Optimus SCP-83 User manual

Cat. No. 14-1224
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before usin
g
this equipment.
SCP-83
Auto-Reverse AM•FM Stereo
Cassette Player
14-1224.fm Page 1 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

2
FEATURES
Your Optimus SCP-83 Auto-Reverse AM•FM Stereo
Cassette Player is a lightweight, portable AM/FM ra-
dio with a cassette player and built-in speaker. You
can enjoy cassette tapes or the radio with others
through the built-in speaker or you can connect ste-
reo headphones (not supplied) for private listening.
Its features include:
Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) — automati-
cally keeps the radio’s receiver tuned to the selected
broadcast frequency.
Auto-Reverse Play — automatically plays the other
side of the tape when the side currently playing ends,
for continuous playback.
Extended Bass On/Off Switch — lets you increase
your music’s bass sound.
©1996 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Optimus is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
RadioShack is a trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
14-1224.fm Page 2 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

3
Direction Switch — lets you change the tape’s di-
rection to play the other side without removing the
tape from the cassette player.
Built-In Speaker — lets you share the music with
friends.
Three Power Sources — let you power the SCP-83
from two AA batteries, standard AC power (requires
an AC adapter), or a vehicle’s DC power (requires a
DC adapter).
Removable Belt Clip — allows hands-free carrying
so you can take the SCP-83 anywhere you go.
Note: To listen to your SCP-83 privately or in stereo,
you need a pair of headphones or amplified speakers
(not supplied) with a 1/8-inch mini plug. Your local Ra-
dioShack store sells a wide variety of headphones
and speakers.
Read this manual completely to learn about all the
features of your SCP-83.
14-1224.fm Page 3 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

4
CONTENTS
Preparation ............................................................ 5
Using Internal Battery Power ........................... 5
Using AC Power .............................................. 7
Using Vehicle Battery Power ........................... 9
Connecting Headphones/Speakers ............... 11
Listening Safely ...................................... 12
Traffic Safety .......................................... 12
Connecting the Antenna ................................ 13
Using the Belt Clip ......................................... 14
Radio Operation .................................................. 15
Cassette Operation ............................................. 18
Playing a Cassette Tape ................................ 18
Using Fast-Forward and Rewind.................... 22
Tape Tips ....................................................... 23
Tape Quality ........................................... 23
Restoring Tape Tension
and Sound Quality .................................. 23
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts .......... 24
Maintenance ........................................................ 26
FCC Information ............................................ 27
Specifications ..................................................... 28
14-1224.fm Page 4 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

5
PREPARATION
You can power your SCP-83 from any of these power
sources:
• Internal battery power
• Standard AC power (using an AC adapter)
• Vehicle battery power (using a DC adapter)
USING INTERNAL BATTERY
POWER
You can power the SCP-83 from two AA batteries
(not supplied). For the best performance, we recom-
mend alkaline batteries, such as RadioShack Cat.
No. 23-557. Follow these steps to install batteries.
14-1224.fm Page 5 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

6
1. Press down on the battery compartment cover
and slide it off in the direction of the arrow.
2. Install the batteries as indicated by the polarity
symbols (+ and –) marked next to the compart-
ment, with the back battery over the ribbon.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size
and type. Never mix fresh and old batteries or
different battery types.
• Always dispose of old batteries promptly and
properly.
3. Replace the cover.
Notes:
• If the sound gets distorted or weak, replace the
batteries.
• If you do not plan to use the SCP-83 for a week
or more, or if you plan to power it using only an
AC or DC adapter, remove the batteries. Batter-
ies can leak chemicals that corrode or damage
electronic circuits.
14-1224.fm Page 6 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

7
USING AC POWER
You can power the SCP-83 from AC power using an
optional AC adapter, such as RadioShack Cat. No.
273-1654.
Cautions:
• The recommended AC adapter supplies 3 volts
and delivers at least 300 milliamps. Its center tip
is set to negative, and its plug correctly fits the
SCP-83’s DC 3V jack. Using an adapter that
does not meet these specifications could dam-
age the SCP-83 or the adapter.
• Be sure the adapter is connected to the SCP-83
before you connect it to the AC outlet and that
you disconnect the adapter from the AC outlet
before you disconnect it from the SCP-83. Oth-
erwise, the unconnected plug might touch some
metal and damage the adapter.
14-1224.fm Page 7 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

8
Follow these steps to power the SCP-83 from a stan-
dard AC outlet.
1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V.
2. Insert the adapter’s 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3
mm inner diameter barrel plug into the adapter’s
cord so it reads –TIP.
3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the SCP-83’s
DC 3V jack.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Connecting an AC adapter automatically disconnects
internal battery power.
14-1224.fm Page 8 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

