GE 19278 User Manual

4.  Place the handset in the base cradle. The charge/in use indicator turns on, verifying the 

battery is charging.

5.  Allow the phone to charge for 16 hours prior to first use. If you don’t properly charge 

the phone, battery performance is compromised.

The handset displays the handset number and user name.

1.  Make sure your phone is 

OFF (not in talk mode).

2.  Press the menu/mute button to go to the main menu. 

HANDSET SETUP shows in the 

display

3.  Press menu/mute button to confirm and you may program the following items: Set 

Language, Handset Name, Ringer Tone, Ringer Volume, Key Tone, Area Code, Tone/
Pulse, Registration, Deregistration, and Default Setting.

From the Handset Setup Menu: 
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

SET LANGUAGE sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

SET LANGUAGE 1ENG 2FRA 3ESP shows 

in the display.

3.  Use the touch tone pad on the handset to select 

1ENG, 2FRA, 3ESP, or use the  

cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the desired language. English is the default setting.

4.  Press the menu/mute button to save your selection. You will hear a confirmation tone 

and the selected language shows in the display.

Your cordless phone uses a digital security system to protect against false ringing, 
unauthorized access, and charges to your phone line.

•  Avoid sources of noise and heat, such as motors, fluorescent lighting, microwave 

ovens, heating appliances and direct sunlight.

•   Avoid areas of excessive dust, moisture and low temperature.
•   Avoid other cordless telephones or personal computers.
•  Never install telephone wiring during a lightning storm.
•  Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless the jack is specifically designed 

for wet locations.

•  Never touch non-insulated telephone wires or terminals, unless the telephone line 

has been disconnected at the network interface.

•  Use caution when installing or modifying telephone lines

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.

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.

• 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.

Should your equipment cause trouble on y our 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.

Model 21900 

00019278 (Rev. 1 Dom E) 

07-19

Printed in China

SEE MARKING ON BOTTOM / BACK OF PRODUCT

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

            DO NOT OPEN

WARNING: TO

PREVENT FIRE OR

ELECTRICAL SHOCK

HAZARD, DO NOT

EXPOSE THIS

PRODUCT  TO RAIN

OR MOISTURE.

THE LIGHTNING

FLASH AND ARROW

HEAD WITHIN THE

TRIANGLE IS A

WARNING SIGN

ALERTING YOU OF

“DANGEROUS

VOLTAGE” INSIDE

THE PRODUCT.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO

NOT REMOVE COVER (OR

BACK). NO USER

SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO

QUALIFIED SERVICE

PERSONNEL.

THE EXCLAMATION

POINT WITHIN THE

TRIANGLE IS A

WARNING SIGN

ALERTING YOU  OF

IMPORTANT

INSTRUCTIONS

ACCOMPANYING

THE PRODUCT.

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.
Privacy of Communications may not be ensured when using this product.
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.

This telephone system meets FCC standards for Hearing Aid Compatibility.

Licensed under US Patent 6,427,009.

This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an 
uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with 
a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator and your body. This 
transmitter must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or 
transmitter.

Make sure your package includes the items shown here.

For 

Model 21900xx2 there will be ONE additional handset, charge cradle,  

battery pack and cover than shown above.
For 

Model 21900xx3 there will be TWO additional handsets, charge cradles, 

battery packs and covers than shown above.
For 

Model 21900xx4 there will be THREE additional handsets, charge cradles,  battery 

packs and covers than shown above.

To use this phone, you need an RJ11C type modular telephone 
jack, which might look like the one pictured here, installed in your 
home. If you don’t have a modular jack, call your local phone 
company to find out how to get one installed.

1. Locate battery and battery door which are packaged together inside a plastic bag and 

are separate from the handset.

2.  Locate the battery compartment on the back of the handset.
3.  Plug the battery pack cord into the jack inside the compartment.

4.  Close the battery compartment by pushing the door up until it snaps into place.

1.  Choose an area near an electrical outlet and a telephone wall jack (RJ11C), and place  

your cordless telephone on a level surface, such as a desktop or tabletop.

2.  Plug one end of the telephone line cord into the TEL LINE jack on the back of the base 

and the other end into a modular jack.

