Black Box Bantam Series User manual

Contents
Safety Matters .................................... 3
Unpack and Check ............................... 4
Getting Aquainted.............................. 5-6
Battery Information.............................. 7
Antenna Information............................ 8
Belt Clip Information........................... 8
Earphone/Microphone Information ..... 9
Strap Information................................. 9
Radio Overview.................................. 10-12
Basic Operation.................................. 13
Turn On/Off ......................................... 13
Adjust Volume...................................... 13
Select Channel ..................................... 14
Make Call............................................. 14
Receive Call......................................... 14
Auxiliary Functions ........................... 15
PC Programming.................................. 15
Programmable Key Settings ................ 16-19
Other Function Settings ....................... 19-22
Specication......................................... 23
Technical Terms ................................... 24
Warranty............................................... 25
2 www.blackboxradios.com

Safety
Please read rules below. Nonobservance of these rules may cause danger or voilation of law.
•Usingthisradiomustcomplywithregulationsoflocalgovernment.
•Pleaseturnofftheradiobeforeenteringapotentiallyexplosiveorammableenvironment.
•Donotreplaceorchargebatterypackinapotentiallyexplosiveorammableenvironment.
•Turnofftheradiobeforeapprochingblastareaanddetonatorarea.
•Donotusedamagedantenna.Damagedantennamaycauseburns.
•Onlyqualiedtechniciansareallowedtomaintainthistwo-wayradio.Donotdisassembletheradio.
•Toavoidproblemscausedbyelectromagneticinterferenceorelectromagneticcompatibility,pleaseturnoffthe
 radioinplaceswithaWirelessCommunicationTransmitEquipmentProhibited± mark,suchashospitalsorother
 healthcarefacilities.Wheninaplane,turnofftheradioifrequired.
•Donotputtheradiowithinthepossiblerangeofanairbaginacar.
•Donotexposetheradiotodirectsunlightornearheatingdevicesforalongtime.
•Keeptheradioverticalandspeaknearthemicrophoneduringtransmitting.
•Ifyoucarrytheradioonthebody,pleasekeeptheantenna1inch(2.5cm)awayfromthebodywhentransmitting.
www.blackboxradios.com 3

Unpack and Check
Beforeuse,werecommendthatyoucheckthepackingandidentifytheitemslistedbelow.Ifanydamageshas
occurredduringshipment,pleasecontactyourlocaldealer.
Items Radio Antenna Battery Charger w/adaptor Adaptor Belt Clip Strap Warranty Card
Quantity 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Note:Forfrequencybandofantenna,pleaserefertothelabelonthebottomoftheantenna.
Optionalaccessoriesareavailableaccordingtoyourrequirements.AllBlackbox™Bantam™accessorieswith
goodqualitywillensureyouclearcommunicationandoutstandingperformance.
4 www.blackboxradios.com

Get Acquainted
Battery Information
Applicable Battery Model:
PleasechargewithBlackbox™Bantam™brandedbattery;Chargingwithothertypesofbatteriesmaycause
explosion,personalinjury,orcauseradiotobecomedefective.
Note:
1.Donotshort-circuitthebatteryterminalsordisposethebatteryintore.Donotdisassemblethebatterycasing.
2.Chargingshouldbedonein-0°C~45°Cenvironment.Iftemperatureisbeyondtherange,thebatterymaynotbe
fully charged.
3. Please turn off the radio before charging.
4.Donotpull/plugtheadaptorandthebatteryduringcharging.Thiswillinterferewiththechargingprocedure.
5.Whenthebatterypowerisconsumedquickly,evenafterafullcharge,pleasereplacewithnewbattery.
6.Donotchargewhenthebatteryorradioiswet.Dryitwithclothtoavoidpossibleelectricshock.
Warning:
Please prevent the battery electrode from contacting with any metal conductors such as jewels or keys. Treat any
batterycarefullyespeciallywhenplacingitintopocket,walletorothermetalcontainer.
www.blackboxradios.com 5

