Using the PMR, continued

Scanning channels

4 Using the seconds counter

The MR250 seconds counter (stopwatch) can count up to 99 seconds. 1 2 Press the MENU button FIVE times. 00 flashes on the display. To start the counter, press the button. The counter starts running. If it reaches 99 it goes back to 00 and starts again. 3 To pause the counter, press the To restart the counter press the again; 4 button. button

7 Troubleshooting
Problem
No power

Possible cause - solution

Batteries are low or not fitted correctly check, and recharge batteries if necessary. Handset is not switched on - check.

MR250 Plus
User Guide
Socket for handsfree kit (headset)* TRANSMITTING indicator light TALK button Press and hold while youre transmitting. Microphone MENU button Press to change channels and to switch between modes. ON/OFF button CALL button Press to send Ring tone to other handsets. *Hands-free kit not supplied as standard. Display (see below) ENTER button Press to switch the backlight ON and OFF. Press and hold to lock and unlock the handset buttons. Press to confirm settings. MONITOR button Press and hold to check for signals on the current channel.

When the SCAN function is turned on, the handset will continuously scan through all eight channels until it finds one on which another user is transmitting. 1 2 Press the MENU button TWICE. SCAN flashes on the display. Press the scanning. or button to start or stop

Weak reception\ no reception\ noisy reception

Batteries are low or not fitted correctly. Out of range. Confirm handsets are tuned to the same channel. Volume level may be set too low. See Getting Started Section for more information on adjusting the volume control. Local conditions are impairing reception move to a different location, away from obstructions. Other user may not be transmitting. Other user is too close. Theres interference from other users on the same channel. See section on using the Personal Mobile Radio for more information on changing channels.

When the handset detects an active channel, it will pause on that channel for a few seconds. 3 Press: the ENTER button to set this as the current channel; OR the TALK button to transmit on this channel. Monitoring two channels at once (Dual Watch)

OR, to reset the counter to 00, press the ENTER button while the display is flashing. When youve finished . . . Press the MENU button once to return to normal operation. If the handset detects a signal on the current channel while the seconds counter is running, it will automatically switch to normal operation and receive the transmission.
Cannot change channels
In VOX mode, the handset transmits all the time

Handset may have been locked. Batteries are low or not fitted correctly.
Background noise may be too high VOX sensitivity may be too high. See section on using the Personal Mobile Radio for more information on VOX mode.

Press the MENU button THREE times. DW appears on the display, as well as the currently selected channel. Press the channel. or button to select a second

UP and DOWN buttons Press to change the speaker volume. Press after the MENU button to change channels.

5 Cleaning and care

To clean your MR250, use a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use cleaners or solvents, which may cause damage not covered by the guarantee.

The display switches backwards and forwards between the two selected channels. If the handset detects a signal on either channel, it will halt and receive it. Dual Watch restarts when the signal disappears. 3 OR press the MONI button to monitor for weak signals (for 15 seconds) on the channel currently shown in the display. Press the ENTER or TALK button to set and confirm this as the current channel.

In VOX mode, the handset doesnt transmit

The dual charger doesnt work

VOX sensitivity may be too low.

6 Technical specification
Operating frequency 446.00625 to 446.09375 MHz (eight channels). Channel spacing 12.5 KHz. Output power 0.5 W.
Channel
1

Make sure that the mains power lead is correctly fitted to the dual charger pod. See section on Getting ready for use for more information.

Whats on the display

DW BUSY SCAN VOX

8 Guarantee and service

The Binatone MR250 is fully guaranteed for 12 months from the date of purchase. The guarantee does not cover damage by misuse or negligence, or by excessive voltages. If you think the unit has developed a fault, first check the troubleshooting guide. If the problem still persists, return the units complete in the original packaging to the store where you purchased them. Remember to take your sales (till) receipt with you.

Channel number (1 to 8)

Locking the buttons

Frequency (MHz)
446.00625

Channel
5

Frequency (MHz)
446.05625

When the buttons are locked, you can transmit (TALK), receive or monitor (MONI) the current channel. But you cant change the volume ( ) or use the MENU button. To lock the buttons: Press and hold the ENTER button until appears on the display.. Press and hold the ENTER button until disappears from the display.

446.01875

446.06875

Battery charge level - when this shows put the handset back on charge. DW

(low),

446.03125

446.08125

446.04375

446.09375

Dual Watch - shown when youre monitoring two channels at once. Shown when the buttons are locked.

Declaration of conformity

The Binatone MR250 conforms with the following standards: EN 300296 EN 60065 EN 301489

BUSY SCAN VOX

Shown when youre receiving a signal. Shown when the handset is scanning all channels. Shown when the handset is in VOX (voice-activated) mode. Volume level.

To unlock the buttons:

DI (Argos) Ver 1, Feb 06

1 Getting ready for use

Charge both handsets for 12 hours before use. 1 Fitting a battery pack in each handset Insert your fingernail behind the tab. Pull the tab forward (away from the handset) to release the belt clip. Then lift the belt clip off.

Charging the handsets battery packs Place the handsets in the charging cradles (the LEDs come ON when the handsets are properly positioned). Leave them for 12 hours to charge fully. When the handsets are switched ON, the battery level (full). display should show

3 Using the Personal Mobile Radio (PMR)

Transmission range
The talk range depends on environment and terrain. It will be greatest (up to about 3 km, or 1 miles) in wide open spaces without obstructions such as buildings. Dont try to use two PMR handsets which are less that 1.5 m (5 feet apart). If you do, you may experience interference. ! Note: Your PMRs work on the PMR446 frequency which is an open-license band - always identify yourself when transmitting, as other people may be communicating on the same channel. Changing channels
Your PMRs have eight channels, numbered 1 to 8. To communicate with other PMR users within range, you must all have your handsets tuned to the same channel. 1 Press the MENU button ONCE. The current channel number flashes on the display. Press the or button to go to the channel you want. Press the ENTER button to confirm.

Ring tone
You can send Ring tone to other handsets within range and tuned to the same channel as an alert that you want to communicate with them. Press and release the CALL button. Youll hear Ring tone for about 3 seconds, while the TRANSMITTING light is ON. Any other handset within range and tuned to the same channel will hear Ring tone, and may decide to transmit to you. You can also use Ring tone at the end of a transmission to signal that youve finished speaking. VOX (voice-activated transmission) mode
In VOX mode, your handset will transmit whenever it detects your voice (or other noise) without the TALK button pressed.

Its easier to fit the batteries without the belt clip in place.

IMPORTANT Whenever the MR250 handsets are not in use, leave them on the dual charging pod to keep the batteries charged.

2 Getting started
Switching ON and OFF

B
Open the locking latch and slide off the battery compartment cover. To insert the battery pack, insert the lower edge first (A) . . . . . .then press the upper edge into the compartment (B), clicking the battery pack firmly into position. Lay the ribbon across the top of the battery pack. Replace the battery compartment cover, and firmly close the latch. Fitting the (optional) belt clip Slide the belt clip downwards until it clicks into position.

To switch the handset ON, press and hold the button until the display comes ON.

To switch the handset OFF, press and hold the button until the display goes blank. You hear a confirmation tone each time.

Latch

The backlight for the display

Warning: Do not remove the sleeve from the battery pack.

To switch the backlight ON and OFF: Briefly press the ENTER button. Battery life

2 3

It will transmit for at least 2 seconds even if you stop talking. You may wish to use VOX mode if youre using a handsfree kit (see overleaf). The level of VOX sensitivity is shown by bars on the display. At the highest level (most bars), the handset will pick up softer noises (including background noise); at the lowest level, it will pick up only quite loud noises. To turn VOX mode ON and OFF: 1 Press the MENU button FOUR times. VOX flashes on the display, and the current level of VOX sensitivity is shown. Press the or button to set the level of VOX sensitivity. If you press the button repeatedly until the sensitivity bars disappear altogether, you turn VOX mode OFF, and VOX disappears from the display. Press the ENTER button to confirm the setting. As long as the handset is in VOX mode, VOX is shown steadily on the display.

The MR250 has a built-in Power Saver feature to make the batteries last longer. But when youre not using the handset, its best to switch it OFF to save battery power. Youll also find that the batteries last longer if you keep the backlight switched OFF when you dont need it. Volume control

Transmitting and receiving ! Note: PMR transmission is one-way-at-a-time - while you are speaking, you cannot receive a transmission.
To speak to another handset user: 1 2 3 Press and hold the TALK button so that the TRANSMITTING light comes ON. Speak clearly into the microphone, in a normal tone dont shout. When youve finished speaking, release the TALK button. Make sure you are NOT pressing the TALK button. BUSY is shown on the display when the other person is speaking. Dont try to transmit until they have finished.

To adjust the loudspeaker volume: Press the or button. The volume level is shown by the bars in the display. You can change the volume either while youre using your MR250 handset, or while the handset is idle (switched ON but not in use). Safety warnings

To listen to another handset user:

Connecting the dual charger pod to the mains power supply Plug the mains power lead into the connector on the side of the charger pod. Ensure the switch at the 230 V AC, 50 Hz mains socket is set to OFF. Plug the adapter into the mains socket and switch ON the mains power.

Never use your MR250 outdoors in a thunderstorm. Do not expose the unit to rain Before charging, please read the instruction Do not charge with non-rechargeable batteries. Charge only with the rechargeable battery pack provided. Please dispose of old defective batteries in an environmentally friendly manner Keep the appliance out of the reach from children

Monitoring the current channel

Normally, the MR250 will not pick up very weak signals. But you can monitor the current channel for all weak signals by turning this function ON. Press and release the MONI button. Your handset will pick up any signals on the current channel, including background noise. It will carry on monitoring for about 20 seconds, unless you press and release the MONI button again to stop it.

Using a hands-free kit (headset) - Optional

You can plug a hands-free kit (not supplied as standard) into the socket on the top of your MR250 handset. With a handsfree kit, you may wish to transmit in VOX mode; but if you find that this doesnt work very well, you can turn the VOX sensitivity OFF and press the TALK button to transmit, as normal. For further details on the optional hands-free kit, please contact the Binatone Help Line on 0845 345 9677.

Binatone Help Line 0845 345 9677 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays