Radio Shack ET-550 User manual

Cat. No. 43-1050A
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
ET-550
25-Channel Dual Keypad
Cordless Telephone
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2
FEATURES
Your RadioShack ET-550 25-Channel
Dual Keypad Cordless Telephone is
designed to exacting standards that
ensure reliability, long life, and out-
standing performance.
Its features include:
Dual Ke
y
pads — a full set of keys on
both the ET-550’s handset and base
let you use either keypad to make and
answer calls or program the phone’s
features.
Speakerphone — lets you make or
answer calls without using the hand-
set.
Super CCT Noise-Reduction Cir-
cuitr
y
— provides clear telephone
conversations, giving you sound clarity
comparable to that of a corded phone.
25 Channels — lets you change to a
clearer channel during a call if you no-
tice interference.
20-Number Memor
y
Dialin
g
— lets
you store up to 20 numbers in memory
— 10 on the handset and 10 on the
base — for easy dialing.
Securit
y
Access-Protection Code —
automatically prevents other cordless
phone users from using your phone
line while the handset is off the base.
COM-LOK®— ensures that other
cordless phone users cannot use your
phone line when the handset is on the
base.
Quick Talk — lets you make or an-
swer a call by simply lifting the handset
from the base.
Pa
g
in
g
/Two-Wa
y
Intercom S
y
stem
— lets you send a signal from the base
to the handset, or from the handset to
the base, so you can page someone or
easily locate the handset when it is
away from the base. If someone an-
swers, you can use the ET-550 like a
two-way intercom.
Redial — lets you quickly redial the
last number dialed.
Flash — sends an electronic switch-
hook signal for use with special phone
services, such as Call Waiting.
Tone/Pulse Dialin
g
— lets you use
your phone with either type of service.
Hearin
g
-Aid Compatibilit
y
— lets
you use your phone with hearing aids
that have a T (telephone) switch.
© 1997 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
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Important Note: Cordless phones
such as this one require AC power to
operate. When the AC power is off,
you cannot dial out or receive incom-
ing calls using your ET-550. To be
safe, you should also have a phone
that does not need AC power to oper-
ate (not a cordless phone) so you can
still make and receive calls if there is
an AC power failure.
Your telephone operates on standard
radio frequencies as allocated by the
FCC. Even though the access protec-
tion code prevents unauthorized use
of your phone line, it is possible for
other radio units operating on similar
frequencies within a certain area to
unintentionally intercept your conver-
sations and/or cause interference.
This lack of privacy can occur with any
cordless phone.
We recommend you record your
phone’s serial number here. The num-
ber is on the bottom panel of the base.
Serial Number: __________________
This telephone has been tested and
found to comply with all applicable UL
and FCC standards.
.
This symbol is intended to alert
you to the presence of uninsu-
lated dan
g
erous volta
g
e within
the phone’s enclosure that
mi
g
ht be of sufficient ma
g
nitude
to constitute a risk of electric
shock. Do not open the phone’s
case.
This symbol is intended to in-
form you that important operat-
in
g
and maintenance
instructions are included in the
literature accompanyin
g
this
phone.
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 SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose this phone
to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
!
!
