Radio Shack ET-539 User manual

Cat. No. 43-1039
OWNER’S MANUAL
25-Channel Cordless Telephone
Please read before using this equipment.
ET-539
with Lighted Keypad
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2
FEATURES
© 1996 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
COM-LOK is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
RadioShack is a trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
Your RadioShack ET-539 25-Channel
Cordless Telephone with Lighted Key-
pad includes the latest advances in
cordless phone technology, and in-
cludes these features:
Auto-Scan — automatically selects
the clearest channel when you pick up
the phone.
25-Channel Selector — lets you man-
ually change channels to find the one
with the least interference.
Li
g
hted Ke
y
pad — lights to make the
phone easy to use when you are mak-
ing or answering a call in a dark room.
10-Number Memor
y
— lets you store
10 phone numbers in memory for easy
dialing.
Advanced Super CCT Circuitr
y
—
provides clarity comparable to a cord-
ed phone, reduces background noise,
and increases effective operating dis-
tance.
COM-LOK‚— ensures that other cord-
less phone users cannot use your
phone line while the handset is on the
base.
Automatic Securit
y
Access Protec-
tion Code — changes each time you
disconnect and restore power to the
base to help prevent other cordless
phone users from using your phone
line while the handset is off the base.
Flash — sends an electronic switch-
hook signal for use with special phone
services such as call waiting.
Redial — with the touch of a button,
quickly redials the last number dialed.
Touch Tone or Pulse (Rotar
y
) Dial-
in
g
— lets you connect your phone to
either type of service.
Handset Volume Control — lets you
control the volume of the sound you
hear through the handset.
Hearin
g
-Aid Compatibilit
y
— lets
you use your phone with hearing aids
that have a T (telephone) switch.
Please read this Owner’s Manual care-
fully so you can enjoy all of your tele-
phone’s features.
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3
Important: Cordless phones such as
this one require AC power to operate.
When the AC power is off, you cannot
dial out or receive incoming calls using
your ET-539. For this reason, the ET-
539 cordless phone should not be your
only telephone. To be safe, you should
also have a phone that does not need
AC power to operate (not a cordless
phone)soyoucanstillmakeandreceive
calls if there is an AC power failure.
This telephone has been tested and
found to comply with all applicable UL
and FCC standards.
Your ET-539 operates on standard ra-
dio frequencies, as allocated by the
FCC. Therefore, it is possible for other
radio units operating on similar fre-
quencies, within a certain area, to in-
advertently intercept your conversa-
tions and/or cause interference on
your cordless telephone. This lack of
privacy can occur with any cordless
telephone.
For your records, we urge you to
record the serial number of your phone
in the space below. The serial number
is on the bottom panel of the base.
Serial Number ______________
This symbol is intended to alert you
to the presence of uninsulated dan-
gerous voltage within the product’s
enclosure that might be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock. Do not open the
product’s case.
This symbol is intended to inform
you that important operating and
maintenance instructions are in-
cluded in the literature accompany-
ing this product.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICE-
ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVIC-
ING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose this product
to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
!
!
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4
READ THIS BEFORE
INSTALLATION
We have designed your telephone to
conform to federal regulations, and
you can connect it to most telephone
lines. However, each device that you
connect to the phone line draws power
from the phone line. We refer to this
power draw as the device’s ringer
equivalence number, or REN. The
REN is shown on the bottom of your
phone’s base.
If you are using more than one phone
or other device on the line, add up all
the RENs. If the total is more than five,
your phone might not ring. In rural ar-
eas, a total REN of three might impair
ringer operation. If ringer operation is
impaired, remove a device from the
line.
FCC STATEMENT
This telephone complies with Part 68
of
FCC Rules
. You must, upon re-
quest, provide the FCC registration
number and the REN to your phone
company. These numbers are located
on the bottom of your phone’s base.
