GE 21098GE3 User manual

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2.4 GHz Color Display Cordless Handset
Call Waiting Caller ID Phone System
User’s Guide
21098

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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.
2 Rights of the Telephone Company
Should your equipment cause trouble on your 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.
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.

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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.
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.
Licensing
Licensed under US Patent 6,427,009
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
This telephone system meets FCC standards for Hearing Aid Compatibility.
US NUMBER IS LOCATED ON THE CABINET BOTTOM
REN NUMBER IS LOCATED ON THE CABINET BOTTOM
SEE MARKING ON BOTTOM / BACK OF PRODUCT
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
WARNING: TO
PREVENT FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS
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:

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Table of Contents
EQUIPMENT APPROVAL INFORMATION ................ 2
INTERFERENCE INFORMATION ........................... 2
LICENSING ................................................... 3
HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY (HAC) ................ 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................... 4
FCC RF RADIATION EXPOSURE STATEMENT ...... 6
INTRODUCTION .............................................. 6
HANDSET LAYOUT ......................................... 8
BASE LAYOUT ............................................... 9
PARTS CHECKLIST ........................................10
TELEPHONE JACK REQUIREMENTS .............. 10
INSTALLATION ..............................................11
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES ........................ 11
INSTALLING THE HANDSET BATTERY ........... 12
INSTALLING THE PHONE ............................ 12
CONNECTING THE AC (ELECTRICAL) POWER 13
CONNECTING THE TELEPHONE LINE ............ 13
SETTING THE VOICE PROMPT LANGUAGE ......... 13
ANSWERING SYSTEM SETUP ......................... 14
VOICE TIME/DAY STAMP AND REAL TIME CLOCK
14
SPEAKER VOLUME ................................... 15
VOICE INSTRUCTION ................................. 15
RECORDING THE OUTGOING ANNOUNCEMENT 15
REVIEWING AND CHOOSING THE
ANNOUNCEMENT .................................... 16
ANSWERING SYSTEM OPERATION ................... 16
MESSAGE COUNTER ................................ 16
LEAVING A MESSAGE .............................. 17
SCREENING CALLS .................................. 17
MAILBOX INDICATOR ................................ 17
MESSAGE PLAYBACK ............................... 18
MEMORY FULL ....................................... 18
ERASING MESSAGES ............................... 18
LEAVING A MEMO ................................... 19
TELEPHONE SET UP .................................... 19
PROGRAMMING THE HANDSET ................... 19
STANDBY SCREEN ................................... 19
PROGRAMMING FUNCTIONS ...................... 20
ROOM MONITOR ..................................... 20
ANSWERER ............................................ 21
SECURITY CODE (FOR ANSWERING MACHINE) 21
RING TO ANSWER (FOR ANSWERING MACHINE)
........................................................... 22
PHONE SETTING ............................. 23
LANGUAGE ............................................ 23
AREA CODE ........................................... 23
REGISTRATION ....................................... 24
HANDSET NAME ............................. 25
DEREGISTRATION .................................... 26
GLOBAL DE-REGISTRATION ...................... 27
DEFAULT SETTING ................................... 28
DISPLAY SETTING .................................. 28
WALLPAPER ........................................... 29
COLOR SCHEME ..................................... 29
SET THE CONTRAST ................................ 30
SOUND SETTING .................................... 31
RINGER VOLUME ..................................... 31
RINGER TONE ......................................... 31
KEY TONE ............................................. 32
TELEPHONE OPERATION ................................ 33
CHARGE INDICATOR ................................. 33
MAKING CALLS ...................................... 33
ANSWERING CALLS ................................. 33
SPEAKERPHONE OPERATION ...................... 33
CALL TIMER ........................................... 34
PRE-DIALING .......................................... 34
AUTO STANDBY ...................................... 34
FLASH/CALL WAITING ............................. 34
NUMBER REDIAL ..................................... 35
EXIT ..................................................... 35
PAGE .................................................... 35
MUTE ................................................... 38
RINGER VOLUME CONTROL - BASE UNIT ..... 38
RINGER HI/LOW/OFF SHORTCUT - HANDSET .. 38
CORDLESS HANDSET VOLUME CONTROL ..... 38
SPEAKERPHONE/ANSWERING SYSTEM VOLUME
CONTROL ............................................... 39
DO NOT DISTURB (DND) ....................... 39
INTERCOM OPERATION ................................. 39
MAKING AN INTERCOM CALL .................... 39
RECEIVING AN INTERCOM CALL ................. 41

