HYT TC-518 OBR User manual

www.hytera.us
C10524 L06774
8110051801100
TC-518 OBR
2015
Hytera Communications Corporation Limited.
Hytera Communications Corporation Limited.

1
Preface
Thank you for purchasing Hytera’s HYT TC-518 On-Site Business
Radio. With its stable output power, clear audio quality and its
unique form, the TC-518 OBR was designed with reliability and
productivity in mind. Hytera’s engineers have cleverly combined
the PTT button and volume knob, allowing retail employees,
restaurant workers, manufacturing and other small to mid-sized
personnel to handle this radio model with a single hand, making
the other hand always available to continue operations while
increasing productivity.
Note: Read this user guide carefully to ensure you know
how to properly operate the radio before use. The
information presented herein can help you to derive
optimum performance from your radio.
MODELS COVERED BY THIS MANUAL:
TC-518 OBR LP UHF Two-Way Radio
TC-518 OBR HP UHF Two-Way Radio
TC-518 OBR LP VHF Two-Way Radio
TC-518 OBR HP VHF Two-Way Radio

Icon Information
The following icons are available through this manual:
Warning/Caution: represents important safety information, to make
users aware of misoperations that may cause malfunction of the radio,
personal injury or property damage.
Note: indicates important information which helps you make better use of
your radio.
Copyright Information
HYT is registered trademarks of Hytera Communications Corporation Limited
(the Company) in P.R.C and other countries and/or areas. Hytera retains
the ownership of its trademarks and product names. All other company and/
or product names used in this manual are trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
Disclaimer
Hytera endeavors to achieve the accuracy and completeness of this manual,
but no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given. All the above specications
and designs are subject to change without notice due to continuous
development. No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, translated,
and stored in a retrievable system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express
written permission of Hytera.
FCC Regulations
Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requires that all radio
communication products should meet the requirements set forth in the above
standards before they can be marketed in the U.S, and the manufacturer shall
post a RF label on the product to inform users of operational instructions, so
as to enhance their occupational health against exposure to RF energy.
Operational Instructions and Training Guidelines
To ensure optimal performance and compliance with the occupational/
controlled environment RF energy exposure limits in the above standards and
guidelines, users should transmit not more than 50% of the time and always
adhere to the following procedures:
●RF energy will be generated only when the radio is transmitting.
●The radio must be at least 2.5 centimeters away from human body when
transmitting.

FCC License Information
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference.
On-Site business two-way radios operate on radio frequencies that are
regulated by the FCC. To transmit on these frequencies, you are required to
have a license issued by the FCC. Application is made available on FCC Form
601 and Schedules D, H, and Remittance Form 159. To obtain these FCC
forms, request document 000601 which includes all forms and instructions.
If you wish to have the document faxed, mailed or have questions, use the
following contact information.
Faxed contact the Fax-On-Demand system at: 1-202-418-0177
Mailed call the FCC forms hotline at: 1-800-418-FORM
1-800-418-3676
Questions regarding FCC license contact the
FCC at:
1-888-CALL-FCC
1-888-225-5322
Or: http://www.fcc.gov
Before lling out your application, you must decide which frequency (ies) you
can operate on. For questions on determining the radio frequency, please
contact us or your local dealer for more technical support.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Hytera may void the
user’s authority granted by the FCC to operate this radio and should not be
made. To comply with FCC requirements, transmitter adjustments should be
made only by or under the supervision of a person certified as technically
qualied to perform transmitter maintenance and repairs in the private land
mobile and xed services as certied by an organization representative of the
user of those services.
Replacement of any transmitter component (crystal, semiconductor, etc.) not
authorized by the FCC equipment authorization for this radio could violate FCC
rules.
Usage of this radio outside the country where it was intended to be distributed
is subject to government regulations and may be prohibited.

