Radio Shack AFX-300 User manual

Cat. No. 43-1245
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
AFX-300
Deluxe Automatic
Fax/Data Switch
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INTRODUCTION
Your Radio Shack AFX-300 Deluxe Automatic Fax/Data
Switch lets you use your telephone, an answering machine, a
fax machine/fax modem, and a data modem all on the same
telephone line, eliminating the need and extra expense of two
phone lines. When a call comes in, you can either answer it
yourself, let your answering machine answer it, or let the AFX-
300 answer it. If the AFX-300hears tonesfrom a fax machine/
fax modem, it directs the call to your fax machine/fax modem.
If a call comes in from a data modem, the AFX-300 directs the
call to your data modem. If the call is a regular voice call, you
can carry on a normal conversation, or let the answering ma-
chine record the caller’s message as usual.
The AFX-300 also includes several special features that let
you customize its operation based on your needs.Using either
a remote touch-tone phone or one on the same line as the
AFX-300, you can adjust the number of rings before it an-
swers, route data modem calls to its fax jack, and more (see
the “Special Features” section of this owners manual).
Your AFX-300 is easy to install. It connects to an existing tele-
phone jack and requires no special wiring. The AFX-300
works with most single and multi-line non-KSU (key system
unit) telephones, and even has built-in features that are de-
signed to work with distinctive ringing services provided by
most phone companies. The AFX-300 is also compatible with
most telephone answering machines, fax machines, and fax
or fax/data modems.
©1996 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Radio Shack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
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This fax/data switch has been tested and found to comply with
applicable UL and FCC standards.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this
product to rain or moisture.
This symbol is intended to alert you to the presence of un-
insulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclo-
sure 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 op-
erating and maintenance instructions are included in the
literature accompanying 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.
CAUTION !
!
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READ THIS BEFORE INSTALLING
Each device that you connect to the phone line draws power
from the phone line. We refer to this power draw as the de-
vice’s ringer equivalence number, or REN. The REN is shown
on the bottom of your AFX-300.
If you are using more than one device on the line, add up all
the RENs. If the total is more than five, your phone might not
ring and your answering machine might not answer. In rural
areas, a total REN of three might impair ringer operation. If
ringer operation is impaired, remove a device from the line.
Your AFX-300 complieswith Part 68 of
FCC Rules . You must,
upon request, provide the FCC registration number and the
REN toyour phone company. Both numbers are shown on the
bottom of your AFX-300.
You must not connect your AFX-300 to:
• Coin-operated systems
• Party-line systems
• Most electronic key phone systems
The AFX-300 is not compatible with:
• Voice mail services
• Call forwarding services
• Call waiting services
• Fax machines or modems that have a REN greater than
2.0B.
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CONTENTS
Installation ......................................................................... 7
Installing Back-Up Batteries .......................................... 7
Making the Connections ................................................ 9
Initializing the AFX-300/Connecting to Power ............. 13
Preparing a TAD for Use with the AFX-300 ................. 15
Setting the TAD’s Ring Number ............................. 15
Changing the Outgoing Message .......................... 15
Optional Voice Data Guard .......................................... 17
Operation ......................................................................... 18
Using a TAD with the AFX-300 .................................... 19
TAD Operation with a Fax Machine/Fax Modem ... 20
TAD Operation with a Fax Machine/Fax Modem
and a Data Modem ................................................ 21
Answering Calls in Person .......................................... 22
Letting the AFX-300 Answer Calls .............................. 23
Switching Fax Calls Manually ...................................... 24
Using a Touch-Tone Phone ................................... 24
Using a Rotary (Pulse) Phone ............................... 25
Special Features .............................................................. 26
Programming Quick Start ............................................ 27
Programming from an Extension Phone ................ 27
Programming from a Remote Phone ..................... 27
Quick Start Command Chart ................................. 28
Basic Programming Steps ........................................... 30
Programming from an Extension Phone ................ 31
Programming from a Remote Phone ..................... 32
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Program Command Descriptions ................................ 33
Changing the Access Code ................................... 34
Changing the Ring Number Setting ....................... 35
First Number Distinctive Ring ................................ 35
Second Number Distinctive Ring ........................... 36
Turn On/Off the FAX and MODEM Jacks .............. 36
Turn On/Off the TAD Jack ...................................... 37
Turn On/Off the Fax Password .............................. 38
Route Data Modem Calls to the FAX Jack ............ 39
Automatic Modem Detection (AMD) ...................... 39
Questions and Answers ................................................. 40
Care and Maintenance .................................................... 43
If You Have Problems .................................................. 44
The FCC Wants You to Know ...................................... 45
Lightning ...................................................................... 45
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INSTALLATION
Caution: Be sure to perform the procedures in this section in
this order, otherwise the AFX-300 might not operate as ex-
pected:
1. Install batteries
2. Connect to the phone line
3. Connect your TAD, fax machine/fax modem, and/or data
modem
4. Initialize the AFX-300 and connect it to AC power
Note: If the AFX-300’s operation becomes erratic, disconnect
it from AC power, unplug allmodular connections, remove the
backup batteries, then follow all installation procedures in the
order they appear (beginning with “Installing Back-Up Batter-
ies”).
