Scanner Frequently Asked Questions
Index

SECTION 1: SCANNER BASICS

What is a scanner and why would I want / need one?
What different types of scanners are available?
What can I legally listen to?
What accessories are available to improve my scanning?
A broadcaster in my area now uses a digital system. Why can't I find a digital scanner?
What are birdies?
Reception Notes
General Troubleshooting
A Guide To The Action Bands
A Guide To Frequencies
Typical and Primary Band Usage, and Specified Intervals
Band Allocation
Frequency Conversion
Image Reception
Additional On-line Information
Glossary

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SECTION 2

GENERAL SCANNER INFORMATION

Programming

Do you have scanner frequency lists available?
How do I enter a 7-digit frequency when the scanner only takes 6 digits?

Terminology

What is meant by the "step-rate" of a scanner?
How do I tell if my scanner uses dual or triple conversion?
What does "SMR" mean in call book lists?

Troubleshooting

My scanner hangs up on a particular frequency; however, the problem goes away when I remove the antenna.
Why does my RadioShack scanner pick up the same transmission on a different frequency from the frequency I receive on a super-heterodyne or dual-conversion scanner?
I need a service manual, and the local store said there isn't one for my scanner. Why?
Why do I get constant noise on a particular channel?
When I plug a speaker into the earphone jack, the audio volume cuts down a lot & I have to turn the volume up - is this normal?
My scanner will accept 821.2620 but then rounds it off the 821.250? Why can't I enter the right frequency?
I tried charging NiMH batteries in my scanner & the batteries appear to be expanding.
I put new batteries in my scanner but it shuts off after a few seconds.
My scanner stops on a particular channel or frequency when using the DC adapter and the engine is running; it works fine when the engine is not running.

Usage

What scanner antenna should I use?
How can I record my scanner's broadcasts?
I am going out of the country; do you have frequency lists for (country)?
Do you sell a scanner to pick up cellular or cordless telephone frequencies?
How do I use stereo headphones with my scanner?
Can I use an external CB antenna with my scanner?
What kind of cable should I use to connect an outside antenna to my scanner?
What is the range in miles?

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SCANNER ANTENNAS AND ACCESSORIES

200-0009 Extension Speaker: Do you carry a speaker adapter from 1/8" to 3/32"?
200-0011 Antenna: Will this work on tinted windows?
200-0011 Antenna: Can I use this to transmit?
200-0013 Antenna: Is there a replacement?
200-0034 Antenna: What is the frequency coverage and length?
200-0042 Antenna: What connector do I use to connect this to a scanner? F to Motorola?
200-0042 Antenna: What is this made of?
200-0043 Antenna: Is this directional?
200-0043 Antenna: What is the length and diameter of the lower 8 rods?
200-0043 Antenna: What are the frequencies of the bottom radials?
200-0176 Antenna: How is it mounted and does it come with cable?
200-0188 Adapter: What replaces this adapter?
200-0282 Headphones: How much noise do these block out?
200-0282 Headphones: What is the sensitivity (dB rating)?
200-0284 Headphones: How much noise do these block out and what is it designed for?
200-0284 Headphones: What are the specifications on these headphones?

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SECTION 3

RACING SCANNERS

General Questions

How is a racing scanner different from a regular scanner?
What racing scanners does RadioShack currently sell?
What accessories are available to improve my day at the races?
How do I get the most out of my scanner on race day?
Do you have lists of racing frequencies?

Product-specific Questions

200-0513 / PRO-74: What is the impedance of the headphone jack?
200-0513 / PRO-74: How do I use limit search?
200-0514 / PRO-89: Is there a cable for wired programming for my Racing Scanner?
200-0514 / PRO-89: How do I get On-air Programming to work with my computer?

