background image

REMOTE
CHARGE

SPARE
CHARGE

BASE 
POWER

TALK

TALK

VOLUME

REMOTE
CHARGE

SPARE
CHARGE

BASE 
POWER

TALK

TALK

VOLUME

COMPONENTS OF MODEL CA12CD-S/A

USER GUIDE

Model

 

CA12CD-S/A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Push-to-Talk Headset Amplifier

REMOTE UNIT 

BASE UNIT

Setup and operation

1.1

  Plug the modular connector on the Console Interface Cable into the 

modular jack on the back of the Base. Plug the other end into your 
console.

1.2

  Plug the AC adapter into a wall outlet, and plug the 

power connector into the back of the Base. The 
Base Power LED will turn on.

1.3

  Slide the battery pack onto the Remote and snap it 

into place without forcing it. The CA12CD-S/A will 
take a few seconds to select the most reliable radio 
channel, and then it will start to blink its Audio Link 
LED at once per second, to indicate that it is ready 
to use.

1.4

  For first-time use, press the Audio Link button to 

turn the audio link off, and place the Remote into its 
charging well to charge the attached battery pack.

1.5

  Place the spare battery pack into its charging well.

1.6

  The Charge LEDs will flash until the battery packs 

are fully charged, at which time the LEDs will 
stop flashing and remain on. (It is okay to use the 
Remote after only one hour of charging time if 
desired.)

1.7

  Press the PTT Button on the Remote to key up your 

communications radio. The Talk LED on the Base will turn 
on whenever the PTT button is pressed. 

Locking operation

When the selector’s slot is aligned with the Remote’s centre-line, 
the PTT button can be depressed momentarily or locked in the 
ON  position  by  first  depressing  then  sliding  the  button  down 
toward the selector until the button locks into place.

Momentary operation 

Turning the selector 90 degrees from the locking position will set 
the PTT button for momentary operation.

2.1

  Careful setting of the audio levels, both in your communications 

console and in the CA12CD-S/A, is essential for getting good audio 
quality and avoiding echo. Please see the separate sheet, 

Audio 

Settings Guide for the CA12CD-S/A

, for detailed advice.

2.2

 Operating other radio devices, such as DECT cordless handsets, 

in the same frequency band as the CA12CD-S/A will reduce the 
number of units that can be operated at one time, along with 
reducing their maximum range. The CA12CD-S/A operates in the 
DECT frequency band (1.88 to 1.90 GHz). 

2.3

  User density and range can vary widely due to such variables as 

building layout and whether other devices are operating in the 
same frequency band as the CA12CD-S/A.

 

In low-density installations (e.g., 5 units placed 10 feet apart), the 
range can be greater than 100 feet. In high-density installations 
(e.g., 30 units placed 18 inches apart), the range could decrease to 
as little as 10 feet. In general, it is best to place them as far apart 
from each other as possible.

2.4

 Keep mobile phones at least 3 feet from both the Base and the 

Remote when the Remote is not near the Base. When the Base and 
Remote are near each other, mobile phones can be closer than 3 
feet, but should never be placed right next to the Base or Remote.

2.5 

Remove the battery pack and power cord from any unused units 
to allow more radio spectrum for active units. This is especially 
important where large numbers of them are in use.

 

3.1 

A new, fully charged battery pack will last for about 8 hours, 
however, we recommend swapping the Remote’s battery pack 
with a freshly charged battery pack from the Spare Charger about 
every 4 hours. Doing so will help insure that mission-critical 
communications are not interrupted by low batteries. Following 
this recommendation will also maximise the battery’s service life.

3.2

 Between battery swaps, we recommend placing the Remote in 

its charging well whenever possible, and, if it is not being used, 
turning the audio link off by pressing the Audio Link button.

3.3

  If the Remote is left in the charging well with the link up, a new 

charging cycle will typically begin about 3 hours after the first 
charging cycle. Using the Remote at this time without installing a 
freshly charged battery pack could result in reduced talk time.

3.4

 A completely depleted battery pack requires about 4 hours to fully 

charge.

3.5 

The Remote will continue to draw a small amount of power from 
the battery even after being turned off. If you need to store the 
Remote, remove the battery pack so that it does not become 
completely discharged while in storage. 

Warning:

 Touching the battery-charging contacts or placing objects 

other than the battery packs and Remote in the charging wells may 
adversely affect the operation of the CA12CD-S/A. 

Note 3.1: 

Rechargeable batteries of all types gradually age and lose 

their ability to give and receive charge. Over time, this will result in 
gradually decreasing talk times. In a typical 24/7 operation, where the 
batteries are regularly being charged and discharged, we recommend 
that you monitor their performance and replace them as needed.

The Base and the Remote are paired with each other at the factory 
in a process called subscription. If you replace either one, you can 
subscribe them as follows:

4.1 

Press and hold the Subscription button on the back of the Base. 
(Alternatively, you can hold both of the Talk Volume buttons on 
the top of the Base down.)

