Optimus Optimus CTR-113 User manual

Cat. No. 14-1119
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
CTR-113
Voice-Activated Cassette
Tape Recorder
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FEATURES
Your Optimus CTR–113 Voice-Activated Cassette Tape
Recorder gives you convenient recording technology.
You can have recording begin and end according to the
sound level in a room, which gives you hands-free opera-
tion while recording.
Because the CTR-113 does not record long periods of si-
lence, you not only save tape space and battery power,
you also save time when you try to find a certain section
on the tape. Your recorder is small enough to fit in a brief-
case or purse, so you can take it almost anywhere.
The cassette recorder includes these special features:
Semi Auto Stop — during playback and recording, stops
the recorder and releases the tape mechanism when the
tape reaches the end, to save battery power and protect
your cassette tape.
Di
g
ital Tape Counter — helps you quickly return to a
specific section on the tape.
One-Touch Recordin
g
— lets you press one button to
start recording.
©1998 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Optimus and RadioShack are registered trademarks
used by Tandy Corporation.
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Cue/Review — lets you easily locate a certain section on
the tape.
Voice-Activated Circuit — automatically starts record-
ing when the recorder picks up sound and stops record-
ing within 5 seconds after the sound falls below a preset
level.
Built-In Microphone — lets you make quality recordings
without having to use an external microphone.
Wrist Strap — makes the recorder convenient to carry
and use.
Earphone — lets you listen without disturbing others.
Three-Way Power — lets you operate your cassette re-
corder using internal batteries, AC power (using an op-
tional adapter), or your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket
(using an optional adapter).
Built-In Speaker — lets you listen to your recorder with-
out an earphone.
Automatic Level Control (ALC) Circuit — automatically
adjusts to the proper recording level.
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CONTENTS
Preparation .................................................................. 5
Powering the Recorder............................................ 5
Using Internal Battery Power ........................... 5
Using AC Power ............................................... 7
Using DC Power .............................................. 8
Using the Earphone............................................... 10
Listening Safely .............................................. 11
Traffic Safety .................................................. 11
Operation ................................................................... 12
Loading a Cassette Tape....................................... 12
Recording ............................................................. 13
Using Voice Activation (VOX) ........................ 13
Manual Recording .......................................... 14
Playing a Tape....................................................... 15
Using Cue and Review.......................................... 15
Using Fast-F and Rewind...................................... 16
Using the Tape Counter......................................... 16
Tape Tips............................................................... 17
Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality ... 17
Erasing a Cassette Tape ................................ 18
Preventing Accidental Erasure ....................... 18
Maintenance .............................................................. 20
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts......................... 21
Specifications ............................................................ 23
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PREPARATION
POWERING THE RECORDER
For portable use, you can power the recorder from inter-
nal batteries. Using adapters, you can also power it from
a standard AC outlet or your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket.
Using Internal Battery Power
The recorder uses two AA batteries (not supplied). For
the best results, we recommend alkaline batteries, such
as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-552. Or, you can use re-
chargeable nickel-cadmium batteries, such as Cat. No.
23-125, with a battery charger (Cat. No. 23-133).
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the recommended size
and type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of
batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or
rechargeable batteries of different capacities.
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Follow these steps to install batteries.
1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction
shown by the arrow on the cover.
Caution: The battery compartment cover is hinged.
Do not try to remove it.
2. Install two AA batteries as indicated by the polarity
symbols (+ and –) marked on the back of the
recorder.
3. Replace the cover.
When the recorder stops operating properly or the battery
light is low, replace the batteries.
Cautions:
• If you do not plan to use the recorder for a week or
more, or you plan to use only another power source,
remove the batteries.
• Always dispose of old batteries promptly and prop-
erly.
(illus — show the removal
of batt. compartment cover
and installation of batteries.
)
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Important: Your recorder is capable of using recharge-
able nickel-cadmium batteries. At the end of the batteries’
lives, they must be recycled or disposed of properly. Con-
tact your local, county, or state hazardous waste man-
agement authorities for information on recycling or
disposal programs in your area. Some options that might
be available are: municipal curbside collection, drop-off
boxes at retailers such as your local RadioShack store,
recycling collection centers, and mail-back programs.
