Vertex Standard VX-920E Series User manual

16-Key Version 4-Key Version non-LCD Version
Vertex Standard LMR, Inc.
VX-920e series
operating ManuaL

Contents
Warning! RF Exposure Requirements ............................. 2
Controls & Connectors (16-Key Version) ........................ 4
Controls & Connectors (4-Key Version) .......................... 5
Controls & Connectors (Non-LCD Version) ................... 6
LCD Icons & Indicators (16- & 4-Key Versions) ............ 7
Before You Begin ................................................................ 8
Battery Pack Installation and Removal ......................... 8
Low Battery Indication ................................................. 8
Battery Charging (VAC-UNI: CD-58/PA-55) ............... 9
Battery Charging (VAC-920: CD-31/PA-42) .............. 10
Operation .......................................................................... 12
Preliminary Steps ........................................................ 12
Operation Quick Start ................................................. 12
Automatic Time-Out Timer......................................... 14
Advanced Operation ........................................................ 15
Programmable Key and Toggle Switch Functions ..... 15
Description of Operating Functions ........................... 18
ARTS™ (Auto Range Transpond System) .................... 26
DTMF Paging System ...................................................... 26
LOCK ................................................................................ 26
User Set Mode................................................................... 27
Optional Accessories ........................................................ 28

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Congratulations!
You now have at your ngertips a valuable communications tool-a Vertex Standard two-way radio! Rugged, reli-
able and easy to use, your Vertex Standard radio will keep you in constant touch with your colleagues for years to
come, with negligible maintenance down-time. Please take a few minutes to read this manual carefully. The in-
formation presented here will allow you to derive maximum performance from your radio, in case questions arise
later on.
We’re glad you joined the Vertex Standard team. Call on us anytime, because communications is our business. Let
us help you get your message across.
Important Note
r There are no owner-serviceable parts inside the radio. All service jobs must be referred to an autho-
rized Vertex Standard Service Representative. Consult your Authorized Vertex Standard Dealer for
installation of optional accessories.
r In order to maintain the specied water integrity performance, periodic maintenance is recommended.
r Should the radio sustain a severe shock (e.g. if it is dropped), the water integrity may be compromised,
requiring service. Should this occur, contact your Authorized Vertex Standard Dealer.

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Warning! rF ExposurE rEquirEmEnts
This Radio has been tested and complies with the 1999/519/EC RF exposure limits. In addition, it complies with
the following Standards and Guidelines:
r ANSI/IEEE C95.1-1992, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Fre-
quency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
r ANSI/IEEE C95.3-1992, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous Electro-
magnetic Fields - RF and Microwave.
WARNING:
This radio generates RF electromagnetic energy during transmit mode. This radio is designed for and clas-
sied as Occupational Use Only, meaning it must be used only during the course of employment by indi-
viduals aware of the hazards, and the ways to minimize such hazards. This radio is not intended for use by
the General Population in an uncontrolled environment.
¦ This radio is NOT approved for use by the general population in an uncontrolled exposure environment.
This radio is restricted to occupational use, work related operations only where the radio operator must
have the knowledge to control his or her RF exposure conditions.
¦ When transmitting, hold the radio in a vertical position with its microphone 5 cm away from your
mouth and keep the antenna at least 5 cm away from your head and body.
¦ The radio must be used with a maximum operating duty cycle not exceeding 50%, in typical Push-to-
Talk congurations.
DO NOT transmit for more than 50% of total radio use time (50% duty cycle). Transmitting more than
50% of the time can cause FCC RF exposure compliance requirements to be exceeded.
The radio is transmitting when the red LED on the front panel of the radio is illuminated. You can
cause the radio to transmit by pressing the P-T-T button.
¦ SAR compliance for body-worn use was only demonstrated for the specific belt-clip Part Number
(CLIP-920). Other body-worn accessories or congurations may NOT comply with the FCC RF expo-
sure requirements and should be avoided.

3
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Warning! FCC rF ExposurE rEquirEmEnts
¦ DO NOT transmit when the radio is used in Body Worn configuration with the following accessory:
belt-clip.
It must be used ONLY for (1) there is 4 cm distance from the body during transmitting, (2) monitoring
purposes, using the speaker only and (3) for carrying purposes.
¦ Always use Vertex Standard authorized accessories.
¦ The information listed above provides the user with the information needed to make him or her aware
of RF exposure, and what to do to assure that this radio operates with the FCC RF exposure limits of
this radio.
¦ Electromagnetic Interference/Compatibility
During transmissions, this radio generates RF energy that can possibly cause interference with other de-
vices or systems. To avoid such interference, turn off the radio in areas where signs are posted to do so.
Do not operate the transmitter in areas that are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation such as hospitals,
health care facilities, aircraft, and blasting sites.

