RadioShack Pro 83 Compact Scanner Reciever Owners Manual

							20-501
PRO-83 200 Channel
compact scanner
w/signal stalker search and
lighted keypad
Read this user’s guide completely 
before using your scanner
20-501.fm  Page 1  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							The Basics 2
Contents
The Basics
The FCC wants you to know  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
powering your scanner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
using rechargeable batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
using AC power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
using vehicle battery power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
setting up your scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
connecting the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
connecting an optional antenna  . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
connecting an earphone/headphone  . . . . . . . .  14
listening safely  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
traffic safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
connecting an extension speaker  . . . . . . . . . . .  15
attaching the belt clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
about your scanner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
a look at the keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
a look at the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
understanding banks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
service banks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
channel storage banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
Beyond the Basics
operating your scanner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
turning on the scanner and setting squelch . . .  25
storing known frequencies into channels . . . . .  25
searching for and temporarily storing 
       active frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
©2004. RadioShack Corporation. All rights reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by 
RadioShack Corporation.
20-501.fm  Page 2  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							3 The Basics
service search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
storing frequencies into channels during 
       service search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
scanning the stored channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
manually selecting a channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
signal stalker  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
setting the signal stalker options  . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
using signal stalker  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Skywarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
about skywarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
WX alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
turning on the weather alert feature. . . . . . . . . . 38
chain search. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
chain search mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
chain search hold mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
storing frequencies found during chain
       search into channel memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
program band select mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
direct entry search  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
direct entry search hold mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
storing frequencies found during direct
       entry search into channel memory . . . . . . . . . 44
search skip memory  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
delay  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
turning channel-storage banks on and off . . . . . 48
locking out channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
locking out frequencies   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
using keylock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
wired programming  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
using the display/key backlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
20-501.fm  Page 3  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							The Basics 4
resetting the scanner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
frequently asked questions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  59
index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
warranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  63
accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  64
The FCC Wants You to Know
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a 
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits 
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference 
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can 
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance 
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio 
communications. 
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a 
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to 
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the 
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the 
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. 
• Consult your local RadioShack store or an experienced radio/TV 
technician for help.
• If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop 
using your scanner. 
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by RadioShack may 
cause interference and void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
You must use shielded interface cables with this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to 
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful 
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, 
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
20-501.fm  Page 4  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							5 The Basics
powering your scanner
You can power your scanner from any of three 
sources:
• internal batteries (not supplied)
• standard AC power (using an optional 
AC adapter)
• vehicle battery power (using an optional 
DC adapter)
Before installing batteries, set the switch in the 
battery compartment to match the type of batteries 
you will use. Select ALKALINE for non-rechargeable 
battery types and RECHARGEABLE for rechargeable 
battery types, including Ni-Cd and Ni-MH. See also 
“Using Rechargeable Batteries” on Page 7 when you 
use rechargeable batteries.
X  Remove battery cover and set battery switch.
20-501.fm  Page 5  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							The Basics 6
Y  Install 2 AA batteries, matching the polarity 
symbols (+ -).
Z  Replace the cover.
20-501.fm  Page 6  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							7 The Basics
Warn ing: Set ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE to 
RECHARGEABLE for use only with nickel cadmium 
(Ni-Cd) or nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable 
batteries. Never attempt to recharge non-
rechargeable batteries. Non-rechargeable batteries 
can get hot or explode if you try to recharge them.
Cautions:
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and 
recommended type.
• Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries 
can leak chemicals that destroy electronic 
circuits.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different 
types of batteries (standard, alkaline, or 
rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of 
different capacities.
When   flashes and the scanner beeps every 
15 seconds, replace both batteries.
Warn ing: Always dispose of old batteries promptly 
and properly. Do not bury or burn them.
Using Rechargeable Batteries
You can also use two rechargeable batteries to 
power your scanner. Before you use Ni-Cd or Ni-MH 
batteries, you must charge them.
20-501.fm  Page 7  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							The Basics 8
The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you 
recharge Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries while they are in 
the scanner. To charge the batteries, set ALKALINE/
RECHARGEABLE inside the battery compartment to 
RECHARGEABLE, install the batteries in the scanner, 
and connect an external AC or DC adapter to the 
scanners DC 6V jack (see “Using AC Power” on 
Page 10 or “Using Vehicle Battery Power” on 
Page 11). CHArg appears while the scanner is 
charging the batteries.
Warn ing: Do not connect either adapter to the 
scanner if non-rechargeable batteries (such as 
alkaline batteries) are installed in the scanner and 
ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE is set to 
RECHARGEABLE, or if you are unsure of the 
switchs position. Non-rechargeable batteries will 
get hot and can even explode if you try to recharge 
them.
Before you use Ni-Cd or Ni-MH batteries for the first 
time, charge them for 14 hours to bring them to a 
full charge.
Discharged batteries take about 14 hours to fully 
recharge.
Notes:
• Ni-Cd batteries last longer and deliver more 
power if you occasionally let them fully 
discharge. To do this, simply use the scanner 
20-501.fm  Page 8  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							9 The Basics
until it beeps every 15 seconds and   
flashes.
• To prevent damage to Ni-Cd and Ni-MH 
batteries, never charge them in an area where 
the temperature is above 113°F (40°C) or below 
40°F (4°C).
• If you connect an external power source to the 
scanner with ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE set to 
ALKALINE, CHArg appears but the scanner 
does NOT charge the batteries. This is because 
the scanners microprocessor unit does not 
recognize the switch position when you 
incorrectly connect an external power source. 
Make sure that you use the correct batteries and 
set ALKALINE/RECHARGEABLE to the correct 
position when you connect an external power 
source.
•If CHArg does not appear, the rechargeable 
batteries might be completely discharged. 
Connect the scanner to an AC or DC adapter and 
wait about 1 minute. Then, unplug the adapter 
from the scanner for a few seconds then plug it 
back in.
Important: The EPA certified RBRC 
Battery Recycling Seal on the 
rechargeable battery indicates 
RadioShack is voluntarily participat-
ing in an industry program to collect 
20-501.fm  Page 9  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM 
						

							The Basics 10
and recycle these batteries at the end of their useful 
life, when taken out of service in the United States or 
Canada. The RBRC program provides a convenient 
alternative to placing used rechargeable batteries 
into the trash or the municipal waste stream, which 
may be illegal in your area. Please call 
1-800-THE-SHACK (1-800-843-7422) for information 
on rechargeable battery recycling and disposal 
bans/restrictions in your area. RadioShacks involve-
ment in this program is part of the companys com-
mitment to preserving our environment and 
conserving our natural resources.
Using AC Power
You can power the scanner using a 6V, 300 mA AC 
adapter and a size B Adaptaplug™ adapter (neither 
supplied). Both are available at your local 
RadioShack store.
Cautions:
• You must use a Class 2 power source that 
supplies 6V DC and delivers at least 300 mA. 
Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug 
must fit the scanners DC 6V jack. Using an 
adapter that does not meet these specifications 
could damage the scanner or the adapter.
• Always connect the AC adapter to the scanner 
before you connect it to AC power. When you 
finish, disconnect the adapter from AC power 
before you disconnect it from the scanner.
20-501.fm  Page 10  Friday, July 9, 2004  3:23 PM