RETEKESS V115 AM/FM/SW FULL BAND STEREO RADIO RECORDER

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the RETEKESS V115. Please read this manual thoroughly before operating and keep it in a safe place for future reference.

Included items: V115, Lithium battery, USB cable, Operational manual.

Precautions

Before using this pocket-sized radio recorder, follow these basic safety tips for safe and reliable use:

• Read and understand all safety guidelines and use information.
• Recommended to use the original lithium battery.
• Use a charging device with an output voltage of 5V, 500mA-1000mA to avoid damaging the lithium battery and device.
• If the lithium battery will not be used for an extended period, remove it, store it separately, and charge it once a month.
• Do not expose the radio to rain, moisture, or any liquid drops.
• Avoid direct heat sources. Do not bake or blow dry the product.
• Do not expose the device to direct sunshine for an extended period.
• Do not drop the product or apply heavy pressure.

Screen Display

Displaying on TF Music Play Screen

• Sound Effect mode
• Repeat mode
• TF card inserted status
• Time lapsed of the current music
• Format of the song file
• Battery power indicator ?
• Song name and synchronic lyric displayed

Displaying on the Radio Screen

• Radio band (e.g., FM CH07)
• Current radio station saved
• Mute status ?
• Battery power indicator ?
• Frequency of the radio station (e.g., 88.6 MHz)

Diagram Location of Controls

The device features the following controls:

• FM/SW antenna: Extendable antenna for radio reception.
• Speaker: Built-in speaker for audio output.
• Display: Screen showing operational information.
• MIC: Microphone for recording ?.
• Power switch: Turns the device on/off.
• MODE key: Switches between Radio, Music Play, and Recording modes ?.
• Earphone jack: For connecting stereo earphones.
• Audio input interface (LINE IN): For connecting external audio sources.
• AM/FM band key: Selects AM or FM radio bands.
• SW band key: Selects Shortwave radio bands.
• TF card slot: For inserting a microSD card ?️.
• REPEAT/ System setup key: Controls music repeat modes and accesses system setup ☰.
• USB/Charging interface: For charging the battery and connecting to a computer ?.
• Volume key: Adjusts the audio volume ?.
• Previous key: Skips to the previous track or station ◀️.
• Play/Pause key: Starts, pauses, or resumes playback/recording ▶️/⏸️.
• Next key: Skips to the next track or station ▶️.
• DEL (Delete) key: Deletes selected radio stations or recording files ❌.
• REC (Recording) key: Initiates and stops recording ?.

Introduction

The RETEKESS V115 is a pocket-sized AM/FM/SW Full Band Radio Recorder. It is an integrated digital electric tuning radio capable of playing MP3 and WMA files. It features a multilingual menu, synchronous lyric display, MIC Recording, Radio Recording, LINE IN Recording, and stereo earphone output. It is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, which can be replaced with a larger capacity BL-5C battery for extended playtime.

Key Operation Definitions:

• Short press: Press the key once for the function to work.
• Long press: Press and hold for more than 1.2 seconds; the function works once.
• Hold on: Press and hold the key until release; the function repeats at a certain frequency (e.g., fast forward/backward).

Battery Power Supply

Install/Replace the battery:

1. Open the battery cover.
2. Insert the lithium battery according to the polarity indicated.
3. Close the battery cover.
4. Before first use, charge the lithium battery for 6 hours. After the first charge, subsequent charging should take about 4 hours.
5. Recommended: use the provided 5V, 500mA charger.
6. In normal cases, ensure the product is in the OFF mode before charging. The LCD displays the "Charging Screen" during charging. A flashing battery power icon ? indicates charging is in progress. When fully charged, the icon stops flashing and shows full battery power. It is suggested to continue charging for 1-2 hours to ensure maximum capacity.

Battery Consumption Indicator:

• 1. Full
• 2. Medium
• 3. Low
• 4. Exhausted

Charging the Lithium Battery:

1. External Adapter (not included): Use a matched adapter (5V DC/500mA, USB port).
2. Install the lithium battery.
3. Connect the Micro-USB cable to the radio and the other end to a USB adapter.
4. During charging, the battery symbol ? moves from right to left and stops when fully charged. Disconnect the radio and adapter.

Note: Alternating current can interfere with radio signals during charging; it is not recommended to use the radio while charging.

