TRC-502 40-Channel Mini Mobile CB Radio
(210-1702A) Operation Faxback Doc. # 61087
Before you use your CB, you should know how to use it effectively and
courteously. "Operational Hints", below, contains information that will
help you get more enjoyment from your CB.
Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch
1. Turn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise.
2. Turn on the CB by turning VOLUME clockwise until it clicks. The
channel display lights and the channel number appears.
3. Press /\ or \/ on the base to select the desired channel.
4. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.
5. To cut out background noise between transmissions, wait until there is
no signal, then slowly turn SQUELCH clockwise until the background
noise stops.
Note: To receive very weak signals, turn SQUELCH counterclockwise. You
hear noise between transmissions, but you also hear weak
transmissions.
6. To turn off the CB, turn VOLUME counterclockwise until you hear it
click. The channel display turns off
Transmitting
Note: We recommend that you try receiving before you transmit.
1. Follow Steps 1-5 in "Receiving Transmissions and Adjusting Squelch",
above.
2. To transmit press PUSH TO TALK on the microphone. The red TX indicator
lights. Hold the microphone 2-3 inches from your mouth and speak in a
normal tone of voice.
3. To turn off the CB, turn the VOLUME counterclockwise until you hear it
click. The channel display turns off.
Operational Hints
Like most activities, CB radio has its customs and courtesies. The
following tips will help you get the most enjoyment from your CB.
Common Uses for a CB
Personal Uses:
Keep in touch with home while driving to work, to the store, or to a
social activity. Let your family know you are tied up in traffic or
that you will stop by the store on the way home.
If you are a two-car (or more) family, CB radios are great for
communicating with family members while they are in their cars.
Contact friends or neighbors - find out "what's happening" or plan a get
together.
Ever have car trouble or run out of gas on the highway? What an
assurance it is to be able to radio for assistance!
Camping, fishing, and other sports are more fun with a CB radio. Locate
a buddy or find out "what's cooking" back at camp.
Business Uses:
For security officers, a CB is more than a convenience - it is a must
for both safety and efficiency.
Truck drivers and delivery personnel can learn road and traffic
conditions and get assistance in locating destinations. A CB radio is
also good company on those "long hauls".
On construction crews, a CB radio quickly pays for itself when you are
calling for additional materials or coordinating the activities of
different work crews.
Transmission Courtesy
Please follow these guidelines of radio courtesy when using your CB.
Wait for a pause in someone else's transmission before you ask for a
break.
If you do not receive an answer to your call after a second attempt,
sign off and wait several minutes before trying again.
Do not hold down PUSH TO TALK when you are not talking. (This is called
Dead Keying).
Assist callers with directions, information about road conditions, and
any other reasonable requests.
Using Common 10-Codes
Citizen's Band operators and CB radio users have largely adopted the
10-Codes for standard questions and answers. These codes permit faster
communication and better intelligibility in noisy areas.
This table lists codes adopted by the Associated Public Safety
Communications Officers (APCO)
Code Meaning Code Meaning
10-1 Your signal is bad. 10-17 En route.
10-2 Your signal is good. 10-18 Urgent.
10-3 Stop transmitting. 10-19 Contact _____.
10-4 Message received and 10-20 What is you location?
Understood.
10-21 Call _____ by telephone.
10-5 Relay information to _____.
10-22 Cancel last message.
10-6 I am busy or Are you busy?
10-23 Arrived at the scene.
10-7 Out of service.
10-24 Assignment complete.
10-8 In service.
10-25 Meet ______.
10-9 Repeat last message.
10-26 Estimated time of
10-10 Negative (NO). arrival is ______.
10-11 ______ in service. 10-30 Use caution.
10-12 Stand by. 10-31 Pick up.
10-13 Report road/weather conditions. 10-33 Emergency traffic.
Clear the channel.
10-14 Information.
10-34 What time is it?
10-15 Message delivered.
10-41 Switch to channel ____.
10-16 Reply to message.
10-62 Cannot understand.
Note: Although this table lists the 10-Codes' meanings in the form of a
statement, they can also be phrased as questions (10-6: Are you
busy?, 10-20: What is your location?).
Maximum range
The maximum range and quality of CB radio transmissions vary depending on
the following conditions:
The type and quality of antenna used.
The height of the antenna's mounting location - the higher the antenna,
the better the signal's range
The surrounding terrain - mountains and tall buildings limit the range.
Weather conditions.
The number of nearby radios operating on the same channel.
Standing wave radio (SWR) between the antenna and the CB.
NOTE: Your CB radio's transmission range is generally line-of-sight.
Reducing Noise
Because your CB is exceptionally quiet, any noise you hear is probably
from an external source in your vehicle such as an alternator, another
radio or spark plugs.
The transceiver uses an ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) circuit to reduce
noise. However, if possible, try to eliminate the noise by finding its
source.
You can determine the noise's source by turning off the engine and
operating the CB with your vehicle's ignition set to ACC (or ON). If the
noise is reduced, the problem is in your vehicle's ignition or electrical
system.
Here are a few hints to help you reduce or eliminate such noise.
Make all CB power and antenna wires as short as possible.
Route the power wires away from the antenna wires.
Be sure that the chassis ground connection is secure.
Replace old ignition wires with new, high-voltage, noise suppression
wires.
Install noise suppressors on your spark plugs, or install new spark
plugs that have built-in noise suppressors.
If problems persist, check your alternator/generator and regulator
gauges. You can reduce the noise from these sources by using bypass
capacitors at the various output voltage points.
Your local RadioShack store has a wide selection of noise suppression
accessories.
(GLW EB 8/15/00)
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