User’s Guide SP-400 Series Portable 4/16 Channel VHF-FM Portable Transceiver 4/16 Channel UHF-FM Portable Transceiver www.midlandradio.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide FCC RF EXPOSURE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR OCCUPATIONAL USE ONLY The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), within its action in General Docket 93-62, November 7, 1997, has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC regulated equipment. Midland Radio Corporation subscribes to the same safety standard for the use of its products.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Contents Conventions and Symbols in this Book ................................... 4 Disclaimer ................................................................................ 5 Safety ....................................................................................... 5 Introduction .............................................................................. 7 Radio models ....................................................................... 7 Radio features .............
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Sending a 2-tone/selective call or emergency call............. 20 Scanning channels ............................................................. 21 Advanced Operations ............................................................ 24 Operating hands-free ......................................................... 24 Using the scrambler ........................................................... 25 Editing your scan list ..........................................................
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Disclaimer Midland Radio Corporation is committed to continuous quality improvements, for this reason specifications may change without prior notice. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is complete, accurate, and up-to-date. Midland assumes no responsibility for the results of errors beyond its control.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Do not operate the radio near unshielded electrical blasting caps or in an explosive atmosphere. Do not transmit without the antenna attached to the radio. Though designed for protection against damage, damage to the transmitter may occur. Respect the environmental conditions. The radio is designed to operate in harsh environments, but avoiding extended or unnecessary exposure will prolong the service life.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Introduction Congratulations! By choosing the Midland SP-400 series, you have selected a professional grade portable radio. Its rugged design will provide years of reliable service and its sophisticated software allows many customizable options. Radio models There are four models in the SP-400 series portable radio line. The models differ only by band of operation and channel capacity. SP-410 – 4 channel VHF, 148-174 MHz. SP-420 – 4 channel UHF, 440-470 MHz.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide 47 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes programmable per channel. 5 2-tone decode – your radio may be programmed to respond only when paged with a two-tone sequence. Two sequences selectable per channel and up to 15 different sequences programmable per radio. 5 VOX (voice operated transmit) – allows hands-free operation using an optional headset/microphone. 5 Voice inversion scrambler – for secure communications.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Radio Controls Please read this section to familiarize yourself with the transceiver’s controls.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Top [1] Channel selector knob. Rotate this knob to select the operating channel. [2] Power ON/OFF knob. Rotate this knob clockwise to turn the transceiver on (counterclockwise to turn off). [3] Status LED. Tri-color LED lights and flashes at different rates to indicate operating conditions. Front [4] Speaker. Receive audio will be heard from the built in speaker located in this area. [5] Microphone. The internal microphone is located here. Side (right) [6] Accessory connector.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide [8] PTT (Push to talk) button. The PTT button must be pressed while you speak into the microphone. Release the PTT button to receive transmissions from other radios. [9] Lower function (scan) button. The lower function button performs two functions.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Setup Unpacking The following items are supplied in the standard package: 5 One transceiver (SP-410, SP-420, SP-430 or SP-440) 5 One battery pack (18-B02) 5 One belt clip (81-BC1) 5 One plastic accessory dust cover 5 One rubber easy access dust cover 5 One user’s manual If something is missing please promptly advise your supplier. Attaching and removing the antenna To attach the antenna: 1. Locate the antenna terminal (threaded female connector) on transceiver’s top. 2.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Installing and removing the battery pack To install the battery pack: Hold the transceiver’s body with one hand and the battery pack with the other. 1. Slide the bottom of the battery pack into the slots on the bottom of the transceiver. 2. Gently push the top of the battery pack toward the transceiver until a click is heard. The battery pack will snap into place and should be firmly locked. 1. Press the battery release button located on the back of the battery pack. 2.