 

a.

 The Base Power LED will begin blinking.

4.2

 Hold the Remote’s Listen Volume Control in either the up or down 

position.

 

a.  

The Remote’s Audio Link LED will turn on steadily (no flashing). 
The Remote will subscribe to the Base, after which the Base 
Power LED will return to the steadily-on state. The Remote’s 
Audio Link LED will go out for a few seconds and then begin to 
flash once per second, indicating that your CA12CD-S/A is now 
ready to use.

Note 4.1: Remotes and Bases from different models and product 
generations cannot be mixed. Please see Table 4.1.

Subscription 
button

Plug Console 
Interface Cable 
in here

Plug AC  
Adapter 
in here

BACK VIEW OF BASE UNIT 

 

1.1, 1.2

1.3  

Installing the battery pack 

1.7 How to set the PTT button for locking or momentary operation

Locking

Momentary

Performance tips

Subscribing Remotes 
and Bases

Battery charging 
and management

Table 4.1: Compatibility of Remotes and Bases

Colour of 
momentary/
locking selector 
on Remote (see 
Figure 1.7 for 
location)

Colour of 
Talk Volume 
buttons on 
Base

Model & 
product 
generation

Primary 
region of use

Black

Black

CA12CD, 
1

st 

gen.

North America

White

Black  
(check label 
on bottom of 
base to verify 
model)

CA12CD/A, 
1

st 

gen.

Europe

Grey

Grey

CA12CD-S, 
2

nd 

gen.

North America

Purple

Purple

CA12CD-S/A, 
2

nd 

gen.

Europe

Quick Disconnect™ 
for Headset

Listen 
Fine-Adjust 
Switch

Audio Link 
LED button

Push-to-
Talk  
button

AC adapter

Charging well for  
spare battery pack

Console  
Interface Cable

Charging well for 
remote unit

Remote Unit 
Battery Charge LED 
(orange)

PTT LED 
(green)

Talk  
Coarse-Adjust 
Switch

Listen  
Coarse-Adjust 
Switch

BOTTOM VIEW  

OF BASE UNIT

Talk Volume 
buttons  
(fine-adjust) See 
Note 4.1

Spare  
battery pack 
Charge LED 
(orange)

Base Unit power 
LED (green)

Momentary/
locking PTT 
selector  
(not shown; 
see Fig. 1.7 and 
Note 4.1)

Battery  
Pack  
See Note 3.1

REMOTE
CHARGE

SPARE
CHARGE

BASE 
POWER

TALK

TALK

VOLUME

REMOTE
CHARGE

SPARE
CHARGE

BASE 
POWER

TALK

TALK

VOLUME

COMPONENTS OF MODEL CA12CD-S/A

USER GUIDE

Model

 

CA12CD-S/A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Push-to-Talk Headset Amplifier

REMOTE UNIT 

BASE UNIT

Setup and operation

1.1

  Plug the modular connector on the Console Interface Cable into the 

modular jack on the back of the Base. Plug the other end into your 
console.

1.2

  Plug the AC adapter into a wall outlet, and plug the 

power connector into the back of the Base. The 
Base Power LED will turn on.

1.3

  Slide the battery pack onto the Remote and snap it 

into place without forcing it. The CA12CD-S/A will 
take a few seconds to select the most reliable radio 
channel, and then it will start to blink its Audio Link 
LED at once per second, to indicate that it is ready 
to use.

1.4

  For first-time use, press the Audio Link button to 

turn the audio link off, and place the Remote into its 
charging well to charge the attached battery pack.

1.5

  Place the spare battery pack into its charging well.

1.6

  The Charge LEDs will flash until the battery packs 

are fully charged, at which time the LEDs will 
stop flashing and remain on. (It is okay to use the 
Remote after only one hour of charging time if 
desired.)

1.7

  Press the PTT Button on the Remote to key up your 

communications radio. The Talk LED on the Base will turn 
on whenever the PTT button is pressed. 

Locking operation

When the selector’s slot is aligned with the Remote’s centre-line, 
the PTT button can be depressed momentarily or locked in the 
ON  position  by  first  depressing  then  sliding  the  button  down 
toward the selector until the button locks into place.

Momentary operation 

Turning the selector 90 degrees from the locking position will set 
the PTT button for momentary operation.

2.1

  Careful setting of the audio levels, both in your communications 

console and in the CA12CD-S/A, is essential for getting good audio 
quality and avoiding echo. Please see the separate sheet, 

Audio 

Settings Guide for the CA12CD-S/A

, for detailed advice.

2.2

 Operating other radio devices, such as DECT cordless handsets, 

in the same frequency band as the CA12CD-S/A will reduce the 
number of units that can be operated at one time, along with 
reducing their maximum range. The CA12CD-S/A operates in the 
DECT frequency band (1.88 to 1.90 GHz). 