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Control & ConnECtors (16-KEy VErsion)
VOL/PWR Knob LED Indicator
Steady Red:
Transmitting in progress
Blinking Green:
Busy Channel
Steady Green:
Tone Squelch in defeated condition
Dealer Programmed Colorø
Emergency, 5-Tone Decoded, or
2-Tone Decoded
CH (Channel) Selector
Antenna Jack
TOP SEL Key
SpeakerMain Microphone
PTT Switch
MONITOR Button
LAMP Button
MIC/SP Jack
(External MIC/SP)
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)Battery Pack Latch 16-Button DTMF Keypad
ø one of “Flashing in white”,
“Continuation changes
in sequential colors”, or
“Toggling the two colors”.
TOGGLE Switch
Sub Microphone
(Noise Canceling MIC)
SIDE SEL Key

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Control & ConnECtors (4-KEy VErsion)
VOL/PWR Knob LED Indicator
Steady Red:
Transmitting in progress
Blinking Green:
Busy Channel
Steady Green:
Tone Squelch in defeated condition
Dealer Programmed Colorø
Emergency, 5-Tone Decoded, or
2-Tone Decoded
CH (Channel) Selector
Antenna Jack
TOP SEL Key
SpeakerMain Microphone
PTT Switch
MONITOR Button
LAMP Button
MIC/SP Jack
(External MIC/SP)
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)Battery Pack Latch 4-Button Programmable Key
ø one of “Flashing in white”,
“Continuation changes
in sequential colors”, or
“Toggling the two colors”.
TOGGLE Switch
Sub Microphone
(Noise Canceling MIC)
SIDE SEL Key

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Control & ConnECtors (non-lCD VErsion)
VOL/PWR Knob LED Indicator
Steady Red:
Transmitting in progress
Blinking Green:
Busy Channel
Steady Green:
Tone Squelch in defeated condition
Dealer Programmed Colorø
Emergency, 5-Tone Decoded, or
2-Tone Decoded
CH (Channel) Selector
Antenna Jack
TOP SEL Key
SpeakerMain Microphone
PTT Switch
MONITOR Button
LAMP Button
MIC/SP Jack
(External MIC/SP)
Battery Pack Latch
ø one of “Flashing in white”,
“Continuation changes
in sequential colors”, or
“Toggling the two colors”.
TOGGLE Switch
Sub Microphone
(Noise Canceling MIC)
SIDE SEL Key

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
lCD iCons & inDiCators (16-KEy & 4-KEy VErsions)
“CALL” Indicator
: This channel on the “SCAN” List
: “Priority Scan” is activated
“Dual Watch” is activated
Option Switch (Key Function) is activated
Low Transmit Power Mode On
RSSI Indicator (four steps)
Encryption is activated
Receiver Monitor
“Talk-Around” is enabled
“Voice Message” is received
Battery Indicator
“Group Scan” is enabled
12 Character Alpha-numeric Display
SUB-LCD : Channel Group Number
: Priority Channel
: Home Channel
: ARTS™ “In Range”
: ARTS™ “Out of Range”

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VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
BEForE you BEgin
Battery Pack Installation and Removal
r To install the battery, hold the transceiver with
your left hand, so your palm is over the speaker
and your thumb is on the top of the belt clip.
Carefully mate the battery’s four insertion slots
with their corresponding alignment tabs on the
transceiver case, while tilting the Belt Clip out-
ward. Proper alignment occurs with the battery
pack offset about 1.5 cm from the top edge of the
battery compartment.
r Guide the pack on to the tabs with a slight inward
pressure, then slide the battery pack upward, until
it locks in place with a “Click”.
Insert the Battery Pack
Tilt the Belt Clip
r To remove the battery, turn the radio off and re-
move any protective cases. Slide the Battery Pack
Latch on the bottom of the radio toward the front
panel while sliding the battery down about 1.5
cm. Then lift the battery out from the radio while
unfolding the Belt Clip.
Do not attempt to open any of the recharge-
able Lithium-Ion packs, as they could ex-
plode if accidentally short-circuited.
Low Battery Indication
As the battery discharges during use, the voltage
gradually becomes lower. When the battery voltage
becomes to low, substitute a freshly charged battery
and recharge the depleted pack. The LED indicator
on the top of the radio will blink red when the battery
voltage is low.
Caution
Danger of explosion if battery is replaced with
an incorrect battery. Replace only with the
same or equivalent type.
Note
The FBA-34 was designed as a backup bat-
tery pack, and it can be used to power the
transceiver if you are in an area that does not
require the use of an intrinsically safe radio.

