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BASIC MANUAL VHF/UHF TRANSCEIVER ID-50A ID-50E This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. WARNING: MODIFICATION OF THIS DEVICE TO RECEIVE CELLULAR RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICE SIGNALS IS PROHIBITED UNDER...
Thank you for choosing this Icom product. This product is designed and built with Icom’s state of the art technology and craftsmanship. With proper care, this product should provide you with years of trouble-free operation. This product combines traditional analog technologies with Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio (D-STAR), for a balanced package.
Hereby, Icom Inc. declares that CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this the versions of ID-50E which device, not expressly approved by Icom have the “CE” symbol on the Inc., could void your authority to operate this product, comply with the essential device under FCC regulations.
■ About UKCA DOC To obtain the UKCA Declaration of Conformity, please contact Icom UK Limited by email at info@icomuk.co.uk or alternatively call + 44(0) 1227 741741. ■ About the ID-50A/ID-50E manuals You can use the following manuals to understand and operate this transceiver.
■ Important Notes D When using the GPS receiver • GPS signals cannot pass through metal objects. When using the transceiver inside a vehicle, you may not receive GPS signals. We recommend you use it near a window. • The Global Positioning System (GPS) is built and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Download and install the RS-MS3W or RS-MS3A application software from the Icom website or Google Play. • See “About the DV Gateway function” that can be downloaded from the Icom website for details. Terminal mode The Terminal mode enables you to make a direct Gateway call through the Internet using a USB cable and a Windows or Android device.
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1 A call addressed to your own call sign. Destination Your station (ID-50A/ID-50E) Near Repeater (DV/FM) search function You can select nearby repeaters using the DR function. The function can fi nd only repeaters that are in your transceiver’s repeater list.
(RF) energy. Extreme caution should be ■ Trademarks observed when operating this transceiver. If you have any questions regarding RF Icom and the Icom logo are registered exposure and safety standards, please trademarks of Icom Incorporated (Japan) in refer to the Federal Communications...
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CAUTION: DO NOT operate the transceiver BE CAREFUL! The transceiver meets unless the flexible antenna, battery pack, IPX7* requirements for waterproof and jack cover are securely attached to the protection. However, once the transceiver transceiver and that the antenna and battery has been dropped, or the waterproof seal pack are dry before attachment.
If any of these other damage, the cells inside the battery conditions occur, contact your Icom dealer may rupture or catch fire. or distributor. R DANGER! NEVER leave the battery...
CAUTION: DO NOT charge the battery pack outside of the specified temperature range: 0˚C ~ 40˚C (32˚F ~ 104˚F). Icom recommends charging the pack at 25˚C (77˚F). The pack may heat up or rupture if charged out of the specified temperature range.
■ Setting a squelch level ....12 ■ About UKCA DOC ......iii ■ Quick Menu window ..... 13 D Quick Menu window operation ..13 ■ About the ID-50A/ID-50E manuals ...iii ■ Important Notes......iv ■ Selecting the Frequency D When using the GPS receiver ..iv Selecting mode ......
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RECORDING A QSO ONTO A D-STAR GUIDE microSD CARD ������������������������������� 25 INTRODUCTION ������������������������������������� 39 ■ About the microSD card ....25 ■ Unique features of D-STAR ..39 ■ Recording a QSO audio ....26 ■ What is D-STAR? ......40 ■...
PANEL DESCRIPTION ■ Front, top, and side panels Function Display (p. 3) Internal Speaker Microphone 1 PTT SWITCH [PTT] Hold down to transmit, release to receive. L For only the ID-50E Push briefly and release, and then hold down to transmit a 1750 Hz tone burst. 2 SQUELCH KEY [SQL] (p.
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14 MEMORY • SELECT MEMORY WRITE KEY [MR]/[MW] z Push to enter the Memory mode. (p. 14) L For the ID-50A only In the Memory mode, push once to enter the Weather Channel mode. z Hold down for 1 second to open the Select Memory Write window. (p. 23) z Hold down for 3 seconds to enter the Memory channel contents into a blank channel.
