4-1252.fm Page 1 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM Cat. No. 14-1252 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
14-1252.fm Page 2 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM FEATURES Your Optimus SCR-100 Stereo Cassette Player/Recorder is a lightweight, portable cassette player that delivers great sound quality through its built-in speaker. The recorder puts many features in a small package, making it easy to carry wherever you go. Its features include: Built-in Wide Range Speaker — lets you listen to mono sound without carrying headphones.
14-1252.fm Page 3 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM Battery/Record Indicator — shows you when the SCR-100 is recording and indicates battery condition. Automatic Stop — shuts off the SCR-100 when it reaches the end of a tape. DC Input Jack — lets you power the player from an external DC source using an adapter (not supplied). Headphone Output Jack — lets you listen in private or use optional external speakers.
14-1252.fm Page 4 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM CONTENTS Preparation ........................................................... 5 Installing Batteries .......................................... 5 Using AC Power .............................................. 6 Using Vehicle Battery Power .......................... 8 Connecting Headphones/Speakers .............. 10 Listening Safely ..................................... 11 Traffic Safety .......................................... 12 Operation ..........
14-1252.fm Page 5 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM PREPARATION INSTALLING BATTERIES Your SCR-100 requires two AA batteries (not supplied) for power. For the best performance and longest life, we recommend RadioShack alkaline batteries. Cautions: • Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended type. • Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of different capacities.
14-1252.fm Page 6 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 2. Place the batteries in the compartment as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside 3. Replace the cover. When RECORD/BATT does not light steadily during play, replace the batteries. Warning: Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not bury or burn them. Caution: If you do not plan to use the SCR-100 with batteries for two weeks or more, remove the batteries. Batteries can leak chemicals that can destroy electronic parts.
14-1252.fm Page 7 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM Cautions: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 3V AC and delivers at least 300 mA. Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the SCR-100's DC 3V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the SCR-100 or the adapter. ! • Always connect the AC adapter to the SCR-100 before you connect it to AC power.
14-1252.fm Page 8 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 2. Insert the Adaptaplug into the cord so it reads TIP +. 3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the SCR100’s DC 3V jack. 4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet. USING DC POWER You can power the SCR-100 from a vehicle’s 12V power source (such as cigarette-lighter socket) using a 3V, 300-mA DC adapter and a size H Adaptaplug (neither supplied). Both are available at your local RadioShack store.
14-1252.fm Page 9 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM specifications could damage the SCR-100 or the adapter. • Always connect the DC adapter to the SCR-100 before you connect it to the power source. When you finish, disconnect the adapter from the power source before you disconnect it from the SCR-100. Follow these steps to power the SCR-100 from DC power. 1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V. 2. Insert the Adaptaplug into the cord so it reads TIP +. 3.
14-1252.fm Page 10 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 4. Plug the other end of the DC adapter into the vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket. CONNECTING HEADPHONES/ SPEAKERS To listen to tapes in stereo, connect stereo headphones or amplified speakers (neither supplied) equipped with a 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) stereo plug to . Your local RadioShack store sells a wide variety of stereo headphones and amplified speakers.
14-1252.fm Page 11 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 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. • 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.
14-1252.fm Page 12 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 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. Even though some headphones let you hear some outside sounds when listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic hazard.
14-1252.fm Page 13 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM OPERATION LOADING A CASSETTE TAPE Follow these steps to load a cassette to record or play. 1. Take up any slack in the cassette tape by turning the hub with a pencil to prevent the tape from becoming tangled in the tape mechanism. Do not touch the tape. 2. Open the cassette compartment door by lifting it at the notch. 3.
-1252.fm Page 14 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM RECORDING Using the Built-in Stereo Microphone 1. With a blank tape loaded, set TAPE SPEED as follows. • To maximize sound quality, set the switch to NORMAL. • To increase the recording time (using a somewhat lower sound quality level), set the switch to SLOW. 2. Press RECORD. Both PLAY and RECORD lock down and recording begins. RECORD/BATT lights during recording. 3.
14-1252.fm Page 15 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM Using External Stereo Microphones You can record in stereo using two mono microphones. This lets you place each microphone for the best response and stereo separation. Your local RadioShack store carries a wide selection of suitable microphones. 1. Place two mono microphones equidistant apart and equidistant from the sound source. 2. Insert the microphones’ 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) plugs into L-MIC and R-MIC, respectively. 3.
14-1252.fm Page 16 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM PLAYING A TAPE 1. For mono playback, simply listen to the built-in speaker. The SCR-100 combines the left and right channels. For stereo playback, connect the SCR-100 to a pair of stereo headphones or an amplified speaker system (see “Connecting Headphones/Speakers” on Page 10). Note: Connecting headphones or an amplified speaker system disconnects the built-in speakers. 2. Take up any slack in the tape by turning the cassette’s hub with a pencil.
14-1252.fm Page 17 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 5. Press PLAY. 6. Adjust VOLUME to the desired listening level. 7. Slide ON/E-BASS/OFF to ON for an enhanced bass effect. Set it to OFF for normal bass sound. E•BASS 8. To temporarily stop the tape, slide PAUSE in the direction of the arrow. To start play again, slide PAUSE in the opposite direction. 9. The tape automatically stops when it reaches the end. To stop it sooner, press STOP. To fast forward the tape, press FAST-F/CUE. The button locks down.
14-1252.fm Page 18 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM Note: If you press either FAST-F/CUE or REW/REVIEW while the tape plays, you hear the sound as the tape moves. This lets you quickly locate specific parts of the tape. Release FAST-F/CUE or REW/REVIEW to resume play. Press STOP to stop playback. Using the Tape Counter The tape counter shows you a tape’s current position. Before recording, press the tape counter button to reset the counter to 000.
14-1252.fm Page 19 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 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.
14-1252.fm Page 20 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 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 SCR-100’s performance.
14-1252.fm Page 21 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 3. Use a cotton swab dipped in denatured alcohol or tape head cleaning solution to clean the tape guides, record head, play head, pinch roller, and capstan. Capstan Pinch Roller Play Head Record Head Tape Guides 4. When you finish cleaning, press STOP and close the cassette compartment door, then reconnect power.
14-1252.fm Page 22 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM CARE Your Optimus SCR-100 Stereo Cassette Player/Recorder is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for the SCR-100 so you can enjoy it for years. • Keep the SCR-100 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. • Use and store the SCR-100 only in normal temperature environments. • Handle the SCR-100 gently and carefully. Do not drop it. • Keep the SCR-100 away from dust and dirt.
14-1252.fm Page 23 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM SPECIFICATIONS Power Requirements ..................................... 3V DC Two AA Batteries 12V DC with optional DC adapter 120V AC with optional AC adapter Tape System .................................... 2-Track, Stereo Tape Speed ................................................... 17/8 ips (4.75 cm/s) Frequency Response ......... 125 Hz–8 kHz (at –6dB) Signal-to-Noise Ratio ...................................... 45 dB Wow and Flutter .............
14-1252.fm Page 24 Thursday, October 28, 1999 3:27 PM 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.
