RadioShack Pro 92 Handheld Trunking Scanner Owners Manual

							Owner’s ManualCat. No. 20-522
PRO-92 500-Channel
Portable Trunking Scanner
Please read before using this equipment.
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FEATURES
Your RadioShack PRO-92 500-Channel Portable Trunk-
ing Scanner is one of a new generation of scanners de-
signed to track Motorola
® Type I and Type II (such as
Smartnet® and Privacy Plus®) and hybrid analog trunking
systems, plus GE/Ericsson (EDACS®) and EF Johnson
(LTR®) type systems, which are extensively used in many
communication systems. 
Trunking communications systems let a large group of 2-
way radio users (or even different groups of 2-way radio
users) efficiently use a set of frequencies. Instead of se-
lecting a specific frequency for a transmission, the user
simply selects a talk group. The trunking system automat-
ically transmits the call on the first available frequency,
and also sends a code that uniquely identifies that trans-
mission.
Since the trunking system might send a call and its re-
sponse on different frequencies, it is difficult to listen to
trunked communications using a regular scanner. The
PRO-92 monitors the data sent with a 2-way radio trans-
mission, so you can hear the call and response for that
user and more easily “follow” the conversation.
The scanner also lets you scan conventional transmis-
sions, and is preprogrammed with service search banks
for convenience. By pressing a single button, you can
quickly search those frequencies most commonly used
by public service and other agencies without tedious and
complicated programming.
This scanner gives you direct access to over 33,000 fre-
quencies including those used by police and fire depart-
ments, ambulance services, government agencies, air,
and amateur radio services.
© 1999 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and Adaptaplug are registered trademarks
used by Tandy Corporation.
Hypersearch and Hyperscan are trademarks 
used by Tandy Corporation.
LTR is a registered trademark of EF Johnson.
Motorola, Smartnet and Privacy Plus 
are registered trademarks of Motorola Inc.
EDACS is a registered trademark of GE/Ericsson Inc.
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Your scanner includes these special features:
Simultaneous Trunking Operation — tracks three
trunking systems, LTR, Motorola, and EDACS at the
same time, as well as conventional systems.
Text Input — lets you input a text label for each channel,
talk group ID, bank, or other memory so you can easily
know about the transmission you are hearing.
Subaudible Tone Decode — decodes and displays the
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) tone
signal being transmitted.
Digital Subaudible Tone Decode — decodes and dis-
plays the Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) being received.
12-Character, 4-Line, Dot-Matrix Display — shows you
detailed operating information and lets you easily pro-
gram the scanner.
Data Cloning — lets you transfer the programmed data
to another PRO-92 scanner. You can also upload or
download the programmed data to or from a PC using an
optional interface kit.
10 Channel-Storage Banks — let you store 50 channels
in each bank to group channels so calls are easier to
identify.
Triple Conversion Superheterodyne Receiver — virtu-
ally eliminates any interference from intermediate fre-
quency (IF) images, so you hear only the frequency you
select.
Hyperscan
TM and HypersearchTM — the scanner scans
at up to 25 channels per second and searches at up to 50
steps per second, to help you quickly find interesting
transmissions.
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60 Preprogrammed Frequency Ranges — let you
search for transmissions within preset frequency ranges
or within ranges you set, to reduce search time and select
interesting frequencies more quickly.
Scan Delay — delays scanning for about 2 seconds be-
fore moving to another channel in conventional mode, so
you can hear more replies that are made on the same
channel.
Priority Channel — you can set the scanner to check
one channel every 2 seconds so you do not miss impor-
tant calls.
Signal Attenuation (Attenuate) — lets you program
each memory to reduce the scanner’s sensitivity to strong
local signals, to reduce interference or noise caused by
these signals.
Weather Alert — automatically sounds the alarm tone to
advise of hazardous weather conditions when it detects
the alert signal on the local National Oceanic and Atmo-
spheric Administration (NOAA) weather channel.
Weather SAME 
Decode — displays the weather event
text so you can see the reason for the alert.
Lock out Function — lets you set your scanner to skip
over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or
searching, and skip over IDs when tracking trunked sys-
tems.
