Radio Shack Answering Machine TAD 716 User Guide

Cat. No. 43-716  
OWNER’S MANUAL  
Please read before using this equipment.  
TAD-716  
Single Microcassette  
Answering System  
 
FEATURES  
Your RadioShack TAD-716 Single Microcassette An-  
swering System is ideal for your home or office. It is easy  
to use and has the following features.  
Single Microcassette Operation  
— lets you store your  
messages.  
One Button Operation  
— easy to use.  
Remote Operation  
— lets you use a touch-tone phone  
(or rotary phone and pocket tone dialer) to enter a 3-digit  
remote operation security code so you can play back or  
record messages while you are away from your home or  
office.  
Remote Answer-On  
— lets you call from a remote loca-  
tion to set the TAD-716 to answer calls.  
Call Monitor  
— lets you listen while a caller leaves a  
message so you can decide if you want to answer the  
call.  
Auto Toll Saver  
— lets you avoid unnecessary toll  
charges when you call long-distance to check your mes-  
sages.  
3
 
Broken Tape Detection/Indication  
— sounds a continu-  
ous tone to alert you when the tape is broken or not in-  
serted properly.  
Tape Full Detection  
— signal caller when the message  
capacity is full.  
VOX (Voice-Activated Recording)  
— stops recording  
after 7 seconds of silence to conserve tape space for oth-  
er messages.  
Auto Reset  
— stops recording when you pick up any  
phone on the same phone line and resets to answer the  
next call.  
Message Indicator  
— flashes to indicate the number of  
incoming calls recorded (up to 4). It flashes continuously  
if there are more than 4 calls or if there are messages re-  
corded when a power failure occurs.  
This answering system is ETL listed and complies with all  
applicable FCC standards.  
4
 
READ THIS FIRST  
We have designed the TAD-716 to conform to federal  
regulations, and you can connect it to most telephone  
lines. However, each device you connect to the phone  
line draws power from the phone line. We refer to this  
power draw as the device's Ringer Equivalence Number,  
or REN. The REN is on the bottom of the TAD-716.  
If you are using more than one device on the line, add up  
all the RENs. If the total is more than five (three in rural  
areas), your phones might not ring and the TAD-716  
might not answer. If ringer operation is impaired, remove  
a device from the telephone line.  
FCC STATEMENT  
The TAD-716 complies with Part 68 of FCC Rules. You  
must, upon request, provide the FCC registration number  
and the REN to your phone company. Both numbers are  
on the bottom of the TAD-716.  
Note:  
You must not connect the TAD-716 to:  
• coin-operated systems  
• party-line systems  
• most electronic key phone systems  
5
 
CONTENTS  
Preparation .................................................................. 7  
Selecting a Location ............................................... 7  
Loading the Cassette .............................................. 7  
Connecting Power .................................................. 9  
Recording the Outgoing Message ........................ 10  
Connecting to the Phone Line .............................. 11  
Basic Operation ........................................................ 12  
Screening Calls .................................................... 13  
Playing Messages ................................................ 14  
To Pause During Playback ............................. 14  
To Fast-Forward During Playback .................. 15  
To Rewind During Playback ........................... 15  
Saving Messages ................................................. 15  
Power Failure Protection ...................................... 16  
Resetting the TAD-716 ......................................... 16  
Remote Operation ..................................................... 17  
Remote Security Code ......................................... 17  
Remote Activation ................................................ 17  
Remote Message Playback .................................. 18  
Remote Message Erase ....................................... 19  
Toll Saver .............................................................. 20  
Troubleshooting ........................................................ 21  
Care and Maintenance .............................................. 24  
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts ........................ 25  
The FCC Wants You to Know ............................... 26  
Lightning ............................................................... 26  
6
 
