Radio Shack 43-3808A User manual

© 2002 RadioShack Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used
by RadioShack Corporation.
43-3808A OWNER’S MANUAL — Please read before using this equipment.
4'#&"6*+5"$'(14'"
+056#..#6+10
Your Digital Answering System is ETL
listed to UL standards and meets all
applicable FCC requirements.
(%%"56#6'/'06
Your answering system complies with
Part 68 of
FCC Rules
. You must, upon
request, provide the FCC registration
number and the REN to your telephone
company. Both numbers are on the
bottom of your system.
#"+/2146#06"#
If an icon appears at the
end of a paragraph, go
to the side head box on
that page with the
corresponding icon for
pertinent information.
Rý— Signifies a
Warning
.
..
.— Signifies a
Caution
#— Signifies Important
text
%106'065
The FCC Wants You
to Know .................... 3
Features ................... 4
Preparation ............... 6
Operation ................ 11
Remote Operation .. 17
Care ....................... 19
Service and Repair . 19
The lightning symbol is intended to alert you
to the presence of uninsulated dangerous
voltage within this product’s enclosure that
might be of sufficient magnitude to consti-
tute a risk of electric shock. Do not open the
product’s case.
The exclamation symbol is intended to in-
form you that important operating and
maintenance instructions are included in
the literature accompanying this product.
!
WARNING: To reduce the risk the of fire or
shockhazard,donotexposethis product to rain or
moisture. ..CAUTION..
!
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELEC-
TRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR
BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
&KIKVCN"#PUYGTKPI"5[UVGO

2
We have designed your answering
system to conform to federal
regulations, and you can connect it to
most telephone lines. However, each
answering system (and each device,
such as a telephone or answering
machine) that you connect to the
telephone line draws power from the
telephone line. We refer to this power
draw as the device's ringer equivalence
number, or REN on the bottom of your
answering system.
If you use more than one phone or other
device on the line, add up all of the
RENs. If the total is more than five
(three in rural areas), your telephones
might not ring. If ringer operation is
impaired, remove a device from the line.
In the unlikely event that your phone
causes problems on the phone line, the
phone company can temporarily
discontinue your service. If this
happens, the phone company attempts
to notify you in advance. If advance
notice is not practical, the phone
company notifies you as soon as
possible and advises you of your right
to file a complaint with the FCC.
Also, the phone company can make
changes to its lines, equipment,
operations, or procedures that could
±"016'"±"
You must not connect
your answering system
to:• coin-operated
systems
• party-line systems
• mostelectronickey
telephone systems
FCC Statement

The FCC Wants You to Know
3
affect the operation of this telephone.
The telephone company notifies you of
these changes in advance, so you can
take the necessary steps to prevent
interruption of your telephone service.
6*'"(%%"9#065";17"
61"-019
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
radiate 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
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:

4
Features
• Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna.
• Increase the separation between
the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an
outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult your local RadioShack
store or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
• If you cannot eliminate the
interference, the FCC requires that
you stop using your answering
system.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by RadioShack may cause
interference and void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
You must use shielded interface cables
with this equipment.
('#674'5
Your RadioShack Digital Answering
System is a sophisticated, fully digital
message center that stores all
messages on a computer chip. This
gives you advanced capabilities over
tape-based answering machines.
Because this telephone answering

Features
5
system is fully digital, there are no tape
mechanisms to wear out and no tapes
to bother with.
Day/Time Stamp — records the day
and time each message was recorded.
Call Screening — lets you listen to
incoming calls so you can decide
whether or not to answer a call.
Remote Operation — lets you operate
the system while you are away from
your home or office.
Multiple Outgoing Messages (OGM)
— lets you set the system to play your
message or the prerecorded message,
or just play your announcement without
recording the caller’s message.
High Memory Capacity — lets you
record up to 25 minutes of messages,
memos, and two-way phone
conversations.
Voice Activated Recording (VOX)
Detection — the system stops
recording when the caller hangs up or
after 7 seconds of silence to help
conserve memory space.

