Radio Shack Micro-43 User manual

Cat. No. 14-1182
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
Micro-43
Auto-Reverse
Micro Recorder
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2
FEATURES
Your RadioShack Auto-Reverse Micro
Recorder is ideal for quick note-taking. Its
ultra-small size makes it easy to slip into a
pocket, briefcase, or purse. You can use it
at school, at business conferences, for
dictation in the office, or anywhere on the
go! You can start recording manually or set
the recorder so sound activates recording.
Your recorder includes these features:
Auto Reverse — automatically changes
tape sides when the front side of the tape
reaches the end during recording or play-
back.
Quick Record — lets you instantly stop
playback and begin recording.
Voice-Activation Circuitry (VOX) — be-
gins recording when the recorder picks up
sound and stops a few seconds after the
sound stops.
Auto Stop — stops the recorder automati-
cally when the tape reaches the end after
playing both sides.
©2000 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack is a registered
trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
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Tape Counter with Reset Button — lets
you mark the locations of certain sections
of tape so you can easily return to them.
Built-In Microphone and Speaker — let
you record and play back notes anywhere.
External Microphone Jack — lets you
use an external microphone, so you can
extend your recording range.
Earphone Jack — lets you use an optional
earphone to listen to a tape privately.
Tape Speed Switch — lets you record at
normal or slow speed. Slow speed gives
you twice the normal recording time.
Fast Play — lets you play a tape back
about 30% faster than normal speed, to
save time when listening to a tape.
Power Options — let you power the re-
corder from internal batteries, AC power
(with an optional AC adapter), or vehicle
battery power (with an optional DC adapt-
er).
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CONTENTS
Preparation ........................................... 5
Before You Begin ............................ 5
Connecting to Power ....................... 5
Using Batteries ........................ 6
Using AC or DC Power ............ 8
Connecting an Earphone .............. 10
Listening Safely ..................... 11
Traffic Safety .......................... 12
Connecting an External
Microphone ................................... 12
Operation ............................................ 14
Loading a Microcassette Tape ...... 14
Recording ...................................... 15
Playing a Tape .............................. 19
Rewinding/Fast-Forwarding ... 20
Quick Record ................................ 21
Quick Review ................................ 22
Using the Tape Counter ................ 22
Tape Tips ............................................. 23
Storing Microcassette Tapes ......... 23
Restoring Tape Tension and Sound
Quality ........................................... 23
Erasing Tapes ............................... 24
Preventing Accidental Erasure ...... 24
Care ..................................................... 26
Cleaning the Tape-Handling
Parts .............................................. 27
Specifications ..................................... 29
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PREPARATION
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
To protect the tape deck mechanism dur-
ing shipment, a protective sleeve is insert-
ed in the cassette compartment. Remove
the sleeve before you use the recorder.
CONNECTING TO POWER
You can power your recorder from any of
the following:
• Internal battery power
• AC power (with an optional AC
adapter)
• DC power (with an optional DC
adapter)
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Using Batteries
You can use two AA batteries (not sup-
plied) to power your recorder. For the best
performance and longest life, we recom-
mend RadioShack alkaline batteries.
You can also use rechargeable nickel-
cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries and charge
them in a battery charger, available at your
local RadioShack store.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the
required size and recommended type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, dif-
ferent types of batteries (standard,
alkaline, or rechargeable), or re-
chargeablebatteriesofdifferentcapac-
ities.
Follow these steps to install batteries.
1. Slide the battery
compartment cover
in the direction of the
arrow until it stops,
then lift up the cover.
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Caution: The battery compartment
cover is attached to the recorder. Do
not try to remove it.
2. Place the batteries
in the compartment
as indicated by the
polarity symbols (+
and –) marked
inside.
3. Close the battery compartment cover
by pressing it down and sliding it in the
opposite direction of the arrow.
When the record/battery indicator does not
light or lights dimly during manual record-
ing, the recorder sounds weak or distorted,
or the recorder stops operating properly,
replace the batteries.
Warning: Dispose of old batteries prompt-
ly and properly. Do not burn or bury them.
Caution: If you do not plan to use the re-
corder with batteries for a several days, or
if you plan to use only AC or DC power, re-
move the batteries. Batteries can leak
chemicals that can destroy electronic
parts.
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Important: This recorder
can use Ni-Cd recharge-
able batteries. At the end
of a Ni-Cd battery's useful
life, it must be recycled or
disposed of properly. Con-
tact your local, county, or
state hazardous waste management au-
thorities for information on recycling or dis-
posal programs in your area or call 1-800-
843-7422. Some options that might be
available are: municipal curbside collec-
tion, drop-off boxes at retailers such as
your local RadioShack store, recycling col-
lection centers, and mail-back programs.
Using AC or DC Power
You can power the recorder using a 3V,
200 mA AC or DC adapter and a size A
Adaptaplug adapter (neither supplied).
Both adapters and Adaptaplug adapters
are available at your local RadioShack
store.
Cautions:
You must use a (Class 2)
power source that supplies
3V DC and delivers at least
1
-
8
0
0
-
8
4
3
-
7
4
2
2
!
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200 mA. Its center tip must be set to
positive and its plug must fit the re-
corder's DC3V jack. Using an adapter
that does not meet these specifica-
tions could damage the recorder or the
adapter.
• Always connect the AC or DC adapter
to the recorder before you connect it to
the power source. When you finish,
disconnect the adapter from the power
source before you disconnect it from
the recorder.
Follow these steps to power the recorder
from AC or DC power.
1. Set the AC or DC adapter’s voltage
switch to 3V, if necessary.
2. Connect the Adaptaplug adapter to
the AC or DC adapter’s cord and set
the tip to + (positive).
T
E
RadioSnack
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3. Insert the barrel plug into the
recorder’s
DC3V jack. This discon-
nects internal batteries.
4. Plug the other end of the adapter into
a standard AC outlet or vehicle’s 12V
power source (such as a cigarette-
lighter socket).
CONNECTING AN
EARPHONE
You can use an optional mono earphone
with a 3/32-inch (2.5-mm) submini plug to
listen to a tape in privacy.
Notes:
• You can also use an earphone to mon-
itor what the recorder picks up through
the internal microphone or an external
microphone.
• Your local RadioShack store carries a
wide selection of earphones.
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Insert the earphone’s plug into the record-
er’s EAR jack. The built-in speaker auto-
matically disconnects.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these
guidelines when you use an earphone.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting
before you begin listening. After you
begin listening, adjust the volume to a
comfortable level.
• Do not listen at extremely high volume
levels. Extended high-volume listening
can lead to permanent hearing loss.
EAR
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• Once you set the volume, do not
increase it. Over time, your ears adapt
to the volume level, so a volume level
that does not cause discomfort might
still damage your hearing.
Traffic Safety
Do not wear an earphone while operating a
motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can
create a traffic hazard and could be illegal
in some areas.
Even though some earphones let you hear
outside sounds when listening at normal
volume levels, they still can present a traf-
fic hazard.
CONNECTING AN
EXTERNAL MICROPHONE
You can use an optional microphone with a
3/32-inch (2.5 mm) submini plug to extend
the recording range. Your local Ra-
dioShack store carries a wide selection of
microphones.
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Insert the microphone’s plug into the re-
corder’s MIC jack. The recorder’s built-in
microphone automatically disconnects.
MIC
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OPERATION
LOADING A
MICROCASSETTE TAPE
Note: We recommend normal bias MC-60
microcassette tapes for up to 2 hours of re-
cording/playback time, or MC-90 microcas-
sette tapes for up to 3 hours of recording/
playback time. We do not recommend
long-playing microcassette tapes such as
MC-120s, because they are extremely thin
and can easily tangle in the playback
mechanism.
Follow these steps to load a microcassette
tape.
1. Use a pencil to turn
the microcassette’s
hub and remove any
tape slack. Avoid
touching the tape.
2. Press STOP/EJECT to open the cas-
sette compartment door.
