Baofeng MP31 GMRS - Two Way Radio Manual

Introduction

ATTENTION! The radio is a multitask GMRS transceiver. Combining the latest technology in radio communication along with a sturdy mechanical frame, the radio is the ideal and effective solution for the professionals who need to stay in touch with the working team (in construction sites, buildings, shows, trade fairs or hotels) or for leisure users that just want to keep up with friends and family.
To help you ward off bodily injury or property loss that may arise from improper operation, please read all the information carefully before using our products.
Before operating the radio, please read all safety and operating instructions. Save all instructions in a safe place for future reference.

Content of the packaging

Note: The number of the above materials may be depending on the number of packages.

Radio Overview

1. Antenna
2. PTT (Push-To-Talk) Button
3. Channel UP Button
4. Channel Down/Monitor Button
5. Battery release latch
6. Type-C USB Charging Port
7. Power switch/ Volume control
8. LED: TX red light, RX green light
9. Speaker
10. Type-C charging LED
11. Accessory Port

Main features

• GMRS transceiver
• 30+8 GMRS channels
• Channel scan
• Vocal tuning
• Battery low alert
• 2Pin Kenwood accessory jack
• Li-Ion 1500mAh battery pack
• 10 NOAA Weather Channels
• Battery Life: up to 18 hours (under typical use conditions)

Note: *Range may vary depending on environmental and/or topographical conditions.

Installation of Accessories

1. Installing/ Removing the Antenna
   1. Installing the Antenna: Screw the antenna into the connector on the top of the transceiver by holding the antenna at its base and turning it clockwise until secure.
   2. Removing the Antenna: Turn the antenna counter-clockwise to remove it.
   3. Place the ear bud into your ear, and adjust the Microphone into your desired position.
2. Installing the battery pack
   Before attaching or removing the battery make sure your radio is turned off by turning the power/volume knob all the way counter-clockwise.
   1. Make sure the battery is aligned in parallel with the radio body with the lower edge of the battery about 1-2cm below the edge of the radio.
   2. Once aligned with the guide-rails, slide the battery upward until you hear a click as the battery locks in place.
      Remove the battery pack
      To remove the battery, press the battery release above the battery pack, as you slide the battery downward.
3. Installing the Belt Clip
   To install the Belt Clip, slide the clip down into the slot on the back of the radio until the Belt Clip-latch clicks. To remove the Belt Clip, press the Lock-tab down, and then gently pull the belt clip up toward the top of the radio.
4. External Speaker/Microphone Jack
   Each radio can be used with an optional external speaker/microphone or headset, freeing your hands for other tasks. To use an optional speaker / microphone or headset:
   1. Open the rubber cap on the side of the radio.
   2. Insert the plug(s) into the SPK/MIC jacks.
5. Using a Headset
   You can use a headset (#480_5R) for more private communications. To use a headset, lift the rubber cover from over the headset jack, and then plug in the headset.
   
   Your radio is not submersible or waterproof when using a headset jack. When you remove the headset, be sure to fully press the jack cover into place to restore its waterproof capability.

Charging the Battery

1. Using the Charging Cradle
   1. Connect the USB port of the attached USB charger to the USB output port, such as a power bank or mobile phone adapter.
   2. Put the charging stand on the table, and place the radio or spare lithium battery in the charging stand.
   3. Charge the battery for 6 hours.

Note:

• Use only the supplied batteries, charger, and AC adapter or approved accessories.
• Charge time may vary depending on the battery life remaining.
• The batteries must be installed for the unit to operate, even if the unit is also connected to external power.
• If battery power is low, you cannot operate the radio even using external power. Allow the batteries to charge before using.*If you try to transmit while power is low, the radio will automatically turn off.

Do not charge alkaline batteries. The radio will not be used for a long time, please take out and keep the battery properly.

2. Using the Type-C USB Charger
   The Type-C USB charger is a handy port that allows you to conveniently charge your Li-ion battery pack.
   1. Make sure your radio is turned OFF.
   2. Plug the Type-C USB cable into the Type-C USB charging port on your battery. The other end of the data line is connected to the output port of the power bank or the adapter of the mobile phone.
   3. An empty battery will be fully charged in 4 hours.

