Midland G7E XT - Two-colour PMR446 transceiver Manual

Midland G7E XT - Two-colour PMR446 transceiver Manual

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Midland G7E XT - Two-colour PMR446 transceiver Manual

INTRODUCTION

Combing the latest technology in radio communication along with a sturdy mechanical frame, the Midland G7E XT makes the ideal and effective solution for both the professionals who need to stay in touch with colleagues (construction sites, buildings, hotels, trade fairs, shows) or with leisure users that just want to keep up with friends and family. Its robust frame, ease of use and simple design mean that it is ideal for use in any activity. The Midland G7E XT is extremely practical and operates on the PMR446 band (please see chart in user guide for restrictions on use).
The Midland G7E XT incorporates all the functions that you would expect to see on the latest and most advanced two way radio transceivers and guarantees reliability and maximum efficiency. Other key features include an LCD backlit display, a Vibrating call alert feature for use in high-noise areas and an auto power save function which reduces battery consumption by up to 50%. All of the features on this outstanding radio are easily accessible thanks to the centrally mounted controls.

Coverage

The maximum range depends on terrain condition and is obtained during use in an open space.
The only limitation to maximum possible range are environmental factors such as blockage caused by trees, buildings, or other obstructions. Inside a car or a metallic constructions, the range can be reduced. Normally the coverage in the city, with buidings or other obstructions is about 1 or 2 Km. In open space but with obstructions like trees, leafs or houses the maximum possible range is about 4-6 Km. In open space, without obstructions and in sight, like for example in mountain, the coverage can be more than 12 Km.

Main functions

  • PMR446 transceiver
  • VIBRACALL function
  • LCD display with backlight
  • Low battery indicator
  • Auto power save: automatic current economy circuit
  • 38 CTCSS tones in TX and RX
  • CALL button with 5 tones selectable
  • Automatic squelch adjustment
  • Buttons for the channel selection
  • SCAN function
  • Keypad lock
  • Hi/low power selection
  • Roger Beep on/off
  • VOX for hands-free communications
  • 2 Pin jack for ext. mike / ext. speaker / battery recharge

NOTE:
The manufacturer, with its effort to constantly improve product quality, reserves the right to change characteristics and features without prior notice.

ABOVE ALL....SAFETY!

Simbols used

For ease and convenience of use, this manual uses symbols to highlight urgent situations, practical advice, and general information.
warning Exclamation marks such as this one indicate a crucial description regarding technical repairs, dangerous conditions, safety warnings, advice, and/or other important information. Ignoring these symbols may result in serious problems and/or damage and/or personal injury.

Notes such as this one indicate practical advice that we suggest be followed for the optimal performance of the equipment

Warnings

warning BATTERIES - Strictly follow all the directions and warnings on the batteries
warning Do not open the radio for any reason! The radio's precision mechanics and electronics require experience and specialized equipment; for the same reason, the radio should under no circumstances be realigned as it has already been calibrated for maximum performance.
Unauthorized opening of the transceiver will void the warranty.
warning Do not use detergents, alcohol, solvents, or abrasives to clean the equipment. Just use a soft, clean cloth. If the radio is very dirty, slightly dampen the cloth with a mixture of water and a neutral soap.

IDENTIFYING THE PARTS

Display

Display
Your Midland G7E XT keeps you constantly updated about its operational status through a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The symbols and their corresponding parameters that may appear, according to the operational status of the device, are described as follows:

  1. VOX - Activation of VOX function.
  2. TX- during transmission (PTT pressed).
  3. This symbol appears when the keypad lock is activated.
  4. CHANNEL - These two large digits indicate the channel selected.
  5. It warns you of the battery pack / AA batteries low charge.
  6. Vibra-Call function activated.
  7. H (High) / L(Low) - shows the high or low power selection.
  8. RX - (busy channel): appears on the display when the transceiver is receiving a signal.
  9. CTCSS tones - these 2 small digits indicate the selected CTCSS tone (1 - 38).

