Radio Shack TP-396 User manual

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OWNER’S MANUAL
FRS/GMRS RADIO
TP-396
(2002-09-12)
INTRODUCTION
With RadioShack’s base station FRS/GMRS radio, you can stay in constant communication
with your family throughout your home. In addition, they’re great for office use as well.
Your radio has 22 channels and 38 different QUIET codes. If someone else is using the
channel you selected and you do not want to hear that person, select another channel, or use
the QUIET feature. You can talk with a person who has a FRS/GMRS radio if both radios are
tuned to the same channel and QUIET code.
Your radio has auto-squelch, which means you will not hear anything on a channel unless
someone is transmitting nearby on the same channel. You can turn off auto-squelch to hear
weaker, distant transmissions.
You can connect an optional speaker/microphone and earphone to the radio. The VOX
operation brings you convenient hands-free use.
Your transceiver has these features:
Selective Channel and QUIET ---- You can select the channel from one of the 22
FRS/GMRS channels and one of the 38 QUIET codes. The channel and Quiet code are
selected on the display.
PLL Controlled Circuitry ---- provides accurate and stable channel selection.
QUIET (Continuous Tone Control Squelch System) ---- helps reduce interference from
other systems in the area operating on the same frequency.
Built-in Modulation Limiter Circuit ---- automatically adjusts for a wide variety of voice
levels to ensure an understandable transmission.
External Earphone and Microphone---- Let you transmit or receive message by pressing
or releasing Talk button on the headset or use VOX option for hands-free operation.
Fixed Rod Antenna ---- Let you have a better performance of communication.
We recommend you record your transceiver’s serial number here. This number is on the
transceiver’s back panel.

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Serial Number_______________________
Your transceiver might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To
determine whether your transceiver is causing the interference, turn off your transceiver. If the
interference goes away, your transceiver is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference by:
•Moving your transceiver away from the receiver.
•Contacting your local RadioShack store for help.
Connecting Power
The FRS/GMRS intercom requires the supplied 6V, 500mA AC adapter and a standard AC
outlet for power.
Caution:
You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 6V DC and delivers at
least 500 mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the
FRS/GMRS intercom’s DC 6V 500 mA jack. The supplied adapter meets
these specifications. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could
damage the FRS/GMRS intercom or the adapter.
lAlways connect the AC adapter to the FRS/GMRS intercom before you connect it to AC
power. When you finish, disconnect the adapter from AC power before you disconnect if
from the FRS/GMRS intercom.
1. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s barrel plug
into the DC 6V 500 mA jack on the back of
the FRS/GMRS intercom.
2. Route the adapter cord into the groove on the
back of the intercom.
3. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
4. Raise the antenna to a vertical position.
Mounting on a Wall
Note: To mount the FRS/GMRS intercom on a wall, you need two screws (not supplied) with
heads that fit the keyhole slots on the bottom of the FRS/GMRS intercom.
1. Drill two holes 2¾ inches (70 mm) apart. Then thread a screw into each hole, letting the
screw heads extend about -inch (3.5 mm) from the wall.

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2. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s barrel plug into the DC 6V 500 mA jack on the back of
the FRS/GMRS intercom.
3. Route the AC adapter’s cord into the strain relief groove on the bottom left of the
FRS/GMRS intercom, then plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
4. Place the FRS/GMRS intercom’s two keyhole slots over the screws and slide the
FRS/GMRS intercom down to secure it.
5. Raise the antenna to a vertical position.
SETTING THE QUIET CODE AND CHANNEL
The quiet feature lets you communicate with another radio which uses the same channel and
CTCSS (quiet) code as your radio.
FCC INFORMATION
Important: Do not open your radio to make any internal adjustments. Your radio is set up to
transmit a regulated signal on one of 22 assigned frequencies. It is against the law to alter or
adjust the settings inside the radio to exceed those limitations. Any adjustments to your radio
must be made by a qualified technician using the proper test equipment.
To be safe and sure:
lNever open your radio’s case.
lNever change or replace anything in your radio except the batteries.
Your radio might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To
determine whether your radio is causing the interference, turn it off. If the interference goes
away, your radio is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference by:
lmoving your radio away from the receiver
lcalling your local RadioShack store for help
If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using the radio.