Using AC Power
To power the recorder from an AC outlet, you need an
AC adapter (not supplied), such as Cat. No. 273-1654.
Cautions:
• You must use an adapter that supplies at least 3 volts
and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip must be
set to negative, and its barrel plug must fit the CTR-
113’s DC 3V jack. The recommended adapter meets
these specifications. Using an adapter that does not
meet these specifications could damage the CTR-
113 or the adapter.
• Connecting an AC adapter automatically disconnects
internal batteries.
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• Always plug the adapter into the recorder before you
plug it into the AC outlet. Always unplug the adapter
from the AC outlet before you unplug it from the
recorder.
1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V.
2. Attach the 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3 mm inner
diameter barrel plug to the AC adapter’s cord with the
tip set to negative (–).
3. Insert the barrel plug into the recorder’s DC 3V jack.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Using DC Power
To power the recorder from your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket, you need a DC adapter (not supplied), such as
Cat. No. 273-1810 or Cat. No. 270-1560.
Illust.
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Cautions:
• You must use an adapter that supplies 3 volts and
delivers at least 300 milliamps. Its center tip must be
set to negative, and its barrel plug must fit the CTR-
113’s DC 3V jack. The recommended adapter meets
these specifications. Using an adapter that does not
meet these specifications could damage the CTR-
113 or the adapter.
• Connecting a DC adapter automatically disconnects
internal batteries.
• Always plug the adapter into the recorder before you
plug it into the cigarette-lighter socket. Always unplug
the adapter from the cigarette-lighter socket before
you unplug it from the recorder.
Follow these steps to power the recorder from your vehi-
cle’s cigarette-lighter socket.
1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V.
Illust.
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2. Attach the 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3 mm inner
diameter barrel plug to the DC adapter’s cord with
the tip set to negative (–).
3. Insert the barrel plug into the recorder’s DC 3V jack.
4. Plug the other end of the adapter into the vehicle’s
cigarette-lighter socket.
Note: If the recorder does not operate properly when
powered from your vehicle’s battery, unplug the adapter
from the cigarette-lighter socket and clean the socket to
remove any ashes or other debris.
USING THE EARPHONE
You can use the supplied earphone for private listening.
Insert the earphone’s 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) plug into the EAR
jack.
Note: Connecting the earphone disconnects the record-
er’s built-in speaker.
Illust.
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Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when
you use an earphone.
• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels.
Extended high-volume listening can lead to perma-
nent hearing loss.
• Set the volume to its lowest level before you begin
listening. After you put on the earphone, adjust the
volume to a comfortable listening level.
• Do not increase the volume once you have estab-
lished a comfortable listening level. Over time, your
ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that
does not cause discomfort might still damage your
hearing.
Traffic Safety
Do not wear an earphone while operating a motor vehicle
or riding a bicycle. This can cause a traffic hazard and
could be illegal in some areas.
Even though some earphones let you hear outside
sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still
can present a traffic hazard.
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OPERATION
LOADING A CASSETTE TAPE
1. Take up any slack in the cassette tape by turning the
hub with a pencil to prevent the tape from becoming
tangled in the tape mechanism. Do not touch the
tape.
2. Open the cassette compartment door by lifting it at
the notch. Insert a cassette tape into the door guides
so the cassette’s open edge faces out, the side you
want to play or record on faces the compartment win-
dow, and the full reel is to the left.
3. Close the cassette compartment door.
Illust.
Illust.
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RECORDING
Notes:
• We recommend you use normal bias (Type I) cas-
sette tapes, such as RadioShack LN and XR tape.
• We recommend regular length (60- or 90-minute)
cassette tapes. We do not recommend long-play cas-
sette tapes, such as C-120s, because they are thin
and can easily tangle.
• The ALC (automatic level control) circuit automati-
cally sets the recording level. VOLUME has no effect.
• For the best quality recordings, place the recorder 1
to 5 feet from the sound source.
Caution: Never try to force down RECORD after you
remove an erase protection tab (see “Erasing a Cassette
Tape” on Page 18). You might damage the recorder.