Radio

Radio
Refer to this picture to identify the various parts of the device:

  1. VOLUME knob - On/off switch for the device and adjusts volume of reception.
  2. PTT button (push to talk) - Press this button to transmit.
  3. CALL/ button - to send a call on the selected channel. If you keep it pressed for about 5 seconds, the keypad lock is activated.
  4. Built-in MICROPHONE - Here is where sound is picked up by the microphone.
  5. Built-in SPEAKER - Here is where the speaker is housed.
  6. ANTENNA - Receives and transmits radio signals.
  7. SPK/MIC socket (under protective cover) - To connect to external audio devices (headphones, microphone etc.) and to the battery charger.
  8. MENU button - Press this button to display the device's menu.
  9. MONITOR/SCAN button- Press this button once to activate SCAN (scanning of channels). Keep the same button pressed for about 2 seconds to activate MON function. This function temporarily cuts off Squelch (for weak signals).
  10. 19. Scroll buttons - Press these buttons to change setting within the MENU.

PREPARING THE TRANSCEIVER

Make sure the following items are supplied in the package before you start using your transceiver: 2 transceivers; double desktop charger; wall adaptor; 2 battery packs, 800m A/h NiMH; belt clip; operational manual.
If any of the above is missing or damaged contact your supplier immediately.

Battery pack recharge

The supplied batteries are 1,2V NiMH type and must be recharged without taking them out of the transceiver; it takes about 12 hours to fully recharge.
To recharge the batteries:

  1. Connect the socket of the wall adaptor to a mains power socket and insert the charging plug of the radio into the wall adaptor.
  2. When charging is complete take out the plug from the radio and detach the socket of the wall adaptor from the mains.

warning Do not overcharge the batteries! When these are fully charged the charging process does not stop automatically. Do not forget therefore, to detach the wall adaptor from the radio as soon as the batteries are charged.

warning Do not try to charge alkaline batteries or non rechargeable batteries. Make sure that when you charge the radio, only rechargeable NI-MH batteries should be contained in the battery compartment! It is very dangerous attempting to recharge other types of batteries (for example alkaline or manganese batteries). Batteries which are not suitable to be recharged may leak, explode or even burn and cause damage!

warning Using a different battery charger other than the one specified can cause damage to your device or may even cause explosions and personal injuries.

warning Do not throw batteries into fire or place them near heat as this may cause explosions or personal injuries. Dispose of the batteries according to procedures set out by local regulations.

warning Do not mix old and new batteries or batteries of different types or batteries which have been used in different manners.

Memory effect of rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable NiMH (Nickel-Metal-Hydrate) batteries are affected by what is known as the "memory effect". This phenomenon is associated with a drastic reduction of battery autonomy and is triggered if the batteries are regularly charged before being fully discharged and/or are not completely recharged. To avoid the memory effect:

  • When possible, recharge the batteries only when they are completely discharged (until the device turns itself off during normal use)
  • Do not disconnect the battery charger before the time indicated for a full battery charge.
  • Discharge and recharge your batteries completely at least twice a month.

The memory effect should not be confused with the normal battery life, which is 300-400 cycles of charge/discharge on average. It is completely normal for operating duty to decrease when the batteries have reached the end of their life; at this point, you will need to substitute the batteries.

Installing and removing the belt clip

Installing and removing the belt clip
With the belt clip you can easily attach the transceiver to your belt. The clip however, must be removed in order to install or change the batteries. To remove the belt clip follow the indication of picture 1. To fix the clip back to the device slot it in the guides at the back of the transceiver until it clicks into place.

Installing/removing the batteries

Removal

  1. Remove the belt clip
  2. Open the battery compartment as shown in picture 2;
  3. Remove the batteries;
  4. Replace the battery cover and fix the belt clip.

Installation

  1. Remove the belt clip;
  2. Insert the batteries pack into the battery compartment;
  3. Replace the battery cover and fix the belt clip.

BASIC OPERATION

Turning on/off

To turn on the transceiver, turn the VOLUME [10] knob clockwise until you hear it clicks: the LCD display will light up and do an Auto-Test. Subsequently you will hear 3 beeps of different tones. To turn off the transceiver, turn the knob counter-clockwise until you hear another click. The LCD display will turn off and subsequently you will hear 3 beeps of different tones.

Volume control

Turn the knob VOLUME[10] to about half way and adjust it to a comfortable level as soon as you receive a signal. If you do not receive a signal you can use the button MON/SCAN [18] described at par. 5.4.

