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Installation & Setup

CAUTION:

 Disconnect the phone cord from the wall outlet 

before installing or replacing the batteries.

Installing the Batteries

Your Caller ID phone uses 4 AA-size alkaline batteries for receiving 

and storing Caller ID records and for storing the numbers you use for 

memory dialing, pulse dialing, redial, and predial functionality.

1. Release latch on battery compartment and remove cover.
2. Insert 4 AA-size alkaline batteries as 

shown on the diagram in the battery 

compartment.

3. Snap the battery compartment door 

back into place and replace the 

mounting bracket.

4. If the line cord was previously 

connected, re-attach it to the unit 

and check your memory locations.

NOTE:

 If the low battery icon appears in the display, you need to 

replace the batteries. It is important that you replace the batteries 

as soon as possible in order to maintain Caller ID operation.

IMPORTANT:

 If you are not going to use the telephone for 

more than 30 days, remove the batteries because they may 

leak and damage the unit. 

Installation

Desktop Installation

To attach the desktop pedestal:

Equipment Approval Information

Your telephone equipment is approved for connection to the Public 

Switched Telephone Network and is in compliance with parts 15 and 

68, FCC Rules and Regulations and the Technical Requirements for 

Telephone Terminal Equipment published by ACTA.

1. Notification to the Local Telephone Company

  On the bottom of this equipment is a label indicating, among 

other information, the US number and Ringer Equivalence 

Number (REN) for the equipment. You must, upon request, provide 

this information to your telephone company.

  The REN is useful in determining the number of devices you may 

connect to your telephone line and still have all of these devices 

ring when your telephone number is called. In most (but not all) 

areas, the sum of the RENs of all devices connected to one line 

should not exceed 5. To be certain of the number of devices you 

may connect to your line as determined by the REN, you should 

contact your local telephone company.

  A plug and jack used to connect this equipment to the premises 

wiring and telephone network must comply with the applicable 

FCC Part 68 rules and requirements adopted by the ACTA. A 

compliant telephone cord and modular plug is provided with this 

product. It is designed to be connected to a compatible modular 

jack that is also compliant. See installation instructions for details.

Notes  

•  This equipment may not be used on coin service provided by the 

telephone company.

•  Party lines are subject to state tariffs, and therefore, you may 

not be able to use your own telephone equipment if you are on a 

party line. Check with your local telephone company.

•  Notice must be given to the telephone company upon permanent 

disconnection of your telephone from your line.

 • If your home has specially wired alarm equipment connected to 

the telephone line, ensure the installation of this product does not 

disable your alarm equipment. If you have questions about what 

will disable alarm equipment, consult your telephone company or 

a qualified installer.

US Number is located on the cabinet bottom

REN number is located on the cabinet bottom

2. Rights of the Telephone Company 

  Should your equipment cause trouble on your line which may 

harm the telephone network, the telephone company shall, where 

practicable, notify you that temporary discontinuance of service 

may be required. Where prior notice is not practicable and the 

circumstances warrant such action, the telephone company may 

temporarily discontinue service immediately. In case of such 

temporary discontinuance, the telephone company must: (1) 

promptly notify you of such temporary discontinuance; (2) afford 

you the opportunity to correct the situation; and (3) inform you 

of your right to bring a complaint to the Commission pursuant 

to procedures set forth in Subpart E of Part 68, FCC Rules and 

Regulations.

  The telephone company may make changes in its communications 

facilities, equipment, operations or procedures where such action 

is required in the operation of its business and not inconsistent 

with FCC Rules and Regulations. If these changes are expected to 

affect the use or performance of your telephone equipment, the 

telephone company must give you adequate notice, in writing, to 

allow you to maintain uninterrupted service.

Interference Information

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation 

is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may 

not cause harmful interference; and (2) This device must accept 

any interference received, including interference that may cause 

undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits 

for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. 

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against 

harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency 

energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with 

the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio 

communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference 

will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or 

television reception, which can be determined by turning the 

equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the 

interference by one or more of the following measures:

•  Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna (that is, the antenna 

for radio or television that is “receiving” the interference).

•  Reorient or relocate and increase the separation between the 

telecommunications equipment and receiving antenna.

•  Connect the telecommunications equipment into an outlet on  

a circuit different from that to which the receiving antenna  

is connected.