Key Lock — lets you lock the scanner’s keys to help pre-
vent accidentally changing the scanner’s programming.
Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector — provides ex-
cellent reception and is designed to help prevent antenna
breakage.
Memory Backup — keeps the frequencies stored in
memory for an extended time even without a battery.
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Three Power Options — let you power the scanner with
internal batteries (non-rechargeable batteries or re-
chargeable batteries). You can also use an AC adapter
(not supplied) or power the scanner in a vehicle using a
DC adapter (not supplied).
Supplied Police Call Trunking Guide — provides a
quick reference to public safety trunking radio systems in
the United States.
Your PRO-92 scanner can receive these frequencies:
• 29–54 MHz
• 108–136.9875 MHz
• 137–174 MHz
• 380–512 MHz
• 806–823.9875 MHz
• 849–868.9875 MHz
• 894–960 MHz
This Owner’s Manual also includes the section “A Gener-
al Guide to Scanning” on Page 65 to help you target fre-
quency ranges in your service area so you can search for
a wide variety of transmissions.
FCC NOTICE
Your scanner might cause TV or radio interference even
when it is operating properly. To determine whether your
scanner is causing the interference, turn off your scanner.
If the interference goes away, your scanner is causing
the interference. Try the following methods to eliminate
the interference.
• Move your scanner away from the TV or radio.
• Connect your scanner to an outlet that is on a differ-
ent electrical circuit from the TV or radio.
• Contact your local RadioShack store for help.
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If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires
that you stop using your scanner.
This device complies with Part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Op-
eration is subject to the following conditions: (1) This de-
vice must not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: Mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a
permit in some areas. Check the laws in your area.
SCANNING LEGALLY
Scanning is a fun and interesting hobby. You can hear
police and fire departments, ambulance services, govern-
ment agencies, private companies, amateur radio servic-
es, aircraft, and military operations. It is legal to listen to
almost every transmission your scanner can receive.
However, there are some electronic and wire communi-
cations that are illegal to intentionally intercept. These in-
clude:
• telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other
private means of telephone signal transmission)
• pager transmissions
• scrambled or encrypted transmissions
According to the 
Federal Electronic Communications Pri-
vacy Act
 (ECPA), as amended, you could be fined and
possibly imprisoned for intentionally listening to, using, or
disclosing the contents of such a transmission unless you
have the consent of a party to the communication (unless
such activity is otherwise illegal). These laws change
from time to time and there might be state or local laws
that also affect legal scanner usage.
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CONTENTS
Preparation ................................................................  10
Power Sources  ....................................................  10
Using Batteries  .............................................  10
Charging Rechargeable Batteries  ................  13
Using AC Power  ...........................................  14
Using Vehicle Power  ....................................  15
Connecting the Antenna  ......................................  16
Connecting an Optional Antenna ..................  17
Connecting an Earphone/Headphones ................  17
Listening Safely  ............................................  18
Traffic Safety  ................................................  18
Connecting an Extension Speaker  ......................  18
Using the Belt Clip  ...............................................  19
Connecting the Clone Cable  ................................  19
About Your Scanner  .................................................  20
A Look at the Keypad  ..........................................  20
A Look at the Display  ...........................................  23
Understanding Banks  ..........................................  25
Channel Storage Banks ................................  25
Search Banks  ...............................................  25
Understanding Your PRO-92’s Modes  ................  28
AM Mode  ......................................................  29
FM Mode  ......................................................  29
Coded Squelch Modes 
(PL, DPL, and Trunking)  ......................................  29
PL Mode  .......................................................  29
DPL Mode .....................................................  30
LTR (E. F. Johnson) Mode  ...........................  31
Motorola Mode ..............................................  32
EDACS Mode  ...............................................  33
Operation ...................................................................  35
Turning on the Scanner and Setting Squelch  ......  35
Storing Known Frequencies into Channels ..........  36
Storing Text Tags  ................................................  37
Assigning a Text Tag to a Channel  ..............  37
Assigning a Text Tag to a Bank ....................  38
Text Input Chart  ............................................  39
