INSTRUCTION MANUAL UHF FM TRANSCEIVER TK-3131 © B62-1590-20 (K) 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02
T HANK Y OU We are grateful for your purchase of this KENWOOD product and welcome you to the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). Your KENWOOD 2-way radio is called a “transceiver”, meaning “transmitter & receiver”. We believe this easy-to-use transceiver will provide you with dependable and reliable communications. This KENWOOD transceiver is a precision device. Treat it with care, and you will enjoy years of reliable operation.
FCC L ICENSE I NFORMATION Your KENWOOD radio operates on communications frequencies which are subject to FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Rules & Regulations. FCC Rules require that all operators using Personal Radio Service frequencies obtain a radio license before operating their equipment. Application for license must be made on FCC form 574. Temporary operation is allowed, using form 574T which has been provided for your convenience (remove the form from the center of this Instruction Manual).
P RECAUTIONS • • • • • • • Refer service to qualified technicians only. Do not modify or attempt to adjust the transceiver for any reason. Do not expose the transceiver to long periods of direct sunlight, nor place it close to heating appliances. Do not place the transceiver in excessively dusty, humid, or wet areas, nor on unstable surfaces. Avoid extremes in exposure to weather, heat, and cold. This transceiver can be used in mild weather conditions, but it is not waterproof.
CONTENTS UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT ......................... 1 SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES .......................................................... 1 ORIENTATION ......................................................................... 2 DISPLAY ................................................................................ 3 PREPARATION ........................................................................ 4 INSTALLING/ REMOVING THE BATTERY PACK ...............................
CALLING ALERT TONES ......................................................... INCOMING CALL NOTIFICATION TYPE ........................................ BUSY CHANNEL LOCKOUT ...................................................... TRANSCEIVER BEEP .............................................................. SIMPLEX/ SEMI-DUPLEX OPERATION ....................................... RESETTING THE TRANSCEIVER ........................................ OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ..............................................
UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT Carefully unpack the transceiver. We recommend you identify the items listed in the following table before discarding the packing material. If any items are missing or have been damaged during shipment, file a claim with the carrier immediately.
ORIENTATION 2
D ISPLAY Icon Description Appears when VOX is activated. Appears when using low transmission power. Appears when the channel is set up with a DQT code. Appears when Privacy Talk is activated. This icon is not used on this transceiver. Displays the approximate battery power remaining. Blinks when the battery power is low. Appears when Incoming Call Notification is set to vibrate. Displays the channel number along with its QT/ DQT setting (if it has been set). Also displays various menus and menu settings.
PREPARATION I NSTALLING / R EMOVING THE B ATTERY P ACK The battery pack is not charged at the factory; charge it before use (pages 6 and 7). Average battery pack life using low power: 12 hours Average battery pack life using high power: 10 hours • Average times are calculated using 5% transmit time, 5% receive time, and 90% standby time. ◆ Do not short the battery terminals or dispose of the battery by fire. ◆ Never attempt to remove the casing from the battery pack.
I NSTALLING / R EMOVING B ATTERIES In place of the battery pack, you can use 3 AA batteries. Use high quality alkaline batteries to enjoy longer periods of battery life. Average battery life using low power: 8 hours Average battery life using high power: 4 hours • Average times are calculated using 5% transmit time, 5% receive time, and 90% standby time. 1 Remove the battery cover from the rear of the transceiver by sliding it back and pulling it away from the transceiver body.
C HARGING THE B ATTERY P ACK Initially charging the battery pack after purchase or extended storage (greater than 2 months) will not bring the battery pack to its normal operating capacity. After repeating the charge/ discharge cycle two or three times, the operating capacity will increase to normal. ◆ Do not recharge the battery pack if it is already fully charged. Doing so may cause the life of the battery pack to shorten or the battery pack may be damaged.