1
Contents
Safety Information --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Product Inspection -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Radio Overview ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Battery Information-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Antenna Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Assembly and Disassembly ------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Attaching/Removing the Battery ---------------------------------------------------------- 10
Attaching/Removing the Antenna --------------------------------------------------------- 11
Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip --------------------------------------------------------- 11
Attaching/Removing the Earpiece or Microphone ------------------------------------ 11
Basic Operations----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Turning the Radio On/Off ------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Adjusting the Volume ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12
Selecting a Channel ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Transmitting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13
Receiving --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
Programmable Auxiliary Functions ---------------------------------------------------------- 14
Advanced Operations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
CTCSS/CDCSS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Battery Save ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Time-out Timer (TOT) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Battery Strength Indicator ------------------------------------------------------------------ 15
Monitor/Squelch off -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Scan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Busy Channel Lockout (BCL) ------------------------------------------------------------- 18
Low Battery Alert ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
Voice-Operated Transmit (VOX) ---------------------------------------------------------- 18
Compandor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20
Scrambler --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Channel Lock----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Troubleshooting ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
Care and Cleaning -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Optional Accessories ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Default Frequency List -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
Frequency and Codes Chart ------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
CTCSS and CDCSS CODES -------------------------------------------------------------------- 26
Default Factory Feature List-------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
Hytera’s Limited Warranty for the United States and Canada----------------------- 29

2
Safety Information
The following safety precautions shall always be observed during operation,
service and repair of this equipment.
● This equipment shall be serviced by qualied technicians only.
●Do not modify the radio for any reason.
●Use only Hytera supplied or approved batteries and chargers.
● To avoid electromagnetic interference and/or compatibility conicts, turn off
your radio in any area where posted notices instruct you to do so.
●Turn off your radio before boarding an aircraft. Any use of a radio must be
in accordance with airline regulations or crew instructions.
●For vehicles with an air bag, do not place a radio in the area over an air
bag or in the air bag deployment area.
● Turn off your radio prior to entering any area with explosive and ammable
materials.
●Do not charge your battery in a location with explosive and flammable
materials.
●Turn off your radio before entering a blasting area.
●Do not use any portable radio that has a damaged antenna. If a damaged
antenna comes into contact with your skin, a minor burn can result.
●Do not expose the radio to direct sunlight over a long time, nor place it
close to heating source.
●When transmitting with a portable radio, hold the radio in a vertical position
with the microphone 3 to 4 centimeters away from your lips. Keep antenna
at least 2.5 centimeters away from your body when transmitting.
WARNING: If you wear a radio on your body, ensure the radio
and its antenna are at least 2.5 centimeters away from your body
when transmitting.

3
Product Inspection
Please unpack the package box carefully and check that all shipped items are
received; report any missing or damaged items to your reseller.
Accessories Supplied with the Radio
Item Qty. (PCS)
Antenna 1
Belt Clip 1
Strap 1
Battery 1
Rapid-Rate Charger 1
Switching Power 1
Owner’s Manual 1
Note:
1. Frequency band is marked on the label of antenna; if not, please
refer to the label on the radio unit for detailed frequency band
information.
2. The radio unit is shipped with the screws of belt clip mounted
from the factory.
Li-Ion Battery
Belt Clip Strap Antenna (VHF) Antenna (UHF)
Rapid-Rate Charger
(for Li-ion Battery)
Switching Power (different P/N for
different countries and areas)

4
Radio Overview
(1) Power On/Off Key (10) Microphone
(2) PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key (11) Speaker
(3) SK1 (Side Key 1) (12) Battery Latch
(4) SK2 (Side Key 2) (13) Accessory Jack
(5) Antenna (14) Accessory Jack Cover
(6) LED Indicator (15) Belt Clip
(7) Channel Selector Knob (16) Battery
(8) Channel Indicator (17) Screw (Belt Clip)
(9) Volume Control Knob (18) Charging Piece
﹡PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key
Hold down the PTT key and speak into the microphone to transmit, and
release it to receive.
﹡SK1 (Side Key 1) / SK2 (Side Key 2)
SK1 and SK2 are programmable keys that can be assigned with long/short
press functions via CPS software and programming cable.

5
Radio Overview
Note:
Short Press Key press no longer than 1 second.
Long Press Key press longer than 1 second.
﹡LED Indicator
LED indications and alert tones are shown in the table below (see Advanced
Operations for details):
Status LED Indication and Alert Tone
Power On
1. The power-on alert tone is heard when the radio
is powered on.
2. When the current channel is a blank channel,
beeps are heard.
Radio Standby
The LED flashes blue if no operation is made or
no carrier is present within 2s. You can enable/
disable this LED indication via CPS software and
programming cable.
Low Battery Alert The LED ashes red and a low pitched tone is heard
every ten seconds.
Transmitting
1. Red LED glows while the radio is transmitting.
2. When transmission times out, continuous beeps
are heard.
3. TOT Pre-alert: one beep is heard.
4.Transmitting PTT ID: continuous beeps
(programmable via CPS software and programming
cable) are heard.
5. Transmitting PTT ID is completed: a short beep
(programmable via CPS software and programming
cable) is heard.
Receiving The LED glows green when carrier presents.
Scanning
1. The LED flashes green every 1 second when
scanning is in process.
2. Scan Start Tone (programmable via CPS software
with programming cable): one beep is heard.
3. Green LED solidly glows when signal is received.
4. Scan Stop Tone (programmable via CPS software
with programming cable): one beep is heard.
Two beeps sound when the feature is disabled.

