Realistic PRO-41 Scanner
RadioShack PRO-41 10 Channel Programmable Scanner
Realistic PRO-41 Direct Entry Programmable Scanner
Care and Maintenance
Your PRO-41 is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for the scanner so that you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the scanner dry. If it does get wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids can contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuit.
Use and store the scanner only in normal temperature environments. Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices, damage batteries, and distort or melt plastic parts.
Handle the scanner gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage circuit boards and cases and can cause the scanner to work improperly.
Keep the scanner away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature wear of parts.
Wipe the scanner with a dampened cloth occasionally to keep it looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong detergents to clean the product.
Use only fresh batteries of the recommended size and type. Always remove old or weak batteries. They can leak chemicals that destroy electronic circuits.
Modifying or tampering with the scanner's internal components can invalidate the product's warranty and might void your FCC authorization to operate it. If your product is not performing as it should, take it to your local Radio Shack store. Our personnel can assist you and arrange
Features
INTRODUCTION
The PRO-41 Programmable Scanner lets you hear all the action. This scanner lets you access over 20,000 frequencies that include the police department, fire department, ambulance service, amateur radio, and transportation services. You can store frequencies in the scanner's 10 channels and you can change your selections at any time.
The secret to the scanner's ability to scan so many frequencies is its custom-designed microprocessor - a tiny, built-in computer. The scanner's microprocessor also gives the scanner these features:
- Liquid-Crystal Display - shows the selected channel and frequency.
- Automatic 3-Second Scan Delay - helps keep you from missing replies on a channel while you are scanning.
- Memory Backup - keeps the channel frequencies stored in the scanner's memory for up to 30 minutes without the batteries.
- Low Battery Alarm - lets you know when the batteries get low.
The PRO-41 covers all these bands:
29-50 MHz (VHF Lo) 148 -174 MHz(VHF-Hi)
50-54 MHz (6-Meter Ham Band) 406-450 MHz (ham radio and
government)
137-144 MHz (Government) 450-470 MHz (UHF Lo)
144-148 MHz (2-Meter Ham Band) 470-512 MHz (UHF Hi)
The scanner might cause radio or TV interference, even when it is operating properly. To determine whether the scanner is causing the interference, turn off the scanner. If the interference goes away, the scanner is causing the interference. Try to eliminate the interference by:
- Moving the scanner away from the receiver
- Contacting your local Radio Shack store for help
- If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using the scanner.
(br-7/15/94)
General Guide To Scanning
Birdies
Birdies are frequencies your scanner uses when it operates. These operating frequencies might interfere with broadcasts on the same frequencies. If you program one of these frequencies, you hear only noise on that frequency.
If the interference is not severe, you might be able to turn SQUELCH clockwise to cut out the birdie. The most common birdies to watch for are listed below.
Birdie Frequencies:
31.05 MHz 124.20 MHz 41.40 MHz 134.55 MHz 51.75 MHz 144.90 MHz 113.85 MHz 155.25 MHz
Reception Notes
Reception of the frequencies covered by your scanner is mainly "line of sight". That means you usually cannot hear stations that are beyond the horizon. During the summer months you may be able to hear stations in the 30-50 MHz range located several hundred or even thousand of miles away. This is because of summer atmospheric conditions. This type of reception is unpredictable but often very interesting!
One very useful service is the National Weather Service's continuous weather broadcast. These broadcasts contain weather forecasts and data for the areas around the station, plus bulletins on any threatening weather conditions. These stations use three frequencies - 162.40, 162.475 or 162.55 MHz. In most areas of the country, you can receive one of these frequencies.
A Guide To The Action Bands
With the right frequencies programmed into your PRO-Series Scanner, you can monitor exciting events. With a little investigation, you can find active frequencies in your community. We can give you some general pointers, and you can take it from there. Please use caution and common sense when you hear an emergency call. Never go to the scene of an emergency. It could be very dangerous.
Find out if there is a local club that monitors your community's frequencies. Perhaps a local electronics repair shop that works on equipment similar to your scanner can give you frequencies used by local radio services.
A volunteer police department or fire department can also be a good source for this information.
As a general rule on VHF, most activity is concentrated between 153.785 and 155.98 MHz and then again from 158.73 to 159.46 MHz. Here you find local government, police, fire and most such emergency services. If you are near a railroad yard or major railroad tracks, look around 160.0 to 161.9 MHz for signals.
In some larger cities, there has been a move to the UHF bands for emergency service. Here, most of the activity is between 453.025 and 453.95 MHz and between 456.025 and 467.925 MHz.
