GE 29861 User manual

Model 29861
Digital Answering System
User’s Guide

2
Equipment Approval Information
Your telephone equipment is approved for connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network and
is in compliance with parts 15 and 68, FCC Rules and Regulations and the Technical Requirements for
Telephone Terminal Equipment published by ACTA.
1 Notification to the Local Telephone Company
On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicating, among other information, the US number and
Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) for the equipment. You must, upon request, provide this information
to your telephone company.
The REN is useful in determining the number of devices you may connect to your telephone line and
still have all of these devices ring when your telephone number is called. In most (but not all) areas, the
sum of the RENs of all devices connected to one line should not exceed 5. To be certain of the number
of devices you may connect to your line as determined by the REN, you should contact your local
telephone company.
A plug and jack used to connect this equipment to the premises wiring and telephone network must
comply with the applicable FCC Part 68 rules and requirements adopted by the ACTA. A compliant
telephone cord and modular plug is provided with this product. It is designed to be connected to a
compatible modular jack that is also compliant. See installation instructions for details.
Notes
• This equipment may not be used on coin service provided by the telephone company.
• Party lines are subject to state tariffs, and therefore, you may not be able to use your own telephone
equipment if you are on a party line. Check with your local telephone company.
• Notice must be given to the telephone company upon permanent disconnection of your telephone
from your line.
• If your home has specially wired alarm equipment connected to the telephone line, ensure the
installation of this product does not disable your alarm equipment. If you have questions about what
will disable alarm equipment, consult your telephone company or a qualified installer.
US Number is located on the cabinet bottom.
REN Number is located on the cabinet bottom.
2 Rights of the Telephone Company
Should your equipment cause trouble on y our line which may harm the telephone network, the
telephone company shall, where practicable, notify you that temporary discontinuance of service
may be required. Where prior notice is not practicable and the circumstances warrant such
action, the telephone company may temporarily discontinue service immediately. In case of such
temporary discontinuance, the telephone company must: (1) promptly notify you of such temporary
discontinuance; (2) afford you the opportunity to correct the situation; and (3) inform you of your right to
bring a complaint to the Commission pursuant to procedures set forth in Subpart E of Part 68, FCC Rules
and Regulations.
The telephone company may make changes in its communications facilities, equipment, operations
or procedures where such action is required in the operation of its business and not inconsistent with
FCC Rules and Regulations. If these changes are expected to affect the use or performance of your
telephone equipment, the telephone company must give you adequate notice, in writing, to allow you to
maintain uninterrupted service.

3
Interference Information
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference; and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
Privacy of Communications may not be ensured when using this product.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna (that is, the antenna for radio or television that is “receiving”
the interference).
• Reorient or relocate and increase the separation between the telecommunications equipment and
receiving antenna.
• Connect the telecommunications equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiving antenna is connected.
If these measures do not eliminate the interference, please consult your dealer or an experienced radio/
television technician for additional suggestions. Also, the Federal Communications Commission has prepared
a helpful booklet, “How To Identify and Resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems.” This booklet is available from
the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Please specify stock number 004-000-00345-4
when ordering copies.
Notice: The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
This telephone system meets FCC standards for Hearing Aid Compatibility.
Licensing
Licensed under US Patent 6,427,009.

4
SEE MARKING ON BOTTOM / BACK OF PRODUCT
RISKOFELECTRICSHOCK
DONOTOPEN
WARNING: TO
PREVENT FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSETHIS
PRODUCT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE.
THE LIGHTNING
FLASH AND ARROW
HEAD WITHIN THE
TRIANGLE IS A
WARNING SIGN
ALERTING YOU OF
“DANGEROUS
VOLTAGE” INSIDE
THE PRODUCT.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER (OR
BACK). NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
THE EXCLAMATION
POINT WITHIN THE
TRIANGLE IS A
WARNING SIGN
ALERTING YOU OF
IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS
ACCOMPANYING
THE PRODUCT.
CAUTION:
Table of Contents
EquipmEnt ApprovAl informAtion .................2
intErfErEncE informAtion.............................3
HEAring Aid compAtibility (HAc) .................3
licEnsing .....................................................3
tAblE of contEnts .......................................4
introduction ...............................................5
bEforE you bEgin ........................................5
Parts CheCklist ...............................................................5
Modular JaCk requireMents ........................................5
installing the Battery ....................................................6
instAllAtion .................................................7
lAyout .........................................................8
sEt up.........................................................9
reCording the greeting.................................................9
reviewing the greeting............................................... 10
erasing the greeting................................................... 10
returning to the default greeting ..........................10
reviewing the settings ...............................................10
Changing the settings................................................10
setting the tiMe ...........................................................11
toset the hour........................................................... 11
toset the Minutes...................................................... 11
toset the day..............................................................11
setting the rings to answer..................................... 11
toll saver .....................................................................12
setting the inCoMing Message length.....................12
setting the seCurity Code..........................................12
adJusting the voluMe .................................................13
AnswErEr opErAtion ..................................13
greeting indiCators .....................................................13
answer on/off indiCator..........................................13
Messages Counter.......................................................14
MailBox indiCators....................................................... 14
Playing Messages......................................................... 14
while Playing Messages.............................................15
Message Move ..............................................................15
Message sCan ...............................................................16
while sCanning Messages .........................................16
erasing all Messages in aMailBox..........................17
leaving aMeMo............................................................17
two-way reCord ........................................................18
sCreening Calls (auto disConneCt feature) .......... 18
reMote aCCess ..............................................................19
importAnt instructions for moving tHE
AnswEring systEm .............................19
gEnErAl product cArE ..............................20
troublEsHooting tips.................................20
sErvicE.......................................................21
limitEd wArrAnty......................................22
rEmotE AccEss cArd ..................................25
indEx .........................................................27