6
Radio Overview
VOX/Compandor/
Scrambler/Channel
Lock
Enable functions: one beep is heard.
Disable functions: two continuous beeps are heard.
﹡Channel Indicator
Used to indicate the currently selected channel.
﹡Battery Latch
Used to secure or remove the battery.
﹡Earpiece Jack & Programming Port
Used to connect accessories such as speaker/microphone, earpiece,
programming cable and cloning cable.
Battery Information
Initial Use
New batteries are shipped uncharged from the factory. Charge a new battery
for 5 hours before initial use. The maximum battery capacity and performance
is achieved after three full charge/discharge cycles. If you notice the battery
power runs low, please recharge the battery.
Applicable Battery Packs
To reduce the risk of injury, charge only the battery specied by Hytera. Other
batteries may burst, causing bodily injury and property damage.
Caution:
1. Do not dispose of the battery in fire!
2. Recycling and disposal of the battery shall comply with your local
regulations.
3. Never attempt to dismantle the battery.
Note:
1.Chargethebatteryatatemperatureamong5℃ -40℃ .Violation
of the said limit may cause battery leakage or even damage.
2. When charging the battery that is attached to a radio, turn the
radio off to ensure a full charge.
3. Never charge a wet battery or a wet radio with battery attached.
Please dry it with a soft cloth prior to charge.

7
Battery Information
4.The battery will eventually wear out. When the operating time
of a fully charged battery is noticeably shorter than its normal
performance, you need to buy a new one. Please replace it ASAP.
5. If the product shuts off automatically due to low battery, please
charge the battery soon, or the battery could suffer damage.
6. If you plan not to use the radio for a long time, please remove
the battery from it to avoid any unexpected damage.
7. Do not charge fully charged batteries for an "extra boost". This
action will significantly reduce battery life.
8. Do not insert the radio or battery into the charger when it
doesn't need to be charged, because continuous charging will
shorten the battery life.
To Prolong Battery Life
1. Battery performance will be greatly decreased at a temperature below 0℃.
A spare battery is necessary in cold weather. The cold battery unable to
work in this situation may work under room temperature, so keep it for later
use.
2. The dust on the battery contact may cause the battery cannot work or
charge. Please use clean dry cloth to wipe it before attaching the battery to
the radio.
Battery Storage
1. Fully charge a battery before you store it for a long time, to avoid battery
damage due to over-discharge.
2. Recharge a battery after several months’ storage (Li-Ion & Li-polymer
batteries: 6 months), to avoid battery capacity reduction due to over-
discharge.
3. Store your battery in a cool, dry place under room temperature, to reduce
self-discharge.
Charging the Battery
Use only the charger specied by Hytera. The charger’s LED indicates the
charging progress.

8
Battery Information
Status Charge Indicator of the Radio
Charging Solidly glows red
Fully charged Or Ready to charge Solidly glows green
Charging Method 1
Please follow the steps below:
1. Plug the AC connector of the adapter into the AC outlet socket.
2. Plug the DC connector of the adapter into the DC socket on the back of the
charger. Then charger LED glows green.
3. Place the radio with the battery attached, or the battery alone, in the
charger.
4. Make sure the battery is in good contact with the charging terminals. The
charging process initiates when the red LED lights.
5. The green LED lights when the battery is fully charged (orange LED lights
when the battery is almost fully charged). Then remove the radio with the
battery attached or the battery alone from the charger.
Charging Method 2
You may connect several single-unit chargers so the combination can be used
as a multi-unit charger. To connect single-unit chargers, slide the latch on a
charger into the slot on the bottom of another one, as shown in gure 1.

