BT FREELANCE 501 User manual
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
User Guide
BT FREELANCE 501
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
This User Guide provides you with all the
information you need to get the most from
your phone.
Before you make your first call you will
need to set up your phone. Follow the
simple instructions in ‘Getting Started’,
on the next few pages.
Need help?
If you have any problems setting up or using your
BTFreelance 501, contact the Helpdesk on 0870 605 8047
may find the answer in ‘Help’ at the back of this guide.
Got everything?
•BT Freelance 501 handset
•BT Freelance 501 base
•2xAAA NiMH rechargeable
batteries
•Mains power adaptor
(item code 022072)
•Telephone line cord
If you have purchased a
BT Freelance 501 multiple
pack you will also have the
following for each handset:
•BT Freelance 501
additional handset
•BT Freelance 501 charger
•2 x AAA NiMH rechargeable
batteries
•Mains power adaptor for
charger (item code 028772)
IMPORTANT This equipment is not designed for making emergency telephone
calls when the power fails. Alternative arrangements should be made for access
to emergency services.
In this guide
Getting started
Setting up the base/handset. . 4
BT Freelance 501 multiple
pack owners only . . . . . . . . . 6
Getting to know your phone
Handset buttons . . . . . . . . . 8
Base buttons and LEDs . . . . 10
Using the phone
Switching the handset on/off. . 12
Make an external call ......12
Preparatory dialling . . . . . . . 12
End a call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Receiving calls . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Earpiece volume. . . . . . . . . . 13
Secrecy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Key lock on/off . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Redial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Direct access memory .....15
Using the phonebook
Store a phonebook number .16
Dial a phonebook number . . 17
Delete a phonebook number .17
Caller Display and the calls list
View/dial a calls list number. . 18
Delete calls list numbers . . . 19
Copy a calls list number
to the phonebook.........19
Call Waiting .............20
Speak to a second caller. . . . 20
Phone settings ..........21
Using the answering machine
Switch on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Listening to your messages
via the base . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Listening to your messages
via the handset . . . . . . . . . . 25
Outgoing messages . . . . . . . 26
Answer delay . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Message alert beeps. . . . . . . 29
Remote access . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Using additional handsets
Registering handsets . . . . . . 31
Internal calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Paging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Transferring calls . . . . . . . . . 33
3-Way conference call . . . . . 34
Help ..................35
General information
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Guarantee ..............37
Technical information .....38
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
3
If you have purchased a BT Freelance
501 multiple pack please follow
instructions A and B.
ALocation
You need to place your BT Freelance
501 close enough to a mains power
and telephone wall socket so that the
cables will reach.
Make sure it is at least 1 metre away
from other electrical appliances to
avoid interference. Do not place your
BT Freelance 501 in the bathroom or
other humid areas.
Setting up the base and handset
1. At the base: Plug the power adaptor
and telephone cable into the relevant
sockets on the underside of the base.
Getting started
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
4
Handset range
The strength of the
handset signal depends
on where you position the
base. The BT Freelance
501 has a range of up to
300 metres outdoors
when there is a clear line
of sight between the base
and the handset. When
there is no clear line of
sight between the base
and the handset, eg.
base indoors and
handset either indoors or
outdoors, the range
could be reduced to up
to 50 metres. Thick
stone walls can severely
affect the range.
Signal strength
The icon on your
handset indicates when
you are in range.
When it flashes, you are
out of range. When you
move out of range of the
base, you will hear the
out of range tone. This
tone is repeated until
you move back into
range. If you do not
move back into range
the call may be
disconnected.
Power
cable
Telephone
cable
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
5
Getting started
2. Plug the power adaptor into the mains
wall socket and switch the power on.
When connected correctly, you will
hear a confirmation tone and the green
Power/In Use light will come on.
Your BT Freelance 501 answering
machine will announce the current
answer setting and outgoing message
“Answer On. Hello your call cannot be
taken at the moment, please leave your
message after the tone”.
3. At the handset: Place the battery ribbon
in the base of the battery compartment.
Insert the 2 x AAA rechargeable
batteries supplied observing the polarity
(+ and –) markings. Then slide the
battery compartment cover into place.
The icon and
-----------
will flash in
the display while the handset searches
for the base.
When the handset links with the base,
the display will go into standby mode:
IMPORTANT
The base station must
be plugged into the
mains power socket at
all times.
