Page 2 - PREFACE
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com i PREFACE Thank you for purchasing a Midland Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio. Properly used, this product will give you many years of reliable service. To get the most out of your purchase, be sure ...
Page 3 - Before using your radio, please read this operation manual.
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com ii IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Before using your radio, please read this operation manual. GENERAL PRECAUTIONS Always use only Midland authorized accessories. Unauthorized accessories have the risk...
Page 4 - iii; FCC EXPOSURE STATEMENTS; PATENT AND COPYRIGHT STATEMENTS
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com iii FCC EXPOSURE STATEMENTS WARNINGS The FCC has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to RF energy. Proper operation of this radio under normal conditions results in user exposure to RF ener...
Page 5 - PRODUCT FEATURES
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com iv PRODUCT FEATURES Your Midland Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio has the following features: • 136-174 MHz VHF and 380-470 MHz UHF bands • Mixed analog and digital mode operation • Easy installation...
Page 6 - ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com v ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ACK : Acknowledge AES : Advanced Encryption Standard ALG : Algorithm ANI : Automatic Number Identification dBm : Decibel Milliwatt CIK : Crypto Ignition Key Identity CDC...
Page 7 - TABLE OF CONTENTS
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com vi TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Package Contents ........................................
Page 8 - vii
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com vii 4.2.1 Receiving Emergency Calls .............................................................. 33 4.2.2 Transmitting Emergency Calls .......................................................... 34...
Page 9 - INTRODUCTION; The desktop charger and wall adaptor are sold separately:
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 1 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Package Contents The following items are in your Midland Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio package: The desktop charger and wall adaptor are sold separately: Li-Ion Battery Belt C...
Page 11 - can
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 3 2.3 Installing the Belt Clip 1. Pinch the belt clip mounting bracket using your thumb and index finger. 2. Align the belt clip mounting bracket with the slots on the battery. 3. Press the belt cli...
Page 12 - Radio Controls and Indicators
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 4 3 Radio Controls and Indicators 3.1 Side, Top and Front Views
Page 13 - Button and Key Functions
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 5 3.2 Button and Key Functions Below is a brief description of each button or key. For more details of each function refer to the operation section of this manual. Many of the functions may be disab...
Page 15 - Scan key
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 7 While the emergency function is active, a long press of the Keypad Lock/Emergency Reset key will cancel the emergency mode. 3.2.10 Scan key A short press of this key turns on selectable priority s...
Page 16 - Successive presses of the; Pound key; Individual calling may be disabled by radio programming.
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 8 3.2.11.4 Switching to Home Zone and Channel Successive presses of the ∗ key may prompt “GO TO HOME?” to switch to the home zone and channel. 3.2.12 Pound key The # key is a multi-function key allo...
Page 17 - Call alert transmissions may be disabled by radio programming.; Selective; Selective calling may be disabled by radio programming.
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 9 Telephone calling may be disabled or the number of dial digits may be limited by radio programming. 3.2.12.5 Sending a Call Alert Successive presses of the # key may prompt “CALL ALERT:” to initia...
Page 18 - Alpha-numeric Keypad Entry; Space
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 10 3.3 Alpha-numeric Keypad Entry The keypad is used to enter alpha-numeric characters within many functions. When the radio is in alpha-numeric mode, successive presses (less than one second apart)...
Page 19 - Icons
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 11 3.4 Display Icons Table 1: Display Icons This Digital Receive icon appears when a clear (unencrypted) digital signal is received. This Digital Talkaround Receive icon appears when a clear digital...
Page 21 - OPERATION; – Power-on password entry
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 13 4 OPERATION 4.1 Basic Operation Despite the radio’s advanced feature set, the basic receive and transmit operations can still be quite simple. The radio is capable of distinguishing between analo...
Page 22 - Zones; select a new zone, press the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 14 4.1.2 Selecting Zones The radio channels may be organized into zones or channel groupings to sort and organize the channels. To select a new zone, press the (pound) key, then use the Up/Down keys...
Page 23 - – Zone selection using Menu
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 15 A new zone may also be selected using MENU | CHANNEL PARAMETERS | ZONES. Use up/down to select Zones Use up/down to select new zone Use up/down to select Channel Parameters Press MENU Figure 4.5 ...
Page 24 - Channels; – Direct channel number entry
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 16 4.1.3 Selecting Channels The channel switch provides direct access to channels one through fifteen. When the channel switch is in the sixteenth position any channel in the zone may be selected us...
Page 25 - Signals
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 17 4.1.4 Receiving Signals The radio channel may be configured to receive only analog transmissions, only digital transmissions or both. If the channel is programmed to receive both analog and digit...
Page 26 - Transmissions
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 18 4.1.5 Transmitting to Other Radios The radio channel may be configured to transmit in analog mode, digital mode or to allow you to select either analog or digital mode. A default mode is chosen b...
Page 27 - Check that the correct talk group ID
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 19 4.1.5.2 Digital Transmissions 1. Press the (Power Adjust/Mode Change) key repeatedly until digital transmit mode is displayed ( ). 2. Check that the correct talk group ID is selected. 3. Ensure t...
