RadioShack Pro 29 Programmable Scanner Reciever Owners Manual

							Cat. No. 20-509
OWNER’S MANUAL
PRO-29
60-Channel
Direct Entry Programmable Scanner
Please read before using this equipment.
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ã 1995 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Radio Shack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.
FEATURES
Your new Radio Shack PRO-29 60-Channel Direct Entry Programma-
ble Scanner lets you in on all the action! This scanner gives you direct
access to 30,000 exciting frequencies that include police department,
fire department, ambulance, amateur radio, and transportation services.
You can select up to 60 channels for your scanner to scan and you can
change your selection at any time.
The secret to your scanner’s ability to scan so many frequencies is its
custom-designed microprocessor — a tiny, built-in computer. Your
scanner also has these special features:
Frequency Search
 — scans through every available frequency.
Six Channel-Storage Banks
 — let you store 10 channels in each of six
banks to group frequencies. This helps you identify calls.
Monitor Memories
 — let you temporarily save up to six channels you
locate during a frequency search.
Two-Second Automatic Scan Delay
 — delays scanning for 2 seconds
before moving to another channel, so you can hear more replies.
Memory Backup
 — keeps the channel frequencies stored in memory
for up to 1 hour during a power loss.
Lock-Out Function
 — keeps channels you select from being scanned.
Priority Channel
 — checks your most important channel every 2 sec-
onds so you don’t miss important calls on a channel you specify.
Weather Band Key
 — scans seven preprogrammed weather frequen-
cies so you can hear about current weather conditions.
Display Backlight
 — makes the scanner easy to read in low light situ-
ations.
Search Skip
 — lets you select up to 30 frequencies for the scanner to
skip during a limit or direct search to avoid unwanted frequencies.
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Your scanner can receive all of these bands:
• 29–29.7 MHz (10-Meter Amateur Radio)
• 29.7–50 MHz (VHF Lo)
• 50–54 MHz (6-Meter Amateur Radio)
• 108–136.975 MHz (Aircraft)
• 137–144 MHz (Government)
• 144–148 MHz (2-Meter Amateur Radio)
• 148–174 MHz (VHF Hi)
• 406–420 MHz (Government)
• 420–450 (70-cm Amateur Radio)
• 450–470 MHz (UHF Standard)
• 470–512 MHz (UHF “T” Band)
• 806–823.9375 MHz (Public Service)
• 851–868.9375 MHz (UHF Hi)
• 896.1125–956 MHz (UHF Hi)
In addition, your scanner is preprogrammed with the following weather
service channels:
• 162.400 MHz (NFM)
• 162.425 MHz (NFM)
• 162.450 MHz (NFM)
• 162.475 MHz (NFM)
• 162.500 MHz (NFM)
• 162.525 MHz (NFM)
• 162.550 MHz (NFM)
This owner’s manual also includes the section “A Guide to the Action
Bands,” which lets you target services in your area by giving you fre-
quency ranges to search. You can then store any of these frequencies
into memory for easy scanning.
For your records, we recommend you record your scanner’s serial num-
ber in the space provided. The serial number is on the scanner’s back
panel.
Serial Number __________________
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FCC NOTICE
Your scanner might cause TV or radio interference even when it is op-
erating properly. To determine whether your scanner is causing the in-
terference, turn off your scanner. If the interference goes away, your
scanner is causing the interference. Try the following methods to elimi-
nate the interference.
• Move your scanner away from the receiver
• Connect your scanner to an outlet that is on a different electrical
circuit from the receiver
• Contact your local Radio Shack store for help
If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop
using your scanner.
Note:
 Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit in some
areas. Check the laws in your area.
SCANNING LEGALLY
Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups includ-
ing police and fire departments, ambulance services, government agen-
cies, private companies, amateur radio services, military operations,
pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service provid-
ers. It is legal to listen to almost every transmission your scanner can
receive. However, there are some transmissions you should never in-
tentionally listen to. These include:
• Telephone conversations (either cellular, cordless, or other private
means of telephone signal transmission)
• Pager transmissions
• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions
According to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), you
are subject to fines and possible imprisonment for intentionally listening
to, using, or divulging the contents of such a transmission unless you
have the consent of a party to the conversation (unless such activity is
otherwise illegal). Radio Shack encourages responsible, legal scanner
use. 
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CONTENTS
Preparation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Power Sources  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
Using Internal Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Important Information About the External Power Jacks  . . . . . .   7
Using Standard AC Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Using Vehicle Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
Connecting the Antenna  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
Connecting an Earphone/Headphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12
Connecting an Extension Speaker  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
Using the Belt Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
Understanding Your Scanner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14
A Look at the Keypad  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14
A Look at the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   15
Banks and Memories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
Channel-Storage Banks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
Monitor Memories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
Turning on the Scanner and Setting Squelch  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
Storing Frequencies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
Searching For and Temporarily Storing Active Frequencies . .  19
Listening to Monitor Memories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
Moving a Frequency from a Monitor Memory to a Channel  . .   22
Manually Selecting a Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
Using the Keylock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
Locking Out Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
Turning Channel-Storage Banks On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
Search Skip Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
Using the Display Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
Listening to the Weather Band  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
A General Guide to Scanning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
Guide to Frequencies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
Guide to the Action Bands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
Band Allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
Avoiding Image Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
Frequency Conversion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
Resetting the Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   39
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PREPARATION
POWER SOURCES
You can power your scanner from any of three sources:
• Internal batteries
• Standard AC power (using an optional AC adapter)
• Vehicle battery power (using an optional DC adapter)
USING INTERNAL BATTERIES
You can power your scanner with four AA batteries. For the longest op-
eration 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 nick-
el-cadmium batteries inside the battery compartment. However, you
must never use this circuit when you have installed non-rechargeable
batteries in the scanner. Be sure to read “Important Information about
the External Power Jacks” and “Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries.”