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This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Your wireless transceiver contains a radio frequency transmitter. When The PTT button Is
pushed the trasmitter sends out (RF) signals.
CAUTION:
To comply with FCC RF exposure a separation distance of at least 8 inches (20 cm) must be
maintained between the antenna of this transmittre and all persons , during normal operation
The antenna used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with
any other antenna or transmltter. Unauthorized antenas, modifications, or attachments could
damage the transceiver and may violate FCC regulations.
CAUTION:
DO NOT transmit for more than 50% of total use time (50% duty cycle). Transmitting more
than 50% of the time can cause FCC RF exposure compliance requirements to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these restrictions is in violation with the FCC rules.
GMRS License:
Use of GMRS radios within the United States requires a FCC GMRS license, An individual
18 years of age or older, who is not a representative of a foreign government is eligible to
apply for a GMRS system license. You will need two forms from the FCC, FCC Form 159
and FCC FORM 605 Main Form and Schedule F. You can find the forms online at
http://www,fcc,gor/formpage.html,or call 1-800-418-3676.
USING THE RADIO
A. DISPLAY
Your radio comes with a multifunction backlighted display. By pressing any button except
PTT, the backlight will illuminate for 15 seconds.

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1. : Displays when the MENU is selected.
2. M2 display the second memory channel.
3. Display the first memory channel.
4. “SCAN” : Displays when the scan mode is activated.
5. “DUAL” : Displays when the dual-watch function is activated.
6. “ ”:Displays when the key tone function is activated.
7. “ ”:Displays when the working channel is set to be skipped.
8. “VOX” Display when VOX is activated.
9. “QUIET”: Displays when the QUIET mode is enabled.
10. Shows the selected privacy code number.
11. Shows the selected channel number.
12. Display the third memory channel.
13. “”: Displays when the keypad lock is activated.
14. C-TONEDisplay when overtone is set.
15. “BUSY” : Displays when a call is being received.
16. “ ”:Displays when your radio is transmitting or the CALL button is pressed.
B. FUNCTION AND LOCATION OF THE CONTROLS

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1. Power Jack
Just plug the station into the DC outlet of included DC adapter ,then connect the adapter to a
standard AC outlet.
2. Rod Antenna
Adjust antenna will let you have a better performance of communication.
3. VOX Sensitivity Control
Rotate this control to adjust the VOX sensitivity.
4. “ON/OFF” Volume Control.
In “OFF” position, your transceiver is off. Rotate this control clockwise to turn on your radio
and adjusts the volume, until you get a comfortable listening level.
5. CH /Scan/Skip
Press CH to move one channel higher. Press and hold CH for more than 1.5 seconds
to enter into the scan upwardly mode. PressCH will change the scanning direction.
Scan
User can choose a desired channel from being scanned. Press CH or to go to the
desired channel. Press MON key and hold for more 1.5 seconds, then press CH key to
skip this channel from scanning. Icon “ ” is on to indicate this working channel is set to be
skipped.

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Skip
Press MON key and hold for more than 1.5 seconds, then press CH key to activate or
deactivate Skip function. Icon “ ” will be shown if activated.
6. Talk Botton
To talk, hold down the Talk. Speak into the microphone in a normal tone of voice when the
icons is displayed. When you finish speaking, release the Talk button.
7. MON Button / MCU Reset Button / Keylock
To hear everything happening on a channel, including weak transmission, hold down MON
button for more than 1.5 seconds. Re lease theMON button to turn the auto-squelch back on.
Holding the MON button while turning on the radio will resume your radio’s MCU and the quiet
code will be reset to number 12, QUIET privacy mode operation is deactivated, keypad lock
disabled, backlight switched off and channel setting will go to number 1.
When the unit is reset, memory channel M1, M2, M3 will go to CH1, CH2, CH3 without QUIET
code.
Your can also lock your radio setting to avoid accidental pressing of keys by activating the
keypad lock. Press and hold the MON button, then press the QUIET button to activate or
deactivate the keypad lock.
8. QUIET /QUIET Scan Button
Press QUIET button to enable or disable theQUIET privacy mode operation.
ａ） Hold down QUIET button for 2 seconds until QUIET is displayed and the quiet code
flashes.
ｂ） Repeatedly press (or hold down) CH or CH until you see the code number you want
to use.
ｃ） Press QUIETbutton to store the code.
To turn on the quiet feature, press QUIET. QUIET appears. To turn off the feature, press
QUIETuntil QUIETdisappears.
Note: We recommend that you select a quiet code from the range 7-30. If you select a code
below or above that range, you must wait 1 to 2 seconds after holding downTALK before you
start talking.
QUIET Scanning
Press Quiet key for more than 1.5 seconds, then press “ ” for 1.5 seconds, quiet begin
scanning, scan icons of “SCAN” will be lightened on LCD. When received the same QUIET
code, the scanning stops and will keep scanning after the signal disappears. Press any key
will exit and return to the normal working channel.