Preparation
6
24'2#4#6+10
+056#..+0)"6*'"$#%-72"
$#66'4;
If AC power fails or you unplug the
system, one 9V alkaline battery (not
supplied) is needed to save any re-
corded messages and the settings for
the day and time. For the best
performance and longest life, we
recommend you use a RadioShack
alkaline battery.
1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to re-
move the screw on the battery
compartment cover, then remove
the cover.
2. Attach a 9V alkaline battery to the
terminals and place the battery in
the compartment.
3. Replace the cover and secure it
with the screw.
Replace the battery when Be
BeBe
Be appears
on the display while the system is
connected to AC power.
%100'%6+0)"#%"219'4
Insert the supplied AC adapter’s barrel
plug into the DC 9V jack on the back of
the system, then plug the adapter into a
±"016'5"±"
• The system cannot
operate without AC
power.
• Do not press any
button while you
are plugging the
adapterintotheAC
outlet. If you
accidentally press
a button, reset the
system by
unplugging the
adapter from the
AC outlet and re-
inserting it.

Preparation
7
standard AC outlet. The display lights
and 9h
9h9h
9h appears.
The system initializes in about 20
seconds, then sounds 4 tones. &&
&&&&
&& and
##
####
## alternately appear. If you did not
install a backup battery, Be
BeBe
Be, &&
&&&&
&&, and ##
####
##
alternately appear.
%100'%6+0)"6*'"5;56'/"
61"#"2*10'".+0'
Plug the system’s attached phone line
cord into the wall jack. Plug the
modular phone line cord into the
system’s TEL LINE jack.
You must use compatible modular
jacks that are compliant with Part 68 of
FCC Rules.
±"016'"±"
The USOC number of
the jack to be installed is
RJ11C (or RJ11W for a
wall plate jack).
Attached Phone Line Cord
Wall
Jack
DC 9V Jack
Modular Phone
Line Cord
AC
Power Cord
TEL LINE Jack

Preparation
8
6740+0)"6*'"5;56'/"101
1((
To turn on the system, press ON/OFF/
STOP. The display lights and the
system sounds a tone. The system is
set to answer calls.
To turn it off, press ON/OFF/STOP. The
display turns off and the system sounds
2 tones.
#&,756+0)"6*'"81.7/'
Push down or pull up VOLUME 8
88
8/ 9
99
9
to increase or decrease the volume.
The system sounds a tone when you
change the volume.
5'66+0)"6*'"&#;"#0&"6+/'
The day/time voice stamp automatically
defaults to Monday, 12:00 AM when
you connect the system to power.
1. Turn on the system. Hold down
SKIP/TIME SET/CHECK. The
system sounds a tone after 1
second.
2. While holding down SKIP/TIME
SET/CHECK, press REPEAT/ANNC/
DAY. The system announces
“Monday” and &'ý
&'ý&'ý
&'ýappears on the
display. Repeatedly press REPEAT/
ANNC/DAY until you hear or see the
correct day.
±"016'"±"
Hold down SKIP/
TIME SET/CHECK
continuously for Steps
1–4.

Preparation
9
3. While holding down SKIP/TIME
SET/CHECK, press MEMO/2 WAY/
HOUR. The system announces “1
AM”. &'
&'&'
&' appears on the display.
Repeatedly press MEMO/2 WAY/
HOUR until you hear or see the
correct hour.
4. While holding down SKIP/TIME
SET/CHECK, press PLAY/PAUSE/
MIN. The system announces “01”.
&'
&'&'
&' appears on the display.
Repeatedly press or hold down
PLAY/PAUSE/MIN until you hear or
see the correct minute.
5. Release SKIP/TIME SET/CHECK.
The system announces the day
and time you set.
6. To hear the current day and time,
press SKIP/TIME SET/CHECK while
the system is on or off.
5'66+0)"6*'"07/$'4"1("
4+0)5
To control the duration before the
system answers a call, slide RING
SELECT on the system’s right side to
the desired number of rings (2, 4, 7or
TS).
TS (Toll Saver) – If you choose the Toll
Saver option, and there are new
±"016'5"±"
• When you hold
down PLAY/
PAUSE/MIN, the
system will move
forward by 10
minutes until it
reaches 00.
• If you have not set
the day and time
and you press
SKIP/TIME SET/
CHECK, the
system announces
“Please set time”.

