Audiovox FR-531 User manual

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Released on 12-18-01.
Customer Service
1-800-290-6650
Owner’s Manual
Model FR-531
Two Way Family Radio
Walkie-talkie
CALL
PWR
VOX
MIC

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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SELECTION
OF THE FR-531 (FAMILY RADIO)
It is one of the most sophisticated and reliable two way
family radios available.
BEFORE OPERATING YOUR FR-531 (FAMILY RADIO)
READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
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© 2000 Audiovox Electronics Corporation, 150 Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788

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Your FR-531 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
communications for many different applications. The FR-531 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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CALL
PWR
VOX
MIC

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Your transceiver will achieve its maximum operating range when communi-
cating 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 handheld 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
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
4
(REF)
CALL
PWR
VOX
MIC

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1. Power Button: Press and hold this button for 2 seconds to turn the
transceiver 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 chan-
nel activity; a momentary press activates LCD backlighting for 5 seconds.
4. Belt Clip
5. Battery Compartment
6. Speaker
7. Microphone
8. Call Button: Press and hold this button to send a ringing sound to other
radios tuned to the same channel.
9. Down Button: Press this button to decrease the volume or channel set
ting.
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 Trans-
mission function.
14. Fixed Antenna
15. Microphone/Charger Jack: For use with an external microphone
button and optional battery charger.
16. Speaker Jack: For use with an Audiovox approved headset accessory
only.

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LCD DISPLAY AND OPERATION
The FR-531 is equipped with an LCD
display to indicate its settings and
functions. When the radio is on, pressing
any button will illuminate the display for
5 seconds.
Transmission Indicator
Call Button Indicator
Low Battery Alert
Battery Saver Mode Indicator
Beep tone Indicator
FRS Channel Indicator (1–14). appears
each time power is turned on during a power-on
self-test of the unit.
Busy Channel Indicator. Displays when
Monitor button is pressed.
SCAN Indicator
Key Lock Indicator
VOX Function Indicator
Volume Level Indicator
BUSY
SCAN

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BATTERY INSTALLATION
BATTERY SAVER MODE
Your FR-531 has a unique circuit designed to dramatically extend the life of
its batteries. After 8 seconds of inactivity, the FR-531-2 will switch to bat-
tery saver mode. While in battery saver mode, the battery saver mode
indicator ( ) is present on the display, and the transceiver will remain
ready to receive any incoming transmissions while the battery saver mode
is active. Pressing any of the buttons, except the up, down, Function (F) or
VOX button will exit the battery saver mode.
CAUTION:
Your FR-531 requires four AAA alkaline or four
rechargeable AAA cells. Alkaline batteries will
provide the best performance from your trans-
ceiver. Remove the battery cover by releasing
the belt clip latch at the top, and sliding the clip
up and away from the back of the unit. Slide
the battery cover downward while applying pres-
sure at the embossed arrow. Observe the po-
larity symbols inside the battery tray when in-
stalling the batteries.
Incorrect battery installation can damage the unit.
The microphone / charger jack is intended for use with Audiovox ap-
proved charging accessories only. Refer to the documentation included
with the battery charger.
Never attempt to charge alkaline batteries with the optional battery
charger.
BELT CLIP
RELEASE
LATCH
EMBOSSED
ARROW
BATTERY
COVER

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USING YOUR FR-531
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 display 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. A bar graph ( ) on the left side of the display will show the volume
level setting.
Call Button (8)
When the call button is pressed, the call icon ( ) will appear on the
display and the FR-531 will transmit a 3-second ringing sound to other
transceiver’s tuned to the same channel. This feature can be used to signal
other parties that voice communication is desired.
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 and held for more than 2 seconds, you can continuously monitor

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channel activity. Press again, momentarily, and monitoring is disabled. Press-
ing this button momentarily will cause the unit to beep and the LCD backlight
function 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), beep tone, scan, and Dual Watch mode. This but-
ton also activates the Key lock feature when pressed and held for more than
2 seconds. The Key lock icon ( ) appears on the display. To unlock this
function, press and hold the function button for 2 seconds.
Channel Selection
Press function button once or until two-digit channel display flashes. Press
Up or Down buttons (10, 9) to select desired channel (1–14).
Beep Confirmation Tones
Whenever the Up/Down or function select buttons are pressed, the speaker
will sound a beep tone to confirm each press, provided the key tone feature is
enabled. Press the Function (F) button twice to access the beep tone fea-
ture. To disable the key tone, press the F button until the Beep Tone icon
( ) flashes; On appears on the display. Then press Up or Down buttons
until oF appears and icon disappears. No beep tones should be heard. To
enable the key tone, proceed as before, until oF appears and Beep Tone icon
flashes. Then press Up or Down button so that On appears. Key tone icon is
FUNCTIONS
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