Transmission and reception

The button PTT [11] is located on the top left side of the device. To transmit:

  1. Make sure that no one else is currently talking on the selected channel;
  2. Keep button PTT [11] firmly pressed: TX [2]will appear on the display;
  3. Before you start talking wait for a fraction of a second then speak normally, in the direction of the microphone, and hold the device at a distance of about 5 cm.
  4. When you have finished, release the PTT [11]: TX [2]will disappear from the display;
  5. When the radio is in reception mode (PTT [11] not pressed) you will automatically receive any communication (RX [8] displayed).
    During transmission and reception try, as far as possible, to keep the antenna in vertical position and to avoid obstacles towards the direction of the other party.

MON button (Monitor)

The Monitor button is for temporarily excluding (opening) the squelch, in order to listen to signals that are too weak to keep the squelch permanently opened. By excluding the squelch you will avoid listening the communication "chopped" by the squelch. In order to activate the Monitor function, so as to listen to all traffic on the selected channel, keep pressed the MON/SCAN [18] button for about 2 seconds. Keep pressed the button MON/SCAN [18] for about 2 seconds to disable this function.

Scanning all channels

Midland G7E XT can automatically search for signals throughout the PMR446 band by scanning, i.e. selecting the channels in rapid sequence. When a signal is detected, the scanning pauses on that channel and you can transmit by pushing PTT [11] . If you press PTT [11] during scanning you can transmit on the channel from which the scanning started. The scroll buttons [19] allow you to change the direction of scanning (from lower channels to higher ones or vice versa) and therefore to skip communications which are of no interest.
Press briefly the button MON/SCAN [18] to start scanning.
If you want to stop it, press again MON/SCAN [18]. Your transceiver will go back to the channel from which the scanning originally started.

Display backlight

If there is insufficient light to read the display you can press the MENU [17] button to switch the display back light on for about 5 seconds.
Switching the backlight on the display adds an additional drain on the batteries. Try to make a moderate use of this.

Keypad lock

Keep pressed CALL/ [12] for about 5 seconds and [3] will be displayed as confirmation. Only PTT [11] and CALL/ [12] remain active. To disable this function, keep pressed again CALL/ [12] for 5 seconds approx.

Power Save

The battery power saving feature enables a reduction in the consumption of up to 50%; power saving comes on automatically when the transceiver does not receive any signal for more than 7 seconds. When the batteries are discharged, the icon [5] appears on the display: replace or recharge the batteries.

Channel selection

Press once the MENU [17] button. The number of the channel [4] will start flashing on the display. Press the scroll buttons [19] to scroll up or down the PMR channels till you select the desired channel. Press the PTT [11] button to confirm, or wait for 5 seconds.

PMR446 channels

Channel Frequency RX/TX (MHz) Channel Frequency RX/TX (MHz)
P1 446.00625 P5 446.05625
P2 446.01875 P6 446.06875
P3 446.03125 P7 446.08125
P4 446.04375 P8 446.09375

CTCSS tones selection

Midland G7E XT can receive in two modes:

  1. Open traffic: in this case you will hear any communication transmitted on the selected channel;
  2. Group mode CTCSS: CTCSS tones are access keys that allow you to receive only messages coming from parties using the same channel and code. The speaker will remain muted until the correct CTCSS tone is received.

To activate 1 of 38 different CTCSS tones in RX and TX

  1. Turn on the radio.
  2. Select the desired channel.
  3. Press twice MENU [17] until the display shows the channel with the CTCSS tone [9] flashing on the right ("of" default condition).
  4. Select the desired CTCSS tone by pushing the [19] controls.
  5. To confirm the setting, press the PTT [11] key or wait for approximately 5 seconds.

To deactivate CTCSS tones
If you want to operate with no CTCSS code:

  1. Press twice the MENU [17] key until the display shows the desired channel and the CTCSS [9] tone blinking on the right.
  2. Select "of" with [19] buttons.

Choosing high or low transmission power

Batteries are drained more quickly during transmission. In order to extend the battery life you can select the low power when transmitting over short distances.
Procedure:

  1. Press the MENU [17] button for 3 times and Pr will be displayed.
  2. Select L [7] using the scroll buttons [19].
  3. Press PTT [11] to confirm, or wait for 5 seconds.

If you want to transmit a longer distance repeat the above procedure to select the high power. At step 2 select H [7]. When the batteries are in good conditions, high power is 500mW, whereas low power is 10mW.
A low battery level during transmission will reduce the performance of your device.