Preparation
10
messages, the system answers after
two rings. Otherwise, the system
answers after four rings. This lets you
avoid unnecessary charges when
calling by long distance to check your
messages. If you hear more than two
rings, you know you can hang up
because the system has no new
messages.
5'66+0)"6*'"+0%1/+0)"
/'55#)'".'0)6*
Slide INCOMING MSG to 1or 5 MIN
(minutes) to choose the length of
incoming messages.
If you slide INCOMING MSG to ANN
ONLY (Announcement Only), the
system plays your outgoing message,
but the caller cannot record a message.
After the system answers, it monitors
the line for 10 seconds for any remote
code entry.
4'%14&+0)"6*'"176)1+0)"
/'55#)'
The system has a prerecorded
outgoing message (OGM) that says
“Hello, please leave a message after
the tone.” You can use this message or
record your own.

Operation
11
1. Hold down REPEAT/ANNC/DAY. 7'
7'7'
7'
flashes on the display, and the
system sounds a tone.
2. Speak your message clearly into
the microphone from about 10
inches away from the system.
3. Release REPEAT/ANNC/DAY when
you finish your message. The
system sounds a tone and
automatically plays back your
recorded message. 7'
7'7'
7' appears on
the display during playback.
12'4#6+10
5'66+0)"6*'"5;56'/"61"
#059'4"%#..5
To set the system to answer calls,
press ON/OFF/STOP to turn on the
system. The display lights.
When the system answers a call, it
plays the outgoing message, then
sounds a tone and begins recording.
The caller can leave a 1- to 5-minute
long message, depending on which
option you have chosen for incoming
messages (see “Setting the Incoming
Message Length” on Page 10). After
the caller hangs up or is silent for more
±"016'5"±"
• The maximum
length for an
outgoing message
is about 30
seconds. When it
reaches the
maximum outgoing
message length,
the system sounds
a tone and plays
back the message.
• If you record your
own message and
subsequently
decide to use the
prerecorded
message, press
REPEAT/ANNC/
DAY to play the
message you
recorded. While it
is playing, press
DELETE to erase
your message.
• To hear the
outgoing message
at any time, press
REPEAT/ANNC/
DAY. To stop the
outgoing message
before it ends,
press ON/OFF/
STOP.

12
Operation
than 7 seconds, or the maximum
message length is reached, the system
hangs up and resets to answer the next
call. The number flashes to indicate a
new incoming message has been
recorded.
When the system is answering a call or
recording a message, if any phone on
the same line is picked up or the
system detects a Calling Party Control
(CPC) signal, it stops playing the
outgoing message or recording an
incoming message and resets to
answer another call.
Many local phone companies use
Calling Party Control (CPC) to signal
that the caller has hung up. Your
system can recognize a CPC signal
and release the line. If the system
records phone company messages or
dial tones, your local phone company
probably does not use CPC.
If <B
<B<B
<B flashes on the display, the
system’s memory is full. It answers
calls after 10 rings. The caller hears
“No one is available to take your call”
when the system answers, and the
caller cannot leave a message. The
system then hangs up. The system
cannot record additional messages
until you delete some of the old

