BT Converse 1200 User manual

Freestyle 1200
User guide

Please open this page for an ‘At a
glance’ guide to your Freestyle 1200.

A
B
C
J
K
L
T
U
V
G
H
I
P
Q
R
S
D
E
F
M
N
O
W
X
Y
Z
231
564
897
0
✱
SECRECY
QUICKDIAL REDIAL
SCREENINTERCOM
BATT
LOW
TALK
R
1471 Call
Waiting
P
L
A
Y
I
I
§
D
E
L
E
T
E
§
S
K
I
P
S
K
I
P
§
1
Volume control buttons
Adjusts the handset ringer volume
and earpiece speech volume.
see page 11
Talk button (and light)
For making and receiving calls.
see page 10
Intercom button (and light)
Enables communication between
the handset and base unit.
see page 14
Keypad
Allows you to operate the answering
machine from the handset.
Quickdial button
Allows you to store and dial up to
10 numbers in the memory.
see page 12
Call Return (1471) button
Lets you hear the
telephone number of the last
person who called you.
see page 32
Secrecy button
When pressed, it stops the
caller hearing you.
see page 14
Charging contacts
Aerial
Does not extend, do not
pull out.
Channel seeker button
Selects the best alternative radio
frequency if interference occurs
during a call.
see page 11
Battery low light
Flashes when the handset
battery is low.
see page 8
Screen button
Allows you to listen to a caller’s
message without answering the call.
see page 27
Recall button
For use with PBXs and
BT Select Services.
see page 17
Redial button
Redials the last number dialled.
see page 11
Call Waiting button
Lets you switch between two
callers when Call Waiting has been
ordered from BT Select Services.
see page 32
At a glance

INTERCOM
MEMO
MAILBOX 1 MAILBOX 2
IN USE CHARGING
MESSAGES DELETE
VOLUME
STOP
ANSWER
ON/OFF
PAUSE
PLAY
Freestyle 1200
INTERCOM
MEMO
MAILBOX 1 MAILBOX 2
MESSAGES DELETE
VOLUME
DAY
CODE/SET
HOUR MIN RESET
OGM
Memo button
Allows you to leave
memos for other
members of your family.
see page 22
Mailbox buttons
Gives callers two
additional options as to
where messages are
left. For example,
business messages in
mailbox 1 and personal
messages in mailbox 2.
see page 23
Volume control
button
Adjusts the volume of
playback, voice prompts
see page 26
Delete button
Deletes messages
see pages 20 and 24
Charging indicator
Lights up when the
handset batteries are
being charged.
see page 7
Base unit
telescopic aerial
Reset button
Resets the answering
machine settings.
see page 26
OGM button
Used to record and
play your outgoing
message.
see page 20
Back-up battery
compartment
see page 6
Intercom button
and light
Press to make or
answer an intercom
call. Light flashes
when an intercom call
is ringing and stays on
during the call.
see page 14
In use indicator
Lights up when the
handset is in use.
see page 10
Skip backwards/
forwards and Stop
buttons
Used to stop, skip
backward or skip
forward during
playback of messages.
see page 24
Answer on/off
button
Switches the answer
machine on or off.
see page 22
Day/hour/min
buttons
Sets the answering
machine’s internal clock.
see page 21
Code/Set button
Sets the security code
for remote access and
sets the day and time.
see page 28
2
Microphone
Play/pause button
Plays back and pauses
your messages.
see page 23

In this guide
At a glance 1
Introduction 4
Setting up 5
Using your Freestyle 1200
telephone 10
Using your Freestyle 1200
answering machine 18
Remote access 29
BT Select Services 32
Freestyle 90/130/1200
Additional Handsets 34
Help 37
Technical information 41
Maintenance 44
Index 47
Wall mounting 49
Hints and tips boxes
In this user guide, we’ve included helpful tips and
useful notes. They are shown in a grey box.
3

