Retevis RT21 2-Way Long Range Radio

Using tips

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

• Obey the local government regulation before using this radio, improper use may violate 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 close to the blasting zone or detonator areas.
• Do not use a radio whose antenna is damaged, touching of da1maged antenna will cause heat injury.
• Do not attempt to open the radio; the maintenance work should be done by a technical expert only.
• To avoid troubles caused by electromagnetic interference or electromagnetic compatibility, please turn off the radio in places that have the banner “Do not use wireless equipment”, such as hospitals and other healthcare places.
• In a car with an airbag, do not put the radio within the scope of the airbag deployment.
• Do not store the radio under 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 appears smelly or smoking, please shut off its power immediately and contact your local dealer.
• Do not transmit too long, for the radio may heat and hurt the user.

Unpacking and checking equipment

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

Supplied accessories

Note: The antenna frequency range please refers to the annular label at the bottom of the antenna.

Getting familiar

Battery

Please useRetevis designated battery; other batteries can cause explosions and hurt people.
Notice

1. Please do not short-circuit the battery terminals or expose of to fire. Do not disassemble the battery by yourself.
2. Charge the battery between temperatures o·c 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 the battery. Transmitting 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, and the battery is exhausted, please replace the 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 conductive metals such as jewelry, 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 generate much heat. Do deal with any battery carefully, especially when putting it into a pocket, wallet or other metallic containers.

Charging operations

Charge the battery as follows

1. Power off
2. Insert the DC adaptor plugs in the DC jack on the back of the charger
3. Insert the AC adaptor plug in the AC power output socket
4. Insert the battery or radio with the battery vertically in a charger, to check whether the battery and charger terminal is in normal contact.
5. 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 if 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 in the process, if the indicator blinks, then the battery is damaged or the temperature is too high 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 a 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 can not charge the battery, please check whether the battery or the charger has been damaged.

Charging precautions

1. The battery is not fully charged in the factory, please charge it before using it.
2. Charge and discharge the battery 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 authentic Retevis battery.

Antenna

• Short thick antenna is suitable for short-distance communication, while long thin antenna will offer you a better communication effect. Wearing the radio in your waist will not make you feel uncomfortable.
• 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.

Installing and uninstalling of the accessories

Installing/Removing the battery

1. Align the two grooves of the battery· and the guide rail on the back of the aluminum shell, ensuring full contact and in parallel, then push the battery up to the radio base along the rail on the back of the 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 in the releasing state, and then push the battery out from the radio. (picture 2)

Installing and removing the antenna

1. Align the threaded end of the antenna and the threaded hole at the top of the radio, and rotate the antenna clockwise until it is tight. (picture 3)
2. To remove the antenna, rotate it counter-clockwise until the antenna spirals out. (picture 4)

Installing/removing the belt clip

1. 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)
2. 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), and insert the headset into the mic/speaker jack (picture 8).
Note: Using the external headset will affect the water-tightness performance of the radio.

Basic operation

1. Scan Function
   When the radio is allowed to be scanned, which can be set by the software, you can press the Monitor key to turn on or turn off the scan. When the scan begins, the indicators light green, and the radio will scan automatically from channel 1 to 16 which is defined as scan added. When there is a signal in the scanning channel, it will stop in the channel for talk.
   Note:
   When there is a 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 two memory channels and two or more scan-added channels.
2. Battery Save Function
   This function can be set by the software. Turn on this function can make the standby time more longer.
   In the software:

    

   • “Edit” -“Function Setup”-“Battery Save”
   • Off: Battery save function is off.
   • ON: Battery save function is on.
3. Scrambler
   When the radio is allowed the scrambler function, and press the key, TX voice will be sent out with scrambler, other radio only received the signal when its scrambler also turns on.
4. Busy Channel Lock
   You can turn on/off this function via software.

    

   • if the current channel does not have CTCSS/DCS, When there is a signal, TX is prohibited when you press PTT.
   • If the current channel does not have CTCSS/DCS, when there is a signal which does not have CTCSS/DCS, TX is prohibited when you press PTT.
   • If the current channels do not have CTCSS/DCS, when there is a signal which has CTCSS/DCS, the radio will transmit when you press PTT.
5. Wide/Narrow Bandwidth Setting
   The default is wide band. You can select the wide band (KHz) or narrow band(kHz) through the menu “Channel Spacing” of the “Channel Edit” in the software.
6. vox
   Speak to the microphone in a normal voice to transmit, no need to press the PTT switch, or turn VOX on//off through the software.

    

   • When VOX is oin in your working channel.
     Speak to the microphone directly, it will transmit automatically.
     The radio stops transmitting when there is no voice, and waits for receiving.
   • when a headset with a microphone is used.
     When VOX is on, you should VOX again for the radio to identify voice volume.
     If the microphone is too sensitive, the noise around the radio will start transmitting.
     If the microphone is not sensitive, the radio can not collect your voice, Please Adjust the VOX level well to guarantee smooth communications.

English/Chinese Voice Prompt

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

1. The voice prompt can be selected “Chinese/English/Tone/OFF” through the menu “Voice/Beep Tone” of the “Optional Features” in the software for. When choosing “OFF”, voice prompt turns off.
2. Channel annunciation: You will get to know the working conditions of current channel which is being operated.
3. Low battery alert: The radio will alert you when the battery capacity reaches the minimum operating voltage.
   Low battery prompt
   The default setting is Chinese 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 Retevis capacity will be weaker.
   The default setting of squelch level is 5, you can adjust it through the menu “Squelch Level” of the “Optional Features” in the software for . Level Oto 9 can be selected. 0 is the lowest level.
   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”. Release
   CTCSS/DCS
   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. You can set the CTCSS/DCS through the menu “QT/DQT ENC” or “QT/DQT DEC” of the “‘Channel Setting” in the software.
   Power protection function
   When the radio is in normal use or maintenance, the transmission willl be prohibited if the working voltage is beyond the normal supplying voltage. Lower than 3V or higher than 5V, the transmission will be prohibition. The radio cannot power on when it is higher than 5V.
4. Power off, rotate to channel 4, at the same time, press PTT and H/L to power on, “DU” will be heard, VOX S level=?, repeated the operation, you will heat “DU, DU”, VOX will be off.
5. Power off, rotate to channel 5, at the same time, press PTT and H/L to power on, “DU” will be heard, VOX S level=9, repeate the operaton, you will heat “DU, DU”, VOX will be off.

CTCSS/DCS
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. You can set the CTCSS/DCS through the menu “QT/DQT ENC” or “QT/DQT DEC” of the “Channel information” in the software.

CTCSS
DCS

Walkie talkie write frequency operation process

System Requirements
Operating System:Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows?, Windows8
Hard Disk Space: At least 50MB of available.
The minimum memory: 64M
Install the write frequency line driver

1. Find the write line drive which your system corresponded to
2. Click to install, successfully installation is ok

Write frequency software installation
Programming cable readying

• USB Programming cable – need to install the driver before they write frequency
• Serial port Programming tablet does not need to install the driver it can directly write

Computer terminal preparations 

• Open the computer, and run the computer operating system.
• Install the write frequency software which has been downloaded well or Install it From the programming software CD
  installed, and open the write frequency software programming interface

Walkie Talkie end preparations 

• USB(or serial)Programming cable connects the computer end
• The USB Programming cable pin is connected to one end of the walkie-talkie programming interface
• Ensure the walkie-talkie is under the conditioning power, and open it.

Write frequency software operating process

1. Find the software settings, and open the communication port, to ensure the communication port Option and computer connection port are consistent (inconsistent will not read frequency) to solve the related problem
2. In the menu to find the reading frequency and click in the window that appears can reading frequency
3. This process needs waiting for a while, after the completion of reading the progress bar shows the walkie-talkie channels and frequencies that have been read into the current software
4. Modify the walkie-talkie channel and frequency data, and other functional parameter data
5. Find the right frequency in the menu,click the appeared window to confirm, complete the progress bare
6. if multiple walkie talkie needs the same frequency, frequency steps can be repeated to write

Related problem solving
When reading or writing frequency of walkie-talkie long time no response or a communication error?

• check the write frequency line to find if it is damaged
• check wether the write frequency line with a computer serial port or walkie-talk.ie interface is bad or loose
• Check to find whether the walkie-talkie battery is low or out of power, if this , please rep­lace the battery or charge the battery
• Check whether the programming software is matched with the current model
• Please check whether the write frequency software port settings are assigned to the computer USB port
• Please check whether the power is switched on the walkie talkie
• Whether to choose the corresponding drive system and the correct installation
  When writing the frequency is completed, found two walkie talkie cannot normally call or receive
• Make sure whether the two walkie-talkies are in the same channel
• Determine the same channel at the receiving end CTCSS, CDS and the transmitter is not the same
• make sure whether the two walkie talkies’ volume is too low, if it is too low,Turn on the volume
• Please check whether the two walkie-talkies are open, or at low/no power status
• Check wether The walkie-talkie installed antenna
• check and confirm whether the communication distance is too far

More Optional Accessories of Retevis

For more information,please visit our webiste:www.retevis.com

Optional Accessories

Troubleshooting guide

Specifications

Note: Specifications will be revised without notice due to technical improvement. Thank you.
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 the end-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.

Thank you for buying Retevis two-way radios, we will do our best to provide you with a stable, clear and efficient wireless communication services. In order for you to enjoy a better quality warranty service, please focus on the following information:
The products warranty period begins from the purchasing date, if product failure under normal use within the warranty period  ccurs, according to the contents of this warranty, {the radio is guaranteed for 12 months, accessories 6 months), please carry the warranty card originals and purchase invoice to Retevis designated authorized warranty repair station for warranty service.
The following situations occur during warranty period will be implemented in paid service:

1. Failure to produce the warranty card
2. The card has altered traces or inconsistent with the product
3. Defect or damage caused by abnormal or non-normal use
4. Defect or damage caused by misuse, accident, water or negligence
5. Defect or damage caused by improper testing, operation, maintenance, installation, disassembly or adjustment
6. Defect or damage caused by unauthorized repair or disassembly
7. Defect or damage caused by force majeure
8. Wear and tear under normal use

When you are in need of repair, please send the radio, warranty card and purchase invoice together by post or take directly to Retevis designated authorized service stations, shipping costs should be borne by the user.

Maintenance record

Carry-in date
Completion date
Fault description
Maintenance staff numbers
Maintenance personnel No.
Signature

This warranty card to be kept by the user, no replenishment if lost.

FAQs

VIDEO

References

• User Manual