Operation
13
messages (see “Deleting Messages”
on Page 17).
If memory is full, the system announces
“Memory is full” when you record an
outgoing message or memo.
75+0)"#00170%'/10.;"
Your system’s announce-only feature
lets you set the system to play a
message for the caller, then
automatically hang up without letting
the caller leave a message.
To select the announce-only mode, see
“Setting the Incoming Message Length”
on Page 10.
The system has a prerecorded
announce-only OGM that says “No one
is available to take your call”. You can
use this message or record your own.
To record a message, slide INCOMING
MSG to ANN ONLY, then hold down
REPEAT/ANNC/DAY. 7(
7(7(
7( flashes on the
display, and the system sounds a tone.
Speak your message clearly into the
microphone from about 10 inches away
from the system. Release REPEAT/
ANNC/DAY when you finish your
message. The system sounds a tone
and plays back the message. 7(
7(7(
7( and
the message indicator appear
alternately.
±"016'5"±"
• The maximum
length for an
announce-only
OGM is about 30
seconds. When it
reaches the
maximum outgoing
message length,
the system sounds
a tone and plays
back the message.
• If you record your
own message and
subsequently
decide to use the
prerecorded
message, press
REPEAT/ANNC/
DAY to play the
message you
recorded. While it
is playing, press
DELETE to erase
your message.
• To hear the
outgoing message
at any time, press
REPEAT/ANNC/
DAY. To stop the
outgoing message
before it ends,
press ON/OFF/
STOP.

14
Operation
When the system is set for announce-
only, you cannot set it to record
incoming messages using the remote
commands.
To turn off the announce-only feature
so callers can leave messages, slide
INCOMING MSG to either 1or 5 MIN.
5%4''0+0)"%#..5
To screen calls, let the system answer,
then listen to the caller’s message
through the system’s speaker. To
answer the call, pick up any phone
connected to the same phone line as
the system. The system stops
recording and resets to answer the next
call.
4'%14&+0)"#"/'/1
A memo is a message up to 1 minute
long that you record by speaking
directly into the system, without calling
in on the phone.
1. Hold down MEMO/2 WAY/HOUR. h'
h'h'
h'
flashes on the display, and the
system sounds a tone.
2. Speak your message clearly into
the microphone from about 10
inches away from the system.
±"016'5"±"
• If you pick up the
phone just as the
system answers,
the system might
not stop playing the
message. If this
happens, press
ON/OFF/STOP on
the system or the
hookswitchonyour
phone to stop
playing the
message.
•
If the volume is set
to the minimum
level
, during
incoming calls the
speaker will turn off
and you will not
hear incoming
messages.
However, the
system will operate
at the lowest
volume whenever
another key
(REPEAT/ANNC/
DAY, MEMO/2
WAY/HOUR,
PLAY/PAUSE/MIN,
SKIP/TIME SET/
CHECK) is
pressed.

Operation
15
3. When you finish speaking, release
MEMO/2 WAY/HOUR. The system
sounds a tone. The number
flashes on the display until you
play the memo.
4'%14&+0)"#"691/9#;"
2*10'"%108'45#6+10
You can record both sides of a
conversation on any phone connected
to the same phone line as the system.
At any time during the conversation,
press MEMO/2 WAY/HOUR. h(
h(h(
h( flashes on
the display and the system sounds a
tone. The system starts recording.
Press MEMO 2 WAY/HOUR again to stop
recording the conversation. The system
sounds a tone and the number flashes
on the display.
2.#;+0)"+0%1/+0)"
/'55#)'51/'/151
691/9#;"2*10'"
%108'45#6+105
The message indicator flashes after the
system records one or more new
incoming messages, recorded memos,
or two-way phone conversations. #
±"016'"±"
If the volume is set
higher than the
minimum level
, during
incoming calls it will
announce the
messages at the
selected volume level
and you can hear
incoming messages.
Also, it will operate at
the selected volume
level as usual whenever
another key (REPEAT/
ANNC/DAY, MEMO/2
WAY/HOUR, PLAY/
PAUSE/MIN, SKIP/
TIME SET/CHECK) is
pressed.
#"+/2146#06"#
Every state has different
regulations governing
the recording of
conversations over the
telephone. Be sure to
check your local, state,
and federal laws before
using this product to
record any telephone
conversation in order to
determine that your use
is in compliance with
such laws or guidelines.

16
Operation
To listen to messages
, press PLAY/
PAUSE/MIN. The system plays each
new message and the sequence
number appears. The system
announces the day and time the
message was recorded. After you play
all the new messages, the display
shows the total number of recorded
messages, and the system
automatically saves the messages and
resets to answer calls.
To pause while listening to message
,
press PLAY/PAUSE/MIN. F
FF
Fappears on
the display. The playback resumes
when you press PLAY/PAUSE/MIN
again, or the system returns to answer-
ready mode after 7 seconds if you do
not press PLAY/PAUSE/MIN again.
To replay the messages
, press PLAY/
PAUSE/MIN.
During message playback, you can
repeat the current message by
pressing REPEAT/ANNC/DAY, repeat a
previous message by holding down
REPEAT/ANNC/DAY for over 1 second,
or skip forward to the next message by
pressing SKIP/TIME SET/CHECK.
To stop message playback at any time
,
press ON/OFF/STOP.
±"016'5"±"
• If there are no
messages, the
system sounds two
tones.
• Each message will
be treated as a new
message until you
play back the entire
message.

Remote Operation
17
&'.'6+0)"/'55#)'5
You can delete messages individually
during playback, or all at once after
playback.
To delete a particular incoming
message, memo, or two-way phone
conversation (after listening to it), press
DELETE during playback.
To delete all messages after playback,
hold down DELETE for about 3
seconds. The system sounds a tone.
4'/16'"12'4#6+10
While you are away from your home or
office, you can use a touch-tone phone
or a pulse (rotary) phone with a pocket
tone dialer to enter your remote
operation security code and do any of
the following:
• Set the system to answer calls.
• Listen to your messages.
• Record a new outgoing message.
• Delete individual messages.
5'%74+6;"%1&'
To use your system from a remote
telephone, you must first enter a 3-digit
remote operation security code. The
security code label is located on the

18
Remote Operation
bottom of the system. Enter the security
code after the system answers and
sounds two tones. Within 7 seconds,
enter one of the remote commands.
12'4#6+0)"6*'"5;56'/"
(41/"#"4'/16'".1%#6+10
Dial your phone number. Even if the
system is off, it will turn on and answer
after about 10 rings. After the system
sounds a tone, enter your remote
operation security code. Enter a remote
command (see “Remote Commands”
on Page 18). When you finish, press 5#
to end remote access.
4'/16'"%1//#0&5
Press To
1# Play new messages.
2# Play all messages.
3# Delete the current message.
4# Repeat a previous message.
5# Stop and exit.
6# Skip a message.
7# Turn on/off the system.
8# Record an outgoing message.
9# Record a memo.
0# Monitor the room.
±"016'"±"
When listening to
messages in remote
mode, there is a
pause during
playback every 2
minutes and 40
seconds. Press 0–9,
#, or ∗
∗∗
∗to continue
playing the message.

Care
19
%#4'
If the system gets wet, wipe it dry
immediately. Use and store the system
only in normal temperature
environments. Do not drop it. Keep the
system away from dust and dirt, and
wipe it with a damp cloth occasionally
to keep it looking new.
5'48+%'"#0&"4'2#+4
If your system is not performing as it
should, take it to your local RadioShack
store for assistance. Modifying or
tampering with the system’s internal
components can cause a malfunction
and might invalidate its warranty.
.+)*60+0)
Your answering system has built-in
protection circuits to reduce the risk of
damage from surges in telephone line
and power line current. These
protection circuits meet or exceed the
FCC requirements. However, lightning
striking the telephone or power lines
can damage your answering system.
While lightning damage is not common,
if you live in an area that has severe
electrical storms, we suggest that you
unplug your answering system when
storms approach to reduce the
possibility of damage.

RadioShack Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
43-3808
LIB850Y1
01A02
Printed in China
A
Limited One-Year Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing de-
fects in material and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year
from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores
and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS
PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WAR-
RANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF
THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EX-
CEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIA-
BILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER
PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS
OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY
BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS
OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY IN-
DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM-
AGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty
lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to
you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the
product and the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date
to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless oth-
erwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by product repair with-
out charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the
same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced
parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, be-
come the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and
products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Re-
paired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remain-
der of the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or
replacement of the product made after the expiration of the warranty
period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or at-
tributable to acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or ab-
normal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation or
maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess volt-
age or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a
RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as
fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping
or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-
up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
12/99