9
USING VEHICLE BATTERY
POWER
You can power the SCP-83 from a vehicle’s battery
using an optional DC adapter, such as RadioShack
Cat. No. 270-1560.
Cautions:
• The recommended DC adapter supplies 3 volts
and delivers at least 300 milliamps. Its center tip
is set to negative, and its plug correctly fits the
SCP-83’s DC 3V jack. Using an adapter that
does not meet these specifications could dam-
age the SCP-83 or the adapter.
• Be sure the adapter is connected to the SCP-83
before you connect it to the cigarette-lighter
socket and that you disconnect the adapter from
the cigarette-lighter socket before you discon-
nect it from the SCP-83. Otherwise, the uncon-
nected plug might touch some metal in the
vehicle and damage the adapter.
14-1224.fm Page 9 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

10
Follow these steps to power the SCP-83 from a vehi-
cle’s battery.
1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V.
2. Insert the adapter’s 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3
mm inner diameter barrel plug into the adapter’s
cord with the tip set to negative (–).
3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the SCP-83’s
DC 3V jack.
4. Plug the adapter into a vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket.
Connecting a DC adapter automatically disconnects
internal battery power.
14-1224.fm Page 10 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

11
CONNECTING HEADPHONES/
SPEAKERS
You can enjoy the SCP-83’s sound through its built-
in monaural speaker. Or, you can connect stereo
headphones or amplified speakers to the SCP-83 for
stereo sound. Your local RadioShack store sells a
wide variety of stereo headphones and amplified
speakers.
Connect stereo headphones or amplified speakers
with a 1/8-inch stereo plug to the /ANT. jack.
Note: Connecting headphones or external speakers
automatically disconnects the internal speaker.
14-1224.fm Page 11 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

12
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when
you use headphones.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting before you
begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust
the volume to a comfortable level.
• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels.
Extended high-volume listening can lead to per-
manent hearing loss.
• Once you set the volume, do not increase it.
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 headphones while operating a motor ve-
hicle or riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic haz-
ard and is illegal in some areas.
14-1224.fm Page 12 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

13
Even though some headphones are designed to let
you hear some outside sounds when listening at nor-
mal volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard.
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA
When not using headphones or amplified speakers,
you can connect the supplied antenna for better re-
ception of FM stations. When you connect head-
phones or amplified speakers, the headphones’ or
speakers’ cord acts as the FM antenna, so be sure to
fully extend the cord.
To connect the supplied antenna, insert its plug into
/ANT.
14-1224.fm Page 13 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

14
USING THE BELT CLIP
The belt clip lets you keep your hands free while you
listen to the SCP-83. To attach the belt clip, slide it
into the slots on the back of the SCP-83 and push up
until it latches in place.
To remove the belt clip, push down on the tab and
slide it off in the direction of the arrow.
14-1224.fm Page 14 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

15
RADIO OPERATION
1. Set TAPE . . RADIO to RADIO.
2. Adjust VOLUME to the desired listening level.
14-1224.fm Page 15 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

16
3. Set FM . . . AM to select the desired band.
4. Turn TUNING to select the desired station.
Notes:
• The AM antenna is built-in. Rotate the cas-
sette player to improve AM reception. For the
best FM reception, fully extend the supplied
FM antenna wire or extend the headphones’
cord when you use headphones.
Position Band
Left FM STEREO
Center FM MONO
Right AM
14-1224.fm Page 16 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

17
• The FM STEREO indicator lights when the
SCP-83 receives an FM broadcast in stereo.
• To improve reception of weak FM radio sta-
tions, set FM . . . AM to the center position to
select the FM monaural band. The sound is
no longer in stereo, but reception should
improve.
5. Set
E . BASS to sON for an enhanced bass effect.
Set it to tOFF for normal bass sound.
6. Set TAPE . . RADIO to TAPE to turn off the radio.
14-1224.fm Page 17 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

18
CASSETTE OPERATION
PLAYING A CASSETTE TAPE
1. Take up any slack in the tape by turning the cas-
sette’s hub with a pencil. Do not touch the
exposed tape.
2. Pull open the cassette compartment door.
14-1224.fm Page 18 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

19
3. With its open edge facing up, insert the cassette
tape into the cassette guides.
4. Close the door.
5. Set TAPE . . RADIO to TAPE.
14-1224.fm Page 19 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM

20
6. Press PLAY until it clicks. The entire cassette
tape repeatedly plays.
Note: The tape automatically plays the other
side when the current side ends. To manually
change the tape side, set DIRECTION to its other
position.
14-1224.fm Page 20 Thursday, July 1, 1999 5:18 PM