Radio Shack Microcassette Recorder 43 476 User Guide

Cat. No. 43-476  
OWNER’S MANUAL  
Please read before using this equipment.  
TRC-300  
Voice Activated  
Microcassette Tele-Recorder  
 
This symbol is intended to alert  
you to the presence of uninsu-  
lated dangerous voltage within  
the product’s enclosure that  
might be of sufficient magnitude  
to constitute a risk of electric  
shock. Do not open the prod-  
uct’s case.  
This symbol is intended to  
inform you that important oper-  
ating and maintenance instruc-  
tions are included in the  
literature accompanying this  
product.  
!
3
 
FEATURES  
Your RadioShack TRC-300 Voice Activat-  
ed Microcassette Tele-Recorder is perfect  
for your home or office. It records tele-  
phone calls you make or receive from a  
telephone. You can also use it as a conve-  
nient tape recorder to record other events  
such as lectures, interviews, and meet-  
ings.  
The recorder includes these features:  
Connects Directly to the Telephone —  
to let you easily record and play back tele-  
phone conversations.  
Two Tape Speeds — let you record and  
play back tape at a slower speed which  
provides twice the recording/playback time  
or at normal speed for maximum sound  
quality.  
4
 
Voice Activated Recording (VOX) —  
records only when it receives sound, to  
eliminate blank sections on the tape and  
save battery power.  
Play/Record Auto-Stop — stops the tape  
movement when the recorder reaches the  
end of the tape during recording or play-  
back.  
Manual Recording — lets you record dic-  
tation or conversations at the touch of a  
button.  
Pause Switch — lets you easily stop and  
restart the tape to avoid recording unwant-  
ed sound.  
Tape Counter — lets you note specific  
points in a tape for later reference.  
5
 
Built-In Microphone — lets you record  
without connecting an external micro-  
phone.  
Cue/Review Function — lets you ad-  
vance or rewind the tape during play to find  
a specific section on the tape.  
Three Power Options — you can power  
the recorder from standard AC power, two  
AA batteries (not supplied), or a vehicle’s  
battery using an optional adapter.  
Earphone Jack — lets you connect an  
1
earphone with a /8-inch (3.5-mm) plug for  
private listening.  
6
 
Automatic Level Control — automatically  
adjusts the recording level.  
Note: You need at least one 30-minute mi-  
crocassette tape. If you use a leaderless  
incoming message tape, recording starts  
immediately. You also need either two AA  
batteries or an AC or DC adapter.  
7
 
Important: Every state has different regu-  
lations governing the recording of conver-  
sations over the telephone. Be sure to  
check your local, state and federal laws be-  
fore using this product to record any tele-  
phone conversation in order to determine  
that your use is in compliance with such  
laws or guidelines.  
8
 
CONTENTS  
Control Locations ........................... 10  
Preparation ..................................... 12  
Installation ...................................... 19  
Connecting to A Phone 19  
Using an Earphone 21  
Operation ........................................ 24  
Loading a Cassette Tape 24  
Recording 25  
Playing a Tape 34  
Care ................................................. 38  
Tape Tips 39  
Specifications.................................. 44  
9
 
CONTROL LOCATIONS  
VOLUME  
MIC (Micro-  
VOX OFF/ON  
phone Jack)  
EAR (Ear-  
phone Jack)  
Microphone  
TEL-PLAY/  
NOR./TEL-  
REC  
Tape  
Compartment  
Battery  
Strength  
Indicator  
DC 3V IN  
Tape-  
Counter &  
RESET  
HANDSET IN  
Speaker  
10  
 
PAUSE ON  
REC  
REW/REVIEW  
FAST-F/CUE  
PLAY  
Recording  
Speed  
STOP/EJ  
Battery  
Compartment  
HANDSET  
OUT  
Battery  
Compartment  
Cover  
Battery  
Lifting  
Ribbon  
11  
 
PREPARATION  
Connecting Power  
Using AC Power  
You can operate your recorder from AC  
power using an optional AC adapter, such  
as Cat. No. 273-1654B.  
Caution: You must use a Class  
2 power source that supplies 3  
volts DC and delivers at least  
!
300 mA. Its center tip must be set to posi-  
tive and its plug must fit the TRC-300’s DC  
3V jack. The recommended adapter meets  
these specifications. Using an adapter that  
does not meet these specifications could  
damage the recorder or the adapter.  
12  
 
Follow these steps to connect your record-  
er to AC power.  
1. Set the AC adapter’s voltage switch to  
3V.  
2. Insert the 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3  
mm inner diameter adapter plug into  
the adapter’s socket to read TIP+.  
3. Insert the plug into the recorder’s DC  
3V jack.  
4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC  
outlet.  
13  
 
Using Battery Power  
You can power your recorder with two AA  
batteries (not supplied). For the best per-  
formance and longest life, we recommend  
RadioShack alkaline batteries.  
Caution: Do not mix old and new batter-  
ies, or different types of batteries (standard  
or alkaline). Follow these steps to install  
the batteries.  
14  
 
1. Press the battery compartment  
cover’s tab and slide the cover in the  
direction of the arrow.  
2. Insert the batteries into the compart-  
ment, as indicated by the polarity sym-  
bols (+ and –) marked inside.  
3. Replace the cover.  
Replace the batteries when the BATTERY  
indicator dims or does not light.  
15  
 
Warning: Dispose of old batteries  
promptly and properly. Do not burn or  
bury them.  
Caution: If you do not plan to use the  
recorder with batteries for a few  
weeks, remove the batteries. Batteries  
can leak chemicals that can destroy  
electronic parts.  
Using Vehicle Battery Power  
You can power your recorder from a vehi-  
cle’s battery using a DC adapter (not sup-  
plied), available at your local RadioShack  
store.  
16  
 
Cautions:  
You must use a power  
source that supplies 3 volts  
DC and delivers at least 300  
!
mA. Its center tip must be set to posi-  
tive and its plug must fit the TRC-  
300's DC 3V jack. The recommended  
adapter meets these specifications.  
Using an adapter that does not meet  
these specifications could damage the  
TRC-300 or the adapter.  
• Always plug the adapter into the  
recorder before plugging it into the  
cigarette-lighter socket. Unplug the  
adapter from the cigarette-lighter  
socket before unplugging it from the  
recorder.  
17  
 
Follow these steps to power the recorder  
from your vehicle’s battery.  
1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 3V.  
2. Insert the 3.4 mm outer diameter/1.3  
mm inner diameter adapter into the  
adapter’s socket to read TIP+.  
3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into  
the recorder’s DC 3V jack. Insert the  
adapter’s large plug into the vehicle’s  
cigarette-lighter or 12VDC socket  
18  
 
INSTALLATION  
You can connect the recorder directly to a  
single line, a multi-line, or a digital tele-  
phone system using a telephone that is  
connected to that line. To avoid damage to  
the recorder, select a location that is out of  
the way of normal activity.  
CONNECTING TO A  
PHONE  
Use the supplied handset cord to connect  
the recorder to the same phone you plan to  
talk on. This lets you record the phone  
conversations on that phone.  
Follow these steps to connect your record-  
er to a telephone.  
19  
 
1. Disconnect the handset and its coiled  
cord from the handset jack on your  
phone.  
2. Plug the end of the handset cord into  
the recorder’s HANDSET IN jack.  
20  
 
3. Plug one end of the supplied short  
coiled cord into the recorder’s HAND-  
SET OUT jack. Plug the other end of  
the short coiled cord into the tele-  
phone’s handset jack  
USING AN EARPHONE  
To connect an earphone (not supplied), in-  
sert the earphone’s 1/8-inch (3.5–mm) plug  
into the EAR jack on the back of the re-  
corder. You can find a wide selection of  
earphones at your local RadioShack store.  
Note: Connecting an earphone discon-  
nects the recorder’s internal speaker.  
21  
 
Listening Safely  
To protect your hearing, follow these  
guidelines when you use an earphone.  
• Do not listen at extremely high volume  
levels. Extended high-volume listening  
can lead to permanent hearing loss.  
• Set the volume to its lowest level  
before you begin listening. After you  
put on the earphone, adjust the vol-  
ume to a comfortable listening level.  
• Do not increase the volume once you  
have established a comfortable listen-  
ing level. Over time, your ears adapt to  
the volume level, so a volume level  
that does not cause discomfort might  
still damage your hearing.  
22  
 
Traffic Safety  
• Do not wear an earphone or head-  
phones while operating a motor vehi-  
cle or riding a bicycle. This can create  
a traffic hazard and could be illegal in  
some areas.  
• Even though some earphones/head-  
phones let you hear some outside  
sounds when listening at normal vol-  
ume levels, they still can present a  
traffic hazard.  
23  
 
OPERATION  
LOADING A CASSETTE  
TAPE  
1. Turn the microcassette’s supply hub  
with a pencil to take up any tape slack.  
Avoid touching the tape.  
24  
 
2. Press STOP/EJ to open the cassette  
compartment door. Insert the micro-  
cassette into the compartment with  
the side you want to use facing up  
against the cover and the full reel on  
the left.  
3. Close the door.  
RECORDING  
Notes:  
• MC-60 (1-hour) and MC-90 (11/2-  
hours) microcassettes are available  
at your local RadioShack store. We  
suggest that you do not use MC-  
120 tapes as they are very thin and  
prone to stretching resulting in poor  
audio quality.  
25  
 
• Replace any tape at least once a  
year, or more often if it is used  
heavily.  
• Do not change the tape speed  
while recording.  
Voice Activated Telephone  
Recording (VOX)  
1. Load a microcassette tape and set  
VOX to ON.  
2. Set TEL-PLAY/NOR./TEL-REC to TEL-  
REC  
3. Set TAPE SPEED to the desired  
recording speed. Set it to 1.2cm to  
double the tape’s recording time, or to  
2.4cm for higher quality sound.  
26  
 
4. Press REC. Both REC and PLAY lock  
down, and recording begins.  
Caution: Do not force down the REC  
button when an erase protection tab is  
removed or you will damage the  
recorder. (See “Preventing Accidental  
Erasure” on Page 41.)  
5. Adjust VOLUME until the telephone  
conversation’s sound level activates  
the recorder.  
Notes:  
• The VOLUME setting determines  
the sound level that activates the  
VOX circuit and starts recording. At  
higher settings, a softer sound  
starts VOX recording. At lower set-  
tings, a louder sound starts VOX  
recording.  
27  
 
• The built-in automatic level control  
automatically sets the recording  
level once recording starts.  
• When you use the VOX feature,  
recording begins when the recorder  
picks up sound and stops a few  
seconds after the sound stops.  
6. Recording stops when the tape  
reaches the end of the cassette. To  
stop it sooner, press STOP/EJ.  
Voice Activated Recording  
Using the Internal Microphone  
1. Load a tape and set VOX to ON.  
2. Set TEL-PLAY/NOR/TEL-REC to NOR.  
28  
 
3. Set TAPE SPEED to the desired  
recording speed.  
4. Press REC to begin recording.  
5. Adjust VOLUME until the sound source  
starts the recorder.  
Notes:  
• The built-in automatic level control  
automatically sets the recording  
level once recording starts.  
• When the recorder detects no  
sound for up to 6 seconds, the  
recorder stops recording until it  
picks up sound again.  
6. Recording stops when the tape  
reaches the end of the cassette. To  
stop it sooner, press STOP/EJ.  
29  
 
Manual Telephone Recording  
1. Load a tape and set VOX to OFF.  
2. Set TEL-PLAY/NOR./TEL-REC to TEL-  
REC.  
3. Set TAPE SPEED to the desired  
recording speed. Set it to 1.2cm to  
double the tape’s recording time, or to  
2.4cm for higher quality sound.  
4. Press REC. Both REC and PLAY lock  
down. When you press REC down,  
recording starts and continues until  
you press STOP/EJ.  
Caution: Do not force down the REC  
button when an erase protection tab is  
removed or you will damage the  
recorder. (See “Preventing Accidental  
Erasure” on Page 41.)  
30  
 
5. Rotate VOLUME to adjust the record-  
ing volume.  
Note: To temporarily stop recording,  
slide PAUSE to ON. To resume record-  
ing, slide PAUSE in the opposite direc-  
tion.  
6. Recording stops when the tape  
reaches the end of the cassette. To  
stop it sooner, press STOP/EJ.  
Manual Recording Using the  
Internal Microphone  
1. Load a microcassette tape and set  
VOX to OFF.  
2. Set TEL-PLAY/NOR/TEL-REC to NOR.  
31  
 
