Radio Shack ET-553 User manual

Cat. No. 43-1053/43-1054
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
25-Channel Cordless Telephone
with 10-Number Memory
ET-553 (White)
ET-554 (Black)
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2
FEATURES
Your RadioShack ET-553/ET-554 25-
Channel Cordless Telephone with 10-
Number Memory is designed to exacting
standards that ensure reliability, long life,
and outstanding performance.
Its features include:
25 Channels — automatically selects a
clear channel when you make or answer
a call. You can also manually change
channels during a call.
10-Number Memor
y
Dialin
g
— lets
you store up to 10 numbers in memory
for easy dialing.
Super CCT Noise-Reduction Circuitr
y
— provides clear telephone conversa-
tions, giving you sound clarity compara-
ble to that of a corded phone.
Securit
y
Access-Protection Code —
automatically prevents other cordless
phone users from using your phone line
while the handset is off the cradle.
COM-LOK®— ensures that other cord-
less phone users cannot use your phone
line when the handset is on the cradle.
Voice Scramble (ET-554 Onl
y
)—
scrambles your conversation on the
phone to prevent interception by other
radio units operating on the same fre-
quencies.
Ample Talk and Standb
y
Time — the
supplied batterypack provides7 hours of
continuous talk time or 7 days of standby
time (when fully charged).
Redial — lets you quickly redial the last
number dialed.
Pa
g
e — lets you send a signal from the
base to the handset to page someone or
locate the handset if you misplace it.
Flash — sends an electronic switchhook
signal for use with special phone servic-
es, such as Call Waiting.
Pro
g
rammable Rin
g
ers — let you se-
lect from four ringer types.
Tone/Pulse Dialin
g
— lets you use your
phone with tone or pulse service.
Quick Talk — lets you answer a call by
simply lifting the handset from the base.
Hearin
g
-Aid Compatibilit
y
— lets you
use your phone with hearing aids that
have a T (telephone) switch.
This telephone has been tested and
found to comply with all applicable UL
and FCC standards.
© 1998 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
COM-LOK and RadioShack are registered trademarks used by Tandy Corporation.
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Important Notes:
• 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-553/ET-554. To be safe,
you should also have a phone that
does not need AC power to operate
(not a cordless phone) so you can
still make and receive calls if there is
an AC power failure.
• Your phone operates on standard
radio frequencies as allocated by
the FCC. It is possible for other
radio units operating nearby on sim-
ilar frequencies to unintentionally
intercept your conversation or cause
interference. This possible 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 symbol is intended to alert you to
the presence of uninsulated danger-
ous voltage within the product’s enclo-
sure that might be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of elec-
tric shock. Do not open the product’s
case.
This symbol is intended to inform you
that important operating and mainte-
nance instructions are included in the
literature accompanying this product.
CAUTION
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 reduce the risk of
fire or shock hazard, do not ex-
pose this product to rain or mois-
ture.
!
!
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READ THIS BEFORE
INSTALLATION
We have designed your ET-553/ET-554
to conform to federal regulations, and
you can connect it to most telephone
lines. However, 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. The REN
is shown on the bottom of the base.
If you use 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 areas, 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 request,
provide the FCC Registration Number
and the REN to your phone company.
These numbers are located on the bot-
tom panel 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 systems
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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 ....................................................... 9
Connecting and Charging the Battery Pack .................................................. 10
Setting the Dialing Mode ............................................................................... 12
Setting the Ringer Tone and Volume ............................................................. 12
Operation ............................................................................................................ 14
Making and Receiving Calls .......................................................................... 14
Setting the Handset Volume .......................................................................... 14
Changing the Channel ................................................................................... 14
Using Redial .................................................................................................. 15
Using Flash ................................................................................................... 15
Using Tone Services on a Pulse Line ............................................................ 15
Paging ........................................................................................................... 16
Memory Dialing ............................................................................................. 16
Storing a Number in Memory .................................................................. 16
Entering a Pause .................................................................................... 17
Dialing a Memory Number ...................................................................... 17
Chain-Dialing Service Numbers .............................................................. 17
Testing Stored Emergency Numbers ...................................................... 17
Troubleshootin
g
................................................................................................. 18
Care and Maintenance ....................................................................................... 20
Replacing the Battery Pack ........................................................................... 21
The FCC Wants You to Know ........................................................................ 22
Lightning ........................................................................................................ 22
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INSTALLATION
SELECTING A LOCATION
You can place the phone on a desk top
or table, mount it on a standard wall
plate, or mount it directly on a wall. Se-
lect 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 intercoms,
alarms, and room monitors
• away from other cordless phones
The base’s location affects the handset’s
range. If you have a choice of several lo-
cations, try each to see which provides
the best performance.
