Midland Sp-400 Transceiver Users Guide

							
SP-400 Series User’s Guide  
[8] PTT (Push to talk) button. The PTT button must be pressed 
while you speak into the microphone. Release the PTT button to 
receive transmissions from other radios. 
[9] Lower function (scan) button. The lower function button 
performs two functions. The primary function is activated by a 
brief button press (press and release) and the secondary 
function is activated by pressing the button for more than two 
seconds (press and hold): 
 If you press and release the lower function button, the radio 
will begin scanning the channels in the scan list. Press and 
release the lower function button again to stop scan. For 
details, please see the “Scanning channels” section. 
 If you press and hold (>2 seconds) the lower function button, 
the channel currently selected by the channel knob will be 
added or removed from the scan list. A high pitched beep 
will indicate the channel was added to the scan list, a low 
pitched beep indicates the channel was already in the scan 
list and was removed. For details, please see the “Editing 
your scan list” section. 
© 2005, Midland Radio Corporation 11  
						

							
 SP-400 Series User’s Guide 
Setup 
Unpacking 
The following items are supplied in the standard package: 
5 One transceiver (SP-410, SP-420, SP-430 or SP-440) 
5 One battery pack (18-B02) 
5 One belt clip (81-BC1) 
5 One plastic accessory dust cover 
5 One rubber easy access dust cover 
5 One user’s manual 
If something is missing please promptly advise your supplier. 
Attaching and removing the antenna 
To attach the antenna: 
1. Locate the antenna terminal (threaded female connector) on 
transceiver’s top. 
2. Hold the transceiver with one hand and the base (the 
thicker part) of the antenna with the other hand. 
3. Attach the included rubber antenna to the antenna terminal 
by turning it clockwise until it is firmly seated. Do not 
overtighten. 
To remove the antenna, turn the antenna base counterclockwise. 
 The antenna should always be attached to the radio 
when it is operated. Transmitting without the 
antenna may damage the transmitter. Use only the 
recommended antennas. 
12 © 2005, Midland Radio Corporation  
						

							
SP-400 Series User’s Guide  
Installing and removing the battery pack 
To install the battery pack: 
Hold the transceiver’s body with one hand and the battery pack 
with the other. 
1. Slide the bottom of the 
battery pack into the s
on the bottom of the 
transceiver. 
lots 
2. Gently push the top of 
the battery pack toward 
the transceiver until a 
click is heard. The 
battery pack will snap 
into place and should be 
firmly locked. 
To remove the battery pack: 
1. Press the battery release 
button located on the 
back of the battery pack. 
2. Hold the release button 
and gently lift the top of 
the battery pack away 
from the transceiver. 
3. Remove the battery pack 
by separating it from the 
transceiver’s body. 
Installing and removing the belt clip 
The supplied belt clip allows you to attach the transceiver to your 
belt, while the radio is not in use or is in receive mode. The radio 
should be held as instructed in the “Transmitting to other radios” 
section while transmitting. 
© 2005, Midland Radio Corporation 13  
						

							
 SP-400 Series User’s Guide 
To install the belt clip onto the battery pack’s body: 
1. Slide the clip into the 
appropriate guides 
located on the back of 
the battery until it firmly 
locks. 
To remove the belt clip: 
2. Gently lift the belt clip 
release. 
3. While lifting the belt clip release slide the belt clip off the 
battery. 
Charging the battery pack 
The battery pack should be charged prior to use. To charge the 
battery pack you should setup the charger and insert the radio 
(or battery) as follows: 
1. Connect the DC 
plug on the AC 
adapter to the 
mating socket on 
the back of the 
charging cradle. 
2. Plug the AC 
adapter into a 
grounded AC 
power outlet 
which supplies 
the specified 
input voltage for 
the AC adapter. 
3. Make sure the radio is switched off. 
4. Insert the radio into the cradle with the front of the radio 
facing toward the front of the cradle (the three metallic 
14 © 2005, Midland Radio Corporation  
						

