UHF/VHF Transceiver
(190-1124) Operation I Faxback Doc. # 38408
TURNING THE HTX-204 ON OR OFF
To turn on the HTX-204, press the orange PWR button for 1 second. The
HTX-204 sounds two tones (high-low) and displays your personal ID for 2
seconds (if you programmed one), then displays the current frequency for
each band.
To turn off the HTX-204, press PWR for 1 second. The display turns off.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all procedures in this manual assume that
you have turned on the HTX-204.
USING THE HTX-204'S MENU
Follow these steps to check or change a programmed option's setting. This
section provides a quick reference to the options. Complete information
regarding all options is included in "Operation II," Faxback Doc. # 38810
and "Operation III," Faxback Doc. # 38826.
1. Press FUNC + SET. The HTX-204 displays the last option your reviewed
or changed.
2. Turn CH clockwise to select the desired option.
Note: When you select the first menu option, the HTX-204 beeps.
3. To change an option's setting, hold down FUNC while you turn CH,
pressing 0 to move backward or # to move forward through the settings.
4. To exit and save an option's setting, press FUNC + SET, or CL.
Notes:
The factory default for each setting is shown in parentheses in the
following table. When you set an option to its factory default
setting, the HTX-204 beeps.
Some menu items do not appear in all modes. For example, AM Mode
only appears when the HTX-204 is set to the VHF band.
Option Settings Description
()=default
AM Mode (only On AM reception is turned on.
available for Off FM reception is turned on.
VHF band) (Default setting depends on frequency
selected and the Auto AM setting.)
APO (Auto Power Off) (Off) Remains on until manually turned off.
On Turns off after 30 minutes of
inactivity.
ATT (Attenuate) (Off) No receive attenuation.
On Attenuates reception by 15 dB (UHF) or
25 dB (VHF).
AUTO AM (On) Automatically turns on AM reception
for selected frequencies.
Off Only allows manual AM selection.
AUTO RPT Sft (On) Automatically sets the repeater offset.
(Auto Repeater Off Turns off automatic repeater offset.
Shift)
BEEP (On) Turns on the key entry beep.
Off Turns off the key entry beep.
Clone (Off) Use to copy all settings to or from
another HTX-204.
CTCSS (110.9) Sets the receive or transmit
subaudible tone.
DTMF TX Spd (DTMF (nor) Puts a 50 mS pause between DTMF
Transmit Speed) digits.
lo Puts a 100 mS pause between DTMF
digits.
Dul Wtch Spd (nor) Checks the dual-watch frequency
(Dual Watch Speed) every 3 seconds.
fst Checks the dual-watch frequency every
0.6 seconds.
Duplex (Off) Mutes the secondary band when you
transmit.
On Lets you receive on one band while
you transmit on the other.
Function Stp (0.1), 1.0, Sets the frequency step size used
10.0 when you press FUNC and rotate CH.
1K Digit (On) You must enter all 6 digits of the
frequency.
Off You enter only the first 5 digits of
the frequency.
MEM Prot (Off) Memory contents can be changed.
(Only available when On Memory contents are protected from
viewing a memory) change.
Offset (0.600) VHF Sets the repeater offset frequency
(5.000) UHF for the current band.
0.000 -
40.000 in
.1 MHz steps
PAGE-DLY (450) Sets how long (in milliseconds) the
(Page Delay) 750 HTX-204 waits to send a page after
you press PTT.
PageRing (5), 1, Off Sets how many times the HTX-204 rings
when it receives a page.
PAGE SQL (Off) Opens squelch after receiving a page.
(Page Squelch) On Keeps squelch closed after receiving
a page.
PwrOnMsg User Sets the 6-character power-on message.
(Power On Message) Selected
RPT-DLY (Off) Stops transmitting as soon as the
(Cross-Band carrier drops.
Repeater Delay) On Continues to transmit for 2 seconds
after the carrier drops.
SAVE (Off) Battery save is off.
0.50-5.00 Turns off the RF section for the
in 0.50 selected number of seconds, then
steps briefly turns on to check for a
transmission.
Selector Lock (Off) CH is not locked when you lock the
keys.
On CH is locked when you lock the keys.
Speaker Mode (I I) Selects which bands use an external
I E speaker instead of the internal
E I speaker.
Step (5.0) VHF, Selects the size of the frequency
10.0, step when you turn CH in the VFO
(12.5) UHF mode.
15.0, 20.0
25.0, 30.0
50.0
TOT (Off) The time-out timer is turned off.
(Time-Out Timer) 1-15 Limits transmissions to the set
number of minutes.
XBd-RPTR (Off) The cross-band repeater option is
(Crossband turned off.
Repeater) On The cross-band repeater option is
turned on.
Press the Press FUNC + Press PTT + Press the key
key to: key to: key to: during DTMF
memory store to:
A Recall the Enter a text ID Transmit Enter DTMF A.
CallSFT calling or power-on DTMF A.
memory. message.
B
MainMONO Select the Turn off the Transmit Enter DTMF B.
main band. secondary band. DTMF B.
C
V/MENT Switch Enter a memory Transmit Enter DTMF C.
between VFO setting. DTMF C.
and memory
modes.
D Clear an Start scanning. (Twice to) Enter DTMF D.
CL PS entry or Transmit
stop scanning. DTMF D.
1
PO Enter a digit Change the Transmit Enter DTMF 1.
in a frequency. transmit power DTMF 1.
level.
2 Enter a digit Start the dual Transmit Enter DTMF 2.
DUAL in a frequency. watch feature. DTMF 2.
3 Enter a digit Lock the PTT Transmit Enter DTMF 3.
P.L. in a frequency. button. DTMF 3.
4 Enter a digit Access DTMF Transmit Enter DTMF 4.
DTMF.M in a frequency. memories DTMF 4.
5 Enter a digit Access the Transmit Enter DTMF 5.
CODE in a frequency. paging code DTMF 5.
memories.
6 Enter a digit Lock the Transmit Enter DTMF 6.
K.L. in a frequency. keypad. DTMF 6.
7 Enter a digit Set the Transmit Enter DTMF 7.
TSQ in a frequency. tone squelch DTMF 7.
feature.
8 Enter a digit Set the repeater Transmit Enter DTMF 8.
RPT in a frequency. offset DTMF 8.
direction.
9 Enter a digit Reverse the Transmit Enter DTMF 9.
REV in a frequency. repeater offset. DTMF 9.
* Start scanning Toggle the Transmit Enter DTMF *.
MSMS.M memories. memory scan mode DTMF *.
for a memory.
0 Enter a digit Start the menu. Transmit Enter DTMF 0.
SET/SB in a frequency. If scanning, DTMF 0.
change the scan
resume option.
# In memory Set the DTMF Transmit Enter DTMF #.
IDPAG mode, display paging mode. DTMF #.
the current
memory's text
ID.
LAMP Turn on the Turn on the N/A N/A
light for 5 light until
seconds. you turn it off
by pressing FUNC
+ LAMP again.
SQL OFF Temporarily N/A N/A N/A
open squelch
for the
selected band.
FUNC Access N/A N/A N/A
additional key
functions.
PTT Transmit N/A N/A N/A
PWR Turn the HTX- N/A N/A N/A
204 on and off.
Your HTX-204's display is divided into two main areas. The upper area
displays UHF frequency settings, and the lower area displays VHF frequency
settings. Within each area, there are many additional items that can
appear. Some indicators are repeated for each band.
SELECTING THE MAIN BAND
Your HTX-204 has both UHF (70-centimeter) and VHF (2-meter) bands. To tune
to a frequency, you must first set the HTX-204 to the desired band.
To select the band, press MAIN until the symbol MAIN appears to the left
of the desired band. The HTX-204 beeps once when you select VHF and beeps
twice when you select UHF.
TURNING OFF THE SECONDARY BAND
Normally, the HTX-204 monitors both UHF and VHF frequencies. To turn off
the secondary band, so the HTX-204 only monitors the main band, press
FUNC + MONO. Secondary band information disappears.
To restore dual-band operation, press MAIN.
SELECTING FREQUENCIES (DIRECT TUNING)
You direct tune in the VFO (variable frequency oscillator) mode. See
"Operation II," Faxback Doc. # 38810 for valid frequencies.
