BK Radio GPH Flex Mode User manual

2BK Radio
FEATURES
•Programmable group/channel selector
• Programmable top switches
• Programmable keypad menu
• DTMF
• ANI
• Time-out timer
• Group scan
• Scan delay
• Talkback scan
• Nuisance channel delete
• Dual-priority scan with Code Guard
• Alphanumeric display
• Up to 240 channels available in 15
groups of 16 channels
• 2.5 kHz interstitial channel spacing
• Enhanced user Code Guard that
accesses all 16 guards
• Group scan with group lockout
• Clonable alphanumeric display data
• Clonable low-power select per channel

GPH Owner’s Manual 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................................................. 3
Basic Operation........................................................................................... 4
Radio Controls ............................................................................................ 5
Code Guard Operation ................................................................................ 6
Built-In Features ......................................................................................... 7
Alphanumeric Display .............................................................................. 12
Channel Groups......................................................................................... 13
Scan Operation.......................................................................................... 15
Priority Scan.............................................................................................. 17
User Selected Code Guard ........................................................................ 22
Busy Channel ............................................................................................ 23
Cloning Procedure..................................................................................... 25
Battery Installation and Removal.............................................................. 28
Definitions and Acronyms ........................................................................ 29
Service....................................................................................................... 30
INTRODUCTION
CONGRATULATIONS, you now own a BK Radio GPH Flex•Mode™
radio. This synthesized portable radio uses a microprocessor core allowing
features and performance previously unavailable in a hand-held two-way
radio. The GPH radio has been designed to meet the tough requirements of
today’s communications environment. Please take a moment to read the
information in this manual so you can get optimum performance from your
new radio.
FCC REQUIREMENTS
Your radio must be properly licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission prior to use. Your BK Radio dealer can assist you in meeting
these requirements. Your dealer will program each radio with your
authorized frequencies, signaling codes, etc., and will be there to meet your
communications needs as your system expands.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Do not operate the transmitter in close proximity to
blasting caps.
• Do not operate the radio in an explosive atmosphere
(petroleum fuels, solvents, dust, etc.) unless your
radio is an intrinsically safe model designed for such
use.

4BK Radio
BUSY CHANNEL
INDICATOR
BASIC OPERATION
RECEIVE 1. TURN POWER ON by turning the volume knob
clockwise. A beep sounds, indicating the radio is
operational. The LCD display, if installed, shows
the current channel.
2. SELECT A CHANNEL by turning the channel
selector knob.
3. ADJUST SQUELCH AND VOLUME by turning the
squelch knob clockwise until you hear noise. Set
the volume to a comfortable level. Then turn the
squelch knob counterclockwise until the noise
stops. This is called the threshold squelch setting.
Turning the squelch knob fully counterclockwise past
the detent places the receiver in Code Guard mode.
A message will be heard only when the proper Code
Guard value is received.
TRANSMIT 1. PRESS THE PTT (Push To Talk) switch. When
the transmitter is on, the red transmit indicator
glows and TX appears in the display.
2. TALK IN A NORMAL VOICE with the microphone
1–2 inches from your mouth.
3. RELEASE THE PTT switch to stop transmitting.
If the transmit indicator does not glow when you
press the PTT switch, the battery pack may need to
be charged. If so, the display will indicate Lobat,and
the yellow low-battery indicator will flash. If the
transmit indicator does not glow and a tone sounds,
you are on a receive-only channel or the channel is
busy (if busy channel lockout is enabled). Select an
authorized transmit channel.
If the length of your message exceeds the preset time-
out timer setting, the transmitter automatically shuts
off and a tone sounds. To continue transmission,
release the PTT switch, and then press it again and
continue talking.
Micro
p
hone
PTT

