UHF/VHF Transceiver
(190-1124) Operation II Faxback Doc. # 38810
SCANNING OPERATION
The HTX-204's scan features let you monitor several frequencies or memories;
the receiver checks each frequency or memory in a preprogrammed list for
activity. If the HTX-204 detects a transmission, it stops scanning so
you can hear the transmission.
You can control how long the HTX-204 pauses on a busy frequency (scan hold)
and which frequencies or memories the HTX-204 scans.
SELECTING THE SCAN HOLD TYPE
To change the scan hold type for the current band, start scanning. Then
press FUNC + SB to switch between the scan hold options.
Scan Hold Type Description Indication
Pause Scanning resumes after 5 B not in the display.
seconds.
Busy Scanning resumes 2 seconds B flashes to the right of
after transmission ends. the frequency.
Stop Scanning does not B appears to the right of
automatically resume. of the frequency.
Rotate CH to resume.
STARTING SCANS
This table summarizes the ways you can have your HTX-204 scan.
Scan Type Description
1 MHz Scans the kHz digits within the current frequency
setting.
Range Scans a specific range of frequencies between two
frequencies already stored in memory.
Memory Scans programmed memories.
Specific Memory Scans memories that have the memory scan mode turned
on.
Band Scans the 2-meter or 70-centimeter band.
Bank Scans a group of memories.
Tone Squelch Scans through CTCSS tones for the selected
(Busy Scan Only) frequency to help you determine which subaudible
tone is being used.
You can change the scan direction at any time by turning CH to the left or
right.
1 MHz Scan
1. Select the main band.
2. Press V/M until no memory number appears to the left of the frequency.
3. Turn CH or use the keypad to select the 1 MHz frequency you want to
scan.
4. Press FUNC + PS. The HTX-204 scans the kHz digits. (For example, if
you set the frequency to 146.280 in Step 3, the HTX-204 scans from
146.000 to 146.995 MHz.)
5. To stop scanning, press PS.
Memory Bank Scan
The HTX-204 has six memory banks of 10 memories each. The bank numbers and
their scanning ranges are:
Bank Number Memory Scanning Range
0 M00 - M09
1 M10 - M19
2 M20 - M29
3 M30 - M39
4 M40 - M49
5 M50 - M59
Follow these steps to scan a bank of memories.
1. Start a standard or specific memory scan.
2. Enter a bank number from 0 to 5. The HTX-204 limits the scan to the
memory bank you select.
The HTX-204 scans only one bank of memories at a time. If you press
another number from 0 to 5, the HTX-204 starts scanning the new
memory bank instead of the previous one.
3. To stop scanning, press PS.
Tone-Squelch Frequency Scan
1. Select the main band, and turn on tone squelch.
2. Press FUNC + SET to start the menu.
3. Rotate CH to select CTCSS.
4. Press FUNC + PC to start scanning tone-squelch frequencies.
5. The HTX-204 stops scanning when it detects a CTCSS tone. To stop
scanning sooner, press PS.
DUAL WATCH FEATURES
Dual Watch lets you monitor two frequencies within the same band. The
HTX-204 checks the second frequency for activity every 3 seconds, and stays
on the frequency until the transmission stops.
You can use dual watch between a VFO frequency (the primary frequency) and
any of the following secondary frequencies:
Memory 00
Any memory
The calling frequency
Programmed memories, in sequence
DW appears on the display when you select one of the dual watch modes.
If you are receiving a transmission on the VFO frequency, it is interrupted
every 3 seconds while the HTX-204 checks the memory or calling frequency.
Notes:
You can change or scan the VFO frequency during dual watch.
You can use Tone Squelch during dual watch.
During dual watch, you can only transmit on the VFO frequency.
You can change the dual watch speed.
MEMORY 00 DUAL WATCH
1. Press MAIN until MAIN appears to the left of the desired band.
2. Set the HTX-204 to the VFO mode by pressing V/M until no channel
number appears to the left of the frequency.
