PNI PMR R80 Pro Portable PMR Radio User Manual

PNI PMR R80 Pro Portable PMR Radio

Product Information

The PNI PMR R80 PRO is a portable PMR radio that operates on 3 NiMh batteries (included). The radio is not charged from the factory, so it is recommended to charge the batteries for at least 16 hours before the first use. The radio can be charged using the dual desktop charger provided or by directly connecting the USB C cable to a 5V-230V adapter and to the radio. The radio also features a headphone connector, LCD screen, PTT key, menu and On/Off button, channel buttons, S.O.S function, flashlight, volume control, microphone, speaker, LED flashlight, CTCSS/DCS code support, and various indicators for battery level, reception, transmission, emergency call function, VOX function, locked keys, and scanning channels.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Charging the Batteries:
   • If the low battery indicator appears on the screen, it is recommended to charge the batteries.
   • Use the dual desktop charger provided with the radio or directly connect the USB C cable to a 5V-230V adapter and to the radio.
2. Connecting Audio Accessories:
   • Connect the headphones to the 2.5 mm connector located on the side of the radio.
   • Note: The radio is no longer water-resistant if headphones are connected. Remove the headphones and ensure the rubber cap is closed properly before exposing the radio to water.
3. Install the Batteries:
   • Before the first use, charge the batteries for at least 16 hours using the dual desktop charger or by connecting the USB cable to the radio’s USB C port.
   • Loosen the screws, remove the cover, and insert the 3 AA Ni-MH batteries following the polarity marked on the housing.
   • Close the cover and tighten the screws.
   • Note: Alkaline batteries can also be used, but they cannot be charged.
4. Turning the Radio On and Off:
   • To turn on the radio, long press the On/Off button. To turn it off, long press the On/Off button again.
5. TX and RX:
   • After turning on the radio, it automatically enters reception mode (RX). The RX symbol appears on the screen when a signal is received.
   • Adjust the volume using the Vol+ and Vol- keys. The screen turns off after 10 seconds of inactivity to save the battery.
   • To transmit, press the PTT key and speak into the radio’s microphone. The TX symbol appears on the screen.
   • Release the PTT key to return to reception mode. The radio will automatically stop transmitting after 1 minute to avoid continuous transmission.
6. The Menu:
   • To access the menu, press the MENU key. Press it again to navigate through the menu.
   • Use the CH+ / CH- or Vol+ / Vol- keys to navigate through submenu options.
   • Press the MENU key to save and move to the next submenu, or press the PTT key to save and exit the menu.
7. CTCSS/DCS Codes:
   • CTCSS/DCS codes are for private communications.
   • A radio with activated CTCSS/DCS codes will only respond to radios transmitting with the same active code.
   • Use CTCSS/DCS codes only if you are an experienced user. Incorrect configuration of these codes can hinder communication with other PMR frequency users.

Safety warnings

• DO NOT operate the radio without the antenna attached, as this may damage the radio and may also cause radio exposure limits to be exceeded. The antenna is supplied together with this radio and cannot be detached.
• DO NOT transmit more than 50% of the total time using the radio, more than 50% of the time may cause RF exposure compliance requirements to be exceeded.
• During transmissions, your radio generates RF energy that may cause interference with other devices or systems. To avoid such interference, turn off the radio in areas where signs indicating this are displayed.
• DO NOT use the radio in areas sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, such as hospitals, airplanes and places with a risk of explosion.
• Hold the radio in a vertical position at least 2.5 cm (one inch) from your head. Respecting this distance is important because RF exposure decreases with increasing distance from the antenna.
• DO NOT use a different type of battery than the one recommended by the manufacturer. When the life of the battery has expired, do not throw the battery anywhere, take it to a specialized collection center.
• Do not throw the battery into fire, risk of explosion.

Warnings regarding exposure to RF energy

• Do not use this device if the safety and operating requirements described in this manual are not met.
• This radio uses electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to allow remote communications between two or more users. RF energy, when used improperly, can cause biological damage.
• All PNI radios are designed, manufactured, and tested to ensure they meet RF exposure levels set by law.
• These instructions are important because they inform users about exposure to RF energy and provide simple procedures for controlling it. Please refer to the following website http://www.who.int/en/. for more information on exposure to RF energy.
• The user manual for this device includes information and operating instructions necessary to control RF exposure and meet compliance requirements.
• To comply with legal requirements, device repair should only be performed by or under the supervision of a certified person. Do not open the case of the device and do not repair it yourself in case of failure.

