Uniden Two Way Radio 550W User Manual

550W  
 
FCC Information  
Important: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by Uniden could void your  
authority to operate this unit. Do not open your radio to make any internal adjustments. Your radio is  
set up to transmit a regulated signal on an assigned frequency. It is against the law to alter or adjust  
the settings inside the radio to exceed those limitations. Any adjustments to your radio must be made  
by qualified technicians using the proper test equipment. To be safe and sure:  
Never open your radio’s case.  
Never change or replace anything in your radio except the batteries.  
Your radio might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine  
whether your radio is causing the interference, turn it off. If the interference goes away, your radio is  
causing it. Try to eliminate the interference by moving your radio away from the receiver. If you  
cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using the radio.  
Audio Accessories: Do not operate the radio with audio accessories at high volume levels. Hearing  
experts advise against continuous high volume operation. If you experience a ringing in your ears,  
reduce the volume level or discontinue use. Always make sure the radio is turned off before plugging  
audio accessories into the accessory jack.  
Do not operate the radio in hazardous environments. Explosion or fire may result. Do not  
operate the radio near unshielded electrical blasting caps. Under certain conditions,  
radios can interfere with blasting operations and may cause an explosion. Turn your radio OFF to  
prevent accidental transmission when in a blasting area or in areas posted: “Turn off two-way radio.”  
Construction crews often use remote control RF devices to set off explosives.  
Care and Safety: To clean the radio, use a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use cleaners or  
solvents because they can harm the body of the unit and leak inside, causing permanent damage. Use  
a dry, lint-free cloth to clean the battery contacts.  
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.  
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause  
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that  
may cause undesired operation of the device.  
 
Contents  
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2  
Included in Your Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3  
Battery Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4  
Low Battery Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5  
Belt Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5  
Using Your Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
• Turning the Radio On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
• Adjusting the Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
• Choosing a Channel and CTCSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
• Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9  
• Monitor Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10  
• Talking on Your Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10  
• VOX Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11  
Vibration Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
Locking In Your Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
• Call Tone Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
• Monitoring Weather Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
• Silent Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
LCD Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
• External Microphone and Speaker (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5  
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6  
Appendix - FCC Part 95 Subpart B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1  
1
 
Welcome  
Congratulations on your purchase of the Uniden FRS550W family radio. This product is a  
lightweight, palm-sized radio you can carry almost anywhere. Use it at shopping malls,  
amusement parks, or sporting events to stay in contact with family and friends, or in a  
neighborhood watch for vital communications. This compact, state-of-the-art device is  
equipped with the following features:  
14 Preprogrammed Channels  
VOX Feature  
38 Built-in CTCSS Codes  
• 7 Weather Channels  
Up to 2 mile range*  
LCD Display  
Tone/Vibration Alert for incoming calls  
Channel Scan  
Keypad Lock  
50 hours of operation  
Low Battery Level Indicator  
LCD Backlit  
Silent Keypad  
External Speaker and Microphone Capable  
* Range may vary depending on environmental and/or topographical conditions.  
2
 
Included in Your Package  
Your package contains the FRS550W, this reference guide, and the accompanying belt clip  
with hardware. You will need to purchase three (3) AA ALKALINE batteries in order to  
operate the unit. If any of these items are missing or damaged, contact the Uniden Parts  
Department at (800)554-3988 M-F: 7:00 AM-5:00 PM CST.  
Belt clip and screws  
FRS Unit  
3
 
Battery Installation  
Your FRS550W radio uses three (3) AA ALKALINE batteries for power.  
To install the batteries:  
1. Make sure your radio is off.  
Do not mix old and new batteries to avoid damage to the unit.  
2. Release the battery cover clip, then  
remove the battery cover.  
3. Insert three (3) AA ALKALINE batteries  
according to the polarity symbols on the  
inside of the battery compartment.  
4. Align the battery cover tabs with the  
FRS550W tab holes then replace the cover.  
Tab holes  
4
 