Note: You must not connect your
phone to any of the following:
• Coin-operated systems
• Party-line systems
• Most electronic key phone sys-
tems
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CONTENTS
Installation ............................................................................................................ 6
Selecting a Location ........................................................................................ 6
Placing the Base on a Desk Top ............................................................... 6
Mounting the Base on a Wall Plate ........................................................... 7
Mounting the Base Directly on a Wall ....................................................... 8
Preparation ......................................................................................................... 10
Connecting the Battery ................................................................................. 10
Charging the Battery ..................................................................................... 10
Setting the Dialing Mode ............................................................................... 11
Setting the Volume.......................................................................................... 11
Operation ............................................................................................................ 12
Making/Answering a Call .............................................................................. 12
Using the Handset at the Base ............................................................... 12
Using the Handset Away from the Base ................................................. 12
Changing Channels ...................................................................................... 13
Using Redial .................................................................................................. 13
Using Flash ................................................................................................... 13
Using Tone Services on a Pulse Line ........................................................... 14
Using Page ................................................................................................... 14
Memory Dialing ............................................................................................. 14
Storing a Number in Memory .................................................................. 15
Entering a Pause in a Memory Number ................................................. 16
Dialing a Stored Number ........................................................................ 16
Storing/Chain Dialing Service Numbers ................................................. 16
Testing Stored Emergency Numbers ...................................................... 16
Troubleshootin
g
................................................................................................ 17
Care and Maintenance ...................................................................................... 19
Replacing the Battery .................................................................................... 20
The FCC Wants You to Know ....................................................................... 21
Lightning ....................................................................................................... 21
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6
INSTALLATION
SELECTING A LOCATION
Select a location for the telephone that
is:
• Near an AC outlet
• Near a telephone line jack
• Out of the way of normal activities
• Away from electrical machinery,
electrical appliances, and metal
walls or filing cabinets
• Away from wireless intercoms,
alarms, and room monitors
The base’s location affects the phone’s
range. If you have a choice of several
locations, try each to see which pro-
vides the best performance.
Note: If the phone line jack is not a
modular jack, you must update the wir-
ing yourself, using jacks and adapters
available at your local RadioShack
store. Or, you can let the phone com-
pany update the wiring for you.
• The phone company will charge
you for the installation of the nec-
essary jacks.
• The USOC number of the jack to
be installed is RJ11C for a base-
board jack or RJ11W for a wall
jack.
Caution: You must use a 120V AC/
12V DC adapter that delivers at least
200 milliamps with its center tip set to
positive. Its plug must correctly fit the
phone’s 12V DC jack. The supplied
adapter meets these requirements.
Using an adapter that does not meet
these requirements could damage the
phone or the adapter.
Placing the Base on
a Desk Top
1. Plug one end of the supplied mod-
ular cord into the phone jack on
the back of the base.
2. Plug the modular cord’s other end
into a modular phone line jack.
3. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s
barrel plug into the 12V DC jack on
the back of the base.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet.
5. Fully extend the base’s antenna
and place it in a vertical position.
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7
Mounting the Base on
a Wall Plate
You need a standard wall plate (not
supplied) for this mounting method.
1. Plug one end of the short modular
cord into the phone jack on the
back of the base.
2. Route the short cord downward
through the top left slot on the
base's bottom and under the clips
as shown.
3. Route the other end of the short
cord through the hole in the sup-
plied bracket's center.
4. Align the tabs on the bracket with
the slots on the back of the base
and push up on the bracket until it
snaps in place.
Note: If you later want to remove
the bracket, press PUSH and slide
the bracket down to remove it
from the base's bottom.
5. Insert the supplied AC adapter's
barrel plug into the 12V DC jack on
the back of the base. Then route
the adapter's cord around the
strain relief and through the right
slot on the base's bottom and
under the clips as shown.
6. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet.
7. Plug the modular cord into the
wall plate's jack.
(illus
w/callout:
AC Adapter)
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8
8. Align the bracket's keyhole slots
with the wall plate studs and slide
the base downward to secure it.
9. Press and lift out the handset
holder. Rotate the holder 180
degrees as shown, and then snap
it back into place so it holds the
handset.
10. Fully extend the base’s antenna
and place it in a vertical position.
Mounting the Base Directly
on a Wall
You need two wood screws (not sup-
plied) for this mounting method.
1. Drill two holes 315/16 inches (100
mm) apart. Then thread a screw
into each hole, letting the heads
extend about 1/4inch (6.5 mm)
from the wall.
2. Plug one end of the supplied long
modular cord into the phone jack
on the back of the base.
3. On the bottom of the base, route
the modular cord downward and
under the left slot's clips. Then
plug the cord's other end into a
modular phone line jack.
(Illus with
callout: Lift)
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9
4. Align the tabs on the bracket with
the slots on the back of the base
and push up on the bracket until it
snaps in place.
Note: If you later want to remove
the bracket, press PUSH and slide
the bracket down to remove it
from the base's bottom.
5. Insert the supplied AC adapter's
barrel plug into the 12V DC jack on
the back of the base. Then route
the adapter's cord around the
strain relief and through the right
slot on the base's bottom and
under the clips.
6. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet.
7. Align the keyhole slots with the
mounting screws and slide the
base downward to secure it.
8. Press and lift out the handset
holder. Rotate the holder 180
degrees as shown, and then snap
it back into place so it holds the
handset.
9. Fully extend the base’s antenna
and place it in a vertical position.
(Illus with
callout:
AC Adapter)
(illus with
callout: Lift)
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10
PREPARATION
CONNECTING THE
BATTERY
Before you use your phone for the first
time, you must connect the battery and
charge it for 15 hours.
Slide off the battery compartment cov-
er on the back of the handset and con-
nect the battery’s plug to the pins
inside the compartment.
Replace the cover, then follow the in-
structions under “Charging the Bat-
tery.”
CHARGING THE
BATTERY
After you connect the battery, set
POWER to OFF. Then place the hand-
set on the base so the CHARGE/TALK
indicator lights and let the battery
charge for about 15 hours.
The phone recharges whenever the
handset is on the base. You can re-
charge the battery at any time, but you
must be sure to recharge the battery
when LOW BATT lights on the hand-
set.
Notes:
• The first time you use your phone
after charging the battery, the
handset might not work or might
sound an error tone when you
press
TALK. This might also occur
when you recharge a battery that
has been completely discharged.
If this happens, be sure the hand-
set is turned on. Then return the
handset to the base for 5 sec-
onds. This resets the security
access protection code.
(Illus with
callout:
CHARGE/
TALK
Indicator)
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11
• If the CHARGE/TALK indicator
does not light when you place the
handset on the base, be sure the
battery is connected to the pins
inside the battery compartment
(see "Replacing the Battery") and
the AC adapter is securely con-
nected to the base.
Also, check the charging contacts
on the handset and base. If the
contacts are dirty or tarnished,
gently clean them with a pencil
eraser.
• About once a month, fully dis-
charge the battery by keeping the
handset off the base until LOW
BATT flashes. Then return the
handset to the base and recharge
the battery for 15 hours.
SETTING THE DIALING
MODE
Set TONE/PULSE on the back of the
base for the type of service you have.
If you are not sure which type you
have, do this test.
1. Set TONE/PULSE to TONE.
2. Lift the handset, press TALK, and
listen for a dial tone.
3. Press any number other than 0.
If the dial tone stops, you have
touch-tone service. Leave TONE/
PULSE set to TONE.
If the dial tone continues, you
have pulse service. Set TONE/
PULSE to PULSE.
SETTING THE VOLUME
Adjust VOLUME HI/LOW on the hand-
set to control the volume of the sound
you hear through the handset.
(illus with
callout:
Charging
Contacts)
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12
OPERATION
MAKING/ANSWERING
A CALL
You can use your cordless telephone
at the base or away from the base.Ful-
ly extend the handset’s antenna.
Using the Handset
at the Base
You can use the handset at the base
like a regular corded telephone. Just
set POWER to ON and place the hand-
set in the base.
To answer a call, lift the handset from
the base.
To make a call, lift the handset from
the base and press TALK so the key-
pad and the CHARGE/TALK indicator
on the base light.
To disconnect a call, replace the hand-
set on the base.
Using the Handset
Away from the Base
To make or answer a call, set POWER
to ON and press TALK. The keypad
light and the CHARGE/TALK indicator
turn on.
To disconnect a call, press TALK so
the keypad light and the CHARGE/
TALK indicator turn off.
Notes:
• To conserve battery power, you
can turn off the handset's power
when you are not making or
answering a call. The ET-539
does not ring when it receives an
incoming call with the handset's
power turned off. However, other
phones on the same line still ring.
To answer the call using the cord-
less phone, turn on the handset
and press TALK.
• You can make or answer a call on
a phone on the same line as the
cordless phone, even if the hand-
set is away from the base.
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13
CHANGING CHANNELS
Your ET-539’s Auto-Scan feature au-
tomatically selects the clearest chan-
nel when you pick up the phone. If you
experience interference during a call,
press CH to switch to the next channel
(25 in all) until you receive the best re-
ception.
USING REDIAL
To quickly redial the last number di-
aled, simply lift the handset from the
base and press TALK again so the
CHARGE/TALK indicator lights, then
press
REDIAL.
The redial memory holds up to 81 dig-
its in the tone mode or 80 digits in the
pulse mode. The redial memory also
holds pause entries (see “Entering a
Pause” under “Memory Dialing”).