Do not use an AC adapter or computer to power the radio to play music or listen to the radio when the battery is unloaded. If the radio is not used for a long time, unload the battery or fully charge it once every 2 months.

Charged by PC:

1. Connect the radio to the computer with the provided USB cable.
2. While charging, the battery symbol ? moves from right to left.
3. The battery symbol stops moving when the battery is fully charged.

Radio Operation

Power on/off radio:

1. Long press the Power button to turn on the device.
2. Extend the antenna.
3. Press the AM/FM or SW key to select the band.
4. Long press the Power button again to turn off the device.

Automatically search and store Stations:

In radio mode, long press the key to enter Automatic search and store Stations. Available stations are automatically numbered and stored from low to high frequencies. After storing, press the ◀️ or ▶️ key to invoke and listen to stored stations. If an interfering station is saved, long press the DEL key ❌ to delete it.

To save a radio station manually:

1. Manual Search: In radio mode, long press the ◀️ or ▶️ key to search stations forward or backward. The search stops when a station is received and begins playing.
2. Direct Frequency Input: For example, to tune to 88.5MHz, press the number keys 8, 8, 5, then press the key to confirm. The radio will jump to 88.5MHz.
   • *AM: Valid numbers are 522 + multiples of 9; for North America, 520 + multiples of 10 are valid.
3. Shortwave Operation: Press the SW key to cycle through metric waves: 60m (4.750MHz), 49m (5.950MHz), 41m (7.100MHz), 31m (9.500MHz), 25m (11.650MHz), 22m (13.600MHz), 19m (15.100MHz), 16m (17.500MHz), 13m (21.45MHz). After selecting a metric wave, long press the key to search for stations.

To store a manually found station: After selecting a station using methods A, B, or C, long press the MEMO "5" key. When "CH00" flashes on the display, press the numeric keys to enter the storage location number, then press the PLAY key ▶️ to save. The screen will prompt for confirmation; press PLAY ▶️ again to confirm.

Note: There is a limit on preset stations per band: FM: 80 presets, MW: 60 presets, SW: 300 presets.

AM Stepping set:

In AM radio mode, long press the MENU key ☰ to enter the system main menu. Press the ◀️ or ▶️ key to select the AM Stepping submenu and choose step 9 KHz or 10 KHz (North America). Press the key to confirm.

To delete a radio station:

Invoke a radio station and long press the DEL key ❌. The display will show a deletion confirmation. Press the key to confirm deletion. If the operation is not completed within 5 seconds, the system returns to radio mode.

To mute the radio:

In radio mode, press the key. The ? icon will flash on the screen, indicating mute mode. Press the key again to deactivate mute.

Music Play Operation

1. Insert the music TF card (MP3 or WMA format).
2. Press the Power key to turn on the device.
3. Press the MODE key ? to enter play mode. The screen will display the music name, format, time lapsed, etc.
4. Press the ◀️ or ▶️ key to select the next or previous song, or use the numeric keys to select a song and press the key to confirm. The radio will jump directly to the selected song number.
5. Press the Repeat key to repeat a song (?) or repeat all songs in order (? all).

Play Setup:

(Factory settings are recommended; changes are not advised.)

1. In play mode, long press the key to enter the main Play screen.
2. Options include:
   • A. Main Directory: Select songs within folders.
   • B. Play Mode: Repeat All, Repeat One, Repeat Directory (play songs only from the selected folder).
   • C. Sound effect: NATURAL, POP, ROCK, JAZZ, COUNTRY, HEAVY BASS.
   • D. Return to the main screen.
3. Use the ◀️ or ▶️ key to select sub-menus and press the key to enter. Select sub-items with ◀️ or ▶️ and press the key to confirm. The setup will be successful, and the system will exit setup mode.

Computer Data Transmission:

Turn on the device and connect to a computer using the Micro USB cable. The computer will automatically install driver software. The device screen will display a computer connected icon. The computer can read, copy, and delete files on the TF card (acting as a card reader) and can also be used as an external USB speaker. (Compatibility may vary with computer configurations).

Recording Operation

MIC Recording:

Insert the TF card and turn on the device. Press MODE ? to enter play mode. Long press the REC key ? to enter MIC recording mode. Press the REC key ? again to finish and exit recording mode.

LINE IN Recording:

Connect the external audio cable. Ensure an external song is playing. Adjust the external audio volume, then long press the REC key ? to enter "LINE IN Recording". Press the REC key ? again to finish and exit.

