RCA digital Xsound BR250 VHF User manual

Copyright © 2015 RCA Communications Systems
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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
Congratulations on selecting the BR250TM from
RCA Communications Systems - The most trusted name in radio.
RCA Communications Systems products are designed to perform awlessly under the most
demanding commercial conditions. Cutting edge design, professional grade materials and
components, simple operation and superior assembly quality: RCA Communications Systems has
it all, including our exclusive no-nonsense, THREE-Year “Warranty Protection Program,” one of the
most comprehensive warranties in the communications industry.
To ensure maximum performance from your BR250TM radio, please be sure to read this manual
carefully.
MODELS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL:
• BR250 VHF Two-Way Radio
• BR250 UHF Two-Way Radio

Copyright © 2015 RCA Communications Systems
BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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Safety and General Information.....................4
Product Inspection.........................................5
RCA BR250TM Overview.................................7
Battery Information.....................................10
Initial Use.............................................10
Applicable Battery Packs.......................10
Battery Tips..........................................10
Tips to Prolong Battery Life...................11
Battery Storage.....................................11
Charging the Battery.............................11
Steps for Setting Up Your Charger...............13
Troubleshooting...................................14
No LED Indication............................14
Red LED Flashes Rapidly...................14
Antenna Information...................................15
Assembly and Disassembly...........................15
Attaching the Battery...........................15
Removing the Battery...........................16
Attaching the Antenna........................17
Removing the Antenna........................17
Attaching / Removing the Belt Clip......18
Attaching the Earpiece / Microphone...19
Removing the Earpiece / Microphone...19
General Radio Operations and Functions.....20
Radio Operations.................................20
Turn the Radio On/Off......................20
Adjust the Volume............................20
Select a Channel...............................21
Transmitting......................................21
Receiving..........................................21
Radio Functions....................................21
Time-out Timer (TOT).......................21
Battery Save Mode...........................21
Battery Strength Indicator.................22
Low Battery Alert.............................23
Busy Channel Lockout (BCL).............23
Voice Operated Transmit (VOX)........23
Troubleshooting..........................................25
CONTENTS:

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
Care and Cleaning......................................26
Optional Accessories...................................27
Glossary......................................................32
Warranty Statement....................................33
CONTENTS continued

Copyright © 2015 RCA Communications Systems
BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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SAFETY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Please observe the following general safety
precautions during all phases of operation,
service and repair of this equipment.
»Turn radio off prior entering any area with
a potentially explosive atmosphere, such
as gas, petroleum, chemicals, blasting
caps, etc.
»Do not charge the battery in a potentially
explosive atmosphere.
»Do not use any portable radio that has a
damaged antenna, as it can burn skin.
»This equipment is to be serviced only by
authorized RCA Communications Systems
technicians. Any service performed by
unauthorized technicians will void the
warranty.
»Turn radio off when near electrical blasting
caps to avoid possible interference with
blasting operations. Obey posted signs
such as those in hospitals or blasting areas
advising people to turn off all two-way
radios. Obey pilots and ight attendants
instructions to turn off radios on airplanes.
»Do not place a radio over an air bag or in
an air bag’s deployment area, as the force
with which an air bag is inated could
propel the radio and may cause serious
injury.
»Do not place the radio close to a heat
source or expose the radio to direct
sunlight for a prolonged time.
»Hold the radio while in use in a vertical
position with the microphone one to two
inches away from your lips.
»While wearing a transmitting radio, keep
the radio and its antenna at least one inch
away from your body.

Copyright © 2015 RCA Communications Systems
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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
PRODUCT INSPECTION
Prior to unpacking the BR250TM portable
radio, please inspect the packaging for
signs of damage and report any damage or
missing components immediately to your RCA
Communications Systems Sales and Service
Outlet. Every BR250TM portable radio comes
with the following items:
Item Qty.(PCS)
BR250 - Handheld Radio 1
B2520LI - Li-Ion Battery (2000mAh) 1
BC250 - Belt Clip 1
STR250 - Handy Carry Strap
(Easy way to carry your radio) 1
ANH250U-6 - UHF Model Antenna
ANH250V-6 - VHF Model Antenna 1
Instruction Manual 1
CH2501* - Desktop Rapid Charger 1
PS2501* - Power Supply 1
B2520LI
Li-Ion Battery (2000mAh)
CH2501
Desktop Rapid Charger
PS2501
Power Supply
BC250
Belt Clip
STR250
Handy Carry Strap
Antenna
ANH250U-6 - UHF models
ANH250V-6 - VHF models
BR250
Handheld Radio
* Items sent in separate box if ordered.

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Notes:
The frequency band of the BR250TM is marked
on the radio label. If it is not visible, identify
the frequency band according to the color
circle on the antenna: red indicates UHF and
green indicates VHF.

