Retevis RT21Walkie Talkie Speaker Mic Instruction Manual

June 4, 2024
RETEVIS

Retevis

Retevis RT21Walkie Talkie Speaker Mic

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Imgg

Specifications

  • Range : 2.5 miles
  • Power output : 2.5 Watts
  • Frequency ranges : 400-480MHz (UHF)
  • Battery : rechargeable Li-ion battery
  • Size : 4.8 x 2.17 x 1.1 inches
  • Weight : 0.39 lb
  • Waterproof : no information
  • Brand Retevis

Introduction

Although the Retevis RT21 walkie-talkies have many noteworthy and amazing characteristics, let’s first go over the crucial aspects you’d want to see before purchasing this product. Depending on your preference, the product packaging might include a set of two, four, six, eight, or ten radio handsets. Each radio comes with rechargeable batteries and chargers for the batteries, as well as belt clips, slings, earpieces, a user’s guide, and a warranty card.

Using tips

Please read the following brief instructions, non-compliance with these rules may causedanger or violate the law.

  • Obey the local government regulation before using this radio, improper use may violat the law and be punished.
  • Turn off the radio before entering flammable or explosive areas.
  • Do not charge or change the battery in flammable or explosive areas.
  • Turn off the radio before getting dose to the blasting zone or detonator areas.
  • Do not use radio whose antenna is damaged, touching of damaged antenna will caus heat injury.
  • Do not attempt to open the radio; the maintenance work should be done by technical expert only.
  • To avoid troubles caused by electromagnetic interference or electromagnetic compatibility. please turn off the radio in places where have the banner “Do not use wireless equipment”, such as hospital and other healthcare places.
  • In the car with an airbag, do not put the radio within the scope of the airbag deployment.
  • Do not store the radio under the direct sunshine or in hot areas.
  • When you transmit with the radio, do keep away from its antenna for 5cm at least.
  • If the radio apears smelly or smoke, please shut off its power immediately and contact with your local dealer.
  • Do not transmit too long, for the radio may heat and hurt the user.

Unpacking and checking equipment

Welcome to use two-way radio. Carefully unpack the radio. We recommend you check the items listed in the following table before discarding the package. If any item is missing, please contact local dealer immediately.

Supplied accessories

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-1

Getting familiar

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-2

Battery

Please use the designated battery; other batteries can cause explosion and hurt people.

Notice

  1. Please do not short-circuit the battery terminals or expose of in fire. Do not dissemble the battery by yourself.
  2. Charge the battery between temperature 0C and 45 C. The battery can not be fully charged beyond this temperature range
  3. Please turn off the power when you charge the radio with battery. Transmit with the radio in charge will affect its correct charge.
  4. Do not unplug the power or battery when it is charged.
  5. The operating time becomes short even the battery is fully charged, the battery is exhausted, please replace battery.
  6. Please do not charge when the battery or the radio is wet. Please dry it with a cloth before charging to avoid any danger.

Warning

When the conductive metals Such as jewelery, key or decorative chains touch the battery terminals, all the batteries are likely to cause damage to the items or personal injury. These conductive metals may form a short circuit and generates much heat. Do deal with any battery carefully, especially when put it into pocket, wallet or other metallic containers.

Charging operations

Charge the battery as follows

  1. Power off
  2. Insert the AC adaptor plug in the AC power output socket
  3. Insert the battery or radio with battery vertically in a charger, to check whether the battery and charger terminal is in normal contact.
  4. Make sure the battery and charger terminal is in good contact, when the charging indicator light turns red, it starts charging.

Note

  1. Before inserting the battery, it is abnormal it the charging indicator blinks
  2. To change the battery for charging, please wait until the indicator is stable.
  3. When the battery is well inserted, the indicator turns red and the charging is on th process, if the indicator blinks, then the battery is damaged or the temperature is too hioh or too low.

Self-testing

When the charger powers up, if the orange indicator lights for one second and then goes Out, entering the standby mode, the charger passes the self-testing and can charge the battery. If the orange indicator blinks constantly, the charger fails to pass the self-testing, and can not charge the battery.

Normal charging indicator

When charging the battery, if the indicator light turns red, the battery is on the normal charge; if the red indicator light blinks constantly, the battery capacity is too low, and is on the trickling charge, and after the battery capacity reaches certain level, it will switch to the normal charge.

Note

Trickling charge does not exceed 30 minutes, if the red indicator light blinks after 30 minutes, it means the charger cannot charge battery, please check whether the battery  or the charger has been damaged.

Note

Trickling charge does not exceed 30 minutes, if the red indicator light blinks after 30 minutes, it means the charger cannot charge battery, please check whether the battery or the charger has been damaged.

Charging precautions

  1. The battery is not fully charged in factory, please charge before using it
  2. Charge and discharge the battery for two or three times, the battery capacity will reach the best condition. When the battery capacity is low, please charge or change the battery
  3. The battery lasts shortly even if it is fully charged, the battery is exhausted, please contact your local dealer to buy a new authenticate battery.

Antenna

Short thick antenna is suitable for short-distance communication. The communication range will be shortened in bad weather or among the trees, please prepare in advance to avoid any inconvenience of your communication and security.

Instaling and uninstalling of the accessories

Installing/Removing the battery

  1. Align the two grooves of battery and the guide rail on the back of aluminum shell, ensuring full contact and in parallel, then push the battery up to the radio base along the rail on the back of aluminum shell, until the battery latch locks up. (picture 1)
  2. To remove the battery, please make sure the radio is closed, push the battery latch down, and make sure the radio and battery is on the releasing state, and then push the battery out from the radio. (picture 2)

Installing/removing the belt clip

  • Align the two holes of belt clip and the two holes of the radio, fix them with the supplied M2.5×5 screw. (picture 5)
  • Loosen the screw set to remove the belt clip (picture 6)

Installing external headset

Reveal (do not remove) the mic/speaker jack cover (picture 7), insert the headset into the mic/speaker jack (picture 8).

Note
Using the external headset ill affect the water-tightness performance of radio.

Basic operation

Scan Function

The radio is allowed to be scanned and you can press the PTT key to turn on or turn off the scan.

When the scan begins, indicators lights green, the radio will can scan automatically from channel 1 to 16 which is defined as scan added. When there is signal in the scanning channel. it will stop in the channel for talk

Note

When there is signal in the scanning channel, it will stop in the channel for a talk and after several seconds. Please note that scan is only available when there are two or more than two memory channels and two or more scan added channels.

Battery save Function

This function is enabled by default. Turn on this function can make the standby time longer.

Busy Channel Lock

This function is enabled by default.

  • A: if the current channel does not have CTOSS/DCS, When there is signal, TX prohibited when you press PTT.
  • B: If the current channel does not have CTCSS/DCS, when there is signal which does not have CTCSS/DCS, TX prohibited when you press PTT.
  • If the current channels does not have CTCSS/DCS, when there is signal which have CTCSS/DcS, the radio will transmit when you press PTT.

English/Chinese Voice Prompt

Voice prompt

The default setting is english voice prompt, and you will know the working condition of the radio with voice prompt.

  • Channel annunciation: You will get to know the working conditions of current channel which is being operated.
  • Low battery alert: The radio will alert you when the battery capacity reaches the minimum operating voltage.
  • Low battery prompt The default setting is english voice prompt. When transmitting or standby, if the battery capacity reaches the pre-determined low level, the indicator light blinks red, and a low battery alert tone will be heard. The indicating tone can be “Please change the battery”. When the low battery alert occurs, it can not transmit, please change or charge the battery.
  • Squelch function The squelch level will determine the signal strength to open the speaker of the radio. If the squelch level is lower, the background noise of opening the radios speaker will be higher, and the corresponding communication range will be further, but the anti-interference capacity will be weaker and the default setting of squelch level is 5.
  • Time out timer (TOT) The purpose of TOT is to prevent any radio from talking in one channel for a long time, and to prevent the transceiver from being damaged because of continuous transmission. If the transmitting time exceeds the TOT pre-set time, the radio will sound “Du”.
  • CTCSS/DCcS CTCSS and DCS is the sub-audio signaling, to prevent the radio from receiving unwanted signal in the same channel. When the CTCSS/DCS is set, then within the communication range, you can only receive signals from the same channel with the same CTCSS/DCS setting. When the CTCSS/DCS is not set, you will get all the signal from the same channel within the communication range.

Power protection function

When the radio is in normal use or maintenance, the transmission will be prohibited if the working voltage is beyond the normal supplying voltage. Lower than 3V or higher than 4. 2V, the transmission will be prohibition. The radio cannot power on when it is higher than 4. 2V.

CTCSS

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-6

DCS

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-7

Troubleshooting guide

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-8

Specifications (US)

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-9

FCC

Retevis-RT21-Two-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkie-Speaker-
Fig-10

Note: Above channels are FRS license-free channels.

Warranty card

Note

  1. This warranty card is only applicable to two-way radio of the above-listed model and serial number.
  2. The warranty card is an important document for theend-user to enjoy warranty service, please keep it well.
  3. The warranty card shall be filled and chopped by the dealer, or it is invalid.

Warnings

Product safety and RF Exposure for two way radio Before using this two way radio, please read the manual which contains important operating instructions for safe usage, RF Energy Awareness, control information and operational instructions for compliance with RF Energy Exposure limits in applicable national and international standards, and also read the operational instructions for safe use.

CAUTION

Test position and configuration Head SAR was performed with the device configured in the positions according to IEEE1528, and face up SAR was performed with the device 25mm from the phantom, Body SAR was performed with the belt clip on the device 0 mm from the phantom.

Antennas

  • For safe operation, the antenna for the product shall be least 25mm away from your face, when speaking.
  • Switching to other antennas is prohibited and will affect the radio performance.
  • DO NOT use any portable radio that has a damaged antenna. If a damaged antenna comes into contact with your skin, a minor burn can result.

WARNING

Batteries

All batteries can cause property damage and/or bodily injury such as burns if a conductive material touches exposed terminals. The conductive material may complete an electrical circuit (short circuit) and become hot.

  • Exercise care when removing NiMH or AA batteries. Do not use sharp or conductive tools to remove these batteries.
  • Exercise care in handling any charged battery, particularly when placing it inside a pocket, purse or other container with metal objects.
  • Do not discard your battery in a fire.
  • Do not replace the battery in any area labeled “Hazardous Atmosphere”. Any sparks created in a potentially explosive atmosphere can cause explosion or fire.
  • Do not disassemble, crush, puncture, shred or otherwise attempt to change the form of your battery.
  • Do not dry a wet battery or damp battery with an appliance or heat source, such as a hair dryer or microwave oven.
  • If the radio battery contact area has been submerged in water, dry and clean the battery contacts before attaching the battery to the radio.

Battery Charger Safety Instructions

  1. Turn the radio off when charging the battery

  2. Do not expose the charger to outside environment. Chargers should only be used indoo

  3. Do not operate or disassemble the charger. Do not use a charger that has been dropped or damaged in any way.

  4. Never alter the AC cord or plug provided with the unit. If the plug will not fit the outlet, have the proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. An improper condition can result in a risk of electric shock.

  5. To reduce the risk of damage to the cord or plug. pull the plug rather than the cord when disconnecting the charger from the AC receptacle.

  6. To reduce the risk of electric shock, unplug the charger from the  outlet before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.

  7. Use of an attachment not recommended or sold by specified Soluteions may result in a risk of fire, electric shock or personal injury.

  8. Make sure the cord is located so it will not be stepped on, tripped over or subjected to damaged or stress

  9. An extension cord should not be used unless absolutely necessary Use of an improper extension cord could result in a risk of a fire and/or electric shock. If an extension cord must be used, make sure that. The pins on the plug of the extension cord are the same number, Size and shape as those on the plug of the charger. The extension cord

  10. is properly wired and in good condition.

  11. The supply cord of the AC adaptor cannot be replaced. If th cord is damaged, call customer service.

WARNING

The information listed below provides the user with the information needed to make him or her aware of RF exposure, and what to do to as-sure that this radio operates with the FCC RF exposure limits of this radio.

Electromagnetic Interference/Compatibility

Note
Nearly every electronic device is susceptible to electro magnetic interference (EMI) if inadequately shielded, designed or otherwise configured for electromagnetic compatibility. During transmissions, your radio generates RF energy thatcan possibly cause interference with other devices or systems.

Facilities

To avoid electromagnetic interference and/or compatibility conflicts, turn off your radio in any facility where posted notices instruct you to do so. Hospitals or health care facilities may be using equipment that is sensitive to external RF energy.

Aircraft

When instructed to do so, turn off your radio when onboard an aircraft. Any use of a radio must be in accordance with applicable regulations per airline crew instructions.

Medical Devices

Pacemakers, Defibrillators or other implanted Medical Devices.

Persons with pacemakers, Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) or other active implantable medical devices (AlMD) should

  • Consult with their physicians regarding the potential risk of interference from radio frequency transmitters, such as portabl radios (poorly shielded medical devices may be more susceptible to interference).
  • Turn the radio OFF immediately if there is any reason to suspect that interference is taking place.
  • Do not carry the radio in a chest pocket or near the implantation site, and carry or use the radio on the opposite side of their bod from the implantable device to minimize the potential for interference.

Hearing Aids

Some digital wireless radios may interfere with some hearing aids. In the event of such interference, you may want to consult your hearing aid manufacturer to discuss alternatives.

Other Medical Devices

If you use any other personal medical device, consult the manufacturer of your device to determine if it is adequately shielded from RF energy. Your physician may be able to assist you in obtaining this information.

Use of Communication Devices While Driving

Always check the laws and regulations on the use of radios in ten areas where you drive give full attention to driving and to the road Use hands-free operation, if available. Pull of the road and park before making or answering call, if driving conditions or regulations so require.

For Vehicle with Air Bags

Refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s manual prior to installation of electronic equipment to avoid interference with air bag wiring. Do not place a portable radio in the area over an air bag or in the air bag deployment area. Air bags inflate with great force. If a portable radio is placed in the air bag deployment area and the air bag inflates, the radio may be propelled with great force and cause serious injury to occupants of the vehicle.

Potentially Explosive Atmosphere

Turn off your radio prior to entering any area with a potentially explosive atmosphere. Only radio types that are especially qualified should be used in such areas as “Intrinsically Safe”. Do not remove, install or charge batteries in such areas. Sparks in a potentially explosive atmosphere can cause an explosion or fire resulting in bodily injury or even death.

Blasting Caps and Areas

To avoid possible interference with blasting operations, turn off your radio when you are near electrical blasting caps, in a blasting area, or in areas posted “Turn off two-way radios”. Obey all sians and instructions.

Warning : CHOKING HAZARD-Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Warnings (US)

Your radio is designed to comply with the following national and international standards and guidelines regarding exposure of human beings to radio frequency electromagnetic energy

  • United States Federal Communications Commission, Code of
    Federal Regulations: 47 CFR part 2.109

  • IEEE Std. 1528:2013 and KDB447498, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency
    Electromagnetic Fields.

  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/lnstitute of Electrical &Electronic Engineers (1EEE) C95. 1-2005

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) C95.3-2002

  • International Electrotechnical Commission IEC62209-2:2010

CAUTION

This product is in compliance to FCC RF Exposure requirements and refers to FCC website

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cim search for FCC ID: 2AAR8RETEVISRT21 to gain further information include SAR Values.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Your wireless hand-held portable transceiver contains a low power transmitter. This product sends out radio frequency (RF) signals when the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button is pressed. The device is authorized to operate at a duty factor not to exceed 50%.

In August 1996, the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) adopted RF exposure guidelines with safety levels for hand-held wireless devices.

To control your exposure and ensure compliance with the general population or uncontrolled environment exposure limits, transmit no more than 50% of the time. The radio generates measurable RF energy exposure only when transmitting.

WARNING

Any Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment and should not be made. To comply with FCC requirements, transmitter adjustments should be made only by or under the supervision of a person certified as technically qualified to perform transmitter maintenance and repairs in the private land mobile and fixed services as certified by an organization representative of the user of those services. Replacement of any transmitter component (crystal, semiconductor, etc) not authorized by the FCC equipment authorization for this radio could violate FCC rules.

Note
Use of this radio outside the country where it was intended to be distributed is subject to government regulations and may be prohibited.

Body-Worn Operation

To maintain compliance with FCC’s RF exposure guidelines, for body-worn operation, this radio has been tested and meets the FCC RF exposure guidelines when used with the specified accessories supplied or designated for this product. Use of other accessories may not ensure compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines.

If you wear the radio on your body when transmitting always use specified supplied or approved belt clip, holster, case, or body harness for this product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Retevis radios can they be programmed?

The Retevis pocket radios are set to the same Frequency, making it simple to use. They can communicate with one another right out of the box by using the same Channel. Therefore, it is the ideal option for teamwork.

On how many channels at once may walkie-talkies be used?

When two-way radios are operating on the same radio frequency, they can talk to one another. As a result, as long as they are using the same frequency, walkie talkies can connect with each other indefinitely.

How far can a Retevis walkie-talkie be used?

Many radios will claim to have transmission and reception ranges of up to 35 miles, but that is only true in ideal conditions, such as when the radio is in an open field with good sight. Only 0.5w/2w low-power walkie-talkies can communicate over extended distances in comparison to PMR/FRS radios.

How can my Retevis walkie-talkie be reset?

The factory reset procedures are the same for all Retevis children’s radios. While simultaneously pressing the “menu” key, turn on the radio. Data in radios will thereafter become original after leaving the factory.

How do Retevis walkie talkies change the volume?

Holding down the button turns off the radio. – To increase the speaker volume, press the up button. – To lower the speaker volume, press the down button. – The number displayed from 1 to 8 represents the speaker volume level.

What walkie-talkie channel is ideal?

Simply put, choose channels 1-7 or 15-22 for greatest power. Numerous power modes are supported by the majority of consumer radios. Make sure you are utilising high power mode on the channels that let it to achieve the most range. Reduced range is caused by lower power modes, which do not utilise all of your radio’s potential output power.

Are cell towers used by walkie-talkies?

Walkie-talkies are quick and simple to use because you don’t have to dial a number each time you wish to broadcast. The best part is that they are independent of erratic cell phone signals. Because the handsets communicate directly with one another, they continue to function even when cell networks are down due to a natural disaster or a power outage.

Can Bluetooth headphones be used as walkie talkies?

Turn Bluetooth on in the settings of your phone. Connect your device to a Bluetooth headphone > Turn on Walkie Talkie Mode in the app. Go to menu > settings > preferences > Bluetooth > select a device from the list and pair your Bluetooth headset if you’re using an Android device.

What are the two functions of the walkie talkie’s side buttons?

Push-to-talk (PTT) button: The radio’s PTT button has two main purposes: – Press and hold down to answer calls and initiate conversations; release the PTT button to listen.

Are walkie-talkies radioactive?

The radiation produced by walkie-talkies, a type of electronic communication device, is mostly caused by electromagnetic waves and is present during use. The measurement results show that the walkie-talkie emits 0.275V/m of low- frequency radiation when it is silent.

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