Caution: The supplied RadioShack
adapter was designed specifically for
your ET-553/ET-554. Use only the sup-
plied adapter.
Notes:
• Your telephone connects directly to
a modular telephone line jack. If
your phone line jack is not a modu-
lar jack, you can update the wiring
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 long
modular 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.
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 the supplied short
modular 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.
PULSE-TONE DC IN 9V TEL LINE
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3. Route the modular cord through the
top groove and the adapter cord
through both grooves on the bottom
of the base.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC
outlet.
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 hand-
set.
7. Fully extend the base’s antenna and
place it in a vertical position.
PULSE-TONE
DC IN 9V TEL LINE
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9
Mounting the Base
Directly on a Wall
For this mounting method, you need two
wood screws (not supplied) with heads
that fit into the keyhole slots on the bot-
tom 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 modu-
lar 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 modular and adapter’s
cords through the grooves on the
bottom of the base.
5. Plug the adapter into a standard AC
outlet.
315/16
5/16
5/16
PULSE-TONEDC IN 9V
TEL LINE
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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 hand-
set.
9. Fully extend the base’s antenna and
place it in a vertical position.
CONNECTING AND
CHARGING THE BATTERY
PACK
The ET-553/ET-554 comes with a re-
chargeable nickel-cadmium battery pack
in the handset, but not connected. Be-
fore using your phone, you must con-
nect the battery then charge it for about
24 hours. A fully charged battery pro-
vides 7 days of standby power or 7
hours of continuous talk time.
1. Press down and slide off the hand-
set’s battery compartment cover in
the direction of the arrow.
2. Unfasten the plastic retainer strap
and lift the battery pack out of the
compartment. Plug the battery
pack’s connector into the socket in
the compartment. The connector fits
only one way.
3. Replace the battery pack inside the
compartment and refasten the
retainer strap.
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4. Replace the cover.
To charge the battery pack, simply place
the handset on the base. The CHARGE/
IN USE indicator on the base lights.
Recharge the battery when the TALK/
BATT LOW indicator on the handset
flashes.
Notes:
• If the CHARGE/IN USE indicator
does not light when you place the
handset on the base, be sure the
battery pack and AC adapter are
correctly and securely connected.
• When you first use the phone after
charging or recharging the battery
pack, 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.
• Return the handset to the cradle
nightly to charge the battery.
• Also, check the charging contacts
on the handset and the base. If the
contacts are dirty or tarnished (or
about once a month), clean them
with a pencil eraser.
• If the TALK/BATT LOW indicator
does not light, but the phone does
not work, recharge the battery. (The
battery charge might be too low to
light the indicator).
• If the battery pack gets weak during
a call, the handset sounds a beep
every 30 seconds, and the TALK/
BATT LOW indicator flashes every 3
seconds. If this happens, you can-
not make another call on the phone
until you recharge the battery.
• About once a month, fully discharge
the battery by keeping the handset
off the base until the TALK/BATT
LOW indicator lights. Otherwise, the
battery loses its ability to fully
recharge.
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• If the battery pack gets completely
discharged or the base loses power
while the handset is away from it,
the security access-protection code
needs to be reset. To reset the secu-
rity code, place the handset on the
base. If it was the handset that lost
power, leave the handset on the
base to charge the battery pack.
• The supplied battery pack should
last for about a year. When the bat-
tery pack loses its ability to fully
recharge, order a replacement bat-
tery pack from your local
RadioShack store. (See “Replacing
the Battery Pack” on Page 21.
SETTING THE DIALING
MODE
Set PULSE • TONE 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 PULSE • TONE to TONE.
2. Lift the handset and listen for a dial
tone.
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 PULSE •
TONE set to TONE.
If the dial tone continues, you have
pulse service. Set PULSE • TONE to
PULSE.
SETTING THE RINGER
TONE AND VOLUME
You can select one of four different ring-
er tone/volume settings when the phone
is not in use.
1. Lift the handset. If you hear a dial
tone, press TALK to turn it off.
2. Press RINGER. The phone sounds
the current ringer tone and volume.
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3. Repeatedly press RINGER until you
hear the desired ringer tone and vol-
ume.
Each time you press RINGER, the
ringer changes in the following
order:
High-volume “chirping”
Low-volume “chirping”
High-volume “warbling”
Low-volume “warbling”
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OPERATION
MAKING AND RECEIVING
CALLS
To make or answer a call, lift the hand-
set. Or, if the handset is off the cradle,
press TALK. The TALK/BATT LOW indi-
cator on the handset and the CHARGE/
IN USE indicator on the base light.
To end a call, place the handset on the
cradle or press TALK.
Note: If you press TALK to hang up and
the phone does not disconnect, press
TALK again while holding the handset
closer to the base or place the handset
on the cradle.
SETTING THE HANDSET
VOLUME
To change the volume you hear through
the handset, press VOLUME during a
call. The handset volume has two set-
tings, high or low.
CHANGING THE
CHANNEL
The ET-553/554 scans 25 channels (fre-
quency pairs used between the base and
the handset) and automatically selects a
clear channel each time you make or re-
ceive a call.
If you hear other conversations or ex-
cessive noise during a call, press CH to
select a different channel. The TALK/
BATT LOW indicator blinks, and the
handset beeps, followed by a brief
pause as your phone searches for a
clear channel.
The ET-553/ET-554 changes to a differ-
ent 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.
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15
USING REDIAL
REDIAL lets you quickly dial the last num-
ber dialed. When you hear a dial tone,
simply press REDIAL.
Notes:
• The redial memory holds up to 32
digits, so you can redial long-dis-
tance as well as local numbers.
• The redial memory also holds pause
entries. (See “Entering a Pause” on
Page 17.)
• The redial memory does not store a
flash entry or any digits you press
after
FLASH (see “Using Flash”).
USING FLASH
FLASH performs the electronic equiva-
lent of a switchhook operation for special
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.
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 following these
steps.
1. Be sure PULSE •TONE is set to
PULSE.
2. Lift the handset from the cradle or
press TALK.
3. Dial the service’s main number.
4. When the service answers, press
TONE. Any additional numbers you
dial are sent as tone signals.
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5. After you complete the call, return
the handset to the cradle or press
TALK. The phone automatically
resets to the pulse mode.
PAGING
To page the person who has the handset
or to locate the handset when the phone
is not in use, hold down PAGE on the
base for at least 2 seconds. The handset
beeps for 1 minute.
For a brief page, press and release
PAGE/FIND on the base. The handset
beeps five times. To stop it from beeping
sooner, press TALK.
MEMORY DIALING
You can store up to 10 numbersin mem-
ory, then dial a stored number by press-
ing a one-digit memory location number.
Each number you store can be up to 16
digits long.
Storing a Number in Memory
Note: An error tone sounds and the
phone exits the storing mode if you wait
more than 20 seconds between each key
press.
1. Lift the handset. If you hear a dial
tone, press TALK to turn it off.
2. Press MEM. The TALK/BATT LOW
indicator blinks.
3. Enter the number and any TONE
and
PAUSE entries. (See “Entering a
Pause” on Page 17).
Note: Each TONE or PAUSE entry
uses one digit of memory.
4. Press MEM, then enter the memory
location number (0–9). A single tone
sounds to indicate that the number
is stored.
