Kaito KA550 User manual

KA550 WORLD RECEIVER
THE KAITO KA550 - SOLAR & CRANK WEATHER ALERT MULTIBAND RADIO
WITH CELL PHONE & MP3/IPOD CHARGER

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KA550 KAITO
Thank You:
Thank y u f r purchasing the KA550 multi-band radi receiver. Please read the
manual th r ughly bef re perating and keep this b k in a safe place f r future
reference. With pr per care, y u will receive many years f tr uble-free service fr m
y ur new radi .
Description:
The KA550 multi-band radi is perfect f r emergency situati ns and is als ideal f r
any ne wh d es n t have access t a reliable AC p wer s urce. The radi can be
p wered by s lar energy, batteries, AC adapter and hand-crank generat r (magnet ).
With c verage f the AM/FM br adcast bands, 7 NOAA weather bands, plus 2
sh rtwave bands, y u'll never run ut f things t listen t !

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KA550 KAITO
LOCATION O CONTROLS (front)

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KA550 KAITO
LOCATION O CONTROLS (rear)

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KA550 KAITO
This radi is designed f r multiple p wer res urces.
A) ive Ways to Power the Kaito KA550
1) Crank Power (Rechargeable Batteries)
The rechargeable battery pack is already installed in the radi and will p wer all radi and flashlight functi ns.
T get started, pen the battery c mpartment and simply plug the small white plug attached t the
rechargeable batteries int the sl t t the left. All y u need t d is turn the crank handle f r ab ut ne minute
and it will generate ample p wer. On the fr nt f the unit, the b tt m right switch sh uld be set t the
SOLAR/CRANK.
2) AA Batteries
T use AA batteries, pen the battery c mpartment n the back f the unit and insert 3 AA batteries making
sure the p larity is c rrect. Set the P wer Select r t BATT/DC, make sure the In-Out switch n the back f
the radi is in the "In" p siti n, therwise, the radi w uld n t be p wered n. T turn ff the radi , set the
p wer select r t OFF p siti n.

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KA550 KAITO
3) Solar Power
S lar panel is designed t run the radi under sunlight; it can als charge the battery pack at
a very sl w rate. S the retically it will charge the battery, but it is better t crank it t charge
the battery. Put the radi under the str ng sunlight, and set the p wer at OFF, the sunlight will
charge the battery, but y u may n t n te it because it is a very sl w charge. The ind r light
may n t charge r run the radi at all. The s lar panel n the back f the unit r tates a full
180 degrees s y u can angle it f r ptimal charging.
4) AC Power
Y u can als p wer the radi by using an AC Adapter ( pti nal) and plugging it int any standard electric
utlet and then plug the adapter int the ‘DC IN’ jack n the back f the unit. (D n’t try any adapter with an
utput v ltage higher than 6V, it may permanently damage the radi , use Kait rec mmend adapt r.) Y u can
als charge the internal rechargeable batteries with this meth d. The DC charge v ltage is 6.0V DC, the
negative as sh wn. While listening t the radi , the b tt m right switch which is n the fr nt f the unit sh uld
be set t the BATT/DC. It is highly recommended to charge the battery 6 hours for the first time use.
Y u can rder an adapt r directly fr m the Kait website: http://www.kait usa.c m r call 1-866-524-8676,
[phone]

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KA550 KAITO
5) Power via computer USB cable (not included)
The KA550 has a direct USB jack n the back f the unit under the rubber flap n the b tt m right. Y u can
c nnect the radi t y ur c mputers USB p rt with any standard USB cable set. Then set the Charging
Select r n the back f the unit t “IN”, and set the P wer Select r t SOLAR/CRANK, and the radi will
perate and charge the built-in battery f the USB p wer.
B) Power Indicators
When the rechargeable battery p wer is high, the HI green light n the fr nt f the KA550 is n.
When the battery p wer is l w, the LOW red light is n. When y u see this, it is rec mmended t charge the
rechargeable batteries.
1. Crank Power
When the battery level indicat r is RED, the rechargeable Ni-MH batteries are l w. Crank the handle f r 1-2
minutes until the HI LED turns Green.
N te: Set the p wer select r t OFF when crank charging the battery. This m de will charge the battery m st
efficiently.

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KA550 KAITO
2. Charging via USB (USB cable not included)
There are tw functi ns that can be charged via USB:
a) Charge In: Select ‘IN’ switch n the back f the unit t charge the rechargeable
Ni-MH batteries fr m y ur c mputers USB p rt. (The max charging time is 6 H urs)
b) Charge Out: Select ‘OUT’ switch t charge y ur cell ph ne, iP d r MP3 Players
via the KA550’s built in USB p rt. USB devices such as iP d, MP3 r Blackberry
can plug directly int the units USB p rt. F r ther cell ph ne m dels, use ne f the
p wer tips that c me with the unit that charge m st p pular cell ph ne m dels. Once
y u have plugged y ur ph ne r ther digital device int the USB, simply turn the
crank handle f r a few minutes t charge it.
N te: F r Cell Ph nes and iP d/MP3’s, it is rec mmended that if y u want t crank charge them, y u d s
while there is still s me battery p wer. It is m re difficult t crank charge these units when the battery is
c mpletely dead.