GPH Owner’s Manual 5
R
X
SCN
TX
PRG ID CG
P
R
G
ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY
.
.
.
BK RADI
O
1 2 3
4 5 6
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0
*
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FCN
PRI
ENT
PRIORITY
BUSY CHANNEL
LOW BATTERY
INDICATOR
TRANSMIT
INDICATOR
ANTENNA
HI/LO
TRANSMIT
POWER
SCAN
PRIORITY
ANTENNA
ACCESSORY
MOUNT
EARPHONE
PTT
(PUSH TO TALK)
SPEAKER
MICROPHONE
LCD DISPLAY
CHANNEL
SELECT
ON/OFF
VOLUME
SQUELCH
CODE GUARD
G
R
P
PRG TX RX SCN ID CG
DPH RADIO WITH
KEYBOARD/DISPLAY
COVERED OR
NOT INSTALLED
(REDUCED VIEW)
BK RADIO
CG- OFF- SQ VOL
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A
B C
KEYBOARD
RADIO CONTROLS
GPH

6BK Radio
BUSY CHANNEL
INDICATOR
CODE GUARD OPERATION
Code Guard™allows one radio or group of radios to be selectively called
within a system. If the radio has been programmed with Code Guard, use
the following receive and transmit instructions.
CODE GUARD RECEIVE
1. TURN POWER ON by turning the volume knob
clockwise.
2. S
ELECT A CODE GUARD CHANNEL by turning the
channel selector knob.
3. ADJUST VOLUME by turning the squelch knob
clockwise until a rushing noise is heard. Then
turn the volume knob to a comfortable level.
4. SET CODE GUARD MODE by turning the squelch
knob off (counterclockwise) into the Code Guard
Position. A message will be heard only when the
proper Code Guard value is received.
CODE GUARD TRANSMIT
1. TURN THE SQUELCH KNOB ON (clockwise).
2. MONITOR THE CODE GUARD CHANNEL before
transmitting.
NOTE: Do not transmit if the channel is busy
(the busy channel indicator is lit).
3. PRESS THE PTT (Push To Talk) switch. When
the transmitter is on, the red transmit indicator
glows and TX appears in the display.
4. R
ESET THE SQUELCH KNOB to the Code Guard
position to receive only the messages with the
proper Code Guard value. During extended
transmissions, the squelch can be left open until
the exchange has ended.
Code Guard is a trademark of BK Radio