3.  Plug the AC power converter into the electrical outlet and the DC connector into the 

jack on the back of the base.

From the Handset Setup Menu: 
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

HANDSET NAME sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

HANDSET NAME shows in the display.

3.  Use the touch-tone pad to enter a name (up to 15 characters). More than one letter is stored in 

each of the number keys. For example, to enter Bill Smith, press the 2 key twice for the letter B. 
Press the 4 key 3 times for the letter I. Press the 5 key 3 times for the letter L. Press the 5 key 3 times 
for the second letter L, and press the 1 key to insert a space between the first and last name. Press 
the 7 key 4 times for the letter S; press the 6 key once for the letter M; press the 4 key 3 times for 
the letter I; press the 8 key for the letter T; press the 4 key twice for the letter H.

4. Press the menu/mute button to save your name. You will hear a confirmation tone and 

the handset name shows in the display.

You may choose from ten different ringer tones.
From the Handset Setup Menu:
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

RINGER TONE sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

SET RINGER TONE 01 shows in the 

display. 01 is default setting.

3.  Use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the desired setting (1 through 10). You will 

hear a sample of the ringer tone you select.

4.  Press the menu/mute button to save your selection. You will hear a confirmation tone 

and the selected ringer tone shows in the display.

From the Handset Setup Menu: 
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

RINGER VOLUME sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

SET RINGER 1HI 2LOW 3OFF shows in the 

display.

3.  Use the touch tone pad on the handset to select 1, 2 or 3, or use the cid/vol  

( 6 or 5) button to scroll to your selection. HI is the default setting.

4.  Press the menu/mute button to save your selection. You will hear a confirmation tone 

and the new volume setting shows in the display.

From the Handset Setup Menu: 
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

KEY TONE sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

SET KEY TONE 1ON 2 OFF shows in the 

display.

3.  Use the touch tone pad on the handset to select 1 or 2, or use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) 

button to scroll to your selection. 1ON is the default setting.

4.  Press the menu/mute button to confirm.

From the Handset Setup Menu: 
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

AREA CODE sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

SET AREA CODE - - - shows in the display.

3.  Use the touch-tone pad to enter your 3-digit area code.
4.  Press the menu/mute button to confirm. You will hear a confirmation tone and the new 

area code shows in the display.

SET AREA CODE shows in the display.

From the Handset Setup Menu: 
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 5 or 6) button to scroll to the 

TONE PULSE sub-menu.

2.  Press menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

TONE/PULSE 41TONE  2PULSE shows in 

the display. The default setting is “1 TONE”.

3.  Use the touch-tone pad or cid/vol ( 5 or 6) to enter 

1 TONE or 2 PULSE.

4.  Press the menu/mute button to confirm. You will hear a confirmation tone and your 

selection shows in the display.

that a handset be registered again unless absolutely necessary.
From the Handset Setup Menu:
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

REGISTRATION sub-menu.

2.  Press the menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

REGISTRATION  1YES  42NO  shows in 

the display The default setting is "2NO".

3.  Use the touch-tone pad to select 

1 for YES or 2 for NO. Or use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) 

button to scroll to 

1YES or 2NO.

4.  If you select 

1YES, press the menu/mute button. HOLD BASE PAGE WAIT FOR BEEP 

shows in the display. (Your handset should be held near the base during registration 
process.)

5.  Press and hold the page button on the base unit until the charge/in use indicator 

flashes. You will hear a confirmation tone and 

HANDSET X REGISTERED shows in the 

handset display, where X is the handset number. You may now rename your handset. 
(Refer to Step 3 & 4 of Handset Name Section)

USER NAME

HANDSET  X

101 West 103rd Street 

Indianapolis, IN 46290-1102

© 2007 Thomson Inc. 

Trademark(s) ® Registered

Marca(s) Registrada(s)

de-registration process, keep the handset near the base.
From the Handset Setup Menu:
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

DEREGISTRATION sub-menu.

2.  Press the menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

DEREGISTRATION  1YES  42NO shows 

in the display The default setting is "2NO".

3.  Use the touch-tone pad to select 

1 for YES or 2 for NO. Or use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) 

button to scroll to 

1YES or 2NO.

