INSTALL THE BATTERIES
Your GMRS540 radio uses 3 AA Alkaline batteries
for power. We recommend using high quality alkaline
batteries.
To install the batteries:
1) Make sure your radio is OFF.
2) Remove the battery compartment door by
pressing the tab at the bottom of the door
allowing the door to be removed.
3) Install 3 AA Alkaline batteries (not 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) Optional: Your GMRS540 radio can be powered
using an optional NiMH battery pack specifically
designed for this model. Remove the alkaline
batteries and install the battery pack by inserting
it into the battery compartment. Follow the
instructions found with the NiMH accessory.
5) Replace the battery compartment door by
pressing the tab and snapping it into place.
This unit has a battery level meter on the display to
indicate the status of the batteries. When the
batteries in the unit are low, the battery
meter
icon will flash and the unit will emit a low battery
tone. Replace the batteries immediately or if you are
using the optional NiMH battery pack, you must
recharge the battery in order to continue using the
radio.
Warning! To avoid the risk of personal injury or
property damage from fire or electrical shock, only
use the Uniden accessories specifically designated
for this product.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Uniden
GMRS540 (General Mobile Radio Service) radio.
This product is a lightweight, palm-sized radio. Use it
at sporting events to stay in contact with family and
friends, hiking, skiing, outdoors, or in a neighborhood
watch for vital communication. This compact, state-
of-the-art device is equipped with many features.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Your package contains the GMRS540 radio, this
reference guide, and a product registration card. You
will need to purchase 3 AA Alkaline batteries in order
to operate the unit.The following optional accessories
may be purchased from your participating Uniden
dealer or call 1-800-554-3988 or visit us on the web
at www.uniden.com. Use only Uniden accessories.
•Earset Mic w/ PTT - #HS2468
•Vox Headset Mic - #HSV2469
•NiMH Battery Pack - #BP524
•Drop in Charger - #RC5248
Adjusting the Sound (Key Beeps)
Your GMRS540 radio emits a beep each time one
of the keys are pressed or a Call Tone is generated.
To turn this sound OFF, press select/lock while
turning on the radio. Repeat this step to turn the
sound ON.
Navigating through the Menu
To access the advanced features of the GMRS540,
your radio has a Menu function.
1) To enter the Menu, press the select/lock key.
2) Additional presses of the select/lock key will
advance you through the Menu until exiting to
"normal" operating mode.
3) Other methods of exiting the menu function are:
a. Press PTT (Press To Talk).
b. Wait 10 seconds until the unit automatically
returns to "normal" mode.
THANK YOU
FOR PURCHASING A UNIDEN
PR
ODUCT
BATTERY LEVEL AND
LOW BATTERY ALERT
Talking on Your Radio
To talk to others using the 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 transmit icon
T
TX
X
will be
shown on the display. 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 receive icon
R
RX
X
will be shown on the display.
Transmitting a Call Alert Tone
Your GMRS540 radio is equipped with 5
selectable call tones that will be transmitted
when the call key is pressed.
To select a call tone:
1) Enter the Menu. Advance through the
menu until the
C
CA
AL
LL
L
icon on the
display is shown. The current call tone
number (
1
1
-
5
5
) will be indicated.
2) Press the
▲
or
▼
keys to increase or
decrease the number to the desired call
tone. Each tone will be heard through
the speaker.
3) Exit the Menu.
To transmit the selected call alert tone,
press the call key. The selected tone will
automatically be transmitted for a fixed
length of time.
*Range may vary depending on environmental and/or topographical conditions.
Channel Scan Feature
Your GMRS540 radio has a channel scan
feature that allows you to easily scan all
22 channels. When an active channel is
detected, the unit will pause on that
channel until the channel is clear. Then
after a 4 second delay, the unit will continue
scanning. Pressing PTT while the scan is
paused on a channel will allow you to
transmit on that channel.