PREPARATION  
SELECTING A LOCATION  
The TAD-716 is designed to rest on a flat surface such as  
a desktop or countertop. Select a location that is:  
• near an accessible AC outlet  
• near a modular telephone line jack  
If the phone line jack is not a modular jack, you must up-  
date the wiring. You can convert the wiring yourself, us-  
ing jacks and adapters available at your local  
RadioShack store. Or, you can let the phone company  
update the wiring for you. The USOC number of the jack  
to be installed is RJ11C.  
LOADING THE CASSETTE  
The TAD-716 comes with a MC-20 cassette tape (10  
minutes of recording time per side). You can buy addi-  
tional and different length cassettes at your local Ra-  
dioShack store.  
7
 
1. Turn the supplied cas-  
sette's hub with a pencil to  
take up any tape slack.  
2. Lift open the cassette  
compartment door, then  
remove and discard the  
tape card from inside the  
compartment.  
3. Put the cassette in the compartment with its full reel  
at the left side and its open edge to the left of the  
TAD-716.  
4. Close the compartment door.  
Notes:  
• You can turn the tape over and record on the other  
side. This lets you save any messages recorded on  
the first side while using the tape to record more  
messages.  
• Replace the tape at least once a year.  
8
 
CONNECTING POWER  
1. Plug the supplied AC adapter into a standard AC out-  
let.  
2. Rotate VOLUME counterclockwise until it clicks to  
turn on the TAD-716.  
The message indicator turns on while the TAD-716  
checks for an outgoing message.  
If an outgoing message is already recorded, the TAD-716  
automatically plays it back. If there is no outgoing mes-  
sage, the TAD-716 sounds a beep every 5 seconds until  
you record a message (see “Recording the Outgoing  
Message” on Page 10).  
Note:  
If the cassette tape is broken or is not inserted  
properly, the TAD-716 sounds a continuous low tone  
when it is connected to power. To stop the tone, unplug  
the adapter from the AC outlet. Reinsert or replace the  
tape, then plug the adapter back into the AC outlet.  
9
 
RECORDING THE OUTGOING  
MESSAGE  
Before you can use the TAD-716, you must record the  
outgoing message. The maximum length for your outgo-  
ing message is 60 seconds.  
Hint:  
To help protect your home or office, do not tell call-  
ers you are away. Instead, say you cannot come to the  
phone at this time.  
Follow these steps to record an outgoing message.  
1. If the TAD-716 is off, rotate VOLUME counterclock-  
wise until it clicks to turn it on. The message indicator  
turns on.  
Note:  
If the new message indicator is flashing, press  
PLAY to play all messages before you record a new  
announcement. Recording an outgoing message  
erases any stored messages.  
2. Lift open the cassette compartment door.  
3. Hold down OGM REC.  
When the message  
indicator begins flash-  
ing,  
speak  
clearly  
towards the built-in  
microphone.  
10  
 
4. When you finish recording, release OGM REC. The  
TAD-716 plays back the outgoing message to you.  
Then it is ready to receive incoming calls.  
5. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.  
You can press OGM REC at any time to hear the outgoing  
message. Your outgoing message plays, then the TAD-  
716 resets to answer incoming calls automatically.  
CONNECTING TO THE PHONE LINE  
To connect a telephone to the TAD-716, plug the TAD-  
716’s modular cord into a modular phone jack. Then in-  
sert the telephone's modular plug into the phone jack on  
the back of the TAD-716.  
11  
 
BASIC OPERATION  
Rotate VOLUME on the side of the TAD-716 counter-  
clockwise until it clicks to turn on the TAD-716. When the  
message indicator lights steadily and no tones sound, the  
TAD-716 is ready to answer calls.  
The TAD-716 hangs up and resets to answer the next  
call when:  
• the caller hangs up  
• the maximum message length of about 1 minute is  
reached  
• there are more than 7 seconds of silence  
The TAD-716's supplied tape can record up to about 10  
minutes of incoming messages per side. The maximum  
length for an incoming message is 60 seconds. Addition-  
al and different length cassettes are available at your lo-  
cal RadioShack store.  
If the tape runs out while a caller is leaving a message,  
the TAD-716 beeps and hangs up.  
If there are no new messages, the TAD-716 answers af-  
ter 4 rings. When there are new message which have not  
been reviewed, the TAD-716 answers after 2 rings.  
12  
 