In the UHF band, frequencies between 456.025 and 459.95 MHz and between 465.025 and 469.975 MHz are used by mobile units and control stations associated with base and repeater units that operate 5 MHz lower (that is, 451.025 to 454.950 and 460.025 to 464.975 MHz). This means that if you find an active frequency inside one of these spreads, you can look 5 MHz lower (or higher) to find the base station/repeater for that service.
Typical Band Usage
The following is a brief listing of the typical services that use the bands you scanner can receive. This listing helps you decide which ranges you would like to scan.
These frequencies are subject to change, and might vary from area to area. For a more complete listing refer to the Police Call Radio Guide available at you local RadioShack store.
Abbreviations: Affiliate Radio System: ............................................. Mars Amateur: ............................................................. Ham Automobile Emergency: ......................................... Auto Emer. Broadcast Remote: ................................................... BC.R Bureau of Reclamation: ......................................... Bur.Recl. Civil Air Patrol: .................................................... CAP Department of Agriculture and Forestry: .................... Agr. And For. Fire Department: .................................................... F.D. Forest Products: ............................................... For.Prod. Forestry Conservation: ........................................ Fors.Cons. Government: ........................................................ Govt. Highway Maintenance: ................................................ Hwy. Land Transportation: ............................................ Land Tr. Local Government: ................................................ L.Govt. Manufacturers: ...................................................... Mfg. Military: ............................................................ MIL Mobile Telephone : .............................................. Mob.Tel. Motion Picture: ................................................... Mot.P. Motor Carrier: .............................................. Buses.Trucks National Parks: ................................................. Nat.Park Petroleum: .......................................................... Pet. Police: ............................................................. P.D. Power Utilities: ................................................... Power Radio Paging: ....................................................... Page Railroad: ........................................................... R.R. Relay Press: ....................................................... Press State Police: .................................................... St.P.D. Special Emergency: .............................................. Sp.Emer. Special Industry: ................................................ Sp.Ind. Taxicab Radio: ...................................................... Taxi Telephone Maintenance: ........................................ Tel.Maint. U.S. Coastal and Geodetic Survey: ............................. U.S.C.G.S. U.S. Navy: ........................................................... USN U.S. Weather Bureau: ............................................ U.S.W.B.
ATTENTION: Your scanner may not be able to receive all frequencies and/or modes of reception that are contained within this document. For complete information of your scanner's capabilities, be sure to read your owner's manual completely.
Guide To Frequencies
National Weather Frequencies:
1) 161.650 5) 162.440 9) 162.525 2) 161.775 6) 162.450 10) 162.550 3) 162.400 7) 162.475 11) 163.275 4) 162.425 8) 162.500
Ham Radio Frequencies
Ham operators often transmit emergency information when other communication methods break down. The following chart shows some of the frequencies that Hams use.
Wavelength Frequency (Meters) (MHz) 10-meter 28.000-29.700 6-meter 50.000-54.000 2-meter 144.000-148.000 70-cm 420.000-450.000
The following are the channels and frequencies of the Citizens Band:
1) 26.965 21) 27.215 2) 26.975 22) 27.225 3) 26.985 23) 27.255 4) 27.005 24) 27.235 5) 27.015 25) 27.245 6) 27.025 26) 27.265 7) 27.035 27) 27.275 8) 27.055 28) 27.285 9) 27.065 29) 27.295 10) 27.075 30) 27.305 11) 27.085 31) 27.315 12) 27.105 32) 27.325 13) 27.115 33) 27.335 14) 27.125 34) 27.345 15) 27.135 35) 27.355 16) 27.155 36) 27.365 17) 27.165 37) 27.375 18) 27.175 38) 27.385 19) 27.185 39) 27.395 20) 27.205 40) 27.405
Guide To The Action Bands
United States Broadcast Bands
In the United States, there are several broadcast bands. The standard AM and FM bands are probably the most well known. There are also four television audio broadcast bands-the lower three transmit on the VHF band and the fourth transmits on the UHF band.
Frequency Range Allocation 54.0 - 72.0 MHz ........................................... VHF Television 76.0 - 88.0 MHz ........................................... VHF Television 88.0 - 108.0 MHz ............................................. Standard FM 174.0 - 216.0 MHz ......................................... VHF Television 470.0 - 805.75 MHz ........................................ UHF Television
International Broadcast Bands
Several short-wave bands are allocated for international broadcasting because of the nature of propagation of high frequencies. The bands are sometimes identified according to the approximate wavelength of the signals in meters. Your scanner may receive the 11-meter band, from 25.6 - 26.10 MHz.