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide To install the belt clip onto the battery pack’s body: 1. Slide the clip into the appropriate guides located on the back of the battery until it firmly locks. To remove the belt clip: 2. 3. Gently lift the belt clip release. While lifting the belt clip release slide the belt clip off the battery. Charging the battery pack The battery pack should be charged prior to use. To charge the battery pack you should setup the charger and insert the radio (or battery) as follows: 1.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide contacts of the battery pack must make contact with the three contacts inside the cradle). The LED indicator will glow red indicating the battery is charging. 5. The rapid charger will fully charge the 1300 mAH NiMH battery in approximately 1.5 hours. The rapid charger will change to a green LED and switch to a trickle charge rate when a full charge is detected. The standard rate charger will charge the battery in about 12 hours.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Basic Operation This section describes many of the standard functions available on your SP-400 series radio. Many aspects of the radio can be changed or customized to suit the requirements, so not all functions may be available or operate as described. Due to the programming options of the radio, certain functions may be disabled or operate differently than described here. If in doubt please contact your dealer or communications coordinator for further details.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide call operation. The following paragraphs describe these modes of operation. Ask your dealer or communications coordinator if you have questions on how your radio has been programmed to operate. Carrier squelch operation A signal that matches the programmed receive frequency will be heard if it is of sufficient strength to exceed the squelch threshold. An on frequency signal exceeding the squelch threshold level will be indicated by a steady green status LED.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide 2-tone/selective call operation 2-tone or selective call signaling allows individual or group calls to be made to your radio. The radio may have been programmed to mute all receive signals until a 2-tone or selective call signal has been decoded. When the programmed 2-tone or selective call signal is decoded, the status LED will blink green, a ring tone may sound, and subsequent receive audio will be heard over the speaker.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide released within two seconds the monitor function will deactivate when released. If the upper function button is held pressed for more than two seconds the monitor function will latch on. Press and release the upper function button again to deactivate the latched monitor function. When the monitor function is activated a high pitched beep will sound and the status LED will light amber.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide The radio might be programmed with a timeout timer which will automatically end your transmission after a preset time. In this case release PTT and wait for a few seconds. The radio transmitter will be enabled again after a few seconds. Ask your dealer or communications coordinator for further details. The radio might be programmed for busy channel lock out, which automatically disables the transmitter if your channel is busy. In this case wait until the channel is clear.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide If a 2-tone or selective Call 1 or Call 2 has been assigned for the selected channel, it may be sent by pressing the PTT button then pressing the upper (Call 1) or lower (Call 2) function button. If your transceiver has been programmed to send an emergency call for the selected channel, it may be sent by pressing the lower then upper function buttons, and holding them pressed for at least two seconds.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide customize the scan options for your particular situation, so the following paragraphs detail the available options. Busy channel scan If no priority channel has been programmed by your dealer or communications coordinator, all channels in your scan list will be checked for activity, with no preference given to any channel. If activity is detected on a channel the radio will stop on that channel.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Transmitting while in scan mode If PTT is pressed while the radio is in scan mode, your dealer or communications coordinator may have programmed one of the following options for the transmit channel: 1. When PTT is pressed, the radio will generate an error beep because your dealer or communications coordinator has programmed the radio to not allow transmission while the radio is in scan mode. 2.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Advanced Operations Operating hands-free VOX (voice operated transmit) is a method that allows the transceiver to automatically begin transmitting when it detects sufficient audio from an optional headset microphone. Correct VOX operation generally requires specific headset microphone circuitry, and not all headsets that otherwise function correctly on the radio may work properly in VOX mode.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Selecting VOX sensitivity When VOX is activated you may toggle between low and high VOX sensitivity by pressing the lower, then upper function buttons, and releasing both within two seconds. A high beep will sound when high sensitivity is selected and a low beep will sound when low sensitivity is selected. Using the scrambler The SP-410 / SP-420 / SP-430 / SP-440 transceivers feature a built-in voice inversion scrambler.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide If only two channels remain in the scan list, it is not possible to delete either of them. When the radio is turned off (not when scan is turned off) the programmed default scan list will be restored. Scan list edit is only available when scan is not turned on. To add or remove the current channel from the scan list press and hold the lower function button for more than two seconds. A low beep will indicate the channel was removed from the scan list.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide To avoid damaging the power cable of the battery charger, do not put anything on it or place it where it will be walked on. Do not use the charger if it received a strong shock, has been dropped or it appears damaged. Contact your dealer or communications coordinator for a replacement charger. Never try to disassemble or service the charger yourself. Always contact your local dealer or communications coordinator for assistance.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide The battery pack must be charged prior to use. To charge the battery pack you should set up the charger and insert the radio (or battery) as follows: 1. Plug the AC adapter into a grounded AC power outlet which supplies the specified input voltage for the AC adapter. 2. Connect the DC plug on the AC adapter to the mating socket on the back of the charging cradle. 3. Make sure the radio is switched off. 4.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Memory effect The NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery pack is made with a more advanced technology than a NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) battery. For this reason it is virtually free of what is called “memory effect”, which affects NiCd batteries. Memory effect causes a reduction in the battery’s capacity. However memory effect may occur if you regularly charge the battery when you haven’t discharged it at least at 50-70%.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide 5. Fully charge the battery and check the battery capacity. If you believe some memory effect still exists go back to step 1. If the battery capacity does not improve after performing steps 1-5 three times, your battery pack is faulty or has reached the end of it’s life. Cleaning your radio Wipe the radio with a clean cloth to remove dust. If it is very dirty, you can use a damp cloth.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide 3. Any accessory should be of high quality suitable for professional use. ! Please do not connect any accessory if you are unsure it meets the requirements listed. You could damage your radio. Please consult your dealer or communications supplier for compatible accessories for your SP-400 series radio.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Quick Reference Controls function table Control Operation Function On/off knob Turn clockwise past detent Turns the radio on On/off knob Turned further clockwise Increases the speaker volume Channel knob Rotated while scan is off Selects channel of operation Channel knob Rotated while scanning May select the scan transmit channel, as programmed PTT button Pressed while scan is off Transmits on selected channel PTT button Pressed while scanning Transmits on the
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Status LED table Indication Status None while PTT pressed (see also Activating VOX) Timeout timer or penalty active Steady red while PTT pressed Transmitting Continuous red flash while PTT pressed No TX, very low battery voltage Single red flash in standby mode (repeated every five seconds) Low battery voltage Steady green in receive mode Carrier present or monitor on Continuous green flash in receive or standby mode 2-tone/selective call decoded Single green flash
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Specifications General specifications SP-410 / 430 (VHF) SP-420 / 440 (UHF) Frequency range 148-174 MHz 440-470 MHz FCC ID number MMA80151 MMASP-440 Part 90 Part 90, 95 FCC type acceptance Maximum number of channels Channel spacing Channel stepping CTCSS/DCS per channel Battery 4/16 4/16 12.5/25 KHz 12.5/25 KHz 5/6.25/7.5 KHz 5/6.25 KHz 47 CTCSS/104 DCS 47 CTCSS/104 DCS 7.2 Vdc 1300 mAH 7.2 Vdc 1300 mAH 5-5-90 duty cycle @ 4/5 Watts 8.4 hrs 8.
SP-400 Series User’s Guide Warranty Statement Midland Radio Corporation (herein, Midland) warrants each new radio product manufactured or supplied by it to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period listed below, provided that the user has complied with the requirements stated herein. The Warranty period begins on the date of purchase from an Authorized Midland Sales and Service Outlet.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. This radio operates in FCC regulated frequency bands. All radios must be licensed by the FCC before use. Because this radio contains a transmitter, Federal law prohibits unauthorized use or adjustments of this radio. 5900 PARRETTA DRIVE, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, 64120 PHONE: (816) 241-8500, FAX: (816) 241-5713 www.midlandradio.