VOX function

Midland G7E XT enables hands free conversations through VOX function. The sensitivity of VOX function can be adjusted in 2 different levels. You can enable VOX function with or without accessories.
To activate VOX function press the MENU [17] button 4 times and VOX [1] will appear on the display.
Use the scroll [19] buttons to select:

  • OFF: Disabled;
  • 1: 1st Level (low sensitivity);
  • 2: 2nd Level (high sensitivity);

Press PTT [11] to confirm or wait for 5 seconds.
To disable the VOX function follow the instructions above and select option oF.

Vibra-Call function

Midland G7E XT is equipped with the "Vibra-Call" feature, which provides a silent alert for incoming calls.
To activate it, follow these steps:

  1. Press the MENU [17] button for 5 times, until the display shows [6];
  2. Use the [19] buttons to disable or enable this feature (on: enables, oF:disables);
  3. Push PTT [11] to confirm or wait for 5 seconds.

Everytime Midland G7E XT receives a call, it will vibrate.
When the Vibracall function is enabled, the call tone won't be heard.

ROGER BEEP (End transmission tone)

Every time you end transmission (PTT [11] released), Midland G7E XT gives out a sound that indicates to the other party that s/he can start talking. This function is factory disabled. To activate it:

  1. Press six times the MENU [17] button, until the display shows "rb oF";
  2. Using the scroll buttons [19] select "on" and "rb on" will be displayed; 3) To confirm the roger beep activation, press PTT [11] button or wait for 5 seconds.

CALL function

Midland G7E XT can send 5 different call tones. To send this audio signal to other users, press the CALL/ [12] key.
To select the call tones:

  1. Push the MENU [17] button 7 times, until the display shows "CA 1".
  2. By pushing [19] you will hear the 5 pre-set melodies.
  3. Confirm by pressing the PTT [11] key or wait for 5 seconds.

Now, each time your Midland G7E XT sends out a tone call, it will beep with the selected melody.
If the Vibracall function is activated, the call tone won't be heard.

Dual Watch function

This function allows the monitoring of 2 channels of your choice. Procedure:

  1. Select one of the 2 channels you want to monitor.
  2. Press 9 times the MENU [17] button, until the display shows "TX oF RX".
  3. With the [19] button select the second channel to monitor.
  4. Push the PTT [11] key or wait for 5 seconds for confirmation.

To disable the function, press the MON/SCAN [18] button.

Keypad beep

To deactivate the keypad beep, follow these steps:

  1. Press for 8 times the MENU [17] button, until "bP on" is displayed.
  2. Use the [19] buttons until the display shows "bP of".
  3. Confirm by pushing the PTT [11] or wait for 5 seconds.

Now you won't hear any beep at the pressure of any button.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Your Midland G7E XT is designed to provide you with years of optimal performance. If for some reason problems arise, refer to this chapter before contacting a service centre in your region.

Reset

If your transceiver experiences a logical malfunction (improper symbols on the display, blocking of functions, etc.), it may not be experiencing a true failure, but rather a problem caused by external factors. For example, it may have an incorrect setting brought on by a noise or spikes in the electrical system during battery recharging. In such cases, you can reset the transceiver to its factory-programmed settings, by resetting all parameters:

  1. Turn off the transceiver
  2. Remove the batteries for about 60 seconds

Before you go ahead with the reset, we recommend that you take note of all the setting you have carried out as they will be deleted.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Channels 8
Frequency range 446.00625 ÷ 446.09375MHz
Channel spacing 12.5 KHz
Power supply 6+/- 10% Vdc
Temperature from -20° to +55°C
Dimensions (w/o batteries) 58 (L)x 122 (H)x34 (D) mm
Weight (w/o batteries) 123gr
Duty cycle TX 5%, RX 5%, stand-by 90%

Transmitter

Output power 500 mW
Modulation FM
Spurious rejection within European legal terms

Receiver

Sensitivity @ 12dB Sinad 0,35µV
Adjacent channel rejection 70dB
Audio output power 300mW @ 10% THD
Intermediate frequencies 1st: 21,4 MHz; 2nd: 450 KHz
Jack for ext.mike and recharge stereo 2,5 mm
Jack for ext. speaker mono 3.5 mm

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Documents / Resources

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Midland G7E XT - Two-colour PMR446 transceiver Manual

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