Link Mini
Owner’s Manual
Bedienungsanleitung
Manuel d’utilisation
Manuale di istruzioni
Manual del propietario

BC Link Mini
Owner’s Manual
Congratulations on purchasing your BC Link Mini radio from Backcountry
Access. This is an important step toward improving communication withinyour group in the backcountry. At BCA, we believe that backcountry
safety starts with good planning and clear communication. While gear
like the BC Link Mini and other BCA safety products are essential, 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
https://backcountryaccess.com/en-us/learn-avalanche-safety

Disclaimer
ATTENTION! The radio is a multitask FRS transceiver. Combining the latest
technology in radio communication along with a sturdy mechanical frame,
the radio is the ideal and effective solution for the backcountry travelers
who need to stay in touch with group members while skiing, climbing,
mountain biking, or participating in other outdoor activities, or for leisureusers that just want to keep up with friends and family. To help you ward
off bodily injury or property loss that may arise from improper operation,please read all the information carefully before using our products. Before
operating the radio, please read all safety and operating instructions.
Save all instructions in a safe place for future reference.
All action sports involve inherent risks, and injuries or death may occur
during these activities. Do not rely on this product as your only means ofcommunication. Never travel alone and always make sure that a responsible
person knows where you are going and when you plan to return. Familiarize
yourself with the area in which you are traveling and the current weather andavalanche conditions. Backcountry Access, Inc. is not responsible for any
loss of communication between you and your group due to this product’s
improper use, the failure to properly charge and maintain the product’sbattery, and/or poor or no reception in the operating area.

2Component Outline

Antenna

Power / Volume
LED:
Transmit: Red Light
Receive: Green Light

Clip Attachment
Interface

Speaker
Microphone
PTT Button(Push-to-talk)

Leash Anchor

Charging Light
USB-C Charging Port

Getting Started
In the BC Link Mini package, you will find the radio ( 1 ) , webbing clips ( 2 ) ,belt clip ( 1 ) , velcro strap ( 1 ) , carabiner leash ( 1 ) , USB-C cable ( 1 ) , andquick reference card ( 1 ) . To start, check all the accessories and charge thebattery.

Standard Webbing Clip

Belt Clip

Carabiner Leash

Velcro Strap

3

Charging battery
Connect the radio to a power outlet using the included cable and a USB
power adapter. Insert the cable into the radio’s charging port until you heara “click”. A full recharge can take up to six hours. The light next to the USB
port will be read when the radio is charging. The light will turn green when
the radio is fully charged.

Remaining Battery Power Display
This radio has a Battery Level Meter
that shows the battery power
level. The greater the number of bars visible, the stronger the battery level.
When the battery level is low, the Battery Shell
icon will flash in thedisplay indicating your battery should be recharged.
WARNING! To avoid the risk of personal injury or property damage fromfire or electrical shock, only use accessories specifically designated for thisproduct.

Connecting Belt Clip
Connect the Belt Clip to the radio by sliding the clip into the slot on the backof the radio until it snaps into place.

Connecting the Webbing Clip & Strap
Connect the Webbing Clip to any webbing as shown in the image below.
Connect the Webbing Clip to the radio by sliding the clip into the slot on theback of the radio until it snaps into place.

4

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

LCD Display

AO1.000
BO5.010Channel (05)

Privacy Code (010)

Screen Icons

5

User Interface
This chapter describes how to use basic functions on your BC Link Mini.

Press
MENU

ChoosePresetSet
Channel

Press
MENU

Set
Channel

Press
MENU

*arrow designates Transmit Channel

Channel AorChannel BSelect
1-22*Use up and down arrows to scroll to desired CH*Use up and down arrows to choose CH A/B

Press
MENU

Set
Privacy CodeSelect
1-121*Use up and down arrows to scroll to desired PC*PC 1-121 will relate to Frequency Chart

BEEP
Function*CH 1-22 will relate to Frequency Chart

Press
MENU

LIGHT
Function

ONorOFF*Use up and down arrows to turn on/offONorOFF*Use up and down arrows to turn on/off*CT Icon pops up for privacy codes 1-38. DCS
Icon pops up for privacy codes 39-121.