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
RCA BR250 Overview (1) PTT (Push-to-Talk) key
(2) SK1 (Side Key 1) (programmable)
(3) SK2 (Side Key 2) (programmable)
(4) Speaker
(5) Microphone
(6) Antenna
(7) LED Indicator
(8) Channel Selector Knob
(9) Radio On-Off/ Volume Control Knob
(10) Battery Latch
(11) Accessory Jack
(12) Accessory Cover
(13) Belt Clip
(14) Battery
(15) Screw
(16) Electrode Piece

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key
Press and hold down the PTT key to transmit,
release it to receive.
SK1 (Side Key 1)
Side Key 1 is the programmable key to which
your dealer can assign long and short press
function. (See Glossary for denitions of long
and short press.)
SK2 (Side Key 2)
Side Key 2 is the programmable key to which
your dealer can assign long and short press
function. (See Glossary for denitions of long
and short press.)
LED Indicator
For information on status of LED Indicator and
alert tone, see table on pg. 9 (See Functions
and Settings for the detailed operations.)
Channel Selector Knob
Turn the knob to select channels 1 to 16.
Radio On-Off/Volume Control Knob
Turn the knob clockwise to turn the radio on,
and turn the knob fully counter-clockwise until
it clicks to turn the radio off.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase the
volume, or counter-clockwise to decrease the
volume. WARNING!! Make sure the BR250
is at low volume prior to using any earpiece
accessory, and then adjust the volume to a
comfortable level. Failing to do so may cause
hearing damage.
Battery Latch
Use to remove the battery.
Accessory Jack
The jack is used to connect speaker,
microphone, external PTT, earpiece, headset,
programming cable and cloning cable.

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
LED Indicator and Alert Tones
Power Up in User Mode
When the radio is turned on, the power up alert tone will
sound. When the current channel is an empty channel, the radio
continuously beeps.
Low Battery Alert LED ashes red and a low-pitched tone sounds at ten second
intervals.
Transmitting LED glows red when transmitting. When TOT timer expires, the radio
continuously beeps. TOT pre-alert causes radio to beep.
Receiving LED glows green when carrier is present.
Scanning
Green LED ashes every second while scanning is in progress.
Scan Start Alert Tone (programmable by your dealer): radio beeps.
Scan Exit Alert Tone (programmable by your dealer): radio beeps.
Priority Channel Scan Alert Tone (programmable by your dealer): if
the current channel is the priority channel when scanning, the radio
beeps.
Power Adjust
A low-pitched tone sounds when transmit power is adjusted from
high to low. A high-pitched tone sounds when transmit power is
adjusted from low to high.
VOX A high-pitched tone sounds when the VOX feature is activated. A
low-pitched tone sounds when the VOX feature is disabled.

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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BATTERY INFORMATION
Initial Use
New batteries are shipped from the
factory uncharged. Charge a new battery
approximately 12 hours prior to initial use
(applies to Ni-CD, Ni-MH and Li-Ion batteries
charged with slow or rapid rate charger).
NOTE: The Indicator Light will turn GREEN
approximately one hour after battery is
placed in a Rapid Rate Charger; however, it is
strongly recommended the battery charge for
12 hours. This initializes it and allows for the
best performance. Maximum battery capacity
is normally achieved after two or three full
charge / discharge cycles. If battery power
runs low, recharge the battery. Batteries that
are brand new or that have been stored for an
extended period of time (several weeks), may
require more time to fully charge.
Applicable Battery Packs
To reduce the risk of injury, use only batteries
specied by RCA Communications Systems.
Caution:
1. To avoid risk of personal injury, do not
dispose of batteries in a re.
2. Dispose of batteries according to local
recycling regulations. Do not dispose as
household waste.
3. Never attempt to disassemble the battery.
Battery Tips:
1. When charging a battery, keep it at a
temperature between 41°F ~ 104°F (5°C ~
40°C) to ensure a full charge. Temperatures
outside this range signicantly reduce
battery life.
2. Before charging a battery attached to a
radio, turn the radio off to ensure a full
charge. Never leave a radio on while it is

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
in the charger, as it can damage both the
battery and the radio; the charger is not a
radio stand.
3. Do not cut off the power supply or remove
battery while charging.
4. Never charge a battery that is wet. Dry it
with soft cloth prior charging.
5. The battery will eventually weaken. When
the operating time (talk-time and standby
time) is noticeably shorter than normal,
replace the battery.
Tips To Prolong Battery Life:
1. Battery performance greatly decreases at
temperatures below -4°F (-20°C).Having
a spare battery is always necessary in
extremely cold environments. A cold
battery may work again when it returns to
room temperature, so keep it for later use.
2. Dust on the battery contact may cause the
battery not to work or charge properly. Use
a clean dry cloth to wipe it before attaching
the battery to the radio.
3. Batteries with damaged contacts can be
extremely dangerous. Any battery with
damage to one or more contacts should be
replaced immediately and not used under
any circumstances.
Battery Storage
1. Fully charge a battery before storing it for
an extended period of time to avoid battery
damage due to over-discharge.
2. Recharge a battery after three months
storage to avoid reduced battery capacity
due to over-discharge.
3. When storing a battery, keep it in a dry
place at room temperature.
Charging the Battery
1. When the battery level is very low, recharge
it. It is never recommended to completely
drain the battery, which may cause your

