the small
number in the icon ( ).
Monitor/Display Backlight Button (2)
This button is used to to check activity on the current frequency before
transmitting. Check activity by pressing the Monitor (M) Button longer
than 2 seconds; the icon will apppear on the display and you will
hearstaticif frequencyisclear.
Do not transmit if you hear conversation.
Hold down the Monitor Button again longer than 2 seconds and the
icon will disapppear from the display.
The monitor function will temporarily bypass the squelch setting and play
all signals on a given channel. This feature is useful when communicating
with other parties at extreme range.
By pressing the monitor button momentarily, the LCD backlight is turned
on; the LCD backlight will turn off automatically in about 5 seconds, or
when the monitor button is pressed momentarily once again.
Push To Talk (PTT) Button (4)
Pressing and holding this button will allow you to speak to any transceiver
that is set to the same channel and privacy code setting as yours. Hold the
transceiver approximately 1 to 2 inches from your face as you speak into
the built in microphone (9). After you have finished speaking, release the
PTT Button to allow reception of incoming signals. It is not possible to

9
transmit and receive at the same time. The Transmit/Monitor LED at the
upper right corner of the LCD Panel (8) will light red while the PTT Button is
pressed and the signal indicator will display the relative strength of the
transmitted signal.
Releasing the button allows the unit to revert to standby mode. When
receiving an incoming signal, the Transmit/Monitor LED indicator will light
green and the received signal strength indicator ( ) will display
the relative strenth of the signal.
The PTT Button can also be used as a two-way call ringer. Pressing the
buttontwicequickly will callanotherpartyon the samechannel. TheTransmit
LED will light
red for approximately 3 seconds and then go out.
Up Channel/Volume Button (10)
In the standby mode, pressing this button will increment the listening
volume. When in function edit mode this button will be used to adjust the
unit’s settings.
Down Channel/Volume Button (11)
In the standby mode, pressing this button will decrement the listening
volume. When in function edit mode this button will be used to adjust the
unit’s settings.
Mode Button (12)
Thisbuttonisusedtoselectvariousfeature settings in the GMRS or weather
band mode. Holding the MODE button longer than 2 seconds will toggle
between the GMRS and weather band modes.

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Emergency (EMG) Call Button Button (14)
This radio has a quick access button (EMG) to the Emergency and
Assistance Channel. This channel is not monitored by local authorities.
When using this channel, EMG appears on the display. Pressing this
button will set the transceiver to the channel 10, 462.6750 MHz).
External Speaker (SPK)/Microphone (MIC) Jacks (6)
This set of jacks accepts an Audiovox headset/microphone connector.
Scan/Lock Button (13)
Press this Button momentarily to enable or disable the scan mode. Press
and hold Button for more than 1 second to lock or unlock the key pad,
except PTT and Monitor (M). When the keypad the ( ) icon will display in
the top right corner.
Operating Modes and Features
GRMS Operation
- From GMRS standby mode, press and hold the ( ) button for 2
seconds to turn on power.
- Press the MODE button so the Channel number flashes.
- Select the desired channel with the Up (10) and Down (11) Buttons.
When receiving a call, the signal strength meter appears to indicate
incoming received signal strength and the Monitor section of the
Transmit/Monitor LED (16) lights
green .
- Press and hold the PTT button (4) to transmit, then speak into the
microphone clearly and slowly. The Transmit section of the Trans-
mit/Monitor LED (16) lights
red .
- Release PTT Button (4) to receive.
- Communication can only be accomplished when the channel and
CTCSS tone frequency of at least two parties are the same.
- The CTC icon will be displayed on the LCD panel if the CTCSS tone
frequency function is enabled.

