GE 26990 User manual

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We bring good things to life.
40-Channel 900 MHz
Cordless Telephone/Answerer
User’s Guide
26990

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FCC NUMBER IS LOCATED ON THE CABINET BOTTOM
REN NUMBER IS LOCATED ON THE CABINET BOTTOM
FCC REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Your telephone equipment is registered with the Federal Communications Commission and is in compliance with
parts 15 and 68, FCC Rules and Regulations.
1Notification to the Local Telephone Company
On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicating, among other information, the FCC Registration 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.
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.
2Rights 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 of
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.
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.
HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY
This telephone system meets FCC standsards for Hearing Aid Compatiblility.

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INTRODUCTION
Your cordless telephone/answerer is designed to give you flexibility in use
and high quality performance. To get the most from your new cordless
telephone/answerer, we suggest that you take a few minutes right now to
read through this instruction manual.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE
OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. SEE MARKING ON BOTTOM / BACK OF PRODUCT
CAUTION
RISKOFELECTRICSHOCK
DONOTOPEN
THE EXCLAMATION
POINT WITHIN THE
TRIANGLE IS A
WARNING SIGN
ALERTING YOU OF
IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS
ACCOMPANYING
THE PRODUCT.
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 IN-
SIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
FCC REGISTRATION INFORMATION .......... 2
INTERFERENCE INFORMATION .................. 2
HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY.................. 2
INTRODUCTION .............................................. 3
GETTING STARTED ......................................... 4
BEFORE YOU BEGIN ................................... 4
MODULAR JACK REQUIREMENTS............. 4
DIGITAL SECURITY SYSTEM ......................... 4
DESKTOP INSTALLATION .............................. 5
WALL MOUNT INSTALLATION....................... 6
ANSWERING MACHINE SETUP ..................... 7
SETTING THE VOICE TIME/DAY STAMP..... 7
SETTING THE SPEAKER VOLUME ............. 8
VOICE INSTRUCTIONS ............................ 8
SETTING THE RING SELECT .................... 8
USING TOLL SAVER .............................. 8
RECORDING THE OUTGOING ANNOUNCEMENT 9
REVIEWING ANNOUNCEMENT.................. 9
CORDLESS PHONE BASICS ............................ 10
MAKING ACALL ...................................... 10
IN-USE INDICATOR ........................... 10
REDIAL .................................................. 10
RECEIVING ACALL ................................... 10
FLASH BUTTON ....................................... 11
VOLUME BUTTON .................................... 11
MUTE BUTTON ....................................... 11
RINGER SWITCH ...................................... 11
PAGING THE HANDSET.............................. 12
ADVANCED FEATURES ................................... 13
CHANNEL BUTTON ................................... 13
THE MEMORY FEATURE ............................ 13
STORING ANUMBER IN MEMORY ......... 13
INSERTING APAUSE IN THE DIALING
SEQUENCE ................................. 14
CHANGING ASTORED NUMBER ............ 14
DIALING ASTORED NUMBER ................ 14
ERASING ASTORED NUMBER ............... 14
CHAIN DIALING FROM MEMORY ................. 15
TEMPORARY TONE ................................... 16
ANSWERING MACHINE OPERATION ................. 17
MESSAGES INDICATOR .............................. 17
SCREENING CALLS FROM
THE BASE ................................... 17
MESSAGE PLAYBACK ............................... 17
MEMORY FULL........................................ 18
ERASING MESSAGES ................................ 18
LEAVING AMEMO ................................... 18
USING THE HANDSET ............................... 19
REMOTE ACCESS ......................................... 19
ANSWERER INDICATOR ........................ 20
SCREENING CALLS
FROM THE HANDSET ..................... 20
MEMORY FULL........................................ 20
ACCESSING THE ANSWERER FROM ANOTHER
PHONE ....................................... 21
CHANGING THE SECURITY CODE ................. 21
CHANGING THE BATTERY ............................... 22
BATTERY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............ 22
GENERAL PRODUCT CARE ............................. 23
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE ............................ 24
HANDSET SOUND SIGNALS ........................... 26
CAUSES OF POOR RECEPTION ........................ 26
ANSWER STATUS INDICATORS ........................ 26
ACCESSORY ORDER FORM ............................ 27
SERVICE ..................................................... 29
INDEX ........................................................ 30
LIMITED WARRANTY ..................................... 31