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9. CH / CALL
Press CH to move one channel down. Press and hold CH for more than 1.5 seconds
to enter into call function. “ “Will be displayed.
A ringer sound on all radios tuned to the same FRS/GMRS channel and/or the privacy code
as your radio.
10. VOX button / C-Tone / Key-Tone
Press “VOX” and it will display, VOX is activated, then press “VOX”. “VOX” will deactivated,
to adjust VOX knob will change sensitivity of VOX.
Press and hold the VOX for more than 1.5 seconds, C-Tone will flash. Press or to
switch the function to “ON” or “OF”. Press VOX again will flash. Press or will
determinekey-tone.
12. External Mic/Spk Jack
Connect an optional speaker/microphone or earphone in this jack.
14. M1 (M2 or M3)/ Dual Watch
Press M1 (M2 or M3) for more than 1.5 seconds to switch the unit to the channel and QUIET
code stored at this location.
Dual Watch
It can be activated or deactivated by pressing the MON key and follow by M1 (M2 or M3).
‘DUAL’ icon will be shown on the LCD if activate. During Dual-Watching, upon receiving a
signal from the normal working channel or M1 (M2 or M3) channel, the unit will stop at that
channel. If the signal is gone, the unit will resume Dual-Watch.
Note: You can only communicate with another radio that is using the same channel and/or the
samequiet code as your radio.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
RX Frequency..........................................................................................462-467 MHz
Channels...................................................................................................................22
Modulation type........................................................................................................FM
Antenna impedance..........................................................................................50 Ohm
Microphone...........................................................................................condenser type
Power supply..........................................................................................DC 6V
Sensitivity at 12dB Sinad.....................................................................................0.5µV
Adjacent Channel Rejection..................................................................................45dB
Audio Squelch .......................................................................................................Auto
Audio output power...........................................................................200mW @ 8 Ohm
Audio Distortion .......................................................................................................5%
RF Output Power......................................................................500 MW ERP (FRS)
600 MW ERP (GMRS)
Harmonic Emissions............................................................................more than 50dB
Dimensions (HWD)............................................................….......178*118*36mm
Weight (without batteries)......................................................................................310g

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21-1846
Channel
Transmit
Frequency
(MHZ)
Transmit
Power
(Watts) Description
1462.5625 0.6 FRS 1/GMRS Interstitial 1
2462.5875 0.6 FRS 2/GMRS Interstitial 2
3462.6125 0.6 FRS 3/GMRS Interstitial 3
4462.6375 0.6 FRS 4/GMRS Interstitial 4
5462.6625 0.6 FRS 5/GMRS Interstitial 5
6462.6875 0.6 FRS 6/GMRS Interstitial 6
7462.7125 0.6 FRS 7/GMRS Interstitial 7
8467.5625 0.5 FRS 8
9467.5875 0.5 FRS 9
10 467.6125 0.5 FRS 10
11 467.6375 0.5 FRS11
12 467.6625 0.5 FRS 12
13 467.6875 0.5 FRS 13
14 467.7125 0.5 FRS 14
15 462.5500 0.6 GMRS Primary 1
16 462.5750 0.6 GMRS Primary 2
17 462.6000 0.6 GMRS Primary 3
18 462.6250 0.6 GMRS Primary 4
19 462.6500 0.6 GMRS Primary 5
20 462.6750 0.6 GMRS Primary 6
21 462.7000 0.6 GMRS Primary 7
22 462.7250 0.6 GMRS Primary 8
QUIET Privacy Codes Frequency: Hz
01=67.0 11=97.4 21=136.5 31=192.8
02=71.9 12=100.0 22=141.3 32=203.5
03=74.4 13=103.5 23=146.2 33=210.7
04=77.0 14=107.2 24=151.4 34=218.1
05=79.7 15=110.9 25=156.7 35=225.7
06=82.5 16=114.8 26=162.2 36=233.6
07=85.4 17=118.8 27=167.9 37=241.8

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08=88.5 18=123.0 28=173.8 38=250.3
09=91.5 19=127.3 29=179.9
10=94.8 20=131.8 30=186.2