Kenwood FM Transceiver TK-481 User manual

© B62-1483-00 (K)
09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01
KENWOOD CORPORATION
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
VHF FM TRANSCEIVER/
UHF FM TRANSCEIVER
TK-280/ TK-380
800 MHz FM TRANSCEIVER/
900 MHz FM TRANSCEIVER
TK-480/ TK-481

i
THANK YOU
We are grateful you chose KENWOOD for your land
mobile radio applications. We believe this easy-to-use
transceiver will provide dependable communications to
keep personnel operating at peak efficiency.
KENWOOD transceivers incorporate the latest in
advanced technology. As a result, we feel strongly that
you will be pleased with the quality and features of this
product.
MODELS COVERED BY THIS MANUAL
• TK-280: VHF FM Transceiver
• TK-380: UHF FM Transceiver
• TK-480: 800 MHz FM Transceiver
• TK-481: 900 MHz FM Transceiver
NOTICES TO THE USER
◆Government law prohibits the operation of unlicensed radio
transmitters within the territories under government control.
◆Illegal operation is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
◆Refer service to qualified technicians only.
SAFETY: It is important that the operator is aware of
and understands hazards common to the operation of
any transceiver.
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES (GASES, DUST, FUMES, etc.)
Turn off your transceiver while taking on fuel, or while parked in
gasoline service stations.

ii
One or more of the following statements may be applicable:
FCC WARNING
This equipment generates or uses radio frequency energy. Changes
or modifications to this equipment may cause harmful interference
unless the modifications are expressly approved in the instruction
manual. The user could lose the authority to operate this equipment
if an unauthorized change or modification is made.
INFORMATION TO THE DIGITAL DEVICE USER REQUIRED BY THE FCC
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 generate 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 the 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.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer for technical assistance.
ATTENTION (U.S.A. Only):
The RBRC Recycle seal found on KENWOOD nickel-
cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery packs indicates KENWOOD’s
voluntary participation in an industry program to collect
and recycle Ni-Cd batteries after their operating life has
expired. The RBRC program is an alternative to
disposing Ni-Cd batteries with your regular refuse or in
municipal waste streams, which is illegal in some areas.
For information on Ni-Cd battery recycling in your area, call (toll free)
1-800-8-BATTERY (1-800-822-8837).
KENWOOD’s involvement in this program is part of our commitment to
preserve our environment and conserve our natural resources.

iii
CONTENTS
UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT................... 1
Supplied Accessories ...................................... 1
PREPARATION .................................................. 2
Installing/ Removing the (Optional) NiCd Battery Pack ... 2
Installing the (Optional) Antenna ........................ 3
Installing the Belt Clip ..................................... 3
Installing the Cover over the Universal Connector ..... 4
Installing the (Optional KMC-25) Speaker/ Microphone ... 4
GETTING ACQUAINTED ........................................ 5
Display ...................................................... 7
PROGRAMMABLE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS ................. 8
OPERATION OVERVIEW .......................................10
Trunking Format ...........................................10
Conventional Format (TK-280/ TK-380 Only) ..........10
OPERATING BASICS ...........................................11
Switching Power ON/ OFF ................................11
Adjusting the Volume .....................................11
Selecting a System/ Group/ Channel ...................11
Time-out Timer (TOT) ....................................12
TRUNKED OPERATION (Trunking Format) ..................13
Placing a Dispatch Call ..................................13
Receiving a Dispatch Call ................................13
Placing a Telephone Call (Keypad Models Only) ......14
Receiving a Telephone Call (Keypad Models Only) ... 14
CONVENTIONAL OPERATION (Trunking Format) ........... 15
Transmitting ...............................................15

iv
Receiving ..................................................15
SYSTEM SCAN (Trunking Format) ........................... 16
Scanning Trunked Systems ..............................16
Scanning Conventional Systems ........................16
Scan Lockout ..............................................17
Scan Revert ................................................17
GROUP SCAN (Trunking Format) ............................18
CONVENTIONAL OPERATION (Conventional Format) ..... 19
Transmitting ...............................................19
Receiving ..................................................19
SCAN (Conventional Format) ................................20
Priority Scan ...............................................20
2-TONE SIGNALLING (Conventional Format) ..............21
FleetSync™: ALPHANUMERIC 2-WAY PAGING FUNCTION ... 22
Key Functions .............................................22
Selcall (Selective Calling) ...............................23
Status Message ...........................................25
Optional Short Messages Feature ......................27
DTMF (DUAL TONE MULTI FREQUENCY) CALLS ..........28
Making a DTMF Call (Keypad Models Only) ........... 28
DTMF Signalling ..........................................30
DBD (Dead Beat Disable) ................................30
AUDIBLE USER FEEDBACK TONES ..........................31