GPH Owner’s Manual 7
BUILT-IN FEATURES
The BK Radio G Series is based on a microprocessor core that allows extra
features and operational characteristics to be programmed into the radio.
Your dealer can help define the best operational settings for your system
and program them into the radio.
PROGRAMMABLE GROUP/CHANNEL SELECTOR
The group/channel selector knob can be
customized by your dealer to select your
preferred group/channel combinations. The
following three options are available:
• CHANNEL SELECTOR. Each switch position
selects a different channel in the same
group. The group is selected with the
keypad.
• GROUP SELECTOR. Each switch position
selects the same channel in a different
group. The channel is selected with the
keypad. Changing switch positions would
select a different set of “group parameters,”
such as Code Guards, User-Selected Code
Guard, Scan List ANI, and Priority
Channels.
• CUSTOM SELECTOR.The switch can be
programmed to select up to 16 of your
favorite group/channel combinations.
Each switch position can be programmed to
allow selection of the group and/or channel with
the keypad or stay locked to its pre-programmed
group/channel.
Your dealer can help define the best
configuration for your system.
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8BK Radio
HI/LO
Muting/
Scramblin
g
Scan
Priority
Scan
BATTERY SAVER OPTION
PROGRAMMABLE TOP SWITCHES
The three top switches can be programmed by your
dealer for channel scan, dual priority scan, group
scan, low-power select, and RTA (Repeater Talk
Around). Your dealer can also assign two functions to
the same switch. For example, both low-power select
and RTA could be enabled by the same switch.
NOTE: Assume for this User’s Manual that
Switch A has been programmed for
HI/LO transmit power and
muting/scrambling, Switch B has been
programmed for Scan, and Switch C
has been programmed for Priority Scan.
PROGRAMMABLE KEYPAD MENU
Any functions not assigned to a top switch can
be enabled/disabled with the keypad.
1. PRESS THE FCN KEY to display the function
menu.
2. REPEATEDLY PRESS FCN to step through the
menu.
3. PRESS PRI TO TOGGLE the function on/off
when the desired menu item is displayed.
When the display flashes, the function is
enabled.
HI/LO TRANSMIT POWER
Each channel in the radio can be individually
programmed to always transmit in low-power mode,
regardless of the position of the radio's top switch (or
keypad menu setting). If the programming for the
channel allows high-power transmissions, the power
level can be selected with a top switch or the keypad
menu.
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GPH Owner’s Manual 9
DTMF ENCODING
Keypad-equipped radios can be programmed to
enable DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency)
encoding. To send DTMF tones (similar to the
tones used by a standard push-button telephone):
1. PRESS AND HOLD the PTT switch.
2. PRESS ANY OF THE KEYS on the keypad.
You will hear a sidetone.
The FCN,PRI, ENT, and CLR keys respond as DTMF
tones A, B, C, and D, respectively.
ANI ENCODING
ANI encoding (Automatic Number Identification), if
enabled, transmits a sequence of DTMF tones each
time you press the PTT switch. You will hear a
sidetone. Your dealer can program the ANI number
to be sent.
If DTMF and ANI are both enabled, the ANI tone
sequence is transmitted only after the ENT key is
pressed while the PTT switch is activated. You will
hear a sidetone.
TIME-OUT TIMER
The transmit time-out timer limits the duration of
calls and guards against accidentally locking on the
transmitter and tying up the radio system. Your
dealer can program the duration of the time-out timer
(15–225 seconds, or disabled).
NUISANCE CHANNEL DELETE
If nuisance channel delete is enabled in your radio,
and the scan function is assigned to a top switch
(Switch B, for example), you can delete a nuisance
channel. To temporarily lockout an active nuisance
channel, slide Switch B (scan) down momentarily
and then back up.
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10 BK Radio
GROUP SCAN
Channels on each “channel scan list” and groups on
the “group scan list” are scanned sequentially. The
knob-selected group is always scanned when group
scan is enabled, even if that group is not on the group
scan list.
When group scan is enabled, the following features
are disabled:
• Dual Priority Scan
• User-Selected Code Guard
• Nuisance Channel Delete
SCAN DELAY
Scan delay lets the radio receive a response to a
transmission before scanning the other channels for
activity. If you find that your scanner is restarting
before message replies are received, you can ask your
dealer to increase the scan delay time (0–7.5
seconds).
TALKBACK SCAN
Your dealer can program your radio for talkback
scan. When enabled, if scan hold time remains after
you receive a call, transmission occurs on the
transmit frequency (or talk-around frequency) of the
received channel. However, if dual priority scan is
active with the transmit-on-priority feature enabled,
talkback scan becomes disabled.