Radio Recording:

Press the FM key to enter radio mode and tune to a station. Long press the REC key ? to enter radio recording mode. During recording, press the key to pause, and press the key again to resume. Press the REC key ? to finish recording and exit.

* In recording mode, the volume is locked at the level set before recording. Pressing the Volume key ? will not change it.

Recording File Invoking Operation:

Long press the REC FILE "0" key to invoke recording files. Press the ◀️ or ▶️ key to select a recording file to play. File names indicate the recording type: "MIC" for MIC Recording, "LIN" for LINE IN Recording, "RAD" for Radio Recording.

Recording File Deletion Operation:

Long press the REC FILE "0" key to invoke a recording file. Press the ◀️ or ▶️ key to select the file to delete. Long press the "DEL" key ❌; the screen will prompt "Are you sure to delete the file?". Press the key to confirm deletion.

Key Locking Operation:

Long press the MODE key ?. A lock icon will appear, indicating the system has entered key lock mode. Other keys will not function. Long press the MODE key ? again to unlock the keys; an unlock icon will appear.

System Setup

1. Long press the MENU key ☰ to enter the System Setup screen. (The system returns to the main screen automatically if no operation occurs within 5 seconds.)

System Screen Options:

• a. Auto power: Set automatic shutdown time (0-90 minutes).
• b. Contrast: Set screen contrast level (1-15).
• c. Back light Time: Set backlight to Normal ON, OFF, or a duration.
• d. Language: Select Chinese, English, or Spanish.
• e. Record set: Set compression ratio (Simple record 64kbps / Quality record 96 kbps / Super record 128kbps).
• f. Back: Return to the main screen.

Note: The default language setting is English for user convenience.

2. After entering the System Setup screen, use the ◀️ or ▶️ key to select a sub-item and press the key to enter the sub-menu. Use ◀️ or ▶️ to select the corresponding sub-item and press the key to confirm the selection to finish the setup.

Sleep Shutdown Setup Operation:

Enter the system setup screen, use ◀️ or ▶️ to select "Auto Power", and press the key to enter the sub-item. Use ◀️ or ▶️ to set the time (00-90 minutes) and press the key to confirm. A timing shutdown icon will appear on the screen, indicating the system has entered timed shutdown mode. The timer counts down until the set time is reached, and the device shuts down automatically. Setting the time to 00 or turning off the power switch cancels the sleep shutdown function.

Troubleshooting

1. Q: Can not turn on the radio.
   A: Battery may be drained; please charge the battery.
2. Q: Can not be connected to a computer.
   A: Ensure the connection is made in radio OFF mode. The USB cable might be damaged; try another one.
3. Q: Speaker does not sound.
   A: Check if the volume level is too low; turn it up ?.
4. Q: Cannot play audio from Micro SD(TF) card or USB drive.
   A: Check for poor compatibility with the card or USB drive; try another. Files may be damaged or in an incorrect format; delete and try again.
5. Q: Cannot charge the radio.
   A: Check if the external adapter or USB cable is connected correctly. Check if the adapter or USB cable is damaged.
6. Q: Why does the radio sound from the speaker when using earbuds?
   A: This radio cannot work with earbuds that have a MIC function. Try earbuds without a MIC function.
7. Q: Why is the SW reception not good?
   A: Shortwave reception is affected by time of day, solar cycles, weather, and atmospheric conditions. Signal strength is typically weaker indoors than outdoors. For best reception, extend the antenna, listen at night, and preferably outdoors.

Specification

• Frequency: FM: 87-108MHz, MW: 522-1710KHz, SW: 4.75-21.85MHz
• Output power: 2W
• Power supply: 1000mAh lithium battery
• Charging: DC 5V---500mA

Caution

WARNING: Avoid Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Protect your hearing:

• Use the lowest volume necessary.
• Turn up the volume only in noisy surroundings.
• Turn down the volume before adding headset or earpiece.
• Limit the time you use headsets or earpieces at high volume.
• When using the radio without a headset or earpiece, do not place the speaker directly against your ear.

Note: Exposure to loud noises from any source for extended periods may temporarily or permanently affect your hearing. The louder the volume, the less time is required before hearing could be affected. Hearing damage from loud noise is sometimes undetectable at first and can have a cumulative effect.