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Cat. No. 14-1112
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
CTR-107
Portable Cassette
Tape Recorder
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Tape Counter — helps you quickly locate a specific
section on the tape.
Automatic Level Control (ALC) Circuit — automat-
ically adjusts to the proper recording level.
Auto Stop — automatically stops the recorder when
the tape reaches the end during playback or record-
ing.
Pause Control — lets you edit as you record.
Three Power Sources — let you power the recorder
using four AA batteries, a standard AC outlet (with an
optional AC adapter), or your vehicle’s cigarette-
lighter socket (with an optional DC adapter).
Built-In Carrying Strap — lets you easily carry the
cassette recorder anywhere you go.
Supplied Earphone — lets you listen in privacy.
Erase Plug — lets you erase a tape without record-
ing any sound over it.
MIC Jack — lets you connect an optional external mi-
crophone.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ........................................................... 5
Connecting Power ........................................... 5
Using Internal Batteries ............................ 5
Using AC Power ....................................... 8
Using Vehicle Battery Power .................. 10
Using the Earphone ...................................... 12
Listening Safely ...................................... 12
Traffic Safety .......................................... 13
Operation ............................................................ 14
Loading a Cassette Tape .............................. 14
Playing a Cassette Tape ............................... 16
Using Fast-Forward/Rewind ................... 18
Using the Tape Counter ......................... 19
Recording ...................................................... 20
Using an External Microphone ............... 22
Tape Tips ....................................................... 24
Recommended Tapes ............................ 24
Erasing a Cassette Tape ........................ 24
Preventing Accidental Erasure ............... 25
Restoring Tape Tension and
Sound Quality ........................................ 27
Maintenance ........................................................ 28
Cleaning the Tape-Handling Parts ................ 30
Specifications ..................................................... 33
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PREPARATION
CONNECTING POWER
You can power the CTR-107 from any of three power
sources:
• Internal batteries
• Standard AC power (with an optional AC
adapter)
• Your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket (with an
optional DC adapter)
Note:
Connecting an adapter disconnects internal
batteries.
Using Internal Batteries
You can power the CTR-107 from four AA batteries
(not supplied). For the best performance, we recom-
mend alkaline batteries, such as RadioShack Cat.
No. 23-557.
You can also use rechargeable nickel-cadmium bat-
teries (Cat. No. 23-125) with a battery charger (Cat.
No. 23-133).
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Follow these steps to install batteries:
1. Press down on the battery compartment cover
and slide it off in the direction of the arrows.
2. Install the batteries as indicated by the polarity
symbols (+ and –) marked outside the compart-
ment.
Cautions:
•
Use only fresh batteries of the required size
and type.
•
Do not mix old and new batteries, different
types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or re-
chargeable), or rechargeable batteries of dif-
ferent capacities.
•
Always dispose of old batteries promptly and
properly.
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•
Never leave dead, old or weak batteries in the
CTR-107. Batteries can leak chemicals and
corrode or damage electronic circuits.
3. Replace the cover.
Notes:
• If you plan not to use the CTR-107 for a week or
more, or you plan to use an AC or DC adapter,
remove the batteries to protect the CTR-107
from possible battery leakage.
• When the RECORD/BATT indicator becomes
dim during operation or does not light when you
turn on the recorder, replace the batteries.
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Important: Your recorder is capable of using re-
chargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. At the end of
the batteries’ life, they must be recycled or disposed
of properly. Contact your local, county, or state haz-
ardous waste management authorities for information
on recycling or disposal programs in your area. Some
options that might be available are: municipal curb-
side collection, drop-off boxes at retailers such as
your local RadioShack store, recycling collection cen-
ters, and mail-back programs.
Using AC Power
To power the CTR-107 from an AC outlet, you need
an AC adapter (not supplied), such as Cat. No. 273-
1663 or 273-1664.