3. Set TAPE SPEED to the desired  
recording speed.  
4. Press REC to begin recording.  
5. Adjust VOLUME between the minimum  
and mid-range positions for dictation  
and between the mid-range and maxi-  
mum positions for recording confer-  
ences.  
Notes:  
To temporarily stop recording, slide  
PAUSE to ON. To resume recording,  
slide in the opposite direction.  
• Place the recorder as close as pos-  
sible to the sound source. Avoid a  
position so that large objects are  
between the sound source and the  
recorder mic.  
32  
 
6. Press STOP/EJ to stop recording.  
Recording with an External  
Microphone  
You can use an external microphone to  
make high-quality recordings. Plug an op-  
tional external microphone, available at  
your local RadioShack store, into the MIC  
jack. The built-in microphone automatically  
disconnects. Then see “Recording” start-  
ing on Page 25.  
33  
 
PLAYING A TAPE  
Playing a Phone  
Conversation Tape  
1. Load the tape and set TEL-PLAY/NOR/  
TEL-REC to TEL-PLAY.  
2. Set TAPE SPEED to the speed used to  
record the microcassette tape.  
3. Press PLAY. Playback only through the  
handset begins.  
Notes:  
To playback through the speaker,  
set TEL-PLAY/NOR/TEL-REC to NOR  
or TEL-REC.  
To temporarily stop play, slide  
PAUSE to ON. Move PAUSE in the  
opposite direction to resume play.  
34  
 
To go directly from playback to  
recording, press REC then move  
TEL-PLAY/NOR./TEL-REC to TEL-  
REC. Tape play stops and recording  
starts immediately.  
4. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable lis-  
tening level.  
5. To play the other side of the tape,  
press STOP/EJ, remove and turn over  
the tape, and re-insert it. Then press  
PLAY again.  
6. Press STOP/EJ to stop playback.  
35  
 
Playing a Prerecorded Tape  
1. Load a prerecorded tape then set TEL-  
PLAY/NOR/TEL-REC to NOR or TEL-  
PLAY.  
2. Follow steps 2–6 under “Playing a  
Phone  
Conversation  
Tape”  
on  
Page 34.  
Using Fast-Forward and Rewind  
With the tape stopped, slide REW/REVIEW  
FAST F/CUE toward FAST F/CUE to wind the  
tape rapidly forward or toward REW/RE-  
VIEW to wind the tape backward.  
When the microcassette tape reaches the  
end, press STOP/EJ to release FAST F/CUE  
or REW/REVIEW.  
36  
 
To quickly locate desired sections of a  
tape during play, slide the switch towards  
FAST F/CUE or REW/REVIEW to hear play-  
back as the tape fast-forwards or rewinds.  
When you release the switch, normal play  
resumes. Note the counter position(s) at  
any point(s) you might want to return to lat-  
er.  
Using the Tape Counter  
You can use the tape counter to note dif-  
ferent locations on your tape during re-  
cording or playback. Before playing or  
recording a tape, rewind the tape com-  
pletely and press RESET to set the  
counter to 000. As the tape moves, the  
counter advances.  
37  
 
CARE  
To enjoy your RadioShack TRC-300 Voice  
Activated Microcassette Tele-Recorder for  
a long time:  
• Keep the TRC-300 dry. If it gets wet,  
wipe it dry immediately.  
• Use and store the TRC-300 only in  
normal temperature environments.  
• Handle the TRC-300 gently and care-  
fully. Don't drop it.  
• Keep the TRC-300 away from dust  
and dirt.  
• Wipe the TRC-300 with a damp cloth  
occasionally to keep it looking new.  
38  
 
Modifying or tampering with the TRC-300's  
internal components can cause a malfunc-  
tion and invalidate its warranty. If your  
TRC-300 is not performing as it should,  
take it to your local RadioShack store for  
assistance.  
TAPE TIPS  
Restoring Tape Tension and  
Sound Quality  
After you play a cassette tape several  
times, the tape might become tightly  
wound on the reels. This can cause play-  
back sound quality to deteriorate.  
39  
 
To restore the sound quality, fast-forward  
the tape from the beginning to the end of  
one side, then completely rewind it. Then  
loosen the tape reels by gently tapping  
each side of the cassette’s outer shell on a  
flat surface.  
Caution: Be careful not to damage the  
cassette when tapping it. Do not touch the  
exposed tape or allow any sharp objects  
near the cassette.  
Erasing Tapes  
To record over a cassette tape, simply  
record as usual. The cassette deck  
records over the previous recording.  
40  
 
