Radio Shack HTX-242 User Manual

Cat. No. 19-1126
OWNER’S MANUAL
HTX-242 TWO-METER MOBILE TRANS-
CEIVER
Please read before using this transceiver.

Radio Shack HTX-242 Specifications

General

Frequency Range	144-148 MHz
Mode	FM
Type	Handheld
Battery	NiCad or NiMH
Memories	10 channels

Summary

INTRODUCTION

FEATURES

Introduces the advanced features of the HTX-242 mobile transceiver.

Using this Manual

Understanding the Display

Explains display indicators and their meanings for the HTX-242.

Using the Menu

Details how to navigate and use the HTX-242's configuration menu.

Type Conventions

Defines text and symbol conventions used in the manual.

Advanced Operation

Frequency Offset Defaults

Lists default frequency offsets for auto duplex operation.

Turning Auto Duplex On and Off

Explains how to enable/disable automatic duplex offset selection.

Changing the Default Offset

Provides steps to modify the default frequency offset for VFO modes.

Reversing the Offset

Details how to reverse transmit and receive frequencies for duplex operation.

Overriding the Duplex Offset

Describes how to manually change duplex offset direction (simplex, +, -).

INSTALLATION

Unpacking the Transceiver

Instructions for unpacking the HTX-242 and checking contents.

Connecting the Microphone

Guide on plugging in and securing the microphone.

Mounting the HTX-242 in a Vehicle

Steps and considerations for mounting the transceiver in a vehicle.

Connecting an Antenna

Guidance on selecting and connecting an antenna to the HTX-242.

Connecting to your Vehicle's Power

Instructions for connecting the HTX-242 to a vehicle's power source.

Using the HTX-242 as a Base Station

Information on using the HTX-242 as a base station, including required items.

Using the HTX-242 with Packet Radio

How to connect the HTX-242 to a packet radio terminal node controller.

Connecting an External Speaker (Optional)

Guide for connecting an external speaker to the HTX-242.

UNDERSTANDING THE HTX-242

Dual VFO Modes

Explains the Variable-Frequency Oscillator (VFO) modes for frequency selection.

DTMF (Touch-Tone) Features

Details DTMF capabilities, including memories, paging, and group calling.

Subaudible Tone (CTCSS) Features

Explains subaudible tones for repeater access and selective squelch.

Repeater Operation

Describes how to operate the transceiver through repeaters (simplex vs. duplex).

Memory Channels

Information on using the 41 memory channels for storing frequencies and settings.

Understanding the Display

VFO and Duplex Mode Indicators

Explains VFO, DUP-A, and DUP-B indicators on the display.

Operational Indicators

Covers BUSY, FUNC, LOCK, T, T-SQL, and ALT indicators.

Offset and DTMF Indicators

Explains display indicators for duplex offset and DTMF squelch.

Power and Status Indicators

Covers ON-AIR, Power Level, and Alarm/Memory channel indicators.

BASIC OPERATION

Turning On/Off Your HTX-242

Instructions for powering the HTX-242 transceiver on and off.

Resetting the HTX-242

Procedure to reset the HTX-242 to factory defaults and clear memory.

Extending the Transmit Frequency Range

How to expand the HTX-242's transmit frequency coverage.

Setting Volume and Squelch

Steps to adjust volume and squelch levels for optimal reception.

Using the Light

How to switch between the HTX-242's display light levels.

Setting the Power Level

Procedure to select between low (10W) and high (45W) power levels.

Locking the Controls

Instructions to lock/unlock the transceiver's controls to prevent accidental changes.

Selecting a Frequency

Direct Entry

How to enter a frequency directly using the keypad.

Tuning

Method for tuning to frequencies using the TUNE knob or UP/DOWN buttons.

Scanning for a Frequency

Steps to initiate frequency scanning on the HTX-242.

Setting the Frequency Step

How to change the frequency step increment for tuning and scanning.

Setting the Scan Options

Storing Scan Skip Frequencies

How to program frequencies to be skipped during scanning.

Setting the Scan Resume Condition

Defines how the scanner resumes after detecting a signal (e.g., 10 sec, carrier drop).

Setting the Scan Resume Delay

Configures the pause duration after a transmission before resuming scan.

Setting the Scanning Range

How to set the lower and upper frequency limits for scanning.

Receiving Transmissions

Transmitting

Manually Transmitting DTMF Tones

Steps for manually sending DTMF tones via the microphone.

Transmitting DTMF Tones from Memory

How to transmit pre-stored DTMF sequences from memory.

Limiting Transmit Duration

How to set a time-out timer to limit transmission length.

Turning the Keytone Beep On and Off

Guide to enable or disable the audible beep for button presses.

ADVANCED OPERATION

Frequency Offset Defaults

Lists default frequency offsets for auto duplex operation.

Turning Auto Duplex On and Off

Explains how to enable/disable automatic duplex offset selection.

Changing the Default Offset

Provides steps to modify the default frequency offset for VFO modes.

Reversing the Offset

Details how to reverse transmit and receive frequencies for duplex operation.

Overriding the Duplex Offset

Describes how to manually change duplex offset direction (simplex, +, -).

Using the Dual VFOs for Duplex Operation

Steps to use one VFO for transmit and the other for receive.

USING MEMORY CHANNELS

Storing a Frequency

Steps to store frequencies and settings into memory channels.

Changing Stored Settings

How to modify existing settings in memory channels.

Using Auto Memory Store (AMS)

Guide to automatically scan and store active frequencies into memory.

Tuning to a Standard Memory Channel

How to recall and tune to a stored frequency in a memory channel.

Using the Calling-Frequency Memory

Accessing the dedicated memory channel for a calling frequency.

Checking Priority Channel 1

How to set up periodic checks of Priority Memory Channel 1.

Scanning Memory Channels

Steps to initiate scanning of enabled memory channels.

Clearing a Memory Channel

Procedure to erase stored settings from a memory channel.

Enabling/Disabling Scanning for Memory Channels

How to lock out or enable specific memory channels for scanning.

USING DTMF AND SUBAUDIBLE TONES

Storing a DTMF Sequence

Steps to store DTMF sequences in memory for quick transmission.

Transmitting a DTMF Sequence

How to transmit stored DTMF sequences.

Using DTMF Page

Explains how to use DTMF paging to alert other operators.

Using Group Calling

Details how to page multiple users simultaneously using DTMF.

Using Auto-Reply

How to set the transceiver to automatically reply to DTMF pages.

Using DTMF Auto Send

How to configure automatic DTMF sequence transmission on PTT press.

Using Subaudible Tones

Valid Subaudible Tones

Lists valid subaudible tone frequencies and their codes.

Setting the Subaudible Tones

Steps to set transmit and receive subaudible tones for VFO mode.

Activating Subaudible Tone Transmit and Squelch

How to activate transmit tone and tone-controlled squelch.

Setting the DTMF Page and Subaudible Tone Alert

How to enable an alert for DTMF pages or subaudible tone transmissions.

USING THE MENU

TROUBLESHOOTING

Error Codes

Lists and explains the HTX-242's built-in error codes.

Common Problems and Solutions

Provides solutions for common operational issues with the HTX-242.

Replacing the Fuse

Instructions for checking and replacing the internal fuse.

SPECIFICATIONS

General

Lists general specifications for the HTX-242, including frequency range and dimensions.

Receiver

Details the technical specifications for the HTX-242 receiver section.

Transmitter

Lists the technical specifications for the HTX-242 transmitter section.

SCHEMATICS