GPH Owner’s Manual 11
DUAL PRIORITY SCAN
Up to 2 of the 16 channels in each group can be
designated as priority channels. These two
channels, PR1 and PR2, are checked at a preset
rate (.25–2.0 seconds) for activity, even if you are
listening to a different transmission. Activity on
PR1 will preempt PR2. Activity on PR2 will
preempt any of the non-priority channels.
Your dealer can assign dual priority scan to one of
the top switches, to the FCN menu, always turned
on, or always turned off. Your dealer can also
assign priority channels for you. When you
operate your radio, you will be prompted for
priority channel assignments.
1. PRESS PRI REPEATEDLY to cycle through the
choices of Off, Main, and numbers 1–16.
2. PRESS CLR to turn the channel off.
If a carrier is detected, you will hear the message
unless the proper Code Guard is missing. If a
carrier is present but the correct Code Guard is not
found, the radio will only monitor the priority
channel every 4 seconds.
If a frequency is found on both PR1 and PR2 but
the frequency has an improper Code Guard, the
radio will perform a priority test each 4 seconds.
Because the priority test alternates between PR1
and PR2, the “hole” in the audio occurs every 2
seconds, half the original time.
If PR1 is a fixed channel and the PRI key is not
locked out, you can move the channel selector to a
new channel and press the PRI key to choose a
new PR1 channel.
Dual priority scan is automatically disabled when
group scan is on.
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12 BK Radio
ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY
The G Series portable radios are built with one of the
following display options:
• No keypad and no display or
• Keypad and alphanumeric display
With obvious exceptions, the operational procedures
are the same for both these radios.
Radios with a keypad and display have a slide-out
keypad cover. To remove or install the cover, turn off
the radio and remove the battery (see Battery
Installation and Removal, page 28).
Radios with alphanumeric displays can be
programmed to operate one or more channel groups.
DISPLAY BACKLIGHTING
The GPH radios can be programmed by your dealer
to backlight the display when a signal is received or
when a key is pressed. The time duration of the
backlighting can also be programmed.
CHANNEL LABELS
You can program the radio with a label for each of
the 15 channel groups and a label for each of the 16
channels within each group.
To display the channel number associated with a
channel label:
1. PRESS THE #KEY to display the group number.
2. P
RESS THE #KEY AGAIN to display the channel
number.
3. PRESS AND HOLD THE #KEY to display the
channel label.
4. P
RESS ENT.
Each label can include up to eight characters, with
decimal points available between characters.
Characters can include A–Z, 0–9, -, *, $, /, +,%,\,|,
_, <, >,h, or a blank space.
F i re ne
t
ch 1
2
CHANNEL LABEL
CHANNEL NUMBER
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RX SCN
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PRG ID CG
P
R
G
.
.
.

GPH Owner’s Manual 13
GROUP LABELS
The display can show group labels in addition to
group numbers.
To display a group label:
1. SLIDE SWITCHES B(programmed for scan) AND
C(programmed for priority scan) DOWN.
2. PRESS THE #KEY on the keypad to display the
group number.
3. P
RESS AND HOLD THE #KEY to display the group
label.
4. P
RESS THE ENT KEY OR WAIT for about 5 seconds
to revert to normal radio operation.
CHANNEL GROUPS
The channel selector knob has 16 positions. Each of
these 16 channels is separated into a group of 15
channels. Each of the 15 groups of 16 channels can
be programmed to have an “individual personality”
with the operational features described earlier.
SELECT A GROUP/CHANNEL
The group/channel selector knob can be programmed
by your dealer as a channel selector, a group selector,
or a custom group/channel selector.
• CHANNEL SELECTOR. Knob positions 1–16
select channels in the group selected by the
keypad.
1. PRESS THE #KEY on the keypad to display the
current group number.
2. P
RESS A NUMBER KEY for the new group number.
Only valid group entries will be accepted. For
example, if your radio only has five channel
groups programmed, digits greater than five will
be ignored.
Grp 0
1
GROUP NUMBER
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14 BK Radio
When changing groups, invalid entries will not be
accepted, and the radio remains in the previously
selected group.
3. PRESS THE ENT KEY or wait 5 seconds. The radio
returns to normal operation for the new group,
and the selected channel is displayed. All selected
scanning and priority functions affect only the
channels in the group you are operating in.
• GROUP SELECTOR. Knob positions 1–15 select
groups 1–15.
1. PRESS #TWICE to select a channel.
2. PRESS A NUMBER KEY for the new channel
number.
3. PRESS THE ENT KEY or wait 5 seconds. The radio
returns to normal operation for the new channel,
and the selected group is displayed.
• CUSTOM SELECTOR. Your dealer will provide
you with the pre-programmed group/channel
combinations for your radio.
If a knob position is programmed to allow selection
of the group and/or channel with the keypad:
1. PRESS #.
2. PRESS THE NUMBER OF THE GROUP you want to
change.
3. P
RESS #TWICE.
4. PRESS THE NUMBER OF THE CHANNEL you want
to change.
If the group or channel is locked to a switch position,
pressing #will only display the knob-selected value.
New entries will not be accepted.
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GPH Owner’s Manual 15
SCAN OPERATION
1. SLIDE SWITCH B(SCAN)UP.
2. SLIDE SWITCH C(PRIORITY)DOWN.
The display indicates scan operation by flashing SCN.
Scan operates only while the radio is not transmitting.
The radio checks for signals on channels in the preset
scan list, as well as the channel selected by the
channel selector knob.
When a signal is detected, scanning stops and the
message is received. The received channel is shown
in place of the transmit channel.
Once the signal ends, the radio continues to monitor
the channel for the preset scan delay time before it
resumes scanning.
If your radio is programmed for Nuisance Channel
delete and channel scan is assigned to a top switch
(Switch B, for example), a nuisance channel can be
temporarily removed from the scan list by sliding
Switch B down and then back up.
TRANSMIT WITH SCAN ON
When Switch B (scan) is up, the radio transmits on
the channel selected by the channel selector knob.
1. S
ELECT A TRANSMIT CHANNEL by turning the
channel selector knob.
2. PRESS THE PTT SWITCH and talk in a normal
voice.
When the PTT switch is released, the radio continues
to monitor the selected channel for the preset scan
delay time before it resumes scanning.
SCN
Label
3
RX SCN
Label
3

