Optimus SCP-97 User manual

Cat. No. 14-1244
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before usin
g
this equipment.
SCP-97
Auto Reverse AM/FM Stereo
Cassette Player
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FEATURES
Your Optimus SCP-97 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 mono speaker or you can connect stereo
headphones (not supplied) for private stereo listen-
ing.
Its features include:
Extended Bass — lets you increase your music’s
bass sound.
Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) — keeps the
radio’s receiver tuned to the selected broadcast fre-
quency.
Auto-Reverse Play — automatically plays the other
side of the tape when the side currently playing ends,
for continuous playback.
©1998 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Optimus and RadioShack are registered trademarks used by
Tandy Corporation.
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Direction Switch — lets you change the tape’s di-
rection to play the other side without removing the
tape from the cassette player.
Three Power Sources — let you power the SCP-97
from two AA batteries (not supplied), standard AC
power (using an optional AC adapter), or a vehicle’s
DC power (using an optional DC adapter).
Removable Belt Clip — allows hands-free carrying
so you can take the SCP-97 anywhere you go.
Note: To listen to your SCP-97 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.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ........................................................... 5
Power Sources .................................................. 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 ............................................ 19
Playing a Cassette Tape .................................. 19
Using Fast-Forward and Rewind ..................... 22
Tape Tips ......................................................... 23
Tape Quality .................................................. 23
Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality . 23
Maintenance ....................................................... 25
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts ................... 26
FCC Information .............................................. 28
Specifications .................................................... 29
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PREPARATION
POWER SOURCES
You can power your SCP-97 from any of these power
sources:
• Internal battery power
• Standard AC power
• Vehicle battery power
Note: Connecting an adapter automatically discon-
nects internal battery power.
USING INTERNAL BATTERY
POWER
You can power the SCP-97 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.
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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 recommended type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries or different
types of batteries.
3. Replace the cover.
When the sound distorts or weakens, replace the bat-
teries.
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Cautions:
• Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly.
Do not burn or bury them.
• If you do not plan to use the SCP-97 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 can corrode or dam-
age electronic circuits.
USING AC POWER
You can power the SCP-97 with an optional AC
adapter, such as 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-97’s DC3V jack. Using an adapter that does
not meet these specifications could damage the
SCP-97 or the adapter.
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• Be sure to connect the adapter to the SCP-97
before you connect it to the AC outlet, and dis-
connect the adapter from the AC outlet before
you disconnect it from the SCP-97.
Follow these steps to power the SCP-97 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-97’s
DC3V jack.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
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USING VEHICLE BATTERY
POWER
You can power the SCP-97 from a vehicle’s battery
using an optional DC adapter, such as 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-97’s DC3V jack. Using an adapter that does
not meet these specifications could damage the
SCP-97 or the adapter.
• Be sure to connect the adapter to the SCP-97
before you connect it to the cigarette-lighter
socket, and disconnect the adapter from the cig-
arette-lighter socket before you disconnect it
from the SCP-97.
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Follow these steps to power the SCP-97 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-97’s
DC3V jack.
4. Plug the adapter into a vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket.
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CONNECTING HEADPHONES/
SPEAKERS
You can enjoy the SCP-97’s sound through its built-
in monaural speaker. Or, you can connect stereo
headphones or amplified speakers that have a 1/8-
inch stereo plug to the SCP-97 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.
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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 could be illegal in some areas.
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Even though some headphones let you hear some
outside sounds when listening at normal volume lev-
els, they still can present a traffic hazard.
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA
When you connect headphones or amplified speak-
ers, the headphones’ or speakers’ cord acts as the
FM antenna, so be sure to fully extend the cord.
When not using headphones or amplified speakers,
you can connect the supplied antenna for better re-
ception of FM stations.
To connect the supplied antenna, insert its 1/8-inch
plug into /ANT.
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USING THE BELT CLIP
The supplied belt clip lets you keep your hands free
while you listen to the SCP-97. To attach the belt clip,
slide it into the slots on the back of the SCP-97 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 marked on the
tab.
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RADIO OPERATION
1. Set TAPE••RADIO to RADIO.
2. Adjust VOLUME to its lowest level.
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3. Set FM • • • AM to select the desired band.
4. Turn TUNING to select the desired station.
5. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.
Position Band
Left FM STEREO
Center FM MONO
Right AM
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Notes:
• The AM antenna is built-in. Rotate the cas-
sette player to improve AM reception.
• For the best FM reception, fully extend the
FM antenna wire or the headphones’ or
speakers’ cord (whichever is connected).
• The FM STEREO indicator lights when the
SCP-97 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.
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6. Set EXTENDED BASS to ON for an enhanced
bass effect. Set it to OFF for normal bass sound.
7. Set TAPE• •RADIO to TAPE to turn off the radio.
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CASSETTE OPERATION
PLAYING A CASSETTE TAPE
1. Take up any slack in the tape
by turning the cassette’s hub
with a pencil. Do not touch
the exposed tape.
2. Pull open the cassette com-
partment door.
3. With its open edge facing up, insert the cassette
tape into the cassette guides on the door.
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4. Close the door.
5. Set TAPE• •RADIO to TAPE.
6. Press PLAY. The button locks down and play
begins.
Note: The SCP-97 automatically plays the tape’s
other side when the current side ends. To play
the other side sooner, set DIRECTION to its other
position.
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