4.  Select 

NO, if you do not want to de-register.

5.  If you select 

1YES, press the menu/mute button and MOVE NEAR TO BASE displays for 

2 seconds, then 

CONFIRM? 1YES 2NO appears in the display.

6. Press the touch-tone pad to select 

1YES or 2NO, or use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to 

scroll to 

1YES or 2NO.

7.  If you select YES, press the menu/mute button to confirm. 

DE-REGISTER... shows in the 

display. You will hear a confirmation tone. Then 

HANDSET X DEREGISTERED shows in 

the display to confirm the handset is deregistered.

NEEDS REGISTRATION shows in the display. To use the handset,  

If one or more handsets becomes lost, you should de-register all handsets to ensure 
proper system operation. Follow the steps below to de-register all handsets at the same 
time.

1.  Press and hold the page button on the base until the 

CHARGE/IN USE indicator on the 

base flashes.

2.  Press and hold the page button on the base again until the 

CHARGE/IN USE indicator 

on the base flashes rapidly.

3.  Press and release the page button on the base once.
4.  All handsets are de-registered and 

HANDSET NEEDS REGISTRATION shows in the 

display.

As you become familiar with this system, you may prefer to use the system’s original 
settings. Follow the steps below to return to the factory default settings.
From the Handset Setup Menu:
1.  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to scroll to the 

DEFAULT SETTING sub-menu. 

2.  Press the menu/mute button to enter the menu. 

DEFAULT SETTING 1YES 2NO shows in 

the display. The default setting is "2NO".

3.  Use the touch-tone pad to select 

1YES or 2NO, or use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5)  button to 

move the cursor to 

1YES  or 2NO. 

NOTE: If you choose YES all the settings in the programmable menu are 

4.  Press the menu/mute button to save your selection. You will hear a confirmation tone.

The charge/in use indicator on the base will flash to alert you to an incoming call, during 
paging, or if you have a message waiting from your service provider. The indicator will 
remain lit when a handset is in the base charging or when the line is in use.

1.  Press the talk/end. Dial the desired number.
   

- OR - 

  Dial the number first, then press the talk/end button.
   

- OR -

  Press the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to select the desired record, then press the  

talk/end button.

2.  When finished, press the talk/end button to hang up.

1.  When the phone rings, press the talk/end button on the handset.
   

- OR  -

  Pick up the handset and press the talk/end button. 
2.  When finished, press talk/end to hang up.

NOTE: Adjust the handset volume by pressing the cid/vol ( 6 or 5)  button 

After you press the talk/end button on the handset, the built-in call timer shows on the display 
and counts the length of time of the call in minutes and seconds.

If you place the handset in the cradle while the handset is off the hook (during a call), the 
call is automatically disconnected.

There are two ways to set the ringer to HI/LOW/OFF. One is the traditional way as 
described in Handset Setup; Ringer Volume menus. The other one is this short cut to 
ringer menu.
1.  Make sure the phone is 

OFF (not in talk mode).

2.  Press the #pause/ringer button to display 

SET RINGER 1HI 2LOW 3OFF. 

3.  Use the touch tone pad on the handset to select 1, 2 or 3, or use the cid/vol  

( 6 or 5) button to scroll to your selection. HI is the default setting.

4.  Press #pause/ringer button again to save and display the new selection for a few 

seconds.

If you subscribe to the combined Call Waiting Caller ID service from your local telephone 
company, you will receive Caller ID information (if available) on Call Waiting calls. During a 
phone call, you will hear a beep to indicate another call is waiting on the line and Caller ID 
information for the waiting call shows on the handset display.
•  To connect to the waiting call, press the flash/exit button on the handset, and your 

original call is put on hold.

•  To switch between the two calls, press the flash/exit button.

You may redial a number up to 32 digits long. To quickly redial the last number you dialed:
1. Press the talk/end button.
2. Press the redial/format/conf button.
   

-OR-

3. Press the redial/format/conf button first, then use the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button to select 

the desired redial number.

  - Press the cid/vol (  5) to review the oldest call and scroll toward the most recent calls 

(higher numbers).