Do not connect the
telephone line at the
telephone wall socket
until the handset is fully
charged.
EXT
INT
Handset
number
Time
Battery symbols
–Battery fully
charged
–Battery half
charged
–Battery low
Battery low warning
If the battery charge
becomes low during a
call you will hear a
warning beep every
minute to alert you.If the
battery runs out, your
call will be disconnected.
You will need to recharge
the handset before using
it again.
For more information,
see ‘Battery performance’
on the next page.
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
6
Getting started
4. Place the handset in the base to
charge, the red charging light on the
base comes on, you hear a beep tone
and the icon begins scrolling in
the handset display.
You should charge the handset for at
least 24 hours on first charge.
5. Once fully charged, plug the telephone
line cord into the telephone wall socket.
BBT Freelance 501 multiple pack
owners only
For each additional handset:
You need to place your BT Freelance 501
charger close enough to a mains power
socket so that the cable will reach.
1. Plug the power adaptor cable into the
underside of the charger.
2. Plug the power adaptor into the mains
wall socket and switch the power on.
3. Place the battery ribbon in the base of
the battery compartment. Insert the 2
xAAA rechargeable batteries supplied
observing the polarity (+ and -)
markings. Then slide the battery
compartment cover into place.
Battery performance
To keep your batteries in
the best condition, leave
the handset off the base
for a few hours at a time.
Running the batteries
right down at least once
aweek will help them
last as long as possible.
The charge capacity of
rechargeable batteries
will reduce with time as
they wear out, giving the
handset less talk/standby
time. Eventually they will
need to be replaced.
New batteries are
available from the BT
Freelance 501 Helpline
on 0870 605 8047.
After charging your
handset for the first time,
subsequent charging
time is about 6–8 hours
aday. Batteries and
handset may become
warm during charging,
this is normal.
Talk/Standby time
In ideal conditions, the
handset batteries should
give up to 10 hours talk
time or up to 250 hours
standby on a single
charge. Note that new
batteries do not reach
full capacity until they
have been in normal use
for several days.
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
7
Getting started
4. Place the handset in the charger and
charge the handset for at least 24
hours. The red Charging light on the
charger comes on and the icon
begins to scroll.
Set the day and time
To set the day and time so that the
correct day and time is added to
received answering machine messages,
see ‘Phone Settings’, on page 21.
If you subscribe to a Caller Display
service, the first call received by your
product will set the date and time but
you will need to set the day yourself.
Your BT Freelance 501 is ready
for use
BT Freelance 501
Additional handset
Your BT Freelance 501
handsets are the same,
so instructions
throughout this guide
apply to both.
Handset numbers
Once registered with the
base, each handset will
display its handset
number, 1,2,3,4and 5
respectively.
Getting to know your phone
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
1
4
78
0
R
Secrecy
Calls
Store
PCle
Int
9
P
Q
R
S
G
H
I
2
5
8
Handset buttons
Clear/Secrecy
During a call,press to stop your caller
hearing you, page 13.
Use to delete characters.
Use to delete Calls list and Redial list
entries, pages 19 and 14.
Store
In standby mode,press and hold to
enter programming mode.
In programming mode,press to confirm a setting.
Scroll up
During a call,press to raise the earpiece
volume, page 13.
While the phone is ringing,press to
raise the ringer volume.
In programming mode,press to scroll
up through display options.
Talk
Press to make or receive a call, page 12.
1, 2 and 3
In standby mode,press and hold to dial
the direct access numbers, page 15.
✱/Dial mode
In talk mode,press to temporarily switch
from pulse to tone dialling.
R(Recall)/Int
In talk mode,use for Recall.
Used when connected to a switchboard/PBX
(page 39)and for Call Waiting, page 20.
In standby mode,press and hold to
make an internal call, page 32.
Or to transfer a call to an additional
BTFreelance 501 handset, page 33.
3
6
8
0
Tam
RedialS recy
Calls
S
Pauseear
I
9
W
X
Y
Z
T
U
V
M
N
O
J
K
L
A
B
C
D
E
F
2
5
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
9
Keypad
On steady =during a call; when
any button is pressed.
Off =keypad lock is on; no button
has been pressed for 8 seconds.
Flashes =receiving an incoming call;
external call is on-hold.
Pause/Redial
In standby mode,press to enter the
redial list, page 14.
In talk or programming mode,press to
enter a pause in a number, page 39.
End Call/Power On/Off/ Cancel
Press to end a call, page 12.
In standby mode,press and hold to switch
the handset power on/off, page 12.
In programming mode,press to exit
and return to standby.
Calls list / Scroll Down
In standby mode,press to access
the Calls list, page 18.
During a call,press to lower the
earpiece volume, page 13.
While the phone is ringing,press to lower
the ringer volume.
In programming mode,press to scroll down
through display options.
#/Keypad lock
In standby mode,press and hold to
switch key lock on, page 13.
Press any button then #within 3 seconds
to switch key lock off, page 13.
Tam
Use to access the answering machine menu.
BT Freelance 5
Mess
Find
V
Del
Answer
On/Off
OGM
Skip
Stop
Skip
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
10
Getting to know your phone
Base buttons and LEDs
Answer On/Off
Switches the answering machine on/off,
page 23.
OGM (Outgoing Message)
In standby mode,press to check OGM,
page 27.
In standby mode,press and hold to select
and record an OGM, page 27.
Stop
During playback,press to stop playback
and recording.
In standby mode,press and release to
check day and time setting.
<Skip
During playback,press once to replay
current message, press repeatedly to skip
back to play previous messages, page 24.
In standby mode,press and release to
check message alert setting, page 29.
In standby mode,press and hold to change
message alert setting, page 29.
Skip>
During playback,press to play next
message, page 24.
In standby mode,press and release to
check answer delay setting, page 28.
In standby mode,press and hold to change
answer delay setting, page 28.
Del
During playback,press to delete current
message, page 24.
In standby mode,press and release to
check security code setting, page 30.
ance 501
M sages
Fnd
Volume
Volume
D
P
l
a
y
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
11
Getting to know your phone
Find handset/Page
Press to page handset(s), page 33.
Also used when registering handsets,
page 31 and 32.
Volume +
Increase the loudspeaker volume, page 25.
Volume -
Decrease the loudspeaker volume, page 25.
Play/Pause
In standby mode,press and release
to play back new messages.
In standby mode,press and hold
to play back all messages.
During playback,press to pause play.
Press again to resume playback.
Press to play back messages, page 24.
Power/In Use indicator
On (steady) =Power on.
Flashes =When receiving an incoming
call; when a call is in progress.
Base microphone
When recording an OGM speak clearly
close to the microphone, page 27.
Charging indicator
On =Handset charging
Answer On/Off / Messages indicator
On (steady) =In standby, when set to
Answer On and no messages have been
recorded; when a message or OGM is
playing; during remote access.
Flashes =In standby, when set to Answer
On and messages have been recorded;
when recording an OGM or incoming
message; when recording memory is full.
Off =In standby, when set to Answer Off.
Using the phone
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12
Switching the handset power on/off
1. Press and hold the button.
Make an external call
1. Press , listen for the dial tone then
dial the number. The display shows the
icon.
Preparatory dialling
1. Enter the number first. If you make a
mistake, press .
2. Press to dial.
End a call
1. Press or place the handset back on
the base.
Receiving calls
When you receive an incoming call, the
base and handset will ring, and the In
Use light on the base will flash. In the
handset display the and icons
flash and
—————
is displayed.
1. Press to answer the call or, if the
handset is on the base, simply lift it
and speak.
After a few seconds, the call timer is
displayed, showing the length of the call.
EXT
INT
Secrecy
Clear
EXT
INT
When you make a call,
the In Use light on the
base flashes.
Dialling numbers
quickly
Numbers can also
be dialled using the
phonebook (page 17),
and from the calls list
(page 18).
You can enter a number
up to 32 digits long,
however only 12 digits
can be displayed. If the
number is longer than
12 digits, the symbol
will be displayed to
denote more digits.
Toenter a pause in a
number, press
where required, a
P
will be displayed.
Redial
Pause
Caller Display
If you have subscribed
to your network’s Caller
Display service, the
caller’s number will flash
alternately with the day
and time in the display,
see page 18.
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
13
Using the phone
Earpiece volume
Adjust the earpiece volume during a call.
1. Press to increase or to decrease
the earpiece volume. The display shows
the set volume, e.g.
–3–
.
Secrecy
During a call, you can talk to someone
nearby without your caller hearing you.
1. During your call, press .The
symbol is displayed and your caller
cannot hear you.