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battery to malfunction and no longer
accept a charge.
2. Use only chargers specied by RCA
Communications Systems. When the
charger’s LED illuminates red, it is an
indication that the battery is being correctly
charged. When the LED illuminates green,
the battery charge is complete.
Status Charged LED
Standby (no-load) Red LED slowly ashes
(0.2s on/3s off )
Battery is charging Red LED solidly glows
Battery is 90% charged Orange LED solidly glows
Battery is fully charged Green LED solidly glows
Error Red LED rapidly ashes
(0.2s on/0.2s off)

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
4. Make sure the battery contact is touching
the charging terminals. The charging
process begins when the red LED light
illuminates.
5. The green LED light will illuminate
approximately one hour later, indicating
the battery is fully charged.
Steps for setting up your charger:
1. Plug the adapter’s AC connector into the
AC outlet socket.
2. Plug the adapter’s DC connector into the
DC socket on the back of the charger.
3. Place the radio with the battery attached,
or the battery alone, in the charger.

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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Troubleshooting:
When troubleshooting, always observe the
color of the LED:
No LED Indication
1. Make sure that the power cord is plugged
into an appropriate AC outlet.
Red LED ashes rapidly (0.2s on/0.2s off)
Remove the battery from the charger, and:
1. Make sure that you are using an original
RCA Communications Systems battery.
Remove power from the battery charger.
Clean the charger and the battery’s
charging contacts using a clean, dry cloth.
2. Make sure the battery temperature isn’t
above 113°F. (45°C)
3. Power up the charger and place the
battery back into the charging cup. If the
LED indicator continues to ash red, most
likely, the battery can no longer be charged
and must be replaced. To determine if the
battery requires replacement, place the
battery pack into another charger that
you know is working properly. If the LED
continually ashes red, battery replacement
is necessary.
Notes:
• When the battery charger detects the
proper battery conditions, rapid charging
begins automatically (steady red LED).
• If the battery temperature is above 113°F
(45°C), the charger will report the fault by
flashing the red LED rapidly (0.2s on/0.2s
off), and will not charge until the battery
temperature is below 113°F (45°C) with
the red LED changing to solid illumination.

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
ANTENNA INFORMATION
• Stubby (3”) antennas are ideal for
communication within limited range, and
standard (6”) antennas optimize coverage;
the longer the antenna, the better the
coverage is. If you use a stubby antenna for
convenience instead of a standard length
antenna, you can expect approximately a
30% reduction in coverage. When using a
two-way radio outdoors, heavy rain, snow,
buildings or thick forest can dramatically
reduce radio coverage.
ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY
Attaching the Battery
1. Hold the battery and attach it close to the
top of aluminum chassis. (Note: Insert tab
on top of the battery into the top of battery
slot.) See Figure 1.
2. Lightly press the bottom of the battery until
Figure 1
it clicks. This signies that the battery latch
is locked to the main unit and assembly is
nished. See Figure 2.
Note: If the battery is not securely locked,
remove it and reattach it.
Figure 2

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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Removing the Battery
1. First, turn off the radio. Hold the top of
radio and press the belt clip to raise the
bottom of the belt clip. Lift the battery latch
in the direction of the arrow. See Figure 3.
2. When the bottom of the battery is raised,
release the battery latch and remove the
battery. (Note: When the battery is raised,
keep the angle between the battery and
main unit small so the battery doesn’t get
scratched.) See Figure 4.
Figure 3
Figure 4

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
Attaching the Antenna
1. Insert the antenna into the big screw thread
hole on top of the main unit.
2. Turn the antenna clockwise until it is
screwed down as shown in Figure 5 below.
Figure 5
Removing the Antenna
To remove the antenna, turn it counter-
clockwise as shown in Figure 6 below.
Figure 6

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip
1. Using a small screwdriver, remove the
screws from the back of the radio’s chassis.
2. Align the belt clip’s screw holes to the
radio’s chassis. Turn the screw clockwise
into the belt clip’s screw holes. See Figure
7 below.
3. To remove the belt clip, turn the screwdriver
counter-clockwise to loosen the screw. See
Figure 8 below.
Figure 7-
Attaching the Belt Clip
Figure 8-
Removing the Belt Clip

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
2. Firmly plug the audio accessory into the
accessory jack and secure the screw. See
Figure 10. Warning!! Over-tightening
accessories may cause damage to the radio
that is not covered under warranty.
3. To remove the audio accessory from the
jack, turn the screw counter-clockwise and
remove the accessory.
Attaching/Removing the Earpiece/
Microphone
1. Open the accessory cover without removing
it, as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9
Figure 10

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BR250TM Professional Two-Way Radio Instruction Manual
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GENERAL RADIO OPERATIONS AND
FUNCTIONS
Radio Operations
Turn the Radio On/Off
Turn the radio on-off /volume control knob
clockwise to turn on the radio, and an alert
tone will be heard. Turn the radio on-off /
volume control knob counter-clockwise until
it clicks to turn off the radio. See Figure 1.
Figure 1
Adjust the Volume
Turn the volume control knob clockwise/
counter-clockwise to increase/decrease the
volume. See Figure 2.
Figure 2
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