Follow these steps to select a frequency.
1. Press MAIN until MAIN appears to the left of the desired band.
2. Set the HTX-204 to the VFO mode by pressing V/M until no memory number
appears to the left of the frequency.
3. To step to a frequency, turn CH clockwise to increase the frequency,
or counterclockwise to decrease it.
To directly enter a frequency, use the keypad. For example, to enter
146.940 MHz, you press 1 4 6 9 4 0. The HTX-204 displays 146.940.
Notes:
As factory set, you can only transmit on VHF frequencies 144.000 to 148.000
MHz and UHF frequencies 438.000 to 450.000 MHz.
If you enter an invalid frequency, the HTX-204 does not accept it.
The HTX-204 accepts frequencies in 5 kHz steps (VHF) and 12.5 kHz steps
(UHF). The HTX-204 rounds the frequency to the nearest step. The .5 kHz
digit appears to the right of the nearest frequency.
If you have expanded the frequency coverage and enter a frequency outside
the default range, the display flashes.
RECEIVING TRANSMISSIONS
To receive transmissions, turn on the HTX-204 and tune to the desired
frequency. Adjust the volume and squelch for clear reception. The TX/RX
BUSY indicator lights green when the HTX-204 is receiving a transmission.
Volume and squelch are combined on one control for each band. The inner
part is VOL (volume) and the outer part is SQL (squelch).
VHF adjusts the volume and squelch for the VHF band; UHF adjusts the volume
and squelch for the UHF band.
Turn the control clockwise to increase the volume and counterclockwise to
decrease it.
If the HTX-204 picks up unwanted, weak transmissions, rotate SQL clockwise
to decrease the HTX-204's sensitivity to these signals. If you are trying
to hear a weak transmission, rotate SQL counterclockwise. When you do this
you might hear a hiss between transmissions.
Using SQL OFF
If you use paging, code squelch, or tone squelch, you might not hear a
transmission on the current frequency. To temporarily turn off squelch, so
you hear all transmissions on the frequency, hold down SQL OFF. To return
to normal squelch, release SQL OFF.
TRANSMITTING
There are two basic types of communication you can use with this HTX-204;
simplex (or direct) and duplex (or repeater). With simplex transmissions,
you transmit and receive on the same frequency. With duplex transmissions,
you transmit on one frequency and receive on another. For more information
about duplex transmission, see "Operation II," Faxback Doc. # 38810 and
"Operation III," Faxback Doc. # 38826.
Caution: It is illegal to transmit if you do not have at least a Technician
Class license issued by the FCC.
Follow these steps to transmit.
1. Press MAIN until MAIN appears to the left of the desired band.
2. Select the desired frequency using the keypad.
Note: The HTX-204 automatically sets the correct duplex offset and
direction if you select a frequency that is designated for
repeater use per commonly adopted band plans.
3. Hold the HTX-204 with the microphone about 3 inches from your mouth.
4. Hold down PTT, then speak slowly and clearly into the microphone. The
TX/RX BUSY indicator lights red when you transmit.
5. Release PTT when you finish transmitting.
CHANGING THE TRANSMIT POWER LEVEL
The HTX-204 has three transmit power levels - high, medium, and low.
VHF UHF
High* (H) 5 Watts 5 Watts
Medium (M) 2 Watts 1.8 Watts
Low (L) .35 Watts .35 Watts
* High power is limited to 5 watts maximum. The actual high power level
depends on your power source's voltage level. Using the 7.2-volt
battery pack, there is no difference in power output between high and
medium power.
The HTX-204 is preset to the medium power level. To change the power level
for the current band, repeatedly press FUNC + PO until the HTX-204 displays
the desired power level - H (high), M (medium), or L (low) - beside the
selected band's signal-strength meter.
USING THE CALLING FREQUENCY
The calling frequency lets you quickly select a commonly used frequency for
instant access. Each band has its own calling frequency. For VHF, the
default calling frequency is 146.520 MHz, and for UHF it is 445.000 MHz.
Tuning to the Calling Frequency
Follow these steps to tune to the calling frequency.