3. Press FUNC + DUAL. Dual watch starts and HTX-204 displays DW. The
HTX-204 checks Memory 00 every 3 seconds.
Note: If nothing is stored in Memory 00, the HTX-204 beeps and dual
watch does not start.
4. To exit dual watch, press CL.
ANY MEMORY DUAL WATCH
1. Select the desired memory using CH or the keypad.
2. Press FUNC + DUAL. Dual watch starts an the HTX-204 displays DW.
The HTX-204 checks the selected memory every 3 seconds.
Note: If the selected memory is empty, dual watch does not start.
3. To exit dual watch, press CL.
CALLING FREQUENCY DUAL WATCH
1. Select the main band.
2. Press CALL to recall the calling frequency.
3. Press FUNC + DUAL. Dual watch starts and the HTX-204 displays DW.
The HTX-204 checks the calling frequency every 3 seconds.
4. To exit dual watch, press CL.
MEMORY SEQUENCE DUAL WATCH
1. Press MAIN until MAIN appears to the left of the desired band.
2. Set the HTX-204 to the VFO mode by pressing V/M until no channel
number appears to the left of the frequency.
3. Press MS. The HTX-204 starts scanning all programmed memories.
4. Press FUNC + DUAL. Dual watch starts and the HTX-204 displays DW.
The HTX-204 checks the next programmed memory every 3 seconds. For
example, if Memories 0, 4, 12, and 18 are programmed, the HTX-204 stays
on the VFO for 3 seconds, then checks Memory 0. It then stays on the
VFO for 3 seconds, then checks Memory 4. It continues to sequence
through programmed memories until you exit dual watch.
5. To exit dual watch, press CL.
CHANGING THE DUAL WATCH SPEED
Dual watch normally stays on the primary frequency for 3 seconds and then
checks the secondary frequency for 1/2 second. You can set the HTX-204 to
monitor each frequency for .6 seconds.
To change the dual watch speed for the current band, use the options menu
to set Dul Wtch Spd to the desired setting.
nor (normal) - Stays on the primary frequency for 3 seconds; checks the
secondary frequency for 1/2 second.
fst (fast) - Stays on the primary frequency .6 seconds; checks the
secondary frequency for .6 seconds.
REPEATER FEATURES
To use a repeater, the HTX-204 must be set to duplex operation - you
transmit on one frequency (the repeater's input frequency) and receive on
another (the repeater's output frequency). The difference between the
repeater's input and output frequency is called its offset. If the input
frequency is higher than the output, the repeater has a positive offset.
If the input frequency is lower than the output frequency, the repeater
has a negative offset. You tune your HTX-204 to the repeater's output
frequency.
Whether the offset is positive or negative depends on:
What part of the band the repeater operates on
Local convention
Proximity of repeaters using the same two frequencies
+ to the right of the frequency indicates a positive offset, and - to the
right of the frequency indicates a negative offset.
If neither + nor - appears, the HTX-204 is set for simplex operation.
SETTING THE REPEATER OFFSET
Your HTX-204 is preprogrammed with the most common offsets for both the
2-meter and 70-centimeter bands. When auto-repeater shift is turned on
(the default), the HTX-204 automatically selects the most commonly used
offset for the frequency you select. To change the auto repeater shift
option's setting, use the menu to set AUTO RPT Sft to the desired setting.
On - the HTX-204 automatically sets the repeater offset direction.
Off - you must manually set the repeater offset direction.
To manually set the offset direction, press FUNC + RPT. The HTX-204
alternates between positive offset, negative offset, and simplex operation.
This table lists the default offsets for the amateur radio bands.