Charging Steps:
Please charge as follows:
1. Connect the adapter with the charger.
2. Plug the adapter into an AC outlet.
3. The charger is ready for charging if the indicator lights red for one
 secondandgoesoff.Iftheindicatorashes,thechargerisnotready.
4. Place the battery into the charger slot.
5. The indicator lights red when charging. If the battery power is too
 low,theindicatorashes.Thebatteryisrsttricklechargedandturns
to normal charging automatically.
6. The battery is fully charged when indicator light is green. The
charger stops charging automatically.
Precautions in Charging
Please charge the battery before initial use or after long storage. Please change or charge the battery if the power is
low.Ifthebatterypowerisconsumedquickly,evenafteranormalcharge,thebatterylifeisnished.Pleasereplace
the battery pack.
6 www.blackboxradios.com

Attaching and Removing
Attaching and Removing the Battery
Attaching the Battery
Match the two grooves of the battery with corresponding
guides on the back of the radio. Make sure the full
connection and parallel between battery and aluminum
chassis.
Then push the battery along the guide until the battery
latch locks.
www.blackboxradios.com 7
Removing of Battery:
Beforeremoving,makesurethattheradioisswitched
off. Then push downwards on the battery latch.
Slide the battery away from the radio.

Attaching/Removing Belt Clip
Attaching Belt Clip (Figure 3)
Align the screw eyelets of the belt clip with those on
the rear of radio and fasten the belp clip with enclosed
screws.
Removing Belt Clip (Figure 4)
Loosen the screws to remove the belt clip.
Attaching/Removing the Antenna
Attaching the Antenna (Figure 1)
Screw the antenna into the connector at the top of the
radiobyholdingthebottomoftheantenna,andturnit
clockwise until secure.
Removing the Antenna (Figure 2)
Rotate the antenna counter clockwise by holding the
bottom of antenna.
8 www.blackboxradios.com
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4

Attaching External Earphone/Microphone
1. Unclose the cover of Earphone/Microphone jack. No
needtoremoveit.(Figure5)
2. Insert the Earphone/Microphone into the Earphone/
Microphonejack.(Figure6)
www.blackboxradios.com 9
Attaching the Strap
Thread the strap into the hole at the back of the radio
and fasten it.
Figure 5 Figure 6
BANTAM BANTAM

Radio Overview
10 www.blackboxradios.com
BANTAM

1Antenna
Antenna with helical plug is used to transmit and receive signals.
2Top Key: Programmable Key
The default setting is special function key.
3Channel Selector
Choose channel and the channel annunciation is available if the voice prompt is on.
4Power Switch/Volume Control
This knob is to turn on/off the radio and adjust volume. Rotate the knob clockwise until a click sounds to turn
on the radio. Rotate it further to adjust the volume. Rotate the knob counter clockwise until a click sounds to
turn off the radio.
5LED Indicator
  TheLEDindicatorglowsredduringtransmitting;glowsgreenduringreceiving;ashesredwhenthebattery
  powerisinsufcient;ashesgreenduringscanning.
6Strap Hole
The hole is to fasten the strap.
7PTT (Push-To-Talk) Key
  Totransmit,pressdownthePTTkeyandspeakintothemicrophone;releaseittoreceive.
8Side Key 2: Programmable Key
The default setting is power management.
www.blackboxradios.com 11

Over View (continued)
9Side Key 1: Programmable Key
The default setting is conversation management.
10 MIC-SP Jack/ Data Port
To connect the earphone/microphone or programming cable
11 Speaker
Output voice.
12 Microphone
Input voice.
13 Belt Clip
The radio is easy to carry for you can clip it on your belt.
14 Li-ion Battery
12 www.blackboxradios.com

Basic Operation
Turning the Radio ON/OFF
Rotate the Power Switch/Volume Control knob
clockwise until a click sounds to turn on the radio. At
thesametime,avoiceindicationofthecurrentchannel
is heard.
Rotate the Power Switch/Volume Control knob counter
clockwise until a click sounds to turn off the radio.
www.blackboxradios.com 13
BANTAM
BANTAM
Volume Adjustment
Aftertheradioisturnedon,rotatethePowerSwitch/
Volume Control knob to adjust volume.
Tip: you can listen to background noise in monitor
mode and adjust the volume.