Page 28 - Out; – Transmit time out
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 20 4.1.5.3 Time Out Time A Time Out Time may be programmed to limit the length of continuous transmissions. If the Time Out Time is exceeded, release PTT and wait for the channel to be available aga...
Page 29 - Selecting Transmit Power; radio programming. To switch to
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 21 4.1.6 Selecting Transmit Power For optimal battery life and to minimize interference with others, use the lowest transmit power that will provide adequate range. The radio has three transmit powe...
Page 30 - Selecting Digital Talk Group; pressing the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 22 4.1.7 Selecting Digital Talk Group The default talk group may be set for the channel in radio programming. When the channel is selected, the default talk group is used. If a default talk group ha...
Page 31 - – Talk group selection using Menu
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 23 The zone’s talk group list may be viewed and a new talk group may also be selected from MENU | CHANNEL PARAMETERS | GROUPS. Use up/down to select Channel Parameters Use up/down to select Groups U...
Page 32 - Selecting Talkaround Transmit Mode
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 24 4.1.8 Selecting Talkaround Transmit Mode On channels programmed for repeater operation, the radio may be set to talkaround mode. Talkaround mode allows direct portable to portable communication w...
Page 33 - Press and hold the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 25 4.1.9 Monitoring Channels Press and hold the (Monitor/Call Wait Option) key for more than one second to turn the monitor function on. The function of the monitor button depends on radio programmi...
Page 34 - on, a long press of the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 26 If Monitor All NACs & T.Groups is enabled, the monitor function allows all NACs and talk groups to be received on digital and mixed channels. While monitor is on, a long press of the (Monitor...
Page 35 - 0 Selecting Digital Call Wait Option; A short press of the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 27 4.1.10 Selecting Digital Call Wait Option A short press of the (Monitor/Call Wait Option) key turns the call wait option on. The Call Wait icon ( ) is displayed while call wait mode is on. While ...
Page 36 - While; – Pressing PTT while scanning
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 28 4.1.11 Scanning Channels A short press of the (Scan) key turns on selectable priority scan. The Scan icon ( ) is displayed while scan is active. Selectable priority scan assigns the selected chan...
Page 37 - – Pressing PTT while scan is paused
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 29 If PTT is pressed while scan is paused on a channel the radio will transmit on the pause channel. Radio receives signal while scan is on Press PTT to transmit on pause channel Release PTT, scan r...
Page 38 - – Editing the zone’s scan list
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 30 4.1.11.2 Editing the Scan List You can add and delete channels from the selected zone’s scan list using MENU | CHANNEL PARAMETERS | CHANNEL SCAN. If a “+” is displayed above the channel name, the...
Page 39 - Press the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 31 4.1.12 Locking the Keypad Press the (Keypad Lock) key to lock the alpha-numeric, up/down, scan, and left and right soft keys. While the keypad is locked, press the (Keypad Lock) key, then press t...
Page 40 - 3 Switching to the Home Zone and Channel
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 32 4.1.13 Switching to the Home Zone and Channel Press the (star) key repeatedly until “Go to Home?” is displayed. Then press the left soft key (OK) to switch to the home zone and channel. If the ch...
Page 41 - Operations; – Emergency alert display
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 33 4.2 Advanced Operations Some of the radio’s more advanced operations are listed in this section. Most of these advanced features may be disabled in radio programming. In this case, the feature be...
Page 42 - Emergency
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 34 4.2.2 Transmitting Emergency Calls Press and hold the (emergency) key for five seconds to activate the emergency function. Once emergency mode is activated, the radio switches to the emergency ch...
Page 43 - Receiving Digital Individual Calls; – Receiving unacknowledged individual call
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 35 4.2.3 Receiving Digital Individual Calls Individual calls are addressed to a single unit ID rather than a talk group. This radio is capable of receiving both unacknowledged and acknowledged indvi...
Page 44 - Receiving Acknowledged Individual Calls; – Receiving acknowledged individual call
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 36 4.2.3.2 Receiving Acknowledged Individual Calls When an acknowledged individual call request is received, you may accept or reject the call. The initiating radio will receive the accepted or reje...
Page 45 - Transmitting Digital Individual Calls; Repeatedly press the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 37 4.2.4 Transmitting Digital Individual Calls Individual calls are addressed to a single unit ID rather than a talk group. This radio is capable of transmitting both unacknowledged and acknowledged...
Page 46 - Transmitting Acknowledged Individual Calls; the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 38 4.2.4.2 Transmitting Acknowledged Individual Calls The radio may also initiate an acknowledged individual call. This type of call may not be supported by other radios. To initiate an acknowledged...
Page 47 - Transmitting Digital Unaddressed Calls; repeatedly press the
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 39 4.2.5 Transmitting Digital Unaddressed Calls A digital unaddressed call is similar to a group call, except no talk group is specified (reserved talk group $FFFF is used). Any digital radio with m...
Page 48 - Transmitting Digital Telephone Interconnect Calls; – Initiating telephone interconnect request
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 40 4.2.6 Transmitting Digital Telephone Interconnect Calls Repeatedly press the (pound) key until “TELEPHONE:” is displayed. Enter the telephone dialing digits then press the left soft key (CALL). T...