1. Select the main band.
2. Press CALL. The HTX-204 displays C and the current calling frequency.
3. To exit the calling frequency, press CALL, V/M, or CL.
Note: Pressing CL sets the VFO frequency to the calling frequency.
Changing the Calling Frequency
1. Select the main band and set the HTX-204 to the VFO (direct tuning)
mode.
2. Enter the new calling frequency using CH or the keypad.
3. Press FUNC + ENT. The HTX-204 displays -- to the left of the frequency.
4. Press CALL. The HTX-204 displays C for about 1 second.
Note: The repeater offset direction and frequency, paging squelch, and
code squelch modes are also stored with the calling frequency.
See "Operation II," Faxback Doc. # 38810 to change those settings.
MEMORY OPERATION
STORING FREQUENCIES INTO MEMORY
1. Select the main band and set the HTX-204 to the VFO mode (so no memory
number appears to the left of the frequency).
2. Set the HTX-204 to the frequency you want to store and set all other
options to your desired settings.
3. To store the frequency and the settings in an empty memory, press V/M.
Then rotate CH to select a memory that does not have M to the left of
the memory number. Press FUNC + ENT to store the settings.
To replace the contents of a memory, press FUNC + ENT. Then enter the
memory number (00-59).
Note: If you change a setting while the HTX-204 is set to a stored memory
that setting is also automatically stored in memory.
RECALLING MEMORIES
1. Press MAIN until MAIN appears to the left of the desired band.
2. Set the HTX-204 to the VFO mode by pressing V/M until a memory number
appears to the left of the frequency.
3. Turn CH or use the keypad to enter the memory number.
Notes:
To change memories 10 at a time, hold FUNC then rotate CH.
When you select a memory that has stored information, M appears to the
left of the memory number and HTX-204 recalls the stored settings. If
you select an empty memory, M does not appear, and the HTX-204 tunes to
the VFO frequency.
4. Press V/M or CL to return to the VFO mode.
Note: Pressing CL sets the VFO to the current memory settings.
STORING A TEXT ID IN MEMORY
To help you easily remember the station associated with each memory, the
HTX-204 lets you store an ID of up to six-characters with each memory.
This ID could be a call sign, repeater name, city, person's name, or any
other text.
Follow these steps to store a text ID with a memory.
1. Select the memory you want to assign a text ID to.
2. Press ID to display the current text ID. No Name appears if no text ID
is stored.
3. Press FUNC + SFT. The ID's first character blinks.
Note: If no ID has been stored, the default ID is CH-0xx where xx is
the current memory number.
4. Change the ID's first character by rotating CH. The characters change
in the following order:
! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . / 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : ;
< = > ? @ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
W X Y Z [ \ ] ^ _ ' a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q
r s t u v w x y z { | } - [blank]
5. Move to a position by holding down FUNC while you rotate CH. Or, press
ID to move to the next position or SET to move to the previous position.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 until you have entered the desired ID.
7. To save the ID, press FUNC + ENT. To quit without saving the ID, press
CL or FUNC + SFT.
PROTECTING MEMORY
This function protects the settings in a memory so you do not accidentally
change or erase them.
1. Select the memory you want to protect.
2. Use the menu to set MEM Prot to On.
If you try to change a memory's setting while memory protection is turned
on for that memory, the HTX-204 displays MEM Prot and does not allow the
change.
To turn off memory protection, follow the above steps, but set MEM Prot to
Off.
CLEARING A MEMORY
1. Select a memory to be erased.
2. Press FUNC + ENT. The HTX-204 displays the memory number and Clear?
Note: If you select a protected memory channel, the HTX-204 sounds a
warning tone and displays MEM Prot for 1 second. You cannot
clear a protected memory.
3. Press FUNC + ENT again. M disappears and the HTX-204 sounds a long
beep to signal that the frequency is erased.
4. Press V/M to return to the VFO mode.
CLEARING ALL MEMORIES
To clear all 120 memories, including protected memories, turn off the
HTX-204. Then press FUNC + ENT + PWR to turn on the HTX-204. All 120
memories are cleared.
(km-04/09/1997)