Cautions:
• The recommended AC adapter supplies 6 volts
and delivers at least 300 millliamps. Its center tip
is set to negative, and its plug correctly fits the
DC 6V jack on the CTR-107. Using an adaper
that does not meet these specifications could
seriously damage the CTR-107 or the adapter.
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• Always plug the AC adapter into the CTR-107
before you plug it into the AC outlet, and unplug
the AC adapter from the AC outlet before you
unplug its barrel plug from the CTR-107.
Follow these steps to connect the CTR-107 to AC
power.
1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 6V.
2. Insert the adapter’s 5.5 mm outer diameter/2.1
mm inner diameter barrel plug into the adapter’s
cord so it reads –TIP.
3. Insert the AC adapter’s barrel plug into the DC 6V
jack on the CTR-107.
4. Plug the AC adapter into a standard AC outlet.
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Using Vehicle Battery Power
You can power the CTR-107 from your vehicle’s ciga-
rette-lighter socket using a DC adapter (not supplied),
such as Cat. No. 273-1802.
Cautions:
• The recommended DC adapter supplies 6 volts
and delivers at least 300 milliamps. Its center tip
is set to negative, and its plug correctly fits the
CTR-107’s DC 6V jack. Using an adapter that
does not meet these specifications could dam-
age the CTR-107 or the adapter.
• Always plug the DC adapter into the CTR-107
before you plug it into the cigarette-lighter
socket, and always unplug the adapter from the
cigarette-lighter socket before you unplug it from
the CTR-107.
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Follow these steps to connect the CTR-107 to vehicle
battery power.
1. Set the DC adapter’s voltage switch to 6V.
2. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the CTR-
107’s DC 6V jack.
3. Plug the adapter’s larger plug into the vehicle’s
cigarette-lighter socket.
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USING THE EARPHONE
To listen in privacy, insert the supplied earphone’s 1/8-
inch plug into the EAR jack.
Note:
Connecting the earphone automatically discon-
nects the built-in speaker.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when
you use the earphone.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting before you
begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust
the volume to a comfortable level.
• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels.
Extended high volume listening can lead to per-
manent hearing loss.
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• Once you set the volume, do not increase it.
Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level,
so a volume level that does not cause discomfort
might still damage your hearing.
Traffic Safety
Do not wear the earphone while operating a motor
vehicle or riding a bicycle. This can create a traffic
hazard and is illegal in some areas.
Even though some earphones are designed to let you
hear some outside sounds when listening at normal
volume levels, they still present a traffic hazard.
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OPERATION
LOADING A CASSETTE TAPE
Note:
Metal tapes are not recommended for use with
this cassette player.
1. Take up any slack in the tape by turning one of
the cassette’s hubs with a pencil. Do not touch
the tape.
Caution:
If you do not remove the excess slack,
the tape might become tangled in the record/
playback mechanism.
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2. Press STOP/EJECT to open the cassette com-
partment door.
3. Load the cassette with its open edge out, the
side you want to play facing up, and its full reel to
the left.
4. Close the door.
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PLAYING A CASSETTE TAPE
1. Load the cassette tape.
2. Press PLAY. The cassette plays until it reaches
the end of the side, then it automatically stops.
Note:
PAUSE
to temporarily stop playback.
Press
Press PAUSE again to resume playback.
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3. Adjust VOLUME as desired.
4. Press STOP/EJECT to completely stop playback
before it automatically stops. Press STOP/EJECT
again to open the cassette compartment and
remove the cassette tape.
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Using Fast-Forward/Rewind
While the tape is stopped, press REVIEW/REWIND or
CUE/FAST-F to rapidly wind the tape backward or for-
ward. Press STOP/EJECT, then PLAY again to resume
playback.
If you press and hold down REVIEW/REWIND or CUE/
FAST-F while the tape is playing, you can hear the
tape as it moves at a faster speed. This makes it easy
to locate a specific part of a recording (such as the
space between tracks). When you release REVIEW/
REWIND or CUE/FAST-F, the tape plays at its normal
speed.