If these measures do not eliminate the interference, please 

consult your dealer or an experienced radio/television technician 

for additional suggestions. Also, the Federal Communications 

Commission has prepared a helpful booklet, “How To Identify and 

Resolve Radio/TV Interference Problems.” This booklet is available 

from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 

Please specify stock number 004-000-00345-4 when ordering 

copies.
Notice: The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the 

party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to 

operate the equipment.

Hearing Aid Compatibility

This telephone system meets FCC standards for Hearing Aid 

Compatibility.

Licensing

Licensed under US Patent 6,427,009.

To detach the desktop pedestal:

NOTE:

 If you make a mistake and want to start over again, press 

the Delete button to delete all of the digits.

1. Press the 

Menu

 button until 

LOCAL AREA CODE

 shows in  

the display.

2. Press the 

Review

 

5

 button to enter the second and third digit.

3. Press the 

Review

 

6

 button to enter digit.

NOTE: 

The local area code may also be entered directly by using 

the number pad.

4. Press the 

Menu

 button to save.

Setting the Dial Mode

This adjustment allows you to select tone (touch-tone) or pulse 

(rotary) dialing.

1. Press the 

Menu

 button until 

TONE/PULSE 

shows in the display.

2. Press the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons to show the current dialing 

mode. The default is TONE dialing.

3. To change the dialing mode, press the review key. The display 

alternates between the two modes.

4. Press the 

Menu

 button to save.

NOTE: 

The phone will exit set up after 20 seconds if no buttons are 

pressed.

REMINDER: 

The time and date are programmed automatically 

when the first Caller ID record is successfully received after set up.

Caller ID Features

IMPORTANT:

 In order to use all of the features of this 

telephone, you must subscribe to two separate services 

available from your local telephone company: the standard 

Name/Number Caller ID Service to know who is calling when 

the phone rings and Caller ID with Call Waiting Service to 

know who is calling while you are on the phone. 

Summary Screen

The Summary Screen shows the current time, date, and number of 

new calls to review. It is displayed until any button is pressed.

NOTE:

 The number of new calls is displayed until all new calls have 

been reviewed.

Receiving and Storing Calls

This unit receives and displays information transmitted by your local 

phone company. This information can include the phone number, 

date, and time; or the name, phone number, date, and time. The unit 

can store up to 75 calls for later review. When the memory is full, 

a new call automatically replaces the oldest call in memory. 

NEW

 

appears in the display for calls received that have not been reviewed.

Reviewing Call Records

•  Press the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 button to view the call records.

•  Press the 

Review

 

5

 button to scroll through the call records from 

the old one to the next new one.

•  Press the 

Review

 

6

 button to scroll through the call records from 

the new one to the previous one.

•  When all of the records have been viewed, 

START/END

 appears in 

the display.

Deleting Call Records

•  To delete the record shown in the display, press the 

Delete

 button 

once.

•  To delete all records while reviewing, press and hold the 

Delete

 

button for about three seconds. 

DELETE ALL?

 appears in the 

display. Press 

Delete

 again to complete.

Dialing Back

When reviewing Caller ID records, you can dialback the numbers 

shown on the display by pressing the 

Dial

 button.

NOTE:

 If PICKUP PHONE shows in the display, no other changes to 

the number can be made. The information sent from the telephone 

company is known to be a valid number for dialing back (used only 

in very limited areas). Once you pickup the phone, the number is 

automatically dialed.

NOTE:

 Make sure either line button 1 or 2 is pressed, when the 

handset is picked-up or the speakerphone is in use.

If You Programmed Your Local Area Code In the Set Up Menu

1. Use the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 button to display the number you want 

to dial.

2. Press the 

Dial

 button.

•  If you see a number with seven digits (i.e. 555-1234), then the call 

is from within your area code. However, this does not guarantee 

the call is a local call.

•  If you see a number with 11 digits (i.e. 1-234-555-1234), then the 

call is not from within your area code.

NOTE: 

A timer (10 seconds on-hook and 3 seconds off-hook) located 

in the upper right side of the display will start, letting you know how 

much time is left until the unit returns to the Summary Screen.

3. If you are at on-hook and 

PICKUP OR ADJ

 displays, you can adjust 

the phone number format by pressing the 

Dial

 button. If the phone 

is off-hook and 

ADJUST

 shows in the display, you can adjust the 

phone number format by pressing the 

Dial

 button. For example, 

sometimes a 7-digit local number cannot be dialed because 

it requires a 10-digit or 11-digit format. Press the 

Dial

 button 

repeatedly to scroll through the 7, 10, and 11-digit numbers.

