GE 29869 Series User manual

Model 29869
Digital Answerer
User’s Guide

2
Important Information
NOTICE: This product meets the applicable Industry Canada technical specifications.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference, and (2) This
device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
The equipment must be installed using an acceptable method of connection. The customer should
be aware that compliance with the above conditions may not prevent degradation of service in some
situations.
Repairs to certified equipment should be made by an authorized Canadian maintenance facility designated
by the supplier. Any repairs or alterations made by the user to this equipment, or equipment malfunctions,
may give the telecommunications company cause to request the user to disconnect the equipment.
Users should ensure for their own protection that the electrical ground connections of the power
utility, telephone lines and internal metallic water pipe systems, if present, are connected together. This
precaution may be particularly important in rural areas.
CAUTION: Users should not attempt to make such connections themselves, but should contact the
appropriate electric inspection authority, or electrician, as appropriate.
NOTES: This equipment may not be used on coin service provided by the telephone company.
Interference Information
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy which may interfere with residential radio and
television reception if not properly installed and used in accordance with instructions contained in this
manual. Reasonable protection against such interference is ensured, although there is no guarantee this
will not occur in a given installation. If interference is suspected and verified by switching this equipment on
and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient the radio/television receiver’s antenna, relocate the equipment with respect to the receiver, plug
the equipment and receiver into separate circuit outlets. The user may also wish to consult a qualified
radio/television technician for additional suggestions. This equipment has been fully tested and complies
with all limits for Class B computing devices pursuant to part 15 FCC Rules and Regulations.

3
Telephone Network Information
Should your equipment cause trouble on your line which may harm the telephone network, the telephone
company, where practicable, may 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.
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. If these changes are expected
to affect the use or performance of your telephone equipment, the telephone company will likely give you
adequate notice to allow you to maintain uninterrupted service.
Notice must be given to the telephone company upon termination of your telephone from your line.
REN Number
On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicating, among other information, the Ringer Equivalence
Number (REN) for the equipment.
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.
REN Number is located on the cabinet bottom.
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
This telephone system meets FCC standards for Hearing Aid Compatibility.
Licensing
Licensed under US Patent 6,427,009.

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SEE MARKING ON BOTTOM / BACK OF PRODUCT
RISKOFELECTRICSHOCK
DONOT OPEN
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:
Messages Counter..............................11
Mailbox Indicators...............................12
Playing Messages................................12
While Playing Messages ............12
Message Move......................................13
Message Scan.......................................13
While Scanning Messages........13
Erasing All Messages in a
Mailbox...............................................14
Leaving a Memo ..................................14
Two-Way Record .................................14
Screening Calls (Auto Disconnect
Feature)..............................................15
Remote Access ..................................15
Important Instructions for Moving
the Answerer .................................16
General Product Care.......................16
Troubleshooting Tips .......................16
Service ................................................18
Index....................................................21
Important Information ......................2
Interference Information ..................2
Telephone Network Information......3
REN Number ........................................3
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)......3
Licensing ..............................................3
Introduction.........................................5
Before You Begin.................................5
Parts Checklist .........................................5
Modular Jack Requirements.............5
Installing the Battery......................5
Important Installation
Information.....................................6
Layout...................................................7
Setup .....................................................8
Recording the Greeting.................8
Reviewing the Greeting.................8
Erasing the Greeting.......................8
Returning to the Default
Greeting...........................................9
Reviewing the Settings..................9
Changing the Settings ...................9
Setting the Time................................9
To Set the Hour..................................9
To Set the Minutes...........................9
To Set the Day....................................9
Setting the Rings to Answer.....10
Toll Saver...........................................10
Setting the Incoming Message
Length ................................................10
Setting the Security Code..........10
Adjusting the Volume ........................11
Answerer Operation.........................11
Greeting Indicators.............................11
Answer On/Off Indicator..................11
Table of Contents

5
Introduction
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 RJ11 type modular jack, which is the most common type of phone jack
and might look like the one pictured here installed in your home. If you don’t have a
modular jack, call your local phone company to find out how to get one installed.
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.
Answerer
-
-
+
+
Battery clip
Battery
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MIC
-
+
Battery
compartment
door
Modular
telephone
line jack
Wall plate
AC power supply Telephone line cord

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Important Installation Information
• Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.
• Never touch non-insulated telephone wires or terminals, unless the telephone line has been
disconnected at the network interface.
• Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.
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 answering system
marked PHONE. (You don’t have to connect your
telephone in order for the answering system to record
incoming messages.)
3. Connect the small end of the power supply into the
POWER 9V AC jack on the back of the answering
system. 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.
CAUTION: To reduce risk of personal injury, fire, or damage use only
the 5-2434 (white), 5-2418 (black) or 5-2780 (black) power adaptor(s)
listed in the user’s guide. This power adaptor is intended to be
correctly orientated in a vertical or floor mount position.