11
Channel Selection
In order to communicate with other GMRS units, both transmitting and
receiving party must be on the same frequency.
The GMRS-1535 has 15 channels (frequencies) (1-15) indicated by the
large digits on the LCD display panel. Channels 1 through 7 are the
same frequency as FRS channels 1 through 7. Communication with
Audiovox FRS and compatible units is possible on these seven channels.
Before transmitting on the selected channel, press the Monitor (M) Button
(2) to check the activity on that channel. If there is activity on the selected
channel, change to another channel that is clear.
To change the channel,
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE button (12) until the
channel number flashes.
- Press the Up Button (10) briefly to move to the next higher main
channel number.
- Press the Down Button (11) briefly to move to the next lower main
channel number.
CTCSS Mode (Sub-Channel) Selection
Coded Tone Controlled Squelch System (CTCSS) with 38 Sub-Frequencies.
This feature allows you to utilize the coded squelch tones (00–38) within a
main channel. This enables you to communicate with another party on the
same main channel using the same subcode. (This filters out unwanted
transmissions without the same coded squelch tone). There are 38 CTCSS
Sub-channels for each main channel. A different subcode may be
selected for each of the 15 channels.
To change the CTCSS Sub-channel,
- From GMRS standby mode, press the Mode Button twice; a flashing
oF or sub-channel number is displayed. If oF is displayed, press the
Up or Down button to enable the CTCSS mode; the CTC icon will
appear steady on the display with the flashing sub-channel number.

12
- Then press the Up or Down button to select the desired sub-channel
for use.
- Press the Power On/Off button momentarily to confirm selection.
The CTCSS mode can be turned off by selecting the oF icon as the setting.
NOTE: To communicate with other GMRS units, they must be switched to
the same channel and CTCSS subcode. To communicate with
other GMRS units that do not have subcodes, switch your unit to
the same channel with the subcode set to oF.
The CTCSS subcodes do not prevent others from hearing your
transmission. This will only allow you to ignore all traffic on a
given channel not using the same subcode.
VOX Selection Mode
This option enables you to have hands-free conversation. Your voice or
nearby sound is detected and the radio transmits without the need to
press the PTT button.
To set radio for VOX operation,
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE button until the VOX icon
flashes on the display.
- Press the Up or Down button to select VOX On (if oF appears flash-
ing) and the 1-5 VOX level sensitivity.
- Momentarilypress the Power On/Off button to confirm the VOX selection.
- The VOX icon will appear steady on the LCD display.
VOX can be turned off by selecting oF as the setting.

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Channel Scan Operation
This feature allows you to monitor all channels automatically for valid
signals. While scanning, you can transmit and receive. When a signal is
received, the scan is interrupted and will return to scan mode 5 seconds
after reception is terminated.
NOTE:
While the scan function is active, the MODE button will be inoperative. The
scan mode will reduce the overall battery life due to the battery save
function is overridden.
To enable the channel scan mode,
- From GMRS standby mode, momentarily press the SCAN Button;
(SCAN) will appear on the LCD display.
- The radio will display each channel (1-15) in order as the scan mode
operates to find an active main channel.
- When unit doesn’t find any signals and you want to transmit, press
the PTT switch to return to home channel operation. The transceiver
will automatically resume scanning approximately 5 seconds after
the communication is completed.
- If there is no activity and you want to leave the scan mode, press the
SCAN button momentarily and the unit will return to normal operation;
(SCAN) icon will disappear from the LCD display.
CTCSS Scan Operation
This feature will scan all CTCSS codes for a single channel. It will pause
to play any active transmissions then resume scanning 5 seconds after
ending transmission. When in CTCSS scan mode the receiver will ignore
uncoded transmissions. This feature is useful to establish communications
with other users utilizing CTCSS coded transmissions.
To activate the tone code (CTCSS) scan mode,
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE button twice to select
the CTCSS function.

14
- Press the SCAN button; the radio will begin scanning for all tone
codes (00–38) relative to the current main channel selection.
- To disable the tone code scan, press the SCAN button again, and the
radio will return to normal operation.
Dual Watch Mode
This feature allows you to monitor two channels at the same time. While in
dual watch mode, the unit will continuously monitor both the primary and
dual watch channel. Received signals will be played for 5 seconds, then
the unit will resume scanning the two channels. Pressing the PTT button
during a received transmission will set the unit to transmit on the same
channel. Pressing the PTT button when no signal is received will set the
unit to transmit on the primary channel.
To set the Dual Watch Mode:
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE button 5 times; the DW
icon flashes on the display. If the dual watch mode is off, the oF icon
will also appear flashing.
- To enable the dual watch mode, press the Up or Down button; the dual
watch channel number will flash and start to increment up or down as
the Up or Down button is pressed.
- Press the MODE button again to select the CTCSS function and select
the CTCSS code if desired for the dual watch channel just
selected.
- Press the Power On/Off button to confirm selection of the dual watch
channel. The display will now alternate between the primary channel
and the dual watch channel just selected.
Momentarily press the SCAN button to exit the dual watch mode.

