Radio Shack HTX-420 Owner's Manual
Radio Shack HTX-420 Owner's Manual

Radio Shack HTX-420 Owner's Manual

2-meter/70cm dual band fm amateur transceiver
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Preparation .................................................................. 2
Using Internal Batteries ........................................... 2
Using AC or DC Power ............................................ 2
Connecting the Antenna .......................................... 2
Attaching the Belt Clip ............................................. 2
Attaching the Wrist Strap ......................................... 2
Connecting a Microphone/Speaker ......................... 2
A Quick Look At the Display ........................................ 3
Operation ..................................................................... 4
Manual Conventions ................................................ 4
Turning On/Off the Transceiver ................................ 4
Setting the Squelch Level ........................................ 4
Temporarily Opening Squelch .................................. 4
Using the Universal Type Keys ................................ 4
Selecting Frequencies (Direct Tuning) and Receiving
Transmissions .......................................................... 4
Transmitting ............................................................. 4
Understanding Repeaters ............................................ 5
Setting the Repeater Offset Frequency ................... 5
Turning Repeater Operation On/Off and Changing
The Offset Direction ................................................. 5
Memory Operation ....................................................... 5
Storing a Transmit/Receive Frequency .................... 5
Recalling Memory Locations .................................... 5
Checking Memory Location Settings ....................... 6
Clearing a Single Memory ....................................... 6
Using the Calling-Frequency Memory ..................... 6
Scanning Operation ..................................................... 6
Scanning for Active Frequencies ............................. 6
Scanning Standard Memory Locations .................... 6
Skipping Memory Channels While Scanning ........... 6
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System Features
(CTCSS) ...................................................................... 6
Setting the CTCSS Tones ........................................ 6
Using the CTCSS Tones .......................................... 7
Using DTMF Code ....................................................... 7
Transmitting a DTMF Code ...................................... 7
Using the Transceiver with Packet Radio ................ 7
Locking the Keypad ................................................. 8
Lighting the Display ................................................. 8
Turning the Key Tone On and Off ............................ 8
Setting the Frequency Step ..................................... 8
Power Save ............................................................. 8
Using Auto Power Shutoff ........................................ 8
Limiting Transmit Duration (Time-Out Timer) ........... 8
Tuning the Weather Radio Frequencies .................. 8
Using the SAME Alert .............................................. 8
Using the Electronic Compass ................................. 9
Selecting the Transmit Power ................................ 10
Cross Band Channel Operation ............................. 10
Dual Watch ............................................................ 10
Receiving the Air Band .......................................... 10
Changing the Transmit Frequency Range ............. 10
FCC Information ........................................................ 10
Care ........................................................................... 10
ERR Display .......................................................... 10
Service and Repair .................................................... 11
Resetting the Transceiver ...................................... 11
Specifications ............................................................ 11
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"+/2146#06"
If an icon appears at the end of a paragraph, go
to the box on that page with the corresponding
ý ý ý ý
icon for pertinent information.
R R R R
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— Warning
.
± ± ± ±
— Caution
± ± ± ±
± ± ± ±
"016'"
You must have a Technician Class or higher
Amateur Radio Operator's License, and a call
sign issued by the FCC, to legally transmit using
this transceiver. Transmitting without a license
carries heavy penalties.
Thank you for purchasing a RadioShack HTX-420 2-Meter/70 cm Dual Band FM Amateur
Transceiver. Your transceiver is compact and rugged, making it easy to carry almost anywhere.
The crystal controlled circuitry provides accurate and stable frequency selection, making it an
ideal choice for your amateur communications needs.
Electronic Compass — provides two letters to
indicate direction (such as SW or NW) and up to
three digits to show directional angle (such as
360°, 180°, 90° or 45°). See "Using the
Electronic Compass" on page 9.
Full 16-Key DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi
Frequency) Keypad — lets you dial and
make telephone connections. See
"Transmitting a DTMF Code" on page 7.
Programmable Frequency Steps — let
you set the frequency increment for
tuning or scanning to steps of 5, 6.25, 7.5,
10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, or 50 kHz. See
"Setting the Frequency Step" on page 8.
SAME Weather Alert — uses Specific
Area Message Encoding (SAME) digital
information to determine and display the
level of weather events. See "Using the
SAME Alert" on page 8.
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Amateur radio is a great hobby that has
enriched the lives of millions of people all
over the world. Your transceiver is the perfect
first radio for anyone entering the exciting
world of amateur radio, or as a great
additional transceiver for the experienced
amateur radio operator. Your transceiver
opens a door for you to the world from almost
anywhere! All you need is an Amateur Radio
Operator's License (Technician Class or
higher) issued by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC). If you
#
do not have a license, it is easy to get one,
and help from licensed operators is available.
Find out if there is a ham radio club in your
area. Most clubs welcome newcomers and
are glad to help you get your license. Here
— Important
are a few tips to help you get started.
— Note
You can turn on your transceiver and scan
the entire band to hear what is going on;
"
however, do not attempt to transmit until
you get your license. If you transmit without
a license, you are in violation of federal law
that can lead to severe penalties. Ham
operators take the FCC rules very seriously
OWNER'S MANUAL — Please read before using this equipment.
and want nothing to do with "bootleggers" –
their term for people who operate without a
license. ± ± ± ±
If you do not hear anyone talking about a
local club as you listen to local transmissions,
write to the American Radio Relay League
(ARRL) at the following address to find out
how to contact a local affiliate. The ARRL is
the national organization representing
amateur radio in the United States. The
league has more than 150,000 members.
Most are ham operators, or members in the
process of obtaining their license.
The American Radio Relay League
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
http://www.arrl.org
Start studying for the license exams. Most
people can go from knowing absolutely
nothing about amateur radio to passing the
Technician written exam in less than a
month.
The exams test your knowledge of basic
radio regulations and elementary radio
theory. Many clubs hold license classes
which can be a fun and easy way to learn
©
2002 RadioShack Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks
used by RadioShack Corporation.

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Summary of Contents for Radio Shack HTX-420

  • Page 1 OWNER’S MANUAL — Please read before using this equipment. Thank you for purchasing a RadioShack HTX-420 2-Meter/70 cm Dual Band FM Amateur Transceiver. Your transceiver is compact and rugged, making it easy to carry almost anywhere. The crystal controlled circuitry provides accurate and stable frequency selection, making it an ideal choice for your amateur communications needs.
  • Page 2: Using Ac Or Dc Power

    "9#40+0)" " ý Using the Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack When you remove the battery pack from the transceiver, be sure to turn off the transceiver before you remove the battery pack. Using AA Batteries • When you remove the battery holder to replace the batteries, be sure to turn off the transceiver before you remove the battery holder.
  • Page 3 rubber dust cover from the jacks on top of the transceiver. Then insert the plug of an optional voice-activated headset with microphone, or an optional communication headset, into the jacks. You can also connect an optional mono earphone to the jack.
  • Page 4: Operation

    ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± "016'" " Temporarily Opening Squelch The current setting for Squelch, Repeater Offset for the selected band, RX Tone, and TX Tone can be displayed by pressing and holding M. (see “Setting the CTCSS Tones” on Page 6). Selecting Frequencies and Receiving Transmissions •...
  • Page 5: Transmitting

    3. Hold down (Push to Talk), then speak slowly and clearly into the microphone. 4. Release when you finish transmitting. 70&'456#0&+0)" 4'2'#6'45 A repeater is a radio that receives a signal on one frequency (the input frequency) and retransmits that signal on a different frequency (the output frequency).
  • Page 6 The CTCSS feature also lets you match your HTX-420 to the subaudible tone frequency used by a local repeater. "...
  • Page 7: Storing A Transmit/Receive Frequency

    For example, if the selected repeater uses a receive only CTCSS tone, enable the transmit tone but not the receive tone on the HTX-420. To enable only the transmit (TX) tone , press J J J J appears above the displayed T.SQL...
  • Page 8: Using The Transceiver With Packet Radio

    (see “Using the Transceiver with Packet Radio” on Page 7). (TNC). See the following diagram for a suggested connection. Refer to your TNC instructions for details. HTX-420 Computer " "- 1%-+0) ';2#& To lock the transceiver’s keypad so you do not accidentally change a setting, press ).
  • Page 9: Using The Electronic Compass

    them to potentially ignore real weather warnings that can save lives. In 1994, NOAA began broadcasting SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) codes along with their standard weather broadcasts from local stations in your area. SAME codes identify the type of emergency and the specific geographic area (such as a county) affected by the emergency.
  • Page 10: Cross Band Channel Operation

    ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± "016'" " Cross Band Channel Operation You cannot transmit and receive at the same time. Changing the Transmit Frequency Range The extended transmit frequency range feature is only for MARS, CAP, and public service users.
  • Page 11: Specifications

    5'48+%'"#0&"4'2#+4 If your transceiver is not performing as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store for assistance. Modifying or tampering with the transceiver’s internal components can cause a malfunction and might invalidate its warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate it.

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