2. Press again to resume your call.
Key lock on/off
You can lock the keypad so that it
cannot be used accidentally while
carrying the handset around.
To lock the keypad
1. Press and hold until the symbol
is displayed.
To unlock the keypad
1. Press any key, the display shows
oooo
for 3 seconds. During the 3 seconds,
press to unlock the keypad.
Secrecy
Secrecy
Choose from 5 volume
levels. You will hear a
beep at the minimum and
maximum volume levels.
The earpiece volume will
remain at the level set for
all calls until changed.
With the key lock on you
can still use to answer
an incoming call. When
you end the call the
keypad will remain locked.
WARNING
While key lock is switched
on, it is NOT possible to
make calls, including to
emergency numbers
(999/112).
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
14
Using the phone
Redial
Call a number from the redial list
1. Press to open the list of the last 5
numbers you dialled.
2. Scroll or to the number you
want to redial.
3. Press to dial the number or press
to return to standby mode.
Delete a redial number or the entire
redial list
1. With the redial list open, press to
delete the number displayed, or press
and hold to delete the entire list.
Store a redial number to the phonebook
1. Press and scroll or to the
number you want to store.
3. Press and hold until the display
shows
n—————————————
(where ‘n’ is
the next available phonebook entry).
4. Press or to browse the
phonebook for a suitable location. Then
select the required phonebook location
by entering the number on the keypad.
The redial number will then be displayed
alongside the location number.
Store
Redial
Secrecy
Clear
Secrecy
Clear
Redial
Redial the last number
Press , then .
The last number called is
redialled.
Redial
If there are no numbers
saved in the redial list
—
—————
will be
displayed.
Each redial number can
be up to a maximum of
32 digits long.
Only the first 12 digits
of the number will be
displayed. The icon
will be displayed if there
are more digits to view.
Press to view the
remaining digits or to
toggle between the first
12 digits and the
remaining digits.
Store
If the phonebook is full,
you will see
0
flashing
instead of the phonebook
location and the currently
stored phonebook number.
You will need to delete an
existing phonebook
number before you can
store the redial number,
see page 17.
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
15
Using the phone
6. The first digit will flash, edit the number
if necessary. Press to confirm.
7. Press to exit and return to standby.
Direct access memory
Store a direct access number
1. Press to enter the phonebook.
2. Press and hold until the display
shows
n——————————————
(where n is
the next available phonebook entry).
3. Press and hold one of the direct access
number keys ( , or ), the
display shows e.g.
S1-
followed by a
flashing cursor.
4. Enter the direct access telephone
number you want using the keypad,
then press . You will hear a beep
to confirm the number is stored.
5. Press to return to standby.
Dial a direct access number
1. Press and hold the direct access button
you want ( , or ) and the
stored number will be automatically
dialled.
3
2
1
Store
3
2
1
Store
Store
Store
Use to delete digits
and the keypad to enter
new ones.
Secrecy
Clear
Edit a direct access
number
Follow the instructions to
store a number but use
the button to delete
digits before entering a
new number.
Secrecy
Clear
You can store 3 direct
access memory numbers
on keys 1, 2 and 3 of
your handset.
You can also access the
number stored under
button by pressing
the button.
M
1
Where
S1
is the direct
access location.
Using the phonebook
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
16
Store a phonebook number
You can use the phonebook to store
up to 10 numbers for easy dialling.
Each number can be up to 24 digits
long.
1. Press to enter the phonebook
and display the first phonebook entry.
2. Press and hold ,the display shows
n—————————————
,with
n
flashing
(where n is the next available
phonebook entry).
3. Press or to browse the
phonebook for a suitable location.
4. Then select the required phonebook
location by entering the number on the
keypad.
5. Enter the telephone number using the
keypad. If you make a mistake, press
to delete incorrect digits.
6. Press . You will hear a beep to
confirm the number is stored.
7. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to add more
entries, or press to exit and return
to standby.
Store
Secrecy
Clear
Store
Store
Cancel storing
Toexit and return to
standby at any time
press .
If the phonebook is full,
you will see
0
flashing
instead of the phonebook
location and the currently
stored number.
Using additional handsets
If you are using more than
one handset, each handset
has a separate phonebook,
so you can store 10
numbers per handset.
Inserting a Pause
Toinsert a Pause in the
dialling sequence, press
where required, the
display will show a
P
.