Typical Band Usage
HF Band (3.0 - 30.0 MHz): Mid Range: ............................................. 25.00 - 28.63 MHz 10-Meter Amateur Band: ................................. 28.00 - 29.70 MHz High Range: ............................................ 29.70 - 29.90 MHz VHF Band (30.00 - 300.0 MHz): Low range: ............................................. 30.00 - 50.00 MHz 6-Meter Amateur: ....................................... 50.00 - 54.00 MHz FM-TV Audio Broadcast, Wide Band: ...................... 54.00 - 72.00 MHz FM Radio Broadcast, Wide Band: ........................ 88.00 - 108.00 MHz Aircraft: ............................................ 108.00 - 136.00 MHz U.S. Government: ..................................... 138.00 - 144.00 MHz 2-Meter Amateur: ..................................... 144.00 - 148.00 MHz High Range: .......................................... 148.00 - 174.00 MHz New Mobile Narrow Band: .............................. 220.00 - 222.00 MHz 1.3-Meter Amateur: ................................... 222.00 - 225.00 MHz Military Aircraft: ................................... 225.00 - 287.80 MHz UHF Band (300.00 MHz - 3.0 GHz): Military Aircraft: ................................... 311.00 - 384.00 MHz U.S. Government: ..................................... 406.00 - 470.00 MHz 0.6-Meter Amateur: ................................... 420.00 - 450.00 MHz Low Range: ........................................... 450.00 - 470.00 MHz FM-TV Audio Broadcast, Wide Band: .................... 470.00 - 806.00 MHz Conventional Systems: ................................ 851.00 - 856.00 MHz Conventional/Trunked Systems: ........................ 856.00 - 861.00 MHz Trunked Systems: ..................................... 861.00 - 866.00 MHz Public Safety: ....................................... 866.00 - 869.00 MHz Common Carrier: ...................................... 869.00 - 894.00 MHz Private Trunked: ..................................... 935.00 - 940.00 MHz General Trunked: ..................................... 940.00 - 941.00 MHz
Primary Usage:
As a general rule, most of the radio activity is concentrated on the following frequencies:
VHF Band: 2-Meter Amateur Band: .............................. 144.000 - 148.000 MHz Government, police, and Fire: ...................... 153.785 - 155.980 MHz Emergency Services: ................................ 158.730 - 159.460 MHz Railroad: .......................................... 160.000 - 161.900 MHz UHF Band: .6 cm Amateur Band FM Repeaters: ................... 440.000 - 450.000 MHz Land Mobile "Paired" Frequencies: .................. 450.000 - 470.000 MHz Base Stations: ..................................... 451.025 - 454.950 MHz Mobile Units: ...................................... 456.025 - 459.950 MHz Repeater Units: .................................... 460.025 - 464.975 MHz Control Stations: .................................. 465.025 - 469.975 MHz
NOTE: UHF remote control stations and mobile units typically operate at 5 MHz higher than their associated base and relay repeater units.
Specified Intervals
Frequencies in different bands are accessible only at specific intervals.
For Example:
VHF, HAM, and Government: .................................. 5.0 kHz steps All Others: ............................................... 12.5 kHz steps Aircraft: ................................................. 25.0 kHz steps
Note: Your scanner rounds the entered frequency to the nearest valid frequency. For example, if you try to enter 151.473, the scanner might accept this as 151.470.
Band Allocation
To help you decide which frequency ranges to search, use the following listing of the typical services that use the frequencies your scanner receives. These frequencies are subject to change, and might vary from area to area. For a more complete listing, refer to the "Police-Call Radio Guide including Fire and Emergency Services", as well as "Beyond Police Call", "Aeronautical Directory", "Nautical Directory" and "Now you're Talking" texts available at your local RadioShack store.