Channel Selecting
Rotate the channel to choose your desired channel from
1~16 channels.
You can select the channel according to the number or
symbolmarkatthebottomoftheknob.Also,youcan
operate according to channel annunciation.
14 www.blackboxradios.com
Make a Call
Tomakeacall,holddownthePTTkeyandspeakinto
the microphone with normal voice. Please keep the
microphone 2 inches away from your mouth.
Tip:
1.HolddownthePTTbuttonandtheLEDindicator
glowsred,theradiobeginstotransmit.
2.IftheLEDindicatorashesred,thebatterypoweris
insufcient.Theradiocannottransmitwhenthebattery
power is not enough for normal operation.
Receive a Call
ReleasethePTTbutton,theradiobeginstoreceive.You
can hear the other voice if you receive a call on your
current work channel. If call signal is too weak or you
setveryhighsquelchlevel,youcannothearthecall.
BANTAM

Auxiliary Functions
Auxiliary Functions need to be set through PC software or contact your
dealer for programming.
PC Programming
1.Visitblackboxradios.comtodownloadtheBantam™programming
software(youcanalsocontactyourdealerforprogramming).
2. Turn off the radio and connect it and PC with the programming cable
(seegureontheright).
3.Runtheprogrammingsoftwareandcenteroperationinterface,thenturn
on the radio. Press “Read” button and write parameter data into the radio.
4.Forparametersettingandoperation,pleaserefertothehelpdocuments
of the software.
www.blackboxradios.com 15
BANTAM
Programming
Cable
(optional)

Programmable Key Settings
Key Setting menu. The default setting is as follows:
•Thedefaultlongpressdurationis2seconds.Longpress(TopKey)isAlarm
•Shortpress(TopKey)isWhisper.
•Longpress(SideKey2)istoswitchhigh/lowpower
•Shortpress(SideKey2)iselectricitydemand.
•Longpress(SideKey1)issoundofencrypt
•Shortpress(SideKey1)ismonitor.
•Youcanchangethefunctionsofbothlongkeyandshortkeyof(TopKey),(SideKey2)and(SideKey1)with
programming software.
•Thosekeyscanbesetas:off/monitor/monitormomentary/soundofencrypt/alarm/electricitydemand/whisper/
VOX/power.
Battery Power
•Thedefaultoperationofthisfunctionisshortpress(SideKey2).Shortpress(SideKey2)andtheradiowill
reportthebatterypowerbyaudibleindication:PowerHigh,PowerMiddle,PowerLow,PleaseChargeBattery.You
can change corresponding key of this function by yourself through “Key Setting” menu.
High/Low Power Switching
You can set operation power of each channel separately according to your work environment to make maximum
useofbatterypower.Whensetaslowpower,thecurrentgetssmaller,thusbatteryoperatingtimeisprolonged.
High power is 5W and low power is 1W.
1. You can select “Power Select” in “Channel Information” menu to set the operation power as high/low power of
each channel separately.
2.Thedefaultoperationofthisfunctionislongpress(SideKey2).Youcanswitchhigh/lowpowerbylongpress
(SideKey2).
16 www.blackboxradios.com

www.blackboxradios.com 17
Duringstandbymode,longpressthekeyandtheradiowillreportpowerstatebyaudibleindication“High/Low”.
That means operation power of the channel is successfully changed.
Monitor
Thedefaultoperationofthisfunctionisshortpress(SideKey1)andcanbesetas(TopKey)/(SideKey2)/(Side
Key1)by“KeySetting”menu.Press(SideKey1)tohearaweaksignalandtohelpyouadjustthevolumewhen
no signal is received. Press again to cancel monitor.
Sound Encrypt (Voice Encryption)
Thedefaultoperationofthisfunctionislongpress(SideKey1).Whenthisfunctionisavailable,thesoundis
transmittedafterencryption.Theothersideneedstodecryptthevoiceandhearthesound.Otherwise,thesound
received is noise or unintelligible audio.
1.Longpress(SideKey1)andtheradiosendsvoiceprompt“VoiceEncryptOn”.Longpress(SideKey1)again
and the radio sends voice prompt “Voice Encrypt Off”.
2. You can change corresponding key of this function by yourself through “Key Setting” menu according to your
needs.
3. You can turn this function on/off by “Sound of Encryption” option in “Optional Feature”. Select it to turn on the
function and unselect it to turn off the fuction.
Whisper
Thedefaultoperationofthisfunctionisshortpress(TopKey).
Withthisfunction,youcanbeclearlyhearevenifyouspeakintotheradiowithaverylowvoice.
1.Shortpress(TopKey)andtheradiosendsvoiceprompt“WhisperOn”.Shortpress(TopKey)againandthe
radio sends voice prompt “Whisper Off”.
2. You can change corresponding key of this function by yourself through “Key Setting” menu according to your
needs.

