PRO-38 10-Channel Direct Entry Programmable Scanner
(200-0139)                 Operation                  Faxback Doc. # 19818

The PRO-38 will not work until you store a frequency in one of the
channels.  But before storing a frequency, get acquainted with some of the
controls and features you will use.

DISPLAY

The Liquid Crystal Display shows the channel number, frequency (digit by
digit in sequence), LOCK OUT when certain channels are locked out of the
scanning process, and E to indicate an erroneous entry.

Error Message (E)

Sometimes when you try to enter a frequency for a channel, an error
message "E" appears on the display.  This means the frequency is in error
and you won't be able to enter it into your PRO-38.

Such frequency errors usually mean you've entered a frequency outside the
ranges your PRO-38 operates on (such as 225.00 MHz) or you've put the
decimal point in wrong place (14.682 MHz instead of 146.82 MHz).  Check
carefully to find your mistake and then press ./CLEAR key twice or simply
enter the correct number once again.

KEYLOCK

In the OUT position, the KEYLOCK switch makes the keypad operable.  In the
IN position, keys are locked against accidental operation.  (SCAN and
MANUAL only remain operable.)

NUMBER KEYS

The number keys make number entries possible for accessing channels and
programming frequencies.

MANUAL

You can manually operate the PRO-38 in one of two ways: advance
sequentially through the channels by pressing [MANUAL] repeatedly, or move
directly to a channel by entering the channel number on the keypad and
pressing [MANUAL].  Channels that might be locked out in the scan mode are
accessible in the manual mode.

REVIEW FREQUENCY/CHANNEL KEY

After you have entered a channel number on the keypad, pressing [REVIEW]
causes the display to show the frequency (digit by digit in sequence)
stored in that channel.

ENTER KEY

Once you finish entering a frequency by pressing number keys on the
keypad, pressing [ENTER] stores the frequency in the selected channel.

./CLEAR KEY

Pressed once, [./CLEAR] enters the decimal point necessary for programming
frequencies.  Pressed twice, [./CLEAR] clears an error.

FREQUENCY ENTRIES

You can omit the decimal point when entering frequencies in the VHF high
band (136 to 174 MHz) and UHF (406 to 512 MHz) band.  In these bands, the
PRO-38 automatically enters the decimal point in the correct position.  On
VHF low band (29-54 MHz), you must press the decimal point key at the
appropriate position.  Otherwise, E appears on the display, or the wrong
frequency is stored.  Am example of entering the wrong frequency is,
pressing 4 0 1 2 5 for 40.125 MHz.  Your entry is interpreted as 401.2500
MHz in the UHF band.

PROGRAMMING

Before attempting operation, enter one of the frequencies most active in
your area.  An excellent reference for active frequencies is RadioShack's
"Police Call Directory including Fire & Emergency Services.".

Action

1.  Turn VOLUME on.

2.  Slide the KEYLOCK switch to OUT.

3.  Press [MANUAL] to enter the programming mode.

4.  Press the keyboard number(s) for the channel you wish to program and
    press [MANUAL].

5.  Using the number keys, enter the first several digits of the
    frequency.

6.  Press [./CLEAR] key to enter the decimal.

7.  Enter the remaining digits of the frequency.

8.  Press [ENTER] to store the frequency in memory for this channel.  If
    you have difficulties, see "Tips for Programming", below.

Press [MANUAL] to advance to the next channel, and repeat Steps 5-8 to
program other channel frequencies.

Tips for Programming

If you make a mistake during number entry, you can clear it by pressing
[./CLEAR] twice.  Another way to correct a mistake is to first press
[ENTER] and then re-enter the entire frequency.

When you enter an invalid frequency, E appears on the display to indicate
an error.

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.  Example:

   If you enter 151.473 MHz, the PRO-38 accepts this entry as 151.475.

472.3376 MHz becomes 472.3375 MHz automatically.  (The final digit to the
right of the decimal does not appear on the display.)

After you program all the desired frequencies, slide the KEYLOCK switch to
IN to prevent accidental entries.

VOLUME AND SQUELCH

Rotate the VOLUME control to turn on the PRO-38.  Rotate SQUELCH
counterclockwise until you hear a rushing sound.  If you do not hear this
noise, turn the VOLUME control to increase the sound.

Then, slowly rotate SQUELCH clockwise only until the noise stops.

Note:  Your PRO-38 will not scan if SQUELCH is set so that you can hear
       a rushing sound between transmissions.

SCAN

When you press [SCAN], your PRO-38 automatically scans all the programmed
channels and stops whenever it finds a signal.

Scan Delay

Your PRO-38 stops when it finds a signal.  As soon as the signal ends, it
begins scanning other channels after about 3 seconds.  The 3-second delay
gives you a chance to receive a reply to the first signal.

LOCKOUT

If there is a channel you do not wish to scan, such as a weather channel,
enter the number of the channel on the keypad, and press [MANUAL].  Then,
press [LOCKOUT].

Or, press [MANUAL] repeatedly until the channel you want appears on the
display.  Press [LOCKOUT].  The PRO-38 now skips this unwanted channel
during the scanning process.

However, the lockout feature does not affect manual channel selection.
You can still press [MANUAL] repeatedly to select any channel.  Or, you
can select a specific channel using number buttons.

To disable the lockout feature for a channel, select the locked out
channel using either manual method, and press [LOCKOUT] again.

Birdies

"Birdies" are the products of internally generated signals that make some
frequencies difficult or impossible to receive.  If you program one of
these, the scanner locks up and you hear only noise on that frequency.

If the interference is not severe, you might be able to rotate SQUELCH
clockwise to cut out the birdie.  The most common "birdies" to watch out
for are listed below.

   30.300 MHz
   31.200 MHz
   32.500 MHz
   41.600 MHz
   52.000 MHz

Even with the SQUELCH control set to maximum (fully clockwise), scanning
may stop on or around some of these frequencies.  If the signal is strong
enough (above 10 microV in technical terms) you can listen for
transmissions on the channel.  But you have to use MANUAL to move away
from the troublesome frequency.

Random Notes

Reception on the frequencies covered by your PRO-38 is mainly "line of
sight."  That means you usually won't be able to hear stations located
beyond the horizon at your listening location.

During the summer months, you might be able to hear stations in the 29-54
MHz range located several hundred or even thousands of miles away.  This
is due to 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 broadcasts.  These broadcasts contain weather forecasts and data
for the area 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.

(LB/eb 7/1/98)