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KA550 KAITO
3. AC Adaptor Charging
Plug the AC adapt r int the utlet and c nnect the end t the radi ’s input jack (DC IN) n the back f the
unit. Y u can use any f the KA550’s functi ns while it is plugged in and charging.
N te: F r faster charging, set the P wer Select r t OFF. Unplug the adapt r fr m the radi when n t in use
t av id vercharging f the rechargeable batteries.
4. Solar Panel Charging
S lar panel is designed t run the radi under sunlight; it can als charge the
battery pack at a very sl w rate. S the retically it will charge the battery, but it is
better t crank it t charge the battery. Put the radi under the str ng sunlight, and
set the p wer at OFF, the sunlight will charge the battery, but y u may n t n te it
because it is a very sl w charge. The ind r light may n t charge r run the radi
at all.

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KA550 KAITO
Charging Your Cellphone or Portable Digital Device
1. Charging the cellphone with the radio
Step 1: C nnecting y ur cell ph ne
Take the included cable and c nnect the USB end directly int the KA550’s USB P rt n the back. The ther
end f the cable will take ne f the included P wer Tips that fit y ur ph nes p wer jack. If y u have a USB
ph ne like a Blackberry, y u sh uld have y ur USB Cable that c mes with y ur ph ne. F r iP d/MP3, since
the standard charging meth d is USB, simply use the same cable that y u plug int y ur c mputer’s USB
p rt.
Step 2: Select P wer Out
Select the p wer select r t OUT p siti n n the back f the unit.
Step 3: Select fr m 2 ways t p wer y ur device
A. Cranking t charge.
B. Use the pti nal AC adapt r. Plug the AC adapter int the wall utlet and c nnect t the DC IN jack n the
back f the unit and y ur cell ph ne will start t charge immediately.

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The cell ph ne P wer Tips and the ph nes they fit are listed bel w:
No. Image Compatible No
.
Image Compatible
1
N kia 6010, 6800, 88xx, N70, N95,
2760,7030 2
N kia 3220, 6010, 6030,
6061, 6101, 2128i, 6236i
3
KG90/KG800/KG90C/VX8500/VX8
600/KG70/KG77/ku580/ke850/ke77
0/ke970/KU250/KS10/KU970/KU99
0/KU380/KU580/KG220/KW820
4
M t r la RAZR V3c,
V3c, V3i, V323, V325,
V332, V360, V361, V6,
V8, SLVRL7, PEB
5
V8/Q9/V9/Q8/Q9H/V9M/
E8/E9/U9/W270/W360/
W230/EM30/A810
6
Samsung SA D800/D808
/ D828 / D528 / D820 /
P300 / T809 /A707

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KA550 KAITO
2. Charging via computer
The included P wer Tips and Charging Cable all w y u t charge y ur ph ne directly fr m y ur c mputer.
Take the cable, and select the pr per cellph ne tip that fits f r y ur cellph ne. C nnect the USB end f the
cable t the c mputer. As l ng as the c mputer is turned n, it will starts charge y ur ph ne. M st smartph ne
c mes with a USB cable.
C) Radio Operation
1) Band Selector
R tate the band select r switch t ch se the band y u want t listen t . Y u can ch se fr m the AM/FM,
Sh rtwave 1&2 and Weather Band.
Weather Band: Receives all 7 weather band fr m NOAA, the U.S. Nati nal Weather Service which
br adcasts in all 50 states, Puert Ric and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AM Band: Receives all l cal AM stati ns fr m 520KHz t 1710KHz.
FM band: Receives all l cal FM stati ns fr m 88.00MHz t 108MHz.
SW1Band: Receives all Sh rtwave bands fr m 3.2MHz t 8.00MHz.
SW2 Band: Receives all Sh rtwave bands fr m 9.0MHz t 22.00MHz.

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Sh rtwave band all ws y u t listen t verseas br adcasts fr m stati ns like the BBC, Radi M sc w, Radi
France, Radi Beijing, V ice f America and m re.
2) Volume Control
Turn the v lume c ntr l kn b t adjust the s und v lume f the radi .
3) Tuning
Select the band y u want t listen t , then turn the tuning kn b sl wly until y u receive the desired stati n.
N te:
When listening t FM/SW1/SW2 and Weather Band, please extend the telesc pic antenna t receive the best
signal. When listening t the AM stati ns, it is better t use it near a wind w r pen space, in rder t receive
better signals.
Please n te with regard t the NOAA Weather Band: Y u need t identify which band receives y ur l cal
weather band rep rt. When y u change l cati ns either t an ther city r state, y u may need t ch se a
different band t get the l cal rep rt in that l cati n.