If the incoming message tape is full, the TAD-716 an-  
swers a call after 10 rings, plays back the outgoing mes-  
sage, then waits 7 seconds for you to enter the remote  
operation security code. If you do not enter the correct  
code, the TAD-716 beeps and hangs up.  
Rotate VOLUME counterclockwise to increase the vol-  
ume, or clockwise to decrease it.  
To have the TAD-716 not answer calls, turn it off by rotat-  
ing VOLUME clockwise until it clicks. The message indica-  
tor turns off.  
SCREENING CALLS  
To screen calls, let the TAD-716 answer them. Listen to  
the caller's message through the TAD-716's speaker. If  
you decide to answer the call, pick up any phone on the  
same phone line as the TAD-716. The TAD-716 stops re-  
cording and resets to answer the next call.  
Note:  
If you pick up the phone just as the TAD-716 an-  
swers, the TAD-716 might not stop recording the mes-  
sage. If this happens, press the telephone’s switchhook  
for about one second. The TAD-716 stops and resets to  
answer the next call.  
13  
 
PLAYING MESSAGES  
The maximum length for each message is 60 seconds.  
The message indicator flashes when you have messag-  
es.  
Press PLAY to hear your messages. The TAD-716 plays  
back your messages in the order they were received. Af-  
ter the last message has played, playback stops and the  
message indicator lights steadily.  
You must save old messages (see “Saving Messages”  
on Page 15) or new messages will record over them.  
To Pause During Playback  
Rotate VOLUME to OFF to pause or stop during playback.  
Rotate VOLUME counterclockwise until it clicks to resume  
playing messages.  
14  
 
To Fast-Forward During Playback  
Hold down OGM REC until you reach the message you  
want. Playback resumes when you release OGM REC.  
Note:  
If you hold the key down until the end of the tape,  
the TAD-716 rewinds and stops.  
To Rewind During Playback  
Hold down PLAY. When you reach the message you  
want, release the key to resume playback.  
SAVING MESSAGES  
After the last message plays and the tape rewinds to the  
beginning, hold down PLAY until the message indicator  
goes off. Release the key and the message indicator  
flashes, indicating the TAD-716 is ready to answer in-  
coming calls and save new messages.  
Note:  
You must follow this procedure each time you lis-  
ten to incoming messages, before the TAD-716 answers  
a new incoming call.  
15  
 
POWER FAILURE PROTECTION  
If an AC power failure occurs, or the power plug comes  
out of the wall, the TAD-716 shuts down until power is re-  
stored. When power is restored, any messages recorded  
before the power failure will be saved and the message  
indicator flashes. If the TAD-716 is still not operating  
properly when the power is restored, you must reset it  
(see “Resetting the TAD-716”).  
RESETTING THE TAD-716  
1. Unplug the TAD-716 from the AC outlet and flip the  
microcassette to the other side.  
2. Plug the machine back into the AC outlet. The TAD-  
716 begins searching the tape messages (this might  
take 2–3 minutes).  
If the message indicator flashes, press PLAY to play  
all the messages. Then the message indicator lights  
steadily.  
3. Record a new outgoing message.  
16  
 
REMOTE OPERATION  
While you are away from your home or office, you can  
operate the TAD-716 using a touch-tone phone or a  
pulse phone with a pocket tone dialer. Carry the supplied  
Remote Operation Card in your wallet or purse for refer-  
ence when using the TAD-716 from a remote location.  
REMOTE SECURITY CODE  
A three-digit security code is located on the bottom of  
your TAD-716. You need this number to get your mes-  
sages when calling from a remote phone. Write down  
your code in the space provided on the enclosed Remote  
Operation Card.  
REMOTE ACTIVATION  
If you forget to turn your TAD-716 on, you can call and  
turn it on from a remote phone. Simply call your phone  
number. The TAD-716 answers after 12 or 14 rings, then  
is set to answer incoming calls.  
Note:  
Be sure to rotate VOLUME counterclockwise when  
you get home or you will not hear incoming calls.  
17  
 