Using Voice Activation (VOX)
1. Load a blank cassette or one you want to record
over, into the cassette compartment.
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2. Set VOICE ACTIVATION to IN.
3. Press
RECORD. Recording begins when the voice-
activation mechanism detects a sound.
4. To cause low sound levels to activate recording,
rotate
VOLUME/VOX SENS toward MAX. To automati-
cally record only louder sounds, rotate VOLUME/VOX
SENS toward MIN. (This does not change the volume
of the recording.) Experiment to achieve the best set-
ting for your recording environment.
The RECORD BATTERY indicator lights during
recording.
Manual Recording
For manual recording, set VOICE ACTIVATION to OUT,
then press RECORD. Recording automatically stops
when the recorder reaches the end of the tape side. To
manually stop recording, press STOP.
Illust.
Illust.
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PLAYING A TAPE
1. Load a prerecorded cassette into the recorder.
2. Press
PLAY.
3. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.
4. The tape automatically stops when it reaches the
end. To stop it sooner, press STOP.
USING CUE AND REVIEW
While a tape is playing, hold down FAST-F/CUE to
play the cassette tape at high speed to quickly locate any
desired section on the tape. Release FAST-F/CUE
to
resume normal play.
Or, hold down REWIND/REV
to play the cassette tape
in reverse at high speed. Release REWIND/REV
to
resume normal play.
Illust.
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USING FAST-F AND REWIND
When the tape is stopped, press FAST-F/CUE or RE-
WIND/REV
to fast-forward or rewind the tape. The
button locks, and the tape fast-forwards or rewinds to the
end or until you press STOP . When the tape reaches
the end, press STOP
to release the button and the
tape-handling parts.
Note: The CTR-113 does not automatically stop when it
reaches the end of the tape. To protect the tape after the
tape has fully wound to either end, press STOP to re-
lease fast-forward or rewind.
USING THE TAPE COUNTER
The tape counter shows you the tape’s current playing
position, making it easier to locate a particular segment.
Before you play a tape, press the reset button to reset the
Illust.
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counter to 000. As the tape plays, note the position you
want to return to later.
TAPE TIPS
Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality
After you play a cassette tape several times, the tape
might become tightly wound on the reels. This can cause
playback sound quality to deteriorate.
To restore the sound quality, fast-forward the tape from
the beginning to the end of one side, then completely re-
wind it. Then loosen the tape reels by gently tapping each
side of the cassette’s outer shell on a flat surface.
Caution: Be careful not to damage the cassette when
tapping it. Do not touch the exposed tape or allow any
sharp objects near the cassette.
Illust.
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Erasing a Cassette Tape
To record over a cassette tape, simply record as usual.
The cassette deck records over the previous recording.
You can quickly erase both sides of a cassette tape using
a bulk tape eraser, such as Cat. No. 44-232.
Preventing Accidental Erasure
Cassette tapes have two erase-
protection tabs — one for each
side. When a tab is in place, you
can record on that side. To protect
a recording from being accidental-
ly recorded over or erased, use a
screwdriver to remove one or both
of the cassette tape’s erase-pro-
tection tabs.
If you later decide to record on a tape side after you have
removed the erase-protection tab, place a piece of strong
plastic tape over that side’s erase-protection hole. Be
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sure you cover only the hole originally covered by the
erase-protection tab.
Caution: Removing the erase-protection tabs does not
prevent a bulk eraser from erasing a cassette tape.
Illust.
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MAINTENANCE
Your CTR-113 Voice-Activated Cassette Tape Recorder
is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The
following suggestions will help you care for your recorder
so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the recorder dry. If it gets wet, wipe it
dry immediately. Liquids might contain
minerals that can corrode the electronic cir-
cuits.
Use and store the recorder only in normal
temperature environments. Temperature
extremes can shorten the life of electronic
devices, damage batteries, and distort or
melt plastic parts.
Keep the recorder away from dust and dirt,
which can cause premature wear of parts.
Handle the recorder gently and carefully.
Dropping it can damage circuit boards and
cases and can cause the recorder to work
improperly.
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