Hoffer 103 Manual

COMMUNICATOR MODEL 103
OWNER'S MANUAL AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully remove your communicator from its Packing. If there is any
visible damage, do not attempt to operate this communicator. Return
it to the place of purchase.
Getting Started
1. Antenna
2. LCD Screen: Displays current channel selection and other radio status
symbols.
3. Menu button: Allows you to change channels.
4. Down button (VOLUME/CHANNEL): Press to adjust volume level and
change channels.
5. Call Cbutton: Press to transmit CALL TONES.
6. PUSH TO TALK PTT button: Press to transmit.
7. Speaker
8. Battery Compartment (LOCATED ON THE REAR): Houses 3 x 1.5V "AAA"
alkaline batteries or 3.6V "AAA" Ni-MH rechargeable battery pack
(not included).
9. Battery Compartment Cover Latch (LOCATED ON THE REAR): Secures
Battery Compartment cover.
10. Scan SC button: Used to activate/deactivate CHANNEL SCAN.
11. Mic: Microphone.
12. Monitor Mbutton: Press to tune in and hold onto weak signals.
13. Up button (VOLUME/CHANNEL): Press to adjust volume level and
change channels.
14. Enter/Back Light button: Used to turn LCD Screen LAMP ON/OFF.
Buttons are locked when pressed and held.
15. Power On/Off button: Press and hold the button to turn your unit ON/OFF.
16. TX (Transmission)/RX (Receiving) LED indicator: Illuminates red when
transmitting and green when receiving.
17. External Sp./Mic. Jack
18. Belt Clip (LOCATED ON THE REAR)
Communicator Controls
9
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
14
Figure 1. Figure 2.
Removing the Belt Clip:
1. Pull the BELT CLIP LATCH away from the
unit.
2. While pulling the BELT CLIP LATCH,push
up on the BELT CLIP to remove it from
the unit.See Figure 1.
Installing the Belt Clip:
1. Slide the BELT CLIP into the BELT CLIP
SLOT.See Figure 2.
2. A "click" indicates the BELT CLIP is locked
into position.
Battery Installation: 1. Release the BATTERY COMPARTMENT
COVER LATCH located on the rear side
of the unit (see Figure 3) and remove
theBATTERY COMPARTMENTCOVER from
the BATTERY COMPARTMENT (See Figure
4).
2. Install 3x1.5V AAA alkaline batteries or
3.6V "AAA" Ni-MH rechargeable battery
pack (not included) as shown.
3. Reinstall the BATTERY COMPARTMENT
COVER and lock the BATTERY
COMPARTMENT COVER LATCH into
position.
Figure 3. Figure 4.
LCD Screen:
Call Tone
Melody
TX icon,light on in Transmission mode
Antenna icon,light on in Receiving mode
Rx icon,Light on in Receiving mode
Dual Watch icon,Displayed during Dual Watch mode.
Battery level indicators.Displays current Battery level.
Baby icon, light on in Babysitter unit selection menu
and Standby mode when the System is set to become
a Babysitter unit.
Monitor icon, light on in Parent-monitor unit selection
menu and Standby mode when the System is set to
become a Parent-monitor unit.
Main Channels, Channel number changes from 1 to 8
as selected by user.
SCAN icon,light on in Channel scanning mode.
Stop watch icon,light on in stop watch mode.
CTCSS code. Sub Channel Number changes from 1 to
38 selected by user.
Music icon,Light on in Call Tone Melody selection menu.
Key lock icon,light on when buttons are locked.
Auto-Power-Off icon, light on in APO selection menu
and Standby mode when APO timer is enabled.
VOX icon, light on in VOX selection menu and Standby
mode when VOX function is enabled.
Numerical digits
Scrambler icon, light on in Scrambler selection menu
and Standby mode when the Scrambler function is
enabled.
Baby Monitor
Battery level
Indicator Numerical
digits
Channel Scan Selection
Parent Monitor
Dual Watch VOX icon
Stop Watch
RX Icon
Key Lock
Auto Power Off
Sub Channel Number
Main Channel
Number
Scrambler
Antenna icon
TX Icon
NOTE: SQ icon & ALC icon only briefly display on LCD screen once turn
ON the unit in SELF-TEST mode.
The COMMUNICATOR has a built in POWER SAVER feature for
maximum battery life. But when the COMMUNICATOR is not being
used, conserve battery power by pressing the button to OFF.
Remove the batteries if the unit will not be used for a long period
of time.

