Audiovox FR-531-2 User manual

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Released on 12-18-01
Revision A: 8-13-02--Functional operation changed to reflect
new manufacturer’s specifications.
Customer Service
1-800-290-6650
Owner’s Manual
Model FR-531-2
Two Way Family Radio
SCAN
PWR
VOX
MIC
VOX

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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SELECTION
OF THE FR-531-2 (FAMILY RADIO)
It is one of the most sophisticated and reliable two way
family radios available.
BEFORE OPERATING YOUR FR-531-2 (FAMILY RADIO)
READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY

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Your FR-531-2 Family Radio is a portable, easy to use, two-way radio that you can
carry almost anywhere. It is skillfully constructed to give you reliable communica-
tions for many different applications. The FR-531-2 is ideal for use around the
house, in your boat, on hunting and camping trips, on the ski slopes or at the mall.
FEATURES
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SCAN
PWR
VOX
MIC
VOX

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Your transceiver will achieve its maximum operating range when communicating
with other transceivers in a flat open area with no trees or buildings obstructing its
signal. Range may be up to two miles under such conditions. Obstacles such as
buildings, trees or mountains will tend to reduce the transceiver’s effective range.
FCC WARNING
Replacement or substitution of transistors, diodes or other parts of a unique
nature, with parts other than those recommended by the manufacturer, may cause
a violation of the technical regulations of Part 15 of FCC Rules.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Your wireless hand-held portable transceiver contains a low power transmitter.
When the PTT button is pushed it sends out radio frequency (RF) signals. The
device is authorized to operate at a duty factor not to exceed 50%. In August 1996,
the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) adopted RF exposure
guidelines with safety levels for hand-held wireless devices.
Important: To maintain compliance with the FCC’ s RF exposure guidelines hold
the transmitter at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from your face and
speak in a normal voice, with the antenna pointed up and away. If you
wear the handset on your body while using the headset accessory,
use only the Audiovox supplied belt clip for this product and ensure
that the antenna is at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) from your body
when transmitting. Use only the supplied antenna. Unauthorized
antennas, modifications, or attachments could damage the transmitter
and may violate FCC regulations.
Normal Position: Hold the transmitter approximately 1” from your face and
speak in a normal voice, with the antenna pointed up and away.
PERFORMANCE

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FUNCTION AND LOCATION OF THE CONTROLS
SCAN
PWR
VOX
MIC
VOX
EAR
MIC CHG
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
4
(REF)
16
17

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1. Power Button: Press and hold this button for 2 seconds to turn the trans
ceiver on or off.
2. Push-to-Talk Button (PTT): Press to transmit. Release to receive.
3. Monitor Button: Press and hold to bypass the squelch and listen to channel
activity; a momentary press activates LCD backlighting for 5 seconds.
4. Carry Clip
5. Battery Compartment
6. Speaker
7. Microphone
8. SCAN Button: Press this button to initiate an automatic scan of FRS
channels 1-14.
9. Down Button: Press this button to decrease the volume or channel setting.
10. Up Button: Press this button to increase the volume or channel setting.
11. LCD Display: Displays the current FRS channel number as well as other
functions.
12. Function Select Button: Press this button to select and toggle through all
unit functions.
13. VOX Button: Press this button to activate the Voice-Operated Transmis
sion function.
14. Fixed Antenna
15. Ear/Microphone (EAR/MIC) Jack: For use with an optional Audiovox
approved Ear/Microphone set which facilitates hands-free VOX operation.
16. Charger (CHG) Jack: Not Used.
17. Charging Contacts: Not Used.

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LCD DISPLAY AND OPERATION
The FR-531-2 is equipped with an LCD
display to indicate its settings and
functions.
Transmission Indicator
Low Battery Alert
FRS Channel Indicator (1–14). Appears each
time power is turned on during a power-on self-
test of the unit.
appears each time power is turned on during
a power-on self-test of the unit to check integrity
of LCD.
Key Lock Indicator. Appears for 2 seconds when
Function (F) button is pressed and held to
disable unit key functions (except PTT).
Busy Channel Indicator. Displays when
Monitor button is pressed.
VOX Function Indicator
VOX
BUSY
VOX

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BATTERY INSTALLATION
Your FR-531-2 requires four AAA alkaline
cells. Alkaline batteries will provide the best
performance from your transceiver. Remove
the battery cover by rotating the carry clip away
from the battery compartment. Slide the bat-
tery cover downward while applying pressure
at the embossed arrow. Observe the polarity
symbols inside the battery tray when install-
ing the batteries.
CLIP
RELEASE
LATCH
EMBOSSED
ARROW
BATTERY
COVER
CAUTION:
Incorrect battery installation can damage the unit.
The EAR MIC jack is intended for use with Audiovox approved ear mi-
crophone/headset, while the CHG jack is not used.

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USING YOUR FR-531-2
Turning the Transceiver On and Off
Pressing the power button (1) for 2 seconds will activate the unit. The speaker
will sound a beep tone to confirm the transceiver’s activation. In addition, the
transceiver will perform a 1-second power-on self-test, whereby the LCD dis-
play will show all functional items, including a test of the 2-digit channel
display ( ). To turn the unit off, simply press and hold the power button for
2 seconds. The unit will confirm its shutdown with a single beep tone.
Volume Level
Audio reception volume is controlled by the Up (▲10) and the Down (▼ 9)
button. Momentarily pressing either button will raise or lower the volume
level.
Low Battery Alert
When the batteries are in need of replacement or charging, the low battery
icon ( ) will appear on the LCD display and the transceiver will sound a
1-minute beep to alert the user. If unattended, the unit will eventually turn off.
Monitor Button
You can monitor channel activity by pressing the Monitor (M) button (3). If
pressed for more than 2 seconds, you can continuously monitor channel
activity. Press again, momentarily, and monitoring is disabled. Pressing this
button momentarily will cause the unit to beep and the LCD backlight func-
tion will be activated for 5 seconds.
Function (F) Select Button (12)
Pressing this button will allow selection of frequency channels as well as
selection of the various unit functions. Each press permits selection of the
desired channel (1–14) and Roger Beep tone.

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Channel Selection
Press the function button once or until the two digit channel display flashes.
Press Up or Down buttons (10, 9) to select desired channel (1–14). Press the
PTT button to confirm and fix channel selection.
Roger Beep Tone
The Roger Beep is a beep tone sequence which is automatically transmitted
whenever the PTT button is released. This alerts the receiving party that your
transmission has been ended intentionally, provided that unit has an enabled
Roger Beep funtion also. To enable the Roger Beep tone:
- Press the F button twice until the rb icon flashes and On or oF
appears on the display.
- Then press the Up or Down button to set the function On.
- To disable the Roger Beep tone, proceed as before, except press the Up
or Down button to set the function oF.
- Press the PTT button to confirm the On or oF condition.
Beep Confirmation Tones
Whenever any of the function select buttons are pressed, the speaker will
automatically sound a beep tone to confirm each press.
VOX Function
This feature enables you to have hands-free conversation. When using the internal
microphone/speaker or external microphone/headset (purchased separately),
your voice or the signal is detected and the radio transmits and receives
automatically.
To access the VOX function:
- Press the VOX button; the VOX icon appears on the display.
NOTE: In the VOX mode, the sensitivity is automatically set.
- To exit the VOX mode, press the VOX button again; the VOX icon will
disappear from the display.
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FUNCTIONS