PANEL DESCRIPTION ■ Function display 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 23 13 22 Single band display 14 15 21 16 17 20 18 19 Dual band display...
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Displayed when packet loss has occurred. • Displayed when the Auto Reply function is ON. 14 WEATHER ALERT ICON Displayed when the Weather Alert function is ON. (For only the ID-50A) 15 ATTENUATOR ICON Displayed when the attenuator is ON. (p. 16) 16 SKIP ICONS •...
INITIAL SETUP Before starting using the transceiver, follow these steps for the initial setup. Attaching the battery pack and charging the battery. (pp. 5, 6) STEP 1 Inserting a microSD card. (p. 7) STEP 2 Turning ON the transceiver. (p. 7) STEP 3 Adjusting the audio level.
INITIAL SETUP ■ Charging the battery pack D Capacity of the battery pack ICON BATTERY STATUS The battery has sufficient capacity. The battery is exhausted a little. The battery is nearing exhaustion. The battery is almost fully exhausted. To display the correct battery status: Select the attached battery pack in the following item.
INITIAL SETUP ■ Inserting a microSD card See page 25 for the usable microSD card. Turn OFF the transceiver. Pull down the [microSD] slot cover on the left side panel. With the terminals facing the front, insert the card into the slot until it locks in place and makes a ‘click’...
INITIAL SETUP ■ Saving the setting data onto a microSD card You can save the Memory channels, MENU screen item settings, repeater lists, and so on, onto a microSD card. Saving settings onto a card lets you easily restore the transceiver to its previous settings, even if you perform an All Reset.
INITIAL SETUP ■ Saving the setting data onto a microSD card D Saving the setting data [MENU] > SET > SD Card > Save Setting Push [MENU]. Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu. Select “Save Setting.” Select “<<New File>>.” •...
INITIAL SETUP ■ Confirming the GPS is receiving signals The transceiver has a built-in GPS receiver. You can check your current location, and transmit GPS data in the DV mode. See the Advanced manual for details. Confirm the GPS receiver is receiving satellite data. The GPS icon blinks when searching for satellites.
• Setting a squelch level. (p. 12) ■ Dualwatch operation The Dualwatch function simultaneously monitors 2 frequencies. The ID-50A/ID-50E has 2 independent band receiver circuits, A and B bands. You can set different frequencies or operating modes in each band.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Monitor function The Monitor function is used to listen to weak signals without changing the squelch setting. While holding down [SQL], you can hear weak signals on the frequency. TIP: You can set the Monitor Hold function on the MENU screen.
<<GPS Logger Only>> For only FM/FM-N. For only DV. For only FM/FM-N/DV. For only A band. For only the ID-50A. D Quick Menu window operation Simplified description—‘Select’ operation In this manual, the user’s ‘Select’ operation is simplified, as described below.
• Push [MR] to select the Memory mode. • Hold down [CALL] for 1 second to select the Call Channel mode. • For only the ID-50A, push [MR] in the Memory mode to select the Weather Channel mode. Rotate [DIAL] to select an operating frequency or a channel.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Selecting the operating band Push [V/MHz] to select the VFO mode. Push [QUICK]. Select “Band Select.” Select the frequency band. • Sets the operating band, then returns to the standby screen. L Selectable frequency bands differ, depending on the transceiver version.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Setting a frequency D Selecting a tuning step When you select the frequency by rotating [DIAL] in the VFO mode, it changes in the selected tuning step. Push [QUICK]. Select “TS.” Select a tuning step. Options (kHz): 6.25 8.33* 10.0...
BASIC OPERATION ■ Scan operation Scanning is a versatile function that can automatically search for signals. A scan makes it easier to locate stations to contact or listen to, or to skip unwanted channels or frequencies. This section describes the basic scan operation. See the Advanced manual for details.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Home Channel function You can set an often-used frequency, Memory channel, or repeater as a Home Channel in VFO mode, Memory mode, and DR screen. When a Home CH is selected by rotating [DIAL], a beep sounds. You will know the Home CH selection without looking at the display.