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Layout
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MESSAGES
NEXTPREVIOUS
STOP
PLAY
2PLAY
3
PLAY
4
PLAY 1MIC
-
+
ERASE
button
GREETING buttons
& indicators MESSAGES
counter
SET
button
ANSWER
ON/OFF
button
PREVIOUS
button
NEXT
button
VOLUME
buttons
MEMO/TWO WAY
button
SCAN
button
MICROPHONE
Mailbox
Indicators
STOP
button

8
Setup
Recording the Greeting
Before using your new answerer, you should record a greeting (the announcement callers hear when your
answering system answers a call). If you don’t record a greeting, callers hear a default greeting which says,
“After tone, record message.”
NOTE: You can direct callers to leave messages in a specific mailbox by having them
press the desired mailbox (1-4) after the greeting plays. If no mailbox is selected, the
incoming messages automatically go into mailbox 1.
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.
NOTE: The greeting must be 2 seconds or longer to be valid.
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), press 4 to direct your message to (name4). Leave your name, number,
and a brief message after the tone, and we’ll get back to you. Thanks for calling.
2. Hold down the desired GREETING button. The unit displays o1 for greeting A record and o2 for greeting B
record.
3. After the tone, say your greeting.
4. Release GREETING A or B when you finish.
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 B when you finish.

9
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 until 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.
Setting the Time
For each message received, a time/day stamp is added at the end of the message.
To Set the Hour
1. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS until the unit announces and
displays the correct hour.
2. Once the hour is set, press SET to enter the minutes menu.
To Set the Minutes
1. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS until the unit announces and
displays the correct minutes.
2. Once the minutes are set, press SET to enter the day menu.
To Set the Day
1. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS until the unit announces and
displays the correct day.
2. Once the day is set, press SET. The unit announces the time/day, then enters the rings to answer menu.
NOTE: The days of the week show in the display as numbers. For example, “Sunday”
shows as 0.
Range of Settings
Time
Hour 12 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Minute 0 - 59
Day Sunday - Saturday
Rings to Answer
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, TS
Message Length
1, 2, 3, 4 minutes
Security Code
0, 0 - 9, 0 - 9, 0 - 9
Default Settings
Time 12 a.m. Sunday
Rings to Answer 4
Message Length 2 minutes
Security Code 0123

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Setting the Rings to Answer
This feature is used to set the unit to answer a call after a specific number of rings.
The unit announces the rings to answer. To change, press NEXT or PREVIOUS. To set and go on to the next
item, press SET.
1. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS until the unit announces and displays the correct number of rings
for the answerer to pick up.
2. Once the rings to answer is set, press SET. The unit announces the rings to answer, then enters the
incoming message length menu.
Toll Saver
The toll saver is the final setting in the Rings to Answer menu. This feature allows you to know if you have
new messages when calling the machine from a remote phone. If you have new messages, the unit will
ring twice before answering. If you don’t, it will ring four times. This allows you to hang up before the
machine answers so that you don’t have to pay toll charges.
NOTE: The message counter displays 00 for toll saver.
Setting the Incoming Message Length
The message length is the length of time (in minutes) the caller has to leave a message.
The unit announces and displays the current message length. To change, press NEXT or PREVIOUS. To set
and go on to the next item, press SET.
1. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS until the unit announces and displays the correct incoming
message length.
2. Once the length is set, press SET. The unit announces the message length, then enters the security code
menu.
Setting the Security Code
The security code is a programmable 4-digit code which can be used to access remote functions.
IMPORTANT: The first digit is factory set at zero and cannot be changed.
The unit announces the current security code. To change, press NEXT or PREVIOUS. To set and exit press
SET.
1. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS to choose the second digit (the first digit is not programmable). The
unit announces all 4 digits, but only the selected digit will change.
2. Once you have the desired second digit, press SET to save it and move on to the third digit.
3. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS to choose the third digit. Only the third digit will change.
4. Once you have the desired third digit, press SET to save it and move on to the fourth digit.
5. Press and release NEXT or PREVIOUS to choose the fourth digit. Only the fourth digit will change.
6. Once you have the desired fourth digit, press SET to save it. The answerer repeats all the settings.