Motorola Talkabout T289 User manual

1
Your New Radio
Radio Diagram 2-3
Batteries
Rechargeable NiMH Battery 4
Using Rechargeable NiMH Battery 4
NiMH Chargers
Tri-Color LED Charger 6
Charging the NiMH Battery 6
Charging Status Chart 6
Single Color LED Charger 7
Charging the NiMH Battery 7
AA Alkaline Batteries
Installing Alkaline Battery Tray 8
Replacing Alkaline Batteries 9
Battery Meter 10
Low Battery Alert 10
Belt Holster
Using Radio With Holster 11
Before You Can Talk
PowerButton 12
Setting the Channel 12
Setting the Code 13
Custom Codes-T289 Only 13
To Communicate
Monitor Button 14
Channel Busy Indicator-T289 14
Volume Control 14
Push-To-TalkButton 15
Alert Tones 15
Features
Auto Power Off 16
Display Light 16
Keypad Lock 17
Reset 17
Time-out Timer 17
Channel Scan 18
Scan List 19
Call Tone 19
Hands Free Use
Using VOX Feature 20
Enabling iVOX-T289 Only 20
Setting VOX/iVOX Sensitivity 21
Im roving Communication
Talk Range 22
Careand Safety 22
Accessories 23
Troubleshooting 24-25
Safety Information 26-27
Charging Safety Instructions 28-29
Channel Chart 30
Code Chart 31
Warranty 32-33
Copyrights 34-35
Quick O eration Summary
Menu Button 36
Call Tone 37
Light/lock Button 37
Monitor Button 37
Scan Button 37
Table of Contents

LED Indicator Light
Indicates radio is on; will be steady
red when transmitting.
Battery Meter Indicator
Indicates how much battery charge is left.
Power Button
Turn radio on or off.
Accessory Connector
Used for plugging in optional audio
accessories.
Scan Button
Scansfrequencies for activity.
Call Button
Calls other radio users.
Light/Lock Button
Illuminates display for 5 seconds.
Locks radio to prevent accidental
change of settings.
Micro hone
Picks up audible transmissions.
Scroll Buttons
Changes volume and radio
settings.
Monitor Button
Monitors frequency activity.
Push-To-Talk (PTT) Button
Used to transmit messages.
Menu Button
Changes function mode.
Charging Connector*
Used for charging battery.
*NiMH Battery Use Only
Figure 1.
Your New Radio
Motorola Talkabout radios operate onFamily Radio Service (FRS)
designated frequencies. This license-free, short range, two-way radio
service was established specifically for family and individual recreational
use. You can use your radios anywhere within the United States and other
areas listed by the FCC.
Contact the FCC for more information at:
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
Or:
http://www.fcc.gov
2 3

Batteries
Your Talkabout radio operates with either a Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
rechargeable battery or 3 AA alkaline batteries (battery tray required).
The NiMH rechargeable battery will provide approximately 11 hours of
operation with normal use. Normal use for the rechargeablebattery is approx-
imately 0.5 hour transmitting, 0.5 hour receiving and 10 hours of standby or
monitoring time.
Rechargeable NiMH Battery
Using Rechargeable NiMH Battery:
1. Grasp radio firmly at top and slide radio back down to remove. Make sure
you are not holding battery door (sides) onto the radio body. Figure 5.
2. Place the NiMH battery inside the radio with battery contacts facing down.
Figure 6.
3. Replace the radio’s back by sliding up and onto radio body.
4. Push up until secure.
Sto Sign: TheNiMHbatteryhasastopsignsymboltoremindyoutoturnthe
battery over and align holes with pegs before inserting battery intothe radio.
Figure 7.
Figure 5.
Figure 6.
5
The NiMH battery kit, alkaline battery kit, and spare NiMH battery are
available as accessories (sold separately).
For information, call 1-800-353-2729.
Figure 7.

NiMH Chargers
Your radio will use one of thefollowing types of chargers. Follow the instruc-
tions below for the charger that shipped with your radio.
To get maximum use from thebattery,charge it forat least five hours before
you use it for the first time. After initial charging, your battery will fully charge
in aboutthree hours.
Tri-Color LED Charger
Charging the NiMH Battery:
1. Turn the radio off.
2. Plug charger into an AC wall outlet.
Figure 2.
3. Lift charging connector cover on radio (not
detachable) and plug charger connector
into jack. Figure 3.
4. LED Indicator on Battery
Charger will flash. (See chart
below for complete charging
status).
Tri-Color LED Charger
Charging Status Chart
LED Color Charging Status Com letion
Solid Red Rapid Up to 90%
Flashing Green Top-off 90% to 100%
Solid Green Complete 100%
Flashing Red Battery Fault ______
Flashing Yellow* Standby ______
*Batteryisnotreceivingcorrectvoltage.Batterychargingtemperaturemustremain
between 00to400 C / 320F to 1040 F.
Figure 2. Figure 4.
7
Single Color LED Charger
Charging the NiMH Battery:
1. Turn the radio off.
2. Plug charger into an AC wall outlet.
Figure 4.
3. Liftcharging connector cover on radio (not
detachable) and plug charger connector
into jack. Figure 3.
4. The red LED on chargerwill flash while bat-
tery charges. LED will glow
continuously when battery is
fully charged.
Notes:
• The NiMH battery may be charged outside the radio by plugging the
adapter directly into the battery.
• For optimum battery life, battery should notbeleft charging for
extended periods.
• Turn radio off when charging.If radio is on while charging, additional
time is required to charge the battery.
Figure 3.
6
Figure 3.