1 Plug the AC adapter cable into the adapter jack located on the rear of the charger. 2 Plug the AC adapter into an AC outlet. 3 Slide a battery pack using the supplied holder or a transceiver equipped with a battery pack into the battery pack slot. • • 4 Make sure the metal contacts of the battery pack mate securely with the charger terminals. The indicator lights red and charging starts. When charging is completed, the indicator lights green.
I NSTALLING / R EMOVING THE B ELT H OOK If desired, attach the belt hook to the rear of the transceiver using the 2 supplied screws. I NSTALLING / R EMOVING O PTIONAL A CCESSORIES Note: Always switch OFF the transceiver power when installing or removing the optional accessories.
GETTING STARTED q Switch the Power ON. Switch the transceiver power ON by turning the Power switch/ Volume control clockwise. • A confirmation tone sounds. When using simplex operation, a single tone sounds. When using semi-duplex operation, two tones sound. Refer to page 32 for details on selecting simplex or semi-duplex operation. To switch the transceiver power OFF, turn the Power switch/ Volume control fully counterclockwise, until a click sounds. w Adjust the Volume.
e Select a Channel. Select a channel from 1 to 15 by pressing the ▲ or ▼ key. • • • A confirmation tone sounds each time you press the ▲ or ▼ key. When you receive a call on your selected channel, you will hear audio from the speaker and the LED will light green. To use a signalling code, refer to “QUIET TALK/ DIGITAL QUIET TALK” on page 11. r Make a Call. 1 Press the MON key to make sure the channel is not in use (refer to page 16).
QUIET TALK/ DIGITAL QUIET TALK QT (Quiet Talk) and DQT (Digital Quiet Talk) are functions that reject signals from undesired parties that are using the same channel as you. You will hear audio from the speaker only when you receive a signal that contains a tone or code matching the one set up on the channel you are using. Likewise, when you transmit on a channel set up with QT or DQT, the receiving station must have a matching tone or code in order to hear your signal.
1 Press the MENU key. • 2 Press the ▲ or ▼ key to select your desired value. • The values range from 01 to 38 for QT tones, then proceed to 01 to 83 for DQT codes. When you use a DQT code, the icon appears on the display. • “ ” means you have turned off both QT and DQT. Refer to pages 38 and 39 for the actual QT tones and DQT codes. • 3 12 The current setting blinks. Press the MENU key 3 times, or press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to confirm the setting.
SCANNING THE CHANNELS You can scan all the channels of the transceiver to search for a signal. When the transceiver verifies a signal on a channel, it proceeds to check whether or not its QT/ DQT setting matches that which is set up on your transceiver, if you have set a channel with QT/ DQT. If the QT/ DQT matches, the transceiver stops at the channel and opens the squelch so you can listen to the call. If the QT/ DQT does not match, the call is ignored and scanning continues.
5 Press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to exit Setting Mode. To begin scanning: 1 Press and hold the ▲ key for 1 second. • “ ” appears on the display. 2 When a signal is detected and the QT/ DQT matches, the channel number appears on the display and blinks. 3 When the signal is no longer present, the transceiver waits for 5 seconds before scanning continues. • 4 To end the scan at any time, press and hold the ▲ key for 1 second.
R EVERT C HANNEL The revert channel is the channel from which you start scanning. So, for example, if you are on channel 1 when you begin to scan, your revert channel is channel 1. During scan, pressing the PTT switch will automatically select the transceiver’s revert channel (in the above example, channel 1) and you will begin transmitting.
MONITORING A CHANNEL When no signals are present, the squelch on the transceiver automatically mutes the speaker so you will not hear background noise. Using the MON key, you can disable the squelch to unmute the speaker at any time. This feature is useful for a variety of reasons: • It allows you to confirm the channel activity so that you don’t make a call while another party is using the same channel. • It allows you to adjust the volume level without having to wait for a call.
VOICE ACTIVATED CONTROL (VOX) Using the VOX feature, you can operate the transceiver hands-free. In order to use this feature, however, you must use an optional headset; VOX will not function with the built-in microphone. For best operation conditions, we recommend you use an optional headset with both an ear piece and a microphone on a boom that rests in front of your mouth. With VOX activated, your voice level will determine when the transceiver transmits.
4 Press the MENU key to select “ ” (VOX ” (VOX gain level 1) to function is off) or “ ” (VOX gain level 3). “ • While adjusting the VOX Gain, the LED lights orange. Note: Setting the VOX gain to OFF deactivates VOX. In order to transmit with VOX turned off, you must use the PTT switch. 5 Press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to exit Setting Mode. VOX D ELAY T IME If the transceiver returns to receive mode too quickly after you stop speaking, the end of your message may not be transmitted.
4 Press the MENU key to select “ ” (delay ” (300 ms), “ ” for 100 ms), “ ” (1 second), “ ” (500 ms), “ ” (3 seconds). (1.5 seconds), or “ 5 Press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to exit Setting Mode. VOX O PERATION 1 Set up a VOX gain level from 1 to 3 (page 17). 2 To transmit, simply speak into the headset microphone. • 3 To stop transmitting, stop speaking. • 4 You do not need to press the PTT switch; the transceiver automatically detects your voice and begins transmitting.
VOX B USY L OCKOUT While using VOX, you can set the transceiver to detect when the channel is busy (in use). With this function turned on, VOX will not allow you to transmit while the channel is being used. You can transmit only when the channel is free. 1 Turn the transceiver power OFF. 2 Press and hold the MENU key while turning the transceiver power ON (for 1 second). 3 Press the ▲ or ▼ key to select “ 4 Press the MENU key to select “ ” (busy ” (busy lockout lockout turned on) or “ turned off).
PRIVACY TALK Whereas the Quiet Talk and Digital Quiet Talk functions (page 11) allow you to ignore unwanted calls, Privacy Talk allows you to hold a conversation in complete privacy. When activated, any other party listening in on your channel will be unable to understand your conversation. The transceiver scrambles your voice so that anybody listening to your conversation will not be able to understand what you are saying.
OPERATING FEATURES T RANSMISSION P OWER You can adjust the transmission power on all channels. Selecting low power will allow longer use of the battery pack (refer to pages 4 and 5). Selecting high power will allow you to transmit farther, in case the other party is too far away for low power usage. To change the transmission power: 1 Press the MENU key 3 times. • The icon and “ ” appear on the display when low power is selected. No icon and “ ” appear for high power.
Press and hold the MENU key for 3 seconds to lock or unlock the transceiver keys. • The icon appears on the display when the transceiver keys are locked. No icon appears when they are unlocked. S UPER L OCK You can lock the MENU, CAL, ▲, and ▼ keys, and disable the Setting Mode. The PTT and MON keys still function normally. To turn Super Lock ON or OFF, follow the steps below. 1 Turn the transceiver power OFF.
L AMP The lamp is used to illuminate the Liquid Crystal Display. You can set the lamp to remain off, remain on, or turn on when you press any key other than the PTT switch (auto). When set to auto, the lamp remains on for 5 seconds after pressing a key before turning off again. To select the lamp setting: 1 Turn the transceiver power OFF. 2 Press and hold the MENU key while turning the transceiver power ON (for 1 second).
continuously transmit, this feature helps you save on battery power consumption. If you continuously transmit for 3 minutes (default value), the transceiver will stop transmitting and a tone will sound. To stop the tone, release the PTT switch. You can press the PTT switch again to resume transmitting. This transceiver is also equipped with a pre-alert tone which sounds 10 seconds before the Time-out Timer expires.
B ATTERY S AVE This transceiver has been designed to give you the most out of your battery power. The battery save function decreases the amount of power used when a signal is not being received and no operations are being performed. While using the transceiver, battery save will automatically switch ON after 10 seconds have elapsed with no operations or received calls. Operating the transceiver or receiving a call will switch this feature OFF until 10 seconds of non-operation occurs again.