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KA550 KAITO
4) Weather Band
Set the band select r t Weather, and ch se ne f the 7 bands t find y ur l cal weather stati n.
N te: NOAA Weather band is a service br adcast f the U.S. G vernment and available in all 50 states,
Puert Ric and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
5) NOAA Alert
NOAA Alert all ws y u t set the KA550 s it is in a standby m de and will turn the radi n aut matically if
there is a severe weather emergency in y ur area.
Set the band select r t Weather and turn the weather band t y ur l cal weather stati n. Then set the p wer
select r t NOAA Alert and the KA550 will g n aut matically when there is a alert fr m the Nati nal
Weather Service. Then set the P wer Selecti n t “OFF” t turn ff the NOAA Alert. It is rec mmended t use
the AC adapt r t p wer the radi when y u turn n the NOAA Alert.
D) Charging/Tuning LED indicator
When charging, the LED sh ws Green.
When charging and using the radi , it sh ws Orange.

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KA550 KAITO
When it is tuning, it sh ws Red.
When set t NOAA Alert status, it sh ws Green intermittently.
E) Reading Lamp and lashlight
1. Using the reading lamp
On b tt m side f the s lar panel is a 5-LED Reading Lamp.
The lamp will r tate 180 degrees all wing y u t tilt it t ne
f many desired p siti ns. On the Light C ntr l Panel n the
t p f the unit, set the light t in rder t turn n the lamp.
T turn ff the reading lamp, set the lights c ntr l t OFF.
2.Using the flashlight
The LED flashlight is built int the side f the unit ab ve the tuning kn b. T use the flashlight, set the Lights
C ntr l switch t t turn ff the flashlight, set the Lights C ntr l t OFF.

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3. Using the SOS light
In a emergency, y u can turn n the flashing red SOS light by setting the Lights C ntr l switch t t
turn it ff, set the c ntr l t OFF.
Specifications
FM: 88 - 108 MHz
NOAA Weather: 162.400/162.425/162.450/162.475/162.50/162.525/162.55 (c ntinu us band)
AM : 530 -1710 KHz
SW1: 3.20- 8.00 MHz
SW2: 9.00- 22.00 MHz
Output p wer: 200 AM peak p wer using built-in speaker.
Headset jack s cket: 3.5 mm
External DC supply s cket: 6 mm (p sitive center)
P wer Supply: 6.0V DC p wer. F r sh rtwave recepti n, it is rec mmended t use built-in r AA batteries
because the adapt r generates n ises that will interference the recepti n.

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Sensitivity
FM ≤ 20uV
AM ≤ 2.5mV
SW ≤ 30uV
Rechargeable batteries: 3 NI-MH batteries 600mAh
Size: 204 x 128 x 66 MM (8 x 5 x 2.6 INCHES)
Care and Maintenance
1. Use s ft cl th t clean the radi . D n t use aggressive p lish r cleaners.
2. D n t exp se t m isture r temperature ab ve 130 F. D n t leave it n dash b ard in y ur car, the
extreme heat will damage the electr nic parts inside the radi .
3. Take "AA" batteries ut f the radi when y u d n t use the radi f r a l ng peri d f time.

KA550 KAITO
Troubleshooting tips:
Pr blem: P ssible S luti ns:
Radi d esn’t p wer n.
• Check the setting f the “POWER” switch
• Disc nnect and re-c nnect the battery
pack
• Check the p larity f the AA batteries
• The “IN/OUT” switch in the back must be
set a
t “IN”
N ne f the cell ph ne charging adapters fit my cell
ph ne.
6 cell ph ne charging adapters are included f r
selected m dels. We d NOT supply any ther
adapters. H wever if y ur cell ph ne c mes with a
USB data cable t c nnect t a c mputer, then the
same cable can be used t c nnect y ur ph ne t
the radi ’s USB p rt in the back.
It w n’t charge my cell ph ne. The “IN/OUT” switch in the back must be set at
“OUT”

I have the pti nal AC adapter, but when I plug it in, I
hear a l t f n ise/stat
ic.
T use the AC adapter t p wer the radi ,
disc nnecting the battery pack will reduce
c nsiderable am unt f n ise/static.
My radi d esn’t pick up any f the seven weather
channels.
• Check the “BAND” select r t be set at
“WEATHER”
• Fully extend the telesc pic antenna
• Set p wer select r t BATT r
S lar/Crank, n t t Alert until y u have
f und a weather stati n

KA550 WORLD RECEIVER
Please visit manufacturer’s website f r m re inf rmati n:
www.kait usa.c m r call f r service 1-866 524 8676
5185 Cliffw d Drive, M ntclair CA 91763
V110713