Note: We recommend you not use RE-
DIAL to dial numbers that include a
tone (*) entry (see “Using Tone Servic-
es on a Pulse Line”).
USING FLASH
Use FLASH on the handset to perform
the switchhook operation for special
services, such as call waiting.
For example, if you have call waiting,
press FLASH to take an incoming call
without disconnecting the current call.
Press FLASH again to return to the first
call.
Notes:
• If you do not have special phone
services, pressing FLASH might
disconnect the current call.
• The redial memory does not store
a FLASH entry or any digits
entered after you press FLASH.
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14
USING TONE SERVICES
ON A PULSE LINE
Some special services, such as bank
by phone, require tone signals. If you
have pulse service, you can still use
these special tone services by follow-
ing these steps.
1. Set TONE/PULSE on the base to
PULSE.
2. Dial the service’s main number.
3. When the service answers, press
*on the keypad. Then dial the
additional numbers. The phone
sends these numbers as tone sig-
nals.
4. When you complete the call, place
the handset on the base or press
TALK to disconnect the call. The
phone automatically resets to the
pulse mode.
Note: We recommend you not use RE-
DIAL to dial numbers that include a
tone (*) entry.
USING PAGE
The PAGE feature lets you send a page
from the base to the handset. With the
handset’s power on and its TALK light
off, the handset beeps three sets of
two beeps when someone presses
PAGE on the base. The TALK light on
the handset and the CHARGE/TALK
indicator on the base flash.
Note: The handset will not beep during
a call or if its power is off.
MEMORY DIALING
You can store up to 10 numbers up to
16 digits long.
Notes:
•If
TONE/PULSE is set to PULSE
and you want to use tone dialing
for a memory number, you must
store the tone entry (*) in the next
memory location. Do not store
both pulse and tone entries in the
same memory location.
• To keep your accounts secure, we
recommend you do NOT store
your personal access code for
services such as bank-by-phone
in a memory location.
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15
Storing a Number in Memory
1. With the handset’s power on,
press MEMORY. The keypad
lights.
Note: While you are storing a
number in memory, if you do not
press any button on the keypad
within about 9 seconds, a buzz
sounds, then the keypad light
turns off. You must start the pro-
cess over from the beginning.
2. Dial the phone number you want
to store.
3. Press MEMORY again.
4. Press the memory location num-
ber (0-9) where you want to store
the number. A long beep sounds.
The phone number is now stored
in memory.
5. Remove the plastic covering from
the base's index sheet with a
small pointed object, such as the
end of a straightened paper clip.
Write the person's or company's
name by the memory location
number on the sheet in pencil (in
case you want to store a different
number later).
6. Repeat Steps 1-5 to store other
telephone numbers.
Notes:
• If you receive a call while you are
storing a number in memory,
press
TALK to answer the call.
After the call, begin again at Step
1 to store the number.
• To change a number stored in
memory, simply store a new num-
ber in that memory location.
• To clear a memory location so no
number is stored there, press
MEMORY twice, then press the
memory location number. A long
beep sounds. The number is now
cleared from memory.
If a buzz sounds, you did not suc-
cessfully clear the memory loca-
tion. Try the process again.
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16
Entering a Pause
in a Memory Number
In some telephone systems, you must
dial an access code (9, for example)
and wait for a second dial tone before
you can dial an outside number. If your
phone is connected to one of these
systems, you might want to enter a
pause at the appropriate point when
you store a phone number in memory.
At the appropriate place in the number,
press REDIAL to enter a 2-second
pause. For a longer pause, press RE-
DIAL again.
Dialing a Stored Number
Follow these steps to dial a number
stored in memory.
1. Lift the handset from the base and
press TALK so its light turns on.
2. When you hear a dial tone, press
MEMORY and then press the cor-
rect memory location number. The
phone dials the stored number.
Storing/Chain Dialing Service
Numbers
When storing numbers for special ser-
vices (such as alternate long distance
or bank-by-phone), store the service’s
main phone number in one memory lo-
cation and numbers for additional in-
formation in others.
Note: If you initially use pulse dialing to
dial the service, be sure you have
stored a tone entry (*) in the next
memory location before the numbers
for the additional information.
To chain dial memory numbers, follow
these steps.
1. With the handset’s power on and
the TALK light on, press MEMORY
and the memory-location number
for the service’s main number.
2. Wait for the service to answer.
3. Press MEMORY and the memory
location numbers for the addi-
tional information.
4. To disconnect the call, press TALK
so its light turns off, or simply
replace the handset on the base.