Abbreviations
AIR: ............................................................ Aircraft BIFC: .................................. Boise (ID) Interagency Fire Cache BUS: ............................................................ Business CAP: .................................................... Civil Air Patrol CB: ........................................................ Citizens Band CCA: ...................................................... Common Carrier CSB: ................................................ Conventional Systems CTSB: ....................................... Conventional/Trunked Systems FIRE: .................................................... Fire Department HAM: ................................................. Amateur (HAM) Radio GOVT: ................................................. Federal Government GMR: ................................................ General Mobile Radio GTR: ..................................................... General Trunked IND: ................................................. Industrial Services MARI: ............................................. Maritime Limited Coast MARS: .................................... Military Affiliate Radio System MED: .......................................... Emergency/Medical Services MIL: ....................................................... U.S. Military MOV: ....................................... Motion Picture/Video Industry NEW: ................................................... New Mobile Narrow NEWS: ........................................................ Relay Press OIL: .............................................. Oil/Petroleum Industry POL: ................................................... Police Department PUB: ..................................................... Public Services PSB: ....................................................... Public Safety PTR: ..................................................... Private Trunked ROAD: ......................................... Road & Highway Maintenance RTV: .................................... Radio/TV Remote Broadcast Pickup TAXI: ...................................................... Taxi Services TELBL: .................................................. Mobile Telephone TELC: ................................................ Cordless Telephones TELM: .............................................. Telephone Maintenance TOW: .......................................................... Tow Trucks TRAN: ............................................ Transportation Services TSB: ..................................................... Trunked Systems TVn: ............................................... FM-TV Audio Broadcast USXX: .............................................. Government Classified UTIL: ............................................ Power & Water Utilities WTHR: ............................................................ Weather High Frequency (HF)-(3 - 30 MHz): High Band - (25.00 - 27.36 MHz): 25.020 - 25.320: ..................................................... IND 25.870 - 26.470: ..................................................... RTV 26.62: ............................................................... CAP 26.966 - 27.405: ...................................................... CB 27.430 - 27.630: ..................................................... BUS 10-Meter Amateur Band - (28.0 - 29.7 MHz): 28.000 - 29.700: ..................................................... HAM Very High Frequency (VHF) - (30 - 300 MHz): Low Band - (29.7 - 50 MHz - in 5 kHz steps): 29.700 - 29.790: ..................................................... IND 29.900 - 30.550: ............................................... GOVT, MIL 30.580 - 31.980: ................................................ IND, PUB 32.000 - 32.990: ............................................... GOVT, MIL 33.020 - 33.980: ........................................... BUS, IND, PUB 34.010 - 34.990: ............................................... GOVT, MIL 35.020 - 35.980: ..................................... BUS, PUB, IND, TELM 36.000 - 36.230: ............................................... GOVT, MIL 36.250: ............................................... Oil spill clean up 36.270 - 36.990: ............................................... GOVT, MIL 37.020 - 37.980: ................................................ PUB, IND 38.000 - 39.000: ............................................... GOVT, MIL 39.020 - 39.980: ..................................................... PUB 40.000 - 42.000: ......................................... GOVT, MIL, MARI 42.020 - 42.940: ..................................................... POL 42.960 - 43.180: ..................................................... IND 43.220 - 43.680: .......................................... TELM, IND, PUB 43.700 - 44.600: .................................................... TRAN 44.620 - 46.580: ................................................ POL, PUB 46.600 - 46.990: .............................................. GOVT, TELC 47.020 - 47.400: ..................................................... PUB 47.420: ............................................... American Red Cross 47.440 - 49.580: ................................................ IND, PUB 49.610 - 49.990: ............................................... MIL, TELC 6-METER Amateur Band (50-54 MHz): 50.00 - 54.00: ....................................................... HAM FM-TV Audio Broadcast, Wide Band (54-72 MHz): 59.750: .............................................................. TV2 65.750: .............................................................. TV3 71.750: .............................................................. TV4 Land Mobile Service Band (72-76 MHz): FM-TV Audio Broadcast, Wide Band (76-88 MHz): 81.750: .............................................................. TV5 87.750: .............................................................. TV6 FM Radio Broadcast, Wide Band (88-108 MHz): Aircraft Band (108-136 MHz): 108.000 - 121.490: ................................................... AIR 121.500: ................................................... AIR emergency 121.510 - 136.000: ................................................... AIR U.S. GOVERNMENT BAND (138-144 MHz): 137.000 - 144.000: ............................................. GOVT, MIL VHF-Hi BAND (148-174 MHz): 148.050 - 150.345: ........................................ CAP, MARS, MIL 150.775 - 150.790: ................................................... MED 150.815 - 150.965: ................................................... TOW 150.980: .............................................. Oil spill clean up 150.995 - 151.130: .................................................. ROAD 151.145 - 151.475: ................................................... POL 151.490 - 151.955: .............................................. IND, BUS 151.985: ............................................................ TELM 152.030 - 152.240: .................................................. TELB 152.270 - 152.465: ............................................. IND, TAXI 152.480: ............................................................. BUS 152.510 - 152.840: .................................................. TELB 152.870 - 153.020: .............................................. IND, MOV 153.035 - 153.175: ........................................ IND, OIL, UTIL 153.740 - 154.445: ............................................. PUB, FIRE 154.490 - 154.570: .............................................. IND, BUS 154.585: .............................................. Oil spill clean up 154.600 - 154.625: ................................................... BUS 154.665 - 156.240: ................................... MED, ROAD, POL, PUB 165.255: ............................................................. OIL 156.275 - 157.425: .................................................. MARI 157.450: ............................................................. MED 157.470 - 157.515: ................................................... TOW 157.530 - 157.725: ............................................. IND, TAXI 157.740: ............................................................. BUS 157.770 - 158.100: .................................................. TELB 158.130 - 158.460: ............................. BUS, IND, OIL, TELM, UTIL 158.490 - 158.700: .. ............................................... TELB 158.730 - 159.465: ........................................ POL, PUB, ROAD 159.480: ............................................................. OIL 159.495 - 161.565: .................................................. TRAN 161.580: ............................................................. OIL 161.600 - 162.000: ............................................. MARI, RTV 162.0125 - 162.35: ....................................... GOVT, MIL, USXX 162.400 - 162.550: .................................................. WTHR 162.5625 - 162.6375: ..................................... GOVT, MIL, USXX 162.6625: ............................................................ MED 162.6875 - 163.225: ...................................... GOVT, MIL, USXX 163.250: ............................................................. MED 163.275 - 166.225: ....................................... GOVT, MIL, USXX 166.250: ................................................. GOVT, RTV, FIRE 166.275 - 169.400: ............................................ GOVT, BIFC 169.445: .................................................. WIRELESS MIKES 169.500: ............................................................ GOVT 169.505: .................................................. WIRELESS MIKES 169.55 - 169.9875: ....................................... GOVT, MIL, USXX 170.000: ............................................................ BIFC 170.025 - 170.150: ....................................... GOVT, RTV, FIRE 170.175 - 170.225: .................................................. GOVT 170.245 - 170.305: ........................................ WIRELESS MIKES 170.350 - 170.400: ............................................. GOVT, MIL 170.425 - 170.450: .................................................. BIFC 170.475: ............................................................. PUB 170.4875 - 173.175: ............................ GOVT, PUB, WIRELESS MIKES 173.225 - 173.375: ....................................... MOV, NEWS, UTIL 173.3875 - 178.5375: ................................................. MIL 173.5625 - 173.5875: ............................. MIL Medical/Crash Crews 173.60 - 173.9875: .................................................. GOVT FM-TV Audio Broadcast, VHF Wide Band (174-216 MHz): 179.750: ............................................................. TV7 185.750: ............................................................. TV8 191.750: ............................................................. TV9 197.750: ............................................................ TV10 203.750: ............................................................ TV11 209.750: ............................................................ TV12 215.750: ............................................................ TV13 New Mobil Narrow Band (220-222 MHz): 220.000 - 222.000: ................................................... NEW 1.3-Meter Amateur Band (222-225 MHz): 222.000 - 225.000: ................................................... HAM MILITARY AIRCRAFT BAND (237.9-287.8 MHz): 237.900: ..................................... Coast Guard Search & Rescue 239.800: ..................................................... FAA Weather 241.000: ............................................................ ARMY 243.000: ....................................................... EMERGENCY 255.400: .............................................. FAA FLIGHT SERVICE 257.800: ................................................. CIVILIAN TOWERS 287.800: ............................................. Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue Ultra High Frequency (UHF)-(300 MHz-3 GHz) Military Aircraft Band (319.1 - 383.9 MHz): 319.100: ............................................. FAA Traffic Control 321.000 - 336.600: ............................................. Air Force 342.500 - 344.600: ........................................... FAA Weather 346.400 - 364.200: ............................. Air Force Traffic Control 381.800 - 383.900: ........................................... Coast Guard U.S. Government Band (406-420 MHz): 406.125 - 419.975: ............................................ GOVT, USXX 70-cm Amateur Band (420-450 MHz): 420.000 - 450.000: ................................................... HAM Low Band (450-470 MHz): 450.050 - 450.925: ................................................... RTV 451.025 - 452.025: .................................. IND, OIL, TELM, UTIL 452.0375 - 453.00: ............................ IND, TAXI, TRAN, TOW, NEWS 453.0125 - 453.9875: ................................................. PUB 454.000: ............................................................. OIL 454.025 - 454.975: .................................................. TELB 455.050 - 455.925: ................................................... RTV 457.525 - 457.600: ................................................... BUS 458.025 - 458.175: ................................................... MED 460.0125 - 460.6375: ...................................... FIRE, POL, PUB 460.650 - 462.175: ................................................... BUS 462.1875 - 462.450: ............................................. BUS, IND 462.4625 - 462.525: ................................. IND, OIL, TELM, UTIL 462.550 - 462.725: ................................................... GMR 462.750 - 462.925: ................................................... BUS 462.9375 - 463.1875: ................................................. MED 463.200 - 467.925: ................................................... BUS FM-TV Audio Broadcast, UHF Wide Band (470-512 MHz): (Channels 14-69 in 6 MHz steps): 475.750: ...................................................... Channel 14 481.750: ...................................................... Channel 15 487.750: ...................................................... Channel 16 805.750: ...................................................... Channel 69 Note: Some cities use the 470-512 MHz band for land/mobile service. Conventional Systems Band - Locally Assigned 851.0125 - 855.9875: ................................................. CSB Conventional/Trunked Systems Band - Locally Assigned 856.0125 - 860.9875: ................................................ CTSB Trunked Systems Band - Locally Assigned 861.0125 - 865.9875: ................................................. TSB Public Safety Band - Locally Assigned 866.0125 - 868.9875: ................................................. PSB Common Carrier 869.010 - 894.000: ................................................... CCA Private Trunked 935.0125 - 939.9875: ................................................. PTR General Trunked 940.0125 - 940.9875: ................................................. GTR
Frequency Conversion
The tuning of a station can be expressed in frequency (kHz or MHz) or in wavelength (meters). The following information can help you make the necessary conversions.