Introduction Your Freestyle 1200 has
been designed for ease of use and made to the very high
standards set by BT.
We thank you for making the right
choice and expect that you will have
many years of quality service.
Please read the instructions carefully
before use and keep this user guide
for future reference.
For your records
Date of purchase:
Place of purchase:
Serial number:
(on the underside of the machine)
Purchase price:
For warranty purposes, proof of
purchase is required, so please keep
your receipt.
Emergency calls
The emergency services can be
contacted in the UK by dialling 999.
You may also dial 112, which is valid
in any country that is a member of the
European Community.
As the Freestyle 1200 is a mains-
powered cordless telephone, in certain
situations you may not be able to make
an emergency call:
•If there is severe radio interference.
•If the handset batteries fail.
•If there is a power cut and there is no
back-up battery in the base unit.
If your Freestyle 1200 is connected to a
PBX (switchboard), you may have to
dial an access number before 999 to
contact the emergency services.
Some switchboards cannot dial out
during a power failure.
4

Check that your Freestyle 1200 is
complete. When you unpack, you
should have:
•Freestyle 1200 handset.
•Freestyle 1200 base unit with
telephone line cord attached.
•Mains power adaptor plug.
•Wall mounting bracket with
screws.
•Remote access quick reference
card.
•Spare Quickdial directory label.
Setting up Follow these steps to get your
Freestyle 1200 ready for use.
Electrical storm warning
1During periods of electrical storm,
you are advised to disconnect your
apparatus because damage may
occur.
2If a fault occurs during the 12-month
warranty period and it is due to
accidental or wilful damage
(including lightning and electrical
damage), BT will not replace or
repair free of charge.
Important
As this product is rechargeable, it is
normal that a certain amount of heat
will be produced in its day-to-day
operation. While this is entirely safe,
we advise against placing this product
on antique, veneered or wooden
surfaces as damage may occur.
Plan where you will put your
Freestyle 1200.
•It should be within two metres of a
power socket and the phone socket.
•You need enough room for the base
unit’s telescopic aerial to be fully
extended.
•For the best operating conditions, try
to place the base unit away from
large metal objects and other
electrical appliances.
5

3 Insert battery in base
unit (for back-up only)
To fit the back-up battery, release
the retaining clips, lift off the
battery compartment cover and
insert one new PP3 alkaline battery
(not supplied) as shown in the
diagram above. Replace the battery
compartment cover.
A good quality, fresh battery should
last about six months. To ensure
constant battery back-up, replace it
every six months.
1 Handset aerial
Your Freestyle 1200 uses a compact
aerial which does not pull out.
2 Check your telephone
wall socket
If you do not have a modern phone
socket, call BT on Freefone 0800
800 150 and ask for an engineer to
come and fit the right socket within
two metres of a mains socket.
✖
9V
DAY
CO /S
HOUR MIN RESET
OG
If your Freestyle 1200 is your only
phone, you should fit a back-up battery
in the base unit so that your phone can
always be used in emergencies.
If the power fails, the back-up battery
will give you up to one hour talktime
or seven hours on standby.
Like all cordless phones, your Freestyle
1200 handset will need charging for 24
hours before initial use.
Setting up
6
Note
If the power fails during a call, you
will only be able to end the call by
pressing the green TALK button.

Setting up
7
Warnings
1Do not try to use any power supply
other than the one provided. This
may permanently damage your
Freestyle 1200.
2Your Freestyle 1200 should not be
fitted in wet or damp conditions, for
example in a bathroom. Also, the
handset should not be left out in
the rain.
3There is a slight chance that your
phone could be damaged by an
electrical storm. We recommend
that you unplug the base unit from
the mains during storms.
4 Plug the power cable
into the back of the base
unit
Plug the adaptor cable into the
socket on the back of your
Freestyle 1200.
PHONE LINE
12V AC
5 Connect the base unit
three-pin adaptor to a
power socket
The unit will alternatively display --
and CL flashing slowly. The internal
clock will automatically be set to
Saturday 12:01pm. To change the
day and time, see page 21.
6 Charge the handset
When you first use your Freestyle
1200, the rechargeable battery in the
handset needs charging for 24 hours.
•Make sure you have connected
your Freestyle 1200 to the mains
power supply; see steps 4 and 5.
•Place the handset on the base
unit, ensuring the contacts are
touching. The red CHARGING
light comes on.
•The CHARGING light remains
on while the handset is on the
base unit.
•When sufficiently charged for use,
the CHARGING light turns green.
Mains power adaptor
The Freestyle 1200 must only be used
with the adaptor supplied.
Using any other adaptor will result in
non-compliance with EN60950:1992,
and will invalidate the approval given
to this apparatus.