Follow these steps to install or replace batteries.
1. Press down the tab on the battery compartment cover, and lift
open the compartment.
2. Remove any old batteries from the compartment and cover.
Caution:
 Always dispose of old non-rechargeable batteries
promptly and properly. Do not bury or burn them.
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3. Install two batteries in the compartment and two in the cover as
indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside.
Caution: Use only fresh, AA alkaline, nickel-cadmium, or general
purpose batteries of the required size. Never mix fresh and old
batteries or different types of batteries.
4. Replace the cover.
If 
BATT.Lo flashes on the display and the scanner beeps every 15
seconds, immediately replace or recharge all four batteries.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE 
EXTERNAL POWER JACKS
The scanner has two external power jacks  — POWER and CHARGE. It
is important that you understand the purpose of each jack before you
connect any adapter to the scanner.
The 
POWER jack powers the scanner and disconnects the internal bat-
teries. You can use this jack to connect an external power source (AC
or DC adapter) regardless of the type of batteries you install.
POWER
CHARGE
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The CHARGE jack supplies power to operate the scanner and also
charges the internal batteries. Use the 
CHARGE jack only when you in-
stall rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries.
Warning:
 Never use the 
CHARGE jack with non-rechargeable batteries.
If you try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries, they become very hot
and could explode.
USING STANDARD AC POWER
To power the scanner from AC power, you need an AC adapter such as
Radio Shack Cat. No. 20-188. Plug the adapter’s barrel plug into the
scanner’s 
DC 9V POWER 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.
Cautions: 
• You must use an AC adapter that supplies 9 volts and delivers at
least 300 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to negative, and its
plug must correctly fit the scanner’s 
DC 9V POWER jack. The rec-
ommended adapter meets these specifications. Using an adapter
that does not meet these specifications could seriously 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.
Note:
 If you installed rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in the
scanner, remove the cap from the 
CHARGE jack and connect the AC
adapter to it. This powers the scanner and recharges the batteries at the
same time. See “Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries.”
~~POWER
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USING VEHICLE BATTERY POWER
You can power the scanner from your vehicle’s battery power, if the ve-
hicle has a 12-volt, negative ground electrical system. To do so, you
need a Radio Shack DC Universal Adapter, Cat. No. 270-1560.
Cautions:
• You must use a DC adapter that supplies (regulated) 9-volt power
and delivers at least 300 milliamps. Its center tip must be set to
negative, and its plug must correctly fit the scanner’s 
DC 9V
POWER 
jack. The recommended adapter meets these specifica-
tions. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications
could seriously damage your scanner or the adapter.
• To protect your vehicle’s electrical system, always plug the adap-
ter 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 orange barrel-plug to the adapter’s
cable, with the tip set to –.
2. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 9V.
3. Insert the barrel plug into the scanner’s 
DC 9V POWER jack.
4. Plug the other end of the adapter into your vehicle’s cigarette-
lighter socket.
Notes:
 
• If you installed rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries in the scan-
ner, remove the cap from the 
CHARGE jack and connect the AC
adapter to it. This powers the scanner and recharges the batteries
at the same time. See “Charging Nickel-Cadmium Batteries.”
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• If the scanner does not operate properly when you use a DC
adapter, unplug the adapter from the cigarette-lighter socket and
clean the socket to remove ashes and other debris.
CHARGING NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES
The scanner has a built-in charging circuit that lets you recharge nickel-
cadmium batteries while they are in the scanner. To charge the batter-
ies, remove the plug from the scanner’s 
CHARGE jack and simply con-
nect an AC adapter or a DC Universal Adapter to the jack (see “Using
Standard AC Power” or “Using Vehicle Battery Power”).
Warning:
 Do not connect either adapter to the scanner’s 
CHARGE jack
if you installed non-rechargeable batteries (standard, extra-life, or alka-
line). Non-rechargeable batteries become hot and can even explode if
you try to recharge them.
It takes about 14 to 16 hours to recharge batteries that are fully dis-
charged. You can operate the scanner while recharging the nickel-
cadmium batteries, but the charging time is lengthened.
Note:
 Nickel-cadmium batteries last longer and deliver more power if
you occasionally let them fully discharge. To do this, simply use the
scanner until it begins beeping every 15 seconds and 
BATT.LO ap-
pears on the display. Then fully charge the batteries.
Important!
 At the end of a rechargeable battery’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, recycling
collection centers, and mail-back programs.
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