Replacing Alkaline Batteries:
1. Insert 3 AA batteries into alkalinetray.
Makesureyoualign plus and minus
signs on batteries with markings on bat-
tery tray. Figure 6.
2. Replace radio back by sliding up and
onto radio body.
3. Push up until secure.
The NiMH battery kit, alkaline battery kit, and spare NiMH battery are
available as accessories (sold separately).
For information, call 1-800-353-2729.
AA Alkaline Batteries
To operate Talkabout radios with alkaline batteries you’ll need to install the
alkaline battery tray. Alkaline batteries will last about 30 hours with normal
use. Normal usefor alkaline batteriesis approximately 1.5 hourstransmitting,
1.5 hours receiving and 27 hours of standby ormonitoring time.
Installing Alkaline Battery Tray:
1. Grasp radio firmly at top and slide radio
back down to remove. Make sure you are
not holding battery door (sides) onto the
radio body.
2. Insert 3 AA batteries into alkaline tray.
Make sure you align plus and minus signs
on batterieswith markings on batterytray.
Figure 6.
3.Align tabs attop of battery tray with slots
on radio before pressing tray
into place. Figure 5.
4. Replace radio back by
sliding up and onto radio body.
5.Push up until secure. Figure 6.
8 9
Figure 5.
Note: When batteries are low, as indicated by battery meter or low battery
alert, replace the alkaline batteries immediately toavoid interrupted use.

Battery Meter
The Battery Meter, located on the front
display,isdivided intothree bars.Aspoweris
used, the bars will disappear. Figure 7.
Note: To ensure proper functioning of the
battery meter use only the Motorola NiMH rechargeable battery or
three AA alkaline batteries. The meter will not work accurately
with Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) or rechargeable alkaline AA batteries.
Low Battery Alert
When the battery is low, the radio will beep:
• 3 to 4 seconds after turning power on
• every 10 minutes in standby mode
• after releasing Push-To-Talk button
• after releasing the Call button
Note: Remove batteries before storing your radio for extended periods.
Batteries maycorrodeovertimeandcausepermanentdamagetoyourradio.
Belt Holster
Talkabout radios come with a belt holster
which can beused with both the NiMH and
AA battery doors.
Using Radio With Holster:
1. Position the base of the radio inbottom
portion of holster.
2. Pushthe radio towards the holster until
it latches into place. Figure 8.
3. To remove radio from holster, pull the top
tab on holster away from radio.
Figure 9.
Note: You may find it easier to clip the
holster ontoyourbelt before you insert radio
into the holster.Figure 10.
Figure 8.
Figure 9.
Figure 7.
10 11
Figure 10.

Before You Can Talk
Read this manual carefully. Make sure you know how to properly operate the
radio before use.Talkaboutradios have14channels and 38 Interference
EliminatorCodes. To talkto others, all radiosin your group must be set to the
same channel and code.
Power Button
Turning the Radio On:
1. Press orange Power button,radio beeps
and LEDIndicatorLight flashes every 3
seconds to indicate radio is on.Figure 11.
2. To turn radio off, press Power button until
display clears. Radiobeeps toconfirm.
Note: When youturntheradio on youarein
normal operating mode.
Channels
You can only communicate with radios that are set on the same channel and
code. The chart on page 30 shows you channel frequencies on which
Motorola Family Radio Service (FRS) two-way radios operate.
Setting the Channel
Changing the Channel:
1. With radio on, press Menu button once.
CHAN appears and current channel
(large n umb er) will flash. Figure 12.
2. Use the Scroll buttons to selecta new
channel.
3. Press Push-To-Talk button to set new
channel selection.
Note: The radio will return tonormal operation
mode in 10 seconds or after pressing Push-To-Talk button.
nterference Eliminator Codes
Codes filter out static, noise and unwanted
messages on radio channels. You can only
communicate with radios using the same chan-
nel and code. Since radio channels can be
monitored, this will not make yourconversa-
tions private. To avoid congested channels,
change the radio’s channel/code setting.
Setting the Code
Changing the Code
1. With radio on, press Menu button twice. The
currentCode (small number) will flash. Figure 13.
2. Use Scroll buttons to select a new code.
3. Press Push-To-Talk button to setnew code selection.
Notes:
• The channel and code may be set sequentially. Just hit the Menu but-
ton after setting a new channel to select a new code.
• The radio will return to normal operation mode in 10seconds or after
pressing Push-To-Talk button.
Custom Codes - T289 Only
The T289 hastheability to save a specific codefor each channel.Thisallows
you to change channel and codes more easily. To save a specific code for
each channel, set the channel and code per the previous instructions. Press
theMenubuttononcefromnormaloperatingmodeandusetheScrollButtons
to switch between selectedchannel and code settings.
Figure 11.
Figure 12.
12 13
Figure 13.

