Reference Guide

F R S
2-way
radios
SX237
• 22 FRS Channels • Weather Channels
• 121 Privacy Codes • Weather Alert
• Channel Scan • 5 VOX levels
• Channel Monitor • 10 Call tones
• Key Lock • Roger Beep
• Beep Tone • Battery Strength Meter
• Backlight • Battery Save/Low Battery
Alert
• Volume Setting • Call Button
• Last Channel
Memory
• Up to 23-mile Range*
• Auto Squelch • Charging Kit (model names
with CK) or Y-Split micro
USB cable (model names
with C)
• microUSB Jack • Earbud/Headphone Jack
* Range may vary depending on environmental and/or
topographical conditions.
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
3
13
1 Antenna 8 LCD
2 Push to Talk 9 CH/VOL Up
3 Headphone/microUSB jack 10 CH/VOL Down
4 WX/LOCK 11 CH/LIGHT
5 CALL/MON 12 Microphone
6 MENU/Power 13 Charging Contacts
7 Speaker
Congratulations on your purchase of a Uniden
SX237 series radio. This lightweight, palm-sized
radio is a state-of-the-art device, equipped with
many valuable features. Use it at sporting
events, to stay in contact with family and
friends, hiking, skiing, outdoors, or in a
neighborhood watch for vital communication.
Each radio uses 3 AA rechargeable NiMH
batteries, included.
If your model number contains a "C," your
package contains a microUSB Y charging cable.
If your model number contains "CK," it contains
a charging kit (including a charging cradle).
If your models number contains "HS," it contains
headsets.
Refer to the packaging for other specific
contents. .
Each radio uses 3 AA rechargeable NiMH
batteries.
1. If necessary, remove the belt clip. Press
up on the belt clip latch and slide the belt
clip off of the radio.
2. Remove the battery compartment door by
pressing on and sliding out the
compartment door. Remove the cover.
3. Install the 3 AA NiMH batteries (included)
into the battery compartment. Be certain to
follow the + and – symbols in the
compartment. Installing the batteries
incorrectly will prevent the unit from
operating.
4. Replace the battery compartment door by
sliding the door into place.
5. Replace the belt clip if necessary.
6. Replace the belt clip if necessary.
BATTERY LEVEL /
LOW LEVEL ALERT
This unit has a battery level meter on the
display to indicate the status of the batteries.
When the battery in the unit is low, the battery
level meter icon flashes. Recharge the
batteries immediately.
CHARGING THE RADIO
For radios with microUSB Y-cable:
1. Plug one branch of the microUSB Y-Cable
into each radio's microUSB charge port.
2. Insert the other end (USB) into a USB
power source (computer, phone charger,
etc - not included).
3. Charge the batteries for 16 hours and
disconnect the radio from the Y-cable after
charging.
For radios with a charging cradle:
1. Connect the AC adapter to DC IN 9V jack
on the charger and to a standard 120V AC
wall outlet.
2. Set the charging cradle on the desk or
PACKAGE CONTENTS
INSTALL THE BATTERIES
tabletop, and place the radio in the
charging cradle with the keypad facing
forward.
3. Make sure that the LED illuminates. Charge
the batteries for 16 hours and remove the
radio from the charging cradle after
charging.
Warning!
• Neither the radio nor the charging cradle are
waterproof.
• If the charging cradle falls into water, unplug it
before attempting to remove it from the water.
Allow the cradle to dry completely before
reconnecting the power.
• Wipe off dirt or shake water from your radio
before placing in the charging cradle if your
radio is soiled or wet.
Notes:
• Install the batteries before charging. Charge
time may vary depending on the battery life
remaining. For fastest charging, turn off the
radio before charging.
• If battery power is low, you cannot operate the
radio even using external power. Allow the
batteries to charge before using. If you try to
transmit while power is low, the radio will
automatically turn off.
USING THE RADIO
In order to get the most out of your new radio,
read this reference guide completely before
attempting to operate the radio.
TURNING THE RADIO ON AND ADJUSTING
THE VOLUME
1. Press and hold the MENU/ key to turn the
radio ON.
2. Press and hold the MENU/ key to turn
the radio OFF.
3. Press the ▲ or ▼ keys to increase or
decrease the volume level. L0 - L8 displays
as you press the keys.
USING THE MENUS
Press MENU/ key to enter the Menu system.
Each time you press MENU/ key you advance
through the system.