Receiving Frequency Transmit Offset
Below 144.600 MHz No offset (Simplex)
144.600 to 144.905 MHz +.6 MHz offset
144.910 to 145.205 MHz No offset (Simplex)
145.210 to 145.505 MHz -.6 MHz offset
145.510 to 146.005 MHz No offset (Simplex)
146.010 to 146.375 MHz +.6 MHz offset
146.380 to 146.605 MHz No offset (Simplex)
146.610 to 146.995 MHz -.6 MHz offset
147.000 to 147.395 MHz +.6 MHz offset
147.400 to 147.595 MHz No offset (Simplex)
147.600 to 147.995 MHz -.6 MHz offset
148.000 MHz and above No offset (Simplex)
442.000 to 444.995 MHz +5 MHz offset
445.000 to 446.995 MHz No offset (Simplex)
447.000 to 450.000 MHz -5 MHz offset
CHANGING THE REPEATER OFFSET FREQUENCY
The HTX-204's default repeater offset is .6 MHz for the 2-meter band and
5 MHz for the 70-centimeter band. Follow these steps to change the offset.
Note: This setting only affects the current mode - if the HTX-204 is set
to the VFO mode, no memories are affected; if the HTX-204 is set to
a memory, only that memory is affected.
1. Select the main band and the mode (VFO or a memory).
2. Use the menu to set Offset to the desired offset.
REVERSING DUPLEX FREQUENCIES
Follow these steps to reverse the input and output frequencies. This lets
you quickly listen to the repeater input frequency to see if you can hear
a station directly (instead of through the repeater).
1. Tune the HTX-204 to a repeater frequency.
2. Press FUNC + REV. The repeater offset direction is reversed (what was
the output is now the input and vice versa). The original offset
direction (+ or -) flashes.
3. To return to the normal offset direction, press FUNC + REV again.
SETTING THE CROSS-BAND REPEATER MODE
This feature lets you set the HTX-204 to automatically retransmit on one
band a signal it receives on the other band.
Notes:
Both bands must be on to use this feature.
To be sure you do not miss part of a transmission, turn off the battery
save mode for both bands before using the cross-band repeater mode.
Follow these steps to set the cross-band repeater.
1. Set each band to the correct frequency and repeater settings.
2. Use the menu to set XBD-RPTR. When you change it from OFF, the
HTX-204 displays the frequencies and C to show that the cross-band
repeater mode is on.
When the HTX-204 receives a transmission in either band, it retransmits
the signal on the other hand.
To exit the cross-band repeater mode, press MAIN while the HTX-204 is not
retransmitting.
Note: If you press a key while the HTX-204 is retransmitting, the DTMF
tone is transmitted with the original signal. This could prevent
you from exiting the cross-band repeater mode. If there is a
continuous transmission, disconnect the antenna and turn squelch up
before you press MAIN to exit the cross-band repeater mode.
Setting the 2-Second Cross-Band Repeater Delay
When this feature is turned on, the HTX-204 continues to transmit for 2
seconds after the input signal stops. To change the delay, use the menu
to set RPT-DLY to the desire setting.
Off - No repeater delay.
On - Two-second repeater delay (hang time).
DTMF FEATURES
DTMF stands for "Dual-Tone Mult-Frequency" and is the common acronym for
the touch tones used by telephones. In addition to the common tones for
0-9, #, and *, your HTX-204 can generate the tones for DTMF A, B, C, and
D.
MANUALLY TRANSMITTING DTMF TONES
1. Hold down PTT. The TX/RX BUSY indicator lights red.
2. Press the desired keys to transmit DTMF tones 0-9, *, #, A, B, C, or D.
Note: To send DTMF D, you must press D twice.
DTMF PAGING
Your HTX-204 can monitor a frequency for one or more three-digit DTMF codes
and alert you if it hears the code. This lets you limit reception to only
those transmissions that include your special paging code. You can set an
individual code (that activates only one HTX-204) or group code (that
activates several HTX-204s). To do this, you set a personal paging code
and one or more group codes, then turn on the paging feature.
Setting Paging Sequences
Your HTX-204 has seven paging code memories (CO-C6). Each memory holds a
three-digit code. C0 holds your personal paging code (the code you want to
send to get your attention). You store other user's paging codes or group
codes in paging code memories C1-C6.
Follow these steps to store paging codes.
1. Press FUNC + CODE.
2. Turn CH to select the paging code memory you want to set (C0-C6).
3. Enter the desired three-digit code. When you enter the third digit,
the HTX-204 sounds a long tone.
Notes:
To set a code as a group code, press FUNC + * so * appears next to the
paging code memory number.
You can only program the digits 0-9 into a paging code memory.
4. Repeat Steps 2-3 to enter more paging codes.
5. To exit the paging code memories, press FUNC + CODE, or CL.
Paging from Memory
Follow these steps to page someone whose individual or group paging code
you have stored in a paging code memory. To receive the page, each person
must have their HTX-204 turned on and set for DTMF paging.
1. Press FUNC + PAG on each HTX-204 (yours and each person's you are
paging). PAG appears below the current band.
2. Press FUNC + CODE.
3. Turn CH to select the desired individual or group paging code memory
for the HTX-204(s) you want to page.
4. Press PTT. The HTX-204 transmits the three-digit paging code memory,
a DTMF *, then turn your individual paging code (stored in C0).
The receiving HTX-204 sounds tones and displays CP:xxx where xxx is
your individual paging code. If the other user then presses PTT, their
HTX-204 transmits your individual paging code, a DTMF *, then their
individual paging code.
Note: When PAG is turned on for a band, the HTX-204 transmits the DTMF
paging code every time you transmit on that band and does not
open squelch on that band unless it first receives a valid paging
code.
Receiving a Manual Page
To have someone page you from a transceiver that does not have the page
squelch feature, have them manually transmit the following sequence:
Your three-digit individual code or a three-digit group code
then
*
then
the three-digit code they want to use to identify their station.
Setting Page Squelch
When paging is turned on, your HTX-204 normally opens squelch after it
receives the paging code stored in C0 or a valid group code. To have the
HTX-204 keep squelch closed after it receives a valid code, turn off page
squelch.
Note: The HTX-204 displays the other party's individual paging code and
sounds the alert tones, even when page squelch is turned off.
To change the page squelch option, use the menu to set PAGE SQL to the
desired setting.
Off - Squelch opens after a page.
On - Squelch remains closed after a page.
Setting the Page Delay
Your HTX-204 normally waits 450 milliseconds after you press PTT to send
the paging tones. This might not be long enough to allow some repeaters
to activate. To change the page delay time, use the menu to set PAGE-DLY
to the desired setting.
450 - Wait 450 mS before sending a page.
750 - Wait 750 mS before sending a page.
Changing the Paging Rings
Your HTX-204 normally rings 5 times when it receives a page. To change
the number of rings, use the menu to set PageRing to the desired setting.
Off - The HTX-204 does not ring.
1, 5 - The HTX-204 rings the specified number of times.
USING CODE SQUELCH
Code squelch lets you set the HTX-204 to mute all calls that are not
preceded by a three-digit code you select. Your HTX-204 transmits this
same three-digit code each time you press PTT, so you can set up a code
squelch group that lets you and others avoid hearing transmissions from
outside your group.
1. Store the desired three-digit code in one of the paging code memories.
2. Repeatedly press FUNC + PAG until the HTX-204 displays C.SQ.
3. Press FUNC + CODE. The HTX-204 displays the current page code
memory.
4. Turn CH to select the code you want your HTX-204 to respond to.
5. Press FUNC + CODE.
USING DTMF MEMORIES
You can store DTMF sequences in your HTX-204's DTMF memories. This lets
you quickly transmit sequences to page other transceivers, use autopatches,
or access repeater features.
Notes:
Each DTMF memory holds up to 15 digits.
Your HTX-204 has 10 DTMF memories (0-9). The VHF and UHF modes both
use the same memories.
Storing DTMF Sequences
1. Press FUNC + DTMF.M.
2. Turn CH to select the memory you want to save a sequence in (0-9).
3. Press FUNC + SFT. The first position flashes.
4. Enter the DTMF sequence you want to store (up to 15 digits).
To correct your entry, turn CH to move the cursor left and right to the
digit you want to change, then enter the new digit.