Setting up
8
7 Plug the phone into the
BT socket
You can now use the phone, store
numbers in the memory and
change some of the settings as
desired.
As a rule, placing the handset on
the base unit overnight will keep
the battery fully charged for all
normal use.
Battery care
The battery cannot be overcharged.
However, leaving the handset on the
base unit all the time can deteriorate a
rechargeable battery. To get the longest
possible life from your battery, take the
handset off the base for a few hours
each day.
When fully charged and in good
condition, the handset battery will
provide up to 5 hours continuous talk
time or 72 hours standby.
If the handset battery is running low,
the BATT LOW light will flash every
10-15 seconds.
If you are making a call and the
handset battery is running low, the
phone will beep every 10-15 seconds.
Place the handset on the base unit to
recharge.
BATT
LOW

For the best reception
Try to avoid putting the telescopic
aerial near other electrical appliances,
fluorescent lights and large metallic
objects such as cookers, radiators and
garage doors as these may cause
interference and reduce the quality of
your calls.
8 Extend the base unit
telescopic aerial
Extend the base unit telescopic
aerial on your Freestyle 1200 (as
shown below) to ensure the best
possible signal and reception.
9 To wall mount your
product
(See ‘Wall mounting’, page 49.)
To plan the location of the base unit
Your Freestyle 1200 works by
sending and receiving radio signals
between the base unit and the handset.
The strength of the signal depends
on where you site the base unit
and how the aerial is deployed.
The higher the base unit is located,
the better. An upstairs room is ideal.
The following points should be
considered:
•It should be within easy reach of
a mains socket and a telephone
socket. A new-style telephone
socket is needed for this product.
If you do not have one, call us on
Freefone 0800 800 150.
•Try to avoid locations near
metallic obstructions or electrical
appliances, such as TV sets,
fridges, computers, fluorescent
lights, radiators, metal pipes and
metal window frames.
•The Freestyle 1200 can be wall
mounted by using the bracket
and screws supplied; see page 49.
PHONE LINE
12V AC
Setting up
9

10
To end a call
•Press the TALK button.
Or
•Replace the handset on the base.
To receive a call
When the phone rings:
•If your handset is on the base unit,
simply pick it up to answer the
call.
Or
•If your handset is off the base,
press the TALK button to answer
the call.
Making and receiving
calls
The handset range is up to 250
metres from the base unit in ideal
conditions. If you start to go out of
range while using the phone, you
will hear warning beeps. If you do
not come back in range, your call
will be disconnected.
To make a call
•Lift the handset off the base.
Press the TALK button. The TALK
light comes on and the handset
buttons illuminate. The IN USE
light on the base unit comes on.
•Listen for the dialling tone.
•Dial the number you want.
Using your Freestyle1200
telephone
If you do not hear a dialling tone after
pressing the TALK button, wait a few
seconds. On a few exchanges, there
may be a delay.
TALK
TALK
An Inductive Coupler has been
built into the handset to improve
sound quality for people using hearing
aids. Switch your hearing aid to T and
adjust the position of the handset until
you get the best reception.
TALK

Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
11
To adjust the speech volume
During a conversation you can
adjust the volume of the incoming
caller:
•Press the + button (on the side of
the handset) to increase the
speech volume.
•Press the - button to decrease the
speech volume.
Last number redial
Freestyle 1200 remembers the last
number called and enables easy
redialling.
To redial the last number called
•Press the TALK button and wait
for a dialling tone.
•Press the REDIAL button. The
number is dialled automatically.
To use the channel seeker button
Your Freestyle 1200 automatically
scans the available radio channels
for quality of reception, and selects
the best one to use.
If you experience interference
during your call, press the
CHANNEL SEEKER button (on the
side of the handset) to select a
different channel.
To adjust the handset ringer
volume
When the handset is not in use you
can adjust the ringer volume:
•Press the + button (on the side of
the handset) to increase the
handset ringer volume. The
handset rings once to indicate the
volume.
•Press the - button to decrease the
handset ringer volume.
The lowest setting will turn the
handset ringer off.
CHANNEL
SEEKER
VOLUME
VOLUME
REDIAL
If the length of the last number called
is more than 32 digits, then the whole
number will not be redialled.
If REDIAL is not the first button
pressed in sequence, it will then
function as a PAUSE button.