You can quickly erase both sides of a cas-  
sette tape using a bulk tape eraser (Cat.  
No. 44-232).  
Note: If you use metal or high-bias type  
tape, the recorded sound might not be  
erased properly.  
Preventing Accidental Erasure  
Cassette tapes have two erase-protection  
tabs — one for each side. When a tab is in  
place, you can record on that side.  
To prevent accidental erasure of a tape re-  
cording, use a screwdriver to remove one  
or both of the cassette tape’s erase-protec-  
tion tabs. This prevents REC from being  
pressed.  
41  
 
If you later decide to record on a tape side  
after you have removed the erase-protec-  
tion tab, place a piece of strong plastic  
tape over that side’s erase-protection hole.  
Be sure you cover only the hole originally  
covered by the erase-protection tab.  
Caution: Removing the erase-protection  
tabs does not prevent a bulk eraser from  
erasing a cassette tape.  
Cleaning the Tape-Handling  
Parts  
Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape’s coating  
can accumulate on the tape heads and  
other parts that the tape touches. This can  
greatly reduce the recorder’s performance.  
42  
 
Use the following cleaning procedure after  
about every 20 hours of operation.  
1. Remove the batteries and disconnect  
any other power source.  
2. Open the cassette compartment door.  
3. Use a pointed object to gently push  
the erase protection tab sensor to the  
left, then press REC to expose the  
tape-handling parts.  
4. Use a swab dipped in tape head  
cleaning solution or denatured alcohol  
to gently clean the tape-handling  
parts. For easier cleaning, use an  
microcassette cleaner kit which  
includes a special cleaning cassette.  
5. When you finish cleaning, press  
STOP/EJ and close the compartment.  
43  
 
SPECIFICATIONS  
Tape System ................................. 2 Track  
Monaural Microcassette  
Tape Speed ...... 2.4 cm/sec or 1.2 cm/sec  
Recording Time (Total Both Sides)  
MC-60 .................. 60 min @ 2.4 cm/sec  
120 min @ 1.2 cm/sec  
MC-90 ................. 90 min @ 2.4 cm/sec  
180 min @ 1.2 cm/sec  
Wow & Flutter ........................... Less than  
0.3% @ 2.4 cm/sec  
Erase System ............ Permanent Magnet  
Record System ........................... DC Bias  
Power Requirements ... 2 AA Batteries, or  
AC 120V, 60Hz  
(with optional AC adapter), or  
3 VDC (with optional DC adapter)  
Battery Life  
Alkaline Batteries ..................... 12 Hours  
1
1
2
Dimensions (HWD)... 5 /2 × 1 / × 2 Inches  
(140 × 38 × 51 mm)  
44  
 
Weight............................................ 5.8 oz.  
(164 g)  
Specifications are typical; individual units  
might vary. Specifications are subject to  
change and improvement without notice.  
45  
 
NOTES  
46  
 
Limited One-Year Warranty  
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing  
defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one  
(1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-  
owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and deal-  
ers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO  
EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES,  
INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS  
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION  
TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRAN-  
TIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN,  
RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBIL-  
ITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY  
WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE  
CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFOR-  
MANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY  
BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM-  
ITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVE-  
NIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR  
PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR  
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS  
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  
Some states do not allow the limitations on how long an implied  
warranty lasts or the exclusion of incidental or consequential  
damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply  
to you.(Continued)  
(Continued) In the event of a product defect during the warranty  
period, take the product and the RadioShack sales receipt as  
proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack  
will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct  
the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor;  
47  
 
(b) replace the product with one of the same or similar design; or  
(c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products,  
and products on which a refund is made, become the property of  
RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be  
used in the performance of warranty service. Repaired or re-  
placed parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the  
original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or re-  
placement of the product made after the expiration of the war-  
ranty period.  
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or  
attributable to acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or  
abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installa-  
tion or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of  
excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those pro-  
vided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consum-  
ables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e)  
transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of prod-  
uct removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstalla-  
tion.  
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also  
have other rights which vary from state to state.  
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor St.,  
6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102  
We Service What We Sell  
04/99  
08A99  
Printed in Hong Kong  
 

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