Testing Stored
Emergency Numbers
If you store an emergency service’s
number (police department, fire de-
partment, ambulance) and you want to
test the stored number, make the test
call during the late evening or early
morning to avoid peak demand peri-
ods. Remain on the line to explain the
reason for your call.
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17
TROUBLESHOOTING
We do not expect you to have any
problems with your telephone, but if
you do, the following suggestions
might help. If you still have problems,
check other phones on the same line
to see if they work properly. If they do
and the problem does not seem to be
with your phone service, take your
phone to your local RadioShack store
for assistance.
Problem: The handset does not
work.
Solutions:
• Move the handset closer to the
base.
• Fully extend the handset’s and
base’s antennas vertically.
•BesurePOWER is set to ON.
• Be sure the phone line cord and
AC adapter are correctly and
securely connected.
• Be sure the battery is charged.
• Return the handset to the base for
5 seconds, then try again.
Problem: Volume drops or
y
ou hear
unusual sounds.
Solution: Someone has picked up an-
other phone on the same line. Hang up
the other phone.
Problem: Call is nois
y
.
Solutions:
•PressCH to switch to another
channel.
• Do not mount the base near appli-
ances or large metal objects.
• Hang up and redial the number.
• Keep the handset away from inter-
ference sources such as comput-
ers, remote control toys, wireless
microphones, wireless alarm sys-
tems, wireless intercoms and
room monitors, fluorescent lights,
and electrical appliances. If the
interference is severe, turn off the
interfering device.
Problem: The handset’s ran
g
e de-
creases.
Solutions:
• Fully extend the handset’s and
base’s antennas vertically.
• Be sure the antenna is not touch-
ing a metal surface.
• Return the handset to the base
and recharge the battery.
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18
Problem: Receiver sound flutters or
fades.
Solutions:
• Move handset closer to the base.
• Fully extend the handset’s and
base’s antennas vertically.
• Be sure the battery is charged.
Problem: Can make calls, but tele-
phone does not ring.
Solution: The telephone company
might be using unusual ringing meth-
ods. Your telephone is designed for
standard straight line bridged ringing.
Problem: Can receive calls, but can-
not make calls.
Solution: Set the TONE/PULSE switch
correctly for the type of service you
have.
Problem: You cannot answer/make
a call and the handset sounds an er-
ror tone when you lift it from the
base or press TALK.
Solution: The phone might be receiv-
ing interference from another RF sig-
nal; or, if the handset is away from the
base during a long period of AC power
failure, the phone might lose its securi-
ty access protection code. Return the
handset to the base for a few seconds.
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19
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Your ET-539 25-Channel Cordless Telephone with Lighted Keypad is an example
of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care
for your phone so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the phone dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids can
contain minerals that corrode the electronic circuits.
Handle the phone gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage cir-
cuit boards and cases and cause the phone to work improperly.
Use and store the phone only in normal temperature environments.
Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices and
distort or melt plastic parts.
Keep the phone away from dust and dirt which can cause premature
wear of parts.
Wipe the phone with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking
new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong deter-
gents to clean your phone.
Modifying or tampering with the phone’s internal components can cause a malfunc-
tion and might invalidate its warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate it.
If your phone is not performing as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store
for assistance. If the trouble is affecting the phone lines, the phone company might
ask you to disconnect your phone until you have resolved the problem.
CLEANER
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20
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
If you follow the instructions in “Charg-
ing the Battery,” the supplied battery
should last about a year. When the
battery loses its ability to fully charge,
order a 3.6-volt, 300-milliamp battery
with a connector that fits the connector
in the battery compartment. You can
order a replacement battery through
your local RadioShack store.
Install the new battery as described
below, then charge the battery (see
“Charging the Battery”).
1. Slide off the battery compartment
cover on the back of the handset
as shown. Loosen the plastic
strap securing the battery.
2. Gently pull on the battery connec-
tor to disconnect the plug, then
remove the battery.
3. Insert a fresh battery and connect
its plug to the pins inside the bat-
tery compartment. Secure the bat-
tery in place with the plastic strap.
4. Replace the cover.
Important: Your telephone contains a
rechargeable nickel cadmium battery.
At the end of the battery’s useful life, it
must be recycled or disposed of prop-
erly. Contact your local, county, or
state hazardous waste management
authorities for information on recycling
or disposal programs in your area.
Some options that might be available
are: municipal curb-side collection,
drop off boxes at retailers, recycling
collection centers, and mail back pro-
grams.
(illus with callout:
Battery)
(illus with callout:
Battery)
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