Using the memory to
store and dial numbers
Your Freestyle 1200 handset can
store up to ten separate phone
numbers. You can then dial each
number by pressing just two buttons.
To store a number in the memory
•Press the QUICKDIAL button.
•Press one of the 0-9 buttons to set
the location code under which the
phone number will be stored.
•Dial the number you want to
store. A maximum of 20 digits can
be stored in each location.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button. You
hear a confirmation beep. The
number is stored.
Repeat these steps for any other
numbers you want to store, using a
different 0-9 location code for each
one.
Storing a number in the memory
automatically overwrites any previous
number stored under the same location
code.
Stored numbers can include
switchboard and network services that
use the ✱and # buttons as well as
PAUSE and RECALL functions.
QUICKDIAL
Quickdial directory label
Use the handset’s Quickdial directory
label to keep a record of which 0-9
location code you have used for each
number.
You can take out the label by removing
the handset battery compartment cover
and sliding out the label’s clear plastic
cover.
HANDSET NO.
MEMORY
1
MEMORY
2
MEMORY
3
MEMORY
4
MEMORY
5
MEMORY
6
MEMORY
7
MEMORY
8
MEMORY
9
MEMORY
0
Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
12

Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
13
To dial a stored number
•Press the TALK button.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button.
•Press the 0-9 location code under
which the number you want is
stored. The number is dialled
automatically.
To store a number of more than
20 digits
•Press the QUICKDIAL button.
•Press one of the 0-9 buttons to set
the location code under which
your phone number will be stored.
•Dial the first 20 digits.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button. You
hear a confirmation beep. The
number is stored.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button
again.
•Press another 0-9 button to select
a second location code under
which to store the remaining
digits.
•Dial the remaining digits.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button. You
hear a confirmation beep. The rest
of the number is stored.
QUICKDIAL
To dial a stored number of more
than 20 digits
•Press the TALK button.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button, then
the first 0-9 location code
number. The number begins
dialling automatically.
•When the first part of the number
has been dialled, press the
QUICKDIAL button again, then the
second 0-9 location code number.
The rest of the number is dialled.
To change a stored number
Any existing number stored in the
memory can be overwritten by
entering a new number under the
same location code. Simply follow
the steps shown in ‘To store a
number in the memory’, page 12.
To clear a stored number
•Press the QUICKDIAL button.
•Press the 0-9 location code.
•Press the QUICKDIAL button
again.
•You hear a confirmation beep.
You can mix manual and memory
dialling as required. For example,
you can dial the area code 0181 380
from the memory and then complete
the number manually.
QUICKDIAL
QUICKDIAL

Using the Secrecy button
During a call, you may want to say
something to another person nearby
without your caller hearing you.
•Press the SECRECY button. The
TALK light flashes. You can hear
the caller, but they cannot hear
you.
•Every 7 seconds the handset beeps
to let you know there is a call on
hold.
•Press the SECRECY button again
to resume your conversation. The
TALK light stops flashing.
SECRECY
Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
14
Using the Intercom
Your Freestyle 1200 lets you hold a
conversation between the handset
and base unit.
To call the base unit from the
handset
At the handset:
•Press the INTERCOM button on
the handset. The INTERCOM light
and the backlit keypad come on
and flash. The base unit INTERCOM
light flashes and both the handset
and base unit ring.
If the base unit does not reply to an
intercom call, press the INTERCOM
button again to cancel the call.
At the base unit:
•Press the INTERCOM button and
speak into the microphone. The
INTERCOM light stops flashing but
stays on.
INTERCOM
INTERCOM

Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
15
Ending an intercom call
•Press the INTERCOM button on
the handset or base unit. Both
INTERCOM lights on the handset
and base unit go out.
To call the handset from the
base unit
At the base unit:
•Press the INTERCOM button on
the base unit. The base unit
INTERCOM light flashes and both
the handset and base unit ring.
If the handset does not reply to an
intercom call, press the INTERCOM
button again to clear the call. You
cannot make an intercom call if the
handset is busy.
At the handset:
•Press the INTERCOM button and
speak. The INTERCOM light stops
flashing but stays on.
Ending an intercom call:
•Press the INTERCOM button on
the handset or base unit. Both
INTERCOM lights on the handset
and base unit go out.
To adjust the INTERCOM
loudspeaker volume at the
base unit
•Press the left-hand side of the
VOLUME switch to lower the
volume.
•Press the right-hand side of the
VOLUME switch to raise the
volume.
You cannot use the intercom while a
call is in progress. The intercom will
beep for 60 seconds and then
automatically cut off if not answered.
If there is an incoming call when using
the intercom, the base unit and
handset will ring. To take the call,
press the TALK button on the handset.
The intercom call is cut off automatically.
VOLUME
INTERCOM
INTERCOM

Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
16
Changing the telephone
settings
To set the base unit ringer volume
(Located on the underside of the
base unit)
You can set the base unit ringer
volume to HI, LO or OFF. If the base
unit ringer is switched to OFF, the
handset will still ring provided the
handset ringer is not switched to OFF.
To set the tel mode switch
(Located on the underside of the
base unit)
The TEL MODE switch selects tone
or pulse dialling and earth or time
break recall:
•T-TB – Your Freestyle 1200 is
preset to this position. Most
modern exchanges use tone
dialling and time break recall for
faster dialling, and for services
such as BT Select Services and
telephone banking.
RINGER
VOLUME
HI
LO
OFF
•T-E – This setting is for use if you
are connected to a tone dialling
PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
that uses earth recall.
•P-E – If you dial a number when
your Freestyle 1200 is set to T-TB
or T-E and you continue to hear
the dialling tone, you may be
connected to an older pulse
dialling exchange. Set the switch
to P-E (pulse dialling).
To switch from pulse to tone
dialling during a call
If you are connected to a pulse
dialling exchange, you can still use
services such as phone banking
that require tone dialling.
•Call the telephone number you
require in pulse mode as usual.
•When you have been connected,
press the ✱button on the keypad
to set your telephone to tone
dialling for the duration of the call.
•When you hang up, your
Freestyle 1200 will automatically
switch back to pulse dialling.
MODE
T-TB
T-E
P-E
✱

Using your Freestyle 1200 telephone
17
To insert a pause
With some switchboards, after
dialling the access code you may
have to wait for a moment while the
switchboard picks up an outside
line. If so, press the REDIAL button
to insert a pause before keying in
the telephone number.
To use the recall button
This button signals either time break
recall or earth recall depending on
the setting of the TEL MODE switch.
If you are connected to a PBX
(Private Branch Exchange), contact
your PBX supplier for further
information.
REDIAL
R

18
Using your Freestyle
1200 answering machine
You can operate your Freestyle 1200 answering
machine from the handset the base unit or from
another telephone.
Your Freestyle 1200 can digitally
record up to 14 minutes of
messages, with each incoming
message lasting a maximum of 3
minutes. Your Freestyle 1200 gives
you two message mailboxes so that
you can separate your incoming
messages. This is basically the
equivalent of three answer machines
in one unit, where callers are
prompted to select the relevant
mailbox in which to leave their
message.
Using the standard setting
Your Freestyle 1200 has a preset
outgoing message that callers will
hear. You can use this preset
message or record your own
message for a more personal
greeting; see page 20.
The pre-set message is “Hello, your
call cannot be taken at the moment
so please leave your message after the
tone.”
Using the message mailboxes
Your Freestyle 1200 has two message
mailboxes. For example, mailbox 1
could be for business messages and
mailbox 2 for personal messages.
Equally you could allocate one
mailbox to a colleague or someone
else in your family.
In your outgoing message you can
tell callers which mailbox they
should use. The caller simply
presses 1or 2on their phone’s
keypad after the tone. This selects
either mailbox 1 or 2.