You may need to insert a
pause if your phone is
connected to an internal
switchboard, see page 39.
Redial
Pause
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17
Using the phonebook
Dial a phonebook number
1. Press to enter the phonebook
and display the first phonebook entry.
2. Press or to select the
phonebook entry you want.
3. Press to dial the number.
Delete a phonebook number
1. Press to enter the phonebook
and display the first phonebook entry.
2. Press and hold ,the display shows
n—————————————
,with
n
flashing
(where n is the next available
phonebook entry).
3. Press or to browse the
phonebook for a suitable location.
4. Then select the required phonebook
location by entering the number on
the keypad.
5. The first digit of the telephone number
flashes. Use to delete the digits of
the stored number.
6. Press to return to standby.
Secrecy
Clear
Store
Store
Store
If the stored number is
more than 10 digits
long, the first 10 digits
and the symbol will be
displayed.
Edit a phonebook
number
Follow steps 1–5 of
‘Delete a phonebook
number’, then enter a
new number and press
,then to return
to standby.
Store
Caller Display & the calls list
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18
If you subscribe to a Caller Display
service you can see your caller’s
number on your handset’s display
(unless it has been withheld) before you
answer the call. As the phone rings, the
caller’s number and the date and time
will flash alternately in the display.
Whether you answer a call or not, the
caller’s phone number is stored in the
calls list.
When you have new entries in the calls
list the symbol will flash in the
display. When all the entries have been
viewed, the symbol will disappear.
View and dial a calls list number
1. Press to open the Calls list.
2. Press or repeatedly to scroll
through the entries.
3. When viewing an entry press to
toggle between the caller’s number and
the date and time the call was received.
4. Press to dial the displayed number.
Or press to exit the calls list and
return to standby.
Store
IMPORTANT
To use Caller Display you
must first subscribe to
the service from your
network provider.
Aquarterly fee may be
payable.
For more information on
BT’s Calling Features,
call BT on Freefone
0800 800 150.
Caller information
not available
Occasionally the
telephone number of the
caller is not available
and cannot therefore be
displayed. In this case,
your BTFreelance 501
will show
----
.
Up to 10 phone numbers
can be stored in the calls
list. When the calls list is
full, a new call replaces
the oldest. Each stored
number can be up to 20
digits long.
What type of call?
Answered calls
Unanswered calls
If there are no numbers
saved in the Calls list
———
———
will be displayed.
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19
Caller Display & the calls list
Delete a calls list number or the
entire calls list
1. With the calls list open, press to
delete the number displayed, or press
and hold to delete the entire list.
Copy a calls list number to the
phonebook
1. Press to open the calls list.
2. Press or repeatedly to scroll to
the entry you want to copy.
3. Press and hold ,the display shows
n—————————————
,with
n
flashing
(where n is the next available
phonebook entry).
4. Press or to select a phonebook
location, or enter a location using the
keypad. The Calls list number will be
displayed alongside the location number.
5. The first digit will flash, edit the number
if necessary. Press to confirm.
6. Press to exit and return to standby.
Store
Store
Secrecy
Clear
Secrecy
Clear
Using the calls list with
additional handsets
If you are using more than
one handset, each handset
has a separate calls list.
Acall answered on one
handset will show as
unanswered on another.
If the phonebook is full,
you will see
0
flashing
instead of the phonebook
location and the currently
stored number. You will
need to delete an existing
phonebook number before
you can store the calls list
number, see page 17.
Use to delete digits
and the keypad to enter
new ones.
Secrecy
Clear
Freelance 501 – Edition 3 – 10.07.06 – 7557
20
Caller Display & the calls list
Call Waiting
Providing you have subscribed to your
network provider’s Call Waiting service,
you will hear a soft beep every 5
seconds if you receive an incoming call
while you are already on the phone.
The second caller’s number will appear
on the handset display alternating with
the date and time of the call.
Instead of the engaged tone, the
second caller will hear an announce-
ment asking them to hold the line.
Speak to a second caller
1. Press to answer the second call and
put your current caller on hold. Press
again to return to your first caller
and to switch between both callers.
Or
2. If you want to end the current call
and pick up the waiting call, press .
The handset will ring. Press again
to connect to the waiting caller.
R
Int
R
Int
This beep is not audible
to the person you are
speaking to.
The second caller is only
charged from the second
you answer, not while
they are waiting to be
connected.
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