HoldorHoldChoose
Preset B*arrow designates Transmit Channel

Hold down/
simultaneously (3s)

LockPreset B*arrow designates Transmit Channel*Lock Icon pops up when keys are locked

6

Power on/off
To turn the radio on, simply rotate the volume/power knob clockwise until
you hear a “click”. If your radio powers on correctly there should be anaudible tone after about one second. Turn the volume/power knob counterclockwise all the way until you hear a “click”. The radio is now off.

Adjusting the volume
To turn up the volume, turn the volume/power knob clockwise. To turn thevolume down, turn the volume/power knob counter-clockwise. Be careful not
to turn it too far, as you may inadvertently turn your radio off.

Talking on your radio
Clip the radio where desired or secure the radio onto your pack’s shoulder
strap. Rotate the power knob clockwise/counter clockwise to power on,
raise volume, or power off. To transmit, press and hold the [ PTT ] button,
wait one second before speaking. Release when finished speaking. Lights on
the radio: solid red = transmitting, solid green = receiving.

Presetting the channels
Channels 1 through 7 are 2.0W FRS channels. Channels 8 through 14 are0.5W FRS channels. Channels 15 through 22 are 2.0W FRS channels.
While battery life is longer when using channels 8-14, the range oftransmission is shorter.
The BC Link Mini comes with two factory pre-set channels, but you cancustomize them.
a.

Press the [ MENU ] button and use theand select Channel A or Channel B.

buttons to scrollb.

Press the [ MENU ] button and use theand select a channel code.

buttons to scroll

7c.

Stop on the desired channel code and wait three seconds, orpress the [ MENU ] button.

d.

To set a privacy code, press the [MENU] button after selecting
a channel code, scroll to the desired privacy code and wait
three seconds, or press the [MENU] button.

The BC Link Mini comes with two preset channels from the factory:
A. Channel 1 privacy code off
B. Channel 5 privacy code 10Key Lock
Hold down thebuttons simultaneously for three seconds to lock thekeys. Theicon will appear on the display. The [ PTT ] button will still beactive. Repeat the same procedure to unlock the keys.

Communication
To communicate between all units, all radios in the group must be set to thesame frequency and privacy setting. This includes radios of other brands.
To talk to other members in your group, hold the radio two inches from yourmouth. Press the [ PTT ] button and keep it pressed for at least one second
before talking. To listen, release the [ PTT ] button.

Return-to-Standby
180-second return-to-standby mode saves airtime and battery power. If
the [ PTT ] button is pressed for more than 180 seconds, the BC Link
Mini will revert to standby mode, to save battery power and prevent
channel blockage.

8

Advanced Functions
Dual Channel Watch
The BC Link Mini is a dual channel receiver radio, meaning a user can listen
and transmit on one frequency, while also listening on a second frequency.
This dual channel watch function enhances communication capabilities andallows users to simultaneously monitor private group and public community
channels in high-traffic backcountry zones. When transmitting, users
will only transmit to their one, preset channel that the arrow on the main
display is pointing to; when receiving, users will be able to hear incomingtransmissions for the two preset channels on the main display.
Low Transmit PowerThe 0.5W transmit power icons
andare located on thebottom of the display. When the BC Link Mini is transmitting at 0.5W power(FRS channels 8-14), theandicons are present. Whenchannels other than 8-14 are being used and the BC Link Mini is transmitting
at 2.0W power, there is no L icon andis present.
Button Sounds
When the button sounds are activated, the BC Link Mini beeps when any
button is pressed and theicon is located at the top of the display. Thesebutton sounds can be activated by pressing the [MENU] button four times
until “BEEP ON” is displayed. Turn the button sounds on or off using thebuttons. Press the [PTT] button to exit menu or [MENU] button to continue
set up.
Roger BeepThe roger beep is a tone that sounds at the end of each transmission, whenthe PTT button is released. The roger beep is activated or deactivated bypressing the [MENU] button four times until “BEEP ON” is displayed. Turnthe button sounds on or off using thebuttons. Press the [PTT] button toexit menu or [MENU] button to continue set up.
Display Backlight
When the backlight is activated, the BC Link Mini will light up the display
with a white backlight. If no buttons are pressed for 10 seconds, the radio9