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Using the Tape Counter
You can use the tape counter to help you find specific
locations on the tape.
At the beginning of a tape, press the reset button to
reset the tape counter to 000. Then note the
counter’s reading at the beginnng of each selection.
To return to a selection, fast-forward or rewind the
tape until the counter shows the noted reading.
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RECORDING
Notes:
• Before you load a cassette tape for recording, be
sure its erase-protection tabs are in place (see
“Preventing Accidental Erasure” on Page 25).
• The recorder’s Automatic Level Control (ALC)
circuit automatically adjusts the recording level.
VOLUME has no effect on recording.
1. Load a blank cassette tape, or one you want to
record over, into the cassette compartment.
2. Set VOICE ACTIVATION to the desired sensitivity.
HIGH — begins recording from soft, low sounds
as well as loud sounds.
LOW — requires a normal to loud sound to begin
recording.
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OUT — immediately begins recording when you
press RECORD (unless PAUSE is pressed down).
3. Press RECORD to begin recording. Both PLAY
and RECORD lock down. As the recorder
records, the RECORD/BATT indicator flashes.
Notes:
•
If VOICE ACTIVATION is set to HIGH or LOW,
recording begins when the recorder detects
an audible signal. If the sound stops or
becomes inaudible for about 5 seconds, the
recorder automatically stops. The recorder
automatically starts recording again when the
recorder receives another audible signal.
•
If you press and hold down REVIEW/REWIND
or CUE/FAST-F while recording, the RECORD
button releases and the tape rewinds or fast-
forwards. You can hear the recorded sound so
you can locate any desired segment on the
tape. When you release REVIEW/REWIND or
CUE/FAST-F, the recorder plays the cassette.
To continue recording, press STOP/EJECT,
then press RECORD.
•
To temporarily stop recording, press PAUSE.
Press PAUSE again to resume recording.
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4. Press STOP/EJECT to stop recording before it
automatically stops at the end of the tape side.
Using an External Microphone
You can connect an external microphone (not sup-
plied) with a 1/8-inch plug to the CTR-107. The proper
microphone to use with this recorder is Cat. No. 33-
3014. Its microphone plug correctly fits the CTR-
107’s MIC jack.
Note: Connecting an external microphone automati-
cally disconnects the built-in microphone.
1. Insert the microphone’s 1/8-inch plug into the
CTR-107’s MIC jack. Then follow the steps in
“Recording” on Page 20.
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Notes:
•
If the external microphone has a separate,
smaller plug for remote operation, insert that
plug into the REMOTE jack, then use the
microphone’s switch to turn on and off the
recorder. If VOICE ACTIVATION is not set to
OUT, recording only starts when the switch is
on and the recorder receives an audible sig-
nal.
•
You can monitor the recording with the sup-
plied earphone. Otherwise, do not use the
earphone during recording. The built-in micro-
phone’s circuitry can cause feedback noise in
the earphone.
2. Speak into the external microphone.
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TAPE TIPS
Recommended Tapes
Tape quality greatly affects the quality of the record-
ing. We recommend extended-range or low noise
Type 1 regular length (60- or 90-minute) normal-bias
cassette tapes. We do not recommend long-play cas-
sette tapes such as C-120s because they are thin
and can easily tangle.
Erasing a Cassette Tape
To record over a cassette tape, simply record as usu-
al. The cassette deck records over the previous re-
cording.
To erase the entire cassette tape, insert the supplied
erasing plug into the MIC jack and press RECORD.
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If you need to erase an entire cassette, you might
prefer using a bulk tape eraser, available at your local
RadioShack store.
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 protect a recording from being accidentally record-
ed over or erased, use a screwdriver to remove one
or both of the cassette tape’s erase-protection tabs.
This prevents RECORD from being pressed.
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If you later decide to record on a tape side after you
have removed its erase-protection tab, place a piece
of strong plastic tape over the side’s erase-protection
hole. Be sure you cover only the hole originally cov-
ered by the erase-protection tab.