16 BK Radio
TALKBACK SCAN
If your radio is programmed for talkback scan, press
PTT while a channel is active or while scan-delay
time remains. You will be responding on the transmit
frequency of the received channel.
Talkback scan will not work if priority scan is also on
and your radio is programmed to always transmit on
the Priority 1 channel.
SCAN CODE GUARD CHANNELS
1. SLIDE SWITCH B(SCAN)UP.
2. TURN THE SQUELCH KNOB COMPLETELY
COUNTERCLOCKWISE, past the detent, to the
Code Guard position.
When a signal is detected, scanning stops while the
radio checks for the proper Code Guard value. If the
signal contains the proper Code Guard value, the
radio receives the message. Otherwise, the radio
resumes scanning immediately.
CHANGE THE SCAN LIST
The radio can be programmed to enable the user to
add or remove channels from the scan list. If user
changes are enabled, follow these steps to change the
scan list:
1. S
LIDE SWITCHES B(SCAN)AND C(PRIORITY)
DOWN.
2. S
ELECT A CHANNEL to be added or removed from
the scan list by turning the channel selector knob.
If the channel is already on the scan list, SCN
appears in the display.
3. PRESS THE ENT KEY to add a channel to the scan
list. A short beep sounds and SCN appears in the
display.
4. PRESS THE CLR KEY to remove a channel from
the scan list. A short beep sounds and SCN
disappears from the display.
SCN
Label 12
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GPH Owner’s Manual 17
PRIORITY SCAN
Priority scan enables the radio to receive on any
channel while monitoring for a message on the
designated priority channel. The radio samples the
priority channel at a preset rate (.25–2.0 seconds)
regardless of activity on any other channel. Priority
scan operates only while the radio is not transmitting
and can be used in combination with scan operation.
When Switch C (priority) is up, the display shows
SCN. If a message is received on the priority channel,
the radio receiver locks onto that channel for the
duration of the transmission.
PRIORITY SCAN WITH CODE GUARD
Priority scan can be used in combination with Code
Guard:
• with Switch C up
• the squelch knob in the Code Guard position (off)
and
• the priority channel programmed with Code
Guard
If a message is received on the priority channel, the
radio receiver locks on to the priority channel for the
duration of the signal. The message can be heard only
if the proper Code Guard value is received. The radio
resumes scanning after the message ends and the scan
delay time expires.
PRIORITY MODES
The radio can be programmed with one of three
priority modes: A, B, or C. The table on the next
page shows how the priority channels and the
transmit channels are selected in each mode.
PR SCN
Label 3

18 BK Radio
Does PR appear
in the display?
No
Priority Mode A
Yes
Turn channel knob
to different channel. Slide Switch C up
Does display show
knob-selected
channel?
No
Does display
change to priority
channel?
Yes
Priority Mode C
Yes
Priority Mode B
Mode A Mode B Mode C
Priority Channel Channel Knob Preset Preset
Transmit Channel Channel Knob Channel Knob Priority Channel
WHICH MODE IS INSTALLED?
If the radio has a display and keypad, follow these
steps to determine which priority mode is
programmed:
1. SLIDE SWITCHES B(SCAN)AND C(PRIORITY)
DOWN.
2. TURN THE CHANNEL SELECTOR KNOB, stopping
at each channel to view the LCD display.