9
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Battery Charging (VAC-UNI: CD-58/PA-55) for the FNB-V127LI-UNI/-V128LI-UNI/-V129LI-UNI
BEForE you BEgin
r Install the Spacer Plate to the nest of the optional
CD-58 Desktop Charger, if the Battery Spacer is
not installed.
r Insert the DC plug from the optional PA-55 AC
Adapter into the DC jack on the rear panel of the
optional CD-58 Desktop Charger, and then con-
nect the PA-55 AC Adapter to the AC line outlet.
r Insert the battery pack into the CD-58 Desktop
Charger while aligning the slots of the battery
pack with the guides in the nest of the CD-58;
refer to the following illustration for details on
proper positioning of the battery pack. If charging
with the transceiver attached, turn the transceiver
off. The antenna jack should be at the left side
when viewing the charger from the front.
r If the battery pack is inserted correctly, the LED
indicator will glow red. A fully-discharged battery
pack will charge completely in 1.5 - 3.0 hours
(depending on the battery pack being charged).
r When charging is completed, the LED indicator
will change to green.
r Disconnect the battery pack from the CD-58
Desktop Charger and unplug the PA-55 AC
Adapter from the AC line outlet.
AC Line Outlet
Spacer Plate
PA-55
CD-58

10
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
1) The VAC-UNI (CD-58/PA-55) charges
only the Vertex Standard FNB-V127LI-UNI,
FNB-V128LI-UNI and FNB-V129LI-UNI Lithium-
Ion Battery Pack.
2) Use only the Vertex Standard PA-55 AC Adapter.
3) To reduce the risk of explosion, recharge the bat-
teries outside of hazardous locations.
4) Perform the battery charging where the ambient
temperature range +5 °C to +40 °C. Charge out of
this range could cause damage to the battery pack.
5) Battery Pack shall not be exposed to excessive
heat such as sunshine, re, or the like.
6) Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an in-
correct type. Dispose of used batteries according to
the instructions.
7) For further details and cautions of the charging,
refer to the Operating Manual of the CD-58 Desktop
Charger.
BEForE you BEgin

11
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
Battery Charging (VAC-920: CD-31/PA-42) for the FNB-V86LIA/-V87LIA/-V92LI
Align the slots of the battery pack
with the guides in the nest of the
CD-31 Desktop Rapid Charger.
Insert the DC plug from the PA-42
AC Adapter into the DC jack of the
CD-31 Desktop Rapid Charger.
BEForE you BEgin
will be charged completely in 1.5 - 3.0 hours (de-
pending on the battery pack being charged).
r The LED indicator will blink red/green alternately
when charging is nearing completion.
r When charging is completed, the LED indicator
will change to green. Even if the charging is com-
pleted, the LED indicator will sometimes change
to red for trickle charging.
r Disconnect the pack from the CD-31 Desktop
Rapid Charger, and unplug the PA-42 AC Adapter
from the AC line outlet.
1) The VAC-920 (CD-31/PA-42) charges only
the Vertex Standard FNB-V86LIA, FNB-
V87LIA, and FNB-V92LI Lithium-Ion Battery Pack.
2) Use only the Vertex Standard PA-42 AC Adapter.
3) To reduce the risk of explosion, recharge the bat-
teries outside of hazardous locations.
4) Perform the battery charging where the ambient
temperature range +5 °C to +40 °C. Charge out of
this range could cause damage to the battery pack.
5) Battery Pack shall not be exposed to excessive
heat such as sunshine, re, or the like.
6) Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an in-
correct type. Dispose of used batteries according to
the instructions.
r Insert the DC plug from the PA-42 AC Adapter
into the DC jack on the bottom side of the CD-31
Desktop Rapid Charger, then plug the PA-42 AC
Adapter into the AC line outlet.
r Insert the battery pack into the CD-31 Desktop
Rapid Charger while aligning the slots of the bat-
tery pack with the guides in the nest of the CD-
31; refer to the illustration at the right for details
on proper positioning of the pack. If charging
with the transceiver attached, turn the transceiver
off, and the antenna jack should be at the left side
when viewing the charger from the front.
r If the battery pack is inserted correctly, the LED
indicator will glow red. A fully-discharged pack

