RETEKESS V115 AM/FM/SW Full Band Stereo Radio Recorder

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the RETEKESS V115. Please read this user manual carefully before operation and keep it for future reference. The RETEKESS V115 is an integrated digital electronic voice radio that can play MP3 and WMA files. It supports multilingual menu functions, lyric synchronization, MIC Recording, Radio Recording, LINE IN Recording, and stereo earphone output, with a rechargeable lithium battery (the battery can be replaced with a larger capacity BL-5C for longer playback time).

Safety Precautions

Before using this radio, you must observe the safety instructions to ensure safe and responsible use of the product:

• Read and understand all safety instructions and operating information.
• Use the original lithium battery.
• Please use a charger with an output voltage of 5V, 500mA-1A to avoid damaging the lithium battery and the device.
• If the lithium battery is not used for a long time, please remove it, store it separately, and remember to charge it once a month.
• Do not expose the radio to direct contact with rain, moisture, or other liquids.
• Do not use direct heat sources. Do not bake or dry the product with a hairdryer.
• Do not expose the device to direct sunlight for extended periods.
• Do not drop the product or apply strong pressure.

Control Element Locations

The RETEKESS V115 features controls and ports located on its front, top, and sides. Key elements include:

• Top Panel: FM/SW Antenna, Monitor Button, MIC Button.
• Front Panel: Power Switch, MODE Button, Headphone Jack, Audio Input Interface, AM/FM Band Button, SW Band Button, TF-Card Slot, Repeat/System Setup Button, USB/Charging Port, Volume Control, DEL (Delete) Button, REC (Record) Button, Speaker, Previous Button, Play/Pause Button, Next Button.

Understanding Key Operations

There are three ways to operate the buttons: short press, long press, and hold. Unless otherwise specified, all operations are short presses.

• Short Press: Press the button once, and the function begins to work.
• Long Press: Press and hold the button for more than 1.2 seconds, and the function begins to work once.
• Hold: Press and hold the button until the end stop, and the function works multiple times at a specific frequency, e.g., fast forward/backward.

Battery Management

Inserting/Replacing the Battery

1. Open the battery compartment cover.
2. Insert the lithium battery according to the indicated polarity.
3. Close the battery compartment cover.

Charging the Lithium Battery

1. For first-time use, please charge the lithium battery for at least 6 hours. After the first charge, the charging time should be about 4 hours.
2. Recommendation: Use a 5V, 500mA charger.
3. Ensure the device is in normal operation mode before charging the battery. During charging, the LCD will display a "charging screen." The blinking battery icon indicates that the charging process is underway. When the battery is fully charged, the battery icon will stop blinking and show full battery power.
4. External adapter (not included). Please use a compatible adapter (5V DC/500mA, USB port) to charge the radio.
5. To charge the battery, connect the Micro-USB cable to the radio and the other end to a USB adapter.
6. During charging, the battery icon on the display moves from right to left and stops when the battery is fully charged. Then disconnect the radio and the adapter.

Battery Status Indicators: The display shows battery levels: Full, Medium, Low, Empty.

Radio Operation

Powering On/Off

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

Tuning and Saving Radio Stations

Automatic Tuning and Scanning

In radio mode, press the [Scan Forward] or [Scan Backward] button to activate the automatic search and save station function. Available stations are automatically numbered and saved from low to high frequencies. When the scan is complete, press the [Previous] or [Next] button to recall and listen to saved radio stations. If any interfering radio station is automatically saved, long-press the DEL button to delete it.

Manual Tuning and Saving

A. Manual Scan: In radio mode, press the [Previous] or [Next] button to search for radio stations forward or backward. When a radio station is received, the search stops, and the received radio station begins to play.

B. Direct Frequency Input: To directly input a radio station frequency, for example, 88.5 MHz, press the digit buttons 8, 8, and 5, then press the [Confirm] button. The radio will tune to 88.5 MHz.

Note for AM: Numbers that are multiples of 9 are valid (e.g., 522 + multiples of 9); for North America, 520 + multiples of 10 are valid.

Shortwave (SW) Operation

Press the SW button to cycle through the shortwave bands in order: 60m (4.750 MHz), 49m (5.950 MHz), 41m (7.100 MHz), 31m (9.500 MHz), 25m (11.650 MHz), 22m (13.600 MHz), 19m (15.100 MHz), 16m (17.500 MHz), 13m (21.45 MHz). After selecting a band, long-press the [Scan] button to search for radio stations. To manually save a radio station using methods A or B, long-press the MEMO button. When "CH00" blinks on the display, enter the memory slot number using the digit buttons. Press the PLAY button; the screen will indicate saving, then press the PLAY button again to confirm saving at the specified position.

Preset Limits: The number of preset stations is limited per band: FM: 80 presets, MW: 60 presets, SW: 300 presets.

AM Step Setting

In AM radio mode, press the MENU button to enter the system setup. Navigate to "AM Stepping" using the [Previous]/[Next] buttons and confirm with the [Confirm] button. Select 9 KHz or 10 KHz (North America) step, then press the [Confirm] button to save.

Muting the Radio

In radio mode, press the [Mute] button. The [X] symbol will blink on the screen, indicating the radio is muted. Press the [Mute] button again to deactivate muting.

Music Playback

Playing Music from TF Card

1. Insert the music TF card in MP3 or WMA format correctly.
2. Press the Power Switch to turn the device on.
3. Press the MODE button to enter playback mode. The screen will display the music title, format, elapsed time, etc.
4. Press the [Previous] or [Next] button to select the previous or next song, or use the digit buttons to select a song by number and press the [Confirm] button to play. The radio will jump directly to the song number to play the corresponding track.
5. Press the Repeat button to repeat a song (a symbol indicates single song repeat) or repeat all tracks in order (a symbol indicates repeat all).

