Preface

Thank you for purchasing HYT TC-518 portable radio. The main function keys are located
on one side of the radio, so you can have convenient one-hand operation; the orange
anti-skid PTT key is also ergonomically designed; in addition, the knobs are protected
against damage due to accidental drop. All these advantages help TC-518 possess
reliability and durability.
This easy-to-use radio will deliver you secure, instant and reliable communications at
peak efficiency. Please read this manual carefully before use. The information presented
herein will help you to derive maximum performance from your radio.

MODELS COVERED IN THIS MANUAL

TC-518 VHF Two-way Radio
TC-518 UHF Two-way Radio

Contents
Safety Information ................................................................................................................ 2
Product Inspection ............................................................................................................... 3
Radio Overview.................................................................................................................... 4
Battery Information .............................................................................................................. 6
Antenna Information ............................................................................................................ 9
Assembly and Disassembly ............................................................................................... 10
Attaching/Removing the Battery ................................................................................. 10
Attaching/Removing the Antenna ............................................................................... 11
Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip ............................................................................... 11
Attaching/Removing the Earpiece or Microphone...................................................... 12
Basic Operations................................................................................................................ 13
Turning the Radio On/Off ........................................................................................... 13
Adjusting the Volume .................................................................................................. 13
Selecting a Channel ................................................................................................... 14
Transmitting ................................................................................................................ 14
Receiving .................................................................................................................... 14
Programmable Auxiliary Functions .................................................................................... 14
Advanced Operations ........................................................................................................ 15
CTCSS/CDCSS .......................................................................................................... 15
Battery Save ............................................................................................................... 15
Power Adjust ............................................................................................................... 15
Time-out Timer (TOT) ................................................................................................. 16
Battery Strength Indicator ........................................................................................... 16
Monitor / Squelch Off .................................................................................................. 16
Scan ............................................................................................................................ 17
Busy Channel Lockout (BCL) ..................................................................................... 19
Low Battery Alert ........................................................................................................ 19
Voice Operated Transmit (VOX) ................................................................................. 20
Compandor ................................................................................................................. 21
Scrambler ................................................................................................................... 21
Channel Lock .............................................................................................................. 21
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 22
Care and Cleaning ............................................................................................................. 23
Optional Accessories ......................................................................................................... 23

Safety Information
The following safety precautions shall always be observed during operation, service and
repair of this equipment.
This equipment shall be serviced by qualified technicians only.
Do not modify the radio for any reason.
Use only HYT supplied or approved batteries and chargers.
To avoid electromagnetic interference and/or compatibility conflicts, turn off your
radio in any area where posted notices instruct you to do so. Turn off your radio
before boarding an aircraft. Any use of a radio must be in accordance with airline
regulations or crew instructions.
For vehicles with an air bag, do not place a radio in the area over an air bag or in
the air bag deployment area.
Turn off your radio prior to entering any area with explosive and flammable
materials.
Do not charge your battery in a location with explosive and flammable materials.
Turn off your radio before entering a blasting area.
Do not use any portable radio that has a damaged antenna. If a damaged
antenna comes into contact with your skin, a minor burn can result.
Do not expose the radio to direct sunlight over a long time, nor place it close to
heating source.
When transmitting with a portable radio, hold the radio in a vertical position with
the microphone 3 to 4 centimeters away from your lips. Keep antenna at least 2.5
centimeters away from your body when transmitting.

WARNING: If you wear a radio on your body, ensure the radio and its antenna are at

least 2.5 centimeters away from your body when transmitting.

Product Inspection
Please unpack the package box carefully and check that all items shipped are received;
report any missing or damaged items to your dealer.
Accessories
Item

Qty. (PCS)

Antenna

Belt Clip

Strap

Battery

Rapid-Rate Charger

Switching Power

Owners Manual

Rapid-Rate Charger (for

Switching Power (different P/N for

Li-ion Battery)

different countries and areas)

Antenna (VHF)

Antenna (UHF)

Li-Ion Battery

Strap

Belt Clip

Note:
1. Note: Frequency band is marked on the label of antenna, if not, please refer to the
label on the radio unit for detailed frequency band information.
2. The radio unit is shipped with the screws of belt clip mounted from the factory.
3