- 1 MHz (million)=1,000 kHz (thousand)
To convert MHz to kHz, multiply by 1,000:
- 9.62 MHz x 1000 = 9620 kHz
To convert from kHz to MHz, divide by 1,000
- 2780 kHz / 1000 = 2.780 MHz
To convert MHz to meters, divide 300 by the number of megahertz
- 300 / 7.1 MHz = 42.25 meters
A Note on Image Reception
Radios work by simple mathematics. For example, most tune to a frequency by mixing that frequency with another (local oscillator) frequency which is slightly different. This mixing process primarily gives us the two original frequencies, their sum, and their difference. Well, the radio's Intermediate Frequency (I.F.) filter normally passes either the sum or difference frequency, and this is then processed into the sound we hear. Because nothing is perfect, certain "harmonics" will also get through if they are strong enough. For example, if a radio's I.F. is 10.7 MHz, we might be able to tune to a frequency 21.4 MHz (2 x I.F.) above (or below, depending on the radio's design) a strong signal and hear it! This is more evident in a double-conversion radio than a triple-conversion radio, because the triple-conversion radio's 1st intermediate frequency is quite high. This causes the image to be so far off frequency that it is easy to effectively filter it out.
So remember that just because a radio doesn't receive something which another does is not necessarily an indication of a problem. The one radio may simply not be "tricked" into picking up an image! This rejection of undesired signals is one reason that a triple-conversion receiver costs more than a similar dual-conversion model.
You might be interested in finding more out about radio. One good location to start looking is your local public library. You might also wish to contact the A.R.R.L., as they are an excellent source of informative texts on the subject.
Contact:
Amateur Radio Relay League 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA
(CD EB 2/22/00)
Operation
SETTING THE VOLUME AND SQUELCH CONTROLS
Rotate VOLUME clockwise and SQUELCH counterclockwise until you hear a hissing sound. Then, slowly rotate SQUELCH clockwise until the noise stops. Set VOLUME to a comfortable level.
If the scanner picks up unwanted weak transmissions, rotate SQUELCH clockwise to decrease the scanner's sensitivity to signals.
USING THE KEY LOCK
Once you program the scanner, you can protect it from accidental program changes by moving the lock SWITCH to IN. In this position, the only controls that operate are VOLUME, SQUELCH, MANUAL, and SCAN.
When you want to change the scanner's programming, move the LOCK switch to OUT.
PROGRAMMING THE SCANNER
Follow these steps to store frequencies in channels.
1. Select a channel to program by pressing MANUAL, entering the channel number you want to program, and pressing MANUAL.
2. Enter a frequency.
- To enter the decimal, press ./CLEAR. The decimal point is displayed as a dash (-) on the display.
3. Press ENTER to store the frequency.
- If you made a mistake in Step 2, E appears on the display. Press ./CLEAR twice and repeat Step 2.
4. To confirm the proper entry, press REVIEW. The programmed frequency appears on the display, one digit at a time.
5. To program more channels, repeat Steps 1 to 3. If you want to program the next channel in sequence, simply press MANUAL and repeat Steps 2-4.
Tips for Programming
A good reference for active frequencies is Radio Shack's Police Call Directory including Fire and Emergency Services.
We update this directory every year, so be sure to get a current copy.
Frequencies in the VHF bands are in 5 kHz steps. In the UHF bands, they are in 12.5 kHz steps. The scanner automatically rounds the frequency to the nearest valid number. For example, if you try to enter a frequency of 151.373, your scanner accepts it as 151.475.
SCANNING THE CHANNELS
To begin scanning the channels, press SCAN. The scanner scans through all the channels except the ones you have locked out. Be sure to read the following sections to get the full benefit from the scanner's special features.
LOCKING OUT CHANNELS
You can make the scanner scan more efficiently by locking out channels that you have not programmed. Enter the channel number you wish to lock out, press MANUAL and then press LOCK OUT so that the LOCK OUT indicator lights. This is also handy for locking out channels that have a continuous transmission. You can still manually select locked out channels for listening.
To unlock a channel you have locked, manually select the channel and press LOCK OUT so that the LOCK OUT indicator goes off.