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CONVENTIONAL SCANNERS

200-0106 / PRO-25: How do you program this?
200-0106 / PRO-25: What is the frequency range?
200-0108 / PRO-27: How do I change frequencies?
200-0110 / COMP-100: What is the formula to convert a frequency for use with this scanner?
200-0112 / PRO-2020: What is the frequency range?
200-0113 / PRO-2021: How many channels and what is the frequency range?
200-0115 / PRO-2001: How do I program frequencies?
200-0118 / PRO-2011: Where is the backup battery located and what battery does it use?
200-0122 / PRO-53: How do I identify which crystal is installed?
200-0123 / PRO-54: What crystals did this come with?
200-0124 / PRO-55: How do I program this?
200-0130 / PRO-1: I need a replacement AC adapter.
200-0131 / PRO-30: I need a replacement AC adapter.
200-0132 / PRO-31: How do I program this scanner?
200-0136 / PRO-35: What jack does the power cord go into? There are two jacks.
200-0137 / PRO-36: What is the recommended power adapter?
200-0137 / PRO-36: What is the recommended power adapter/charger?
200-0139 / PRO-38: What battery pack and charger are used for this?
200-0144 / PRO-2005: Why does this scanner keep beeping?
200-0145 / PRO-2006: What is the ATT switch for?
200-0147 / PRO-2056: Is there a chip to allow 800 MHz range?
200-0148 / PRO-2026: How do I lock out service frequencies?
200-0149 / PRO-2046: Is it triple conversion? What are the IF frequencies?
200-0149 / PRO-2046: Is it digital or analog?
200-0195 / PRO-2066: I need a replacement DC adapter.
200-0195 / PRO-2066: Does this have a backlight?
200-0195 / PRO-2066: What are the specifications on micro volt reception on the VHF high band (108-176 MHz)?
200-0300 / PRO-43: What is the impedance of the external speaker jack?
200-0303 / PRO-39: Is this dual or triple conversion and what are the IF frequencies?
200-0305 / PRO-46: Why won't this scanner pick up the Blue Angels frequencies?
200-0305 / PRO-46: What adapter works with this?
200-0308 / PRO-51: What charger does this require?
200-0308 / PRO-51: Is this a trunking scanner?
200-0313 / PRO-76: Is there a cable for wired programming for my scanner?
200-0314 / PRO-79: Is there a cable for wired programming for my scanner?
200-0314 / PRO-79: How do I get the scanner into Wired mode for programming?
200-0404 / PRO-2029: How do I program frequencies into this scanner?
200-0411 / PRO-2034: Why am I not getting the last digit on the display between 29-54 MHz and 137-174 MHz?
200-0412 / PRO-2036: I need a replacement lithium battery for this scanner.
200-0413 / PRO-2038: Why am I not getting some frequencies in the 450-470 MHz; is it due to rounding?
200-0415 / PRO-2043: Does this have a backlight display?
200-0415 / PRO-2043: This has lockout showing on all channels, and it won't go out.
200-0430 / PRO-2050: Why is it giving an error once the frequencies have been programmed in?
200-0430 / PRO-2050: What does this use for memory backup and how long will it hold memory?
200-0430 / PRO-2050: What type of antenna does it come with?
200-0430 / PRO-2050: Why do I have to turn squelch all the way for aircraft channels?
200-0461 / PRO-2037: How do I program frequencies?
200-0461 / PRO-2037: I can't program 867.7870 - it programs as 867.7750 and 867.437 programs in as 867.425. Why?
200-0464 / PRO-2042: Can you dim the backlight?
200-0505 / PRO-25: What adapter is required?
200-0508 / PRO-28: What is the difference between 200-0508UV and 200-0508UW?
200-0511 / PRO-66: What is the power adapter tip size & polarity for this scanner?
200-0512 / PRO-67: Can you charge NiMH batteries in this scanner?
200-0561 / PRO-63: How do I set the scanner so that it does not use priority scanning?
200-0564 / PRO-64: How do I charge the batteries?
200-0564 / PRO-64: How do I get a replacement battery pack?
200-0564 / PRO-64: Do you sell an adapter for using the PRO-64 with a computer?
200-0564 / PRO-64: In the computer interface, how do I get information on commands not on the CD?

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SECTION 4

TRUNKTRACKING SCANNERS

General Questions

What is trunktracking and where can I get more information?
How do I convert EDACS SYSTEM ID format (decimal to AFS)?
I can't scan an EDACS system, and I know the frequencies are right.
Why does my scanner take so long to pick up data channels?

Product-specific Questions

200-0196 / PRO-2067: What is the attenuation for this scanner, when ATT is active?
200-0196 / PRO-2067: Why doesn't this auto-scan?
200-0310 / PRO-70: The scanner is locked and I cannot unlock it; what do I do?
200-0310 / PRO-70: Can I use NiMH batteries with this scanner and charger?
200-0310 / PRO-70: What does this use for memory backup?
200-0314 / PRO-79: Why can't I use a DC Adapter to charge batteries and why can't I use High-Capacity NiCd's?
200-0432 / PRO-2052: How do I get information on the software for this scanner?
200-0466 / PRO-2053: How do I get the software & cable for this scanner?
200-0520 / PRO-90: What is the estimated battery life?
200-0520 / PRO-90: The scanner battery life has dropped to about 20 min; how can I fix this?
200-0520 / PRO-90: How should I maintain my battery pack in the best condition?
200-0520 / PRO-90: How long does it take to charge the battery when it is fully discharged?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Can you use alkaline batteries?
200-0520 / PRO-90: What adapter is used with this scanner?
200-0520 / PRO-90: What is the average range?
200-0520 / PRO-90: What is the IF frequency range?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Does it have real bandbase on the earphone jack?
200-0520 / PRO-90: How do I remove the P which displays when I am on a priority channel?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Can you store a limit search in a bank?
200-0520 / PRO-90: How do I reset this scanner?
200-0520 / PRO-90: How do I make it trunk and listen to regular scanning at the same time?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Can you trunktrack 2 banks at the same time?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Can I listen to type 1 and type 2 at the same time?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Why can't I add a data frequency to more than five banks?
200-0520 / PRO-90: I am having problems getting it to trunk; I have verified the steps and it is still not working.
200-0520 / PRO-90: How do I program a fleetmap?
200-0520 / PRO-90: Is there a way to determine which fleetmap is correct other than trial and error?
200-0520 / PRO-90: I am having problems programming the fleetmap; I can't find the data channel.
200-0522 / PRO-92: What is the difference between the 200-0522, 200-0522A and 200-0522B versions of the PRO-92?
200-0522 / PRO-92: How do I program and store text tags?
200-0522 / PRO-92: How do I assign a two-line text tag?
200-0522 / PRO-92: What are the system requirements for the software package for the PRO-92?
200-0522 / PRO-92: How do I get this scanner to simultaneously track both Motorola II & conventional frequencies?
200-0522 / PRO-92: What are the differences between the PRO-92 and the PRO-94 scanners?
200-0522 / PRO-92: Between the PRO-92 and PRO-94, which has the better scanning scheme?
200-0523 / PRO-93: How do I get the software & cable for this scanner?
200-0524 / PRO-94: What are the differences between the PRO-92 and the PRO-94 scanners?
200-0524 / PRO-94: Between the PRO-92 and PRO-94, which has the better scanning scheme?
200-0524 / PRO-94: How do I calculate Base Frequency? I am looking for the mathematical formula used to calculate the BASE frequency as required.
200-0524 / PRO-94: How do I get the software & cable for this scanner?
200-0524 / PRO-94: How do I turn off Hypersearch? I can't get HYPER off of the display.

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