15
Key Tone
This feature allows the transceiver to sound a confirmation tone whenever
thefollowingkeysare pressed: Monitor(M)Button,Up/Down Buttons, MODE
Button, SCAN Button, or the EMG Button.
To turn the key tones on or off,
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE Button six times until bp,
the Bell ( ) icon, and On or oF flash on the LCD display.
- Press the Up or Down Button to toggle the key tone feature On or Off.
- Press the Power On/Off button momentarily to confirm selection.
When the key tone feature is on, the Bell icon appears steady on the
display, and the beep tones sound in response to button activation.
Transmit Power Selection Mode
This feature permits selection of the transmitting power level to high
(1.8 watts)or low (0.5 watt). Using low power the unit will have a lower
transmit range but battery life will be increased.
To access the transmitter power selection function:
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE Button until the Po icon
appears with a flashing HI or Lo indication on the display.
- Press the Up or Down button to toggle between the High and Low se-
lections.
- Press the Power On/Off button momentarily to confirm selection.
The display will indicate the current setting in standby mode.
Roger Beep Tone
The Roger Beep is a tone which is automatically transmitted whenever the
PTT button is released. This tone alerts the receiving party that the trans-
mission has been terminated intentionally.

16
To enable and disable the Roger Beep tone:
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE Button 7 times until rb
appears on the display with the flashing Roger Beep icon ( ) and
OnoroF.
- Press the Up or Down Button to select the tone on or off as desired.
- When enabled, the tone icon ( ) appears steady on the display.
- Press the Power On/Off button momentarily to confirm selection.
Call Ringer Selection Mode
The transceiver provides 5 user-selectable call ringer melodies to alert
you to an incoming call.
To select your favorite call ringer melody:
- From GMRS standby mode, press the MODE button 8 times;
CA will appear on the display, together with a flashing number be
tween 1and 5, and an appropriate call ring.
- Press the Up or Down Button to preview and hear the 5 available call
melodies.
- Press the Power On/Off button momentarily to confirm selection.
Refer to the PTT button (4) to transmit ring signal.
Auto Key Lock Selection Mode
This feature prevents accidental channel change to the preferred settings
of the unit. The Auto Key Lock function temporarily disables the Up, Down
and Mode Buttons.
To access the Auto Key Lock selection menu:,
- From GMRS standby mode, press and hold the Scan Button for over
2 seconds to Lock the Auto Key function; the ( ) icon appears on
the display.
- The PTT and Monitor Buttons are not effected.
- To unlock the Auto Key function, press and hold the SCAN button for
at least 2 seconds; the icon ( ) disappears from the display.

17
Emergency and Assistance Channel Mode
This radio has a quick access button (EMG) to the Emergency and
Assistance Channel. This channel is not monitored by local authorities.
When using this channel,
EMG appears on the display. Pressing this
button will set the transceiver to the channel 10, 462.6750 MHz). The
Emergency Channel can be used transmit and receive on a special
frequency (CH10: 462.6750 MHz).
The Emergency Channel can be selected quickly from any user mode.
To access the Emergency Channel mode,
- Press Emergency (EMG) Button;
EMG and Channel 10 appears on
the display.
- To turn off the Emergency Channel feature, press and release the
EMG Button.
Weather Band Operation
Channel Selection
This feature provides access to 10 channels within the weather band (7
NOAA channels and 3 Canadian marine channels. To select a weather
channel, the unit must be in the weather channel mode. Press and hold
the MODE button for at least 2 seconds; the weather alert icon ( ) will
appear, together with a channel number in the band. Press the MODE
button (12) until the channel number flashes.
To change the channel,
- Press the Up Button (10) briefly to move to the next higher
main channel number.
- Press the Down Button (11) briefly to move to the next lower main
channel number.