Radio Overview

(1) Power On/Off Key

(2) PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key

(3) SK1 (Side Key 1)

(4) SK2 (Side Key 2)

(5) Antenna

(6) LED Indicator

(7) Channel Selector Knob

(8) Channel Indicator

(9) Volume Control Knob

(10) Microphone

(11) Speaker

(12) Battery Latch

(13) Accessory Jack

(14) Accessory Jack Cover

(15) Belt Clip

(16) Battery

(17) Screw (Belt Clip)

(18) Charging Piece

*PTT (Push-to-Talk) Key

Hold down the PTT key and speak into the microphone to transmit, and release it to
receive.
*SK1 (Side Key 1) / SK2 (Side Key 2)
Side Key 1 and Side Key 2 are programmable keys that can be assigned with long/short
4

press functions by your dealer.

Note:
Short Press

Key press no longer than 1 second.

Long Press

Key press longer than 1 second.

*LED Indicator
LED indications and alert tones are shown in the table below (see Advanced Operations
for details):
Status

LED Indication and Alert Tone

1. The power-on alert tone is heard when the radio is
powered on.

Power On
2. When the current channel is a blank channel, beeps
are heard.
The LED flashes blue if no operation is made or no carrier
Radio Standby

is present within 2s. Your dealer can enable/disable this

LED indication.
The LED flashes red and a low pitched tone is heard

Low Battery Alert

every ten seconds.
1. Red LED glows while the radio is transmitting.
2. When transmission times out, continuous beeps are
heard.
3. TOT Pre-alert: one beep is heard.
Transmitting
4. Transmitting

PTT

ID:

continuous

beeps

(programmable by your dealer) are heard.

5. Transmitting PTT ID is completed: a short beep
(programmable by your dealer) is heard.
Receiving

The LED glows green when carrier presents.

1. The LED flashes green every 1 second when

Scanning

scanning is in process.
2. Scan Start Tone (programmable by your dealer): one

beep is heard.
3. Green LED solidly glows when signal is received.
4. Scan Stop Tone (programmable by your dealer): one
beep is heard.
Switch to low power: a low pitched tone is heard.
Power Adjust
Switch to high power: a high pitched tone is heard
VOX/Compandor/Scrambler/

Enable functions: one beep is heard.

Channel Lock

Disable functions: two continuous beeps are heard.

* Channel Indicator
Used to indicate the currently selected channel.
* Battery Latch
Used to secure or remove the battery.
*Earpiece Jack & Programming Port
Used to connect accessories such as speaker/microphone, earpiece, programming cable
and cloning cable.

Battery Information
Initial Use
New batteries are shipped uncharged from the factory. Charge a new battery for 5 hours
before initial use. The maximum battery capacity and performance is achieved after three
full charge/discharge cycles. If you notice the battery power runs low, please recharge the
battery.

Applicable Battery Packs

To reduce the risk of injury, charge only the battery specified by the manufacturer. Other
batteries may burst, causing bodily injury and property damage.

Caution:
1.

To avoid risk of personal injury, do not dispose of batteries in a fire!

2.

Dispose of batteries according to local regulations (e.g. recycling). Do not dispose as

6

household waste.
3.

Never attempt to disassemble the battery.

Battery Tips
1.

When charging your battery, keep it at a temperature among 5 - 40 .

Temperature out of the limit may cause battery leakage or damage.

2.

When charging a battery attached to a radio, turn the radio off to ensure a full charge.

3.

Do not return fully charged batteries to the charger for an extra boost. This action
will significantly reduce battery life.

4.

Do not return a battery to the charger before the battery power runs low. This action
will significantly reduce battery life. Never take the charger as a stand for your radio.

5.

Never charge a battery that is wet. Please dry it with soft cloth prior to charge.

6.

The battery will eventually wear out. When the operating time (talk-time and standby
time) is noticeably shorter than normal performance, it is time to buy a new battery.

To Prolong Battery Life

1.

Battery performance will be greatly decreased at a temperature below 0. A spare

battery is necessary in cold weather. The cold battery unable to work in this situation
may work under room temperature, so keep it for later use.

2.