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GETTING STARTED
Make sure your package includes the items shown here.
Base Handset
CHAN
R
E
V
I
E
W
MNO
6
JKL
5
GHI
4
DEF
3
ABC
21
WXYZ
9
TUV
8
PQRS
7
#
OPER
0
TONE
*
TALK
MUTE
FLASHRE/PA
MEM
ON OFF
VOL
RINGER
ANSWER
ANS.
IN USE
BATLOW MUTE
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
S
K
I
P
E
R
A
S
E
AC power supply
Telephone line cord
Base plate
NEXT
ANNOUNCE
MEMO
ERASE ANSWER
ON/OFF
HOUR MIN
DAY/
CHECK PAGE
CORDLESS TELEPHONE
DIGITAL ANSWERER
900 MHz
CHARGE/
IN USE
MESSAGES
8.8.
S
K
I
P
R
E
V
I
E
W
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
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. If you don’t have a modular jack, call your
local phone company to find out how to get one installed.
DIGITAL SECURITY SYSTEM
Your cordless phone uses a digital security system to protect against false
ringing, unauthorized access, and charges to your phone line.
When you place the handset in the base, the unit verifies its security code.
After a power outage or battery replacement, you should place the
handset in the base for about 20 seconds to reset the code.
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.
Short telephone line cord

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DESKTOP
INSTALLATION
1. Plug the telephone line cord into the TEL LINE jack on the base and into
a modular jack.
2. Connect the power supply adapter to the POWER 9V DC jack on the
back of the unit, and plug it into an AC outlet.
3. Set the TONE/PULSE switch to TONE for touch-tone service, or PULSE
for pulse/rotary service. If you don’t know which type of service you
have, check with the phone company.
4. Raise the base antenna.
5. Turn on the RINGER switch on the handset so the handset rings for
incoming calls.
6. Place handset in the base to charge for 12 hours. The CHARGE light
comes on indicating that the battery is charging.
CAUTION: Use only the Thomson 5-2460 power supply that came with this
unit. Using other adapters may damage the unit.
INSTALLATION NOTE: Some cordless telephones operate at frequencies
that may cause interference to nearby TVs and VCRs. To minimize or prevent
such interference, the base of the cordless telephone should not be placed
near or on top of a TV or VCR. If interference continues, moving the cordless
telephone farther away from the TV or VCR will often reduce or eliminate the
interference.
TONE/PULSE switch
6
5
3
4
1
2

6
NEXT
ANNOUNCE
MEMO
ERASE ANSWER
ON/OFF
HOUR MIN
DAY/
CHECK PAGE
CORDLESS TELEPHONE
DIGITAL ANSWERER
900 MHz
CHARGE/
IN USE
MESSAGES
8.8.
S
K
I
P
R
E
V
I
E
W
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
8
6
CHAN
R
E
V
I
E
W
MNO
6
JKL
5
GHI
4
DEF
3
ABC
21
WXYZ
9
TUV
8
PQRS
7
#
OPER
0
TONE
*
TALK
MUTEFLASHRE/PA
MEM
ON OFF
VOL
RINGER
ANSWER
ANS.
IN USE
BATLOW MUTE
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
S
K
I
P
E
R
A
S
E
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WALL MOUNT INSTALLATION
1. Remove the handset hook; flip it upside
down, and put it back in the slot. You
need to do this so the handset doesn’t
fall out of the base.
2. Plug one end of the short telephone line
cord into the jack marked TEL LINE on
the back of the unit and plug the other
end into a modular wall jack.
3. Install the base plate by putting the tabs
into the slots on the top of the unit first,
and then snapping the bottom tabs into
place.
4. Connect the power supply to the POWER
9V DC jack on the back of the unit, and
plug it into an AC outlet.
5. Slip the mounting holes over the wall
plate posts and slide the unit down
firmly into place. (Wall plate not
included.)
6. Set the TONE/PULSE switch to TONE if
you have touch-tone service or to PULSE
if you have pulse/rotary dial service.
7. Turn on the RINGER switch on the
handset so the handset rings for
incoming calls.
8. Place handset in the base to charge for
12 hours. The CHARGE light comes on
indicating that the battery is charging.
1
2
4
3
CAUTION: Use only the
Thomson 5-2460 power
supply that came with this
unit. Using other adapters
may damage the unit.
5

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NEXT
ANNOUNCE
MEMO
ERASE ANSWER
ON/OFF
CHARGE/
IN USE
MESSAGES
8.8.
S
K
I
P
R
E
V
I
E
W
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
ANSWER ON/OFF
(answerer on/off) button
MESSAGES indicator light
ANSWERING MACHINE SETUP
This section shows you how to set up your
answering machine to receive incoming
calls. Before you begin the setup, you
must turn on the answerer.
•Press the ANSWER ON/OFF button to
turn the answering machine on and off.
The MESSAGES indicator lights when
the answering machine is on. The
indicator blinks when you have
messages.
SETTING THE VOICE TIME/DAY STAMP
1. Press and hold the DAY/CHECK button
to set the day of the week.
2. Press the HOUR button to set the hour
(a.m. or p.m.).
3. Press the MIN button to set the minute.
When you press and hold the MIN
button, the time advances in 5-minute
intervals.
4. Press and release the DAY/CHECK
button to review the day and time
settings.
Time set buttons
HOUR MIN
DAY/
CHECK PAGE
CORDLESS TELEPHONE
DIGITAL ANSWERER
900 MHz

8
RING SELECT switch
VOL
Speaker volume control
SETTING THE SPEAKER VOLUME
Use the VOL (volume) control to adjust
speaker volume to a comfortable level.
VOICE INSTRUCTIONS
If you need additional assistance, press the
REVIEW button when you plug in the
answerer and follow the voice instructions.
SETTING THE RING SELECT
Set the RING SELECT switch on the back of
the unit to choose the number of times you
want the phone to ring before the machine
answers the call. You can choose 2 rings, 5
rings, or TOLL SAVER.
USING TOLL SAVER
Toll Saver can save you the cost of a call
when you access your messages from
another phone:
•If you have new messages, the unit
answers after the 2nd ring.
•If you have no new messages, the unit
answers after the 5th ring.
You can hang up after the 3rd or 4th ring
and save the pay telephone or long distance
charge.

9
RECORDING THE OUTGOING
ANNOUNCEMENT
For best results when recording, you should
be about 9 inches from the microphone,
and eliminate as much background noise as
possible.
1. Press and hold the ANNOUNCE button.
You need to hold the button until you
finish the announcement.
2. Begin talking after you hear the beep.
3. Release the button when you finish your
announcement.
If you choose not to record an outgoing
announcement, a default announcement
will play. To return to the default
announcement after you have recorded
your own outgoing announcement, press
the ANNOUNCE button and release it when
you hear the beep or simply press ERASE
while your announcement is playing.
Sample Outgoing Announcement
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.
REVIEWING ANNOUNCEMENT
•Press and release ANNOUNCE button to
review your outgoing announcement.
NEXT
ANNOUNCE
MEMO
ERASE ANSWER
ON/OFF
S
K
I
P
R
E
V
I
E
W
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
ANNOUNCE
button
Microphone ERASE button

10
RE/PA
button
IN USE
indicator
CHAN
R
E
V
I
E
W
MNO
6
JKL
5
GHI
4
DEF
3
ABC
21
WXYZ
9
TUV
8
PQRS
7
#
OPER
0
TONE
*
TALK
MUTEFLASHRE/PA
MEM
ON OFF
VOL
RINGER
ANSWER
ANS.
IN USE
BATLOW MUTE
P
L
A
Y
/
S
T
O
P
S
K
I
P
E
R
A
S
E
TALK button
CORDLESS PHONE BASICS
MAKING ACALL
The only two things you need to know to
make a call are:
•Press the TALK button before you dial.
•Press TALK button or place the handset in
the base to hang up.
Otherwise, it works just like any other
phone.
CAUTION: 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.
IN-USE INDICATOR
You know the phone is on when you see the
IN-USE indicator on the handset come on.
REDIAL
Press the RE/PA (redial) button to redial the
last number you called (up to 32 digits).
If you get a busy signal, and want to keep
dialing the number, press TALK to turn off
the phone. Press TALK again to turn it back
on. Then press RE/PA to dial the number.
RECEIVING ACALL
To answer a call you must press the TALK
button on the handset before you can talk.