12
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
opEration
Preliminary Steps
r Install a charged battery
pack onto the transceiver, as
described previously.
r Screw the supplied antenna
onto the Antenna jack.
Never attempt to operate
this transceiver without an
antenna connected.
r If you have a Speaker/Mi-
crophone, we recommend
that it not be connected until you are familiar with
the basic operation of the VX-920E.
Operation Quick Start
r Turn the top panel’s
VOL/PWR knob clock-
wise to turn the radio on.
r Turn the top panel’s CH
selector knob to choose
the desired operating
channel. On the 16-key
and 4-key versions, a
channel name will appear
on the LCD.
r If you want to select the operating channel from a
different Memory Channel Group, press the Pro-
grammable key (assigned to the Memory Group
Up or Down function) to select the Memory
Channel Group you want before selecting the op-
erating channel. A Group name will appear on the
LCD whenever the Programmable key is pressed.
Note: Some models are programmed so that the
operating channels are selected by the Program-
mable key and the memory channel group is
selected by the CH selector knob. For further de-
tails, contact your Vertex Standard dealer.

13
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
r Rotate the VOL/PWR
knob to set the volume
level. If no signal is pres-
ent, press and hold in the
MONITOR button (under
the PTT switch) more
than 2 seconds; back-
ground noise will now be
heard, and you may use
this to set the VOL/PWR
knob for the desired audio
level. Press and hold the
MONITOR button more than 2 seconds (or press
the MONITOR button twice) to quiet the noise
and resume normal (quiet) monitoring.
r To transmit, monitor the
channel and make sure it
is clear.
Press and hold the PTT
switch. Speak into the
microphone area of the
front panel (at the lower right corner of the speak-
er grille) in a normal voice level. To return to the
Receive mode, release the PTT switch.
opEration
r Press the (Orange) TOP
SEL key or SIDE SEL
key (above the PTT
switch) to activate one
of the pre programmed
functions which may have
been enabled at the time
of programming by the
dealer. See the next sec-
tion for details regarding
the available features.
r Switch the top panel’s
TOGGLE switch to the
[A], [B], or [Center]
position to activate one
of the pre-programmed
functions which may
have been enabled at the time of programming
by the dealer. When this switch is in the [A(left)],
[B(right)], or [Center] position, the feature pro-
grammed (by your dealer) to that switch position
will be activated. See the next section for details
regarding the available features.

14
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
r If a Speaker/Microphone is available, remove the
plastic cap and its two mounting screws from the
right side of the transceiver, then align the connec-
tor of the Speaker/Microphone on the transceiver
body; secure the connector pin
using the screws supplied with
the Speaker/Microphone. Hold
the speaker grille up next to
your ear while receiving. To
transmit, press the PTT switch
on the Speaker/Microphone,
just as you would on the main
transceiver’s body, and speak
into the microphone on a nor-
mal voice level.
Note 1): Save the original plastic cap and
its mounting screws. They should be rein-
stalled when not using the Speaker/Microphone.
2) When you press the PTT switch on the Speak-
er/Microphone, it disables the internal micro-
phone, and vice versa.
Do not remove/install the Speaker/Microphone
in a hazardous location.
r If the Busy Channel Lockout feature has been pro-
grammed on a channel, the radio will not trans-
mit when a carrier is present. Instead, the radio
will generate short beep three times and indicate
“ÝCH BusyÝ” on the display (16-key and
4-key versions). Release the PTT switch and wait
for the channel to be clear of activity.
r If CTCSS or Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) Lock-
out has been programmed on a channel, the radio
can transmit only when there is no carrier being
received or when the carrier being received in-
cludes the correct CTCSS tone or DCS code.
Automatic Time-Out Timer
If the selected channel has been programmed for au-
tomatic time-out, you must limit the length of each
transmission. While transmitting, a beep will sound
10 seconds before time-out. Another beep will sound
just before the deadline; the “TX” indicator will dis-
appear and transmission will cease soon thereafter. To
resume transmitting, you must release the PTT switch
and wait for the “Penalty timer” to expire.
opEration

