Handheld Scanner
(200-0564) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 38253
POWER SOURCES
You can power your scanner from any of three sources:
Internal batteries or a rechargeable scanner battery pack
Standard AC power
Vehicle battery power using an optional DC cigarette lighter adapter
Notes:
Connecting an AC or DC adapter to the scanner disconnects any internal
batteries, but it does not disconnect a rechargeable battery pack. If
you install a rechargeable battery pack, you can operate the scanner
and recharge the battery pack at the same time. See "Using Batteries"
and "Charging a Rechargeable Battery Pack" below.
If the scanner stops working properly after you connect it to power,
try resetting it. See "Troubleshooting," Faxback Doc. # 38258.
Using Batteries
You can power your scanner from six AA batteries. For the longest
operation and best performance, we recommend alkaline batteries, such as
Radio Shack Cat. No. 23-552. You can also power the scanner using a
rechargeable scanner battery pack, such as Cat. No. 23-288.
You can also use six rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries
(such as Cat. No. 23-125) to power the scanner. To charge or recharge
nickel-cadmium batteries, however, you must remove them from the scanner
and use an external charger (such as Cat. No. 23-134).
Note:
If you are using a rechargeable scanner battery pack, you must charge
it first (see "Charging a Rechargeable Battery Pack" below).
Caution:
Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries
(standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of
different capacities.
Follow these steps to install batteries or a battery pack.
1. Press down on the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the
scanner and slide the cover in the direction of the arrow to remove
it.
2. Slide the battery holder or battery pack out of the battery
compartment.
3. If you are installing individual batteries, insert six AA batteries in
the battery holder as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and -)
marked on the battery holder.
4. Slide the battery holder or battery pack into the compartment as
shown.
Caution:
The battery holder or battery pack fits only one way inside the
battery compartment. Do not force it.
5. When battery power is low, the display flashes and the scanner beeps
continuously. When battery power is exhausted, the scanner turns
itself off. Replace all six non-rechargeable batteries or recharge
the battery pack.
Caution:
Always dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not bury or
burn them.
Using Standard AC Power
To power the scanner from AC power, you need an AC adapter
(Cat. No. 273-1665).
Cautions:
You must use an AC adapter that supplies 9 volts and delivers at least
200 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to negative, and its plug
must correctly fit the scanner's PWR/DC 9V jack. The recommended
adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter that does not
meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.
When you finish using the AC adapter, disconnect it from the AC outlet
first. Then disconnect it from the scanner.
Plug the adapter's supplied 1.3 mm inner diameter/3.4 mm outer
diameter barrel plug into the scanner's PWR/DC 9V jack. Then plug the
adapter's power module into a standard AC outlet.
Warning:
Do not use an AC adapter's polarized plug with an extension cord,
receptacle, or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to
prevent blade exposure.
Using Vehicle Battery Power
To power the scanner from your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket, you
need a DC adapter (Cat. No. 270-1560).
Cautions:
You must use a DC adapter that supplies 9 volts and delivers at least
200 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to negative, and its plug
must correctly fit the scanner's PWR/DC 9V jack. The recommended
adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter that does not
meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.
To protect your vehicle's electrical system, always plug the adapter
into the scanner before you plug it into your vehicle's cigarette-
lighter socket. Always unplug the adapter from the vehicle's
cigarette-lighter socket before you unplug it from the scanner.
1. Connect the DC adapter's supplied 1.3 mm inner diameter/3.4 mm outer
diameter battery plug to the cable, with the tip set to - (negative).
2. Set the adapter's voltage switch to 9V.
3. Insert the barrel plug into these scanner's PWR/DC 9V jack.
4. Plug the other end of the adapter into your vehicle's
cigarette-lighter socket.
Notes:
Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some
areas. Check the laws in your area.
If the scanner does not operate properly when you connect a
DC adapter, unplug the adapter from the cigarette-lighter socket and
clean the socket to remove ashes and other debris.
Charging a Rechargeable Battery Pack
Your scanner has a built-in charging circuit that lets you charge a
rechargeable battery pack (Cat. No. 23-288) while it is in the scanner.
To charge the battery pack, simply connect an AC or DC adapter to the
scanner's PWR/DC 9V jack.
It takes about 14-16 hours to recharge a battery pack that is fully
discharged. You can operate the scanner while recharging the battery
pack, but the charging time is lengthened.
Notes:
If you want to take the battery pack out of the scanner to charge it,
follow the instructions provided with the battery pack.
A rechargeable battery pack lasts longer and delivers more power if
you let it fully discharge once a month. To do this, simply use the
scanner until the display flashes then the scanner turns itself off.
Then fully charge the battery pack.
Important! At the end of a rechargeable battery pack's useful life, it
must be recycled or disposed of properly. Contact your local, county, or
state hazardous waste management authorities for information on recycling
or disposal programs in your area. Some options that might be available
are: municipal curb-side collection, drop-off boxes at retailers such as
your local Radio Shack store, recycling collection centers, and mailback
programs.
