43-1042.fm Page 1 Tuesday, August 17, 1999 10:28 AM
Cat. No. 43-1042
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
ET-542
All-Weather 25-Channel
Cordless Telephone
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Important: Cordless phones such as
this one require AC power to operate.
When the AC power is off, you cannot
dial out or receive incoming calls us-
ing your ET-542. For this reason, the
ET-542 cordless phone should not be
your only telephone. To be safe, you
should also have a phone that does
not need AC power to operate (not a
cordless phone) so you can still make
and receive calls if there is an AC
power failure.
Warning: To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose this product
to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
!
DO NOT OPEN.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICE-
ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVIC-
ING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
This telephone has been tested and
found to comply with all applicable UL
and FCC standards.
This symbol is intended to alert you
to the presence of uninsulated dan-
gerous voltage within the product’s
enclosure that might be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock. Do not open the
product’s case.
Your ET-542 operates on standard ra-
dio frequencies, as allocated by the
FCC. Therefore, it is possible for other
radio units operating on similar fre-
quencies, within a certain area, to in-
advertently intercept your conversa-
tions and/or cause interference on
your cordless telephone. This lack of
privacy can occur with any cordless
telephone.
This symbol is intended to inform
you that important operating and
maintenance instructions are in-
cluded in the literature accompany-
ing this product.
!
For your records, we urge you to
record the serial number of your
phone in the space below. The serial
number is on the bottom panel of the
base.
Serial Number ______________
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READ THIS BEFORE
INSTALLATION
FCC STATEMENT
This telephone complies with Part 68
of FCC Rules. You must, upon re-
quest, provide the FCC registration
number and the REN to your phone
company. These numbers are located
on the bottom of your phone’s base.
We have designed your telephone to
conform to federal regulations, and
you can connect it to most telephone
lines. However, each device that you
connect to the phone line draws pow-
er from the phone line. We refer to this
power draw as the device’s ringer
equivalence number, or REN. The
REN is shown on the bottom of your
phone’s base.
Note: You must not connect your
phone to any of the following:
• Coin-operated systems
• Party-line systems
If you are using more than one phone
or other device on the line, add up all
the RENs. If the total is more than five,
your phone might not ring. In rural ar-
eas, a total REN of three might impair
ringer operation. If ringer operation is
impaired, remove a device from the
line.
• Most electronic key phone sys-
tems
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CONTENTS
Installation ............................................................................................................ 6
Selecting a Location ........................................................................................ 6
Installing the Base ........................................................................................... 6
Preparation ........................................................................................................... 7
Connecting the Battery ................................................................................... 7
Charging the Battery ....................................................................................... 8
Setting the Dialing Mode ................................................................................. 9
Turning On/Off the Ringer ............................................................................... 9
Operation ............................................................................................................ 10
Making/Answering a Call .............................................................................. 10
Using the Handset at the Base ............................................................... 10
Using the Handset away from the Base ................................................. 10
Changing Channels ...................................................................................... 11
Using Redial .................................................................................................. 11
Using Flash ................................................................................................... 11
Using Tone Services on a Pulse Line ........................................................... 12
Using Page ................................................................................................... 12
Memory Dialing ............................................................................................. 12
Storing a Number in Memory .................................................................. 13
Entering a Pause in a Memory Number ................................................. 14
Dialing a Stored Number ........................................................................ 14
Storing/Chain Dialing Service Numbers ................................................. 14
Testing Stored Emergency Numbers ...................................................... 14
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 15
Care and Maintenance ...................................................................................... 17
Replacing the Battery .................................................................................... 18
The FCC Wants You to Know ....................................................................... 19
Lightning ....................................................................................................... 19
5
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INSTALLATION
correctly fit the phone’s 12V DC jack.
The supplied adapter meets these re-
quirements. Using an adapter that
does not meet these requirements
could damage the phone or the adapt-
er.
SELECTING A
LOCATION
Select a dry location for the tele-
phone’s base that is:
• Near an AC outlet
• Near a telephone line jack
• Out of the way of normal activities
INSTALLING THE BASE
• Away from electrical machinery,
electrical appliances, and metal
walls or filing cabinets
illustration
• Away from wireless intercoms,
alarms, and room monitors
The base’s location affects the phone’s
range. If you have a choice of several
locations, try each to see which pro-
vides the best performance.
1. Plug one end of the supplied mod-
ular cord into the TEL.LINE jack on
the back of the base.
Note: If the phone line jack is not a
modular jack, you must update the
wiring yourself, using jacks and adapt-
ers available at your local RadioShack
store. Or, you can let the phone com-
pany update the wiring for you.
2. Plug the modular cord’s other end
into a modular phone line jack.
3. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s
barrel plug into the 12V DC jack on
the back of the base.
• The phone company will charge
you for the installation of the nec-
essary jacks.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet.
• The USOC number of the jack to
be installed is RJ11C for a base-
board jack or RJ11W for a wall
jack.
5. Place the base’s antenna in a ver-
tical position.
Caution: You must use a Class 2
120V AC/12V DC adapter that deliv-
ers at least 200 milliamps with its cen-
ter tip set to positive. Its plug must
6
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PREPARATION
3. Align the screw hole on the bat-
tery compartment cover with the
screw hole inside the battery com-
partment.
CONNECTING THE
BATTERY
Important: You must connect the bat-
tery inside the handset before charg-
ing the phone and using it. Follow
these steps to connect the battery.
1. Use a screwdriver to remove the
screw on the battery compartment
cover on the back of the handset,
then press down on the cover and
slide it off.
4. Tighten the screw about halfway.
Then press down and slide the
cover up to lock it in place.
2. Plug the battery wire connector
into the socket inside the compart-
ment.
5. Fully tighten the screw to ensure
the best water seal.
Before you use your phone for the first
time, charge it for 15 hours.
Note: The connector fits only one
way. Do not force it.
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resets the security access protec-
tion code.
CHARGING THE
BATTERY
• If the IN USE/CHARGE indicator
does not light when you place the
handset on the base, be sure the
battery is connected to the socket
inside the battery compartment
and the AC adapter is securely
connected to the base.
After you install a new battery, place
the handset on the base and let the
battery charge for about 15 hours be-
fore you use it the first time. The IN
USE/CHARGE indicator lights.
Also, be sure the handset is
placed properly on the base, so
the charging contacts on the
handset and base meet.
If the contacts are dirty or tar-
nished, gently clean them with a
pencil eraser.
The phone recharges whenever the
handset is on the base. You can re-
charge the battery at any time, but you
must be sure to recharge the battery
when the LOW BATT indicator flashes
on the handset.
(illus with
callout:
Charging
Contacts)
illustration
• About once a month, fully dis-
charge the battery by keeping the
handset off the base until the
LOW BATT indicator flashes.
Then return the handset to the
base and recharge the battery for
15 hours.
Notes:
• The first time you use your phone
after installing a new battery, the
handset might not work or might
sound an error tone when you
TALK
press
. This might also occur
when you recharge a battery that
has been completely discharged.
If this happens, return the handset
to the base for 5 seconds. This
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SETTING THE DIALING
MODE
TURNING ON/OFF THE
RINGER
TONE/PULSE
Set
on the back of the
To turn off the ringer, press and hold
RINGER ON/OFF
base for the type of service you have.
If you are not sure which type you
have, do this test.
for about 2 seconds
(until a long beep sounds). When the
ringer is off, the
ton flashes red.
RINGER ON/OFF
but-
TONE/PULSE
TONE
.
1. Set
to
To turn on the ringer, press and hold
RINGER ON/OFF
for about 2 seconds
(until a short beep sounds).
illustration
Note: With the handset’s ringer off,
you can still make or receive calls us-
ing the cordless phone. Telephones
on the same line still ring when there
TALK
2. Lift the handset, press
listen for a dial tone.
, and
TALK
is an incoming call, and the
light
on the handset and the IN USE/
CHARGE indicator on the base flash
until you answer the call.
3. Press any number other than 0.
If the dial tone stops, you have
TONE/
touch-tone service. Leave
PULSE TONE
set to
.
If the dial tone continues, you
TONE/
have pulse service. Set
PULSE PULSE
to
.
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OPERATION
To disconnect a call, replace the
handset on the base.
MAKING/ANSWERING A
CALL
You can use your cordless telephone
at the base or away from the base.
Using the Handset
away from the Base
To make or answer a call, press TALK
so the TALK light on the handset turns
on.
Using the Handset
at the Base
You can use the handset at the base
like a regular corded telephone. Just
place the handset on the base.
To disconnect a call, press TALK so
the TALK light turns off.
Note: You can make or answer a call
on another phone on the same line as
the cordless phone, even if the hand-
set is away from the base.
illustration
To answer a call, lift the handset from
the base.
To make a call, lift the handset from
the base and press TALK. The TALK
light on the handset turns on and the
IN USE/CHARGE indicator on the
base lights.
illustration
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Note: We recommend you not use
CHANGING CHANNELS
REDIAL/PAUSE
to dial numbers that in-
TONE/
clude a tone entry (
) (see “Us-
Your ET-542’s auto-scan feature auto-
matically selects a clear channel when
you pick up the phone. If you experi-
ence interference during a call, press
ing Tone Services on a Pulse Line”).
CH
to switch to another channel (25 in
USING FLASH
all) until you receive better reception.
FLASH
Use
on the handset to perform
the switchhook operation for special
services, such as call waiting.
illustration
illustration
USING REDIAL
To quickly redial the last number di-
aled, simply lift the handset and press
For example, if you have call waiting,
FLASH
press
without disconnecting the current call.
FLASH
to take an incoming call
TALK
REDIAL/PAUSE
.
, then press
Press
again to return to the
first call.
Notes:
illustration
• If you do not have call waiting,
FLASH
pressing
might disconnect
the current call.
• The redial memory does not store
FLASH
a
entry or any digits
FLASH
entered after you press
.
The redial memory holds up to 80 dig-
its in the tone mode or 79 digits in the
pulse mode. The redial memory also
holds pause entries (see “Entering a
Pause” under “Memory Dialing”).
11
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USING TONE SERVICES
ON A PULSE LINE
Some special services, such as bank
by phone, require tone signals. If you
have pulse service, you can still use
these special tone services by follow-
ing these steps.
illustration
TONE/PULSE
1. Set
on the base to
PULSE
.
2. Dial the service’s main number.
Note: The handset will not beep dur-
ing a call.
3. When the service answers, press
TONE/
on the keypad. Then dial
the additional numbers. The
phone sends these numbers as
tone signals.
MEMORY DIALING
You can store up to 10 numbers for
two-button dialing. Each stored num-
ber can be up to 16 digits long.
4. When you complete the call, place
the handset on the base or press
TALK
to disconnect the call. The
phone automatically resets to the
pulse mode.
Notes:
• Do not store a number with both
pulse and tone entries in the same
memory location. This could result
in a wrong number being dialed.
USING PAGE
PAGE
The
feature lets you send a
TONE/PULSE
PULSE
is set to
• If
page from the base to the handset, so
you can page someone at the handset
or locate it if you misplaced it.
and you want to use tone dialing
for a memory number, store the
TONE/
tone entry (
) in the next
memory location.
When the handset is not in use and
• To keep your accounts secure, we
recommend you do NOT store
your personal access code for
services such as bank-by-phone
in a memory location.
PAGE
someone presses
the handset beeps three sets of two
TALK
on the base,
beeps. The
light on the handset
and the IN USE/CHARGE indicator on
the base flash.
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6. Repeat Steps 1-5 to store other
telephone numbers.
Storing a Number in Memory
1. Press MEMORY.
Notes:
• If you receive a call while you are
storing a number in memory,
press TALK to answer the call.
After the call, begin again at Step
1 to store the number.
illustration
• To change a number stored in
memory, simply store a new num-
ber in that memory location.
Note: While you are storing a
number in memory, if you do not
press any button on the keypad
within about 10 seconds, a buzz
sounds. You must start the pro-
cess over from the beginning.
• To clear a memory location so no
number is stored there, press
MEMORY twice, then press the
memory location number. A long
beep sounds. The number is now
cleared from memory.
2. Dial the phone number you want
to store.
If a buzz sounds, you did not suc-
cessfully clear the memory loca-
tion. Try the process again.
3. Press MEMORY again.
4. Press the memory location num-
ber (0-9) where you want to store
the number. A long beep sounds.
The phone number is now stored
in memory.
5. Pull out the memory index card
from the right side of the base.
Write the person’s or company’s
name and memory location num-
ber on the card in pencil (in case
you want to store a different num-
ber later).
illustration
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To chain dial memory numbers, follow
these steps.
Entering a Pause
in a Memory Number
1. With the TALK light on, press
MEMORY and the memory location
number for the service’s main
number.
In some telephone systems, you must
dial an access code (9, for example)
and wait for a second dial tone before
you can dial an outside number. If
your phone is connected to one of
these systems, you might want to en-
ter a pause after the access code
when you store a phone number in
memory.
2. Wait for the service to answer.
Note: If you use pulse dialing to
dial the service, be sure you have
stored a tone entry (TONE/ ) in
the next memory location before
the numbers for the additional
information.
At the appropriate place in the num-
ber, press REDIAL/PAUSE to enter a 2-
second pause. For a longer pause,
press REDIAL/PAUSE again.
3. Press MEMORY and the memory
location numbers for the addi-
tional information.
4. To disconnect the call, press TALK
so the TALK light turns off, or sim-
ply replace the handset on the
base.
Dialing a Stored Number
Follow these steps to dial a number
stored in memory.
1. Lift the handset and press TALK
Testing Stored
so the TALK light turns on.
Emergency Numbers
2. When you hear a dial tone, press
MEMORY and then press the cor-
rect memory location number. The
phone dials the stored number.
If you store an emergency service’s
number (police department, fire de-
partment, ambulance) and you want to
test the stored number, make the test
call during the late evening or early
morning hours to avoid peak demand
periods. Remain on the line to explain
the reason for your call.
Storing/Chain Dialing Service
Numbers
When storing numbers for special ser-
vices (such as alternate long distance
or bank-by-phone), store the service’s
main phone number in one memory
location and numbers for additional in-
formation in others.
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TROUBLESHOOTING
We do not expect you to have any
problems with your telephone, but if
you do, the following suggestions
might help. If you still have problems,
check other phones on the same line
to see if they work properly. If they do
and the problem does not seem to be
with your phone service, take your
phone to your local RadioShack store
for assistance.
Problem: Call is noisy.
Solutions:
• Press CH to switch to another
channel.
• Do not install the base near appli-
ances or large metal objects.
• Hang up and redial the number.
• Keep the handset away from inter-
ference sources such as comput-
ers, remote control toys, wireless
microphones, wireless alarm sys-
tems, wireless intercoms and
room monitors, fluorescent lights,
and electrical appliances. If the
interference is severe, turn off the
interfering device.
Problem: The handset does not
work.
Solutions:
• Move the handset closer to the
base.
• Place the base’s antenna in a ver-
tical position.
Problem: The handset’s range de-
creases.
• Be sure the phone line cord and
AC adapter are correctly and
securely connected.
Solutions:
• Be sure the battery is properly
installed and securely connected.
• Place the base’s antenna in a ver-
tical position.
• Be sure the battery is charged.
• Return the handset to the base
and recharge the battery.
• Return the handset to the base for
5 seconds, then try again.
Problem: Volume drops or you hear
unusual sounds.
Solution: Someone has picked up an-
other phone on the same line. Hang
up the other phone.
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Problem: Receiver sound flutters or
fades.
Problem: Can receive calls, but
cannot make calls.
TONE/PULSE
for the
Solutions:
Solution: Set
type of service you have.
• Move the handset closer to the
base.
Problem: You cannot answer/make
a call and the handset sounds an
error tone when you lift it from the
• Place the base’s antenna in a ver-
tical position.
TALK
base or press
.
• Be sure the battery is charged.
Solution: The phone might be receiv-
ing interference from another RF sig-
nal; or, if the handset is away from the
base during a long period of AC power
failure, the phone might lose its secu-
rity access protection code. Return the
handset to the base for 5 seconds,
then try again.
Problem: Can make calls, but tele-
phone does not ring.
Solutions:
• The handset's ringer might be off.
RINGER ON/OFF
Press and hold
for about 2 seconds until a short
beep sounds. (See “Turning On/
Off the Ringer.”)
• The telephone company might be
using unusual ringing methods.
Your telephone is designed for
standard straight line bridged ring-
ing.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Your ET-542 All-Weather 25-Channel Cordless Telephone is an example of superi-
or design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your
phone so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the base dry. If the handset gets wet, wipe it dry as soon as you
can. Liquids can contain minerals that corrode the electronic circuits.
Handle the phone gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage cir-
cuit boards and cases and cause the phone to work improperly.
Use and store the phone only in normal temperature environments.
Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices and
distort or melt plastic parts.
Keep the phone away from dust and dirt which can cause premature
wear of parts.
Wipe the phone with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking
CLEANER
new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong deter-
gents to clean your phone.
Modifying or tampering with the phone’s internal components can cause a malfunc-
tion and might invalidate its warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate it.
If your phone is not performing as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store
for assistance. If the trouble is affecting the phone lines, the phone company might
ask you to disconnect your phone until you have resolved the problem.
17
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REPLACING THE
BATTERY
If you follow the instructions in “Charg-
ing the Battery,” the supplied battery
should last about a year. When the
battery loses its ability to fully charge,
order a 3.6-volt, 300-mAH battery with
a connector that fits the socket in the
battery compartment. You can order a
replacement battery through your lo-
cal RadioShack store.
Note: The connector fits only one
way. Do not force it.
4. Align the screw hole on the bat-
tery compartment cover with the
screw hole inside the battery com-
partment.
Install the new battery as described
below, then charge the battery (see
“Charging the Battery”).
1. Use a screwdriver to remove the
screw on the battery compartment
cover on the back of the handset,
then press down on the cover and
slide it off.
5. Tighten the screw about halfway.
Then press down and slide the
cover up to lock it in place.
2. Gently pull on the battery connec-
tor to disconnect it, then remove
the battery.
3. Plug the battery wire connector
into the socket inside the compart-
ment, and place the battery inside
the compartment.
6. Fully tighten the screw to ensure
the best water seal.
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Important: Your telephone contains a
rechargeable nickel cadmium battery.
At the end of the battery’s useful life, it
must be recycled or disposed of prop-
erly. Contact your local, county, or
state hazardous waste management
authorities for information on recycling
or disposal programs in your area.
Some options that might be available
are: municipal curb-side collection,
drop off boxes at retailers, recycling
collection centers, and mail back pro-
grams.
properly. To determine whether your
phone is causing the interference, turn
off your phone. If the interference
goes away, your phone is causing the
interference. Try to eliminate the inter-
ference by:
• Moving your phone away from the
receiver
• Connecting your phone to an AC
outlet that is on a different electri-
cal circuit from the receiver
• Contacting a radio/TV technician
or your local RadioShack store for
help
THE FCC WANTS YOU
TO KNOW
If you cannot eliminate the interfer-
ence, the FCC requires that you stop
using your phone.
In the unlikely event that your phone
causes problems on the phone line,
the phone company can temporarily
discontinue your service. If this hap-
pens, the phone company attempts to
notify you in advance. If advance no-
tice is not practical, the phone compa-
ny notifies you as soon as possible
and advises you of your right to file a
complaint with the FCC.
LIGHTNING
Your phone has built-in protection cir-
cuits to reduce the risk of damage
from surges in phone line current.
These protection circuits meet or ex-
ceed FCC requirements. However,
lightning striking the phone lines can
damage your phone.
Also, the phone company can make
changes to its lines, equipment, oper-
ations, or procedures that could affect
the operation of the phone. The phone
company notifies you of these chang-
es in advance, so you can take the
necessary steps to prevent interrup-
tion of your phone service.
Lighting damage is not common. Nev-
ertheless, if you live an area that has
severe electrical storms, we suggest
that you unplug your phone during
storms to reduce the possibility of
damage.
Your phone might cause TV or radio
interference even when it is operating
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RadioShack Limited Warranty
This telephone product is warranted against manufacturing defects in material and
workmanship for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company
owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. Within this period
bring your RadioShack sales slip as proof-of-purchase date to any RadioShack
store.
This warranty does not cover damage or failure caused by or attributable to Acts of
God, abuse, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, faulty installation, improper mainte-
nance, lightning or other incidence of excess voltage, or any repairs other than those
provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility, or transportation costs.
RadioShack is not responsible or liable for indirect, special, or consequential
damages arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the prod-
uct or other damages with respect to loss of property, loss of revenue or profit, or
costs of removal, installation or reinstallation.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES
AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION
OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. Some states do
not allow the limitation or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages and some
states do not allow limitation or exclusion of implied warranties; therefore, the aforesaid
limitation(s) or exclusion(s) may not apply to the purchaser. There will be charges ren-
dered for repairs to the product made after the expiration of the aforesaid one (1) year
warranty period.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
We Service What We Sell
10/95
RadioShack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
12A6
Printed in Hong Kong
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