INSTALLING BACK-UP BATTERIES
Your AFX-300 requires two button-cell batteries (supplied) for
memory backup in case AC power is disconnected or fails.
OPEN
BATTERY-2X LR 44 TYPE
12
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Follow these steps to install the batteries.
1. Remove the battery compartment screw with a small
Phillips screwdriver, then remove the cover by sliding it in
the direction of the arrow.
2. Insert the batteries into the compartment with the posi-
tive (+) sides facing up. The POWER/IN USE indicator
turns on.
3. Replace the cover, then reinsert and tighten the screw.
Notes:
• The AFX-300’s POWER/IN USE indicator flashes slowly
during normal use. If it flashes rapidly, replace the batter-
ies. For the longest life, we recommend alkaline batter-
ies, such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 23-115.
Warning: Promptly dispose of old batteries and keep
them out of reach of young children. Swallowing a button
cell battery can be fatal.
• Before you replace the back-up batteries, you must dis-
connect the AFX-300 from AC power and unplug all
modular phone cords.
• Disconnecting AC power while the batteries are removed
resets the AFX-300’s features to their default settings
(see “Special Features” on Page 26).
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MAKING THE CONNECTIONS
Follow these steps to connect the AFX-300 to the phone line
and your answering machine (TAD), fax machine,fax modem,
and/or data modem.
1. Plug one end of the AFX-300’s modular cord into its LINE
jack, and plug the other end into your modular telephone
line jack.
Notes:
• If your telephone line does not have a modular jack,
you must update the wiring. You can convert the wir-
ing yourself, using jacks and adapters available at
your local Radio Shack store, or you can have the
telephone company update the wiring for you. The
telephone company will charge you for the installation
of the necessary jacks. The USOC number of the jack
to be installed is RJ11C (or RJ11W for a wall plate
jack).
MODEM FAX LINE TAD DC 12V
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• If you have two phone lines and you want to connect
the AFX-300 to the second line, you must install a tri-
plex modular adapter, such as Radio Shack Cat. No.
279-469, and connect the AFX-300 to L2. Follow the
installation instructions provided with the adapter.
• You can mount the AFX-300 on a standard modular
wall plate or directly on a wall using two screws (not
supplied), then connect the AFX-300 to the telephone
line using a short modular cord (not supplied).
2. To connect a fax machine, fax modem, or fax/data
modem, plug its modular plug into the AFX-300’s FAX
jack.
OPEN
RESET
Mounting on a Wall Plate Mounting Directly on a Wall
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Notes:
• If you connected a fax/data modem (one that receives
both fax
and data calls), be sure to set the AFX-300 to
route data modem calls to the FAX jack (see “Special
Features” on Page 26).
• To ensure optimum compatibility with the AFX-300
and avoid disconnected fax calls due to lengthy con-
nection time:
— Set the connected fax machine/fax modem’s ring
number feature to its minimum setting (typically 1
ring).
— If the connected fax machine/fax modem has a
delayed ring (or answer) feature, turn it off or set
it to the minimum delay setting.