The dust on the battery contact may cause the battery cannot work or charge. Please
use clean dry cloth to wipe it before attaching the battery to the radio.

Battery Storage
1.

Fully charge a battery before you store it for a long time, to avoid battery damage due
to over-discharge.

2.

Recharge a battery after several months storage (Li-Ion & Li-polymer batteries: 6
months), to avoid battery capacity reduction due to over-discharge.

3.

Store your battery in a cool, dry place under room temperature, to reduce
self-discharge.

Charging the Battery

Use only the charger specified by the manufacturer. The chargers LED indicates the
charging progress.

Charger LED

Status
7

Red LED solidly glows.

Battery is charging.

Green LED solidly glows.

Battery is fully charged;

or
Charger is ready to charge.

Charging Method 1
Please follow the steps below:

1. Plug the AC connector of the adapter into the AC outlet socket.

2. Plug the DC connector of the adapter into the DC socket on the back of the charger.
Then charger LED glows green.
3. Place the radio with the battery attached, or the battery alone, in the charger.
4. Make sure the battery is in good contact with the charging terminals. The charging
process initiates when the red LED lights.
5. The green LED lights when the battery is fully charged (orange LED lights when the
battery is almost fully charged). Then remove the radio with the battery attached or the
battery alone from the charger.

Charging Method 2
You may connect several single-unit chargers so the combination can be used as a
multi-unit charger. To connect single-unit chargers, slide the latch on a charger into the
slot on the bottom of another one, as shown in figure 1.

Charger Connection Latch

Figure 1 Assembly Diagram of Multi-unit Charger

The assembled multi-unit charger can work with HYT Six-Unit Switching Power, to charge
up to six batteries simultaneously, as shown in figure 2. Please refer to Owners Manual
for Six-Unit Switching Power for detailed operation procedures.

Figure 2 Schematic Diagram of Six-Unit Charger

Antenna Information

Stubby antenna is ideal for communication within limited range. Thin and long
antenna optimizes communication coverage, and its flexible and soft characteristic

makes it ideal for wearing your radio on the belt.

Communication range may vary with terrain and your operating conditions. Rainy
days or forest locations may narrow your communication range. Please make
preparation in advance to avoid potential inconvenience.

Assembly and Disassembly

Attaching/Removing the Battery
Attaching the Battery
1.

Slightly press the belt clip, and insert the tab at the top of the battery into the slots at
the top of the radios body, as shown in figure 1.

2.

Slightly press the bottom of the battery until a click is heard. By then, the battery latch
locks with the main unit and assembly is finished. See figure 2 below.

Note: If the battery is not well locked, please remove the battery and attach it again.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Removing the Battery

1.

Please turn off the radio first. Then hold the top of radio unit and press the belt clip to
make its bottom up. Lift the battery latch, as shown in figure 3.

2.

When the bottom of battery is lifted, release the battery latch and remove the battery
from the radios body, as shown in figure 4. Note: To avoid serious abrasion between
the top tap and the slot, do not tilt the battery to a large angle.

10

Figure 3

Figure 4

Attaching/Removing the Antenna

Attaching the Antenna
1.

Align the threaded end of the antenna with the radios antenna connector.

2.

Turn the antenna clockwise until it is screwed down, shown as figure 5.

Removing the Antenna

Turn the antenna counter-clockwise until it is loosened and screwed out.

Figure 5

Attaching/Removing the Belt Clip

Attaching the Belt Clip
Loosen the screws of belt clip from the main unit; fasten the belt clip to the main unit
(make sure the screw holes of belt clip are aligned with those of aluminum chassis); and
11

clockwise screw down the belt clip. See figure 6 below.

Figure 6
Removing the Belt Clip
Turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise to loosen the screw. Please refer to the
operations for attaching the belt clip.

Attaching/Removing the Earpiece or Microphone

Attaching the Earpiece/Microphone
1.

Open (not remove) the accessory jack cover.

2.

Plug the audio accessory firmly into the accessory jack, and then secure the screw,
shown as figure 7.

12

Figure 7
Removing the Earpiece/Microphone
Loosen the screw and then remove the audio accessories.
Note: Use of audio accessory may affect the waterproof performance of the radio.