GPH Owner’s Manual 19
BUSY CHANNEL
INDICATOR
BUSY
CHANNEL
INDICATOR
Priority Mode A With Scan
In Priority Mode A, the priority channel is set by
the channel selector knob. Priority Mode A is
seldom used by itself because the radio receives
and transmits only on the knob-selected channel.
When Switches B (scan) and C (priority) are up,
scanning occurs until an active scan channel is
found. The radio receives the message while
continuing to check the priority channel. The
display shows the scan channel.
If the priority channel becomes active during this
message, the priority indicator will light. The
radio changes to the priority channel and holds for
the duration of the message. The display shows
the priority channel.
To reply to a message on the priority channel,
press the PTT switch and transmit on the priority
channel. Once activity ceases on the priority
channel, the radio returns to scan operation.
Priority Mode B
With Switch C (priority) up and Switch B (scan)
down, the radio can receive on the knob-selected
channel while sampling the priority channel. If the
priority channel becomes active, the priority
indicator lights up. The radio changes to the
priority channel and holds for the duration of the
transmission.
To reply to a message on the priority channel, turn
the channel selector knob to the priority channel,
and then transmit.
Priority Mode B with Scan
With Switches B (scan) and C (priority) up, the radio
scans until it locks on to an active channel. The radio
continues to sample the priority channel while
listening to the active scan channel.
PR RX SCN
Label 1
2
PR RX SCN
Label
3

20 BK Radio
If activity occurs on the priority channel, the radio
overrides the active scan channel, changes to the
priority channel, and holds for the duration of the
transmission.
To reply to a message on the priority channel, turn
the channel selector knob to the priority channel, and
then transmit. Once activity has ceased on the
priority channel, the radio returns to scan operation.
Priority Mode C
With Switch C (priority) up and Switch B (scan)
down, the radio samples the fixed priority channel at
the preset rate. If activity occurs on the priority
channel the radio changes to the priority channel and
holds for the duration of the transmission.
To reply to a message heard on the priority channel,
press the PTT switch. The radio transmits only on the
priority channel when Switch C (priority) is up.
Once activity has ceased on the priority channel, the
radio returns to the receive channel on the channel
selector knob.
Priority Mode C with Scan
With Switches B (scan) and C (priority) up, the radio
scans until it locks on to an active channel. The radio
continues to sample the priority channel while
listening to the active channel. If activity occurs on
the priority channel, the radio overrides the active
scan channel, changes to the priority channel, and
holds for the duration of the transmission.
To reply to a message heard on the priority channel,
press the PTT switch. The radio transmits only on the
priority channel when Switch C (priority) is up. Once
activity has ceased on the priority channel, the radio
returns to scan operation.

GPH Owner’s Manual 21
CHANGE THE PRIORITY CHANNEL
The fixed priority channel used in Priority Modes B
and C can be permanently set or can be changeable.
If the radio has a changeable priority channel, use the
following steps to make this change.
1. SLIDE SWITCHES B(SCAN)AND C
(PRIORITY)DOWN.
2. TURN THE CHANNEL SELECTOR KNOB to the
channel you want to enter as the new
priority channel.
3. PRESS THE PRI KEY. A short beep sounds
and PR appears in the display, indicating
that the displayed channel is now the
priority channel.
NOTE: Only one channel at a time can be
designated as the priority channel.
NOTE: A channel can be the priority channel
even if it is on the scan list. Due to
multiple sampling of the same channel,
however, maximum performance
occurs when the priority channel is not
on the scan list.
PR
Label
3
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