15
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
aDVanCED opEration
Programmable Key and Toggle Switch Functions
FunCtion togglE sWitCh (Position)
A Center B
None
Scan
Dual Watch
Low Power
Talk Around
TX Save Disable
Encryptionø
Lock
Follow-Me Scan
Audio PC (PIC)
Clear Voice
Group Recall Shortcut
¨ Group 1
¨ Group 2
¨ Group 3
¨ Group 1
¨ Group 2
¨ Group 3
¨ Group 1
¨ Group 2
¨ Group 3
ø: Requires FVP-35 or FVP-36 Encryption Unit.
All versions of the VX-920E include the TOP SEL,
SIDE SEL, MONITOR, LAMP keys and TOGGLE
switch. The 16-key and 4-key versions include the [A],
[B], [C], and [D] function keys. Furthermore, the 16-
key version includes the [Ý] and [#] function keys.
The Programmable key and Toggle switch functions
can be customized, via programming by your Vertex
Standard dealer, to meet your communications/net-
work requirements. Some features may require the
purchase and installation of optional internal acces-
sories. The possible Programmable key and Toggle
switch programming features are illustrated at the
right, and their functions are explained on page 18.
For further details, contact your Vertex Standard
dealer.
For future reference, check the box next to each func-
tion that has been assigned to the Programmable key
and Toggle switch on your particular radio, and keep
it handy.

16
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
FunCtion
programmaBlE KEy
TOP SEL SIDE SEL MONITOR LAMP 16-KEy & 4-KEy VErsions 16-KEy VErsion
[A] [B] [C] [D] [Ý] [#]
None
Monitor
Lampø1
Scan
Dual Watch
Low Power
Talk Around
TX Save Disable
Encryptionø2
Lock
Follow-Me Scan
Audio PC (PIC)
Follow-Me Dual Watch
Group Upø1
Group Downø1
Channel Upø1
Channel Downø1
Set
Call/Reset
Call 1
Call 2
Call 3
Call 4
Call 5
Code Upø1
Code Downø1
Code Setø1
Speed Dialø3
Option SW 1
Option SW 2
Emergency
Homeø1
ø1: This function can not be selected on the Non-LCD version.
ø2: Requires FVP-35 or FVP-36 Encryption Unit.
ø3: This function is only selected on the 16-key version.
aDVanCED opEration

17
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
aDVanCED opEration
FunCtion
programmaBlE KEy
TOP SEL SIDE SEL MONITOR LAMP 16-KEy & 4-KEy VErsions 16-KEy VErsion
[A] [B] [C] [D] [Ý] [#]
Selectable Toneø1
Direct Channel #1ø1
Direct Channel #2ø1
Direct Channel #3ø1
Direct Channel #4ø1
REC/PLAYø3
RECø3
PLAYø3
SQL
AF Min Volume
Status Setø1
Status Upø1
Status Downø1
Status Check
Lone Worker
DTMF Code Setø2
TA Scan
ø1: This function can not be selected on the Non-LCD version.
ø2: This function is only selected on the 16-key version.
ø3: Requires DVS-5 Voice Storage Unit.

18
VX-920E SEriES OpErating Manual
aDVanCED opEration
Description of Operating Functions
monitor
Press the assigned programmable key to cancel
CTCSS- and DCS-controlled squelch; the BUSY/TX
indicator will glow green. Press and hold this button
for 1.5 seconds to hear background noise (unmute the
audio); the BUSY/TX indicator will blink green.
lamp (16-KEy & 4-KEy VErsion only)
Press the assigned programmable key to illuminate
the LCD for ve seconds.
sCan
The Scanning feature is used to monitor multiple sig-
nals programmed into the transceiver. While scanning,
the transceiver will check each channel for the pres-
ence of a signal, and will stop on a channel if a signal
is present.
To activate scanning:
r Press the assigned programmable key, or set the
TOGGLE switch to the assigned position to acti-
vate scanning.
r The scanner will search the channels of each
channel, looking for active ones; it will pause
each time it nds a channel on which someone is
speaking.
r Press the assigned programmable key again, or
set the TOGGLE switch to a different position to
disable scanning. Operation will revert to the pro-
grammed revert channel.
Note: Your dealer may have programmed your radio
to stay on one of the following channels if you press
the PTT switch during scanning pause:
o Current channel (“Talk Back”)
o “Last Busy” channel
o “Priority” channel
o “Home” channel
o “Scan Start” channel