Playback Controls

Use the [Previous] and [Next] buttons to navigate tracks. Use digit buttons to select a track by number.

Play Setup Options

Note: These settings are factory-set and not recommended for changes.

1. In playback mode, long-press the [Play/Pause] button to access the main Play Setup screen.

A. Directory: Select this option to browse and choose tracks within folders.

B. Playback Mode: Options include Repeat All, Repeat One, Repeat Directory (play only tracks within the selected folder).

C. EQ Effects: Choose from Natural, POP, Rock, Jazz, Land, Heavy Bass.

D. Return to Main Screen.

2. Use the [Previous]/[Next] buttons to select sub-menus and press the [Confirm] button to enter. Use [Previous]/[Next] again to select options within the sub-menu and press [Confirm] to confirm the selection. The setup will be successful, and the system will exit setup mode.

Data Transfer

Turn the device on and connect it to a computer using the Micro USB cable. Press any button on the device, and the computer will automatically install the driver software. The device screen will display a computer icon, indicating a successful connection. You can then read, copy, and delete files on the TF card in the device (it can be used as a card reader) and can also be used as an external USB speaker for the computer.

Note: Compatibility may vary with different computer configurations.

Recording Operation

MIC Recording

Insert the TF card and turn on the device. Press the MODE button to enter playback mode. Long-press the REC button to enter MIC recording mode. During recording, press the REC button to stop and exit recording mode.

LINE IN Recording

Connect the external audio cable ("Line in" is automatically detected). Ensure an external song is playing. Adjust the volume of the external audio signal, and press the REC button to enter "LINE IN Recording." During recording, press the REC button to stop and exit.

Radio Recording

Press the FM button to enter radio mode and tune to a radio station. Long-press the REC button to enter radio recording mode. During recording, press the [Pause] button to pause the recording. Press the [Play/Pause] button again to resume. Press the REC button to stop recording and exit recording mode.

Note: In recording mode, the volume is locked to the level set before recording. Pressing the volume buttons will not change the volume.

File Naming Conventions

Long-press the REC FILE [0] button to access recorded files. Press the [Previous] or [Next] button to select the file to be played. The filename "MIC" indicates a MIC recording file; "LIN" indicates a LINE IN recording file; "RAD" indicates a radio recording file.

File Management

Deleting Files

Long-press the REC FILE [0] button to access recorded files. Press the [Previous] or [Next] button to select the file to be deleted. Long-press the "DEL" button, and a prompt "Are you sure you want to delete the file?" will appear on the screen. Press the [Confirm] button to delete the recording file.

Key Lock

Long-press the MODE button. The lock symbol [?] will appear on the screen, indicating that the system has entered key lock mode. Pressing other buttons will not function, and the lock symbol will remain on the screen. Long-press the MODE button again, and the unlock symbol [?] will appear on the screen, indicating that the keys have been unlocked.

System Configuration

Accessing System Setup

1. Long-press the MENU button to access the System Setup screen. (The system will automatically return to the main screen if no operation is performed within 5 seconds).

Configuration Options

After entering the System Setup screen, press the [Previous] or [Next] button to select the desired option, and press the [Confirm] button to enter the sub-menu. Use [Previous] or [Next] to select the specific setting, and press [Confirm] to confirm and exit setup.

The available options are:

• a. Timed Shutdown: Set automatic shutdown time (0-90 minutes).
• b. Contrast: Adjust screen contrast (1-15).
• c. Backlight Time: Set backlight behavior (Normal, ON, OFF, or a duration).
• d. Language: Select system language (Chinese, English, Spanish).
• e. Data Set: Set recording compression ratio (Simple Recording 64kbps / Quality Record 96kbps / Super Record 128kbps).
• f. Back: Return to the main screen.

Troubleshooting

Q: The radio cannot be turned on.
A: The battery may be discharged; please charge the battery.

Q: Cannot connect to a computer.
A: Please establish the connection in Radio-Off mode. The USB cable may be damaged; try another one.

Q: The speaker does not produce sound.

Q: Cannot play audio from Micro SD (TF) card or USB drive.
A: Check if the card or USB drive has poor compatibility; try another card or USB stick. Files may be damaged or incorrectly formatted; delete the file and try again.

Q: The radio cannot be charged.
A: Check if the external adapter or USB cable is properly connected. Check if the adapter or USB cable is damaged.

Q: Why does the radio output sound through the speaker when earphones are plugged in?
A: Earphones with a MIC function may interfere. This radio may not work with earphones that have a MIC function. Try earphones without a MIC function. If the issue persists, please contact support.

Q: Why is the SW reception not good?
A: Shortwave reception is sensitive to environmental factors such as time of day, solar activity, and weather. Reception can improve significantly at night. Signal strength is weaker indoors than outdoors. For the best reception, extend the antenna at night and outdoors.

Specifications

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

Cautions

Choking Hazard

Avoid Choking Hazard. Contains small parts. Not suitable for children under 3 years.

Hearing Protection

• Use the lowest volume necessary for your task.
• Increase volume when in a noisy environment.
• Lower the volume before adding headphones or earphones.
• Limit the duration of headset or earphone use at high volumes.
• When using the radio without headphones or earphones, do not place the radio's speaker directly against your ear.

Note: Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing impairment. The louder the volume, the less time is needed before hearing may be affected. Hearing damage from loud noises may not be immediately noticeable and can be cumulative.