MANUALLY SELECTING A CHANNEL
You can continuously monitor a single channel without scanning. This is useful if you hear an emergency broadcast on a channel and do not want to miss any of the details - even though there might be periods of silence - or if you want to monitor a channel that you have locked out.
To select a channel to monitor, press MANUAL and advance through the channels by pressing MANUAL repeatedly, or move directly to a channel by entering the channel number on the keypad then pressing MANUAL. If the scanner is scanning and has stopped at the desired channel, press MANUAL one time.
AUTOMATIC SCAN DELAY
The scanner stops when it finds a signal. It begins scanning other channels about 3 seconds after the signal ends. The 3-second delay gives you a chance to receive a reply to the first signal.
A GENERAL GUIDE TO SCANNING
BIRDIES
Birdies are the products of internally generated signals that make some frequencies difficult or impossible to receive. If you program one of these frequencies, you hear only noise on that frequency.
If the interference is not severe, you might be able to cut out the birdie by turning the squelch control clockwise. The most common birdies to watch for are listed below.
30.300 MHz
31.200 MHz
32.500 MHz
41.600 MHz
52.000 MHz
RECEPTION NOTES
The scanner receives signals that are mainly "line of sight." That means that you usually cannot hear stations at your listening location that extend beyond the horizon.
During the summer, you might hear stations in the 30-50 MHz range located several hundred or even thousands of miles away. This phenomenon is known as skip, and is caused by summer atmospheric conditions. This type of reception is unpredictable but often very interesting.
One useful service is the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio's continuous weather broadcasts. These broadcasts advise you of the current weather conditions, weather predictions, and also contain information about any threatening weather. These stations use three frequencies - 162.40, 162.475, and 162.55 MHz. In most areas of the country, you can receive one or more of these frequencies.
GUIDE TO THE ACTION BANDS
With the right frequencies programmed into the scanner, you can monitor exciting events. With a little investigation, you can find active frequencies in your community. We can give you some general pointers, and you can take it from there. Please use caution and common sense when you hear an emergency call. Never go to the scene of an emergency - it could be the most dangerous thing you could ever do.
Find out if there is a local club that monitors these frequencies. Perhaps a local electronics repair shop that works on similar equipment can give you the frequencies used by local radio services. A volunteer police or fire employee can also be a good source of this information.
As a general rule on VHF, most activity is between 153.73 and 159.46 MHz. Here you find local government, police, fire, and most such emergency services. If you are near a railroad yard or major railroad tracks, look between 160.0 and 161.9 MHz for signals.
In some larger cities, there has been a move to the UHF bands for these emergency services. Here, most of the activity is between 453.025 and 453.95 MHz and again between 456.025 and 459.95 MHz.
In the UHF band, the range between 456.025 and 459.95 MHz and again between 465.025 and 469.975 MHz is used by mobile units and control stations associated with base and repeater units that operate 5 MHz lower (that is, between 451.025 and 454.95 and between 460.025 and 464.975 MHz). This means that if you find an active channel inside one of these spreads, you can look 5 MHz lower (or higher, as the case may be) to find the major base station/repeater for that radio service.
Preparation
POWER SOURCES
You can power the scanner from any of the following three sources:
- Internal batteries
- A standard AC outlet (using an optional AC adapter)
- The vehicle's battery (using an optional DC adapter)
Using Batteries
You can operate the scanner from five AA batteries. For longest operation and best performance, we recommend alkaline batteries (Radio Shack Cat. No. 23-552). Or, you can use rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries (Cat. No. 23-125).
Warning: The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you recharge nickel-cadmium batteries inside the scanner. However, you must never use this circuit when you have installed non- rechargeable batteries in the scanner. Be sure to set the switch in the battery compartment to the correct position for the type of batteries you install.
1. Remove the battery compartment cover by pressing down on the arrow and sliding the cover in the direction of the arrow.
2. Remove the battery holder from the compartment and remove any old batteries. Then, install five AA batteries, observing the polarity (+ and -) marked on the battery holder.
3. Set the switch in the battery compartment to the correct position for the type of batteries you install. Set the switch to REG ALK BATT if you install regular or alkaline type batteries. Set the switch to NI-CAD BATT if you install nickel-cadmium type batteries.
- Caution: Never set this switch to NICAD BATT when you install non-rechargeable batteries. If you attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries, they become very hot and might damage the scanner or even explode.
4. Place the battery holder in the compartment so that the holder's metal contacts line up with the metal contacts in the battery compartment.
5. Replace the battery compartment cover. The scanner beeps every 15 to 30 seconds when the batteries are low. When this happens, immediately replace or recharge all five batteries.