5
Introduction
Your Digital Answering System is designed to give you flexibility in use and high
quality performance. To get the most from your new answering system, we suggest
that you take a few minutes right now to read through this instruction manual.
CAUTION: When using telephone equipment, there are basic
safety instructions that should always be followed. Refer to the
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS provided with this product and
save them for future reference.
Before You Begin
Parts Checklist
Make sure your package includes the following items:
Modular Jack Requirements
You need an RJ11C type modular jack, which is the most
common type of phone jack and might look like the one
pictured here. If you don’t have a modular jack, call your
local phone company to find out how to get one installed.
Modular
telephone
line jack
Wall Plate
Answerer AC power supply Telephone line cord

6
Installing the Battery
In the event of a power loss, a 9-volt battery (not included)
enables the answerer to retain greetings and messages stored in
memory. To install the battery:
1. Remove the battery compartment door on the bottom of the
unit by loosening the screw with a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the
door.
2. Connect a fresh 9-volt alkaline battery (not included). The
large and small contacts on the battery clip and the battery
will interlock. Once connected, place the battery inside the
battery compartment.
3. Replace the battery compartment door and tighten the screw.
NOTE: If the battery is low or not installed, the unit
announces “Low Battery” at the end of message
playback.
CAUTION:
• Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.
• Never touch uninsulated telephone wires or terminals, unless the
telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface.
• Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.
Battery
compartment door
-
-
+
+
Battery clip
Battery

7
CAUTION: To reduce risk of personal injury, fire, or damage use only
the 5-2434 (white), 5-2418 or 5-2780 (black) power adaptor listed
in the user’s guide. This power adaptor is intended to be correctly
orientated in a vertical or floor mount position.
Installation
1. Plug the telephone line cord into a modular wall jack.
2. Connect the telephone line cord from your telephone into the jack on the back of
the answerer marked PHONE. (You don’t have to connect your telephone in order
for the answerer to record incoming messages.)
3. Connect the small end of the power supply into the POWER 9V AC jack on the back
of the answerer. Plug the other end into an AC power outlet. The unit beeps 3 times
and is ready for setup or to answer calls with the default greeting and settings.
1
2
3

8
Layout
Erase (button)
On/Off (button)
Greeting A (button)
Greeting B (button)
Set (button)
Next (button)
Volume (button)
Play 3 (button)
Play 1 (button)
Play 2 (button)
Scan (button)
Memo/Two Way
(button)
Previous (button)
Mic
(Microphone)
Messages (button)
Stop (button)

9
Set Up
Recording the Greeting
Before using your new answerer, you should record a greeting (the announcement
callers hear when your answering system answers a call). Two greetings can be
recorded. If you don’t record a greeting, callers hear a default greeting which says,
“After tone, record message.”
You can record two types of greetings, one to use only one mailbox, or one to direct
callers to leave messages in specific mailboxes. This is especially useful for active
families or small businesses.
When recording the greeting, you should be about 6 inches from the unit. This
ensures the best recording quality. Eliminate as much background noise as possible.
Both types of greetings are recorded by the following:
1. Prepare your greeting.
Sample Single Mailbox Greeting: Hi, this is (use your name here). I can’t answer
the phone right now, so please leave your name, number, and a brief message
after the tone, and I’ll get back to you. Thanks for calling.
Sample Multi-Mailbox Greeting: Hi, this is (use your name here). We can’t answer
the phone right now, so please press 1 to direct your message to (name1), press 2
to direct your message to (name2), press 3 to to direct your message to (name3).
Leave your name, number, and a brief message after the tone, and we’ll get back
to you. Thanks for calling.
NOTE: You can direct callers to leave messages in a specific mailbox by
having them press the desired mailbox (1-3) after the greeting plays. If no
mailbox is selected, the incoming messages automatically go into mailbox 1.
2. Hold down the desired GREETING button. The unit displays 01 for greeting A
record and 02 for greeting B record.
3. After the tone, say your greeting.
NOTE: The greeting must be 2 seconds or longer to be valid.
4. Release GREETING A or Bwhen you finish.

10
Reviewing the Greeting
To review the greeting, press and release GREETING A or B.
Erasing the Greeting
There are two ways to erase your greeting.
1. To erase your greeting while listening to it, press and hold ERASE until the unit
announces, “Greeting Erased”. Then record your new greeting.
2. To re-record your greeting from any point, press and hold GREETING A or B. After
the tone, say your greeting. Release GREETING A or Bwhen you finish.
Returning to the Default Greeting
To return to the answerer’s default greeting after you’ve recorded one, press and hold
the GREETING A or GREETING B button until a beep sound is heard and then release
the button.
Alternatively, you can also press and hold the ERASE button when the greeting is
playing, release the ERASE button when the unit announces “Greeting Erased”.
Reviewing the Settings
This function allows you to review the current time/day, number of rings before the unit
answers a call, incoming message length, and the security code. Press and release the
SET button to review the current settings. The unit announces the current setting.
NOTE: To exit review, press and release STOP.
Changing the Settings
Press and hold the SET button to enter the change mode. The unit announces the
current time and day. To change, press NEXT or PREVIOUS. To set and go on to the
next item, press SET.
NOTE: To scroll from one setting to the next,
press and release SET. To exit the change list,
press STOP.
Default Settings
Time 12 a.m. Sunday
Rings to Answer 4
Message Length 2 minutes
Security Code 0123