2.3

  User density and range can vary widely due to such variables as 

building layout and whether other devices are operating in the 
same frequency band as the CA12CD-S/A.

 

In low-density installations (e.g., 5 units placed 10 feet apart), the 
range can be greater than 100 feet. In high-density installations 
(e.g., 30 units placed 18 inches apart), the range could decrease to 
as little as 10 feet. In general, it is best to place them as far apart 
from each other as possible.

2.4

 Keep mobile phones at least 3 feet from both the Base and the 

Remote when the Remote is not near the Base. When the Base and 
Remote are near each other, mobile phones can be closer than 3 
feet, but should never be placed right next to the Base or Remote.

2.5 

Remove the battery pack and power cord from any unused units 
to allow more radio spectrum for active units. This is especially 
important where large numbers of them are in use.

 

3.1 

A new, fully charged battery pack will last for about 8 hours, 
however, we recommend swapping the Remote’s battery pack 
with a freshly charged battery pack from the Spare Charger about 
every 4 hours. Doing so will help insure that mission-critical 
communications are not interrupted by low batteries. Following 
this recommendation will also maximise the battery’s service life.

3.2

 Between battery swaps, we recommend placing the Remote in 

its charging well whenever possible, and, if it is not being used, 
turning the audio link off by pressing the Audio Link button.

3.3

  If the Remote is left in the charging well with the link up, a new 

charging cycle will typically begin about 3 hours after the first 
charging cycle. Using the Remote at this time without installing a 
freshly charged battery pack could result in reduced talk time.

3.4

 A completely depleted battery pack requires about 4 hours to fully 

charge.

3.5 

The Remote will continue to draw a small amount of power from 
the battery even after being turned off. If you need to store the 
Remote, remove the battery pack so that it does not become 
completely discharged while in storage. 

Warning:

 Touching the battery-charging contacts or placing objects 

other than the battery packs and Remote in the charging wells may 
adversely affect the operation of the CA12CD-S/A. 

Note 3.1: 

Rechargeable batteries of all types gradually age and lose 

their ability to give and receive charge. Over time, this will result in 
gradually decreasing talk times. In a typical 24/7 operation, where the 
batteries are regularly being charged and discharged, we recommend 
that you monitor their performance and replace them as needed.

The Base and the Remote are paired with each other at the factory 
in a process called subscription. If you replace either one, you can 
subscribe them as follows:

4.1 

Press and hold the Subscription button on the back of the Base. 
(Alternatively, you can hold both of the Talk Volume buttons on 
the top of the Base down.)

 

a.

 The Base Power LED will begin blinking.

4.2

 Hold the Remote’s Listen Volume Control in either the up or down 

position.

 

a.  

The Remote’s Audio Link LED will turn on steadily (no flashing). 
The Remote will subscribe to the Base, after which the Base 
Power LED will return to the steadily-on state. The Remote’s 
Audio Link LED will go out for a few seconds and then begin to 
flash once per second, indicating that your CA12CD-S/A is now 
ready to use.

Note 4.1: Remotes and Bases from different models and product 
generations cannot be mixed. Please see Table 4.1.

Subscription 
button

Plug Console 
Interface Cable 
in here

Plug AC  
Adapter 
in here

BACK VIEW OF BASE UNIT 

 

1.1, 1.2

1.3  

Installing the battery pack 

1.7 How to set the PTT button for locking or momentary operation

Locking

Momentary

Performance tips

Subscribing Remotes 
and Bases

Battery charging 
and management

Table 4.1: Compatibility of Remotes and Bases

Colour of 
momentary/
locking selector 
on Remote (see 
Figure 1.7 for 
location)

Colour of 
Talk Volume 
buttons on 
Base

Model & 
product 
generation

Primary 
region of use

Black

Black

CA12CD, 
1

st 

gen.

North America

White

Black  
(check label 
on bottom of 
base to verify 
model)

CA12CD/A, 
1

st 

gen.

Europe

Grey

Grey

CA12CD-S, 
2

nd 

gen.

North America

Purple

Purple

CA12CD-S/A, 
2

nd 

gen.

Europe

Quick Disconnect™ 
for Headset

Listen 
Fine-Adjust 
Switch

Audio Link 
LED button

Push-to-
Talk  
button

AC adapter

Charging well for  
spare battery pack

Console  
Interface Cable

Charging well for 
remote unit

Remote Unit 
Battery Charge LED 
(orange)

PTT LED 
(green)

Talk  
Coarse-Adjust 
Switch

Listen  
Coarse-Adjust 
Switch

BOTTOM VIEW  

OF BASE UNIT

Talk Volume 
buttons  
(fine-adjust) See 
Note 4.1

Spare  
battery pack 
Charge LED 
(orange)

Base Unit power 
LED (green)

Momentary/
locking PTT 
selector  
(not shown; 
see Fig. 1.7 and 
Note 4.1)

Battery  
Pack  
See Note 3.1

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