Using an AC Power Source
To power the scanner from AC power, you need Radio Shack's AC adapter (Cat. No. 273-1652). Use of another adapter could damage the scanner or the adapter.
1. Be sure that you have set the switch in the battery compartment to the correct position. (See "Installing or Replacing Batteries.")
2. Connect the adapter's green barrel plug to the adapter's cord and set the barrel plug's tip polarity to positive.
3. Insert the adapter's plug into the scanner's EXT PWR jack.
4. Insert the adapter power module into a standard AC outlet. This provides power to operate the scanner. Also, if you have installed rechargeable batteries and set the switch in the battery compartment to NI-CAD BATT, the adapter charges the batteries in the scanner.
5. When you finish using the AC adapter, disconnect it from the AC outlet. Then, disconnect it from the EXT PWR jack.
Using A DC Adapter
You can power the scanner from the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket, provided the vehicle has a 12-volt negative-ground electrical system. To do so, you need Radio Shack's Power Cord Set (Cat. No. 270-1533).
Note: In some areas, mobile use of a scanner is unlawful or requires a permit. Check the laws in your area.
1. Ensure that you have set the switch in the battery compartment to the correct position. (See "Installing or Replacing Batteries.")
2. Plug the adapter's plug into the scanner's EXT PWR jack.
3. Insert the other end of the adapter into the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket. This provides power to the scanner. Also, if you have installed rechargeable batteries and set the switch in the battery compartment to NI-CAD BATT, the adapter charges the batteries in the scanner.
4. When you finish using the DC adapter, disconnect it from the cigarette lighter socket. Then, disconnect it from the scanner.
Note: Do not let the adapter's plug touch any part of the vehicle while the adapter is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. Doing so could blow a fuse or damage the adapter.
CHARGING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES
The scanner has a built-in circuit that recharges nickel cadmium batteries. To charge the batteries, set the switch in the battery compartment to NI-CAD BATT, install the batteries in the scanner, and connect an external power adapter to the scanner, as explained in "Power Sources."
Caution: Do not connect either adapter to the EXT PWR jack if you have not installed rechargeable batteries, and are unsure of the position of the switch in the battery compartment, or know that the switch is set to NI-CAD BATT. Non-rechargeable batteries can become hot and even explode if you try to recharge them.
It takes 10 to 18 hours to recharge batteries that are fully discharged. You can operate the scanner while recharging nickel-cadmium batteries, but the charging time is longer.
Charging Hints: Nickel-cadmium batteries deliver more power if you occasionally let them discharge completely. To do this, use the scanner until reception becomes poor. Then, fully charge the batteries. If you do not do this occasionally, they can temporarily lose the ability to deliver full power.
To prevent permanent nickel-cadmium battery power loss, never charge your batteries in an area where the temperature is above about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, if you use an external charger, do not overcharge the batteries.
If you plan to use rechargeable batteries, do not use any adapter other than those specified in "Power Sources." While adapters of the same voltage rating and at least the minimum current rating could power the scanner, other adapters might not work properly with the charging circuit in the scanner, and could permanently damage the batteries or the scanner.
The first time you use a set of nickel-cadmium batteries, charge them at least 24 hours to bring them to a full charge.
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA
Attach the flexible antenna to the antenna jack on top of the scanner. Slip the slot in the antenna's connector over the protrusion on the jack. Then, press down and rotate the base of the antenna until it locks into place.
The scanner's antenna jack makes it easy to use the scanner with a variety of antennas. You can remove the supplied antenna and attach a different one, such as an external mobile antenna, telescopic antenna, or outdoor base antenna. Radio Shack stores sell the antenna connector adapters that let you use these antennas.
Use coaxial cable to connect an outdoor antenna. Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable. For lengths over 50 feet, use RG8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable.
Warning: When installing or removing an outdoor antenna, use extreme caution. If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches the power line, contact with the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause electrocution and death! Call the power company to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to do so yourself.
ATTACHING THE BELT CLIP
You can connect the supplied belt clip to the scanner to make it easier to use the scanner when you are on the go. Connect the clip to the scanner with the two provided screws.
CONNECTING AN EARPHONE
Follow these steps to use the earphone for private listening:
1. Turn the volume control to its minimum position.
2. Plug an earphone into the EAR jack on top of the scanner. This automatically disconnects the speaker. We recommend Radio Shack's earphone Cat. No. 33-175. In a noisy environment, mono headphones (Cat. No. 20-210) make listening easier.
3. Adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
Warning: Do not listen at extremely high volume levels, especially when using an earphone. Extended high-volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
CONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER
In a noisy area, an extension speaker positioned in the right place, might provide more comfortable listening. Plug the speaker cable's 1/8-inch mini-plug into the scanner's EAR jack.