							
SP-400 Series User’s Guide  
contacts of the battery pack must make contact with the 
three contacts inside the cradle). The LED indicator will 
glow red indicating the battery is charging. 
5. The rapid charger will fully charge the 1300 mAH NiMH 
battery in approximately 1.5 hours. The rapid charger will 
change to a green LED and switch to a trickle charge rate 
when a full charge is detected. The standard rate charger 
will charge the battery in about 12 hours. 
 Removing the battery before it is fully charged will 
temporarily reduce the duty cycle. 
! The battery should not be left in the charger longer 
than 15 hours. 
! The battery charger is for indoor use only. 
! For best duty and battery life please see the “Battery 
Packs” section. 
© 2005, Midland Radio Corporation 15  
						

							
 SP-400 Series User’s Guide 
Basic Operation 
This section describes many of the standard functions available 
on your SP-400 series radio. Many aspects of the radio can be 
changed or customized to suit the requirements, so not all 
functions may be available or operate as described. 
 Due to the programming options of the radio, certain 
functions may be disabled or operate differently than 
described here. If in doubt please contact your dealer or 
communications coordinator for further details. 
Turning the radio ON and OFF 
To turn the radio on, rotate the PWR/VOL knob clockwise past 
the detent. The CPU will perform an auto test and a ring tone will 
sound to indicate the radio is functioning properly. 
 The power-on ring tone may have been disabled during 
radio programming. 
To switch the radio off, rotate the PWR/VOL knob 
counterclockwise past the detent. 
Adjusting the volume 
The PWR/VOL knob is also used to adjust the speaker volume: 
rotate clockwise to increase or counterclockwise to decrease the 
volume. 
Selecting the channel 
If your radio has been programmed with more than one channel 
you can easily change it. To select a channel, turn the channel 
selector knob clockwise or counterclockwise until the channel 
indicator on the knob matches the desired channel. If the 
selected channel has not been programmed, the status LED will 
glow steadily green and a low error tone will be generated. 
Receiving transmissions from other radios 
Each channel of your radio may be programmed for carrier 
squelch operation, CTCSS/DCS operation or 2-tone/selective 
16 © 2005, Midland Radio Corporation  
						

							
SP-400 Series User’s Guide  
call operation. The following paragraphs describe these modes 
of operation. Ask your dealer or communications coordinator if 
you have questions on how your radio has been programmed to 
operate. 
Carrier squelch operation 
A signal that matches the programmed receive frequency will be 
heard if it is of sufficient strength to exceed the squelch 
threshold. An on frequency signal exceeding the squelch 
threshold level will be indicated by a steady green status LED. 
CTCSS/DCS operation 
CTCSS or DCS signaling adds an additional condition to carrier 
squelch operation. In addition to the signal having to exceed the 
squelch threshold level, the received signal must also have the 
correct CTCSS or DCS tone or code before the audio will be 
passed to the speaker. CTCSS or DCS signaling allows multiple 
users using the same frequency to hear only signals which have 
their correct CTCSS tone or DCS code. An on frequency signal 
with the correct CTCSS or DCS signaling will be indicated by a 
steady amber status LED. 
 If the latched monitor function has been engaged the 
status LED will also light steady amber. 
! CTCSS/DCS allows multiple users to share the same 
frequency. However CTCSS/DCS is only useful to 
avoid disturbing other users with messages not 
related to them. If more than one radio is 
transmitting at the same time, this will cause 
interference. Do not transmit if the status LED is 
illuminated. Wait until the channel is clear before 
transmitting. 
© 2005, Midland Radio Corporation 17  
						