To turn ON channel scanning:
Press and hold either the
▲
or
▼
key
until the
S
SC
CA
AN
N
icon on the display is
shown. The channel number on the display
will rapidly cycle through the channels.
To turn OFF channel scanning:
Press and release either the
▲
or
▼
key.
• 5 Selectable Call Tone Alerts
• 8 GMRS/14 FRS Channels
• Battery Recharge Circuitry
• Internal VOX Circuitry
• Channel Monitor
• Headset Jack
• 38 CTCSS Codes
• 7 NOAA Emergency/Weather Channels
• Optional NiMH Battery Pack and Charger
• Extended Long Range*
• Battery Level Meter
• Backlit LCD Display
• Channel Scan
• Keypad Lock
• Weather Alert
GMRS540
Turning the Radio On and Adjusting the Volume
1) Rotate the on/off/volume control counter
clockwise to turn the unit ON and increase
the speaker volume.
2) Rotate the on/off/volume control clockwise
to decrease the speaker volume and turn
the unit 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 unit.
Choosing a CTCSS Code
Each of the channels 1-22 may have any one of
the codes 0-38 selected. Code "0" indicates no
CTCSS code selected and your radio can receive
a signal regardless of the code settings of the
transmitting radio.
1) Enter the Menu. Advance through the Menu
until the CTCSS code on the LCD is flashing.
2) Press the
▲
or
▼
key to increase or decrease
the code number displayed.
3) Exit the Menu to return to "normal" mode.
1 Antenna
15 Weather Indicator
2 Monitor Button
16 Weather Alert
3 PTT Button
17 Scan Indicator
4 Up Key
18 Transmit Indicator
5 Down Key
19 Battery Level Meter
6 Select/Lock Key
20 Channel Indicator
7 Speaker
21 Lock Indicator
8 On/Off/Volume Control
22 VOX Indicator
9 Beltclip
23 Call Alert
10 Headset Jack
24 Receive Indicator
11 WX Key
25 CTCSS Code
12 Call Key
13 Microphone
14 Battery Cover
Choosing a Channel
Your radio has 8 GMRS/14 FRS channels and
38 CTCSS codes you can use to talk to others. In
order to speak to someone, each of you must be
set to the same channel and CTCSS code.
To choose a channel:
Press the
▲
or
▼
key to increase or decrease the
channel number displayed.
Voice Operated Transmission
Your GMRS540 radio is equipped with a user
selectable Voice Operated Transmitter (VOX)
which is enabled when the special headset is
inserted and can be adjusted through the Menu.
The VOX feature is designed to be used with a
headset with a microphone, but no remote PTT
switch. Transmission is initiated by speaking into
the remote microphone instead of pushing the
PTT button.
To select a VOX level:
1) Enter the Menu. Advance through the Menu
until the
V
VO
OX
X
icon is displayed. The current
level (
0
0
-
3
3
) will be indicated. Level ‘0’ disables
VOX, while levels 1-3 set the sensitivity of the
VOX circuit.
2) Press the
▲
or
▼
keys to the desired VOX
sensitivity level. Use level 1 for increased
The GMRS540 radio operates on the General
Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) frequencies which
require a Federal Communication Commission
license to operate. For licensing information and
application forms, visit the FCC online at:
www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls or call the FCC hotline at
1-800-418-3676. If you have any questions
you can contact the FCC direct at 1-888-225-5322.
FCC GMRS LICENSE
Keypad Lock
To Lock the keypad, press and hold the
select/lock key until the icon is displayed.
To remove the keypad Lock, press and
hold the select/lock key until the Lock icon
disappears.
Auto Squelch Feature
The GMRS540 radio is equipped with an
automatic squelch system which shuts off
weak transmissions and unwanted noise due
to terrain conditions or if you have reached
sensitivity to voice in normally quiet
environments, and use a higher level to
reduce undesired activation in very noisy
environments.
3) Exit the Menu.
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