Weather Alert Mode
The weather alert mode notifies the user of unusual weather situations.
To access the weather alert function:
- From Weather Band standby mode, press the MODE button once to
access the weather channels and use the Up or Down Button to
select the desired channel.
- Press the MODE button again to access the weather alert function;
weather icon ( ) and AL On or oF appear flashing on the display.
- Use the Up or Down buttons to enable (On)/disable (oF) the alert
function. The weather icon will stop blinking on the display when the
alert is disabled.
- Press the PTT Button to confirm your selection.
- Press and hold the MODE button for at least 2 seconds to exit the
weather function.
Whether the unit is in GMRS or weather band mode, if a weather alert
signal is received, the unit will generate a warning tone. To silence the
warning tone, press any key except the PTT button. The unit will then revert
to a previously selected weather channel and the weather alert will be
heard.
Key Tone
This feature allows the transceiver to sound a tone whenever the following
keys are pressed: Monitor (M) Button, Up/Down Buttons, MODE Button,
SCAN Button, or the EMG Button.
To turn the key tones on or off,
- From Weather Band standby mode, press the MODE button three
times until bp, the Bell ( ) icon, and On or oF flash on the LCD
display.
- Press the Up or Down Button to toggle the key tone feature On or Off.
- Press the Power On/Off button momentarily to confirm selection.
When the key tone feature is on, the Bell icon appears steady on the display
and the beep tones sound in response to button activation.
18

Battery Alert
When the battery icon ( ) blinks on the LCD panel, recharge unit or
install fresh batteries. If the batteries are not replaced the ( ) icon will
appear and an audio tone will sound to warn the user that the batteries
must be replaced.
Batteries
There are two methods of powering the GMRS-1535:
1.Alkaline Batteries - (4 x AAA size)
2.Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries - (Rechargeable Ni-MH
batteries and Charging Stand not included). Use only Audiovox
approved rechargable batteries.
NOTE: To extend battery life, avoid overcharging the batteries.
NOTESFORGOOD COMMUNICATION
1 . The GMRS-1535 15 channels are shared on a ‘take turns’ basis.
This means other groups may be talking on any of the channels.
A common code of ethics/courtesy is to switch to another vacant
channel and not to attempt to talk over someone who is already using
the channel you first selected.
2. The GMRS-1535 has been designed to maximize performance
and improve transmission range in the field. To avoid interference,
it is recommended that you do not use the units closer than 5 feet
apart.
3. For best transmission results, always keep your mouth about 2-3
inches from the microphone (9) and speak slowly in a normal voice.
4. To increase battery life, avoid features such as Scan, Dual Watch and
Weather Alert. These features will reduce operating time
considerably.
19

Warning
•Do not operate the transceiver unless you are licensed to do so.
•Remove the batteries from the transceiver if it is not expected to be used
for long periods. This will eliminate the possibility of chemicals leaking
from the batteries and corroding the transceiver.
•Avoid exposing the transceiver to water or extremes of temperature.
•Do not use this device in or near a mining facility, which uses remotely
triggered explosives or in areas labeled “Blasting Area”. Premature or
accidental detonation may result.
•Do not attempt to modify or in any way increase the output of this
transceiver. Its output is designed to meet the legal limits set by the FCC.
•Do not use this device or change its batteries in potentially explosive
atmospheres as sparks in such areas could result in an explosion.
•Turn your transceiver off wherever posted notices restrict the use of radios
or cellular telephones. Facilities such as hospitals may use equipment
that is sensitive to RF energy.
•Turn your transceiver off on board aircraft when requested to do so.
•Do not place your radio in front of a vehicle’s air-bag. If the air-bag
deploys, it could propel the transceiver like a projectile causing bodily
injury.
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Troubleshooting
Problem Possible cause Correction
No transmission Weak batteries Charge or replace batteries
while pressing Incorrect battery polarity Install the batteries
thePTT Button following the directions in
paragraph Installing the
Batteries.