7-digits:    

7-digit telephone number (i.e. 555-5555)

10-digits:  

3-digit area code + 7-digit telephone number  

 

 

(i.e. 425-555-5555)

11-digits:  

long distance code 1 + 3-digit area code + 7- 

 

 

digit telephone number (i.e. 1-425-555-5555)

4. To dial the displayed number, and the phone is on-hook, pick up 

the handset or press the 

Speaker

 button before the timer reaches 

0. If the phone is off-hook, wait until the time reaches 0. 

NOW 

DIALING

 shows in the display and the number is dialed.

NOTE:

 Make sure either the 1 or 2 line button is pressed.

If You Did Not Program Your Local Area Code In the Set Up Menu

1. Use the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons to display the number you want 

to dial. You will only see 10-digit numbers (i.e. 234- 555-1234).

2. See steps 2 through 4 in the previous section to complete the 

dialback process.

Caller ID Display Messages

The following special messages indicate the status of a message or 

the unit:

BLOCKED CALL

  

The caller of the incoming call is registered 

as “Private Number” and their Caller ID 

information is withheld.

CALL WAITING

  

Indicates a call is waiting on the line.

 

Battery power level is low.

NO CALLS

 

The caller memory is empty.

START/END

 

You are at the beginning or the end of the 

Caller ID memory log.

UNKNOWN CALLER

 

The incoming call does not have Caller ID 

service or their service area is not linked 

to yours. If 

UNKNOWN CALLER

 appears 

along with a calling number, the name 

information for that number was not 

available.

Speakerphone Basics

Speakerphone Location

Your phone features a speakerphone for ease of use and convenience 

during a phone conversation. At any time during a conversation, you 

can  lift the handset to stop using the speakerphone. Likewise, when 

you are using the handset, press the 

Speaker

 button and place the 

handset in the cradle to switch to the speakerphone.
For best speakerphone performance, avoid the following:

•  Areas with high background noise. (The microphone might pick up 

these sounds and prevent the speakerphone from going into the 

receiving mode when you finish talking.)

•  Surfaces affected by vibration.
•  Recessed areas such as in a corner, under a cupboard, or next to a 

cabinet, which can generate an echo effect.

Speakerphone Use

Note the following guidelines when using the speakerphone:

•  The speakerphone works similar to a two-way radio in that you 

can only listen or talk at one time.

•  Stay reasonably close to the phone so that you can be clearly 

heard by the person to whom you are talking.

•  You can adjust the speaker volume by pressing  the volume button 

continuously or pressing the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons after 

pressing the 

Volume

 button.

•  The speakerphone indicator light comes on when the 

speakerphone is in use.

NOTE:

 Batteries must be installed for the speakerphone to operate.

Telephone Basics

You can use the telephone by speaking into and listening through 

the handset, or by using the Speakerphone feature. For all 

operations, either 

Line

 

1

 or 

2

 button must be pressed.  Do not press 

both buttons down at the same time.

Line Status Indicators

This two-line phone is designed for use at multiple stations.  The 

indicator light tells you what is happening on each line.

When the 

And the Icon 

It Means:

indicator light is:  on the LCD is:

Off 

 

Off 

 

The line is not in use.

Flashing Red 

Off 

 

A call is being  

 

 

 

 

 

received.

Green 

 

On 

 

The line is in use by  

 

 

 

 

this phone.

Red 

 

Flashing   

A call is on hold.

Off 

 

Off 

 

A parallel phone is using the  

 

 

 

 

line.

Off 

 

Flashing   

Line not connected.

Making a Phone Call

1. Press 

Line 1

 or 

Line 2

 button, and lift the handset or press the 

Speaker

 button. Wait for a dial tone.

2. Dial the telephone number you want to call.
   

OR

  Pre-dial the number, select 

Line 1

 or 

Line 2

, then lift handset or 

press the 

Speaker

 button.

3. Replace the handset in the cradle, or press the 

Speaker

 button to 

hang up. 

Receiving a Phone Call

1. To answer an incoming call, press the 

Line

 button next to the 

flashing red indicator.

2. Lift the handset or press 

Speaker

 to answer the call.

3. Replace the handset in the cradle or press the 

Speaker

 button to 

hang up. 