3.Whisperlevelcanbesetas1,2and3.Settingwhisperlevelwillsetcorrespondingmicrophonereceivingvolume
level.Forexample,1ismostsensitive,3isleastsensitive(thedefaultissetas2).SelectWhisperFunction”toturn
on Whisper and unselect to turn off Whisper.
Alarm
Thedefaultoperationofthisfunctionislongpress(TopKey).
Withthisfunctionturnedon,longpress(TopKey)andtheradioalarmsandLEDglowsred.Atthesametimeit
sends emergency signal to partners on the same channel and the partner radio will sound alarm tone after receiving
the signal. The radio will sound alarm tone after transmitting the signal.
1.Tostoplocalalarm,press(PTT)keytoreturntonormaloperatingstatus.Partnerradioresumesstandbymode
whenpressing(PTT)keyafterreceivingemergencysignal.
2.Iftheradiogetsfeedbackofemergencysignalfrompartnerradio,emergencysignalwillbecancelledwhenyou
press(PTT)keytotalkback.Partnerradioneedstopress(PTT)keytotalkafterreceivingemergencysignal.
3.Aftersendingtheemergencysignal,iftheradiowantstoreceivefromthepartnerradio,youmustpress(PTT)
key or the radio can not receive from the partner radio and sends emergency signal every 5 seconds.
4. You can turn this function on/off by “Alarm” option in “Optioanl Feature”. Select it to enable the function and
unselect it to disable the function.
VOX
WithVOXyoucandirectlyspeakintothemicrophonewithoutholdingdown(PTT)key.LEDglowsredandyour
voice will be transmitted.
You can change corresponding key of this function by yourself through “VOX” menu in the software.
1.VOXlevel:ThedefaultlevelsettingofVOXis2.VOXlevelcanbesetas1,2,3.Voicecontrolsensitivityof
VOX can be set by changing the VOX level.
2.WhisperVOX(usingearphone):Thedefaultsettingofthisfuctionisoff.SelectittoenablewhisperVOXand
unselect it to disable whisper VOX.
18 www.blackboxradios.com

www.blackboxradios.com 19
3. VOX function: The default setting of this fuction is off. Select it to enable VOX and unselect it to disable VOX.
DuringtheVOXoperation,press(PTT)andVOXiscancelled.RestarttheradioandVOXisenabled.Moreover,if
theradiooperatesinwhisperVOXmodewithearphoneequipped,theradiobeepswhenVOXisenabled.
Note:Ifyouselectboth“whisperVOX”andthe“VOXFunction”item,theVOXisdisabled.
Other Function Settings
Voice Prompts
The default setting for this function is voice prompts in English. You can know current work status through voice
prompts.
1.Inthe“Voice/BeepTone”in“OptionalFeature”menu,youcansetindicationtoneasOFF/English/Tone.E.g.
Select “off” to disable voice prompts.
2. Channel Annunciation: The radio will report the current channel number when you switch to another channel.
3.Low Battery Alert: The radio will alert you by voice prompts when the battery power becomes low.
4.ScanOnIndication:Ifcurrentchannelissetasscanchannel,theradiowillinformyoubyvoiceprompts.
Low Battery Alert
ThedefaultsettingofthisfunctionisvoicepromptsinEnglish.WhenbatterypowerreachespresetvaluewhenTx/Rx,
theLEDashesredandtheradiowillindicateuseraspresetprocedure.Voiceindicationcanbesetas“Beep/Please
change the battery”. The radio stops transmitting after low battery alert. Please replace new battery or charge the battery.
Youcanselectyourrequiredlanguagethrough“Voice/BeepTone”in“optionalFeature”menu.
Battery Save
The radio automatically enters battery save mode 5 seconds after no signal is received or transmitted and no key
operation is conducted. The battery save mode is off when a signal is received or key operation is conducted. The
defaultsavescaleis1:3.Youcanchangesavescaleasoff,1:1 1:2 1:3 1:4 through “save scale” option in “Optional
Feature”. Selecting “off” can cancel auto battery save.