About the batteries

The PNI PMR R80 PRO radio is powered by 3 NiMh batteries (included). The batteries do not come charged from the factory. Please charge them for at least 16 hours before the first use of the radio.

Warnings about the batteries:

• This radio can also be powered by alkaline batteries. Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries.
• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals.
• Do not throw batteries into fire, risk of explosion.
• Remove the batteries from the radio if you do not use the radio for a long time.
• Charge the batteries in environmental conditions with a temperature between 0°C – +40°C. Outside this temperature range, the batteries may charge incompletely.
• Turn off the radio while charging the batteries. If you keep the radio on, it could affect the batteries correct charging.
• Do not disconnect the radio during the charging process, as it could affect the correct charging of the batteries.
• When the lifetime of the batteries has expired, replace them with similar ones.
• Do not charge the batteries if they are not discharged. This could cause a reduction in battery life.
• Do not charge the batteries if they or the radio are wet.
• Do not use the radio with batteries with different charge levels.

Charging the batteries

If the low battery indicator appears on the screen, we recommend charging the batteries. To charge the batteries, use the dual desktop charger provided with the radio or directly connect the USB C cable to a 5V-230V adapter and to the radio.

Connecting audio accessories

Connect the headphones to the 2.5 mm connector located on the side of the radio.
Note: The radio is no longer water resistant if it has headphones connected. Remove the headphones and make sure you close the rubber cap well before exposing the radio to water.

Keys and functions

1. Antenna
2. LCD screen
3. PTT key
4. Menu and On/Off
5. Channel +
6. Channel –
7. S.O.S
8. Turn on/off the flashlight and Lock the keyboard (long press).
9. Headphone connector 2.5 mm
10. USB-C port (for battery charging)
11. Volume +
12. Volume –
13. Microphone
14. Speaker
15. LED flashlight
16. CTCSS / DCS code
17. Channel number
18. No sound (Mute)
19. Dual Watch function active
20. RX indicator (reception)
21. TX indicator (transmission)
22. The emergency call function is active
23. VOX function active
24. Locked keys
25. Battery level indicator
26. Channels scanning in progress

Basic instructions

Install the batteries

1. Before the first use, charge the batteries for at least 16 hours. To charge them, you can use the dual desktop charger or you can connect the USB cable to the radio’s USB C port.
2. Insert the charged batteries into the radio. Loosen the screws, remove the cover and insert the 3 AA Ni-MH batteries respecting the polarity   marked on the housing.
3. Close the cover and tighten the screws.

Note: You can also use alkaline batteries to power the radio. Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries.
Turn the radio on and off
To turn on the radio, long press the on/off button. To turn off the radio, long press the on/off button again.
TX and RX
After turning it on, the radio automatically enters reception mode (RX). When the radio receives a signal, the RX symbol appears on the screen. Adjust the volume by pressing the Vol ˄ and Vol ˅ keys. After 10 seconds of inactivity, the screen turns off to save battery. To transmit, press the PTT key and speak into the radio’s microphone in a normal voice. The TX symbol appears on the screen. Release the PTT key to enter reception mode again. To avoid continuous transmission, the radio will automatically stop transmitting after 1 minute.

The menu

• To access the menu, press the MENU key.
• Press the MENU key again to navigate through the menu.
• Press the CH ˄ / CH ˅ or Vol ˄ / Vol ˅ keys to navigate through the options of a submenu.
• Press the MENU key to save and move to the next submenu or press the PTT key to save and exit the menu.

CTCSS/DCS codes

• CTCSS/DCS codes are for private communications. A radio with activated
• CTCSS/DCS codes will only be able to respond to radios transmitting with the same active code. We recommend the use of CTCSS/DCS codes only to experienced users. The wrong configuration of these codes can cause the impossibility to communicate with other users of the PMR  frequency.
• To configure the CTCSS/DCS codes, first select the channel using the CH ˄ and CH ˅ keys. Then press the MENU key. The screen shows the symbol “ct” for CTCSS and “dc” for DCS. Press the CH ˄ / CH ˅ or Vol ˄ / Vol ˅ keys to reach the desired code (38 for CTCSS and 83 for DCS).

Call tones
You can send a call tone to get the attention of other users. The call tone can be selected from a list of 20 tones available in the CA (Call Announcement) menu. Option “0” deactivates the Call function. To send a call tone, press and hold the Vol ˅ key. The tone is sent as long as you hold down this key.

VOX
This function allows you to transmit without pressing the PTT key. The radio automatically transmits when it detects the voice. Press the MENU key 3 times. The VOX icon will be displayed on the screen. 3 levels are available:

• On level 3, the sensitivity is higher (the radio will also detect very weak noises).
• On level 1, the sensitivity is lower (you will need to speak louder for the radio to transmit).
• Option “0” disables the VOX function.

Dual Watch

• This function allows you to monitor two channels simultaneously. The radio will receive on the two selected channels, but will only broadcast on the main channel.
• Press the MENU key 4 times. The icon will be displayed on the screen.
• Select the second channel by pressing the CH ˄ / CH ˅ or Vol ˄ / Vol ˅ keys.
• Press the PTT key to save and exit. The Dual Watch function is now active. To
• deactivate the function, select the Off option in the menu.

Monitor
This function allows you to disable the squelch and listen to all signals (including noise) on the current channel. The Monitor function is useful when you want to adjust the volume or want to hear weak signals that are blocked by the squelch. Press the MENU key 5 times. The M icon will be displayed on the screen. Press the CH ˄ / CH ˅ or Vol ˄ / Vol ˅ keys to activate or deactivate the Monitor function.
Scan
To activate the Channel Scan function, press and hold the Vol ˄ key. The SCAN icon will appear on the screen. The radio will scan all channels and stop on the channel with signal. After the signal disappears, the scan will resume. If you want to answer on the respective channel, press the PTT key within a maximum of 5 seconds. To deactivate the channel scan function, long press the Vol ˄ key again. If the scan found a channel you don’t want to listen to, press the CH ˄ or CH ˅ key to skip it. If you want to temporarily exclude a channel from scanning, hold down the CH ˄ or CH ˅ key for 3 seconds. You can thus exclude several channels from scanning. The exclusion remains valid until the next restart of the radio.
Keys lock
To avoid accidental touch, lock the keys by long pressing the key. Long press the same key again to unlock the keys.
Keys beep
To activate the key sound function, hold down the Vol ˅ key while restarting the radio. Do the same to deactivate the function.
Roger beep
The end of transmission tone is sent automatically each time you release the PTT key. It warns other users that you have finished transmitting. To enable/disable the Roger Beep function, hold down the Vol ˄ key while restarting the radio.
LED flashlight
Briefly press the key to turn the flashlight on. The flashlight can be lit even if the radio is off.
SOS
Press and hold the EMG button (the red button on the side of the radio) for 3 seconds to activate a flashing red light and a sound alarm. Deactivate the alarm function by briefly pressing the EMG button once more.
Protection grade IP67
This radio can be immersed in water for 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1 meter. Make sure that both the cover on the battery compartment and the rubber cap on the headphone connector are firmly fixed.
Reset
Hold pressed simultaneously the CH ˄ key and the MENU key to return to the default settings.

Technical specifications

Frequency range	446.00625 – 446.09375 MHz
Channels	16
Transmission power	≤ 500 mW
Power supply	3 x Ni-MH batteries, 1200mAh each
Protection grade	IP67
Operating temperature	-26°C ~ +80°C
Dimensions	60 x 40 x 200 mm
Antenna length	75 mm
Weight	185 gr (without the batteries)

Troubleshooting

The radio does not turn on or it turns off automatically

Charge the batteries or change the batteries. Check if you installed the batteries correctly.

You cannot communicate with other PMR users	Check if you are using the same channel or if you are using the same CTCSS/DCS cone as the other users. Check if you are not outside the communication range of the radio.
You can hear other users but they cannot hear you	Check if you are using the same channel or if you are using the same CTCSS/DCS cone as the other users.
The other users receive you intermittently	The signal is too weak. Too big a distance between users. The radio’s microphone may be faulty. Call a service center.

EU Simplified Declaration of Conformity
SC ONLINESHOP SRL declares that Portable PMR Radio PNI PMR R80 PRO complies with Directive EMC 2014/30/EU and RED 2014/53/UE. The full text of the EU Declaration of conformity is available at the following Internet address: https://www.mypni.eu/products/9224/download/certifications.

Documents / Resources

PNI PMR R80 Pro Portable PMR Radio [pdf] User Manual PMR-R80, PMR R80 Pro Portable PMR Radio, PMR R80 Pro, Portable PMR Radio, PMR Radio, Radio

References

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• mypni.eu/products/9224/download/certifications
• User Manual