Adjusting the Handset and  

Speakerphone Volume

The volume controls for the handset and speakerphone are separate, 

so you can adjust one without affecting the other. To adjust the 

handset volume, pick up the handset, press the 

Volume

 button 

continuously or press the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons after pressing the 

Volume

 button. 

REC

 (handset receiver) or

 

SPK (speakerphone mode)

 

shows in the display.  While using the speakerphone, adjust the 

speakerphone volume by pressing the 

Volume

 button continuously 

or pressing 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons after pressing the 

Volume

 

button. Both handset receiver and speakerphone volume level 

setting will be saved in the unit’s memory. 

Using the Speakerphone

To use the speakerphone feature, press a line button and then press 

the 

Speaker

 button. For more information refer to Speakerphone 

Basics.

Base

Handset

Handset cord

Desktop 

pedestal

4-wire 

telephone 

line cord

Base Layout

Store

(button)

Mute

(indicator)

Line 2 

(Indicator)

Memory  

(buttons)

Review (button)

Dial (button)

Conference 

(button)

Line 1 

(button)

 Hold (button)

 Speaker (button)

Flash/Exit (button)

Line 1 

(Indicator)

 Speaker (indicator)

Redial/Pause (button)

Display

Delete (button)

Menu 

(button)

Volume (button)

Introduction

CAUTION:

 When using telephone equipment, there are basic 

safety instructions that should always be followed. Refer to 

the IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS provided with this 

product and save them for future reference.

Short Glossary of Terminology Used in this 

Manual

Hook switch.

 The part of the phone that pops up to activate the 

phone line when the handset is lifted from the base.

Line indicator.

 The light located next to each of the line buttons; it 

shows you the status of each line.

Off-hook.

 A term used to describe the phone in its active mode 

when the handset is off of the base cradle or a line button, along 

with the 

Speaker

 button, is pressed.

On-hook.

 A term used to describe the phone in an inactive mode.

Before You Begin

Parts Checklist

Make sure your package includes the following items:

Model 25201

00023042 (Rev. 0 Dom E)

07-51

Printed in China

Thomson Inc.

101 West 103rd St.

Indianapolis, IN 46290-1102

© 2007 Thomson Inc. 

Trademark(s) ® Registered

Marca(s) Registrada(s)

Modular Jack Requirements

To properly connect your phone to your 

telephone lines, you should identify the type 

of wall jack(s) you have. You will need an 

RJ11C (for a single line) or a RJ14C (for two 

lines)  type modular phone jack, which might 

look like the one pictured here. If you don’t 

have either modular jack, call your local 

phone company to find out how to get one installed.

Important Installation Information

•  Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.
•  Never touch uninsulated telephone wires or terminals, unless the 

telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface.

•  Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines.
•  Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is 

specifically designed for wet locations.

•  Temporarily disconnect any equipment connected to the phone, 

such as faxes, other phones, or modems.

Modular 

telephone 

line jack

Wall plate

2-Line Intercom  

Speakerphone 

User’s Guide

Please read this manual 

before operating product 

for the first time.

Model 25201

Visit the RCA web site at www.rca.com

Please do not send any products to the Indianapolis address listed in this 

manual or on the carton. This will only add delays in service for your product.

Mute

(button)

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

Two single-line 

wall phone jacks

One dual-line jack or one 

single-line wall phone jack

NOTE: 

To prevent the handset from falling out of the cradle while 

the phone is hanging on the wall, you must set the handset hook 

(located on the base) in the WALL position. You will also need to 

remove the desktop pedestal if attached.

To connect LINES 1 + 2:

There are two possible connections.

Refer to Figure 1 at beginning of Installation section if you have 

one single line (RJ11C) phone jack or one dual-line (RJ14C) phone 

jack.

1. Connect one end of either straight telephone line cord to the jack 

marked Line 1+2 on the back of the base.

2. Connect the other end to the single-line or dual-line wall phone 

jack.

NOTE:

 If you connect the telephone line cord to the single-line 

(RJ11C) wall phone jack, you will only be able to use one telephone 

line (either Line 1 or Line 2) but not both lines simultaneously.

Refer to Figure 2 at beginning of Installation section if you have 

two single-line (RJ11C) phone jacks.

1. Connect one end of either straight telephone line cord to the jack 

marked Line 1+2 on the back of the base.

2. Connect one end of the other straight telephone line cord to the 

jack marked Line 2 on the back of the base.