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READ THIS BEFORE
INSTALLATION
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 the 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 phones 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 shown
on the bottom of the 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 the Wall .................................................... 9
Connecting and Charging the Battery ........................................................... 10
Setting the Dialing Mode ............................................................................... 12
Turning the Ringer On/Off ............................................................................. 12
Operation ............................................................................................................ 13
Making and Receiving Calls .......................................................................... 13
Using the Handset .................................................................................. 13
Using the Speakerphone ........................................................................ 13
Switching Between the Handset and Speakerphone ............................. 14
Using Both the Handset and Speakerphone .......................................... 14
Changing the Channel ............................................................................ 14
Putting a Call on Hold ................................................................................... 14
Using the Paging/Intercom Features ............................................................ 15
Using Redial .................................................................................................. 16
Using Flash ................................................................................................... 16
Using Tone Services on a Pulse Line ........................................................... 17
Memory Dialing ............................................................................................. 17
Storing a Number in Memory .................................................................. 17
Entering a Pause .................................................................................... 18
Dialing a Memory Number ...................................................................... 19
Chain-Dialing Service Numbers ............................................................. 19
Testing Stored Emergency Numbers ..................................................... 19
Troubleshootin
g
................................................................................................ 20
Care and Maintenance ...................................................................................... 22
Replacing the Battery .................................................................................... 23
The FCC Wants You to Know ....................................................................... 24
Lightning ....................................................................................................... 24
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INSTALLATION
SELECTING A LOCATION
You can place the phone on a desk top
or table, or mount it on a wall. Select a
location that is:
• near an AC outlet
• near a telephone line jack
• out of the way of normal activities
• away from electrical machinery,
electrical appliances, metal walls
or filing cabinets, wireless inter-
coms, alarms, and room monitors
• away from other cordless phones
The base’s location affects the hand-
set’s range. If you have a choice of
several locations, try each to see
which provides the best performance.
Caution: The supplied RadioShack
adapter was designed specifically for
your ET-550. Use only the supplied
adapter.
Notes:
• Your telephone connects directly
to a modular telephone line jack. If
your phone line jack is not a mod-
ular jack, you can update the wir-
ing yourself, using jacks and
adapters available at your local
RadioShack store. Or, you can let
the phone company update the
wiring for you.
• The USOC number of the jack to
be installed is RJ11C (RJ11W if
you want to mount it on a wall
plate).
Placing the Base
on a Desk Top
Follow these steps when you place
the base on a desk, shelf, or table.
1. Plug one end of the supplied mod-
ular cord into the TEL LINE jack on
the back of the base.
2. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s
barrel plug into the DC IN 9V jack
on the back of the base.
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3. Route the adapter’s cord through
the strain relief slot on top of the
base.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet. The POWER indicator
on the base lights.
5. Plug the modular cord’s other end
into a modular phone line jack.
6. Fully extend the base’s antenna
and place it in a vertical position.
Mounting the Base
on a Wall Plate
1. Plug one end of a short modular
cord (such as Cat. No. 279-390,
not supplied) into the TEL LINE
jack on the back of the base.
2. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s
barrel plug into the DC IN 9V jack
on the back of the base.
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8
3. Route the modular cord through
the upper groove and the adapter
cord through both the upper and
lower grooves on the bottom of
the base.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet. The POWER indicator
on the base lights.
5. Plug the short modular cord’s
other end into the wall plate jack,
then align the base’s keyhole slots
with the wall plate studs and slide
the base downward to secure it.
6. Press and lift out the handset
holder, rotate it 180°, then snap it
back into place so it holds the
handset.
7. Fully extend the base’s antenna
and place it in a vertical position.
Lower
Groove Upper
Grooves
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Mounting the Base
Directly on the Wall
For this mounting method, you need
two wood screws (not supplied) with
heads that fit into the keyhole slots on
the bottom of the base.
1. Drill two holes 315/16
inches apart. Then
thread a screw into
each hole, letting
the heads extend
about
5/16 inch from
the wall.
2. Plug one end of the supplied mod-
ular cord into the TEL LINE jack on
the back of the base.
3. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s
barrel plug into the DC IN 9V jack
on the back of the base.
4. Route the supplied modular cord
and the adapter cord through both
the upper and lower grooves on
the bottom of the base.
5. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet. The POWER indicator
on the base lights.
315/16
5/16
5/16
Lower
Grooves Upper
Grooves
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6. Plug the modular cord’s other end
into a modular phone line jack.
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 it 180°, 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.
CONNECTING AND
CHARGING THE
BATTERY
The ET-550 comes with a recharge-
able nickel-cadmium battery installed
in the handset. Before using your
phone’s handset, you must connect
the battery, then charge it for about 14
hours.