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SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
ADVANCED INTERCOM FEATURES ................... 41
RECEIVING AN INCOMING TELEPHONE CALL
DURING AN INTERCOM CALL ................... 41
USING INTERCOM WITH EXTERNAL TELEPHONE
CALLS .................................................. 41
TWO-WAY CALLING ................................ 42
THREE-WAY CALLING .............................. 43
TRANSFERRING EXTERNAL CALLS TO OTHER
HANDSETS ............................................ 44
MEMORY ................................................... 44
STORING A NAME AND NUMBER IN PHONE
BOOK ON HANDSET ................................ 45
STORING A NUMBER IN MEMORY ON THE BASE
........................................................... 47
STORING THE LAST NUMBER DIALED ........ 47
INSERTING A PAUSE IN THE DIALING SEQUENCE
(OF A STORED NUMBER) .......................... 48
REVIEWING RECORDS STORED IN MEMORY . 48
CHANGING RECORDS STORED IN MEMORY .. 49
DELETING RECORDS STORED IN MEMORY ... 49
DIALING A NUMBER FROM THE PHONE BOOK
ON THE CORDLESS HANDSET .................. 50
DIALING A NUMBER FROM MEMORY ON THE
BASE .................................................... 51
CHAIN DIALING FROM MEMORY ................. 51
CALLER ID (CID) ....................................... 52
CID ERROR CODES ................................. 52
RECEIVING CID RECORDS ......................... 53
STORING CID RECORDS (IN CALLER ID
MEMORY) .............................................. 53
REVIEWING CID RECORDS ........................ 53
STORING CID RECORDS IN INTERNAL MEMORY
........................................................... 54
DIALING A CID NUMBER ......................... 54
DELETING A CID RECORD ........................ 55
DELETING ALL CID RECORDS ................... 56
REMOTE ACCESS ......................................... 56
CORDLESS HANDSET ............................... 56
ANSWERING SYSTEM INDICATOR ................ 56
SCREENING CALLS FROM THE HANDSET ...... 57
ACCESSING THE ANSWERING SYSTEM FROM
ANOTHER LOCATION ................................ 57
MEMORY FULL ....................................... 57
CHANGING THE BATTERY .............................. 58
BATTERY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ................ 58
21009A OPTIONAL HANDSET ADDITIONAL
INSTRUCTIONS .................................... 59
INTERCOM .............................................. 59
ADVANCED INTERCOM FEATURES .................... 59
TWO-WAY CALLING ................................ 59
THREE-WAY CALLING .............................. 60
MEMORY ................................................... 60
STORING NAMES AND NUMBERS IN MEMORY 60
REVIEWING AND DIALING FROM MEMORY .... 61
CHANGING RECORDS STORED IN MEMORY .. 61
STORING VIP MELODY ............................ 62
CHANGING A STORED VIP MELODY
RECORD .................................... 62
REVIEWING AND DELETING STORED VIP
MELODY RECORD ....................... 63
AREA CODE ........................................... 63
CID ..................................................... 63
BELT CLIP AND OPTIONAL HEADSET ............... 64
CONNECTING THE BELT CLIP ..................... 64
CONNECTING AN OPTIONAL HEADSET TO THE
HANDSET ............................................... 65
DISPLAY MESSAGES .................................... 65
HANDSET SOUND SIGNALS ........................... 67
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ............................ 67
GENERAL PRODUCT CARE ............................. 70
CAUSES OF POOR RECEPTION ........................ 70
INDEX ....................................................... 72
SERVICE .................................................... 74
ACCESSORY INFORMATION ............................ 74
LIMITED WARRANTY ..................................... 75

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FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth
for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and
operated with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator
and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operated in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
For body worn operation, this phone has been tested and meets the FCC RF
exposure guidelines when used with the belt clip supplied with this product.
Use of other accessories may not ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure
guidelines.
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.
Congratulations on purchasing the GE Color Display Cordless Handset
Telephone System. This system operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range,
and is unique to conventional cordless telephones. When the base is
connected to electrical power and a telephone line, you can place a fully-
featured cordless handset anywhere electrical power is available.
Features
• 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum technology
• Call Waiting and Caller ID compatible
• VIP melody
• Up to 50 name and number memory dialing
• Answering machine with 3 mailboxes
• Expandable up to a total of 4 handsets (by purchase of optional Model
21009A Handset with recharge cradle)
NOTE: Spread Spectrum technology does not need the feature of changing
channel.

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• 3-way conferencing, intercom, call transfer, and room monitoring
between handsets (by purchase of optional Model 21009A handset)
This telephone has been designed to be simple to use, however, you can reach
its full potential more quickly by taking a few minutes to read this Instruction
Book. This telephone is a multifunction product for use with Call Waiting and
Caller ID services available from your local telephone company.
Your Caller ID Call Waiting phone allows you to:
• View the name and telephone number of a caller (Call Waiting Caller ID)
while you are on the phone.
• Identify callers before you answer the phone.
• View the time and date of each incoming call.
• Record up to 40 Caller ID messages sequentially.
• Know who called while you are on the other line or when you were away.
• Screen unwanted calls, eliminate harassment from annoying calls, or to
get prepared before answering a call.
IMPORTANT: Because cordless phones operate on electricity, you should
have at least one phone in your home that isn’t cordless, in case the power in
your home goes out.
IMPORTANT: In order to use all of the features of this telephone, you
must subscribe to two separate services available from your local telephone
company: the standard Name/Number Caller ID Service to know who is
calling when the phone rings and Call Waiting Caller ID Service to know who
is calling while you are on the phone.

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Handset Layout
display
SPKR
(speaker button)
SELECT (button)
# pause (button)
flash/delete (button)
int
(intercom button) redial (button)
*exit (button)
MENU (button)
TALK/END/call back
(button)
ringer/hi lo off
(button) microphone
review (button)
play-stop (button)
skip (button)
erase (button)

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Base Layout
answer on/off
(button)
announce 1
(button)
announce 2
(button)
REVIEW
(button)
SKIP (button)
do not disturb
(button/indicator)
mem
(memory
button)
vol (buttons)
PLAY/STOP 1
(button/indicator)
PAGE/INT
(button)
speaker (button/
indicator)
# pause
(button)
flash
(button)
redial
(button)
del (button)
hold
(button)
conference/
memo (button)
mute
(button/indicator)
display
RINGER
(OFF, LO, HI)
LANGUAGE (button),
MIN (Minute) (button),
HOUR (button),
DAY/CHECK (button)
PLAY/STOP 2
(button/indicator)
PLAY/STOP 3
(button/indicator)
*exit (button)

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Parts Checklist
Make sure your package includes the items shown here.
Telephone Jack Requirements
To use this phone, you need an RJ11C type modular
phone telephone jack, which 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.
Base Handset Belt clip
AC power adaptor Telephone line
cord
Modular
telephone
line jack
Wall plate
Battery and battery
compartment doors