3. Connect the other end of each straight telephone line cord to the 

two single line wall phone jack.

4. Slip the mounting holes over the wall plate posts and firmly slide 

the unit down into place (wall plate not included).

5. Plug one end of the coiled handset cord into the handset and the 

opposite end into the base.

6. Set the Ringer Line 1 and Ringer Line 2 volume switches located 

at the back of the base to the desired loudness.

    OFF - Telephone will not ring.
  LO - Sound will be lowest.
  HI - Sound will be loudest.
7. Press the 

Line 1

 button if the Line 1 telephone cord is connected. 

Otherwise, press the 

Line 2

 button.

8. The unit is properly installed if you pick up the handset and hear 

the dial tone. Otherwise, recheck all installation steps.

Data Port

This phone is equipped with a Line 2 jack for you to connect an 

auxiliary phone device, such as a fax machine, computer modem, 

answering machine, or even a cordless phone. You can install the 

phone as described in “Two Lines on a Single Modular Jack”, then 

you can use the Line 2 jack to connect your fax machine and receive 

faxes on the phone number for Line 2.

Setting Up the Caller ID Menu

You should not plug the telephone into the modular jack while 

setting up the Caller ID menu.
1. Press the 

Menu

 button to enter the menu feature configuration 

mode.

# 1. >ENG  FRA  ESP (CID language default English)
# 2. CONTRAST (default level is 3).
# 3. LOCAL AREA CODE
# 4. TONE/PULSE (Default is tone dialing).
2. Press the 

Menu

 button to scroll through the 4 menu screens.

3. Use the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons to select the desired setting.

NOTE:

 You have 20 seconds following an entry before the phone 

returns to the Summary Screen.

Setting the Display Language

This adjustment changes the Caller ID prompts to be displayed in 

English, French, or Spanish.

1. Press the 

Menu

 button until 

ENG FRA ESP

 shows in the display.

2. Use the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 button to select ENG, FRA or ESP.

3. Press the 

Menu

 button to save. 

Setting the Contrast

This adjustment allows you to adjust the contrast of the display.

1. Press the 

Menu

 button until 

CONTRAST

 shows in the display.

2. Use the 

Review

 

5

 or 

6

 buttons to select level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.

3. Press the 

Menu

 button to save. 

Setting Your Local Area Code

The telephone uses the programmed area codes to determine the 

number format to display when a valid Caller ID signal is received. 

Numbers that match the local area code are displayed as seven digits 

and are used for dialing back previous numbers. Entering your local 

area code will also help you immediately know if the call is local or 

long distance when viewing the CID records in the display.  

Mic

*Tone 

(button)

Line 2 

(button)

To connect LINES 1 + 2:

There are two possible connections.

Refer to Figure 1 if you have one single line (RJ11C) phone jack or 

one dual-line (RJ14C) phone jack.

1. Connect one end of either straight telephone line cord to the jack 

marked Line 1+2 on the back of the base.

2. Connect the other end to the single-line or dual-line wall phone 

jack.

NOTE:

 If you connect the telephone line cord to the single-line 

(RJ11C) wall phone jack, you will only be able to use one telephone 

line (either Line 1 or Line 2) but not both lines simultaneously.

Refer to Figure 2 if you have  two single-line (RJ11C) phone jacks.

1. Connect one end of either straight telephone line cord to the jack 

marked Line 1+2 on the back of the base.

2. Connect one end of the other straight telephone line cord to the 

jack marked Line 2 on the back of the base.

3. Connect the other end of each straight telephone line cord to the 

two single line wall phone jack.

4. Plug one end of the coiled handset cord into the handset and the 

opposite end into the base.

5. Set the Ringer Line 1 and Ringer Line 2 volume switches located 

at the back of the base to the desired loudness.

  OFF - Telephone will not ring.
  LO - Sound will be lowest.
  HI - Sound will be loudest.
6. Press the 

Line 1

 button if the Line 1 telephone cord is connected. 

Otherwise, press 

Line 2

.

7. The unit is properly installed if you pick up the handset and hear 

the dial tone. Otherwise, recheck all installation steps.

NOTE:

 Ensure the handset hook is in the DESK position. Adjust it by 

pushing up and out of the slot on the base with your thumb, rotate 

the hook 180°, and replace it back in the slot. 

Wall Mount Installation

Your speakerphone can also be mounted on a wall plate (not 

included).

Reviews: