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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