Basic Operation

Call In Absence Indicator

If your phone is on and an incoming call is unanswered, CALL is displayed for 16 seconds. The display and keypad backlight will then extinguish to conserve the battery level. Pressing any key but CLR or END redisplays CALL to inform you of the call attempt. You must press CLR or END to cancel the message and clear the display.

NOTE Unless you have subscribed to Calling Line ID, the phone will not display or retrieve the phone number of the calling party.

Signal Strength Meter

The Signal Strength Meter (SSM) indicates the relative strength of the signal received by your phone. The SSM is displayed as shown below. The alone represents the lowest strength, with each additional representing a stronger signal.

Weak Signal

Strong Signal

The SSM appears every time you turn your phone on. After the display blanks out (after about 16 seconds), the SSM will “strobe” to indicate that the phone is on. To redisplay the SSM press any key.

To best utilize the SSM, you should familiarize yourself with the relative signal strength levels and their associated call placement and call-in-progress qualities.

Any messages, such as Loc d, appearing in the display as a result of activation of a feature will take priority over SSM. You will not see the SSM displayed in these cases.

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Motorola MicroTAC owner manual Call In Absence Indicator, Signal Strength Meter

MicroTAC specifications

The Motorola MicroTAC, introduced in 1989, is an iconic mobile phone that set the stage for the evolution of modern cellular technology. Known for its innovative design, the MicroTAC was one of the first truly portable mobile phones, demonstrating how far telecommunications had come since the bulky models of earlier decades.

One of the standout features of the MicroTAC was its flip design, which allowed the phone to be compact when closed and easy to carry. When opened, the phone revealed a numeric keypad and a small monochrome display, which provided essential functions and caller ID information. This flip mechanism not only contributed to its portability but also protected the keypad and screen from damage when not in use.

The MicroTAC was notable for its lightweight plastic casing, which made it significantly lighter than its contemporaries. Weighing just under 250 grams, it was a remarkable feat of engineering at the time. The phone had a unique “antenna-in-handle” design, which contributed to its sleek appearance while also optimizing signal reception. This innovation was part of Motorola’s effort to make mobile communication accessible and convenient.

In terms of battery life, the MicroTAC featured a rechargeable NiCd battery that provided several hours of talk time. While modern smartphones boast days of battery life, the MicroTAC was considered admirable for its time, allowing users the freedom to communicate on the go without frequent recharges.

The Motorola MicroTAC operated on analog networks, specifically using the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS). This technology allowed for a clearer voice transmission and was crucial in the early days of mobile communication, enabling users to connect in various environments where fixed lines were impractical.

Additionally, the MicroTAC boasted features like call waiting, auto redial, and a phone book capable of storing multiple contacts—a considerable leap forward from earlier mobile devices.

Despite its simplicity compared to modern smartphones, the Motorola MicroTAC laid the groundwork for future mobile technologies and design principles. Its combination of portability, innovative engineering, and user-friendly features solidified Motorola's reputation as a leader in telecommunications. The MicroTAC remains a nostalgic symbol of the early mobile telephony era and a testament to the foundational technologies that paved the way for today's devices.