Low Battery Alert  
The LCD on your radio shows a battery meter  
in the lower right corner. The  
indicates a fully powered unit. As the batteries  
become low, will flash.  
icon  
When the batteries in the unit are low, the unit will go into a Battery Low/Sleep Mode. The  
Scan Mode, Monitor Mode, Transmit, Transmit Call Tone Mode, CTCSS Tone Setting Mode,  
VOX Sensitivity Level Setting Mode, and Vibration are disabled. Replace the batteries  
immediately to continue using the radio.  
Belt Clip  
Because you will most likely use your radio when you are out and about, the unit comes  
equipped with a belt clip to fasten the unit to your belt, pocket, or purse.  
To remove the belt clip, turn the screws counterclockwise.  
To attach the belt clip:  
1. Insert the belt clip screws into the slot  
on the belt clip.  
2. Align the screws with the holes on the  
back of the radio and turn them  
clockwise, using a Phillips screwdriver to  
secure the belt clip. Do not over-tighten.  
5
 
Using Your Radio  
To get the most out of your new radio, read this reference guide completely before  
attempting to operate the unit.  
Turning the Radio On  
2
1
1. Turn the on/off volume control  
clockwise to turn the unit on.  
When you turn on your FRS550W, the LCD backlight remains lit for  
5 seconds.  
2. Turn the control counterclockwise to turn the unit off.  
Adjusting the Volume  
1. Press the MON button to hear  
background noise. The “BUSYicon  
and  
icon appear.  
2. Turn the on/off volume control  
clockwise to increase the volume and  
counterclockwise to decrease the volume.  
You may need to adjust the volume again when audio is heard from  
the speaker.  
6
 
Choosing a Channel and CTCSS  
Your radio has 14 channels and a Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) that  
you can use to talk to others. You can only communicate with radios that are set on the  
same channel and CTCSS tone code. A CTCSS tone is subaudible and selectable from the  
38 standard tone frequencies. You must select the same channel as your party selected.  
To choose a channel for the FRS550W:  
Press the up or down button repeatedly to  
select one of the 14 channels. (The number  
on the LCD changes to indicate that a new  
channel has been selected.)  
The BUSY icon and  
icon appear while receiving a transmission.  
To choose a CTCSS code for the FRS550W:  
You may want to hear calls from specific persons in your group. The CTCSS code that you  
enter allows you to block other calls and only receive from those who are using the same  
channel and CTCSS code.  
This feature does not cause your conversation to be private. Anyone else  
on the channel will be able to listen. It only relieves you of listening to  
unwanted conversations.  
7
 
1. Press and hold the wx/ctcss button for  
2 seconds. The code indicator flashes.  
2. Press the up or down button repeatedly to select one of the CTCSS codes (0-38).  
3. After selecting the desired CTCSS code, press the wx/ctcss button again. The code  
indicator stops flashing.  
You must press the wx/ctcss button within 10 seconds or the unit will  
time out. If not, the setting will not be made.  
4. To turn off the CTCSS code, press the  
up or down button until the code  
is selected. Then press the wx/ctcss  
button again. The code indicator  
stops flashing.  
If the code is selected on your radio, you can receive any signal on  
that channel regardless of the CTCSS code settings of the people in  
your party.  
8
 
Scan Mode  
Your radio also allows you to scan for activity from other transmitting radios regardless of  
the channel and code setting.  
Make sure all of your CTCSS codes are set to “0” prior to scanning. Otherwise, during a  
scan cycle, your radio will only check for that specific channel and code combination.  
To use the Scan feature:  
1. Press the scan/vibrate button to begin  
scanning channels. The LCD will  
indicate that you are in scan mode.  
If a signal is present, the radio will stop  
on the active channel. It will remain on  
the channel until the transmission ends.  
After 2 seconds, it will resume scanning.  
2. To resume scanning prior to the transmission end, press scan/vibrate again.  
3. Press the scan/vibrate, wx/ctcss, call/vox, PTT, up, or down button to exit the  
scan mode, stopping at the current channel.  
If you press scan/vibrate to exit the scan mode, the radio must be  
actively scanning.  
9
 