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA
Follow these steps to attach the supplied flexible antenna to your
scanner.
1. Align the slots around the antenna's connector with the tabs on the
ANT jack.
2. Press the antenna down over the jack and turn the antenna's base
clockwise until it locks into place.
Connecting an Optional Antenna
The ANT jack on the top of the scanner makes it easy to use the scanner
with a variety of antennas. Instead of the supplied antenna, you can
attach a different one, such as an external mobile antenna or outdoor base
station antenna. Your local Radio Shack store sells a variety of
antennas.
Always use 50-ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an
outdoor antenna. For lengths over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric
coaxial cable. If your antenna's cable does not have a BNC connector, you
will also need a BNC adapter (also available at your local Radio Shack
store.)
Follow the installation instructions supplied with the antenna, route the
antenna cable to the scanner, then connect it to the ANT jack.
Warning:
Use extreme caution when installing or removing an outdoor antenna.
If the antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead
power lines. If the antenna touches a power line, contact with the
antenna, mast, cable or guy wires can caused electrocution and death!
Call the power company to remove the antenna. Do not attempt to do so
yourself.
CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/HEADPHONES
For private listening, you can plug an earphone or mono headphones
(such as Cat. No. 33-175 or 20-210) into the HEADPHONE jack on top of your
scanner. This automatically disconnects the internal speaker.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use an earphone
or headphones:
Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume
listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening.
After you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears
adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause
discomfort might still damage your hearing.
Traffic Safety
Do not use an earphone or headphones with your scanner when operating a
motor vehicle or riding a bicycle in or near traffic. Doing so can create
a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some areas.
If you use an earphone or headphones with your scanner while riding a
bicycle, be very careful. Do not listen to a continuous broadcast. Even
though some earphones/headphones let you hear some outside sounds when
listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic
hazard.
CONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER
In a noisy area, an extension speaker, (Cat. No. 21-549) or an amplified
speaker (Cat. No. 21-541) might provide more comfortable listening.
Plug the speaker cable's 1/8-inch mini-plug into your scanner's MICROPHONE
jack.
USING THE BELT CLIP
You can use the belt clip attached to the back of the scanner for
hands-free carrying when you are on the go. Simply side the belt clip
over your belt or waistband.
YOUR SCANNER
Once you understand a few simple terms we use in this manual and
familiarize yourself with your scanner's features, you can put the scanner
to work for you. You simply determine the communications you want to
receive, then set the scanner to scan those frequencies.
A frequency is the tuning location of a station (expressed in kHz or MHz).
To find active frequencies, you can use the search function to search
bands, which are preset ranges of frequencies.
When you find a frequency, you can store it into a permanent memory
location called a channel, which is grouped with your other channels in a
channel-storage bank. You can then scan the channel-storage banks to see
if there is activity on the frequencies stored there. Each time the
scanner finds an active frequency, it stays on that channel until the
transmission ends.
Another option is to store the frequency into a temporary memory location
called a monitor memory until you decide to move it to a channel.
Just keep in mind - you search frequencies an scan channels.
A LOOK AT THE KEYPAD
Your scanner's keys might seem confusing at first, but this information
should help you understand each key's function.
SCAN - scans through the programmed
channels.
AUTO - automatically programs
frequencies into channels.
L/O RVW - lets you review locked-out
channels or frequencies.
LIGHT - turns the displays backlight on
or off.
KEY (SYMBOL) - locks/unlocks the keypad to
prevent accidental entries.
MANUAL - stops scanning to let you
directly enter a channel number.
DELAY - programs a 2-second delay for
the selected channel.
LIMIT - sets the frequency range you
want to search.
Up Arrow and Down Arrow - searches up or down from the
currently displayed frequency.
MON - accesses the 40 monitor
memories.
BAND - selects a preprogrammed search
band.
WX - scans through the preprogrammed
weather channels.
PRI - sets and turns on and off
priority for 10 priority
channels.
Number Keys - each key has a single-digit
label and a range of numbers.
Use the digits on the keys to
enter the numbers for a channel
or a frequency. Use the range
of numbers above the key
(41-80, for example) to select
the channels in a channel-
storage bank.
DIRECT/. - starts a direct frequency search
or enters a decimal point
(necessary when programming
frequencies).
CLEAR - clears an incorrect entry.
AM/FM - changes the receive mode.
PGM - lets you program frequencies
into channels.
ENTER - enters frequencies into
channels.
A LOOK AT THE DISPLAY
The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operation.
A quick look at the display will help you understand how to operate your
scanner.
SRCH BANK - appears with numbers (1-10) when
you program limit search ranges.
A bank number with a bar under
shows it is selected for a limit
search.
BANK - appears with numbers (1-10).
Bank numbers with a bar under
them show which ones are turned
on for scanning.
P - appears with numbers (1-10).
Numbers with a bar under them
show which priority channels are
turned on.
Up or Down Arrow - indicates the search or scan
direction.
WX - appears when you scan the
preprogrammed weather channels.
Key SYMBOL - appears when you lock the
keypad.
AUTO - appears while the scanner
automatically stores frequencies
into channels.
M - flashes with a number (1-40) to
show which monitor memory you
are listening to.
CH - appears with digits (1-400) to
show which channel the scanner
is tuned to.
AM/FM - shows which preset mode
(AM or FM) the scanner is set to
while scanning and flashes when
you change a frequency to the
other mode.
SRCH - appears during a band, limit, or
direct frequency search.
SCAN - appears when you scan channels.
MAN - appears when you manually select
a channel.
PGM - appears while you program
frequencies into the scanner's
channels, or while you program a
limit search range.
PRI - appears when the priority
feature is turned on.
DLY - appears when you program a
2-second delay for a channel.
L/O - appears when you manually select
a channel or frequency you
locked out while scanning or
searching.
Error - appears when you make an entry
error.
CH-FULL - appears when 40 channels are
stored in a bank, or when you
try to enter a frequency during
a search when all channels are
full.
L-FULL - appears when 200 frequencies are
locked out during a band, limit,
or direct search.
A-FULL - appears when you select a full
bank while auto storing or when
you finish sorting a full bank.
AC-XXCH - appears with a number to show
how many empty channels are in a
bank.
Sor. - appears while the scanner sorts
frequencies.
Pri-On- - appears when you turn on the
priority feature.
-dUPL- (duplicate) - appears when you try to store a
frequency that is already stored
in another channel.
PCH ALL-OFF - appears when you press PRI and
all of the scanner's priority
channels are empty or
locked-out.
PC - appears with PGM when you set
the scanner to the data transfer
mode.
ConnECt - appears while you transfer
frequencies from a personal
computer to the scanner
FiniSH - appears when all frequencies
have been successfully
transferred from a personal
computer to the scanner
1-Error - appears instead of ConnECt when
a check sum error occurred while
transferring frequencies
Data transfer stops.
2-Error - appears instead of FiniSh when
out-of-range data on either a
channel or a frequency was
encountered while transferring
frequencies.
3-Error - appears instead of ConnECt when
a communications error occurred
while transferring frequencies
Data transfer stops.
UNDERSTANDING BANDS/BANKS/MEMORIES
Search Bands
Your scanner can tune over 32,000 different frequencies. Many of these
frequencies are grouped within permanent memory locations called search
bands (1-17).
Band Search Range (MHz) Description
01 29-30 10-Meter Amateur Radio
02 30-50 VHF Lo
03 50-54 6-Meter Amateur Radio
04 108-136 Aircraft
05 144-148 2-Meter Amateur Radio
06 148-174 VHF Hi
07 380-384 Military Aircraft
08 406-420 Government
09 420-450 70-Centimeter Amateur Radio
10 450-470 UHF Lo
11 851-856 UHF Hi
12 856-866 UHF Hi
13 866-869 UHF Hi
14 935-940 UHF Hi
15 940-941 UHF Hi
16 941-952 UHF Hi
17 952-960 33-Centimeter Amateur Radio
Note:
The actual search range of Band 04 is 108-136.975 MHz.
You can search these bands to quickly find active frequencies you
might want to store into the scanner's channels.
For example, if you wanted to search for transmissions between pilots
and the control tower at an air show, you could search only the search
bands where you are most likely to hear the transmissions (4 and 7).
Notes:
The scanner can search for transmissions on frequencies that are not
stored in any of the search bands. For more information, see
"Operation," Faxback Doc. # 38254.
The frequencies in the scanner's search bands are preset.
You cannot change them.
See "Guide to Action Bands," Faxback Doc. # 38257, for lists of other
frequency ranges and the broadcasters you are likely to hear on those
frequencies.
Channel-Storage Banks
To make it easier to identify and select the channels you want to
listen to, channels are divided into 10 channel-storage banks (1-10) of
40 channels each. You can use each channel-storage bank to group
frequencies, such as those used by the police department, fire department,
ambulance services, and aircraft.
For example, there might be three or four police departments in your area,
each using several different frequencies. Additionally, there might be
other law enforcement agencies such as state police, county sheriffs, or
SWAT teams that use their own frequencies. You could program all law
enforcement frequencies starting with Channel 1 (the first channel in
Bank 1), then program the fire department, paramedic, and other public
safety frequencies starting with Channel 41 (the first channel Bank 2).
Monitor Memories
The scanner also has 40 monitor memories that you can use to temporarily
store frequencies while you decide whether to save them into channels.
This is handy for quickly storing an active frequency when you are
searching through an entire band.
You can only store a frequency into a monitor memory during a band, limit,
or direct search.
You can select monitor memories manually, but you cannot scan them.
See "Operation," Faxback Doc. # 38254.
(br/km-03/06/1997)
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