5. The DTMF code is automatically stored when you enter the 15th digit.
To store fewer than 15 digits, press FUNC + ENT.
6. To return to the previous mode, press FUNC + DTMF.M, or CL.
Transmitting a DTMF Sequence from Memory
1. Hold down PTT, then press D. D replaces the frequency's first digit.
2. Continue to hold down PTT, then enter the desired DTMF memory number
(0-9). The HTX-204 transmits the sequence.
Clearing a DTMF Memory
1. Press FUNC + DTMF.M.
2. Turn CH to select the memory location to be cleared.
3. Press FUNC + ENT. The HTX-204 displays Clear?
4. Press FUNC + ENT again. The memory location is cleared.
5. To return to the previous mode, press FUNC + DTMF.M.
Changing the DTMF Transmit Speed
Your HTX-204 normally transmits DTMF sequences with a 50 mS pause between
digits. To change the pause, use the menu to set DTMF TX Spd to the
desired setting.
nor - The HTX-204 puts a 50 mS pause between DTMF digits.
lo - The HTX-204 puts a 100 mS pause between DTMF digits.
CTCSS TONE SQUELCH FEATURES
CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) lets you transmit the
subaudible tone required by some repeaters, and also lets you set a
subaudible tone that your HTX-204 must receive to open the squelch. To use
tone squelch, you must set the subaudible tone (the default is 110.9 Hz),
then turn on the transmit only or transmit/receive tone squelch option.
SETTING THE SUBAUDIBLE TONE
1. Set the main band and select the desired frequency or memory.
2. Use the menu to set CTCSS to the desired subaudible tone.
TRANSMITTING WITH A SUBAUDIBLE TONE
To include the selected subaudible tone with your transmissions, press
FUNC + TSQ until the HTX-204 displays T.
Note: When only T is on the display, reception is not affected.
USING SUBAUDIBLE TONE SQUELCH
To both include the selected tone with your transmissions and have the
HTX-204 limit reception to transmissions that include the selected tone,
repeatedly press FUNC + TSQ until the HTX-204 displays T SQ.
Note: You do not hear any transmission that does not include the selected
CTCSS tone.
EXTENDING THE FREQUENCY RANGE
Your HTX-204 is preset for a limited range of frequencies, but you can
extend the range. Here are the HTX-204's default and extended transmit/
receive frequency ranges.
Band Default Frequency Extended Frequency
Range Range
VHF (Receive) 130.000 - 170.000 100.000 - 199.995
VHF (Transmit) 144.000 - 148.000 142.500 - 149.500
UHF (Receive) 420.000 - 470.000 400.000 - 499.995
UHF (Transmit) 438.000 - 450.000 438.000 - 450.000
300 MHz (Receive) 350.000 - 399.995 300.000 - 399.995
800 MHz (Receive) None 800.000 - 868.000
896.000 - 899.990
900 MHz (Receive) 900.000 - 985.000 900.000 - 999.990
Follow these steps to extend the frequency range.
Important Note: To return to the default frequency range, you must reset
the HTX-204, which clears all stored settings.
1. Press FUNC + SET to see the menu.
2. Use the keypad to enter the unlock code - 1 4 6 2 3. After you enter
the last digit, the HTX-204 sounds a high-pitched beep.
Note: You cannot change the unlock code.
3. Turn off the HTX-204, then turn it on again. Frequency expansion is
complete.
Note: The HTX-204 is not guaranteed to operate on all extended frequencies.
If the HTX-204 is unable to fully lock on an extended frequency,
the display flashes.
PREVENTING ACCIDENTAL TRANSMISSIONS
Follow these steps to lock the PTT button to prevent accidental
transmissions.
1. Press FUNC + P.L. (PTT Lock). PL appears in the display's upper right
corner.
2. Press PTT and confirm that TX/RX BUSY does not light.
To cancel PTT lock, repeat step 1.
(km-04/09/1997)