B ATTERY I NDICATOR When turned ON, the battery indicator on the display lets you know approximately how much battery life is remaining. When turned OFF, the battery indicator will appear and blink only when the battery voltage level is low. When the battery voltage becomes too low while transmitting, the transceiver stops transmitting and a tone sounds until you release the PTT switch. Recharge or replace the battery pack at this time.
5 Press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to exit Setting Mode. C ALLING A LERT T ONES Calling alert tones are used to identify yourself to your party members. You can set up a calling alert tone to one of 6 types. If each party member uses a different calling alert tone, it is easy to know who is making the call. Pressing the CAL key before making a call will send your calling alert tone to your party members. To set up your own calling alert tone: 1 Turn the transceiver power OFF.
5 Press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to exit Setting Mode. I NCOMING C ALL N OTIFICATION T YPE Note: To use Incoming Call Notification, you must set up a QT tone or a DQT code (page 11). Incoming Call Notification is used to inform you of when a call is being received. You can set this function to notify you via a tone or through vibrating. When vibration is activated (either with the vibration only setting or the vibration and tone setting), the icon appears on the display.
• When set to notify you via both a tone and through vibration (setting 3), the tone is emitted and the transceiver vibrates when a busy signal is received and the QT/ DQT signalling matches. As with a tone only, you will not hear audio from the speaker until the tone is stopped by pressing a key or the 15 second tone stops. After the call is finished, the transceiver will wait for 10 seconds before resetting the Incoming Call Notification.
B USY C HANNEL L OCKOUT This function is used in order to prevent transmitting on a channel that somebody else is currently using. When turned ON, a beep sounds when you press the PTT switch while another party is using the channel, and you cannot transmit. 1 Turn the transceiver power OFF. 2 Press and hold the MENU key while turning the transceiver power ON (for 1 second).
1 Turn the transceiver power OFF. 2 Press and hold the MENU key while turning the transceiver power ON (for 1 second). 3 Press the ▲ or ▼ key to select “ 4 Press the MENU key to select “ on) or “ ” (beep off). 5 Press the PTT, MON, or CAL key to exit Setting Mode. ”. ” (beep S IMPLEX / S EMI -D UPLEX O PERATION Simplex operation is simply transmitting and receiving between two parties. This is how you normally operate the transceiver.
Unless you are familiar with the use of repeaters, and are aware of repeaters near your location, we recommend you do not use semi-duplex operation; use only simplex operation, the default frequency bank of this transceiver. There are two separate “banks” of frequencies stored in the transceiver (as listed on pages 41 and 42). Frequency Bank A stores those frequencies used for simplex operation and Frequency Bank B stores those frequencies used for semi-duplex operation.
RESETTING THE TRANSCEIVER At some point in time, you may desire to reset the transceiver settings to their default values. The default values of all the menus can be found on page 43. To reset the transceiver: 1 Turn the transceiver power OFF. 2 Press and hold the ▲, ▼, and MON keys while turning the transceiver power ON. • 3 “ ” (reset) will appear on the display. Release the ▲, ▼, and MON keys to reset the transceiver settings to their default values.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES KNB-27N (Ni-MH battery pack) KSC-28 (Battery charger) KMC-21 (Speaker-microphone) EMC-3 (Clip mic with earphone) KHS-1 (Headset) KHS-21 (Headset) SE N PT S.
NOTICES TO THE USER This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. One or more of the following statements may be applicable: FCC WARNING This equipment generates or uses radio frequency energy.
SAFETY INFORMATION: Your wireless hand-held portable transceiver has been designed using a low power transmitter. When the PTT switch is pressed, the transceiver generates radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME). This transceiver is designed to comply with the FCC Report and Order FCC 96-326 (August, 1996). • Do not transmit for more than 50% of the total operating time. Transmitting for over 50% of the operating time may exceed the FCC RF exposure compliance requirements.