To Communicate
Monitor Button
The Monitor button is used to check activity on current channel before trans-
mitting.Check channel activity by pressing the Monitor button, you’ll hear
static if the channelisclear.Don’t transmitifyouhear conversation.
Channel Busy ndicator - T289 Only
The T289 radio has aChannel Busy Indicator to indicate that your current
channel is in use. If another user is communicating on your channel and a
different code, the flashing CHAN indicator will appear on the display. This
visual indicator of channel activity can be used instead of the Monitor button.
To avoid interrupted conversation, wait until the channel frequencyis clear or
switch to another channel.
Volume Control
Adjusting the Volume:
1. Turn radio on by pressing the orange
Power button.
2. Use Scroll buttons to adjust the radio’s
volume. Figure 14.
3. VOLindicator will appear and display will
show current volume level (1 to 19).
Beeps confirm volume levelchanges as
you scroll.
4. The radio will return to normal operation
mode after 2 seconds.
Note:
You may adjustvolume by using the Scroll buttons as long as the radio
is not in Menu or Lock mode.
Push-To-Talk Button
Sending Messages:
1. Check channel activity by pressing
Monitor button or view Channel Busy-
Indicator (T289).
2. Press Push-To-Talk button and speak
into radio.Figure 15.
3.LED Indicator Lightglows continuously
while transmitting.
Receiving Messages:
Release the Push-To-Talk button.
Note:
To maximize clarity, hold radio 2to3 inches from mouth.
Alert Tones
The Alert Tones (beeps) on the Talkabout radios are set at a fixed volume
level and cannot be lowered. However, Alert Tones can bedisabled. When
AlertTones are disabled, the radio will receive messages atthe volume
setting you’ve selected, but you will not hear beeps when you press control
buttons.
Disabling Alert Tones:
1. Hold down the Monitor button while you turn radio on.
2. To re-activate Alert Tones, turn the radiooff, then on again whileholding
the Monitor button down.
Figure 14.
1
Figure 15.
15

Keypad Lock
Lock allows you to disable the Scroll, Menu,
and Scan buttons so that the radio settings
cannot be changed accidentally.
Activating Lock Feature:
Press and hold the Light/Lock button until
LOCK appears on the display.
Disabling Lock Feature:
Press and hold Light/Lock button untilLOCKdisappears.
Note:
Radio emits audible tone to confirm lockand unlock feature activation.
Disabled buttons will beep if pressed (when AlertTones are enabled).
Reset
The Reset feature returns all user programmable features back to the original
factory settings.
1. Hold down both the Monitor and Push-To-Talk buttons.
2. Turn the radio on.
Time-out Timer
TheTime-outTimerfeature helps extendbattery life and prevents you from
accidently tying upfrequencies.The radiowill emitacontinuous warning tone
if the Push-To-Talk button is pressed for 60 continuous seconds and radio will
stop transmitting.
Features
Auto Power Off
Your Talkabout can be programmed toturn itself off after a certain period of
inactivity. This feature is used to prevent unwanted battery drain.
Enabling Auto Power Off:
1. Press Menu button six times to enter Power Off feature.
2. Use the Scroll buttons to set the number of hours,after which, the power
shuts down (1-8 hours).
Notes:
• The radiowill return to normal operation mode after 10 secondsor after
you pressthe Push-To-Talk button. Ifnobuttons are pressed during the
selected time interval, the radio will sound a unique tone one minute
prior to turning itself off.
• Minus sign appears ondisplayif Auto Power Off is disabled.
Display Light
Talkabout radios have a backlit display for use in low-light conditions. Press
Light/Lock button to illuminate the display. The light will stay on for approxi-
mately five seconds.
Note: Pressing other buttons will extend the time the light stays on.
Figure 16.
16 17
See Pages 36-37 for quick o eration summary.