will turn off the backlight to save battery power, but the backlight will turnon again as soon as a button is pressed. This backlight can be activated bypressing the [MENU] button five times until “LIGHT ON” is displayed. Turnthe backlight on or off using thebuttons. Press the [PTT] button to exit
menu or [MENU] button to continue set up.
Using Your Radio in the Field
For recommendations on how to most efficiently use your BC Link Mini inthe field and for emergencies please visit https://backcountryaccess.com/
support/bc-link-radio-resources.

Technology Specifications
ProductWeight(oz)Weight(g)BC Link Mini
Dimensions (in)BC Link Mini
Dimensions (cm)BC Link Mini Radio

6 oz

170 g

6.25” x 2.5” x 1.25”

15.9 x 6.4 x 3.2 cmChannels
Sub-Channels

22 FRS
121 (38 CTCSS tones, 82 DCS codes)

Frequency Range

FRS

Operation Voltage

DC 2.7 V ± 10%

FM Modulation
Adjacent Channel
PowerTransmission Current
Battery
Battery LifeRange

11K0F3E @ 12.5kHz
60dB @ 12.5kHz≤ 1200mA.
Battery: 3.7VDC Li-ion with 1800mAh of usable capacity.
Dependent on usage; 33 hours normal use when radio is stored inbackpack. Transmitting in high power mode will shorten battery life.
Approximately 6 miles line of sight, actual range dependent on
topography. Electrical interference and objects between the transmitting
and receiving radio can decrease range. In optimum circumstances,range can be significantly greater.

10Channels
Case Material
Water & Dust
Resistance
ChargerTemperature Operating
Range
MaxiumumTransmitting PowerWARNING

22 FRS
Polycarbonate and TPE
Conforms to IP55
5V/1A power can be used on 110V AC-20C to +55 C2W
Do not disassemble or subject radio to fire. Risk of injury.

Lithium-ion battery
The BC Link Mini has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of1800 mAh and was designed to operate in outdoor environments. Battery
life is dependent on how frequently the radio sends and receives signals, but
the BC Link Mini has a max battery life of 33 hours of normal use. Please
note that all lithium-ion batteries experience reduced life in cold weather andcolder temperatures can have significant effects on battery life.
Ingress protection rating
The BC Link Mini is rated IP55. Generally, this means the radio is protectedfrom snow, rain, and splashes. However, it is not fully waterproof and should
not be fully submerged in water.

11

BC Link Mini FRS Frequency Chart:
North America
Channels

Frequency (MHz)Power (W)1462.5625

2.0

2462.5875

2.0

3462.61252.0

4462.63752.0

5

462.66252.0

6

462.68752.0

7

462.71252.0

8467.56250.5

9467.58750.5

10467.61250.5

11467.63750.5

12467.66250.5

13467.68750.5

14467.71250.5

15462.55002.0

16462.57502.0

17462.60002.0

18462.62502.0

19462.65002.0

20462.67502.0

21462.7000

2.022462.7250

2.0

12

Privacy Codes (01-38): CTCSS Frequency
CTCS (No.)

Frequency (Hz)

167.0

271.9

374.4

4

77.0

5

79.7

6

82.5

7

85.4

8

88.5

9

91.5

1094.8

11

97.4

12

100.0

13

103.5

14

107.2

15

110.9

16

114.8

17

118.8

18

123.0

19

127.3

20

131.8

21

136.5

22

141.3

23

146.2

24

151.4

25

156.7

26

162.2

27

167.9

28

173.8

29

179.9

30

186.2

13

31

192.8

32

203.5

33

210.7

34

218.1

35

225.7

36

233.6

37

241.8

38

250.3

Privacy Codes (39-121): DCS Codes
Tone No.