Note:

• It is recommended to power OFF your radio while charging. However, if power is turned on while charging, you may not be able to transmit a message if the battery is completely empty.
• For optimal battery life, remove the radio from the charger within 6 hours. Do not store the radio while connected to the charger.

Operations

Power on/off and volume adjustment
Rotate the Power/Volume knob clockwise to turn the radio on. Rotate the control clockwise /counter-clockwise to adjust the volume level as you prefer. To turn the radio off, rotate the control counter-clockwise till hearing a mechanical "click".

Channel selection
In standby mode, directly press the Channel Up (+)/ Down(-) buttons to step down or down to select the channel. When the voice prompt function is turned on, the corresponding channel is broadcast by voice.

Transmission
To communicate, all radios in your group must be set to the same channel. Briefly press the Channel Down (-) button to enable the Monitor feature in order to make sure that the frequency is not busy, and then press the [PTT] button. Release the [PTT] button to receive. Only one user at a time can talk during radio communications. Therefore, it is important not to transmit when you are receiving a communication and use the transmission mode sparingly to allow other users to talk. Transmission consumes a significant amount of energy and should therefore be used sparingly to prolong the battery life. If you are unable to contact a station that you have no problems in receiving, the station may be using CTCSS tones or DCS codes.

Monitor
The Monitor feature is for excluding (opening) the Squelch, in order to listen to signals that are too weak to keep the Squelch permanently opened. Hold down the Channel Down (-) button to enable such function.

VOX
The VOX feature enables hands free conversations without using PTT: just speak in the direction of the microphone and the communication will be automatically activated. The VOX sensitivity can be adjusted in 5 different levels (1...5) through the programming software:
Level 2 is set by default and has the lowest VOX sensitivity, 5 is the lowest one.
With the programming software you can enable/disable the VOX feature and select the sensitivity levels. CPS programming path: Edit > VOX > VOX Level

Scan

1. Channel setting: 38 channel scan: ON
2. Walkie-talkie settings: the walkie-talkie is set to 38 channels, wait for 5S (no signal reception and transmission), then it will enter the automatic scanning state, and the green light will flash

NOAA Weather Radio/Scan
Your radio has a NOAA WEATHER RADIO function, to enable the user to receive weather reports from designated NOAA stations.
Your radio also has a NOAA WEATHER SCAN function, to enable the user to scan all 10 channels of the NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
To turn the NOAA WEATHER SCAN on, Press and hold Channel Down (-) button to turn on the radio. The radio will go to WX Band mode and start scanning all 10 channels and stop on any active channel. When the weather channel is scanning, the red light will flash.
While in WX Band mode press the Channel Up (+)/ Down(-) buttons to select one of the 10 NOAA WEATHER (WX) BAND channels.
To turn the NOAA WEATHER RADIO off, press the PTT button.

Squelch
The Squelch function suppresses noises on free channels and allows receiving even weak signals. The radio has 10 different Squelch levels that can be set by programming software: 0 means that the Squelch is turned off; from level 1 to level 9 you will have different levels of noise reduction. The higher is the level, the louder will be the Squelch. By default, the Squelch level of radio is set on level 4. Make sure you do not set an excessively high squelch level because in this case you may not be able to receive weaker signals. On the other hand an excessively low Squelch value could enable the Squelch even when no signals are present. Squelch must always be adjusted when no signals are present. The Time Out timer is settable from 30 sec to 270 sec. only through the programming software. This feature is disabled by default.

CTCSS/DCS tones
CTCSS and DCS tones are similar to access codes and enable the radio to communicate only with the users that are tuned on the same channel and have set the same code. For each channel, you can set up to 50 CTCSS tones and 210 DCS codes. The CTCSS/DCS tones are a sort of "access codes" and enable the radio to communicate only with the other users set on the same frequency and on the same CTCSS/DCS tone. Undesired signals coming from other stations set on the same frequency but with different CTCSS/DCS tones won't be received.