3. To connect a TAD to the AFX-300, plug the TAD’s modu-
lar plug into the AFX-300’s TAD jack. Also, see “Prepar-
ing a TAD for Use with the AFX-300” on Page 15.
TAD DC 12V
LINEMODEM FAX
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Notes:
• If you connect a TAD to the AFX-300, you can connect
your telephone to the phone jack on the TAD.
• If you do not connect a TAD to the AFX-300’s TAD
jack, you can connect your telephone’s modular plug
directly to this jack.
• If you installed a triplex adapter, plug your TAD’s or
telephone’s modular cord into the adapter’s L1/L2
jack.
4. To connect a data modem to the AFX-300, plug the
modem’s modular plug into the AFX-300’s MODEM jack.
Note: If you connected both a TAD
and a data modem to
the AFX-300, and do not subscribe to second number
distinctive ring service from your telephone company, be
sure to turn on the automatic modem detection feature
(see “Special Features” on Page 26). Otherwise, the
AFX-300 will not switch data modem calls properly.
MODEM TAD LINE
FAX DC 12V
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INITIALIZING THE AFX-300/
CONNECTING TO POWER
Follow these steps to initialize the AFX-300 and connect it to
AC power.
Cautions:
• Be sure you install the batteries then connect all of the
modular jacks
before you connect the AFX-300 to power.
• You must follow
all of these steps, in order , to initialize
your AFX-300; otherwise, it might not detect when the
batteries are low.
1. Plug the supplied adapter’s barrel plug into the AFX-
300’s
DC 12V jack.
AC
ADAPTER
MODEM TAD DC 12V LINE
FAX
1
2
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2. Plug the adapter’s other end into a standard 120-volt AC
power outlet.
Caution: You must use a Class II, 120V AC/12V DC
adapter that delivers at least 400 milliamps. Its center tip
must be set to negative and its plug must correctly fit the
AFX-300’s DC 12V jack. The supplied adapter meets
these requirements. Using an adapter that does not meet
these requirements could damage the AFX-300 or the
adapter.
3. Wait about 10 seconds, then unplug the adapter’s barrel
plug from the AFX-300’s DC 12V jack.
4. Wait another 10 seconds, then reconnect the adapter’s
barrel plug to the AFX-300’s DC 12V jack.
5. Route the AC adapter cord through the AFX-300’s strain
relief slot.
OPEN
RESET
AC
ADAPTER
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PREPARING A TAD FOR USE WITH
THE AFX-300
Setting the TAD’s Ring Number
The AFX-300 is preset to direct a call to either the FAX or MO-
DEM jack after five rings. When you use a TAD with the AFX-
300, be sure the TAD is set to answer within four rings. If it is
not,either change the ring number on the TAD to 4, orchange
the ring number on the AFX-300 to at leastone number higher
than the TAD’s ring number (see “Special Features” on
Page 26).
Changing the Outgoing Message
Some fax machines/fax modems do not sound the tones re-
quired to make the AFX-300 automatically switch the call and
start your fax machine/fax modem (see “Switching Fax Calls
Manually” on Page 24). If you connected a TAD to the AFX-
300,we recommend you change the TAD’s outgoing message
to include instructions for callers with that type of fax machine/
fax modem, or for those callers who might want to both leave
a voice message and send a fax during the call.
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For example:
“Hello. You have reached 555-4567. Please leave your name
and phone number at the tone, and we will return your call. If
you want to send us a fax and you have a touch-tone phone,
press one, the pound sign, then one on your telephone to ac-
tivate our fax machine, then press
START
on yourfax machine.
Thanks for calling.”
Ifyou also connecteda data modem to the AFX-300, the mes-
sage might say:
“Hello. You have reached 555-4567. If you want to leave a
message, press any digit on your touch-tone phone, then
leave your name and phone number at the tone, and we will
return your call. Or, if you want to send us a fax and you have
a touch-tone phone, press one, the pound sign, then one on
your telephone to activate our fax machine, then press
START
on your fax machine. Thanks for calling.”