1. Using a Phillips screwdriver,
remove the screw on the battery
compartment cover on the bottom
of the handset. Then press down
and slide off the cover in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
2. Insert the battery pack’s plastic
connector into the phone’s socket.
The plug fits only one way.
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3. Replace the cover and tighten the
screw.
4. To charge the battery, simply
place the handset on the base.
The CHARGE indicator on the base
lights.
Recharge the battery when the BATT
LOW indicator on the handset flashes.
Notes:
• If the CHARGE indicator does not
light when you place the handset
on the base, be sure the battery
and AC adapter are correctly and
securely connected.
• When you first use the phone after
charging or recharging the battery,
the phone might not work and you
might hear an error tone. If this
happens, return the handset to
the base for about 5 seconds.
• If the BATT LOW indicator does
not light, but the phone does not
work, recharge the battery. (The
battery charge might be too low to
flash the indicator.)
• If the battery pack gets weak dur-
ing a call, the handset sounds a
beep every 30 seconds, and the
BATT LOW indicator flashes. If
this happens, you cannot make
another call on the phone until you
recharge the battery.
• About once a month, fully dis-
charge the battery by keeping the
handset off the base until the
BATT LOW indicator flashes. Oth-
erwise, the battery loses its ability
to fully recharge.
• Using a pencil eraser, clean the
charging contacts on the handset
and the base about once a month
to make sure they are not dirty or
tarnished.
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SETTING THE DIALING
MODE
Set P• •T 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 P• •Tto T (tone).
2. Press SPEAKER and listen for a
dial tone from the speakerphone.
3. Press any number other than 0.
Note: If your phone system
requires that you dial an access
code (9, for example) before you
dial an outside number, do not
press the access code either.
If the dial tone stops, you have
touch-tone service. Leave P• •T
set to T.
If the dial tone continues, you
have pulse service. Set P• •Tto P
(pulse).
4. Press SPEAKER again. The
SPEAKER indicator turns off.
TURNING THE RINGER
ON/OFF
To turn the ringer on the base on or
off, set RINGER on the back of the
base to ON or OFF.
The RINGER setting affects only the
ringer on the base. The ringer on the
handset is turned on as long as the
handset is off the base.
When you place the handset on the
base and set RINGER to OFF, the ET-
550 does not ring when it receives a
call.
However, other phones connected to
the same phone line still ring.
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OPERATION
Note: You can use the keypad on ei-
ther the handset or the base to operate
the ET-550. To use the speakerphone,
you must use the base keypad; to use
the handset, you must use the handset
keypad.
MAKING AND
RECEIVING CALLS
Using the Handset
To make or answer a call using the
handset, simply lift the handset. Or, if
the handset is away from the base,
press TALK. The BATT LOW indicator
on the handset and the IN USE indica-
tor on the base light. Use the handset
keypad to dial the desired number.
To end a call, place the handset on the
base or press the handset’s TALK but-
ton.
Note: If you press TALK to hang up
and the phone does not disconnect,
place the handset on the base or
press TALK again while holding the
handset closer to the base.
Using the Speakerphone
To make or answer a call using the
speakerphone, simply press SPEAK-
ER. The SPEAKER indicator lights on
the base. Use the base’s keypad to
dial the desired number.
Slide VOLUME on the right of the base
to adjust the speakerphone’s volume.
To end a speakerphone call, simply
press SPEAKER again. The SPEAK-
ER indicator turns off.
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Switching Between the
Handset and Speakerphone
To switch to the speakerphone while
you are using the handset, press
SPEAKER on the base. When you
hear the conversation or the dial tone
on the speakerphone, press TALK on
the handset or place the handset on
the base.
To switch to the handset while you are
using the speakerphone, simply lift the
handset off the base. Or, if the hand-
set is off the base, press HOLD on the
base, then press TALK on the hand-
set.
Using Both the Handset and
Speakerphone
If you are using the speakerphone,
someone else can press TALK on the
handset and join the conversation.