Page 49 - Receiving a Digital Call Alert
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 41 4.2.7 Receiving a Digital Call Alert A call alert is normally used as a low priority request to return the call when it’s more convenient. When a call alert is received the radio will display the...
Page 50 - Receiving and Sending Non-voice Messages
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 42 4.2.9 Receiving and Sending Non-voice Messages The radio can receive and send three types of non-voice messages when operating in digital mode. SMS messages are free text messages sent from one r...
Page 51 - Receiving SMS Messages; The
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 43 4.2.9.1 Receiving SMS Messages When an SMS message is received, the radio will display the SMS Message icon ( ). You may view the last twenty received SMS messages from MENU | SMS | RECEIVED MESS...
Page 52 - SMS; – Sending SMS message
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 44 4.2.9.2 Sending SMS Messages SMS messages are sent from MENU | SMS | MSG EDIT. Use the alph-numeric keypad to enter the desired text, then enter the destination ID or select it from the index. Se...
Page 53 - Receiving Predefined Messages; – Received predefined message
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 45 4.2.9.3 Receiving Predefined Messages When a predefined message is received, the corresponding text is pulled from the database and displayed along with the source ID. You may also view the last ...
Page 54 - Sending Predefined Messages; – Sending predefined message
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 46 4.2.9.4 Sending Predefined Messages Predefined messages are sent from MENU | PREDEFINED MESSAGES | MESSAGE LIST. Select the desired message from the list then enter the destination ID or select i...
Page 55 - Setting Present Status; Status; – Selecting current status
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 47 4.2.9.5 Setting Present Status The radio’s present status may be set from MENU | STATUS | PRESENT STATUS or by pressing the (pound) key repeatedly until “CUR. STATUS:” is prompted. When the radio...
Page 56 - – Sending status
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 48 4.2.9.7 Sending Status Your current status may be sent from MENU | STATUS | SEND STATUS. Enter the destination ID or use the index to select it, then press SEND to transmit your current status. T...
Page 57 - – Requesting status
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 49 4.2.9.8 Requesting Status You may request the current status of another radio from MENU | STATUS | STATUS REQUEST. Enter the destination ID or select it from the index, then press SEND to request...
Page 58 - Programming; – Channel programming
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 50 4.2.10 Channel Programming Front panel channel programming is an option offered to some customers. Radios must be purchased with channel programming capability or returned to the factory to have ...
Page 59 - Operation; set for data to program
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 51 4.3 Menu Operation The menu function is used to access many features in the radio and also provides information about each radio. The features available from the menu depend on the analog/digital...
Page 61 - Digital Mode Menu Tree
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 53 4.3.2 Digital Mode Menu Tree MENU 1 SETTINGS 11 TONES note 1 111 ALERT TONE – Adjust user alert tone volume 113 KEYPAD TONE – Adjust key press tone volume 112 CALL ALERT – Adjust call alert tone ...
Page 64 - ACCESSORIES
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 56 5 ACCESSORIES Original Midland accessories give you operational efficiency, flexibility and reliability in difficult working conditions. ACCESSORY MIDLAND P/N Replacement antenna (146-155 MHz) AC...
Page 65 - STORAGE AND CLEANING PRECAUTIONS; Your radio does not require any periodic maintenance.
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 57 6 STORAGE AND CLEANING PRECAUTIONS Keep the radio and charger clean and away from dust, humidity, dense sunlight, extreme heat sources and liquids. Avoid exposing the radio and accessories to cle...
Page 66 - TROUBLESHOOTING; Faulty battery
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 58 7 TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE(s) SOLUTION(s) Charger LED red and rarely green. Charging process is almost finished Leave the radio to complete charging. Charger LED steady orange. Comm...
Page 67 - SPECIFICATIONS; GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 59 8 SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Modulation 16K0F3E, 11K0F3E, 8K0D1E, 8K0F1E Data Rate P25 : 9.6 kb/s Symbol Rate P25 : 4.8 kb/s Protocol Project 25-CAI : 4.4 kb/s IMBE Encription Algorith...
Page 68 - ENVIROMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 60 ENVIROMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS Operating Temperature Range -30 ° C / +60 ° C Storage Temperature Range -40 ° C / +85 ° C Humidity % 95, 50 ° C ESD IEC 801- 2KV Water and Dust Protection IP65, MIL-ST...
Page 69 - Specifications; Full Bandsplit
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 61 8.1 Receiver Specifications RECEIVER SPECIFICATIONS VHF UHF Frequency Range 136-174 MHz 380-470 MHz Frequency Separation Full Bandsplit Full Bandsplit Channel Spacing 12.5 / 20 / 25 / 30 kHz 12.5...
Page 71 - WARRANTY
Syn-Tech III P25 Portable Radio OPERATION MANUAL 680-090-2041 Version 5.0 http://www.midlandradio.com 63 9 WARRANTY STATEMENT Midland Radio Corporation (herein, Midland) warrants each new radio product manufactured or supplied by it to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal us...