BASIC OPERATION ■ Transmitting D Making a simplex call R WARNING! NEVER transmit for long periods of time. During prolonged transmissions at high or mid-power, the transceiver radiates heat to protect itself from overheating. The transceiver’s chassis will become hot and may cause a burn. To prevent the transceiver’s overheating, the default setting of the time-out timer function is set to 5 minutes.
BASIC OPERATION D About the transmit power levels • When an external DC power cable (13.5 V DC) is connected, or a BP-271/BP-272/BP-307 is used: Approximately 5 W (High)/2.5 W (Mid)/ 1.0 W (Low2)/0.5 W (Low1)/0.1 W (S-Low) • When the BP-273 is used: Output Approximately 0.1 W (S-Low) (fixed) power...
MENU SCREEN You can open the MENU screen by pushing [MENU]. You can use the MENU screen to set infrequently changed values or function settings. See the appendix for the MENU item list. (p. 69) For details of each item, see the Advanced manual. TIP: The MENU screen is constructed in a tree structure.
MENU SCREEN D Selecting a Menu item Example: Set “Auto Power OFF” to “30 min.” [MENU] > SET > Time Set > Auto Power OFF Push [MENU]. Select “SET.” Select “Time Set.” Select “Auto Power OFF.” Select “30min.” • Sets the option, then goes back to a tree level. (The TIME SET screen is displayed.) L To exit the MENU screen, push [MENU].
MEMORY OPERATION ■ Entering Memory channels The transceiver has a total of 500 Memory channels to save often-used frequencies. In the Memory mode, you can quickly select the saved memories. This section describes the basic channel content entry. Example: Entering 146.030 MHz/FM mode into Channel 11 in Group 01. Push [V/MHz] to enter the VFO mode.
■ Selecting a Memory channel In the Memory mode, you can select the Memory channels by rotating [DIAL]. Push [MR] to enter the Memory mode. L For only the ID-50A, pushing [MR] alternately selects the Memory and Weather Channel modes. Rotate [DIAL].
• When reading or writing data is impossible, the card’s lifetime has ended. In this case, purchase a new one. We recommend you make a backup file of the important data onto your PC. • Icom will not be responsible for any damage caused by data corruption of a card.
RECORDING A QSO ONTO A microSD CARD ■ Recording a QSO audio NOTE: • Once a voice recording starts, the Recording function will be continuously turned ON until you stop recording, even if you turn OFF the transceiver. • FM Radio audio cannot be recorded. Push [QUICK].
RECORDING A QSO ONTO A microSD CARD ■ Playing a recorded audio [MENU] > RECORD > QSO Recorder > Play Files Push [MENU]. Select “QSO Recorder” in the “RECORD” menu. Select “Play Files.” Select the folder that contains the file you want to play. L The folder is named yyyymmdd (y: year, m: month, d: day).
RECORDING A QSO ONTO A microSD CARD D Removing while the transceiver is ON [MENU] > SET > SD Card > Unmount Push [MENU]. Select “SD Card” in the “SET” menu. Select “Unmount.” • The confirmation dialog is displayed. Select “YES.” •...
GPS OPERATION NOTE: The built-in GPS receiver cannot calculate its location if it cannot receive signals from the GPS satellites. Refer to page iv for details. ■ Checking your location You can check your current location. If you transmit while displaying the GPS POSITION screen, the screen closes. To check your current location or caller’s location while transmitting, push [QUICK], then select “GPS Position.”...
L The log files may not be compatible with all mapping software. L See “Using the GPS Logger function” that can be downloaded from the Icom website for details on copying the log files onto your PC.
±2.5 ppm (–20°C ~ +60°C, –4°F ~ +140°F) • Power supply: 10.0 ~ 16.0 V DC for external DC power 7.4 V DC specified Icom’s battery pack 5.5 V DC specified Icom’s battery case • Current drain (at 7.4 V DC): Transmit (at 5 W) 2.5 A or less...
SPECIFICATIONS D Transmitter • Modulation system: FM/FM-N Variable reactance frequency modulation GMSK reactance frequency modulation • Output power (at 7.4 V DC): High: 5.0 W, Mid: 2.5 W, Low2: 1.0 W, Low1: 0.5 W, S-Low: 0.1 W • SAR 10g: 4.50 W/kg •...
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SPECIFICATIONS D Receiver • Spurious and image rejection ratio: 60 dB or more • Squelch Sensitivity: Ham band 0.18 μV or less (threshold) Outside Ham band Band Frequency range (MHz) FM/FM-N/WFM* AM/AM-N* BC band 76.000 ~ 108.000 1.8 μV or less –...
MAINTENANCE ■ Resetting Occasionally, erroneous information is displayed when, for example, first applying power. This may be caused externally by static electricity or by other factors. If this problem occurs, perform a Partial reset or an All reset. BE CAREFUL! An All reset clears all programming and returns all settings to the factory defaults.
The following chart is designed to help you correct problems that are not equipment malfunctions. If you are unable to locate the cause of a problem or solve it through the use of this chart, contact your nearest Icom Dealer or Service Center. L “AM” indicates the PDF type Advanced Manual.
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MAINTENANCE A Memory Scan does not start. z The Memory mode is not selected. → Push [MR] to select the Memory mode. (p. 14) z Only one or no memory channel is entered. → Enter two or more memory channels. (p.
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION ■ Unique features of D-STAR • Easy Cross band operation through the repeater! INTERNET INTERNET 430 MHz 430 MHz 1200 MHz 1200 MHz CQCQ CQCQ CQCQ CQCQ • Easy call sign entry with the Repeater list or TX/RX History! •...
INTRODUCTION ■ What is D-STAR? • D-STAR is a digital protocol standard developed by the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL). The system includes the DV mode for Digital Voice and the DD mode for Digital Data communications. • D-STAR supports the DV mode at 4.8 kbps. Your call sign data, and either a short message, or GPS data can be transmitted simultaneously with your voice signal.
INTRODUCTION IMPORTANT! Before starting D-STAR, the following steps are needed. STEP 1. Enter your call sign (MY) into the transceiver. (p. 43) STEP 2. Register your call sign (MY) to a gateway repeater. (p. 45) STEP 3. Enter your D-STAR equipment into your registration form. (p. 46) ►...
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INTRODUCTION Local Area call Access repeater Area 1 repeater Area 1 Gateway call Area 1 Area 2 repeater repeater Area 1 Area 2 Simplex call NOTE: • Using the repeater list is required to use the DR function. (p. 64) •...
INTRODUCTION ■ Enter your call sign (MY) into the transceiver To operate D-STAR, you must first enter your call sign into the MY call sign memory. You can enter up to 6 MY call signs. NOTE: • Your MY Call sign must match the call sign registered on a gateway repeater. (p. 45) •...
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INTRODUCTION How to enter characters: [DIAL] (Rotate) Selects a character Selects a character Cancels Clears Moves the cursor to the left Moves the cursor to the right Opens the Entry Select window* [ENT] Selects a Sets character • Continuously holding down [CLR] clears characters. •...
INTRODUCTION ■ Register your call sign at a gateway repeater To make a Gateway call through the Internet, you must register your call sign at a repeater that has a gateway, usually one near you. About the registration process described: This section describes the call sign registration process at a repeater that is connected to the US Trust server.
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INTRODUCTION Step 3: Register your personal information After your registration is approved, log in your personal account with your registered call sign and password. Click Step 4: Register your D-Star equipment Register your D-STAR equipment information. Ask the gateway repeater administrator for details.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Making a Simplex call This section describes the simplex operation (through no repeater). NOTE: The frequencies may be different, depending on the transceiver’s version. Check for usable frequencies for your operating area. What is a Simplex Call? A simplex call is a direct call to another station on a single frequency, not using a repeater.
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D-STAR OPERATION To make a Simplex call in the VFO mode Push [V/MHz] to enter the VFO mode. Rotate [DIAL] to set the operating frequency. (p. 16) Push [MODE] to set the operating mode to DV. Hold down [LO] for 1 second to set an output power. (p. 20) Hold down [PTT] to transmit, and speak into the microphone at your normal voice level.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Accessing repeaters This section describes how to check whether or not you can access your local area repeater (access repeater), and your signal is successfully sent to a destination repeater. TIP: If your call sign (MY) has not been set, or your call sign and D-STAR equipment have not been registered at a D-STAR repeater, see pages 43 ~ 46.
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D-STAR OPERATION Step 3: Check whether you can access the repeater. Hold down [PTT] for 1 second to access the repeater. If you get a reply call, or “UR?” is displayed within 3 seconds, your signal reached your access repeater and your call was successfully sent from your destination repeater. TIP: See page 63 for status indications after a reply is received.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Receiving When a DV call is received, the call signs of the caller, the called station, and the called station’s access repeater are saved in the RX History. Up to 50 calls can be saved. Even if you turn OFF the transceiver, the RX History is retained. This section describes how to display the RX History screen and how to save the call sign to your memory.
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D-STAR OPERATION Step 2: Save the destination call sign into your call sign memory from RX History. Push D-pad() to select the RX HISTORY record with the call sign that you want to save to memory. Push [ENT]. • Displays the RX HISTORY DETAIL screen. Push [QUICK].
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Capturing a call sign After you receive a signal, the calling station’s call sign can be captured by holding down the Call Sign Capture key ([RX→CS]) for 1 second. After releasing, you can quickly and easily reply to the call. What is the Call Sign Capture key? Holding down the Call Sign Capture key for 1 second sets the last received station’s call sign as a temporary destination, and makes replying quick and easy.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Making a Local CQ call You can make a Local CQ call when “Local CQ” is set to “TO” (Destination). What is a Local CQ Call? To call a CQ through only your local area (access) repeater. Step 1: Set “FROM”...
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Making a Gateway CQ call You can make a Gateway CQ call when a destination repeater is selected in “TO” (Destination). What is a Gateway CQ call? • To call a CQ through a repeater connected to the Internet. •...
D-STAR OPERATION ■ Calling an individual station You can make a call to an individual station when the station call sign is selected in “TO” (Destination). When you call an individual station through a gateway, your call is automatically sent to the last repeater that the station accessed.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ About reflectors D What is a reflector? A reflector is a special server connected to the Internet and running a version of the D-Plus software. If the D-Plus software is installed on your Access repeater, it provides various functions including gateway and reflector linking capabilities (It is known as the D-STAR reflector system).
D-STAR OPERATION D Linking to a reflector If your repeater is not currently linked to a reflector, or if you want to change it to another reflector, follow the steps below. Before linking to another reflector, BE SURE to unlink the current reflector.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ About reflectors D Using a reflector Push D-pad() to select “TO,” and then push [ENT]. Select “Reflector.” Select “Use Reflector.” • Returns to the DR screen, and “Use Reflector” and “CQCQCQ” are displayed in “TO.” Hold down [PTT] to transmit. •...
D-STAR OPERATION D Reflector Echo Testing To confirm that your signal is correctly getting into the repeater, you can transmit a short message as a trial. After releasing [PTT], your message will be played back. Push D-pad() to select “TO,” and then push [ENT]. Select “Reflector.”...
D-STAR OPERATION ■ “FROM” (Access repeater) setting By rotating [DIAL]: Select a preset repeater by rotating [DIAL] on the DR screen. When you know your access repeater: From the repeater list: When your access repeater is in your transceiver’s repeater list, you can select it by selecting the repeater area and name, if entered, or call sign.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ “TO” (Destination) setting TIP: After you receive the individual By rotating [DIAL]: station or repeater’s signal, the call sign Select a repeater or Your Call Sign that is displayed by rotating [DIAL] on the can be captured by holding down the Call Sign Capture key ([RX→CS]), and DR screen.
