Radio Shack Portable Cassette Recorder User manual

1
CONTENTS
Features ..................................................................... 2
A Quick Look at your Tape Recorder ...................... 3
Preparation ................................................................ 4
Before you Begin ................................................. 4
Powering the Recorder ........................................ 4
Installing Batteries ........................................ 4
Using Optional Adapters .............................. 6
Connecting an Earphone ..................................... 7
Listening Safely ............................................ 7
Traffic Safety ................................................ 8
Playing a Cassette Tape ........................................... 9
Using the Tape Counter ..................................... 10
Recording ................................................................ 11
Using the Built-In Microphone ........................... 11
VOX Recording .................................................. 11
Manual Recording ............................................. 13
Using The Cue Marker ...................................... 14
Using an External Microphone .......................... 14
Recording from External Sources ...................... 14
Tape Tips ................................................................. 15
Erasing a Recording .......................................... 15
Preventing Accidental Erasure ................... 15
Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality ...... 16
Care .......................................................................... 17
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts ..................... 17
Specifications ......................................................... 19

Owner’s Manual Please read before using this equipment.
Mono Cassette Tape
Recorder
with Pop-Up Microphone

2Features

Features
Your RadioShack Cassette Tape Recorder uses the latest in re-
cording technology to make recording easy and convenient. For
hands-free operation, once set to Voice-Activated (VOX) mode,
recording begins when the recorder detects sound and ends
when the sound stops. The recorder’s pop-up microphone is
sensitive enough for the boardroom, a seminar, or a lecture hall.
It’s also small enough to fit in your briefcase or purse, so it can
go wherever you go.
Tape Speed Selector — lets you select normal, slow, or fast
playback speeds.
Tape Counter — helps you quickly find a specific section on
the cassette.
Mic Sensitivity Switch — lets you select low, medium, or high
microphone sensitivity for recording.
Automatic Shut-Off — automatically shuts off the recorder at
the end of the tape, while playing or recording.
Record/Battery Indicator — flashes when you are recording or
lights when the recorder is in use to indicate the battery’s power
level.
Built-In Speaker — lets you listen to your recordings.
Three Power Sources — let you power your recorder from in-
ternal batteries, or from a vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket or
standard AC power (using an appropriate optional adapter,
available at your local RadioShack store).
©2001 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by RadioShack Corporation.

3
A Quick Look at your Tape Recorder

A Quick Look at your Tape
Recorder
Tape Counter
Pop-Up Microphone
MIC POP-UP
REC/BATT
Indicator
EAR Jack
MIC Jack
REM Jack
VOLUME/VOX SENS
MIN/MAX
STOP
REWIND/
REV
CUE
MARKER
PAUSE
OFF/ON
RECORD
FAST-F/
CUE
PLAY
DC 3V
Jack
VOX
OFF/ON
TONE
LOW/HIGH
MIC SENSITIVITY
LOW/MEDIUM/
HIGH
TAPE SPEED
SLOW/NORMAL/FAST
Battery
Compartment

4Preparation

Preparation
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
To protect the record/playback head during shipment, a protec-
tive sleeve is positioned around the head. Gently pull open the
cassette compartment door and remove the sleeve before you
use the cassette recorder.
POWERING THE RECORDER
You can operate your recorder from any of these power sourc-
es:
• two AA batteries (not supplied)
• standard household AC power (using an optional AC
adapter)
• a 12-volt vehicle battery (using an optional DC adapter)
Note: Using an adapter automatically disconnects the internal
batteries.
Installing Batteries
You can power the recorder with two AA batteries (not sup-
plied). For the longest life, we recommend RadioShack alkaline
batteries.

5
Preparation
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recom-
mended type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries or different types of bat-
teries.
1. Press down on the battery compartment cover and slide it
off in the direction of the arrow marked on the cover.
2. Place the batteries into the compartment as indicated by
the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked beside it.
3. Replace the cover.
If the REC/BATT indicator does not light (or is dimly lit) when
you press PLAY, FAST-F/CUE, or REWIND/REV, replace the bat-
teries.
Cautions:
• Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries can leak
chemicals that can destroy electronic parts.
• Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not burn
or bury them.
• If you do not plan to use the recorder with batteries for a
week or more, remove the batteries. Batteries can leak
chemicals that can destroy electronic parts.

6Preparation
Using Optional Adapters
You can power the recorder using an AC or DC adapter that
supplies 3V and delivers at least 300 mA, and a size A Adapta-
plug™ (neither supplied). Both are available at your local
RadioShack store.
Cautions:
• You must use a power source (Class 2 for AC) that sup-
plies 3V DC and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip
must be set to positive, and its plug must fit the recorder’s
DC 3V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these
specifications could damage the recorder or the adapter.
• Be sure you connect the adapter to the recorder before you
plug it into the AC outlet or cigarette-lighter socket, and
unplug the adapter from the AC outlet or cigarette-lighter
socket before you unplug it from the recorder.
1. If necessary, set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V.
2. Insert the Adaptaplug into the adapter’s cord, with the tip
set to positive.
3. Insert the barrel plug into the recorder’s DC 3V jack.
4. Plug the other end of the adapter into the power source.
Note: If the recorder does not operate properly when connected
to a cigarette-lighter socket, unplug the adapter and clean any
ashes and other debris from the socket.

7
Preparation
CONNECTING AN EARPHONE
You can use an optional earphone with a 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) mini
plug to listen privately to recorded sound or to monitor record-
ing. You can also connect an external or pillow-type speaker
(not supplied) to this jack. Your local RadioShack store sells a
wide variety of speakers.
Insert the earphone’s or speaker’s 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) plug into
the EAR jack. This automatically disconnects the internal speak-
er.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use
the earphone.
• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended
high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Set the volume to its lowest level before you begin listen-
ing. After you put in the earphone, adjust the volume to a
comfortable listening level.
• Do not increase the volume once you have established 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.

8Preparation
Traffic Safety
Do not wear the earphone while operating a motor vehicle or
riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic hazard and could be il-
legal in some areas.
Even though some earphones let you hear some outside
sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can
present a traffic hazard.

9
Playing a Cassette Tape

Playin
g
a Cassette Tape
1. Gently pull open the cassette compartment door.
2. Use your finger or a pencil to turn the cassette’s hub and
take up any slack in the tape. Do not touch the tape.
3. Load a cassette into the door’s guides so the cassette’s
open edge is out and the side you want to play faces the
compartment’s window, then close the door.
4. Set TAPE SPEED to SLOW, NORMAL, or FAST depending on
your listening preference.
Note: This switch’s setting has no effect when recording
(see “Recording” on Page 11).
5. Rotate VOLUME/VOX SENS counterclockwise to its lowest
setting.
6. Press PLAY. The tape begins to play.
7. Adjust VOLUME/VOX SENS to a comfortable listening level.
8. Set VOX/TONE to HIGH to emphasize treble sounds, or to
LOW to reduce them.
9. The recorder automatically stops at the end of the tape.
Press STOP to stop the tape sooner.

10 Playing a Cassette Tape
Notes:
• To pause play, slide PAUSE to ON. Slide PAUSE to OFF to
resume playing.
• To rapidly advance or rewind the tape, press FAST-F/CUE or
REWIND/REV. The button locks down and the tape contin-
ues moving until you press STOP. The TAPE SPEED setting
does affect the fast-forward or rewind speed.
• The recorder does not automatically stop when it reaches
the end of the tape during fast-forward or rewind. To pre-
vent damage to the tape after it has fully wound to either
end, press STOP to release fast-forward or rewind.
• If you press FAST-F/CUE or REWIND/REV while the tape
plays, you hear the tape playing at high speed. This can
help you locate a specific portion of the tape.
USING THE TAPE COUNTER
You can use the tape counter to give you an indication of the
tape’s position. Before playing a tape, press the tape counter
reset button to set the counter to 000.
When the recorder plays, the numbers advance to show the
amount of tape that has moved past the tape heads since the
tape began moving. When the tape rewinds, the numbers de-
crease.

11
Recording

Recordin
g
For the best performance, use only regular length (60- or 90-
minute), normal bias cassette tapes. We do not recommend
long-playing cassette tapes, such as C-120s, because they are
extremely thin and can tangle easily.
USING THE BUILT-IN MICROPHONE
You can pop up the built-in microphone to direct it to the sound
source, or you can connect an external microphone (see “Using
an External Microphone” on Page 14).
1. Slide MIC POP-UP in the direction of the arrow.
2. Slide MIC SENSITIVITY to LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH, depending
on the sound source you want to record.
For normal recording conditions, set the switch to MEDIUM.
If the sound source is weak, slide it to HIGH. For a strong
sound source, slide it to LOW.
3. To return the microphone to its original position, gently
press it down until it locks into place.
VOX RECORDING
When you select VOX recording, the recorder automatically be-
gins recording when it receives a sound signal, and automati-
cally stops when the sound stops.

12 Recording
For the best recording quality, place the recorder about 1 foot
from the sound source. Because the microphone is so sensi-
tive, it will also pick up a voice or group of voices (such as an
audience) from several feet away.
1. Gently pull open the cassette compartment door.
2. Use your finger or a pencil to turn the cassette’s hub and
take up any tape slack, and advance the cassette past the
leader at the beginning of the tape.
3. Load a cassette into the door’s guides with the cassette’s
open end out and the side you want to record on facing the
compartment’s window. Then close the door.
4. Set VOX/TONE to ON.
5. Set VOLUME/VOX SENS to the desired setting (0–10) to con-
trol how loud a sound is required to trigger the activation
sensor.
At 10, a soft sound activates the recorder. At settings closer
to 0, it takes a louder sound to start recording. Experiment
to find the best setting for VOLUME/VOX SENS in your
recording environment.
Note: Use an earphone when you want to monitor a
recording in progress (see “Connecting an Earphone” on
Page 7).
6. Press RECORD. RECORD and PLAY lock down. Recording
starts when the microphone receives a loud enough signal
(voice or other sound). It pauses when the signal stops.

13
Recording
The ALC (automatic level control) circuit automatically sets
the recording level and the REC/BATT indicator flashes to
show that recording is in progress.
Note: If the audio input is too strong, the REC/BATT indica-
tor lights steadily.
7. To pause recording while the sound continues, slide PAUSE
to ON. Slide PAUSE to OFF to resume recording.
Caution: Never try to force down RECORD if you have
removed the cassette’s erase protection tab (see “Prevent-
ing Accidental Erasure” on Page 15). This can damage the
record/play mechanism.
8. Recording stops when the sound stops. Press STOP to stop
recording sooner.
MANUAL RECORDING
Manual recording is like VOX recording, except you control
when recording begins and ends.
1. Set VOX/TONE to OFF.
2. Press RECORD to begin recording.
3. Press STOP to stop recording, or slide PAUSE to ON to
pause recording.

14 Recording
USING THE CUE MARKER
To mark the beginning of a section of a recording, press CUE
MARKER for about 3 seconds during the recording. This records
a brief tone on the tape. When you press FAST-F/CUE or RE-
WIND/REV while the tape plays, you hear the tone when the
tape reaches the point you marked.
USING AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE
The recorder’s built-in microphone works well in most situa-
tions, but you can connect an external microphone (not sup-
plied, available at your local RadioShack store) with a 1/8-inch
(3.5-mm) plug to the recorder’s MIC jack. This automatically dis-
connects the built-in microphone.
Set VOX/TONE to ON for VOX recording, or to OFF for manual
recording.
If the microphone has an ON/OFF switch for remote control,
connect the microphone to the REM and MIC jacks. Then you
can start and stop recording with the switch on the microphone.
RECORDING FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES
You can record directly from a tuner, a radio, or a TV that has a
1/8-inch (3.5-mm) jack. Use a dubbing patch cord (not supplied,
available at your local RadioShack store) to connect the record-
er’s MIC jack to the headphone output jack of an external com-
ponent. Set VOX/TONE to OFF, then proceed with manual
recording.

15
Tape Tips

Tape Tips
ERASING A RECORDING
To record over a cassette tape, simply record as usual. The
cassette deck records over the previous recording.
Or, you can quickly erase both sides of a cassette tape using a
bulk tape eraser, available at your local RadioShack store.
Preventing Accidental Erasure
Cassettes have two erase-protection tabs — one for each side.
When a tab is in place, you can record on that side.
To prevent accidental erasure of a tape recording, use a screw-
driver to remove one or both of the cassette tape’s erase-pro-
tection tabs. This prevents RECORD from being pressed.
If you later decide to record on a tape side after you have re-
moved its erase-protection tab, place a piece of strong plastic
tape over that side’s erase-protection hole. Be sure you cover
only the hole originally covered by the erase-protection tab.
Caution: Removing the erase-protection tabs does not prevent
a bulk tape eraser from erasing a cassette tape.

16 Tape Tips
RESTORING TAPE TENSION AND SOUND
QUALITY
After you play a cassette tape several times, the tape might be-
come tightly wound on the reels. This can cause playback
sound quality to deteriorate.
To restore the sound quality, fast-forward the tape from the be-
ginning to the end of one side, then completely rewind it. Then
loosen the tape reels by gently tapping each side of the cas-
sette’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.

17
Care

Care
Keep the recorder dry; if it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately.
Use and store the recorder only in normal temperature environ-
ments. Handle the recorder carefully; do not drop it. Keep the
recorder away from dust and dirt, and wipe it with a damp cloth
occasionally to keep it looking new.
Modifying or tampering with the recorder’s internal components
can cause a malfunction and might invalidate its warranty. If
your recorder is not performing as it should, take it to your local
RadioShack store for assistance.
CLEANING THE TAPE-HANDLING PARTS
Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape’s coating can accumulate on
the tape heads and other parts the tape touches. This can
greatly reduce the performance of the cassette recorder. After
every 20 hours of tape recorder operation, use a cassette deck
cleaning kit (not supplied, available at your local RadioShack
store) or follow these steps to clean the tape-handling parts.
1. Remove the batteries and disconnect any other power
source (such as an adapter).
2. Lift open the cassette compartment door.

18 Care
3. Press the L-shaped protection tab sensor bracket, then
press RECORD. The tape head assembly (record/playback
heads) moves out.
4. Use a cotton swab dipped in tape head cleaner or dena-
tured alcohol to clean the record/playback head, erase
head, pinch roller, tape guides, and capstan.
5. Press STOP to move the tape head assembly back. Then
close the door.
6. Reconnect the power source.
Cautions:
• Never touch the front surface of the record/playback heads
with any metallic object.
• Do not use a tape demagnetizer on this product because
such demagnetizers can impair operation of the permanent
magnet erasing device.
VOX
Protection
TabSensor
Bracket
Erase Head
Tape
Guides
Capstan
Pinch
Roller
Record/
Playback
Head

19
Specifications

Specifications
Tape System .......................................... 2-track, Monophonic Cassette
Tape Speed ....................................................... 17/8ips. (4.75 cm/sec.)
Wow and Flutter ............................................................. 0.2% (WRMS)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Rec/Play) .................................................. 38 dB
Erase System ............................................................................ Magnet
Record System ......................................................................... AC Bias
Tape Type Recommended ....................................... Normal Bias Type I
Power Requirements:
DC .......................................................... Two AA batteries (3 volts DC)
or vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket
with Optional DC Adapter
AC .................................................. 120 volts with Optional AC Adapter
Size (HWD) ................................................. 413/32 ×311/32 ×11/2Inches
(112 ×85 ×38 mm)
Weight (without batteries) ................................................ 5.6 oz (158 g)
Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications are
subject to change and improvement without notice.