REMOTE MESSAGE PLAYBACK  
1. Call your phone number from a touch-tone phone.  
After the TAD-716 answers, it plays the outgoing  
message, sounds a series of beeps, then one long  
tone. The length of the beeps depends on the num-  
ber of messages.  
You can leave a flag message up to 1 minute long to  
remind yourself that you have heard all the recorded  
messages up to this point on the tape.  
2. Whether or not you have left a flag message, enter  
your three-digit security code (see “Remote Security  
Code” on Page 17). The TAD-716 sounds a series of  
beeps while the tape rewinds. (If there are no beeps,  
enter the code again).  
The TAD-716 plays back all recorded incoming mes-  
sages, with a short beep between each message.  
When all incoming messages have played, the TAD-  
716 sounds another series of beeps.  
Note:  
If you hang up while messages are playing, the  
machine continues playback until all the recorded  
messages have played.  
18  
 
After 5 seconds, the TAD-716 sounds a single long  
beep. You can leave a remote memo (up to 1 minute)  
or enter your three-digit security code to replay the  
incoming messages again.  
3. To end playback, simply hang up. All messages are  
automatically saved and the TAD-716 resets itself to  
answer the next incoming call.  
Note:  
You cannot use this feature when calling in from a  
rotary or push-button pulse dial phone without a pocket  
tone dialer. Also, some touch-tone phones only output  
tones for a fraction of a second. If you have difficulty with  
remote operation, try another phone, or use a pocket  
tone dialer.  
REMOTE MESSAGE ERASE  
After playing all messages, the TAD-716 sounds a series  
of beeps.  
Enter your three-digit security code within 5 seconds after  
the beeps. After 2 short beeps sound, hang up. All mes-  
sages are automatically erased and the TAD-716 resets  
itself to answer the next incoming call.  
19  
 
TOLL SAVER  
The TAD-716 has a built-in automatic toll-saving feature.  
It answers in 4 rings if there are no new or saved mes-  
sages, or 2 rings if you have messages to review. This  
feature lets you know if you have received any messages  
before it answers, thus saving long distance costs.  
If your phone rings more than twice, you know that you  
don’t have any messages, so you can hang up on the  
third ring before the TAD-716 answers and save the cost  
of the call.  
Note:  
If no messages are received, or if messages have  
been saved after playback, the TAD-716 answers after  
the fourth ring.  
If the TAD-716 answers after 2 rings, you have received  
messages. Follow the steps in “Remote Message Play-  
back” on Page 18. If messages have been saved after re-  
mote playback, the TAD-716 answers after the second  
ring.  
Note:  
If the tape is full, the TAD-716 answers after 10  
rings.  
20  
 
TROUBLESHOOTING  
We do not expect you to have any problems with the  
TAD-716, but if you do, be sure you installed the tape  
correctly and turned on the TAD-716. If you still have a  
problem, this chart might help. If not, take the TAD-716 to  
your local RadioShack store for assistance.  
Problem  
Solution  
The TAD-716 does not  
answer and record callers'  
messages.  
Turn on the TAD-716 by  
rotating  
counter-  
VOLUME  
clockwise so the message  
indicator turns on.  
Record an outgoing mes-  
sage.  
Check and reconnect the  
modular phone plug.  
The TAD-716 records a dial  
tone, beeping, or the opera-  
tor's voice instead of the  
caller's message.  
If this happens often, dis-  
cuss the problem with your  
phone company.  
21  
 