• Press MENU/ once; access Privacy Codes
(0 - 121).
• Press MENU/ twice; set the transmit (call)
tone for your radio (1 - 10, Off)
• Press MENU/ three times - access VOX.
(Levels 1 - 5, Off)
• Press MENU/ four times - exit Menus.
WORKING WITH CHANNELS / PRIVACY
CODES
Your radio has 22 channels and 121 Privacy
Codes you can use to talk to others. In order to
speak to someone, each of you must be set to
the same channel/Privacy Code.
1. With the radio on, press CH/LIGHT key once.
The current channel number flashes.
2. Use the ▲ or ▼ keys to select other
channels (1 - 22). Press and hold ▲ or ▼
keys to rapidly change channels.
3. Press CH/LIGHT key again to set the
selected channel.
4. Press MENU/ key once. The current
Privacy Code flashes.
5. Use the ▲ or ▼ keys to select other
Privacy Codes (1 - 121). Press and hold ▲
or ▼ keys to rapidly change Privacy
codes.
6. Press MENU/ key three times to set the
Privacy Code and exit the Menus.
VOICE OPERATED TRANSMISSIOS
Your radio is equipped with a user selectable
Voice Operated Transmitter (VOX) that can be
used for automatic voice transmissions. The
VOX feature is designed to be used with a
headset with a microphone. Transmission is
initiated by speaking into the headset's
microphone instead of pushing the PTT button.
To select the VOX level:
1. Enter the Menu. Advance through the
Menu until the vox icon appears on the
display. The current level (OFF, 1-5) will be
indicated. Level oF (OFF) disables VOX,
while levels 1-5 set the sensitivity of the
VOX circuit.
2. Press either the ▲ or ▼ keys to select the
desired VOX sensitivity level. Use level 1
for increased sensitivity to voice in normally
quiet environments , and use a higher level
to reduce undesired activation in very noisy
environments.
CHANNEL SCAN FEATURES
Your radio has a channel scan feature that
allows you to easily scan all 22 channels. When
an active channel is detected, the unit pauses on
that channel until the channel is clear. Then,
after a 2 second delay, the radio continues
scanning.
When the unit stops on an active channel, you
can press the PTT button on the microphone to
transmit on that channel.
To turn ON channel scan
Quickly press CH/LIGHT then hold ▼ for 3
seconds. The channels will cycle down
through all 22 chanels. To reverse scan
direction, press ▲. To stop scanning,
press MENU/ .
TALKING ON YOUR RADIO
1. Press and hold the PTT button and speak in
a clear, normal voice about 2-3 inches
away from the microphone. (While you are
transmitting, the tx icon displays. To avoid
cutting off the first part of your
transmission, pause slightly after pressing
the PTT button before you start talking.)
2. When you are finished speaking, release
the PTT button. You can now receive
incoming calls. While receiving, the rx icon
displays.
KEY LOCK
1. To lock the keypad, press and hold WX
LOCK key. The icon appears on the
display.
2. To unlock the keypad, press and hold WX
LOCK key again. The icon disappears
from the display.
Note: While keylock is on, you can still use the
radio to receive, transmit, use call, turn volume
up or down, MON, and MENU/ to turn the
radio on or off.
BACKLIGHT
Press and hold CH/LIGHT. A red backlight turns
on. It automatically turns off after several
seconds
TRANSMITTING A CALL ALERT TONE
Your radio is equipped with a call tone that will
be transmitted when the CALL/MON key is
pressed.
To transmit the call tone, press the CALL/MON
key. The tone will be transmitted.
AUTO SQUELCH
The radio is equipped with an automatic squelch
system which shuts off weak transmissions and
unwanted noise due to terrain conditions or
range limitations.
MONITOR MODE
Your radio allows you to listen for weak signals
on the current channel at the press of a key.
To turn ON monitor mode, Press and hold
CALL/MON for 2 seconds. The tx icon displays.
On a channel that does not have activity, you
will hear only an open-squelch hissing noise.
To turn OFF monitor mode, press and hold the
CALL/MON key for 2 seconds again.
Channels 143 (22 FRS Channels + 121
Privacy Codes)
Operating
Frequency
UHF 462.5500 - 467.7125 MHz
(GMRS/FRS)
162.4000 - 162.5500 MHz (WX)
Power
Source
3 rechargeable AA NiMH
batteries per radio
Battery
Life
12 hours typical (5/5/90 duty
cycle)
SPECIFICATIONS