Basic Operations
Turning the Radio On/Off
To turn on the radio, hold down the Power On/Off key for about 1 second, and then the
radio sounds power-on alert tone.
To turn off the radio, hold down the Power On/Off key for about 2 second, and then the
radio sounds power-off alert tone.

Adjusting the Volume

You may adjust the volume through any of the following two methods:
1. Turn the Volume Control Knob upwards to increase the volume, and downwards to
decrease the volume. The radio will give you audible indications accordingly.
2. Hold down the programmed Squelch Off key to listen to background noise, and then
turn the Volume Control Knob upwards/downwards to increase/decrease the volume.
You will hear higher background noise when you increase the volume.
13

Selecting a Channel
Turn the Channel Selector Knob to select a channel; the channel No. pointed by the
channel indicator is the currently selected channel.

Transmitting
To transmit, press and hold down the PTT, speak into the microphone. Ensure the radio is
2.5 to 5 centimeters away from your lips.

Receiving
To receive signal, release the PTT.
Talk Range
Flat ground with no obstructions

Up to 10 kilometers

Residential area (close to buildings

Up to 5 kilometers

Inside multi-level buildings

Up to 20 floors

Note: The talk ranges herein are site tested in maximum radio power. Radios status may
vary from your specific use environment and radio model.

Programmable Auxiliary Functions

Your dealer may program the SK1, SK2 (long or short press) with one of the following
auxiliary functions. See Advanced Operations for detailed description.

None

Power Adjust

Compandor

Monitor

Monitor Momentary

Scan

Scrambler

Squelch Off

Squelch Off Momentary

14

VOX

Battery Strength Indicator

Channel Lock

Advanced Operations
The following functions are programmable by your dealer.

CTCSS/CDCSS
Set up talkgroups with unique CDCSS/CTCSS to prevent unwanted conversations on the
same frequency.
If CTCSS/CDCSS is set on the current channel, CTCSS/CDCSS match is required for the
radio to unmute to an incoming signal. If CTCSS/CCSS is not set, the radio can receive
calls from all users operating on the same frequency. Your dealer may set
CTCSS/CDCSS for some channels.
This feature does not mean that your conversation will not be heard by others. Radios that
set with the same CTCSS/CDCSS, or no CTCSS/CDCSS, can receive from you.

Battery Save
This feature, when no signal is received or no operation is made, can lower battery
consumption.
Once the radio detects no activity on the channel and no operation performed (no key
press and no knob selection) during radio standby time, it shall automatically enter sleep
mode ten seconds later.
Pressing any key or receiving a signal will cause the radio to exit from Battery Save and
restore it to normal operation.

Power Adjust
Press the programmed Power Adjust key to switch the transmit power level between high
and low.

15

Time-out Timer (TOT)

Limits the amount of time the radio user can continuously transmit on a channel. If the
user holds down the PTT longer than the preprogrammed time period, the radio will
automatically stop transmitting and generate a warning tone. To stop the warning tone,
release the PTT.
Your dealer may program the alert tone that sounds before the TOT timer nearly expires.

Battery Strength Indicator

TC-518 allows you to simply press the programmed Battery Strength Indicator key to
illuminate the LED battery gauge, which gives different indications representing battery
strength levels. To exit the indications, release the key.
Battery Strength

LED Indication

70% - 100%

Green

50% - 70%

Orange

30% - 50%

Red

10% - 30%

No LED indication is shown when the function key is

pressed; while the radio is in standby mode, LED flashes red
and a low-pitched tone sounds at intervals of preset time.

Less than 10%

No LED indication is shown when the function key is

pressed; the radio can only receive or keep standby, and
transmit is disallowed. While the radio is in standby mode,
LED flashes red and a low-pitched tone sounds at intervals
of preset time. If the PTT is held down, transmit inhibit tone
would sound.

Monitor / Squelch Off

Squelch Off

Causes the radio to forcibly unmute speaker to hear activities on the current channel,
whatever the receive condition is. The radio speaker outputs audio when audio signal is
present, or background noise will be heard if no audio signal is detected.
16

Press the function key to enter the Squelch Off mode, and press it again to exit.

Squelch Off Momentary

Causes the radio to forcibly unmute speaker to hear activities on the current channel,
whatever the receive condition is. The radio speaker outputs audio when audio signal is
present, or background noise will be heard if no audio signal is detected.
Holds down the function key to enter the Squelch Off Momentary mode, and release it to
exit.

Monitor

Carrier condition must be satisfied for the radio to unmute to an incoming call, regardless
of CTCSS/CDCSS condition.
Press the function key to enter Monitor mode, and press it again to exit.

Monitor Momentary

Carrier condition must be satisfied for the radio to unmute to an incoming call, regardless
of CTCSS/CDCSS condition.
Holds down the function key to enter Monitor Momentary mode, and release it to exit.

Scan
Press the programmed Scan key to initiate scanning ascending through the channel
numbers in scan list. Green LED flashes during the scan process, and solidly glows when
activity is detected on a channel and signaling condition is satisfied. Press the key again
to exit scanning.
When scanning is active, the radio continuously scans for activity on scan list members.
Once activity is detected on a channel, scanning pauses on the active channel for you to
receive activity. Your dealer can choose channels that you wish to scan and list them in a
scan list.
No Priority Channel
Assuming a scan list with 6 channels, if all the channels are non-prioritized, the normal
scan operation would proceed in the following sequence, as shown in figure 1.

17

Figure 1
Priority Channel Scan
If you prioritize Channel 2 as Priority 1, the scan operation would proceed in the following
sequence, as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2
Scan On/Off
You can enter scan mode through the following two methods:
a. Key operation
Press the programmed Scan key to enter scan mode, provided that therere no less than
2 members in the scan list.
b. Auto
When Auto Scan is enabled for a channel, the radio shall automatically enter scan mode
when it is switched to the channel.
You can exit scan mode through any of the following methods:
a. Key operation
Press the programmed Scan key to exit scan mode.
b. Auto
18

The radio automatically exits from scan mode when it is switched to another channel.
c. Turn the radio off.

Talk Back

Defines whether the user is able to PTT the radio and talk back on the channel on which
the radio currently stops.
When checked, if the radio stops on a channel, the radio user is able to PTT the radio and
talk back on that channel. If the radio does not stop on any channel, the user is able to
PTT the radio and talk back on the predefined channel.
When unchecked, the radio shall always use the predefined channel to transmit.

Priority Channel Scan

Enable you to constantly monitor & keep an update on the activities on the most
commonly used channel so that messages will not be missed. Check with your dealer for
details.
When scanning remains on a non-priority channel, the radio continues to monitor activities
on the priority channel, and jumps to the priority channel if activity is detected.

Available Keys in Scan Mode

Valid keys in Scan mode include PTT key, volume adjustment keys + / -, and 4
programmable keys of Squelch Off, Squelch Off Momentary, Monitor and Monitor
Momentary.
Note: never add a blank channel to a Scan List or designate it as the Tx Channel.

Busy Channel Lockout (BCL)

Avoid interference with the users using the same channel by preventing transmission if
another talk group is already on the air. The radio will generate a continuous tone upon
PTT press if a transmission is not allowed. Release the PTT to cancel the tone.

Low Battery Alert

For extra convenience, LED flashes red and a low-pitched tone sounds every ten seconds
should the battery level run low, to alert users to recharge the battery.

19

Voice Operated Transmit (VOX)

You can transmit hands free with the use of optional accessories. The radio will
automatically begin transmitting when you speak, and terminate transmitting when you
stop talking.
Your dealer can enable/disable the VOX feature, and set the VOX sensitivity. When the
feature is enabled, you can follow these steps to transmit hands free:
1.

Select the PTT/VOX switch on the earpiece to VOX.

2.

Plug the earpiece into the accessory jack on your radio.

3.

Press the programmed VOX key to activate the VOX feature.

4.

Speaker into the earpiece microphone and your voice will be transmitted.

Function Description:
1.

Press the programmed VOX key to enable/disable the VOX function. The radio
sounds one beep when the feature is enabled, and two continuous beeps when the
feature is disabled.

2.

After the radio is powered off or programmed, the VOX function is automatically
disabled.

3.

The VOX function needs to work with a compatible VOX earpiece.

4.

Your dealer can set VOX sensitivity level or disable the VOX function via
programming software.

Note:
1.

When the PTT/VOX switch on the earpiece is set to PTT, no matter whether VOX is
enabled, the user can transmit only when holding down external PTT key.

2.

When the switch is set to PTT, do not push it from PTT to VOX, or a continuous
transmission would be resulted. When continuous transmission occurs, the user can
revive the radio to normal operation by pushing the switch from VOX to PTT, or turn
the radio off and back on.

3.

User can select the VOX level according to your specific working environment. If
there is very high surrounding noise, a continuous transmission would be resulted
when the VOX function is enabled.

20

Note: To order accessories, please contact your local dealer.

Compandor
This feature secures high quality communication even in high noise environment. Your
dealer may enable the VOX function for certain channels, and users may enable or
disable the function through the programmed function key. The radio sounds one beep
when the feature is enabled, and two continuous beeps when the feature is disabled.

Scrambler
This feature can encrypt your voice and make any radio without the function receive no
real audio, so that any private communication of users can be highly protected.
Your dealer may enable the Scrambler function for certain channels, and users may
enable or disable the function through the programmed function key. The radio sounds
one beep when the feature is enabled, and two continuous beeps when the feature is
disabled.

Channel Lock
Prevents accidental change of channel, so that the user wont miss calls on his often used
channel. When Channel Lock is enabled, rotating Channel Selector Knob wont change
the current channel. This function wont be disabled unless you press the Channel Lock
key again, or power off the radio and back on. The radio sounds one beep when the
feature is enabled, and two continuous beeps when the feature is disabled.

21

Troubleshooting
Symptom

Solution

The battery has run out. Please recharge

the battery or replace it with a new one.

Cannot power on the radio.

The battery is not properly installed.

Please remove the battery and attach it
again.

The battery has worn out, and it is time to

The operating time is noticeably

buy a new battery.
shorter than normal performance,

The battery is not fully charged. Be sure

even though the battery is properly

to remove the battery from charger after
charged.
the charger LED glows green.

Make sure you are on the same channel

with your group members. Check whether
the Channel Lock feature is enabled. And
if so, rotating the Channel Selector

Cannot

talk

to

or

hear

group
Knob wont change the current channel.

members.

Make sure radios have the same channel

and the same CTCSS/CDCSS settings.

Make

sure

you

are

within

their

communication range.

Hear non-group members

Send the radio to your dealer to change

your CTCSS/CDCSS settings, and so as
your group members.

No

voice

transmitting

or

low

voice

while

Make sure the volume control knob is

positioned properly.

Send the radio to your dealer for

microphone examination.

22

Group members are too far away to

receive their call. Please go within the

Noise always on
communication range and re-power on
the radio to try.

Care and Cleaning

Do not hold the radio by its antenna or external earpiece directly.

Do not place the radio in a dusty or dirty environment.

Clean the radio with a lint-free cloth to remove dirt or grease, to avoid poor contact
due to excessive dust.

Clean the radio using a lint-free cloth moistened with clean water and a mild
dishwashing liquid.

Avoid subjecting the radio to corrosives, solvents or spirits.

Optional Accessories

Li-ion

Battery

(2000mAh) BL2003

Vehicle
CHV09

Power

Adapter

Six-unit
Power

Switching
PS7001

Earbud with in-line PTT

& VOX ESM11

(different power cable

for different countries
and areas)

23

Earbud

with

on-MIC

D-earset

with

Boom

PTT &

VOX ESM12

Microphone & VOX EHM16

Nylon

Carrying

Antenna

Case

D-earset

with

in-Line

MIC & VOX EHM15

PU

Carrying

Case

(non-swivel) PCN001

(non-swivel) NCN001

Note: Pictures are for reference only and may vary from actual product. Product function
shall remain the same.

HYT endeavors to achieve the accuracy and completeness of this manual, but no
warranty of accuracy or reliability is given. All the above specifications and design are
subject to change without prior notice due to continuous development.
No part of this manual may be copied, reproduced, translated, stored in a retrievable
system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
for any purpose without the express written permission of HYT.

24