If you are using the handset, one or
more people can join the conversation
by pressing SPEAKER on the base.
During the call, one of you can hang
up and let the call continue at the oth-
er keypad. Or, you can both hang up
at the same time to end the call.
Note: If you hear a high-pitched noise
from the base’s speaker, the handset
and the base are too close together.
Changing the Channel
If you notice interference, static, or
noise during a call, you can press CH
(channel) to find a clearer channel.
The ET-550 changes to a different
channel each time you press CH.
Note: If the handset is too far from the
base, the channel might not change.
Move closer to the base and try again.
PUTTING A CALL ON
HOLD
When using the speakerphone, simply
press HOLD on the base to put a call on
hold without disconnecting the current
call.
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15
To place a call on hold when using the
handset, switch to the speakerphone
by pressing SPEAKER on the base,
then place the handset on the base (or
press TALK on the handset). Then
press
HOLD on the base.
The phone disconnects the call 5 min-
utes after you put it on hold. However,
during those 5 minutes, a series of
beeps reminds you the call is on hold.
After 1 minute, the handset beeps ev-
ery 15 seconds. After 4 minutes, the
handset beeps every 5 seconds. After
5 minutes, the handset sounds a long
tone and disconnects the call.
To release a call from hold and contin-
ue your conversation from the hand-
set, press TALK or pick up the handset
from the base.
To release a call from hold and use
the speakerphone, press SPEAKER.
You can use another phone on the
same line to pick up the call on hold,
but the handset still shows that call on
hold.
USING THE PAGING/
INTERCOM FEATURES
When a call is not in progress, you can
use the ET-550 as a two-way pager
and intercom between the base and
the handset.
This is useful if the handset is away
from the base and you want to locate it,
or if you want to have a conversation
between the handset and the base.
To page the base or handset, press IN-
TERCOM. Both the base and the hand-
set sound an intercom tone.
To answer the page, when the inter-
com tone sounds, press INTERCOM
(or
TALK on the handset or SPEAKER
on the base).
To end the intercom call, press TALK
or SPEAKER, or place the handset on
the cradle.
To transfer a call to the base or hand-
set, press INTERCOM. The incoming
call is put on hold. When the base or
handset answers, press SPEAKER or
TALK to end the intercom call.
During a call, you can use the inter-
com to make a conference call so
people at both the base and the hand-
set can be a part of the call. To do
this, press INTERCOM. The incoming
call is put on hold and an intercom
tone sounds.
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16
When the handset or base answers,
press SPEAKER or TALK once to end
the intercom call, then press the same
button again or press HOLD on the
base to start the conference call.
Note: If a call comes in during an in-
tercom conversation, press TALK on
the handset or SPEAKER on the base
once to end the intercom call, then
press
TALK or SPEAKER again to take
the call.
USING REDIAL
REDIAL lets you quickly dial the last
number dialed. When you hear a dial
tone, simply press REDIAL (REDIAL/P
on the base).
Notes:
• The redial memory is independent
for each keypad. You cannot
redial a number you dialed on the
handset keypad using REDIAL/P
on the base keypad, and vice
versa.
• The redial memory holds up to
32 digits, so you can redial long-
distance as well as local num-
bers.
• The redial memory also holds
pause entries (see “Entering a
Pause” on Page 18).
• The redial memory does not store
a flash entry or any digits you
press after FLASH (see “Using
Flash” on Page 16).
USING FLASH
FLASH performs the electronic equiva-
lent of a switchhook operation for spe-
cial services, such as Call Waiting.
For example, if you have Call Waiting,
press FLASH to answer an incoming
call without disconnecting the current
call. Press FLASH again to return to
the first call.
Note: If you do not have any special
phone services, pressing FLASH might
disconnect the current call.
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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. Be sure P• •Tis set to P.
2. Dial the service’s main number
using the keypad at the base or
the handset.
3. When the service answers, press
TONE/ .Any additional numbers
you dial are sent as tone signals.