9
Battery Information
Charger Connection Latch
Figure 1 Assembly Diagram of Multi-unit Charger
The assembled multi-unit charger can work with HYT Six-Unit Switching
Power, to charge up to six batteries simultaneously, as shown in figure 2.
Please refer to Owner’s Manual for Six-Unit Switching Power for detailed
operation procedures.
Figure 2 Schematic Diagram of Six-Unit Charger
Antenna Information
●Stubby antenna is ideal for communication within limited range. Thin and
long antenna optimizes communication coverage, and its exible and soft
characteristic makes it ideal for wearing your radio on the belt.
●Communication range may vary with terrain and your operating conditions.
Rainy days or forest locations may narrow your communication range.
Please make preparation in advance to avoid potential inconvenience.

10
Assembly and Disassembly
Attaching/Removing the Battery
Attaching the Battery
1. Slightly press the belt clip, and insert the tab at the top of the battery into
the slots at the top of the radio’s body, as shown in gure 1.
Note: Make sure the battery tab is fully inserted into the radio's
slot.
2. Slightly press the bottom of the battery until a click is heard. By then, the
battery latch locks with the main unit and assembly is nished. See gure 2
below.
Note: If the battery is loose or unsecured, please take it down and
attach it again.
Removing the Battery
1. Please turn off the radio rst. Then hold the top of radio unit and press the
belt clip to make its bottom up. Lift the battery latch, as shown in gure 3.
2. When the bottom of battery is lifted, release the battery latch and remove
the battery from the radio’s body, as shown in gure 4.
Note: To avoid serious abrasion between the top tap and the slot,
do not tilt the battery to a large angle.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 3 Figure 4

11
Assembly and Disassembly
Attaching/Removing the Antenna
Attaching the Antenna
1. Align the threaded end of the antenna with the radio’s antenna connector.
2. Turn the antenna clockwise until it is screwed down, shown as gure 5.
Removing the Antenna
Turn the antenna counter-clockwise until it is loosened and screwed out.
Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip
Attaching the Belt Clip
Loosen the screws of belt clip from the main unit; fasten the belt clip to the
main unit (make sure the screw holes of belt clip are aligned with those of
aluminum chassis); and clockwise screw down the belt clip. See figure 6
above.
Removing the Belt Clip
Turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise to loosen the screw. Please refer to the
operations for attaching the belt clip.
Note: Please be careful to avoid missing of screws.
Attaching/Removing the Earpiece or Microphone
Attaching the Earpiece/Microphone
1. Open (not remove) the accessory jack cover.
2. Plug the audio accessory rmly into the accessory jack, and then secure
the screw, shown as gure 7.
Figure 6Figure 5

12
Assembly and Disassembly
Removing the External Earpiece
Loosen the screw and then remove the audio accessories.
Note: Use of audio accessory may affect the waterproof
performance of the radio.
Basic Operations
Turning the Radio On/Off
To turn on the radio, hold down the Power On/Off key for about 1 second, and
then the radio sounds power-on alert tone.
To turn off the radio, hold down the Power On/Off key for about 2 second, and
then the radio sounds power-off alert tone.
Adjusting the Volume
You may adjust the volume through any of the following two methods:
1. Turn the Volume Control Knob upwards to increase the volume, and
downwards to decrease the volume. The radio will give you audible
indications accordingly.
2. Hold down the programmed Squelch Off key to listen to background
noise, and then turn the Volume Control Knob upwards/downwards to
Figure 7

13
increase/decrease the volume. You will hear higher background noise
when you increase the volume.
Selecting a Channel
Turn the Channel Selector Knob to select a channel; the channel No. pointed
by the channel indicator is the currently selected channel.
Transmitting
To transmit, press and hold down the PTT, speak into the microphone. Ensure
the radio is 2.5 to 5 centimeters away from your lips.
Receiving
To receive signal, release the PTT.
Typical Coverage Area
TC-518 OBR 2W Low Power UHF
Ofce Space Multi-Level
Inside steel/concrete ofce space buildings Inside multi-level buildings
Up to 250,000 sq ft Up to 20 Floors
TC-518 OBR 4W High Power UHF
Ofce Space Multi-Level
Inside steel/concrete ofce space buildings Inside multi-level buildings
Up to 350,000 sq ft Up to 30 Floors
TC-518 OBR 2W Low Power VHF
Ofce Space Multi-Level
Inside steel/concrete ofce space buildings Inside multi-level buildings
Up to 220,000 sq ft Up to 13 Floors
TC-518 OBR 5W High Power VHF
Ofce Space Multi-Level
Inside steel/concrete ofce space buildings Inside multi-level buildings
Up to 300,000 sq ft Up to 18 Floors
Note：The talk ranges herein are site tested in maximum radio
power. Radio's status may vary from your specific use environment
and radio model.
Basic Operations