Caution: Removing the erase-protection tabs does
not prevent a bulk tape eraser from erasing a cas-
sette tape.
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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 playback sound quality to deteriorate.
To restore the sound quality, fast-forward the tape
from the beginning to the end of one side, then com-
pletely 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 al-
low any sharp objects near the cassette.
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MAINTENANCE
Your Optimus CTR-107 Portable Cassette Tape Re-
corder is an example of superior design and crafts-
manship. The following suggestions will help you care
for your CTR-107 so you can enjoy it for years.
• Keep the CTR-107 dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry
immediately. Liquids can contain minerals that
corrode electronic circuits.
• Use and store the CTR-107 only in normal tem-
perature environments. Temperature extremes
can shorten the life of electronic devices, dam-
age batteries, and distort or melt plastic parts.
• Handle the CTR-107 gently and carefully. Drop-
ping it can damage circuit boards and cases and
can cause the CTR-107 to work improperly.
• Keep the CTR-107 away from dust and dirt,
which can cause premature wear of parts.
• Use only fresh batteries of the recommended
size and type. Old batteries can leak chemicals
that can damage your CTR-107’s electronic cir-
cuits.
• Wipe the CTR-107 with a damp cloth occasion-
ally to keep it looking new. Do not use harsh
chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong deter-
gents to clean your CTR-107.
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Modifying or tampering with the CTR-107’s internal
components can cause a malfunction and might in-
validate your CTR-107’s warranty. If your CTR-107 is
not performing as it should, take it to your local Ra-
dioShack store for assistance.
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CLEANING THE TAPE-HANDLING
PARTS
Dirt, dust, or particles of the tape’s coating can accu-
mulate on the tape heads and other parts that the
tape touches. This can greatly reduce the cassette
player’s performance.
To help keep the cassette player working at its best,
clean the cassette player’s tape-handling parts after
every 20 hours of use.
1. Remove the batteries and disconnect any other
power source.
2. Open the cassette compartment cover.
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3. Use a pencil eraser to press down on the erase
protection tab sensor in the cassette compart-
ment. Then press RECORD to expose the tape-
handling parts.
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4. Use a swab dipped in alcohol to gently clean the
capstan, pinch roller, tape guides, and tape and
erase heads.
5. When you finish cleaning, press STOP/EJECT
and close the compartment cover. Then recon-
nect power.
You can also use a cassette deck cleaning kit, avail-
able from your local RadioShack store.
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SPECIFICATIONS
CASSETTE PLAYER
Tape System ..................................2-Track Monaural
Tape Speed ...................................................17/8 in/s
Wow and Flutter (WRMS) ...............................0.35%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio ...................................... 35 dB
Recording System ........................................AC Bias
Erase System.................................................Magnet
GENERAL
Power Requirements ...............................6 Volts DC,
4 AA Batteries (Cat. No. 23-557),
AC Adapter (Cat. No. 273-1662),
or DC Adapter (Cat. No. 273-1802)
Dimensions (HWD)................ 73/8 x 43/4 x 13/8 Inches
(188 x 121 x 36 mm)
Weight ......................................................... 14.11 oz
(400 gm)
Included Accessories .............Earphone, Erase Plug
Specifications are typical; individual units might vary.
Specifications are subject to change and improve-
ment without notice.
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NOTES
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Limited Ninety-Day Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material
and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase
from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees
and dealers. 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 Ra-
dioShack 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) re-
place 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, be-
come 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
warranty 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 inci-
dence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a
RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batter-
ies; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f)
costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRAN-
TIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANT-
ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN
DURATION TO THE DURATION 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 LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE
CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE
PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUD-
ING, BUT NOT LIMITED 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. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and
you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, Dept. W, 100 Throckmorton St., Suite 600,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell
1/97
RadioShack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
4A7
Printed in Hong Kong
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