Note: When you press STOP/EJECT,
8
88
8REV/9
99
9FWD is automatically set to
9
99
9FWD. See “Playing a Tape” on
Page 19.
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3. Insert the microcassette
into the door’s guides so
the microcassette’s open
edge faces out.
4. Close the door.
RECORDING
You can record manually or use VOX
(voice-activated) recording. When you use
VOX, recording begins when the recorder
picks up sound and stops a few seconds
after the sound stops.
Follow these steps to record.
1. Load a microcassette tape.
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2. Set SPEED on the side of the recorder
as follows:
• To double the tape’s recording/play-
back time, set SPEED to 1.2. This
setting allows 120 minutes of total
recording/playback time on an MC-
60 tape, or 180 minutes on an MC-
90 tape.
• For better sound quality, set SPEED
to 2.4. This setting allows 60 min-
utes of total recording/playback
time on an MC-60 tape, or 90 min-
utes on an MC-90 tape.
3. Set MICSENS/VOX as follows:
• To manually start and stop record-
ing, set MICSENS/VOX to MICSENS.
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To adjust MIC sensitivity, adjust
VOLUME to the desired setting.
• To use voice-activated recording,
set
MICSENS/VOX to VOX.
Note: The VOX setting saves power
and tape if there are long or frequent
pauses in the material you are record-
ing.
4. Press both REC and PLAY
to begin recording. Both
REC and PLAY lock down,
and the record/battery
indicator to the right of
the
MIC jack lights.
If MICSENS/VOX is set to
MICSENS, recording be-
gins immediately.
If MICSENS/VOX is set to VOX, record-
ing begins and the record/battery indi-
cator lights steadily only when the
recorder picks up sound.
Caution:
• To protect the recorder, press REC
only when a microcassette tape is
loaded.
• Do not force down REC. If you
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cannot easily press REC, check the
microcassette tape’s erase-
protection tabs (see “Preventing
Accidental Erasure” on Page 24).
You cannot record on a
microcassette tape if either of the
erase-protection tabs is broken off.
Note: To pause recording, slide
PAUSE/OFF to PAUSE. To resume
recording, slide PAUSE/OFF to OFF.
5. If you set MICSENS/VOX to VOX, adjust
VOLUME to set the sound level at
which recording begins. When you set
VOLUME to higher settings, softer
sounds start VOX recording. When you
set VOLUME to lower settings, louder
sounds start VOX recording.
6. Press STOP/EJECT to stop the tape.
Note: The auto-reverse feature lets the re-
corder automatically record both sides of a
tape. Set REV/FWD to FWD. When the tape
reaches its end, the tape’s direction auto-
matically reverses, and recording automati-
cally begins on the tape’s other side. At the
end of the other side, the recorder auto-
matically stops.
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PLAYING A TAPE
1. Load a microcassette tape.
2. Set SPEED to the speed used when
the tape was recorded.
3. To listen to the tape at normal speed,
set NORMAL/F.PLAY to NORMAL.
To listen to the tape at about 30%
faster than normal speed, set NOR-
MAL/F.PLAY to F.PLAY. This is handy if
you are trying to find a particular pas-
sage on the tape.
4. Press PLAY.
5. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable lis-
tening level.
Note: To pause recording, slide
PAUSE/OFF to PAUSE. To resume
recording, slide PAUSE/OFF to OFF.
VOLUME
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6. To reverse the tape’s direction so you
can play the other side, set 8
88
8REV/
9
99
9FWD to the other position.
7. Press STOP/EJECT to stop playback.
Note: The auto-reverse feature lets the re-
corder automatically play both sides of a
tape. Set 8
88
8REV/9
99
9FWD to FWD. When
the tape reaches its end, the tape’s direc-
tion automatically reverses, and playing
begins on the tape’s other side. At the end
of the other side, the recorder automatical-
ly stops.
Rewinding/Fast-Forwarding
With 8
88
8REV/9
99
9FWD set to 9
99
9FWD, slide
/up to rapidly rewind a tape, or
8
88
8REV/9
99
9FWD
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