Note: If you make an entry error,
such as entering more than 16 dig-
its, five quick beeps sound, the
TALK/BATT LOW indicator stops
flashing, and the number is not
stored. Start again from Step 2.
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5. For each stored number, write the
person’s or company’s name next to
the appropriate location number on
the supplied memory directory
sticker. (Use a pencil in case you
want to change the number later.)
Then attach the sticker to the
phone.
To replace a stored number, simply store
a new number in its place. Or, just skip
Step 3.
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 pause, press PAUSE. Each
press enters a 2-second pause. For a
longer pause, press PAUSE additional
times.
Dialing a Memory Number
To dial a number stored in memory, lift
the handset from the cradle or press
TALK. When you hear a dial tone, press
MEM and enter the memory location
number for the number you want to dial.
Note: If you select an empty memory lo-
cation, the phone beeps 5 times. Try
again.
Chain-Dialing Service Numbers
For quick recall of numbers for special
services (such as alternate long distance
or bank by phone), store each group of
numbers (such as codes or account
numbers) in its own memory location.
To use the stored special service infor-
mation, dial the service’s main number
first. Then, at the appropriate place in the
call, press MEM and the number for the
location where the additional information
is stored.
Testing Stored Emergency
Numbers
If you store an emergency service’s
number (police department, fire depart-
ment, 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 pe-
riods. Also, remain on the line to explain
the reason for your call.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
We do not expect you to have any problems with your phone, but if you do, the follow-
ing 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. Press CH to change the channel.
Keep the handset away from computers,
remote control toys, wireless microphones,
alarm systems, intercoms, room monitors, fluo-
rescent lights, and electrical appliances.
Move to another location or turn off the source
of interference.
Hang up and redial the number.
The phone cannot be oper-
ated at a useful distance from
the base because the signal
becomes weak or noisy (the
handset’s range has
decreased).
Fully extend the base’s antenna in a vertical
position.
Be sure neither antenna is touching a metal
surface.
Return the handset to the cradle, to recharge
the battery pack.
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the
Battery Pack” on Page 21).
The handset battery pack
does not charge. Check the charging contacts on the handset and base. If they are dirty, clean them with a
pencil eraser.
Be sure the battery pack is connected cor-
rectly.
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 pack is charged.
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19
If you still have problems, disconnect the phone. If other phones on the same line work
properly, the fault is in this phone or its installation. If you cannot find the problem, take
your phone to your local RadioShack store for assistance.
Handset does not ring or
receive a page. The battery pack might be weak. Charge the battery pack.
Extend the base’s antenna vertically.
Move the handset closer to the base.
Move the base away from other electrical
devices and sources of noise.
Replace the battery pack (see “Replacing the
Battery Pack” on Page 21).
The handset stops working or
works poorly during a call. Move the handset closer to the base.
Fully extend the base’s antenna, and place it in
a vertical position.
Check the charging contacts on the handset
and base. If they are dirty, clean them with a
pencil eraser.
Be sure the handset’s battery pack is charged.
(If the battery power is too low, it does not have
enough power to light the TALK/BATT LOW
indicator.)
If the base loses power while the handset is off
of it, the security access-protection code might
change. Restore power to the base, then place
the handset back on the base. The CHARGE/
IN USE indicator lights, indicating that the code
is set again.
Problem Suggestion
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Your RadioShack ET-553/ET-554 25-Channel Cordless Telephone with 10-Number
Memory is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following sugges-
tions will help you care for your cordless telephone so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the telephone dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids
might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
Handle the telephone gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage cir-
cuit boards and cases and can cause the telephone to work improperly.
Use and store the telephone only in normal temperature environments.
Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices, dam-
age batteries, and distort or melt plastic parts.
Keep the telephone away from dust and dirt, which can cause prema-
ture wear of parts.
Wipe the telephone with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking
new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong deter-
gents to clean the telephone.
Modifying or tampering with the telephone’s internal components can cause a mal-
function and might invalidate your telephone’s warranty and void your FCC authoriza-
tion 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.
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