Note: If your TAD’s message interferes with the AFX-300’s
operation (for example, calls are not routed properly, the TAD
records calls intended for the fax machine/fax modem, etc.),
re-record the message and speak more softly.
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OPTIONAL VOICE DATA GUARD
If an extension telephone on the same line as the AFX-300 is
in use, the AFX-300 does not let your fax machine/fax modem
or data modem access the telephone line or interrupt the call
in progress.
However, to preventan extension telephone (one not plugged
into the AFX-300) from interrupting a fax or data transmission
that is in progress on the same line as the AFX-300, you must
plug that extension phone into an optional voice data guard,
such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 43-107.
You can use a voice data guard for these situations:
• When you use cordless telephones, extension tele-
phones, speed dialers, computer modems, or other tele-
phone devices on the same telephone line as your fax
machine/fax modem.
• When your answering machine is too far away to easily
connect to the AFX-300’s TAD jack.
To install a voice data guard, follow its supplied instructions.
Note: You do not need touse a voice data guard withthe AFX-
300 if your TAD automatically stops the outgoing message
when you pick up an extension phone on the same line as the
TAD, and you connected the TAD to the AFX-300’s TAD jack.
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OPERATION
An incoming call on the phone line connected to the AFX-300
can be answered in any of the following ways:
•If you connected an answering machine (TAD) to the
AFX-300, you can let the TAD answer the call (see
“Using a TAD with the AFX-300” on Page 19).
•You can answer the call in person by picking up any
phone on the same line as the AFX-300 (see “Answering
Calls in Person” on Page 22).
•You can let the AFX-300 automatically answer the
call (see “Letting the AFX-300 Answer Calls” on
Page 23).
Regardless of how a call is answered, if the call is from a fax
machine, fax modem, or data modem, the AFX-300 automati-
cally directs the call to the proper device. After the call ends,
the AFX-300 automatically resets to answer the next call.
Notes:
• The POWER/IN USE indicator flashes slowly when the
AFX-300 is in use.
• If you connected both a TAD and a data modem to the
AFX-300, be sure to turn on the AFX-300’s automatic
modem detection feature (see “Automatic Modem Detec-
tion (AMD)” on Page 39).
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• If you subscribe to first number distinctive ring service
from your telephone company, the AFX-300 is preset to
automatically transfer calls to your fax machine/fax
modem, whether the call is a voice call or a call from a
fax machine/fax modem or data modem (see “First Num-
ber Distinctive Ring” on Page 35).
• If you have two phone lines and subscribe to a call roll-
over feature from your telephone company, a fax call
might roll over to the other line (the line not connected to
the AFX-300) when your fax line is busy. If this happens,
the AFX-300 cannot direct that call to your fax machine/
fax modem.
• If a caller’s fax machine does not sound fax alert (CNG)
tones (tones that indicate the incoming call is a fax call),
the AFX-300 cannot automatically switch the call to your
fax machine/fax modem, but you can switch it manually
(see “Switching Fax Calls Manually” on Page 24).
USING A TAD WITH THE AFX-300
If you connected a TAD to the AFX-300, you can let the TAD
answercalls. How the AFX-300 operates depends on whether
you connected only a fax machine/fax modem, or connected
a fax machine/fax modem and a data modem.
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TAD Operation with a Fax Machine/Fax Modem
When the TAD answers a call, the AFX-300 listens during the
outgoing message foreitherfax alerttones ortouch-tone com-
mands.
If the AFX-300 detects fax alert tones, it automatically dis-
connects the TAD and directs the call to your fax machine/fax
modem.
If the AFX-300 detects a preset sequence of touch-tone
commands, it either switches the call directly to your fax ma-
chine/fax modem or data modem, or is set to accept further
commands (see “Switching Fax Calls Manually” on Page 24
and “Special Features” on Page 26).
If the call is a voice call, the TAD records the caller’s mes-
sage as usual.
Notes:
• If the touch-tone sequence detected by the AFX-300
does not match one of its preset sequences, the TAD
simply records the touch-tone sounds.
• If no fax alert or touch-tones are detected and the caller
is silent, the TAD records the silence and/or hangs up.
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