Finding and Storing Active Frequencies  ..............  40
Searching a Preprogrammed 
Frequency Range  .........................................  41
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Storing a Frequency While Searching for a 
Specified Channel  ........................................  42
Changing a Search Range with 
One of the 60 Preprogrammed Ranges  .......  43
Manually Changing a Search Range  ...........  43
Scanning the Channels  .......................................  44
Turning Channel-Storage 
Banks Off and On .........................................  44
Manually Tuning a Frequency  .............................  45
Deleting Frequencies from Channels  ..................  46
Listening To the Weather Band  ...........................  46
Listening to a Weather Channel  ...................  46
Weather Alert Feature  ..................................  47
Special Features  .......................................................  48
Using the Delay Function  ....................................  48
Locking Out Channels or Frequencies  ................  48
Locking Out Channels  ..................................  48
Reviewing the Lock-Out Channels  ...............  49
Locking Out Frequencies  .............................  49
Reviewing Locked-Out Frequencies  ............  50
Clearing a Locked-Out Frequency  ...............  50
Clearing All Lock Out Frequencies 
in a Search Bank  ..........................................  50
Priority .................................................................  51
Changing the Receive Mode  ...............................  53
Changing the Frequency Step .............................  54
Using the Attenuator ............................................  54
Using the Display Backlight  .................................  55
Turning the Key Tone On and Off  .......................  55
Using the Keylock ................................................  55
Changing the Display Contrast ............................  56
Cloning the Programmed Data 
from Scanner to Scanner  ....................................  56
Trunking Operation  ..................................................  57
Understanding Trunking  ......................................  57
Programming Trunking Frequencies  ...................  58
Programming Fleet Maps  ....................................  58
Talk Group ID’s  ...................................................  60
Storing Talk Group ID’s  ................................  60
Talk Group ID Hold  ......................................  61
Locking Out Talk Groups ID  .........................  62
Reviewing Locked-Out Talk Group ID’s  .......  62
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Clearing Talk Group ID’s  ..............................  62
Clearing All Talk Group ID’s
in One Bank  ..................................................  63
Open and Closed Modes  .....................................  63
Changing the Open/Closed Mode  ................  64
A General Guide to Scanning  ..................................  65
Guide To Frequencies  .........................................  65
US Weather Frequencies  .............................  65
Ham Radio Frequencies  ...............................  65
Birdie Frequencies ........................................  65
Guide to the Action Bands  ...................................  67
Typical Band Usage  .....................................  67
Primary Usage  ..............................................  67
Band Allocation  ....................................................  68
Frequency Conversion .........................................  72
Troubleshooting ........................................................  73
Resetting/Initializing the Scanner  ........................  75
Resetting the Scanner  ..................................  75
Initializing the Scanner  .................................  75
Care and Maintenance  ..............................................  77
Specifications ............................................................  78
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PREPARATION
POWER SOURCES
You can power your scanner from any of three sources:
• internal non-rechargeable batteries or rechargeable
batteries (not supplied — see “Using Batteries”)
• standard AC power (with an optional AC adapter —
see “Using AC Power” on Page 14)
• vehicle power (with an optional DC adapter — see
“Using Vehicle Power” on Page 15)
Notes:
• Connecting an AC or DC adapter to the scanner dis-
connects internal batteries when you use the sup-
plied non-rechargeable battery holder, but it does not
disconnect internal batteries when you use the sup-
plied rechargeable battery holder. 
• If you install the rechargeable battery holder, you can
operate the scanner and recharge the rechargeable
batteries at the same time. See “Using Batteries”
below and “Charging Rechargeable Batteries” on
Page 13.
• If the scanner stops working properly after connect-
ing it to power, try resetting it. See “Resetting/Initial-
izing the Scanner” on Page 75.
Using Batteries
You can power the PRO-92 with six AA batteries. For the
longest operation and best performance, we recommend
alkaline batteries, available at your local RadioShack
store. 
You can use either the supplied non-rechargeable black
battery holder, or the supplied rechargeable yellow bat-
tery holder. If you use the rechargeable battery holder,
we recommend RadioShack nickel-cadmium or nickel-
metal hydride batteries.
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