D-STAR OPERATION ■ When receiving no reply To communicate through the repeater, your signal must access to the repeater. The following chart is designed to help you correct problems which are not equipment malfunctions. “AM” indicates the PDF type Advanced manual. PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION...
NOTE: • Before using a microSD card, see page 25 for details of a card. • See “Updating the repeater list” that can be downloaded from the Icom website about how to update the repeater list using a microSD card.
INDEX INDEX 1 MHz tuning ���������������������������������������������� 16 Echo Test ���������������������������������������������������� 60 EMR �������������������������������������������������������������� 4 A band ���������������������������������������������������������11 Accessories ���������������������������������������������������ii Access Point mode ��������������������������������������� v FCC ���������������������������������������������������������������ii Access repeater������������������������������������������ 49 FM �������������������������������������������������������������� 15 AM �������������������������������������������������������������� 15 FM-N ����������������������������������������������������������� 15 AM-N ���������������������������������������������������������� 15 FM Radio ����������������������������������������������������...
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INDEX Near Repeater search function���������������vi, 61 Terminal mode ���������������������������������������������� v TO ��������������������������������������������������������������� 62 Transmit power level ���������������������������������� 20 Operating mode ������������������������������������������ 15 Transmitting ������������������������������������������������ 19 Troubleshooting ������������������������������������������ 35 Troubleshooting, DR ������������������������������ 63 Partial Reset ����������������������������������������������� 34 Tuning step ������������������������������������������������� 16 Playing a recorded audio ����������������������������...
ABOUT THE LICENSES mbed TLS “Contribution” shall mean any work of authorship, including the original version of the Work and any modifications or additions to that Work or Derivative Works thereof, that is Apache License intentionally submitted to Licensor for inclusion in the Work by the copyright owner or by an individual or Legal Entity Version 2.0, January 2004 authorized to submit on behalf of the copyright owner. http://www.apache.org/licenses/ For the purposes of this definition, “submitted” means any TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, REPRODUCTION,...
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ABOUT THE LICENSES (d) I f the Work includes a “NOTICE” text file as part of 8. L imitation of Liability. In no event and under no legal its distribution, then any Derivative Works that You theory, whether in tort (including negligence), contract, distribute must include a readable copy of the attribution or otherwise, unless required by applicable law (such notices contained within such NOTICE file, excluding as deliberate and grossly negligent acts) or agreed those notices that do not pertain to any part of the to in writing, shall any Contributor be liable to You Derivative Works, in at least one of the following for damages, including any direct, indirect, special, places: within a NOTICE text file distributed as part...
MENU SCREEN ITEMS When pushing [MENU], the following MENU items are displayed. Refer to the Advanced manual for each menu item’s details. VOICE SCOPE Record TX Set DV GW Repeat Time <<Terminal Mode>> TX Monitor <<Access Point Mode>> <<Single TX>> PICTURE <<Repeat TX>>...
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MENU SCREEN ITEMS SET > DUP/TONE... SET > DV Set Offset Freq Tone Control Repeater Tone RX Bass TSQL Freq RX Treble Tone Burst RX Bass Boost DTCS Code TX Bass DTCS Polarity TX Treble Digital Code Auto Reply SET > Scan DV Data TX Pause Timer DV Fast Data...
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MENU SCREEN ITEMS SET > Function SET > Display Power Save Backlight Monitor Backlight Timer Dial Speed-UP Brightness Auto Repeater* Contrast Remote MIC Key Busy LED During RX/Standby RX Call Sign During TX RX Position Indicator Key Lock RX Position Display PTT Lock RX Position Display Timer Busy Lockout...
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MENU SCREEN ITEMS SET > Sounds SET > Others Volume Select Information FM Radio Level Voltage Earphone Mode Version Beep Level Clone Beep/Vol Level Link Clone Mode Key-Touch Beep Reset Home CH Beep Partial Reset Band Edge Beep All Reset Scan Stop Beep MEMORY Standby Beep...