Quick operation radio
Without CPS programming software, you can perform the following quick operations through the combination of PTT + Channel Down (-) buttons:

• On channels 1, press and hold thePTT + Channel Down (-) buttons to turn on the radio and turn the VOX function on or off. Accompanied by a voice prompt VOX ON or VOX OFF.
• On the 16^th channel, press and hold the PTT + Channel Down (-) buttons to turn on the radio and turn the scanning function on or off.

GMRS Frequency Chart (MHz)

NOAA Weather Radio Frequency List (US, CAN, AND INTL)

Technical Specifications

NOTE: All specifications may be modified without prior notice or liability.

Trouble shooting guide

NOTE: If the above solutions cannot fix your problems, or you may have some other queries, please contact your dealer for more technical support.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Precautions for Portable Terminals

• Operating Prohibitions
  To protect you against any property loss, bodily injury or even death, be sure to observe the following safety instructions:

1. Do not operate the product in a location containing fuels, chemicals, explosive atmospheres and other flammable or explosive materials. In such location, only an approved Ex-protection model is allowed for use, but any attempt to assemble or disassemble it is strictly prohibited.
2. Do not operate the product near or in any blasting area.
3. Do not operate the product near any medical or electronic equipment that is vulnerable to RF signals.
4. Do not hold the product while driving.
5. Do not operate the product in any area where use of wireless communication equipment is completely prohibited.

• Important Tips
  To help you make better use of the product, be sure to observe the following instructions:

1. Do not use any unauthorized or damaged accessory.
2. Keep the product at least 2.5 centimeters away from your body during transmission.
3. Do not keep the product receiving at high volume for a long time.
4. For vehicles with an air bag, do not place the product in the area over the air bag or in the air bag deployment area.
5. Keep the product and its accessories out of reach of children and pets.
6. Please operate the product within the specified temperature range.
7. Continuous transmission for a long time may lead to heat accumulation within the product. In this case, please keep it at a proper location for cooling.
8. Handle the product with care.
9. Do not disassemble, modify or repair the product and its accessories without authorization.

• Hazardous Environments
  Do not operate the radio in hazardous environments. Explosion or fire may result. Do not operate the radio near unshielded electrical blasting caps.
  Under certain conditions, radios can interfere with blasting operations and may cause an explosion. Turn your radio OFF to prevent accidental transmission when in a blasting area or in areas posted: "Turn off two-way radio." Construction crews often use remote control RF devices to set off explosives.

Precautions for Batteries

• Charging Prohibitions
  To protect you against any property loss, bodily injury or even death, be sure to observe the following safety instructions:

1. Do not charge or replace your battery in a location containing fuels, chemicals, explosive atmospheres and other flammable or explosive materials.
2. Do not charge your battery that is wet. Please dry it with a soft and clean cloth prior to charge.
3. Do not charge your battery suffering deformation, leakage and overheat.
4. Do not charge your battery with an unauthorized charger.
5. Do not charge your battery in a location where strong radiation is present.
6. Overcharge shall always be prohibited for it may shorten the life of your battery.

• Maintenance Instructions
  To help your battery work normally or prolong its life, be sure to observe the following instructions:

1. Accumulated dust on charging connector may affect normal charging. Please use a clean and dry cloth to wipe it on a regular basis.
2. It is recommended to charge the battery under 5℃~40℃. Violation of the said limit may cause battery life reduction or even battery leakage.
3. To charge a battery attached to the product, turn it off to ensure a full charge.
4. Do not remove the battery or unplug the power cord during charging to ensure a smooth charging process.
5. Do not dispose of the battery in fire.
6. Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight for a long time nor place it close to other heating sources.
7. Do not squeeze and penetrate the battery, nor remove its housing.

• Transportation Instructions

1. Damaged batteries must not be transported.
2. To avoid short circuit, separate the battery from metal pars or from each other if two or more batteries are transported in one packaging.
3. The radio must be switched off and secured against switch-on, if the battery is attached.
   The content of the shipment must be declared in the shipping documents and by a Battery Shipping Label on the packaging. Contact your hauler for the local regulations and further information.