QT TONES/ DQT CODES Display Quiet Talk Number Frequency 38 Display Quiet Talk Display Quiet Talk Number Frequency Number Frequency OF OF F 13 103.5 Hz 26 162.2 Hz 01 67.0 Hz 14 107.2 Hz 27 167.9 Hz 02 71.9 Hz 15 110.9 Hz 28 173.8 Hz 03 74.4 Hz 16 114.8 Hz 29 179.9 Hz 04 77.0 Hz 17 118.8 Hz 30 186.2 Hz 05 79.7 Hz 18 123.0 Hz 31 192.8 Hz 06 82.5 Hz 19 127.3 Hz 32 203.5 Hz 07 85.4 Hz 20 131.8 Hz 33 210.7 Hz 08 88.5 Hz 21 136.5 Hz 34 218.1 Hz 09 91.
Display Number Digital Quiet Talk Code Display Number Digital Quiet Talk Code Display Number Digital Quiet Talk Code DQT 01 DQT 02 DQT 03 DQT 04 DQT 05 DQT 06 DQT 07 DQT 08 DQT 09 DQT 10 DQT 11 DQT 12 DQT 13 DQT 14 DQT 15 DQT 16 DQT 17 DQT 18 DQT 19 DQT 20 DQT 21 DQT 22 DQT 23 DQT 24 DQT 25 DQT 26 DQT 27 DQT 28 023 025 026 031 032 043 047 051 054 065 071 072 073 074 114 115 116 125 131 132 134 143 152 155 156 162 165 172 DQT 29 DQT 30 DQT 31 DQT 32 DQT 33 DQT 34 DQT 35 DQT 36 DQT 37 DQT 38 DQT 39 DQ
SPECIFICATIONS RF Output Power Low 500 mW High 1W Audio Output Power Frequency Stability 100 mW 2.5 ppm Operating Voltage 3.3 V ~ 5.0 V Dimensions (projections not included) Weight (with KNB-27N) 40 56 x 28.75 x 117.
C HANNEL F REQUENCY C HART : S IMPLEX O PERATION (F REQUENCY B ANK A) Channel Number Receive Frequency Transmit Frequency 1 462.5625 MHz 462.5625 MHz 2 462.5875 MHz 462.5875 MHz 3 462.6125 MHz 462.6125 MHz 4 462.6375 MHz 462.6375 MHz 5 462.6625 MHz 462.6625 MHz 6 462.6875 MHz 462.6875 MHz 7 462.7125 MHz 462.7125 MHz 8 (White) 462.5750 MHz 462.5750 MHz 9 (Black) 462.6250 MHz 462.6250 MHz 10 (Orange) * 462.6750 MHz 462.6750 MHz 11 462.5500 MHz 462.5500 MHz 12 462.
C HANNEL F REQUENCY C HART : S EMI -D UPLEX O PERATION (F REQUENCY B ANK B) Channel Number Receive Frequency Transmit Frequency 1 462.5625 MHz 462.5625 MHz 2 462.5875 MHz 462.5875 MHz 3 462.6125 MHz 462.6125 MHz 4 462.6375 MHz 462.6375 MHz 5 462.6625 MHz 462.6625 MHz 6 462.6875 MHz 462.6875 MHz 7 462.7125 MHz 462.7125 MHz 8 (White) 462.5750 MHz 467.5750 MHz 9 (Black) 462.6250 MHz 467.6250 MHz 10 (Orange) * 462.6750 MHz 467.6750 MHz 11 462.5500 MHz 467.5500 MHz 12 462.
MENUS No. Display Name Full Name Settings Default Ref.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Problem Cannot turn the transceiver power ON. Battery power dies shortly after charging. Cannot talk to or hear other members in your group. Other voices (besides group members’) are present on the channel. The transceiver is malfunctioning for no apparent reason. 44 Solution • The batteries or battery pack may be dead. Replace the batteries or recharge or replace the battery pack. • The battery pack may not be installed correctly. Remove the battery pack and install it again.