Turning the Unit ON:
Press and hold the button. The unit will "beep" with dual tone and the
LCD SCREEN will briefly display a SELF-TEST Screen.
Turning the Unit OFF:
Press and hold the button. The unit will "beep" with a signal tone and
the LCD Screen will turn blank.
Setting Auto Power Off Timer
1. Press button 9 times to enter Auto Power Off timer selecting page.
2. Press / button to set the desired Timer (0,1,2, 3,6 hours). Press PTT
or button to confirm.
3. The PMR will automatically power off when the timer is time out.
Adjusting Speaker Volume:
1. Press the Up button to increase the SpeakerVolume.
2. Press the Down button to decrease the SpeakerVolume.
3. The SpeakerVolume level is indicated by the numbers (1 to 8 level),displayed
in the lower right corner of the LCD Screen.
NOTE: Volume Up and Down buttons are disabled during BUTTON LOCK
mode
Receiving & Transmitting Radio Signal
Receiving a Signal:
The unit is continuously in the RECEIVE mode when the unit is ON and not
Transmitting. When you receive a signal on the current channel, the LED
illuminates GREEN and the RX icon and the Antenna icon are displayed.
NOTE: 1.The System is continuously in the receiving mode for 6 seconds after
Power On and if no any key pressing.
2.After 6 seconds for the last key pressing, the System enters to the
power saving mode.
3. When a radio signal matches with the existing channel and sub-code
setting,the speaker will be turned on.
4. If a radio signal matches with the existing channel only but the sub-
code is wrong,the speaker will be muted.
5.In order for other people to receive your transmission,they must also
be on the same channel you are currently using.Refer to the "Channel
Selection" section for more information.
Transmitting a Signal:
1. Press and hold the PTT button to TRANSMIT.The TX LED Indicator will light
up in red and the TX icon is displayed.Hold the unit in a vertical position with
the MICROPHONE 2 to 3 inches from the mouth.While holding the PTT
button,speak into the unit using a normal tone of voice.
2. Release the PTT button when you have finished transmitting.
NOTE: Check the channel activity by pressing and holding the MONITOR M
button.You'll hear static if the channel is unoccupied.Don't TRANSMIT
if someone is talking on the channel.
Channel Selection
8 basic channels and 38 sub channels are available.
Changing Basic Channels
1. Press the MENU button once to enter BASIC CHANNEL SELECTION
mode.The current channel number flashes on the LCD Screen.
2. While the channel number is flashing:
Press the Up button to move to a higher channel.
Press the Down button to move to a lower channel.
The channel changes from 1 to 8,or from 8 to 1.
3. Press the ENTER button or PTT button to confirm the selected channel
and return to the NORMAL mode.
Changing CTCSS Code - Subchannels
The COMMUNICATOR has 38 available CTCSS subchannels.The sub-codes
(CTCSS) help minimize interference by providing you with a choice of
code combinations.
To set the CTCSS code:
1. Press the MENU button twice until the CTCSS digits flash.
2. While the CTCSS code digits are flashing:
Press the Up button to move to a higher subchannel.
Press the Down button to move to a lower subchannel.
The subchannel changes from 00 to 38,or from 38 to 00.
3. Press the ENTER button or PTT button to confirm your selection and
return to the NORMAL mode.
NOTE: 1.To communicate with other PMR units, both units must be
switched to the same channel and CTCSS subchannel.
2.Channel change operations are disabled during BUTTON LOCK
mode.
3.Refer to the "Channel Table" section of this Owner's Manual
for detailed frequency listings.
Selecting Call Tone melodies
1. Press the MENU button 4 times to enter Call tone melodies selecting
page.
2. Press / button.The Call Tone melody number will be changed ascending
or descending in one step (1-10).10 songs can be selected.
3. Press or PTT button to confirm your selection.
Monitoring Radio Signal:
You can use the MONITOR feature to check for weak signals in the current
channel for 15 seconds.
1. Press the MONITOR Mbutton once to activate this function.
2. Rx icon will display on the LCD Screen while this function is activated.
3. Press again the MONITOR Mbutton to deactivate the function.
ENTER / LCD Back-light / Button Lock:
1. Press and immediately release the ENTER button to light up the LCD
Screen.The BACKLIGHT will automatically shut off after 4 seconds if no
other buttons have been pressed.
2. Press and hold the ENTER button until the BUTTON LOCK icon is
displayed on the LCD Screen.
NOTE: Volume and Channel Change Operations are disabled during
BUTTON LOCK mode.Press and hold the ENTER button again
to deactivate BUTTON LOCK mode.
Sending Call Tones
You can use CALL TONES to alert the other when you are attempting to
contact them. You can also use CALL TONES to signal the beginning or
the end of a transmission.
1. Press the CALL Cbutton,the red TX LED indicator will light up and the
CALL TONE continues for 2 seconds.
2. Release the CALL Cbutton, your CALL TONES will transmit to nearby
receivers set to the same channel.
Selecting Scrambler mode
1. Press menu 3 times to enter to Scrambler selecting page.
2. While Scrambler icon is displayed,and the "OF" icon or digit is flashing,press
/ button to select the desired scambler mode (off,1,2,3,4)
3. Press ENTER or PTT button to confirm.
4. Both of the Transmission and Receiving units must be set into the same
Scrambler mode or disable Scrambler function.
NOTE: Scrambler feature adds an extra layer of privacy but does not
guarantee full secrecy.
Channel Scan:
CHANNEL SCAN performs searches for active signals in an endless loop
from basic channel 1 to 8.
1. Press SCAN SC button to activate CHANNEL SCAN.The channel number
on the LCD Screen changes rapidly until an active signal is detected.
During CHANNEL SCAN mode.
Press ENTER button to confirm the selected channel.
Press the CALL Cbutton to change to CALL function and to send a
CALL TONE on that active channel.
Press the SCAN SC button again to deactivate CHANNEL SCAN mode.
2. When an active signal (one of 8 channels) is detected. CHANNEL SCAN
pauses,keeping the active signal broadcasted.
3. Press the PTT button to communicate through the active signal channel and
CHANNEL SCAN is deactivated.
4. When an active signal (one of 8 channels) is detected,but another channel
is desired,press the Up or Down button to bypass the current channel
and continue to search for another active channel.
Dual Watch:
You can use Dual Watch to monitor 2 channels.
To enter Dual Watch mode:
1. Press MENU button 7 times.
2. Press Up and Down buttons to select desired channel.
3. Once Dual Watch is on, automatically scan the channel that between 2
2 prefixed channel and the carrier stop on either activated channel
to receive.Dual Watch restarts when the carrier disppears.
4. Press MONITOR Mbutton to monitor weak signal.
5. Press ENTER ,PTT or CALL Cbutton to end the Dual Watch mode.
Stop-Watch:
1. Press the MENU button 10 times to enter Stop-watch page.
2. Press the Up button once,the Stop-watch will start to count.
3. Press the Down button once to hold the Stop-watch.Press Down button
again to reset the counter.
COMMUNICATOR MODEL 103

NOTE: The maximum transmission range will vary depending on terrain
and environment.
Specifications:
CTCSS ( Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) Frequency Table.
Channels Available 8 Channels
CTCSS Sub-channel 38 for each Channel
Output Power (TX) 0.5W
Battery Life 30 Hours (typical)
Range About 3 Miles
CHANNEL TABLE
1
2
3
4
446.00625
446.01875
446.03125
446.04375
CHANNEL FREQUENCY (MHz) CHANNEL FREQUENCY (MHz)
5
6
7
8
446.05625
446.06875
446.08125
446.09375
SYMPTOM
No power.
Reception is
weak.
Cannot
change
channels.
Range is
limited.
Sound
distortion
problems.
SOLUTION
=Check batteries.Ensure that the batteries are installed
properly.
=The batteries may be weak.
=Replace old batteries with three (3) new "AAA"
alkaline batteries or 3.6V "AAA" Ni-MH rechargeable
battery pack .
=Press the Up button to increaseVOLUME.
=The receiving signal may be weak and/or out of range.
=If this happens,press the MONITOR Mbutton.
=To change channels, press the MENU button until
the channel number flashes on the LCD Screen.
=Press the Up or Down buttons to change channels.
=Batteries may be weak.
=BUTTON LOCK must be deactivated.
=BATTERIES may be weak.
=Replace with new batteries if the BATTERY LEVEL
indicator is low.
=The maximum range will vary depending on terrain and
environment.
=Openfieldsprovidethe maximumrange,whilesteel/concrete
structures, heavy foliage and use in buildings and in
vehicles may limit the range significantly.
=Wearing the radio close to the body,such as in a pocket
or on a belt,will decrease range; change the location of
the radio.
=If you are transmitting,speak in a normal tone of voice,
2 to 3 inches away from the MICROPHONE.
=If you are receiving,lower the volume to a comfortable
level.
=Radios too close.Radios must be at least 5 feet apart;
increase your distance.