Problem  
Solution  
The TAD-716 does not  
respond to any button.  
Turn on the TAD-716 by  
rotating  
counter-  
VOLUME  
clockwise so the message  
indicator lights.  
Reset the TAD-716 by  
unplugging the AC adapter  
from the AC outlet then plug-  
ging it in again.  
Outgoing message sounds  
distorted.  
Rerecord the message.  
Speak clearly into the micro-  
phone at a normal volume  
from about 12 inches away.  
Incoming messages sound  
distorted.  
Clean the head using a tape  
head-cleaning kit (see  
“Cleaning the Tape-Handling  
Parts” on Page 25).  
Unplug the adapter from the  
AC outlet, replace the tape,  
then plug the adapter back  
into the AC outlet.  
22  
 
Problem  
Solution  
Continuous tone sounds.  
Record an outgoing mes-  
sage (see “Recording the  
Outgoing Message” on  
Page 10).  
Unplug the adapter from the  
AC outlet, replace the tape,  
then plug the adapter back  
into the AC outlet.  
The message indicator  
blinks continuously, but there  
are fewer than five incoming  
messages.  
Press  
. The TAD-716  
PLAY  
plays back any saved mes-  
sages then any new incom-  
ing messages.  
23  
 
CARE AND MAINTENANCE  
To enjoy your RadioShack TAD-716 Single Microcas-  
sette Answering System for a long time:  
• Keep the TAD-716 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry  
immediately.  
• Use and store the TAD-716 only in normal tempera-  
ture environments.  
• Handle the TAD-716 gently and carefully. Do not drop  
it.  
• Keep the TAD-716 away from dust and dirt.  
• Wipe the TAD-716 with a damp cloth occasionally to  
keep it looking new.  
Modifying or tampering with the TAD-716’s internal com-  
ponents can cause a malfunction and invalidate its war-  
ranty. If your TAD-716 is not performing as it should, take  
it to your local RadioShack store for assistance. If the  
trouble is affecting the telephone lines, the phone compa-  
ny can ask you to disconnect your TAD-716 until you  
have resolved the problem.  
24  
 
CLEANING THE TAPE-HANDLING  
PARTS  
To restore the sound quality, you must inspect and clean  
the tape head. 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 perfor-  
mance of the cassette player.  
We recommend cleaning the tape head about every 3  
months. Rotate VOLUME clockwise to OFF until it clicks to  
turn off the TAD-716, then remove the cassette. Gently  
clean the tape-handling parts with a swab dipped in tape  
head-cleaning solution, available at your local Ra-  
dioShack store.  
Caution:  
To avoid damage to the tape head, never use a  
chemical not approved for tape head cleaning and never  
touch the tape head with your fingers or any metal object.  
25  
 
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW  
In the unlikely event that the TAD-716 causes problems  
on the phone line, the phone company can disconnect  
your service. The phone company attempts to notify you  
in advance. If advance notice is not practical, the phone  
company notifies you of your right to file a complaint with  
the FCC.  
Also, the phone company can make changes to its lines,  
equipment, operations, or procedures that could affect  
the operation of the TAD-716. The phone company noti-  
fies you of these changes in advance, so you can take  
the necessary steps to prevent interruption of your phone  
service.  
LIGHTNING  
The TAD-716 has built-in protection circuits to reduce the  
risk of damage from surges in phone and power line cur-  
rent. These protection circuits meet or exceed FCC re-  
quirements. However, lightning striking the phone line or  
power lines can damage the TAD-716.  
26  
 
Lightning damage is not common. Nevertheless, if you  
live in an area that has frequent electrical storms, we  
suggest that you unplug the TAD-716 during storms to  
reduce the possibility of damage.  
27  
 
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 Ra-  
dioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.  
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 DURA-  
TION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS  
PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO  
CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABIL-  
ITY, 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 LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVE-  
NIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDI-  
RECT, 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 exclu-  
sion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may  
not apply to you.  
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the Ra-  
dioShack 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; (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 replaced  
parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. You will  
be charged for repair or replacement 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 installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess volt-  
age or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Ser-  
vice Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e)  
transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-  
up service adjustment or reinstallation.  
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 Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102  
We Service What We Sell  
04/99  
RadioShack  
A Division of Tandy Corporation  
Fort Worth, Texas 76102  
LIB717YY  
10A99  
Printed in China  
 

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