Monitor Mode  
The Monitor Mode is used to check activity on a specific channel. It will allow you to receive  
signals that are considered too weak.  
To check the channel activity:  
1. Press and hold the MON button until you hear a series of beeps. You will hear  
background noise if the channel is clear. Don’t transmit if you hear conversation.  
2. To turn Monitor Mode off, press the MON button again.  
Talking on Your Radio  
To talk to others using the radio;  
1. Determine your communicating channel and/or code setting with the other members  
of your party (refer to “Choosing a Channel and CTCSS” on page 7).  
2. Press and hold the PTT button and  
speak into the microphone. The  
following LCD screen appears.  
3. When you finish speaking, release the PTT button. You cannot hear any signals while  
your PTT button is pressed.  
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to continue communication.  
10  
 
VOX Feature  
The built-in Voice Activated Circuit (VOX) feature enables you to transmit automatically  
by speaking on the microphone of a VOX headset (not supplied) without pressing the  
PTT button.  
To activate this feature:  
1. Turn off the radio. Open the SPKR/MIC  
cover and plug in a VOX headset  
(not supplied).  
2. Turn on the radio while pressing the  
call/vox button. The VOX icon appears.  
3. To set the VOX sensitivity level, press the  
call/vox and scan/vibrate buttons  
simultaneously until the VOX icon and  
number indicator begin to flash.  
4. Within 10 seconds, select one of the level numbers,  
1 (the lowest sensitivity) ~ 9 (the highest), using the up or down button.  
5. To complete the entry, press the scan/vibrate or call/vox button. Now the radio is  
ready for automatic transmission.  
6. To deactivate the VOX feature, turn the radio off, then on again while pressing  
the call/vox button. The VOX icon is no longer displayed.  
Dont press the PTT button while VOX is activated.  
11  
 
Vibration Alert  
Your FRS550W will alert you with a vibration when there is an incoming transmission.  
You must be on the same channel and code setting as the party with whom you  
are communicating.  
To use the vibration alert:  
1. Press and hold the scan/vibrate  
button until the  
icon appears.  
2. You will be alerted with a five second vibration when you receive an incoming call.  
3. To turn off the vibration alert, press and hold the scan/vibrate button again until  
the  
icon goes out.  
The vibration alert feature only functions when CTCSS codes are assigned  
to a channel.  
Locking In Your Selection  
To prevent the channel and code settings from accidentally being changed, you should  
lock the buttons of your FRS radio. This will disable the L, L, wx/ctcss, and  
scan/vibrate buttons.  
1. Press and hold the light/lock button  
for two seconds to lock the buttons.  
The icon appears on the display  
indicating the buttons are locked.  
2. Press and hold the light/lock button again for two seconds to unlock the buttons.  
Or turn the radio off and then on again to unlock the buttons.  
12  
 
The call/vox, on/off volume, PTT, MON, and light/lock buttons will  
not be locked.  
Call Tone Transmission  
If you want to contact someone in your  
party, press the call/vox button. ”CALL”  
and the transmit icon appear on the LCD  
for 2 seconds. Anyone on the same channel  
and the same CTCSS code will be alerted  
with your Call Tone.  
Monitoring Weather Channels  
Your radio has 7 preprogrammed weather channel frequencies, represented by numbers 1-7.  
To listen to the weather channels in your area:  
1. Press the wx/ctcss button. The radio  
will begin scanning automatically.  
The scan and  
while scanning.  
icon appear  
2. Scanning stops when the radio finds an  
active channel. It stays on the channel  
until its transmission ends, and resumes  
scanning after a 2 second delay.  
3. To exit from this weather channel mode, press the wx/ctcss button again.  
13  
 
You can also select any one of the 7 channels manually.  
1. Press the scan/vibrate button to stop scanning.  
2. Use the up or down button to move to a higher or lower channel.  
3. To resume scanning, press the scan/vibrate button again.  
To change the channel continuously, press and hold the up or down  
button for more than 1 second.  
Silent Keypad  
A tone sounds when any button is pressed. This is the default setting. This function may be  
silenced if you wish. To silence the tones, press and hold the MON button while you turn  
on the radio. If you want to hear the tones again, press and hold the MON button while  
you turn on the radio. When the radio is turned off and then on again, the last selected  
setting remains.  
This function will also silence call tones and error tones.  
LCD Backlight  
The LCD display can be illuminated to assist your viewing. Press the light/lock button to  
turn on the display backlight. The light goes off automatically after 5 seconds.  
External Microphone and Speaker (Optional)  
Available as an optional accessory. Use only an original Uniden speaker/microphone.  
Use of any other speaker/microphone may void your warranty. To purchase your external  
accessory, contact your local Uniden dealer or call Customer Service at (800)297-1023  
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central time.  
14  
 
Troubleshooting  
Problem  
Solution  
No power  
• Reposition or replace batteries.  
• Make sure the PTT button is completely pressed  
as you transmit.  
Message not  
transmitted  
• Reposition or replace batteries.  
Message not received • Confirm radios have the same channel and CTCSS  
code setting.  
• Make sure PTT is not inadvertently being pressed.  
• Reposition or replace batteries.  
• Obstructions, operating indoors and in vehicles may  
interfere with communication. Change your  
location.  
• Be sure the volume is turned up.  
Hearing other  
• Confirm CTCSS code is set.  
conversations or  
noise on a channel  
Limited talk range  
• Shared channel or CTCSS may be in use.  
Try another channel.  
• Street/concrete structures, heavy foliage, and use  
in buildings and in vehicles will decrease the range.  
Check for clear line of sight to improve  
transmission.  
Wearing the radio close to the body, such as in a  
pocket or on a belt will decrease range. Change  
the location of radio.  
Heavy static or  
interference  
• Radios are too close. Radios must be at least 5 feet  
apart. Increase your distance.  
• Radios are too far apart.  
Obstacles interfere with transmission. Talk range is  
up to 2 miles in clear, unobstructed conditions.  
If after trying these simple steps your unit still does not function properly, call  
Uniden Customer Service at (800)297-1023 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.  
15  
 
Specifications  
Description  
Channels  
14  
Codes  
Operating Frequency  
Talk range  
38 STANDARD CTCSS Tone  
UHF - 462.550 to 467.725 MHz  
Up to 2 Miles  
Power Source  
Transmit Power Out  
Battery Life  
3AA Alkaline Batteries (not supplied)  
500m W  
50 Hours typ.  
Channel Frequency Chart (MHz)  
Channel  
Frequency  
462.5625  
462.5875  
462.6125  
462.6375  
462.6625  
Channel  
Frequency  
462.6875  
462.7125  
467.5625  
467.5875  
467.6125  
Channel  
11  
12  
13  
14  
Frequency  
467.6375  
467.6625  
467.6875  
467.7125  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10  
CTCSS Chart (Hz)  
Channel  
Frequency  
Channel  
14  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
23  
24  
25  
Frequency  
107.2  
110.9  
114.8  
118.8  
123.0  
127.3  
131.8  
136.5  
141.3  
146.2  
151.4  
156.7  
162.2  
Channel  
27  
28  
29  
30  
31  
32  
33  
34  
35  
36  
37  
38  
Frequency  
167.9  
173.8  
179.9  
186.2  
192.8  
203.5  
210.7  
218.1  
225.7  
233.6  
241.8  
250.3  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10  
11  
12  
13  
67.0  
71.9  
74.4  
77.0  
79.7  
82.5  
85.4  
88.5  
91.5  
94.8  
97.4  
100.0  
103.5  
26  
16  
 
WX Frequency Chart (MHz)  
Channel  
Frequency  
162.550  
162.400  
162.475  
162.425  
162.450  
162.500  
162.525  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
memo  
17  
 
Appendix - FRS Radio Rules  
FCC Part 95 Subpart B  
(3) Aboard any vessel or aircraft registered  
§95.191 (FRS Rule 1)  
in the United States, with the permission of  
the captain, that is within or over any area  
of the world where radio services are  
regulated by the FCC or upon or over  
international waters;  
Eligibility and responsibility.  
(a) Unless you are a representative of a  
foreign government, you are authorized by  
this rule to operate an FCC certified FRS unit  
in accordance with the rules in this subpart.  
No license will be issued.  
(4) Aboard any unregistered vessel or  
aircraft owned or operated by a United  
States citizen or company that is within or  
over any area of the world where radio  
services are regulated by the FCC or upon  
or over international waters.  
(b) You are responsible for all  
communications that you make with the FRS  
unit. You must share each channel with  
other users. No channel is available for the  
private or exclusive use of any user.  
(5) You must operate the FRS unit only  
according to any applicable treaty to  
which the United States is a party. The  
FCC will make public notice of any  
such conditions.  
§95.192 (FRS Rule 2)  
Authorized locations.  
(a) Provided that you comply with these  
rules, you are authorized to operate an  
FRS unit:  
(b) [Reserved]  
(c) [Reserved]  
(1) Within or over any area of the world  
where radio services are regulated by the  
FCC (this area includes the fifty United  
States and the District of Columbia, the  
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United  
States Virgin Islands (50 islets and cays),  
American Samoa (seven islands), the  
Commonwealth of Northern Marianna  
Islands, and Guam Island);  
(d) Anyone intending to operate an FRS unit  
on the islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo,  
Mona, Vieques, and Culebra in a manner that  
could pose an interference threat to the  
Arecibo Observatory shall notify the  
Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory, Post  
Office Box 995, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00613,  
in writing or electronically, of the location of  
the unit. Operators may wish to consult  
interference guidelines, which will be  
(2) Within or over any other area of the  
world, except within or over the territorial  
limits of areas where radio services are  
regulated by an agency of the United  
States other than the FCC or any foreign  
government (you are subject to its rules);  
provided by Cornell University. Operators who  
choose to transmit information electronically  
should e-mail to: [email protected].  
A-1  
 
(1) The notification to the Interference  
Office, Arecibo Observatory shall be made  
45 days prior to commencing operation of  
the unit. The notification shall state the  
geographical coordinates of the unit.  
(c) You must not use an FRS unit in  
connection with any activity which is against  
federal, state or local law.  
(d) You must, at all times and on all  
channels, give priority to emergency  
communication messages concerning the  
immediate safety of life or the immediate  
protection of property.  
(2) After receipt of such notifications, the  
Commission will allow the Arecibo  
Observatory a period of 20 days for  
comments or objections. The operator will  
be required to make reasonable efforts in  
order to resolve or mitigate any potential  
interference problem with the Arecibo  
Observatory. If the Commission  
determines that an operator has satisfied  
its responsibility to make reasonable efforts  
to protect the Observatory from  
interference, the unit may be allowed  
to operate.  
(e) No FRS unit may be interconnected to the  
public switched network.  
§95.194 (FRS Rule 4)  
FRS units.  
(a) You may only use an FCC certified FRS  
unit. (You can identify an FCC certified FRS  
unit by the label placed on it by the  
manufacturer.)  
(b) You must not make, or have made, any  
internal modification to an FRS unit. Any  
internal modification cancels the FCC  
certification and voids your authority to  
operate the unit in the FRS.  
§95.193 (FRS Rule 3)  
Types of communications.  
(a) You may use an FRS unit to conduct  
two-way voice communications with another  
person. You may use the FRS unit to  
transmit one-way communications only to  
establish communications with another  
person, send an emergency message, provide  
traveler assistance, make a voice page, or to  
conduct a brief test.  
(c) You may not attach any antenna, power  
amplifier, or other apparatus to an FRS unit  
that has not been FCC certified as part of that  
FRS unit. There are no exceptions to this  
rule and attaching any such apparatus to a  
FRS unit cancels the FCC certification and  
voids everyone's authority to operate the unit  
in the FRS.  
(b) The FRS unit may transmit tones to  
make contact or to continue communications  
with a particular FRS unit. If the tone is  
audible (more than 300 Hertz), it must last  
no longer than 15 seconds at one time. If the  
tone is subaudible (300 Hertz or less), it may  
be transmitted continuously only while you  
are talking.  
A-2  
 
© 2000 Uniden America Corporation  
All rights reserved • Printed in China  
UTZZ01 875ZZ  
Covered under one or more of the following U.S. patents:  
4,398,304  
4,627,100  
5,199,109  
5,471,660  
5,530,296  
4,409,688  
4,841,302  
5,408,692  
5,483,684  
5,574,995  
4,455,679  
4,888,815  
5,428,826  
5,548,832  
5,577,076  
4,461,036  
4,932,074  
5,438,688  
5,551,071  
5,598,430  
4,521,915  
4,947,456  
5,448,256  
5,642,424  
5,600,223  
4,597,104  
5,014,348  
5,465,402  
5,710,992  
 

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