=Radios too far apart.Obstacles interfere with transmission.
Talk range is up to 3 miles in clear unobstructed
conditions.
Troubleshooting
WARNING: Using batteries
1. The PMR units operate with 3 1.5V AAA/LR03 regular Alkaline
or Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) batteries.
2. Batteries and rechargeable battery packs should not be
thrown with domestic rubbish. You may hand them in at
your nearest collection point.
3. Do not leave batteries installed over a long period of time
as leakage may occur and this can destroy the radio.
COMMUNICATOR MODEL 103

To Charge The COMMUNICATOR
The PMR units must be used with orignal Charger Pod and AC -DC Adpator
(optional).
* AC -DC Adpator: input 230 VAC 50Hz - Output 6V DC 200mA.
1. Turn the unit OFF (Do not turn ON the unit during Battery Charge Mode).
2. Install 3.6V "AAA" Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery Pack into the battery
compartment of unit.
3. Connect the lead of the AC-DC adapter to the socket at the back
of the charger pod (make sure the lead has been fully inserted into
the jack with some force). Connect the AC-DC adapter to the mains
power supply.
4. Place the unit into the Charger Base.
5. The LED light on the Charger Base will turn RED once electricity get
connected.
6. Unplug the Adpator. Turn the unit ON. The Battery Level Indicator on
the LCD Screen will display the new Battery Level.
NOTE: 1.LED Indicator on the charger base will NOT turn OFF automatically,
except take out the unit from the charger base and disconnect
the electricity.
2. It takes approximately 6 hours to fully charge the batteries if they
are at their lowest level or takes around 14 hours to fully charge
the new batteries.
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to charge any type of regular Alkaline
batteries in this PMR. Only use the orignal AC-DC Adaptor
with the supplied battery pack (optional) or AAA Ni-MH
rechargeable batteries.
BABY-SITTER and PARENT-MONITOR Function
Setting BABY Unit On/Off
1. Press the MENU button 5 times to enter Baby Unit selection page.
2. Press / button to toggle the Baby unit ON or OFF.( If the System has
been set to become a Monitor Unit, Baby unit cannot be enabled).
3. Press Enter or PTT button to confirm and the BUTTON LOCK is on during
Baby-Sitter mode.
4. When the System is set as a Baby unit,VOX function would be also enabled.
It allows transmission without pressing the PTT button.But receiver function
would be disabled.
5. Press & Hold the Enter button again to deactivate the Baby Sitter
function.
Setting Monitor Unit On/Off
1. Press the MENU button 6 times to enter Monitor Unit selecting page.
2. Press / button to toggle the Monitor unit ON or OFF. (If the System
has been set to become a Baby Unit, Monitor unit cannot be enabled). Press
Enter or PTT button to confirm.
3. When the System is set as a Monitor unit, transmiittor function would be
be disabled.
4. Press the MENU button 6 times again to turn OFF the MONITOR
function.
Internal VOX Control Function
On VOX mode, automatically transmitting and receiving signals without
pressing any button.
To turn on the VOX function:
1. Press MENU button 8 times to enter the VOX mode;
2. While the VOX icon (OFF 1-4) is flashing;
= Press Up button to select higher VOX sensitivity (OFF 1-4);
= Press Down buttons to select lower VOX sensitivity (OFF 1-4);
= The most sensitivity level is 4.
3. Press ENTER or PTT button to confirm the selected mode.
To turn off theVOX function:
1. While the VOX icon (OFF 1-4) is flashing, press Up or Down button
and to select the "OF" mode.
2. Press ENTER button to confirm the VOX off mode.
To activate theVOX sensitivity:
1. While the VOX mode is on, plug the connector of the headset (not
included) into SP./MIC jack of the communicator and then speak
through the microphone of the headset to activate the transmitting
mode.
2. Transmitting mode will turn on automatically and on standby mode.
3. The TX LED indicator illuminates red when transmitting.
NOTE: 1. The VOX sensitivity is automatically activated once plug the
connector of the Headset (not included) into SP./MIC jack of the
communicator. You don't have to push the PTT button of the
communicator while transmitting.
2. While VOX mode is on. Pressing ENTER button can suspend
VOX transmission for 4 seconds.
Battery Level Indicator:
1. The BATTERY LEVEL is indicated by the number of squares present inside
the BATTERY icon on the LCD Screen.
2. When the BATTERY LEVEL is low,a BEEP tone will continue in every 15
seconds to alert the batteries are in low voltage and need to be
replaced.
COMMUNICATOR MODEL 103