4-1231.fm Page 1 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM Cat. No. 14-1231 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
14-1231.fm Page 2 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM FEATURES Your Optimus SCP-88 Auto-Reverse Stereo Cassette Player with 3-Band Equalizer and Headphones is a lightweight, portable cassette player that delivers great sound quality through the supplied headphones or an amplified speaker system. You can carry your SCP-88 with you, so you can listen to cassette tapes anywhere.
14-1231.fm Page 3 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM 3-Band Equalizer — lets you adjust the tone to suit your listening preferences. Fast-Forward and Rewind — lets you quickly find a desired segment on a cassette tape. PHONE Jack — lets you connect headphones for private listening, or speakers to share music with your friends. Removable Belt Clip — allows hands-free carrying so you can take the SCP-88 anywhere you go. Note: You need two AA batteries to power your SCP88.
14-1231.fm Page 4 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM CONTENTS Preparation ........................................................... Installing Batteries ........................................... Connecting Headphones ................................ Listening Safely ....................................... Traffic Safety ........................................... Connecting Optional Speakers ....................... Using the Belt Clip ..........................................
14-1231.fm Page 5 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM PREPARATION INSTALLING BATTERIES You need two AA batteries to power the SCP-88. For the best performance and longest life, we recommend alkaline batteries, such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-552. Follow these steps to install batteries. 1. Press down on the battery compartment cover and slide it off in the direction of the arrow marked on the cover. 2.
14-1231.fm Page 6 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM • Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of different capacities. • Always dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Note: Pull the ribbon to lift out the batteries. 3. Replace the cover. Notes: • If the sound gets weak or distorted, replace the batteries. • If you do not plan to use the SCP-88 for a week or more, remove the batteries.
14-1231.fm Page 7 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM CONNECTING HEADPHONES Connect the supplied stereo headphones to the SCP-88’s PHONE jack for stereo sound. Then put on the headphones and adjust the headband for a snug fit. Listening Safely To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones. • Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
14-1231.fm Page 8 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM • Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss. • Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing. Traffic Safety Do not wear headphones while operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some areas.
14-1231.fm Page 9 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM CONNECTING OPTIONAL SPEAKERS Instead of headphones, you can connect amplified speakers with a 1/8-inch mini plug to the PHONE jack. Your local RadioShack store sells a wide variety of amplified speakers. USING THE BELT CLIP The belt clip lets you keep your hands free while you listen to the SCP-88.
14-1231.fm Page 10 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM To attach the belt clip, place it in the recessed area on the cassette player and slide it in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into place. If you need to remove the belt clip, push down on the tab and slide it off in the direction of the arrow.
14-1231.fm Page 11 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM CASSETTE OPERATION PLAYING A CASSETTE TAPE 1. Connect the SCP-88 to a pair of headphones or an amplified speaker system (see “Connecting Headphones” on Page 7 or “Connecting Optional Speakers” on Page 9). 2. Take up any slack in the tape by turning the cassette’s hub with a pencil. Do not touch the exposed tape. 3. Pull open the cassette compartment door.
14-1231.fm Page 12 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM 4. With its open edge facing up, insert the cassette tape into the cassette guides. Note: With DIRECTION set to , position the tape with the full reel to the left. With DIRECTION set to , position the tape with the full reel to the right. 5. Close the door.
14-1231.fm Page 13 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM 6. Press PLAY until it clicks. The entire cassette tape repeatedly plays. Notes: • The tape automatically plays the other side when the current side ends. To manually change the tape side, set DIRECTION to its other position. • You can press or to fast-forward or rewind the tape to the desired segment (see “Using Fast-Forward and Rewind” on Page 17).
-1231.fm Page 14 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM 7. Adjust VOLUME to the desired listening level. 8. Set BASS BOOST to ON for an enhanced bass effect. Set it to OFF for normal bass sound.
14-1231.fm Page 15 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM 9. Use the 3-band equalizer to adjust the tone to the desired level (see “Using the 3-Band Equalizer Controls” on Page 16). 10. To stop playback, press STOP.
14-1231.fm Page 16 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM USING THE 3-BAND EQUALIZER CONTROLS You can adjust the 3-band equalizer controls to customize the SCP-88’s tone.
14-1231.fm Page 17 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM USING FAST-FORWARD AND REWIND To fast-forward the tape, press or (whichever is the same direction as the DIRECTION switch). To rewind the tape, press or (whichever is the opposite direction of the DIRECTION switch). When the tape reaches the end, you must press STOP to release or . To stop fast-forwarding or rewinding the tape before it reaches the end, press STOP.
14-1231.fm Page 18 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM TAPE TIPS Tape Quality For the best performance, use only regular length (60- or 90-minute) cassette tapes. We do not recommend long-playing cassette tapes, such as C-120s, because they are extremely thin and can easily tangle in the playback mechanism. Restoring Tape Tension and Sound Quality After you play a cassette tape several times, the tape might become tightly wound on the reels. This can cause playback sound quality to deteriorate.
14-1231.fm Page 19 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM Caution: Be careful not to damage the cassette when tapping it. Do not touch the exposed tape or allow any sharp objects near the cassette. Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape’s coating can accumulate on the tape head and other parts that the tape touches. This can reduce the SCP-88’s performance. Follow these steps to clean the tape-handling parts after about every 20 hours of tape player operation. 1.
14-1231.fm Page 20 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM 4. Use a cotton swab dipped in denatured alcohol or tape head cleaning solution to clean the playback head, pinch rollers, capstans and tape guides. 5. When you finish cleaning, press STOP and close the compartment, then reinstall the batteries. Note: Your local RadioShack store has a complete line of cassette deck cleaning accessories.
14-1231.fm Page 21 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM MAINTENANCE Your Optimus SCP-88 Auto-Reverse Stereo Cassette Player is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for the SCP-88 so you can enjoy it for years. • Keep the SCP-88 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. • Use and store the SCP-88 only in normal temperature environments. • Handle the SCP-88 gently and carefully. Don’t drop it. • Keep the SCP-88 away from dust and dirt.
14-1231.fm Page 22 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM SPECIFICATIONS Power Requirements ............................... 3 Volts DC Two AA Batteries (Cat. No. 23-552) Typical Cassette Playing Time with Two AA Alkaline Batteries .... 12 Hours (Approx.) Tape System .................................... 4-Track, Stereo Tape Speed ................................. 1 7/8 ips (4.75 cm/s) Frequency Response............... 125 Hz–8 kHz (±6dB) Signal-to-Noise Ratio .......................................
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14-1231.fm Page 24 Friday, July 2, 1999 10:37 AM Limited Ninety-Day Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.