  - Press the cid/vol ( 6 ) to review the newest call and scroll to older calls  

(lower numbers).

4. Press the talk/end button. The number dials automatically.
If you get a busy signal and want to keep dialing the number, press the redial button to 
quickly redial the number.

Press the flash/exit button to exit a menu function and return to the standby screen.

The page feature helps you locate a misplaced handset. To send and receive pages, all 
handsets must be registered. If your handset is not registered, follow the instructions in 
the Registration section of this manual.

1.  Make sure the phone is 

OFF (not in talk mode).

2.  Press and release the delete/int button on a handset. 

PAGING EXTENSION? shows in 

the display.

3.  Use the touch-tone pad to enter the handset number you want to page.
4.  To cancel the page, press the flash/exit, delete/int, or talk/end button on the 

originating handset, or press the flash/exit button on the receiving handset.

1.  Make sure the originating phone is 

OFF (not in talk mode).

2.  Press and release the delete/int button on a handset. 

PAGING EXTENSION? shows in 

the display.

3. Use the touch-tone pad to enter the handset number you want to page. (1= to page 

Handset 1, 2=to page handset 2, etc., and 5=to page all handsets)

4.  To cancel the page, press the flash/exit, delete/int, or talk/end button on the 

originating handset, or press the flash/exit button on the receiving handset.

Use the base-only to page all registered handsets at the same time.
1.  Press the page button on the base. All handsets beep for two minutes, and  

PAGING FROM BASE shows on each handset’s display.

2.  To cancel the page, press the page button on the base, or press the talk/end button or 

the flash/exit button on each handset.

telephone line cannot hear you, but you can hear them.
1.  Press the menu/mute button. The handset display shows 

MUTE ON. 

2.  Press the menu/mute button to cancel and return to your phone conversation.

When the handset is 

ON (in talk mode) you may adjust the receiver volume by pressing 

the cid/vol ( 6 or 5) button. There are four volume levels to choose from. When the 
maximum or minimum volume level is reached, the phone beeps twice. VOL 1 is minimum 
and VOL 4 is maximum.

The intercom feature allows you to have a conversation with another registered handset 
without tying up the telephone line, allowing you to still receive incoming calls.

1.  Make sure the handset is 

OFF (not in talk mode).

2. Press the delete/int button on the handset.
3. Use the touch-tone pad to select the handset you want to page.

4.  Wait for the person at the receiving handset to press the delete/int button.

ANSWER.

5. When finished, press the flash/exit button or delete/int button on either handset  

to deactivate the intercom.

When you receive an intercom call, your handset beeps. To answer the call press the 
delete/int button or talk/end button.

If you receive a telephone call during an intercom call, the intercom call is immediately 
terminated and both handsets ring. Either handset user may press the talk/end button to 
answer the call.

During a telephone call, you may use the intercom/paging function to page another 
handset and have an off line, private (two-way) intercom conversation. You may also 
have a three-way conversation between the external caller and the handsets, or you may 
transfer the external telephone call to another handset.

1.  During an external call, press the delete/int button, and use the touch-tone pad to 

enter the handset number you want to call.

2.  When finished, press the flash/exit button or delete/int button to end the intercom call, 

return to the talk mode, and resume your original telephone conversation.

1.  During an external call, press the delete/int button. 

LINE ON HOLD EXTENSION? shows 

in the display.

2.  Use the touch-tone pad to select Handset #. You will hear a paging tone and 

shows in the originating handset’s display.

NOTE: PAGING FROM... shows in the display on the receiving handset, and the 

3. When the receiving handset connects, press the redial/format/conf button on the 

originating handset to conference with the receiving handset and the external 
caller. 

CONFERENCE shows in the display on the originating and receiving handsets.

During an external call, you may transfer the external call to another handset.
1.  Press the delete/int button on the originating handset to put an external call on hold, 

and then page the receiving handset.

2.  Use the touch-tone pad on the handset to select Handset #. You will hear a paging 

tone. 

PAGING shows on the originating handset’s display, and PAGING FROM... shows 

on the receiving handset’s display.

3.  When the receiving handset connects, press the talk/end button on the originating 

handset to transfer the call.