							
 SP-400 Series User’s Guide 
2-tone/selective call operation 
2-tone or selective call signaling allows individual or group calls 
to be made to your radio. The radio may have been programmed 
to mute all receive signals until a 2-tone or selective call signal 
has been decoded. When the programmed 2-tone or selective 
call signal is decoded, the status LED will blink green, a ring tone 
may sound, and subsequent receive audio will be heard over the 
speaker. After the call has been acknowledged, by pressing PTT 
for example, the status LED will change to steady green until the 
radio is muted. The transceiver may be programmed to mute 
after a programmed time, or you may press and hold the upper 
function button for two seconds to mute the radio until it receives 
a new call. 
 Consult your dealer or communications coordinator for 
further details on how your radio has been programmed 
for 2-tone or selective call operation. 
! 2-tone and selective call signaling allows users to 
receive only calls intended for them. However, more 
than one radio transmitting at a time will still cause 
interference. Do not transmit if the status LED is 
illuminated. Wait until the channel is clear before 
transmitting. 
Monitoring the channel 
The upper function button is used to activate the monitor 
function. The radio’s monitor function can be programmed per 
channel and may operate differently on different channels. It may 
also be disabled on some channels. The following paragraph 
details the basic monitor function, but consult your dealer or 
communications coordinator if you are unsure how the monitor 
function operates. 
The monitor function may be programmed to disable squelch, 
CTCSS/DCS signaling, 2-tone/selective call signaling or some 
combination of these. To temporarily activate the monitor 
function, briefly press the upper function button. If the button is 
18 © 2005, Midland Radio Corporation  
						

							
SP-400 Series User’s Guide  
released within two seconds the monitor function will deactivate 
when released. If the upper function button is held pressed for 
more than two seconds the monitor function will latch on. Press 
and release the upper function button again to deactivate the 
latched monitor function. 
 When the monitor function is activated a high pitched 
beep will sound and the status LED will light amber. 
When the monitor function is turned off a low pitched 
beep will sound and the status LED will turn off. 
 The upper function button is also used to mute the radio 
after a 2-tone or selective call has ended. Press and 
hold the upper function button for more than two 
seconds to mute the radio until the next 2-tone or 
selective call. 
Transmitting to other radios 
Follow these steps to transmit on your radio: 
1. Make sure that the channel is not busy (transmitting while 
another radio is transmitting will only create interference, 
please wait for the channel to clear). 
2. Press and hold the PTT button. The status LED will glow 
red. 
3. Talk in a normal voice with the microphone approximately 2-
4 inches (5-10 cm) from your mouth. When finished 
speaking, release the PTT button. 
 Do not shout! It will only create distortion. 
 Press PTT before you start talking and release PTT after 
you have finished speaking. 
 Your radio doesn’t allow you to talk and receive 
simultaneously, so keep your transmission short. When 
you are transmitting, other people can not. Use common 
sense and do not occupy the channel too much. 
© 2005, Midland Radio Corporation 19  
						

							
 SP-400 Series User’s Guide 
 The radio might be programmed with a timeout timer 
which will automatically end your transmission after a 
preset time. In this case release PTT and wait for a few 
seconds. The radio transmitter will be enabled again 
after a few seconds. Ask your dealer or communications 
coordinator for further details. 
 The radio might be programmed for busy channel lock 
out, which automatically disables the transmitter if your 
channel is busy. In this case wait until the channel is 
clear. 
Selecting transmission power 
Your SP-410 / SP-420 / SP-430 / SP-440 can transmit with two 
power levels. This setting is programmed by your dealer or 
communications coordinator for each channel. The low power 
option is used whenever possible to extend battery life and 
reduce the chances of creating interference with nearby radios. 
 If the status LED blinks red once every five seconds in 
standby, the battery needs charging. When a low battery 
condition is detected, the radio will automatically revert 
to low power when transmitting to help prolong the 
batterys life. If beeps are enabled, two short beeps will 
be heard before each transmission indicating the radio 
has automatically switched to low power mode. 
Sending a 2-tone/selective call or emergency call 
Your radio may have been programmed to send a 2-tone or 
selective call for the current channel. Your dealer or 
communications coordinator may have programmed your radio 
to send an emergency call. Please consult your dealer or 
communications coordinator if you are not sure about the use of 
the call function. Obviously, you should not send an emergency 
call unless it is warranted. 
20 © 2005, Midland Radio Corporation