Owner’s ManualTable of Contents
DISCLAIMER

2COMPONENT OUTLINE

2

GETTING STARTED

2

Charging battery3

Detaching and attaching Smart Mic

3

Attaching to backpack3

Basic functions

4

User interface

4

Presetting the channels

4Selecting the preset channel

5

Keylock

5

Communication

5

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

5

Weak channel indicator

5

Button sounds

5

Roger beep

6

Weather channels

6

Battery power indicator

7

Earphone

7

Replacing the battery

7

Using your radio in the field

7

Tech specs

8

FCC Licensing

8

Limited warranty

91

BC Link Advanced User Manual
Congratulations on purchasing your BC Link radio from Backcountry Access. This is an
important step toward improving communication within your group in the backcountry.
At BCA, we believe that backcountry safety starts with good planning and clear
communication. While gear like the BC Link and other BCA safety products areessential, they are only part of the equation. Education is equally important, especiallyregarding terrain selection, avalanche safety, and first aid. For more information on
backcountry and snow safety, see www.backcountryaccess.com/education.

Disclaimer
All snow sports involve inherent risks, and injuries or death may occur during theseactivities. Do not rely on this product as your only means of communication. Never ski
or travel alone and always make sure that a responsible person knows where you aregoing and when you plan to return. Familiarize yourself with the area in which you areskiing or traveling and the current weather and avalanche conditions. Backcountry
Access, Inc. is not responsible for any loss of communication between you and yourgroup due to this product’s improper use, the failure to properly charge and maintain theproduct’s battery, and/or poor or no reception in the operating area.

Component Outline

Getting started
In the BC Link package you will find the radio base unit, Smart Mic, recharger, USB
cable, and quick reference card. To start, attach the battery pack to your radio base unit
check the attachment of the Smart Mic, and recharge the battery.

2Charging battery
To charge the battery, attach the micro-USB cable to the USB port in the battery. You
can use any powered USB port to recharge, but use of the recharger provided with thepackage is recommended. If you are using the recharger provided with the package, theLED light on the top of recharger will be red when the battery is charging; it will turngreen when fully charged.
NOTE: After recharging the battery, make sure to put the protective cap back on thebattery USB port. This is vital to make sure that snow or condensation does not enter thebattery compartment.

Detaching and attaching Smart Mic
Detach the Smart Mic by rotating the connection cord lock ring counter-clockwise andpulling the connection cord out of the socket. Rotate the lock ring only; do not rotate thecord housing above the lock ring. When attaching the Smart Mic, make sure the notchand groove in the plug and socket are aligned. Lock the Smart Mic to the radio base unit
by turning the lock ring clockwise. When the base unit and Smart Mic are separated, use
the rubber cap to protect the open socket.

Attaching to backpack
To attach to a backpack, fasten the alligator clip on the back of the Smart Mic to yourshoulder or sternum strap. Then place the radio base unit inside your backpack or clip it
to your waist belt. If your backpack has a hydration sleeve built into the shoulder strap, it
may be possible to run the cable through the sleeve. First, detach the Smart Mic from theradio base unit as described above. Then run the Smart Mic connection cord through thehydration sleeve until it reaches the inside of the pack. Reattach the cord to the socket in
the base unit.
If you are using a BCA Stash or Float airbag backpack, then your base unit should fit
snugly in the dedicated BC Link webbing loop inside the pack, with the antenna
protruding. Detach and reattach the Smart Mic connection cord as described above.

3

Basic functions
This chapter describes how to use basic functions on your BC Link.

User interface

Presetting the channels

The BC Link comes with preset channels from the factory:
A Channel 1 privacy code off
B Channel 5 privacy code 10
C Channel 4 privacy code 20
D Channel 8 privacy code 10
E Channel 9 privacy code 11
F Channel 20 privacy code off
With the BC Link, it is possible to preset your own channels using the dial on the Smart
Mic. These can be set to A, B, C, D, E, or F by following these steps:
Turn the radio on, using the power/volume dial.
Select the preset channel (A-F) on the Smart Mic channel selection dial.
Press Menu once (to deactivate the keylock, see below). The channel number will start
flashing in the display. Select desired channel using the up/down buttons. Accept bywaiting for five seconds or pressing OK.
4

Press Menu again. The privacy code number will start flashing. Select desired privacycode.
If the channel or privacy code digit stops flashing while presetting the channels, press
Menu again.
Repeat this process for each channel (A-F) t hat you would like to preset. All members ofyour party must select the same channels AND privacy codes.
Channels 1 through 7 are 1.0W FRS channels. Channels 8 through 14 are 0.5W FRSchannels. Channels 15 through 22 are 1.0W FRS channels. While battery life is longer
when using channels 8-14, the range of transmission is shorter.

Selecting the preset channel
After channels have been preset, the desired channel and privacy code combination canbe selected with the dial on the Smart Mic. Therefore you don’t need touch the base unit
to change channels.

Keylock
The keylock applies to the keys on the base unit only; it does not lock the controls on theSmart Mic. Activate the keylock by pressing the Menu and Ok buttons simultaneouslyfor 3 seconds. During this time, a countdown from 3 to 1 is shown in the display.
Keylock can be deactivated the same way it is activated.

Communication
To communicate between all units, all radios in the group must be set to the same
frequency and privacy setting. This includes radios of other brands. To talk to othermembers in your group, hold the Smart Mic two inches from your mouth. Press the Pushto-talk (PTT) button and keep it pressed for at least two seconds before talking. To listen,release the PTT button.
Your BC Link is designed to maximize performance and transmission range. Do not use
them when the units are less than five feet apart.

Advanced functions
Weak channel indicator
The weak channel indicator icon is located in the upper left corner of the base unit
display. When the BC Link is transmitting at 0.5W power (FRS channels 8-14), the icon
is empty. When channels other than 8-14 are being used and the BC Link is transmitting
at 1.0W power, the icon is full.

5Button sound
When the button sounds are activated, the BC Link beeps when any button is pressed orwhen the user turns on the Smart Mic. These button sounds can be activated by pressing
the Menu button three times until the icon and “ON” or “OFF” are displayed. Turn thebutton sounds on or off using the up or down buttons. Accept by waiting five seconds orpressing OK.

Roger beep
The Roger beep is a tone that sounds at the end of each transmission, when the PTT
button is released. The Roger beep is activated or deactivated by pressing the Menubutton four times until the Roger beep icon and “ON” or “OFF” are displayed. Turnthe Roger beep on or off using the up or down buttons. Accept by waiting five seconds orpressing OK.

Weather channels
Weather channels can be activated by scrolling past channel 22. There are 11 weatherchannels; they can only be accessed within the U.S. Weather channels are receive-onlychannels, which means that when the weather channel is activated, transmitting is notpossible. When a weather channel is active, the weather icon
is displayed.
To choose your local weather channel, find the corresponding frequency of the closest
weather station, visit: https://www.weather.gov/nwr/station_listingThat frequency corresponds to the weather channels listed below:66)>$4':>6%%$?8'

8D==9G>!A<I!B9D@89I!A<I9;D>@!AI9]N9=;?9>!DI9!G?>@9F!P9G<Bc!

!

Once you have selected your preferred weather channel, wait five seconds or press OK.
Reception from these stations depends on weather conditions and the presence ofobstacles such as mountains, buildings, and trees between the transmitter and receiver.

Battery power indicator
The battery power icon
is in the upper left corner of the base unit display. Note thatthe battery power indicator is based on battery voltage: it will drop when the battery isloaded. For example, it will indicate fewer bars when the radio is transmitting.

Earphone
An earphone jack is located next to the cable on the Smart Mic. It will accommodate
any standard 3.5mm earphone plug.

Replacing the battery
The battery can be removed by pushing down on the latch at the bottom of the battery,then sliding it out. It can be reattached by sliding it back in place.

Using your radio in the field!

For recommendations on how to most efficiently use your BC Link in the field and foremergencies please visit https://backcountryaccess.com/support/bc-link-radioresources.

!

8$)':>6%%$?8'

9>9@!;8D==9G>!=DC9F!*7!27!"7!'7!(7!%7!DI9!G?>@9F!P9G<Bc!

!

!

!

!
"#$%&'($)&*+!

2*"3"#4$)56!*""(--7!&$"/!

!
Page 7 of 11!

7

Tech specs

ProductRadio/RemoteUnit

Smart Mic
Smart MicBase Unit
Base Unit
Weight Weight Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions(in.)
(cm)
(in)
(cm)
(oz)
(g)
12.0

340

3.3 x 1.0 x
1.8

8.0 x 4.0 x
4.5

2.5 x 2.0 x
6.0

6 x 5 x 15

Battery: 3.7 VDC Li-ion with 2200mAh of usable capacity.
Battery life: dependent on usage; 8 hours normal use when a radio is stored in abackpack. Transmitting in high power mode will shorten battery life.
Range: Approximately 3 miles line of sight, actual range dependent on topography.
Electrical interference and objects between the transmitting and receiving radio candecrease range. In optimum circumstances range can be significantly greater.
Case material: Polycarbonate.
Water and dust resistance: conforms to ISO IP56.
Charger: 5V/1A power can be used on 110V AC.
Temperature operating range: -20C to +70 C.
Maximum transmitting power: 1W.
Warning: Do not disassemble or subject battery pack to fire. Risk of injury.

FCC licensing
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.
FCC IDENTIFIER: OUNBCLINK
Name of Grantee: Backcountry Access, Inc.

8Limited Warranty
Backcountry Access, Inc. (BCA) warrants that for a period of three (3) years from the dateof purchase, this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. Should adefect occur during the three (3) year warranty period, BCA will repair or replace thedefective product or component part at its option, free of charge. BCA will repair or replace
the product with an identical or reasonably equivalent product, at its election, or it may
elect to refund the purchase price (less reasonable depreciation based on actual use) if itcannot readily and quickly provide a replacement. Replacement products provided
pursuant to this warranty are under warranty only for the remainder of the original warranty
period.
This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial retail purchaseand is not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proof of purchase is required toobtain warranty performance. If the original proof of purchase cannot be provided, BCA
will use the product’s manufacture date as the start of the warranty period. BCA dealers do
not have the right to alter, modify or in any way change the terms and conditions of thiswarranty.
Limitations
This warranty shall not apply if the product (a) is altered, modified, or tampered with inany way by anyone or (b) is damaged by negligence, accident, unreasonable/abnormal use
or by other causes unrelated to defective materials or workmanship. Further, the warranty
does not cover Acts of God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes.
BCA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DEATH OR INJURIES TO PERSONS, DAMAGETO PROPERTY, OR FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONTINGENT, ORCONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS ORIMPLIED WARRANTY. BCA’S SOLE LIABILITY FROM THIS WARRANTY ISLIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. EXCEPTTO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY IMPLIEDWARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULARPURPOSE IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE ABOVEWARRANTY. SOME STATES, PROVINCES OR JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOWTHE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES OR LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS,SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THISWARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSOHAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE TO STATE OR PROVINCE TO
PROVINCE.

9How to Obtain Warranty ServicePrior to the expiration of the three (3) year warranty period, take the product, along withproof of purchase, to the BCA dealer from which you purchased the product, or obtain a
Return Authorization (RA) number and instructions directly from BCA by visiting
our warranty page: https://backcountryaccess.com/warranty.
If you have questions, contact the BCA warranty service department at (800) 670-8735
or warranty@backcountryaccess.com.
The purchaser and/or dealer are responsible for shipping and handling charges to theBCA warranty service department. BCA will return the repaired or replacement productat its expense, but if it is determined that there is no defect or that the defect resulted
from causes not within the scope of this warranty, storage or return of the productwill be at the purchaser’s expense.

10Backcountry Access, Inc.
2820 Wilderness Place, Unit H
Boulder, Colorado USA
Toll Free Phone: 800-670-8735
Local Phone: 303-417-1345
info@backcountryaccess.com
www.backcountryaccess.com

BCA/K 2 Canada
1 Westside Dr. Unit #7
Etobicoke, ON Canada
M9C 1B2
Local Phone: 416-620-4125
Toll free Phone: 866-455-2748
bca@k2canada.com

10