1
UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT
Note: The following unpacking instructions are for use by your
KENWOOD dealer, an authorized KENWOOD service facility, or the
factory.
Carefully unpack the transceiver. We recommend that
you identify the items listed in the following table before
discarding the packing material. If any items are missing
or have been damaged during shipment, file a claim with
the carrier immediately.
■Supplied Accessories
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Antenna Battery
pack
Belt
clip
Screw
set
Universal
connector cap

2
PREPARATION
1Match the four grooves
of the battery pack with
the corresponding
guides on the back of
the transceiver.
2Slide the battery pack
along the back of the
transceiver until the
release latch on the
base of the transceiver
locks.
3To remove the battery
pack, pull back on the
release latch and slide
the pack away from the
transceiver.
■Installing/ Removing the (Optional) NiCd Battery Pack
◆Do not recharge the battery pack if it is already fully charged.
Doing so may cause the life of the battery pack to shorten or
the battery pack may be damaged.
◆After recharging the battery pack, disconnect it from the
charger. If the charger power is reset (turned on after being
turned off), recharging will start again and the battery pack
will become overcharged.
◆Do not short the battery terminals or dispose of the battery
by fire.
◆Never attempt to remove the casing from the battery pack.

3
Screw the antenna into the
connector on the top of the
transceiver by holding the
antenna at its base and
turning it clockwise until
secure.
■Installing the Belt Clip
If necessary, attach the belt
clip using the two supplied
3 x 6 mm screws.
Note: If the belt clip is not
installed, its mounting location
may get hot during continuous
transmission or when left sitting
in a hot environment.
■Installing the (Optional) Antenna

4
If you are not using the
optional KMC-25 speaker/
microphone, install the
cover over the univeral
connector using the
supplied 4 x 6 mm screw.
■Installing the Cover over the Universal Connector
■Installing the (Optional KMC-25) Speaker/ Microphone
1Insert the guide of the speaker/ microphone
connector into the groove of the universal
connector.
2Secure the connector in place using the attached
screw.

5
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r
t
o
!2
!0
!1
i
u
y
GETTING ACQUAINTED
Note: The transceiver is also available without the DTMF keypad (!1).
qq
qq
qAntenna connector
Connect an (optional) antenna here.
ww
ww
wRotary encoder
Rotate this encoder to activate its programmable
function. (System or Group Up/ Down in Trunking
Format, and Group or Channel Up/ Down in
Conventional Format.) For further details, contact
your dealer.
Microphone Speaker

6
ee
ee
ePOWER switch/ VOLUME control
Turn clockwise to switch ON the transceiver. Rotate
to adjust the volume. Turn counterclockwise fully to
switch OFF the transceiver.
rr
rr
rAuxiliary (orange) key
Press to activate its auxiliary function {page 8}.
tt
tt
tBattery pack release latch
Pull back on this latch to release the battery pack.
See “Installing/ Removing the (Optional) NiCd
Battery Pack” on page 2.
yy
yy
yPF (Programmable Function) key
Press to activate its auxiliary function {page 8}.
uu
uu
uPTT (Push-To-Talk) switch
Press this switch, then speak into the microphone to
call a station.
ii
ii
iPF (Programmable Function) key
Press to activate its auxiliary function {page 8}.
oo
oo
oTransmit/ Battery low indicator
This red LED lights during transmission. If
programmed by your dealer, when the battery pack
power is low, the LED flashes during transmission.
Replace or recharge the battery pack.
!0!0
!0!0
!0 S, A, tt
tt
tB, and Css
ss
skeys
Press to activate their auxiliary functions {page 8}.
!1!1
!1!1
!1 DTMF keypad (keypad models only)
Press the keys on the keypad to send DTMF tones.
!2!2
!2!2
!2 Universal connector
Connect the (optional KMC-25) speaker/ microphone
here. Otherwise, keep the supplied cover in place.

7
■Display
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8
PROGRAMMABLE AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS
Keys r, y, i, and !0 {pages 5 and 6} can be programmed
with the auxiliary functions listed in the following table. The
programmable functions are dependant on the operation of
the transceiver (Conventional or Trunking Format). Contact
your dealer for further details on these functions.
Note:
◆If “Function” is programmed onto a key, the DTMF keypad (keypad
models only) can also be used for additional programmable keys.
◆Conventional Format is available for only the TK-280 and TK-380
models.
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9
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1This function can be selected only when the Scrambler/ ANI board
has not been installed.
2This function can be programmed only on key r, the Auxiliary
(orange) key.
3This function can be selected only when the FleetSync™ enhanced
option and a GPS receiver have been installed.
4This function can be programmed only on the microphone PF keys.
5This function can be selected only when the Scrambler board has
been installed.

10
OPERATION OVERVIEW
Your dealer can program your transceiver for either
Trunking Format or Conventional Format.
■Trunking Format
This format can handle up to 32 systems with up to
250 groups in each system. The transceiver can be
used in both trunked mode and conventional mode.
Systems, groups, and their functions are
programmed by your dealer.
■Conventional Format (TK-280/ TK-380 Only)
This format can handle up to 250 groups with 250
channels in each group. The transceiver can be
used only in conventional mode. Groups, channels,
and their functions are programmed by your dealer.

11
OPERATING BASICS
■Switching Power ON/ OFF
Turn the Power switch/ Volume control clockwise to
switch the transceiver ON.
Turn the Power switch/ Volume control
counterclockwise to switch the transceiver OFF.
If the Radio Password function is programmed,
“PASSWORD” will appear on the display when the
power is turned ON. To unlock the transceiver, enter
the password, then press the Skey. If you enter the
wrong password, an error tone sounds and the
transceiver remains locked. The password can
contain a maximum of 6 digits.
■Adjusting the Volume
Rotate the Power switch/ Volume control to adjust
the volume. Clockwise increases the volume and
counterclockwise decreases it.
■Selecting a System/ Group/ Channel
Select the desired system and group (Trunking
Format) using the encoder and the keys programmed
with System or Group Up/ Down.
Select the desired group and channel (Conventional
Format) using the encoder and the keys programmed
with Group or Channel Up/ Down.

12
■Time-out Timer (TOT)
The purpose of the Time-out Timer is to prevent any
caller from using a channel for an extended period of
time.
If you continuously transmit for a period of time that
exceeds the programmed time, the transceiver will
stop transmitting and an alert tone will sound. To
stop the tone, release the PTT switch.
Your dealer can program the TOT time in the range of
15 seconds to 10 minutes.

13
TRUNKED OPERATION (Trunking Format)
■Placing a Dispatch Call
1Select the desired system and group using the
encoder and the System or Group keys.
2Press the PTT switch.
3If a tone does not sound, communication is
possible; start speaking into the microphone.
Release the PTT switch to receive.
•For best sound quality at the receiving station, hold
the microphone approximately 1.5 inches (3 ~ 4 cm)
from your mouth.
■Receiving a Dispatch Call
1Select the desired system and group using the
encoder and the System or Group keys. (If the
Scan function has been programmed, you can
switch it ON or OFF as desired.)
2When you hear the dispatcher’s voice, readjust
the volume as necessary.

14
■Placing a Telephone Call (Keypad Models Only)
1Select the desired system and group using the
encoder and the System or Group keys.
2Press and hold the PTT switch for approximately
1 second to ensure a connection.
•Confirm that there is a dial tone after you release the
PTT switch.
3Press and hold the PTT switch, then dial using
the front panel keypad.
•After dialing, release the PTT switch and wait for a
response from the called party.
4When the called party responds, press the PTT
switch and speak into the microphone. Release
the PTT switch to receive.
•Only one person can speak at a time.
5To end the call, press and hold the PTT switch,
then press the #key or the key programmed as
Tel Disconnect.
■Receiving a Telephone Call (Keypad Models Only)
1Select the desired system and group using the
encoder and the System or Group keys. (If the
Scan function has been programmed, you can
switch it ON or OFF as desired.)
•Aringing tone will sound when a call is received.
2Press and hold the PTT switch to speak, and
release it to receive.
•Only one person can speak at a time.
3To end the call, press and hold the PTT switch,
then press the #key or the key programmed as
Tel Disconnect.

15
CONVENTIONAL OPERATION (Trunking Format)
■Transmitting
1Select the desired system and group using the
encoder and the System or Group keys.
2Press the key programmed as Monitor to check
whether or not the channel is free.
•If the channel is busy, wait until it becomes free.
3Press the PTT switch and speak into the
microphone. Release the PTT switch to receive.
•For best sound quality at the receiving station, hold
the microphone approximately 1.5 inches (3 ~ 4 cm)
from your mouth.
■Receiving
1Select the desired system and group using the
encoder and the System or Group keys. (If the
Scan function has been programmed, you can
switch it ON or OFF as desired.)
2When you hear the dispatcher’s voice, readjust
the volume as necessary.