Octal Code

39023

40025

41026

42031

43032

44043

45047

46051

47054

48

065

49071

50072

51073

52074

53

114

54

115

55

116

56

125

57

131

58

132

59

134

14

60

143

61

152

62

155

63

156

64

162

65

165

66

172

67

174

68

205

69

223

70

226

71

243

72

244

73

245

74

251

75

261

76

263

77

265

78

271

79

306

80

311

81

315

82

331

83

343

84

346

85

351

86

364

87

356

88

371

89

411

90

412

91

413

92

423

15

93

431

94

432

95

445

96

464

97

465

98

466

99

503

100

506

101

516

102

532103

546

104

565

105

606

106

612

107

624

108

627

109

630

110

632

111

654

112

662

113

664

114

703

115

712

116

723

117

731

118

732

119

734

120

743

121

754

16

Regulatory Compliance
FCC ComplianceThis device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmfulinterference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes
or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible forcompliance could void your authority to operate the equipment.
FCC IDENTIFIER: OUNBCLM
Name of Grantee: Backcountry Access, Inc.
FCC Part 15.21 warning statement
NOTE: THE GRANTEE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYCHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EXPRESSLY APPROVED
BY THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE. SUCH
MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO
OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
WARNING! Read this information before using the radio. In August 1996
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States withits action in Report and Order FCC 96-326 adopted an updated safety
standard for human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic energy
emitted by FCC regulated transmitters. Those guidelines are consistent withthe safety standard previously set by both U.S. and international standards
bodies. The design of the radio complies with the FCC guidelines and theseinternational standards. Never allow children to operate the radio without
adult supervision and the knowledge of the following guidelines.
FCC RF Exposure
WARNING! It is up to the user to properly operate this radio transmitter toinsure safe operation. Please adhere to the following: Do not use the radiowith a damaged antenna. If a damaged antenna comes into contact withthe skin, a minor burn may result. Please contact your local dealer for areplacement antenna.

17

Hand-Held Operations (held-to-face)This device was evaluated for typical hand-held (held-to-face) operations
with a 1 inch spacing from the front of the radio. For handheld operation, theradio should be held 1 inch from the user’s face in order to comply with FCC
RF exposure requirements.
Body-Worn Operation
This device was evaluated for body-worn operations with the supplied Belt
Clip accessory. (All necessary accessories are included in the package; any
additional or optional accessories are not required for compliance with theguidelines.) Third party accessories (unless approved by the manufacturer)
should be avoided as these might not comply with FCC RF exposure
guidelines.
IC ComplianceThis device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply
with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licenseexempt RSS (s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)This device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation ofthe device.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void your authority to operate the equipment.
Cet appareil contient un ou des émetteurs/récepteurs exemptés delicence qui sont conformes aux normes RSS d’Innovation, Sciences etDéveloppement économique Canada exemptées de licence.
L’utilisation est soumise aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) Cet appareil
ne doit pas causer d’interférences, et (2) cet appareil doit accepter touteinterférence, y compris les interférences susceptibles de provoquer unfonctionnement non désiré de l’appareil.
Tout changement ou modification non approuvé expressément par la partie
18

responsable pourrait annuler le droit à l’utilisateur de faire fonctionner cetéquipement.
Body-worn operation
For body-worn operation, this device has been tested and meets theIndustry Canada RF exposure guidelines when used with BCA accessories
supplied or designated for this product. Use of other accessories may notensure compliance with Industry Canada RF exposure guidelines.
Fonctionnement de l’appareil, lorsque porté sur le corps. Cet appareil a été
testé et s’est avéré conforme aux normes d’Industrie Canada et approuvé
pour le port sur le corps à l’aide des accessoires BCA inclus et conçus pourcet appareil. L’utilisation d’accessoires ne respectant pas les exigencesd’exposition RF d’Industrie Canada doit être évitée.

Maintenance & Warranty
MaintenanceYour BC Link Mini was designed to fulfill any warranty obligations and toenjoy this product for many years. As for all the electronically devices, werecommend you to follow these few suggestions:
Do not attempt to open the unit. Non-expert handling of the unit may
damage it and/or annul the warranty.
When using regulated power supply, take notice of power voltage, that must
be between 3.4V and 4.2V to avoid damages. (confirming with Baofeng)
High temperatures can shorten the life of electronic devices, and warp or
melt certain plastics. Do not store the radio in dusty or dirty areas.
Keep the radio dry. Rainwater or damp will corrode electronic circuits.
If it appears that the radio diffuses peculiar smell or smoke, please shut off
its power immediately and take off the charger from the radio.
19Care and Safety
To clean the radio, use a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use
cleaners or solvents because they can harm the body of the unit and leakinside, causing permanent damage. Do not submerge the unit in water.
Your radio might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating
properly. To determine whether your radio is causing the interference, turnit off. If the interference goes away, your radio is causing it. Try to eliminate
the interference by moving your radio away from the receiver. If you cannot
eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using the radio.
Hazardous Environments
Do not operate the radio in hazardous environments. Explosion or fire may
result. Do not operate the radio near unshielded electrical blasting caps.
Under certain conditions, radios can interfere with blasting operations
and may cause an explosion. Turn your radio OFF to prevent accidental
transmission when in a blasting area or in areas posted: “Turn off two-way
radio.” Construction crews often use remote control RF devices to set off
explosives.
Limited Warranty
Backcountry Access, Inc. (BCA) warrants that for a period of three (3) years
from the date of purchase, this product will be free from defects in material
and workmanship. Should a defect occur during the three (3) year warranty
period, BCA will repair or replace the defective product or component partat its option, free of charge. BCA will repair or replace the product with anidentical or reasonably equivalent product, at its election, or it may elect torefund the purchase price (less reasonable depreciation based on actual use)
if it cannot readily and quickly provide a replacement. Replacement products
provided pursuant to this warranty are under warranty only for the remainderof the original warranty period.
This warranty is valid for the original retail purchaser from the date of initial
retail purchase and is not transferable. Keep the original sales receipt. Proofof purchase is required to obtain warranty performance. If the original proofof purchase cannot be provided, BCA will use the product’s manufacture
20

date as the start of the warranty period. BCA dealers do not have the right toalter, modify or in any way change the terms and conditions of this warranty.
Limitations
This warranty shall not apply if the product (a) is altered, modified, ortampered with in any 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 coverActs of God, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes.
BCA SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DEATH OR INJURIES TO PERSONS, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, OR FOR ANY
INCIDENTAL, CONTINGENT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS ORIMPLIED WARRANTY. BCA’S SOLE LIABILITY FROM THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENTOF DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTYOF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATIONOF THE ABOVE WARRANTY. SOME STATES, PROVINCES OR JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSIONOR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIEDWARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTYGIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM STATE TOSTATE OR PROVINCE TO PROVINCE.

How to Obtain Warranty Service
Prior to the expiration of the three (3) year warranty period, obtain a ReturnAuthorization (RA) number and instructions directly from BCA by clicking
here: https://backcountryaccess.com/warranty.
If you have questions, contact the BCA warranty service department at(800) 670-8735 or warranty@backcountryaccess.com.
The purchaser is responsible for shipping and handling charges to the BCA
warranty service department. BCA will return the repaired or replacement
product at its expense, but if it is determined that there is no defect or thatthe defect resulted from causes not within the scope of this warranty, storage
or return of the product will be at the purchaser’s expense.

21

Backcountry Access, Inc.
www.backcountryaccess.com
2820 Wilderness Place, Unit H
Boulder, Colorado USA
Local Phone: +1 (303) 417-1345
Toll Free Phone: +1 (800) 670-8735
info@backcountryaccess.com
BCA/K2 EuropeK2 Sports Europe GmbH
Seeshaupter Strasse 6282377 Penzberg
Germany
Phone: +49 8856 8000-0
info@K2sports.de
BCA/K2 Canada
1 Westside Dr. Unit #7
Toronto, ON Canada
M9C 1B2Local Phone: +1 (416) 620-4125
Toll Free Phone: +1 (866) 455-2748
bca@k2canada.com
BCA/Madshus AS Norway
Madshus AS
Industriveien 292936 Biri
Phone: 61 13 43 00
madshus@madshus.com