4. After you complete the call, return
the handset to the base, press
TALK, or press SPEAKER. The
phone automatically resets to the
pulse mode.
MEMORY DIALING
You can store up to 20 numbers in the
ET-550’s memory (10 in the handset’s
memory and another 10 in the base’s
memory), then dial a stored number by
pressing MEMO then a one-digit mem-
ory location number.
Notes:
• Each number you store can be up
to 16 digits long.
• You cannot dial the number stored
in one memory (the base or the
handset) using the keypad on the
other.
Storing a Number in Memory
Notes:
• If you wait more than 20 seconds
between each key press, an error
tone sounds and the phone exits
the programming mode.
• To store a number in the base’s
memory, begin with Step 2.
1. To store a number in handset’s
memory, lift the handset. If you
hear a tone, press TALK to turn it
off.
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18
2. Press MEMO. The BATT LOW or
SPEAKER indicator blinks.
3. Enter the number and any TONE
and PAUSE entries (see “Using
Tone Services on a Pulse Line” on
Page 17 and “Entering a Pause”
on this page).
Note: Each TONE or PAUSE entry
uses one digit of memory.
4. Press MEMO, then enter the mem-
ory location number (0–9). A sin-
gle tone sounds, indicating that
the number is stored.
Note: If five quick beeps sound,
you have made an entry error and
the number was not stored. Start
again from Step 2.
5. For each stored number, write the
person’s or company’s name next
to the appropriate location number
on the supplied MEMORY direc-
tory sticker. (Use a pencil in case
you want to change the number
later.)
6. Remove the adhesive backing
from the sticker, then attach the
sticker to the back of the handset.
To erase a stored number, simply
store a new number in its place. Or,
press MEMO twice, then press the
memory location number (0–9) you
want to clear. A tone sounds.
Entering a Pause
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. You
can store the access code with the
phone number. However, you should
also store a pause after the access
code to allow the outside line time to
connect.
To enter a 2-second pause, press
PAUSE
(REDAIL/P on the base). For a
longer pause, press PAUSE (or REDI-
AL/P) additional times.
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19
Dialing a Memory Number
To dial a number stored in handset’s
memory, lift the handset from the base
or press TALK. To dial a number stored
in the base’s memory, press SPEAK-
ER.
When you hear a dial tone, press
MEMO and enter the memory location
number for the number you want to
dial.
Chain-Dialing Service
Numbers
When calling special services (such as
alternate long distance or bank-by-
phone), dial the service’s main number
first. Then, at the appropriate place in
the call, press MEMO and the number
for the memory location where the ad-
ditional information is stored.
Testing Stored Emergency
Numbers
If you store an emergency service’s
number (police department, fire de-
partment, ambulance) and you choose
to test the stored number, make the
test call during the late evening or early
morning hours to avoid peak demand
periods. Also, remain on the line to ex-
plain the reason for your call.
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20
TROUBLESHOOTING
We do not expect you to have any problems with your phone, but if you do, the fol-
lowing suggestions might help.
Problem Suggestion
Low volume or unusual
sounds. Someone has picked up another phone on the same line. Hang up the other phone.
Severe noise interference. • Keep the handset or base away from com-
puters, remote control toys, wireless micro-
phones, alarm systems, intercoms, room
monitors, fluorescent lights, and electrical
appliances.
•Press
CH to change the channel.
• Move to another location or turn off the
source of interference.
The handset’s range is signifi-
cantly decreased and is
usable only at very short dis-
tances from the base (weak or
noisy signal).
• Fully extend the base’s antenna in a verti-
cal position.
• Be sure neither antenna is touching a
metal surface.
• Return the handset to the base, and
recharge the battery.
The phone does not work or
works poorly. Be sure the base’s phone line cord and AC adapter are correctly and securely connected,
and the battery is charged.
The handset battery does not
charge. • Check the charging contacts on the hand- set and base. If they are dirty, clean them
with a pencil eraser.
• Be sure the battery is connected correctly.
• Replace the battery.
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