Cat. No. 43-1247 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
INTRODUCTION Your RadioShack AFX-500 Small Business Fax Switch lets you connect a telephone, answering machine, fax machine, and modem to a single telephone line, eliminating the expense of installing additional phone lines. Your AFX-500 is easy to install. It connects to an existing telephone jack and requires no special wiring. READ THIS BEFORE INSTALLATION The AFX-500 conforms to federal regulations and you can connect it to most phone lines.
CONTENTS Installation ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Connecting to the Telephone Line .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Connecting to a Telephone System .....................................................
INSTALLATION You can set the AFX-500 on a flat surface or mount it on a wall (see “Mounting on a Wall” on Page 5). Choose a location that is: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 • near an AC outlet Telephone System • near a telephone line jack • out of the way of normal activities TEL LINE ANSWERING PHONE MACHINE LINKED PORTS FAX/ MODEM FAX 12VAC • at least 2 feet away from any electronic equipment Notes: • Your AFX-500 connects directly to a modular telephone line jack.
Note: When the computer is turned on, the fax/modem answers fax calls. If the computer is turned off, the fax machine answers fax calls. To connect an answering machine, plug the modular cord from its line input jack into the AFX-500’s ANSWERING MACHINE jack. Also, see “Preparing an Answering Machine for Use with the AFX-500” on Page 6. Plug the supplied adapter’s barrel plug into the 12 VAC jack on the back panel, then plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
PREPARING AN ANSWERING MACHINE FOR USE WITH THE AFX-500 1. Be sure the connected answering machine is set to answer calls in less than six rings, because the AFX-500 rings the ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks six times before routing the call to the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks (see “Automatic Ring Reduction” on Page 7). 2. Because some fax machines do not send a fax alert tone, your outgoing message should give callers instructions on how to send a fax (see “Receiving Faxes” on Page 9). For example: Hello.
BASIC OPERATION The AFX-500 manages your incoming calls by listening for a fax alert tone, transfer code, or modem tone, then routing the call to the correct jack. • A fax alert tone (CNG tone) is a signal sent by most fax machines to tell the receiving device that a fax will be transmitted. It is a beep that repeats every three seconds. • A transfer code is a signal that a caller can enter on a touch-tone phone to tell the AFX-500 how to route the call.
Notes: USING A DISTINCTIVE RING SERVICE • If the AFX-500 is set to automatic mode when a call comes in, extension phones ring only once, then the phone connected to the PHONE or ANSWERING MACHINE jack starts to ring. You can answer the call on any extension, even if it is not ringing. • In automatic mode, the AFX-500 prevents the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks from interrupting the ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks, so you cannot use the fax machine’s phone to answer incoming calls.
RECEIVING FAXES Using Transfer Codes Most fax machines send a fax alert tone before transmitting a fax. When the AFX-500 detects a fax alert tone, it automatically routes the call to the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks. To have the calling modem automatically send the required transfer code, the caller must insert the code in the modem’s dialing string immediately following the phone number.
SPECIAL FEATURES PROGRAMMING QUICK START This section provides a quick reference for experienced users to program the AFX-500. For a complete description of each feature, see “Command Descriptions” on Page 12. The AFX-500 has many special features that let you customize its operation to fit your needs.
Feature Command Reverse Modem Tone Detection 013 (Off) 113 (On) Jack Tone Assignment 3 Distinctive Ring Service Detection 014 (Off) 114 (On) Distinctive Ring Service Assignment 80 Remote Message Notification 017 (Off) 117 (On) RMN Conditions 70 RMN Phone Number 71 Caller ID 016 (Off) 116 (On) Rings to Answer Call 40 Rings to Answering Machine and Phone Jacks Options Default See Page Off 16 07 17 Off 17 12 17 Off 18 1–3 1 18 Up to 16 Digits None 18 Off 18 1–99 Rings
PROGRAMMING THE AFX-500 COMMAND DESCRIPTIONS You can program the AFX-500’s special features using a touch-tone telephone connected to the PHONE jack, or from a remote touch-tone telephone. The following sections describe both programming procedures. See “Command Descriptions” for a detailed description of each command. Each of the following sections describes a different AFX-500 special feature and explains how to turn on, turn off, or change that feature.
Automatic No Answer Transfer Automatic Answering Machine Transfer Timer Touch-Tone Command: 00 = Off 10 = On Touch-Tone Command: 50xx xx = 0 to 99 seconds Default Setting: On Default Setting: 30 seconds With Automatic No Answer Transfer turned on, the AFX-500 allows six rings any time it routes a call to the ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks. After six rings, it routes the call back to the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks.
Automatic Ring Reduction Reset Touch-Tone Command: 03 = Off 13 = On Default Setting: On With Automatic Ring Reduction Reset turned on, after Automatic Ring Reduction has reduced the number of rings the AFX-500 sends to the ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks to two, the AFX-500 resets the number of rings to six after 10 minutes of inactivity on the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks.
The Answer Any Jack feature does not operate after a call has been transferred by the Automatic Answering Machine Transfer feature, or using a single-tone transfer or a transfer code.
Single Tone Detection Fax Alert Tone Detection Touch-Tone Command: 010 = Off 110 = On Touch-Tone Command: 011 = Off 111 = On Default Setting: On Default Setting: On When Single Tone Detection is turned on, the AFX-500 detect single-frequency tones. When you or the AFX-500 answer a call, the AFX-500 listens for the following tones for the duration set by the Single Tone Detection Timer: This command sets the AFX-500 to detect an 1100 Hz fax alert tone.
Jack Tone Assignment Touch-Tone Command: 3xy x = ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks (0–7) y = FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks (0–7) Default Setting: 07 This command lets you set where the AFX-500 routes a call that includes a fax alert or modem tone. The first digit you enter after the command sets which tones will be routed to the ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks; the second digit sets which tones will be routed to the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks.
Remote Message Notification RMN Phone Number Touch-Tone Command: 017 = Off 117 = On Touch-Tone Command: 71+ phone number Default Setting: none Default Setting: Off The Remote Message Notification (RMN) command sets the AFX-500 to automatically dial a phone number you have programmed to notify you when the AFX-500 has received a call.
Rings to Answering Machine and Phone Jacks Phantom Ring Style Touch-Tone Command: 41xx xx = 1–99 rings Touch-Tone Command: 82x x = 0–4 Default Setting: 6 rings Default Setting: 0 This command sets the number of times the AFX-500 rings the ANSWERING MACHINE and PHONE jacks before routing the call to the FAX and FAX/MODEM jacks. The AFX-500 produces a “phantom” ring signal. It uses this signal to ring other jacks after it answers and routes a call.
TROUBLESHOOTING We do not expect you to have any problems with your AFX-500, but if you do, the following suggestions might help. Problem Suggestion In automatic mode, fax calls are transferred to the phone or answering machine. The sending fax did not send a fax alert tone. In semiautomatic mode, fax calls are transferred to the phone or answering machine. Tell the sender to wait until the answering machine answers, then enter # 1 1 on a touch-tone phone before sending the fax.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your RadioShack AFX-500 Small Business Fax Switch is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your AFX-500 so you can enjoy it for years. Keep the AFX-500 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits. Use and store the AFX-500 only in normal temperature environments.
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW LIGHTNING In the unlikely event that your AFX-500 causes problems on the phone line, the phone company can disconnect your service. The phone company attempts to notify you in advance. If advance notice is not practical, the phone company notifies you of your right to file a complaint with the FCC. Your AFX-500 has built-in protection circuits to reduce the risk of damage from surges in the phone and power line current. These protection circuits meet or exceed FCC requirements.
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Limited One-Year Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