14
Programmable Auxiliary Functions
Auxiliary functions to the programmable key (with long/short press) can be
programmed via programming cable and CPS software.
●None
●Compandor
●Monitor
●Monitor Momentary
●Scan
●Scrambler
●Squelch Off
●Squelch Off Momentary
●VOX
●Battery Strength Indicator
●Channel Lock
Advanced Operations
The following functions can be programmed via programming cable and CPS
software. Contact your retailer for additional information.
CTCSS/CDCSS
Set up talkgroups with unique CDCSS/CTCSS to prevent unwanted
conversations on the same frequency.
If CTCSS/CDCSS is set on the current channel, CTCSS/CDCSS match is
required for the radio to unmute to an incoming signal. If CTCSS/CCSS is not
set, the radio can receive calls from all users operating on the same frequency.
This feature does not mean that your conversation will not be heard by others.
Radios that set with the same CTCSS/CDCSS, or no CTCSS/CDCSS, can
receive from you.
Battery Save
This feature, when no signal is received or no operation is made, can lower
battery consumption.
Once the radio detects no activity on the channel and no operation performed
(no key press and no knob selection) during radio standby time, it shall
automatically enter sleep mode ten seconds later.

15
Pressing any key or receiving a signal will cause the radio to exit from Battery
Save and restore it to normal operation.
Time-out Timer (TOT)
Limits the amount of time the radio user can continuously transmit on a
channel. If the user holds down the PTT longer than the preprogrammed time
period, the radio will automatically stop transmitting and generate a warning
tone. To stop the warning tone, release the PTT.
A pre-alert function to warn you of the TOT expiration in advance can be
programmed via programming cable and CPS software.
Battery Strength Indicator
TC-518 allows you to simply press the programmed Battery Strength
Indicator key to illuminate the LED battery gauge, which gives different
indications representing battery strength levels. To exit the indications, release
the key.
Battery Strength LED Indication
70% - 100% Green
50% - 70% Orange
30% - 50% Red
10% - 30%
No LED indication is shown when the function key
is pressed; while the radio is in standby mode, LED
ashes red and a low-pitched tone sounds at intervals
of preset time.
Less than 10%
No LED indication is shown when the function key is
pressed; the radio can only receive or keep standby,
and transmit is disallowed. While the radio is in standby
mode, LED ashes red and a low-pitched tone sounds
at intervals of preset time. If the PTT is held down,
transmit inhibit tone would sound.
Monitor / Squelch Off
●Squelch Off
Causes the radio to forcibly unmute speaker to hear activities on the current
channel, whatever the receive condition is. The radio speaker outputs audio
when audio signal is present, or background noise will be heard if no audio
signal is detected.
Advanced Operations

16
Advanced Operations
Press the function key to enter the Squelch Off mode, and press it again to
exit.
●Squelch Off Momentary
Causes the radio to forcibly unmute speaker to hear activities on the current
channel, whatever the receive condition is. The radio speaker outputs audio
when audio signal is present, or background noise will be heard if no audio
signal is detected.
Holds down the function key to enter the Squelch Off Momentary mode, and
release it to exit.
●Monitor
Carrier condition must be satised for the radio to unmute to an incoming call,
regardless of CTCSS/CDCSS condition.
Press the function key to enter Monitor mode, and press it again to exit.
●Monitor Momentary
Carrier condition must be satised for the radio to unmute to an incoming call,
regardless of CTCSS/CDCSS condition.
Holds down the function key to enter Monitor Momentary mode, and release
it to exit.
Scan
Press the programmed Scan key to initiate scanning ascending through the
channel numbers in scan list. Green LED ashes during the scan process, and
solidly glows when activity is detected on a channel and signaling condition is
satised. Press the key again to exit scanning.
When scanning is active, the radio continuously scans for activity on scan list
members. Once activity is detected on a channel, scanning pauses on the
active channel for you to receive activity. You can choose channels that you
wish to scan and list them in a scan list via CPS software and programming
cable.
No Priority Channel
Assuming a scan list with 6 channels, if all the channels are non-prioritized, the
normal scan operation would proceed in the following sequence, as shown in
gure 1.